A (Way Too) Early Look At Which Bears Might Make the Pro Bowl For The First Time In 2011

by Timothy Hockemeyer on Apr 7, 2011 9:00 PM CDT in Roster Analysis

Helmet tip to rdent4hof (who is in desperate need of a name change... rcasares4hof maybe? Long overdue..) for bringing this thought to my attention last week.

Which Bears stand the best chance of making their first Pro Bowl next season? Follow me to the clearing at the end of the jump and we'll take a look...

Rather than picking one prospect, we'll take a peek at each phase of the game and who might have a chance at a first time nod.

Offense:

I know I'm heading way out on a limb here, but I'm going to say that Matt Forte has a shot at it. Sarcasm aside, Forte deserved a nod last year over Stephen Jackson. Simply put, another year in this system for both Forte and Cutler will do good things for Matt's stat line both rushing and receiving.

I'd also take an outside chance on Earl Bennett. He may not be #1 receiver material, but Bennett figures to be an even more important cog this year. And when Jay explodes in his second year in this system, I'm betting on The Pearl to be the guy to benefit most statistically.

Defense:

Not so much out on a limb here, but Chris Harris should have made the Pro Bowl last season over Antrel Rolle or Roman Harper. Harris's timely INTs won ended games for Chicago and his impact was felt in a position group that has been a weakness for Chicago since Mike Brown's injury ridden fall. It was a week year in the NFC for safeties, and Harris was much better than advertised or given credit for. I think he only gets better with the addition of a new CB (and I'm betting on a new CB in the first three rounds of the draft).

Two other possibilities are Danieal Manning, who was also better than he was given credit for and Israel Idonije. Izzy has the harder route, IMO, because the DE ranks are stout in the NFC and Name recognition is just as strong in this conference. Names like Allen, Peppers, Tuck, Abraham and Vanden Bosch, among others, make it hard for younger guys to get that recognition in the fan vote. Manning, of course, must still be a Bear for this to come true, but I think that Chicago gets it done with Danieal. There have been too many safety issues over the past 4 seasons, and I don't see them ignoring the stability that Harris and Manning brought.

Special Teams:

Corey Graham, assuming he is still a Bear, stands a very reasonable chance of making his first Pro Bowl. He was fantastic last season.

I know it's hard to imagine any kick returner other than Devin Hester in the Pro Bowl, but if Hester falters again, Danieal Manning could very well end up the NFC representative. He is spectacular as a kick returner, and I would almost say that he's better than Devin returning kickoffs. He might not score the TDs, but he gets more consistent yardage and averages more yards per return.

Those are the Bears to watch for to make their Pro Bowl debut in 2011! Did I miss someone? Did I get one wrong? Sound off, my friends!

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Comments

Forte is overdue for a Pro Bowl nod

I think the main reason why he gets overlook is because the Bears can be horrific at times on offense and fans like flashy types of offense.

by Dominique Blanton on Apr 7, 2011 9:12 PM CDT reply actions

THe only problem I have with that argument is....

that Stephen Jackson got the nod instead, and he played for a more awful offense and, while he put up better total rushing yards, he didn’t outperform Forte. Forte outpaced him in Y/C, receptions, receiving yards, Y/R, receiving TDs and total TDs. Jackson outpaced Forte in rushing yardage and fumbles and attempts.

Total yardage was separated by only 8 yards in SJ’s favor. Rushing TDs were the same at 6. Total TDs went Forte’s way 9-6. And Jackson had 97 more rushing attempts and only 172 more yards.

Forte deserved that nod. But SJ has the recognizable name. I truly hate the fan vote.

in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.

by Timothy Hockemeyer on Apr 8, 2011 7:02 AM CDT up reply actions

Thats the thing

Its more of who has the more recognizable name contest not really much “pro bowl” anymore. Its become kind of a joke. Heck it seems like more and more players are refusing to go anymore anyways.

by TheMan1 on Apr 8, 2011 7:17 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I think this is where the Art of First Impression killed Forte.

First, there was the impression that Forte wasn’t going to be used much as a rusher because of Mike Martz, where heaven forbid the Rams let Sam Bradford pass 590 times (wait what? He did?).

Through the first seven games of the season for each (AKA the Philosophy Shift, and you’ll see why I picked 7)…

Forte: 90 ATT, 352 yards, 3 TD, 26 Rec, 303 yards, 3 TD. 116 touches, 655 Yards, 6 TD.
Jackson: 149 ATT, 617 yards, 2 TD (not a misprint), 16 Rec, 165 yards. 165 touches, 782 yards, 2 TD

Yes, I realize the numbers prove your overall points. Bear with it. Those numbers aren’t my point.

Forte’s early season numbers were bolstered by two huge events – “The Screen” (86 rec yards), and Carolina (166 rush yards, 7.55 YPC). The first half of the season, the 3.0 YPC mark was like a brick wall. Whereas with Jackson, he never dipped below 3.0 in a game until week 8, and twice more… after voting started.

