Chicago Bears Making Case to be NFC’s Best Team in 2012
In 2011, before all the injuries plagued the Chicago Bears, they were looking like a legit top five team in the NFL. After hiring a new GM, the culture of this team has completely changed in 2012 and they are making moves like never before, really. Even star linebacker Brian Urlacher is taking notice:
“Phil Emery knows what he’s doing, obviously; Brandon Marshall, Michael Bush, Matt [Forte] coming back, Israel [Idonije], [Eric] Weems, I know I’m leaving some guys out, I don’t mean to, but we’ve done a lot.”
The Bears made a huge splash on the opening day of the 2012 league year when they traded two third round picks for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall. The Bears already had two third round picks in this year’s draft from the Greg Olsen trade, so it was really a win-win situation for them. Brandon Marshall is likely better than any player they could have gotten with that third round pick, and he has great chemistry with quarterback Jay Cutler.
If attitudes can be kept in check, and egos checked at the door, I think this Bears team could surprise some people as one of the best in the NFL. They are always a very well-coached team, and they are always among the best defenses in the league, regardless of personnel.
Not only that, but the Bears–provided they are able to get Matt Forte happy–have one of the most dynamic sets of offensive playmakers in the NFL between Cutler, Forte, Marshall, Michael Bush, Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, and others. I think they could still stand to add a few more pieces in the draft, and what options could be out there?
I really like the idea of the Bears adding Stanford tight end Coby Fleener in the first round, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they still go with a defensive player at that 19th overall slot. Fleener is the type of guy that can add another dimension to the offense, and we know how much Jay Cutler loved throwing to Tony Scheffler in Denver, and how much he missed Greg Olsen when he was traded to the Carolina Panthers.
The Bears have many of the pieces in place to make a title run in the NFC this year, provided they can keep key players healthy. I think they are now equipped to handle an injury to Matt Forte, unlike last year, and they are even ready if Jay Cutler goes down with the signing of backup quarterback Jason Campbell, formerly of the Oakland Raiders.
This Chicago team is scary looking on paper already, and we haven’t even had the draft. They still need to upgrade a few positions, but they definitely have pieces in place that makes me think they could make a big run in the NFC.