[CBFF] 10 things begin wth No. 8

[Tom Shannon]

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/478089,CST-SPT-bear22.articlep
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10 things begin wth No. 8
BRAD BIGGS

No one has greater expectations for the Bears than coach Lovie Smith, who
likes to say the bar has been set. 
It can't get much higher with only one thing left for the defending NFC
champions to accomplish. Having won their division the last two seasons,
Smith's bunch is aiming for Super Bowl XLII in Glendale, Ariz., in an effort
to become the first team to lose the Big Game and return to win it the
following year since the Miami Dolphins triumphed in Super Bowl VII. 

Smith was handsomely rewarded with a contract that will pay him $23.45
million over the next five seasons and is trying to win a Super Bowl title
in his fourth season as head coach. 

But the Bears also are battling recent history. The hangover for Super Bowl
losers has been especially taxing. Seattle squeaked into the playoffs last
season to become the first loser of the previous Super Bowl to reach the
postseason since Tennessee did it in 2000. Distractions created by a near-
championship run can be difficult to overcome. 

This team had its share of controversy and upheaval during a wild offseason,
but if the Bears were able to put it behind them, who's to say it will not
be business as usual when players report to Olivet Nazarene University on
Thursday? Here are 10 things to watch for:   


1. Rex. Rex. Rex.
Lost in the shuffle created by Tank Johnson's sordid affair, Lance Briggs'
frustration with the franchise tag, Thomas Jones' trade and even Smith's
contract was Rex Grossman. No question, that was a good thing for the
quarterback who performs under a microscope. Grossman was the most important
piece for the Bears the day after the Super Bowl loss to Indianapolis and
remains the central figure today. All of the stuff that was going on around
him provided Grossman with a vacation from scrutiny. It's a make-or-break
season for him as a pro, not just in this town. From top to bottom, the
organization has backed him, just not enough to offer him a lucrative
long-term extension. Grossman enters the final year of his contract, and if
he performs well, the Bears will have no choice but to pony up. Some of the
game's best have made significant strides in their second full season as a
starter. He has been trying to improve his footwork. The future is set if
Grossman improves on a season in which he passed for 3,193 yards, 23
touchdowns and 20 interceptions. If not, Jerry Angelo is back in a position
he knows well: searching for a franchise quarterback. 

2. Run, Cedric, run
Two years later than he expected, Cedric Benson enters as the starting
tailback. If the last seven games of 2006 are an indication, he's ready.
Benson averaged 4.9 yards per carry and proved to be more than just a
bruiser between the tackles. Replacing Jones isn't going to be that easy,
though. He was the only consistent performer on the offense the last two
seasons and was immensely popular with teammates. If Benson comes through,
he'll have no problem winning them over. But the workhorse who never missed
time at Texas has had injuries and needs to prove he's the durable back
Angelo thought he was. Watch for one thing: Benson looked better as a
receiver out of the backfield in the spring than some expected. 

3. Wanted: Steady defensive tackle
As much as the Bears bent over backward for Tank Johnson, his actual value
may have been overstated. A disruptive player when he was playing well,
Johnson never was confused for a Pro Bowl performer, and he had little
interest in playing the run. The issue isn't replacing Johnson, it's finding
a capable rotation of players who can man the spot. The quicker the club can
find a steady partner for defensive player of the year candidate Tommie
Harris, the sooner the embarrassing support the club provided Johnson will
go away. Harris' college teammate Dusty Dvoracek gets the first crack. Look
for Israel Idonije, primarily a defensive end in the past, to get more time
inside. 

4. To play or not to play
The irony in Briggs' ordeal is that if he and agent Drew Rosenhaus wouldn't
have made their media blitz in March, he likely would've been traded months
ago. He'd have his hefty long-term salary, and Jamar Williams would be the
man on the weak side. But the public remarks not only rankled Angelo, they
handcuffed him. Now Briggs needs the Bears for the $7.206 million he's set
to make with the franchise tag. When he'll come around to this realization,
no one knows. Many a player would love to pass on training camp. Briggs has
threatened to sit out the first 10 games, but you'd have to expect he shows
some time in August. If not, get accustomed to Williams. 

