The Chicago Bears drive in Green Bay on the heels of a very successful first offseason by new General Manager Phil Emery. Emery has spent the majority of his career with the Chiefs prior to his hiring by the Bears earlier this year.
The former GM who shall remain nameless is gone and his idealogies crushed. After watching the team completely fall apart after a strong start (7-3) he was let go for a lack of depth behind the starters. Not only did the Bears of 2011 have a chance to win more games, but they blew an opportunity to make the playoffs and seek revenge on their main rivals, the Green Bay Packers.
Bears brass was pissed, the fans were pissed and one would have to assume the defensive leaders were pissed as well. Urlacher, Tillman, Peppers and Briggs are are aging quickly and that might have been their last opportunity. Until, of course, the Bears filled the GM position with promise of hope and change.
Enter Phil Emery. A scouts scout. Someone who claimed he spent more time on the road than the head of his scouting department. This is not what Bears fans wanted to hear. We were tired of cutesy borderline Division Two players and a complete abandonment of the offense.
Emery also said he likes big receivers. Enter Brandon Marshall. When his head is on right, he's a top five WR in the league. He brings a physicality to the position the Bears haven't ever had before. He is the best WR the Bears have ever had. If that wasn't enough, he moved up in the second round to draft Alshon Jeffrey. Rated with the best hands in the draft (You mean he's not a converted Arena league CB?) but fell because of poor numbers in his last season. Could have been because they lost their QB and had to go to a true freshman mid season...naw, that couldn't be it. Not only has Jeffrey caught everything in camp, preseason and against the Colts, he's as humble as pie on the 4th of July.
Okay, that's great, but what about the rest of the offense? How about Jason Campbell backing up Cutler? How about Michael Bush signed for four years with ONLY seven million guaranteed? Talk about talented backups.
Of course, not everything is lollipops and gumballs. The Bears Oline is still just as terrible as it ever was. As Green Bay continues to get stronger on the front seven with high draft choices such as Perry and Worthy, Emery stood pat on the Oline at the request of his promoted from within offensive coordinator Mike Tice.
Tice should be an improvement over Martz. Even the MSM bashes Martz to this day about his time in Chicago. Tice likes big WR's and Alshon and Marshall are both over 6'3. His quotes about the offensive line are optimistic and tough, but it's the same garbage they trotted out last year, save for a couple of FA scrub back ups. The hope for Bears fans everywhere is that Tice will move Cutler around in the pocket and eliminate plays that don't work. So far, so good.
So, with an improved offense and a steady defense, the Bears pack their lunch and head to Green Bay. The road to the playoffs and the NFC North titles still runs through them.
Bears D VS Packers O
McCarthy has had our number lately. The display last winter was laughable. Not much has changed for the Packers except Driver is on the way out and Cobb has a year of experience under his belt. Dangerous. Cedric Benson is a concern but it all depends on how pass happy MM gets.
Defensively, Urlacher is healthy and the Bears got a little bit younger up front. Big Shea was Emery's first draft pick. Some say he's out of position but he's played great so far. Great spin move and unrelenting motor. He might only perfect his spin move more this year as he needs to put on some muscle to really make a impact. He's the nickel DE and liability in the run game, for now.
Henry Melton in the DT that will push Green Bays FA Saturday around the field like a rag doll. Dude was a FB at UT and is explosive and powerful. He will not let QB's step up and side step Peppers any longer.
Despite Lovie Smiths long history of defensive coordinating and work in the secondary, there are still questions back there. Chris Conte, safety, is a 2nd year player who is as smart as he is quick, but lacks experience. Tim Jennings is the #2 CB and he's undersized but a play maker. Emery signed Kelvin Hayden as the #3 CB in the offseason and has filled the role decently so far.
The Packers O will score points on this aging defense but there is a good mix of playmakers and young talent. The Bears D will force at least three turnovers.
Bears O VS Packers D
Woodsen at Safety is gong to be tough for the Bears O. While I contend he's a dirty player and punk, he is cerebral and will cause some confusion early for Jay Cutler. Bush is the one to take advantage of. I witnessed Perry get fooled several times against the 49ers and Mike Tice will use trickery and misdirection to the Bears benefit.
Clay Matthews registered 2.5 sacks against one the the best LT's in the game yeterday and on Thursday he will be going against the worst in J'Marcus Webb. Dude gets turned more than Henrys Mom at the local cheese fair.
Although...the combination of Forte and Bush will prove to be a challenge to the Packers. Bush is more than a power back and Forte is in the best shape of his life. Marshall will be too much for Bush and Alshon is STILL flying under the radar. Look for a lot of rollouts and PA once the ground game has bee established.
Bears 35
Fudgies 31
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