First, I just have to say that probably every MLB in the league thinks every QB in the league is a pussy.

To the topic at hand — thanks for this great and thought-provoking series of posts. Well done. Your list is solid from top to bottom. I have only one major disagreement. Brian Urlacher at #2 is way too high. Not sure he even makes my list. The bears have great depth at LB. If Urlacher went down, Williams, Roach or Hillenmeyer would do a decent job. Even if he played like last year — good not great — the defense would survive.

By contrast, aside from some highlight moments from Alex Brown, the team got NOTHING from the d-ends last year. One of those guys has to be on the list. If we get no improvement at that position, the pash rush will remain anemic, and no MLB will make up for it. If among Wally/Brown/Anderson or Idonije/Melton/Gilbert we can generate some heat from the ends, then we can live with good-not-great at MLB. Defensive end has the most up-side and the most down-side for this defense.

Of course you are right about Cutler. The NFL is all about the QB position. Just ask the Vikings. They have a fine defense, a solid O-line, the best RB around, but they struggle to win 10 games, then lose at home in the playoffs.

Jay Cutler shoudn’t be #1 on this list. He is not the most pressing issue and the spot is designed for that. The most important list for the bears is receivers. They need to invest in quality ones to work with him. He is a good qb, but it unfair to assume just because you got him that everything on offense will be fine. All receivers are not capable of the same things. The colts and patriots are fine examples as to why you need to be picky at the position and their front offices have done a great job in securing those players.

Jay Cutler is not a savior and can’t do it all by himself-if you want maximum effort then pay the money for the receiver help. You can only use a running back and tight end on a defense for so long before it catches up with you. There has to be a big time receiver to compliment him. All of them don’t play like and they’re not paid alike for a reason.

Good post overall.

Great list, but let’s be honest. For the Bears to become the Bears that they were in 2006, they need their BEST player, not their newest player, to step up. Tommie m.th..fu.ki.g Harris needs to step his game up and stay healthy. His importance to the defense is sometimes overlooked, and I truly believe he is BY FAR the most important player on the D, and probably the team. I’ll call it right now and say that if 91 plays in 16 games and isn’t a gimp this year, the Bears are a top 5 defense in every important stat—INCLUDING SACKS.

The offense needs to control the ball, play balanced, and not give the ball away. The Bears philosophy does not need to drastically change just cuz Cutler’s a Bear now. It works. Having Cutler simply makes it easier to do.

I would’ve had Vasher 3 slots higher. Other than that, we’re on the same page. Again, great job and I personally am happy to have you here!

And that being said, ChiFan, GB and WCG….. your here too. :-)