Gearing Up For 2010.......Did We Do Enough?

We have all been witness to many changes with our beloved Chicago Bears during this off season.  So entering the 2010 season I'm confident other fans aside from myself are wondering, will it be enough?  Let's break it down in Pro and Con format.  First the Pro's and then the Con's.  One thing is for certain, the only direction we can go is UP.

                                                                                   Pro's:

A.  Mike Martz hired as Offensive Coordinator.

This move was long overdue.  The Offense was stagnant and predictable.  The arrival of Jay Cutler in 2009 only reinforced this concept.  Ron Turner was in way over his head in how to handle a young gunslinger type quarterback. 

B.  Mike Tice hired as Offensive line coach.

Another move that should bring back the rushing Offense in 2010 and shore up the pass game for jay Cutler in terms of protection.  Tice can teach young players like Josh Beekman, Chris Williams and J'Marcus Webb the finer points of blocking NFL style.  I look for 7th round pick J'Marcus Webb to be a starter by Mid 2010 under Mike Tice's knowledge being passed to him. 

C.  Rod Marinelli as Defensive Coordinator.

We went from Ron Rivera to Bob Babich to Lovie Smith and it leaves most of us wondering why Ron Rivera was ever let go in the first place.  Hopefully Rod Marinelli is an upgrade from Lovie and company in this role.  Because the Detroit Lions are the Detroit Lions I believe Rod Marinelli deserves another chance.  I think the Bears as an organization pulled off an astounding feat by having 3 assistant coaches that have all been head coaches in the NFL.  Don't be surprised if 1 of the three replaces Mr. ' The defense is on me' in 2012.

D.  Acquisition Of Julius Peppers.

One of the top free agent prizes going into the free agency market.  I have to hand it to Jerry Angelo, when he screws up the drafts he makes up for it on signings of free agents.  Little needs to be said here.  The Man demands double teams.  And if he is double teamed it creates chances for the rest of the Defensive line.  Assuming Tommie Harris can stay healthy with less double teams, every team in the NFL just lost valuable time in the pocket to throw the ball.   

E. Acquisition Of Chester Taylor.

Another excellent move by the Bears.  Hell, brings us back to the Days of Neal Anderson backing up Payton.  Not that Forte is a Payton but he is a good back that played hurt most of the Year last season.  We now have depth at the position.  A Two headed monster that we see in Miami, Carolina and Baltimore.  Taylor is more of a downhill runner that compliments Forte's cutback style.  I look forward to dual set Offensive backfield formations. 

F.  Acquisition of Brandon Manumaleuna.

Yes Greg Olsen, we know you can catch the ball as well as most Receivers in the NFL.  Mike Martz has called you out though.  We need blocking TE's to set up the run game.  The Bears landed one of the best in the NFL available in free agency with Manumaleuna.  I really look forward to seeing this guy in goal line situations.  We really struggled in this area last season and it looks like we just got a lot better. 

G.  Trade for Chris Harris.

This was a solid move but was it enough?  Chris Harris brings a nice resume to the weakest area of the team last season.  We will need to depend on Manning or Afalava to shore up the other side at Safety.  Peanut Tillman has been having troule staying healthy as well.  However, with the Key addition to the Defensive line the Bears Defensive backfield just became a lot better,

H.  Brian Urlacher, Lance Brigg's, Pisa Tinoisamoa.

All 3 players healthy again going into the 2010 season.  There are not many teams in the NFL that have a linebacker tandem such as this on their roster.  Urlacher is running out of time for that Super Bowl ring.  Let's hope we see the Urlacher of old. 

I.  Brett Favre.

The man needs surgery on a previously injured ankle following the NFC Championship game.  Rumor has it he's hanging up his cleats.  But do we believe him?  As much as it pains me to say this,  Minnesota is a much better team with Brett Favre at the helm.  I DO NOT believe he is coming back this time.

                                                                                      Con's

A.  Jay Cutler

The jury is still out on Jay Cutler.  His reads in the Red Zone are the thing nightmare's are made of.  With Jay Cutler it is what it is.  A tremendous talent that throws some really bad passes at times.  It is difficult to ignore the number of interceptions he threw last Year.  Only Jay Cutler can change the Con into a Pro heading into the 2010 season.

B.  Offensive Line.

Not a lot has changed here.  We have to pin our hopes on a new Offensive line coach in Tice and a 7th round pick in J'Marcus Webb.  Hopefully the lack of effort to draft an Offensive lineman in the 3rd,4th,5th or 6th round does not come back to bite us.

C.  Defensive Backfield.

We have 1  new/old  face in Chris Harris.  Do you hear crickets chirping?  Major Wright was taken as the best Safety on the board but when will he be ready?  As we can see there are a lot of question marks in exhibit 'C', no pun intended. 

                                                    So what are your thoughts going into the 2010 season?