2008 Team Preview: Chicago Bears – NFC North

2007 Record: 7-9
Key Losses: Brian Griese (QB), Cedric Benson (RB), Muhsin Muhammad (WR), Bernard Berrian (WR), Fred Miller (RT), Adam Archuleta (SS)
Key Additions: Marty Booker (WR)

When your losses list is much longer than your additions list that could be trouble – and this is just the ‘key’ list – looking at role players and back ups the losses list gets longer but the additions list (outside the draft) does not.  Of course 5 seventh round draft choices could help, but how often do 7th round picks have a significant impact?

This team still has some serious concerns on offense, namely no QB and they’ve gone from an old offensive line to an inexperienced one.  Devon Hester will not be allowed to destroy teams like he did a year ago – he’s their only real weapon, teams will kick away from him regularly.  The big bright spot for Chicago might be Matt Forte, their 2nd round pick, a RB out of Tulane.  With Benson gone the door is wide open for Forte (it may have been with Benson still there) and I like the chances that Forte will be a starter most of the season on this team and have an impact.  The fantasy football cheat sheet experts over at FantasyDraftEdge.com seem to agree as they too are high on Forte.

So some bright spots are there and the defense (#2 in 2005 to #28 last year) has to be a little better however this division is getting tougher and I see no answer at QB for Chicago.  It will be tough from a handicapping perspective to pick this team unless we see great value.  What we may see more is some over the total opportunities as the line gets very low at times for the Bears based on public perception of this no longer dominant defense.

Predicted 2008-09 Record: 6-10