19 Days Left

I have to apologize for the lack of recent updates, but I know we've both been busy, and I'm seeing this past month as a sort of 'calm before the storm' type of period. Nothing too major has happened in August (yet) but the season is right around the corner so I'm sure the pace here will get furious in the coming weeks.

Mini camps are over, training camp is over, pre-season is halfway over, and only 2 weekends remain before our Sundays are taken over by the Bears mission to bring NFL glory back to Soldier Field. That said, here are my thoughts on the team at this point:

The offense should be improved from last year, if (this is a big if) the O-line & Benson can stay healthy all year. Rex should be improved (I am giving him the benefit of the doubt for his turnovers yesterday...he's been solid throughout camp & game 1, and aside from the fumbles had a pretty decent game...hopefully he gets his head back on straight & gives us a 3200-25-15 type season). We are deeper at WR & TE than we've ever been in the years I've followed this team.

I believe Benson is a better back than Thomas Jones, but at this point I don't see Garrett Wolfe as an upgrade to Thomas Jones. So, while our starting RB should be better, the overall position has declined, since essentially we replaced Jones with Wolfe. Hopefully Wolfe can develop into a Warrick Dunn-like player, but for now this is the position that most concerns me on offense.

Specail teams we will be excellent just like last year. We lost guys like Worrell & Todd Johnson, but guys like Jamar Williams, the Ayanbadejo brothers, and Adrian Peterson will keep them strong. Plus, the addition of Archuleta & re-signing of our starting CBs means D. Manning & R. Manning get more time on special teams, which is always good. Our skill guys (Maynard, Mannelly, Gould, Hester) are the best in the league bar-none.

Defensively, I am pumped. This D has been very good for 2 years...they now have 1 more year of experience, but remain a young D.

Look at the D-line...a more experienced Mark Anderson, a slimmed-down Wale, and a pissed-off Alex Brown? I'll take that. If someone in March had offered me a trade of Ian Scott & Tank Johnson for Anthony Adams & Darwin Walker straight up? I'd have jumped on it, and thats essentially what we got. If Tommie Harris comes back 100%, look out.

LBs should remain outstanding as always, and as a unit they're even better now that Jamar Williams has stepped up as the #4 LB. Last year we had no truly reliable #4 LB, and now Williams has proven he's starting caliber material...not to mention 3rd round pick Mike Okwo, who will probably get a chance eventually.

DBs should also remain excellent. Tillman, Vasher, & R. Manning all locked up here for the long haul is as good a CB situation as we could ever hope to get. Archuleta will be an upgrade against the run, and can cover short well enough. As long as Mike Brown stays healthy I like him as a free safety...while he doesn't have the blazing speed of D Manning, he also doesn't get out of position & allow 60 yard TDs in the Super Bowl. The guy makes big plays and doesn't allow big plays, and really that's just what you want from your FS. Manning is a talent & should be improved with the year under his belt. McGowan & Payne both look to be decent special teams contributors and at least competent players in spot duty.

This team should walk away with the NFC North, and most likely get 1 of the 2 first-round byes. With a team as talented & well-coached as the Bears, they need to stay healthy & get through the regular season with an eye towards getting in the best position possible to win the Super Bowl, as anything short of that would be a failure this year.

Sorry for the long post, had alot of thoughts built up over the past month :-). I wanted to lay a basic groundwork for my optimism about the season. Before the 1st game again San Diego I'll probably write a post about my concerns for this team, and what could derail this potentially great season.

After that things will get much mroe direct & specific, once the live action begins.

Bear Down.