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JoeyTourettes
Well-Known Member
Of course this will all depend on who is running the team, drafting the future, signing the Free agents, and Coaching the players. Without yet knowing who that will be, might be slightly premature to speculate a quick turn around. Consider this:
Back in Sept we all had some pretty high hopes for this season. Many of us looked at the "talent" on paper and thought this could be something special. That "talent" is still there- for the most part.
We said: The best WR duo in the League.
What happened: They both got hurt early in the year. Alshon had a noticeable hamstring injury and Marshall had the ankle injury. Both played through those injuries and looking back each probably should have sat for at least a week and gotten healthy. Throughout the season they couldn't get separation and the deep threat, jump balls were gone for much of the year. Game plans were forced to rely on shorter routes that resulted in them both facing the QB and coming back for the ball instead of catching passes in stride. Without much of any yards after the catch. Can anyone remember more then 3 amazing catches that were the norm in 2013?
With both still under contract for next year- can they reclaim the "best duo" we gave them? A speed threat will be needed.
We believed: The Oline would continue to make strides and grow after starting the entire 2013 season together.
What happened: 8+ line combinations throughout the season. Every member of that 2013 unit missed at least one game. Garza & Slausen both missed 3 of the first 4 games. Slausen was then lost for the season. Mills has been hurt and not grown as had expected. DLP was lost for the year. Bushrod and Long both missed a game. The production in the running game nearly disappeared, an argument could be made they just simply didn't call enough run plays, but even when they did this mash unit didn't perform well enough.
Pass blocking also took a step back as they have given up more sacks then last year.
New bodies will be needed- namely a RT... a healthy Slausen, a better run/pass ratio could also help. There are a few building blocks in place- a healthy season could see this being a much better line.
Matt Forte & Marty Bennett played at or near Pro bowl caliber. They can continue that next year. Given a deep threat on the outside may open up even more chances for Both to make bigger plays. Fix/Tweak the Oline and play calling and Forte can return to running the ball more effectively. Probably need new backups for both of these players...but they do have the talent for next years new coaching staff.
QB- ahh that One Name that shall not be mentioned... I'm assuming he returns based simply on contract. Fix the things above and add that deep threat and (some) people will gladly say that name again. The potential is still higher then a journeyman/rookie. Can he do the same positives and limit the dreaded, hated, much talked about turnovers? With healthy Twin Towers and Oline, some better game plans- I can easily see another year of Bears QB records... which isn't saying much. New GM/Coach should get the chance to choose, and not be chosen based on that Name.
Continue on for Defense......
Back in Sept we all had some pretty high hopes for this season. Many of us looked at the "talent" on paper and thought this could be something special. That "talent" is still there- for the most part.
We said: The best WR duo in the League.
What happened: They both got hurt early in the year. Alshon had a noticeable hamstring injury and Marshall had the ankle injury. Both played through those injuries and looking back each probably should have sat for at least a week and gotten healthy. Throughout the season they couldn't get separation and the deep threat, jump balls were gone for much of the year. Game plans were forced to rely on shorter routes that resulted in them both facing the QB and coming back for the ball instead of catching passes in stride. Without much of any yards after the catch. Can anyone remember more then 3 amazing catches that were the norm in 2013?
With both still under contract for next year- can they reclaim the "best duo" we gave them? A speed threat will be needed.
We believed: The Oline would continue to make strides and grow after starting the entire 2013 season together.
What happened: 8+ line combinations throughout the season. Every member of that 2013 unit missed at least one game. Garza & Slausen both missed 3 of the first 4 games. Slausen was then lost for the season. Mills has been hurt and not grown as had expected. DLP was lost for the year. Bushrod and Long both missed a game. The production in the running game nearly disappeared, an argument could be made they just simply didn't call enough run plays, but even when they did this mash unit didn't perform well enough.
Pass blocking also took a step back as they have given up more sacks then last year.
New bodies will be needed- namely a RT... a healthy Slausen, a better run/pass ratio could also help. There are a few building blocks in place- a healthy season could see this being a much better line.
Matt Forte & Marty Bennett played at or near Pro bowl caliber. They can continue that next year. Given a deep threat on the outside may open up even more chances for Both to make bigger plays. Fix/Tweak the Oline and play calling and Forte can return to running the ball more effectively. Probably need new backups for both of these players...but they do have the talent for next years new coaching staff.
QB- ahh that One Name that shall not be mentioned... I'm assuming he returns based simply on contract. Fix the things above and add that deep threat and (some) people will gladly say that name again. The potential is still higher then a journeyman/rookie. Can he do the same positives and limit the dreaded, hated, much talked about turnovers? With healthy Twin Towers and Oline, some better game plans- I can easily see another year of Bears QB records... which isn't saying much. New GM/Coach should get the chance to choose, and not be chosen based on that Name.
Continue on for Defense......