Bowman Island

Bears fans have high hopes for Zach Bowman in 2010 after his solid 09 campaign where he picked off 6 balls. Bowman has good ball instincts and breaking speed that resembles Eagles CB Asante Samuel.  In most stints last season, Bowman showed the potential to be a ball hawking CB that takes away a side of the field because of the possibility of a turnover.

The Bears don't play Man to Man that much, so along with the opposing team #1 receiver, I will also add the opposing team starting QB since they have to be able to beat Bowman in the zone defense that the Bears are showing.  Here is a week to week of the opposing QB's and #1 receiver Bowman will be up against, and what to expect from in these games.

Week 1 Vs Lions (Matthew Stafford/Calvin Johnson)

Right off the back Bowman will be tested against one of the better receivers in the game in Calvin Johnson.  On the flip side of there's is the opportunity to take advantage of a young QB in Stafford. I could see Stafford forcing the ball to Johnson, to where Bowman will have plenty of opportunities to make plays on the ball.

Week 2 at Cowboys (Tony Romo/Miles Austin)

This could possibly be his toughest challenge of the season. Miles and Romo have a good connection with each other, and Austin size and speed could could be too much for Bowman to handle which will result in Rod Marinelli using bracket coverage to help out.  However, Romo is Farve like meaning he has a penchant for throwing bone headed interceptions, so Bowman has a opportunity.

Week 3 vs Packers (Aaron Rodgers/Greg Jennings)

This could be a good match up for Bowman, whose athletcism and quickness can bother Jennings to the point that Rodgers will look to the other side of the field.  You also have to take into account that Rodgers crumbles when he has the slightest pressure around him, and he doesn't trust his own arm (50+ sacks tells me that you don't).  It would only take Bowman to get one pick off Rodgers while attempting to get Jennings the football, and Rodgers will immediately look to the other side of the field because we know how much Rodgers hate getting points deducted off his QB rating.

Week 4 at Giants (Eli Manning/Steve Smith)

Eli is a crafty veteran QB, but at times he can be prone to mistakes.  Steve Smith is good, but I wouldn't say he is special to the point he presents a match up problem.  Great opportunity for Bowman to get his name out there in a Sunday night prime time game.

Week 5 at Panthers (Matt Moore/Steve Smith)

Unlike the Steve Smith of last week, this Steve Smith is still crafty and is still one of the elite receivers in the game. Depending on where Matt Moore or Jimmy Clausen is at in their development, I could see this being a long day for Bowman who could struggle with Smith's speed and strength.

Week 6 Vs Seahawks (Matt Hasselback/T.J. Houshmadnzadeh)

This could be a good game for Bowman or a tough one.  Matt Hasselback is a different type of QB than Seneca Wallace and he in the past has had good games against the Bears.  I just don't see T.J. Housh getting shutdown this time around.

Week 7 vs Redskins (Donovan McNabb/Santana Moss)

McNabb picked on Bowman last year and paid for it.  This might be one of those games where Bowman takes away a side of the field by because of the threat of a turnover.

Week 9 at Buffalo (Trent Edwards/Lee Evans)

I could see this being a good battle, but Bowman wins because Edward is throwing the football.

Week 10 vs Minny (Brett Farve/Sidney Rice)

Farve like Cutler is notorious for throwing picks so Bowman will have his chances in this game against Farve #1 target  Rice.

Week 11 At Dolphins (Chad Henne/Brandon Marshall)

He's going to get victimize in this game.  I truly believe Marshall is one of the few receivers that can't be shutdown.

Week 12 vs Eagels (Kevin Kolb/DeSean Jackson)

Expect a lot of soft, bracket, and cover 3 coverage in this game to neutralize the speed of Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.  Bowman won't get that much opportunities to make plays on the ball this week.

Week 13 at Lions (Matthew Stafford/Calvin Johnson)

This could be a week where Bowman struggles as by this time Stafford should be establishing himself as one of the best up and coming QB's in the game.  That and Megatron is a bad mix to be throwing at Bowman on the road.

Week 14 vs Patriots (Tom Brady/Randy Moss)

If this was 2007 there should be reason to worry.  Since Brady and Moss record breaking season in 07, Moss has lost a step, and Brady have found a new favorite target in Wes Welker.  The field conditions and elements should neutralize whatever left of Moss speed.  Advantage Bowman.

Week 15 at Vikings (Brett Farve/Sidney Rice)

The Metrodome is always a tough place to play, this could be a game where he struggles.

Week 16 vs Jets (Mark Sanchez/Braylon Edwards)

I could see Bowman having success against the inconsistant Sanchez and Edwards. I don't see a run oriented team like the Jets passing crazy in soldier field in late December.

Week 17 at Packers (Aaron Rodgers/Greg Jennings)

By this time Bowman should have develop a reputation around the league as a ball hawking CB. Bowman should develop the ability to take away a side of the field because of his ball skills.