September 1, 2017
Although the final roster is not set, there are only 9 days
until the season opener. So, it’s time to talk football and our focus will be
on the Chicago Bears.
First the good news. The defense looks pretty good. The
front three, Aikeem Hicks, Eddie Goldman and Mitch Unrein can be a force
against the run and pressure the quarterback. Danny Trevathan should also be
ready to go. With Jerrell Freeman, Willie Young and what should be an improved
Leonard Floyd, this gives the Bears four solid linebackers. The secondary is an
unknown. Alabama rookie Eddie Jackson looks good. The rest of the secondary are
other team castoffs. They have been solid if not spectacular in the past.
Although the first string defense has only given up 1 touchdown in pre-season,
there have been no interceptions or fumble recoveries. To be really good they
have to greatly improve on takeaways. Last
year they forced only eleven turn-overs. They need to stay healthy. Last year
they were decimated by injuries and the depth is not good.
On the other hand, aside from Jordan Howard, the offense
leaves a lot to be desired. It doesn’t matter how good your defense is if you
can’t score any points. Your highest paid free agent, quarterback Mike Glennon
has only started 14 games. He hasn’t shown anything and gets to start over
quarterback of the future, Mitchell Trubisky (but more on that later). Even
with a good quarterback who’s going to catch passes? You have seventh overall
pick Kevin Smith who qualifies as a bust. The other receivers are busters.
Randall Wright and Markus Wheaton (currently injured) are the next two options.
Suffice it to say they were not on any fantasy list.
The Bears continually make me scratch my head at what the
hell they’re doing. I will hop on the band wagon about their decision to start
Trubisky in the final exhibition game. When he got knocked out of bounds on a
late hit you could hear the sigh of relief when he got up. Going into last off
season the biggest need for the Bears was in the defense secondary. If injured
Cam Meredith is your top receiver that issue should have been addressed as
well. So, in need of multiple players the Bears unnecessarily trade some draft
picks to move up to take a backup quarterback. After signing a tight end in
free agency their second pick is a tight end who is third on the depth chart.
Not until the 4th round do they pick up a defensive back. I don’t know
what other people think. I believe your top draft pick should be an impact
starter. Your high second pick should at least be on the cusp of starting.
Let’s face it. The Bears are going to be lousy and could have drafted a future
quarterback in 2018.
The brutal schedule could make this a long season. The first
game is against Atlanta. Not even the best defense stops Matt Ryan and the
Falcons. Game 2 recalls nightmares of last year’s game against Tampa, chasing James Winston all over and then he
throws TD pass with Tracy Porter falling down, loss number 2. Game three
against Pittsburgh another prolific offense, loss number 3. Game 4 Rodgers and the
Packers make loss number 4 to start the season. Being a Bear fan, I hope that
maybe they can scratch out a win. Maybe Tampa or Green Bay. It’s a long shot
for sure but if they lose all four, Trubisky starts game 5 and beats Minnesota
on a Monday night.
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