5. Ring leader
There's not a lot six-time Pro Bowl middle linebacker Brian Urlacher can do
to elevate his game, but there is something new defensive coordinator Bob
Babich can do to help him. Urlacher is not a fan of the cover-2 because it
often takes him far away from the ball. Camp will be an interesting time to
see if he's allowed to get more involved near the line of scrimmage,
something that could affect the turnover ratio. Urlacher has gone 27
regular-season games without a sack, but he could put up some solid numbers
quickly with a few tweaks of the scheme. 

6. The cover-2's two
Mike Brown's return from a potentially career-threatening Lisfranc ligament
injury bolsters a secondary that also should be improved with Adam
Archuleta, whom Smith wanted to sign a year earlier. Archuleta was a
big-time bust in Washington, where it was said he looked for anyone to blame
but himself, but he has thrived in this system and under Smith before.
Archuleta can be a disruptive player near the line of scrimmage, and paired
with Brown, the run defense will only be stronger. Brown's health is
paramount, though. Stricken by injuries the last three seasons, he has one
more chance to prove he can stay on the field. When he does, the Bears are a
much better team. A wild card is Danieal Manning, who eventually should be
moved to corner. 

7. Variety of weapons
The most noise is being made about Devin Hester's move to offense, where he
will have a package of plays designed to exploit his game-breaking talents.
The Bears can't be accused of complacency on offense. They're not just
relying on Grossman to make them better but have added options for him.
Rookie tight end Greg Olsen provides a missing dimension as a vertical
threat for the middle third of the field, and Garrett Wolfe could carve out
a niche for himself out of the backfield. But Bernard Berrian can't be
overlooked. With 775 yards and six touchdowns last season, Berrian could
reach the 1,000-yard plateau and double his touchdowns if this unit improves
as expected. 

8. O-line
The Bears have one of the higher-paid lines and one of the oldest. Anchored
by six-time Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz, the group lost only two starts last
season as left tackle John Tait missed two games with an ankle injury that
required offseason surgery. Right guard Roberto Garza (28) is the only
starter under 30 for a group that averages 31.8 years. For a developing
quarterback and young running back to make the advances necessary, this
group must stay intact. 

9. Sack man
The more the coaching staff fed Mark Anderson, the more he pleased. Coming
from nowhere as a fifth-round pick who missed all of training camp, Anderson
had 12 sacks. The concern was he might not hold up against the run, so he
was used on passing downs. But Anderson got his chance, and he came through,
pushing Alex Brown to the bench. Anderson isn't going to sneak up on
opponents this season. They'll account for him and commit help to his side.
If he continues to grow, it might not matter. He's a force who should
continue to improve. 

10. Looking for a few good men
Hester and kicker Robbie Gould received many of the accolades for the
special-teams outfit that was tops in the league, but the complicated
formula that ranks teams involves a lot more. Special-teams coordinator Dave
Toub lost key contributors in Todd Johnson and Cameron Worrell in free
agency. The Bears always draft with an eye on how a player might fit into
this third phase, and new safety Kevin Payne could make an impact
immediately along with returner Brandon McGowan. 

TRAINING CAMP

The Bears return to Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, Ill., for the
sixth year. The first practice is Friday. Admission and parking are free.
ONU is a tobacco- and alcohol-free campus. Gates open one hour before all
practices. 

Directions from Chicago: Take I-90/94 South to I-57. Take I-57 South to
Bradley/ Bourbonnais Exit 315. Follow the exit ramp as it curves to the
right onto Route 50 South. Turn right onto Armour Road. At the second
traffic light, turn left onto Convent Street, which is also Route 45/52.
Follow the curves past the side entrance to campus on the left and continue
to the main entrance, which is lined with flags.


Tom S.

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