| The Chicago Bears had a great season in 2005. | | | | Receivers |
| They finished 11-6 and went to the playoffs. | | | | |
| Their one problem was scoring. Many in the | | | | The receiving core is a bit lackluster. Sure, |
| media have touted the Bears as the NFC North | | | | there's Muhsin Muhammad, but he's not getting |
| champions. Are they correct? Let's take a | | | | any younger. Aside from Muhammad, there's not |
| look at the 2006 Chicago Bears. Fortunately | | | | too much to be excited about-yet. The young |
| for them, their division is not that tough. | | | | Bears receivers do have talent and could |
| | | | blossom into solid contributors on the field. |
| Key Moves | | | | Right now, the receiving core is just |
| | | | average. |
| One major move by the Bears was the addition | | | | |
| of Brian Griese. The offense was up and down | | | | Defense and Special Teams |
| last season. Griese will be fighting for a | | | | |
| job. He comes in as a backup, but if Grossman | | | | Last season it was all about the defense. The |
| fails to impress, Griese could take the | | | | Bears defense constantly made critical plays |
| reins. Their defense loses a good player in | | | | and kept their team in the game. The 2006 |
| Jerry Azumah. Despite being only 28, he had | | | | Bears defense is above average again. The |
| to call it quits. His body got the best of | | | | best component of the defense is the |
| him. | | | | linebacker unit. They are off the charts. The |
| | | | weak part of the defense is the secondary. |
| Quarterbacks | | | | Losing Jerry Azumah didn't help any. The |
| | | | Bears did pick up cornerbacks Ricky Manning |
| One of the issues last season was the health | | | | and Dante Wesley. The secondary will have to |
| of Rex Grossman. He's expected to be healthy | | | | step it up in 2006. The special teams unit |
| this season. Grossman could help the Bears | | | | has its ups and downs. Punter Brad Maynard |
| offense soar. The signing of Brian Griese | | | | needs to have a better season. The Bears hope |
| gives the Bears a solid backup. Even is | | | | that Robbie Gould, kicker, was not just a one |
| Grossman goes down, they won't experience a | | | | year wonder. On the plus side, the Bears did |
| horrendous drop. Neither quarterback is upper | | | | add a couple return men that could be home |
| echelon. The Bears QB situation is just above | | | | run type of guys. |
| average. | | | | |
| | | | 2006 Prediction |
| Running Backs | | | | |
| | | | It's possible that the Bears win their |
| The Bears are sitting pretty in the running | | | | division, because the division is weak. |
| game. Thomas Jones should have another great | | | | However, I believe they will be an 8-8 team. |
| year. They also have Cedric Benson in the | | | | The schedule is not too tough, but it's not |
| wings. The running game of the Bears is the | | | | the walk in the park it was in 2005. In 2005, |
| offense's strong point. Throw in the tough | | | | the Bears had a 2-4 record against really |
| blocking Bryan Johnson and you have a ground | | | | good teams. This is why they faltered in the |
| attack that will eat up yards. Thomas Jones | | | | playoffs. They were not as good as their |
| had 1,335 yards last season. As nice as that | | | | record indicated. In 2006, they have 8 games |
| is, Cedric Benson is expected to be better | | | | that look to be pretty tough, 2 that are |
| when he's ready. | | | | middle ground and 6 that are against lower |
| | | | tier teams. |