Chicago Bears 2013 Season Preview

The 2013 NFL season will bring noticeable changes for Bears fans.  The early season identity and veteran leadership will still mostly come from the defense, but the idea of a competent offensive approach is truly refreshing.

I will admit that what Lovie Smith brought to the defensive side of the team was amazing.  It was obvious that the players loved and respected him too.  However, the combination of Lovie’s ignorance for offense, his not being able to pick an offensive coordinator and Jerry Angelo’s inability to draft offensive players had to be dealt with.

So far the 2012 hiring of Phil Emery to replace Jerry Angelo as General Manager has been a success.  He has already drafted more 1st round starters (1 in Kyle Long) than are even left of the roster from Jerry Angelo’s 1st round picks.  I don’t think many fans even remotely thought of Long as a starter when they heard his name called on draft night.

So far Long and 5th round pick Jordan Mills are making Phil Emery look good.  Both starting at Right Guard and Right Tackle respectively, and looking solid in the preseason.  Clearly improvement was needed along the offensive line.  These picks along with the free agent signings of Left Tackle Jermon Bushrod and Left Guard Matt Slauson should provide much better protection for Jay Cutler.  The only remaining starter from last year is Center Roberto Garza who was their best lineman last year.

As for the defense Brian Urlacher will be missed as a leader probably more than as a player.  His production had dropped and his injuries were too frequent to commit already tight salary cap space to him.  I don’t think this defense led by new Defensive Coordinator Mel Tucker will skip a beat though.  DJ Williams is more than capable of taking over at Middle Linebacker.  Jon Bostic had a good showing in the preseason.  He made some rookie mistakes, but showed flashes of a guy that could be a solid replacement for Urlacher as well.

Obviously the biggest changes this year will be the approach on offense.  New head coach Marc Trestman brings in a version of the west coast offense that he has had success with in various cities.  He is considered to be a bit of a QB guru.  Some refer to him as the “Quarterback Whisperer.”  I look forward to seeing a real offensive approach.

All the notable changes being stated above, this season will have one constant storyline.  It will be nothing more than the play of Quarterback Jay Cutler.  The Bears have a lot of players in the last year of their contracts in 2013, but none more important or controversial than that of Cutler.

I think it is a tall task for Trestman to fix Cutler completely in one season so this becomes a tricky situation.  There is no doubt that Cutler has the ability to be a top tier QB.  However between all the hits the past 4 years and having to learn his 4th offensive system in 5 years Cutler may be broken mentally.  That is what the “Quarterback Whisperer” really needs to fix.  If he can get Cutler pointed in the right direction mentally talent will take over. 

That is a big “IF” though since Cutler is in a contract year.  He has to buy into the system to be fixed.  With all the money that is thrown at QB’s in the NFL if he does not show signs of being that top tier QB they traded for there is a good chance he will be gone.

My prediction for the Bears is 9-7 and they will not make the playoffs.  I think that despite a lesser record than 2012 when they went 10-6 they will see a lot of improvement, but the difficult schedule that awaits them will be a bit too much.  I’m just not sold that Cutler will be successful.  He may be past fixing.  That being said I hope they surprise me and make the playoffs.

Should they decide to cut ties with Cutler I have a target for them in the 2014 draft.  Someone I have been watching since last year is QB Teddy Bridgewater from Louisville.  If he continues to put up numbers like he did last weekend though he may end up too high for a 9-7 team.  He has top tier NFL QB written all over him.  Draft slot and what may be available will probably be included in the decision over Cutler.

Let me know your predictions for the Bears record this year and who their top performers will be.