2007 Chicago Bears Picks & Predictions
May 21, 2008
There’s no doubt the Bears endured some offseason struggles after making it to the Super Bowl last season. Find out why Dave Price doesn’t think these things will stand in their way in his 2007 Chicago Bears Predictions.
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With a second consecutive division crown and an NFC Conference championship in 2006, the Bears took a big stride forward in their progress under Lovie Smith. However, the public disclosure of Smith’s contract discussions, LB Lance Briggs’ media circus, and the shipping off of offensive MVP Thomas Jones marked a particularly drama-filled offseason. Jones’ departure leaves former first-round draft pick RB Cedric Benson and QB Rex Grossman under severe pressure to perform as offensive centerpieces on a team the oddsmakers have favored to win the NFC. On defense, the team must be able to handle Briggs’ threat to hold out of the regular season, Tank Johnson’s potential suspension, and first-year coordinator Bob Babich’s growing pains. I think the Bears combat all these problems rather easily if Mike Brown and Tommie Harris are healthy for the season.
The Bears’ front office vowed that the offense would improve with Rex Grossman as their full time signal caller. That persistence seemingly paid off, as Chicago finished tied for second in the NFL in points scored — although leading the league in points off turnovers certainly helped. Even so, an offense, that finished 2005 near the bottom of the league catapulted up to the middle of the pack behind Grossman’s fast start, a powerful ground game featuring two quality backs, Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson, and the surfacing of a deep threat in Bernard Berrian. The Bears proved that even a little bit of offense to go with their talented “D” could get them in the big game. More improvement in 2007 on this side of the ball, and they just might be raising the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Lovie Smith’s cover-2 began the season in dominant form, holding its first 10 opponents to less than 300 total yards and registering 29 takeaways in those 10 matchups. However, the Bears “D” finished the season in less than heroic fashion, permitting more than 300 yards in each of its final nine games including its playoff matchups. The loss of Mike Brown in Week Six and Tommie Harris is Week 13 was costly. Not only did their injuries cost the team two of its top playmakers, but it robbed them of their most intelligent, hardest hitting defensive back and their best pass rusher. Although they finished first in the league in turnover forced, it was apparent that they were not the same defense in the playoffs. At season’s end, Smith hastily dumped popular coordinator Ron Rivera in exchange for long-time sidekick Bob Babich. This should only improve the Bears defense with the chemistry these two have.
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