motife
04-03-2008, 05:19 PM
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Bears look to rebound despite QB quandary
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By Ken Moll
Scouts Inc.
As the NFL draft approaches, "SportsCenter" is putting every NFL team with a first-round pick "On the Clock," and Scouts Inc. will break down each team and look at what questions still need answering.
Coach Lovie Smith's team still has many core players who led the Bears to a Super Bowl two years ago. Many of the impressive defenders who carried the club in 2006 remain, but injures to key players led to the Bears' tumble from defensive prominence last year. There have only been a few key changes in the offseason, but most have not given cause for optimism. It appears Smith and the front office have decided to stand pat in a few key areas, including quarterback, which means the Bears have many questions going into this season. Everyone will be watching to see how this franchise responds to last season's disappointing 7-9 record.
Key Additions
The Bears signed wide receivers Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd to help fill the void left by the departure of WRs Bernard Berrian and Mushin Muhammad. Booker is a good football player who is getting on in age and his best years are likely behind him. Lloyd has the raw talent to be an explosive target in the Bears' offense, but has been inconsistent throughout his career. Re-signing key players was as important to Smith and his staff as signing high-priced free agents. Keeping LB Lance Briggs and young safety Brandon McGowan has solidified the defense. However, re-signing the controversial Rex Grossman at quarterback did not solve the quarterback situation and may have muddied the water even more.
Key Losses
There were several key departures on offense this offseason, but none more important than Berrian. He was clearly the Bears most explosive perimeter target and it may be tough to replace him. Plus, losing a physical, tough, and experienced red zone receiver, like Muhammad, shouldn't be underestimated either. Veteran offensive linemen Ruben Brown and Fred Miller are also gone, but their departure may not set this unit back too far because both players were aging and there were concerns about their durability and diminishing skills. Losing TE John Gilmore should not affect this team either, because he only added depth to the position and the Bears should be very solid in this area. There were also several departures on the defensive side of the ball. DT Darwin Walker was released while DT Antonio Garay, DT Jimmy Kennedy and LB Brendon Ayanbadejo were lost in free agency. However, this shouldn't be cause for concern because all of these athletes were only role players for coordinator Bob Babich.
Remaining Questions
There are many questions to be answered by the Bears, but none more important than who will lead this club under center? Taking veteran quarterback Brian Griese out of the mix has narrowed the decision, but choosing between Grossman and an inexperienced, but promising Kyle Orton doesn't appear to be an easy choice. Can the offense establish a consistent ground attack, which is so vitally needed in the NFC North? The huge stumble from 2006 to 2007 can be somewhat attributed to an ineffective running game. Will this year's offense incorporate explosive WR Devin Hester more? Even though he is still raw in many ways, his athleticism and ability to put pressure on a defense needs to be a much bigger part of the offensive philosophy. Can wide receiver Mark Bradley live up to his early hype and elevate his play to be a featured target? Can the defense bounce back from a huge tumble and regain its once-dominating form?
Bears look to rebound despite QB quandary
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Ken Moll
Scouts Inc.
As the NFL draft approaches, "SportsCenter" is putting every NFL team with a first-round pick "On the Clock," and Scouts Inc. will break down each team and look at what questions still need answering.
Coach Lovie Smith's team still has many core players who led the Bears to a Super Bowl two years ago. Many of the impressive defenders who carried the club in 2006 remain, but injures to key players led to the Bears' tumble from defensive prominence last year. There have only been a few key changes in the offseason, but most have not given cause for optimism. It appears Smith and the front office have decided to stand pat in a few key areas, including quarterback, which means the Bears have many questions going into this season. Everyone will be watching to see how this franchise responds to last season's disappointing 7-9 record.
Key Additions
The Bears signed wide receivers Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd to help fill the void left by the departure of WRs Bernard Berrian and Mushin Muhammad. Booker is a good football player who is getting on in age and his best years are likely behind him. Lloyd has the raw talent to be an explosive target in the Bears' offense, but has been inconsistent throughout his career. Re-signing key players was as important to Smith and his staff as signing high-priced free agents. Keeping LB Lance Briggs and young safety Brandon McGowan has solidified the defense. However, re-signing the controversial Rex Grossman at quarterback did not solve the quarterback situation and may have muddied the water even more.
Key Losses
There were several key departures on offense this offseason, but none more important than Berrian. He was clearly the Bears most explosive perimeter target and it may be tough to replace him. Plus, losing a physical, tough, and experienced red zone receiver, like Muhammad, shouldn't be underestimated either. Veteran offensive linemen Ruben Brown and Fred Miller are also gone, but their departure may not set this unit back too far because both players were aging and there were concerns about their durability and diminishing skills. Losing TE John Gilmore should not affect this team either, because he only added depth to the position and the Bears should be very solid in this area. There were also several departures on the defensive side of the ball. DT Darwin Walker was released while DT Antonio Garay, DT Jimmy Kennedy and LB Brendon Ayanbadejo were lost in free agency. However, this shouldn't be cause for concern because all of these athletes were only role players for coordinator Bob Babich.
Remaining Questions
There are many questions to be answered by the Bears, but none more important than who will lead this club under center? Taking veteran quarterback Brian Griese out of the mix has narrowed the decision, but choosing between Grossman and an inexperienced, but promising Kyle Orton doesn't appear to be an easy choice. Can the offense establish a consistent ground attack, which is so vitally needed in the NFC North? The huge stumble from 2006 to 2007 can be somewhat attributed to an ineffective running game. Will this year's offense incorporate explosive WR Devin Hester more? Even though he is still raw in many ways, his athleticism and ability to put pressure on a defense needs to be a much bigger part of the offensive philosophy. Can wide receiver Mark Bradley live up to his early hype and elevate his play to be a featured target? Can the defense bounce back from a huge tumble and regain its once-dominating form?