And with voting for the Pro Bowl beginning in Mid-November, there’s name recognition and apart from the aforementioned outliers, Forte didn’t have a great start to the season. Not to say Jackson did, but looking at Jackson’s game logs compared to Forte, on the surface, it’s no wonder Jackson got in over Forte. Anyone want to start voting in January?

The other thing I think might contribute, and is borne by the numbers, is I think there might be some kind of bias towards rushers who rush. Forte’s one of the better, if not best, receiving backs in the NFL who still put up a 1000-yard season and drastically improved as a rusher – 1616 yards from scrimmage. Jackson, primarily a rusher, 1624 YFS. Adrian Peterson, primarily a rusher, 1639 YFS. Michael Turner? (snicker) Rusher, 1456 YFS.

Weekend contributor at Windy City Gridiron

by Steven Schweickert on Apr 8, 2011 7:39 AM CDT up reply actions

I need also point out...

Jackson, Peterson and Turner were this year’s NFC Pro Bowlers, and led the NFC in rushing (Turner 1, Peterson 2, Jackson 3). Forte? Sixth in rushing in the NFC, 15th overall. In fact, Shady McCoy (PHI) would have a nice YFS argument, as he led the NFC in YFS with 1672 (Forte was 4th), and was 5th in the NFL in rushing with 1080.

Weekend contributor at Windy City Gridiron

by Steven Schweickert on Apr 8, 2011 7:50 AM CDT up reply actions

*5th in the NFC.

Ah screw it, you know what I mean.

Weekend contributor at Windy City Gridiron

by Steven Schweickert on Apr 8, 2011 7:50 AM CDT up reply actions

This is all truthiness.....

though I’m not one for dissecting out statistics like that (86 yard catch).

If you dissect out all of Barry Sanders lonjg plays (he had the most runs over 40 yards in the history of the sport) you end up with a less than average RB who also happened to lead the league all time in runs for a loss.

Every player has those plays. If you parcell them out, your not being true to the statistics….unless, of course, you do it to every player.

in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.

by Timothy Hockemeyer on Apr 8, 2011 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Agree totally.

Just mentioning.

Weekend contributor at Windy City Gridiron

by Steven Schweickert on Apr 8, 2011 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions

The fan vote is the reason why I hold the All-Pro selection to a higher regard than the Pro Bowl.

by Dominique Blanton on Apr 8, 2011 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Forte all the way

He should have went his rookie year and this year. I think the slow start to the season got him over looked. The only thing I don’t agree with is Earl Bennett. I think he wont even be a long shot but still put up decent numbers for us next year. Greg Olsen I would go with for a Pro Bowl appearance this year though. I 100% believe that a TE will go from the Bears this year. Whether it is Olsen or one of our other 4 TEs. Kellen Davis can do it if he gets the playing time and some tosses his way. That guy made some huge plays this past season. Would love to see some more of him in some 2 TE sets.

by Jonathan Heun Jr on Apr 7, 2011 10:48 PM CDT reply actions

I put Bennett up because he's going to....

end up being the leading receiver on the team this season, I think. He’ll be in the #2 slot, but he’ll create enough openings to lead the Bears in receptions and yardage this season. And being the second year of this system, I see Cutler having a better year, and the receiving corps having a better year right along with him.

Bennett was the most reliable option on the field for Cutler last year (aside from Forte) and I think the confidence he built for himself with Jay, combined with the bad spot that Knox put himself into with the drops, poor routes and lack of physicality will result in Bennett getting more looks. I see Knox ending up splitting time at the slot with Hester and I see a new draft pick in the #1 spot unless the Bears are planning on running hard at a receiver in FA (whenever FA finally roles around).

in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.

by Timothy Hockemeyer on Apr 8, 2011 6:50 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Forte is a lock

Barring some sort of freak injury or a total collapse of the offense. As much as I like Bennett I don’t see him getting the Pro Bowl nod over someone like Johnny Knox (first time as a WR at least) or Greg Olsen, both of whom could be ridiculous next year.

Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent - Salvor Hardin

by badsamaritan on Apr 7, 2011 11:15 PM CDT reply actions

You have more faith in Knox than I do.

I honestly believe that Bennett has a better chance of making the Pro Bowl than Knox does. I think Bennett will be the #2 receiver this year, with whoever the Bears draft being #1 (hopefully). I see Knox and Hester splitting time in the slot, where they belong.

I almost threw Olsen on this list. My only problem is that I have a hard time believing that Martz is going to give Olsen enough opportunities for him to build the stat line he will need for a Pro Bowl nod. But I’d love to see it.

in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.

by Timothy Hockemeyer on Apr 8, 2011 6:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Bennett lacks that game breaking speed of Knox

Which is why I’d see him ending up with a more impressive statistical season. Depending on how the draft/free agency pans out Knox and Bennett could be the top duo, with Knox making the big, pretty plays and Bennett taking care of those tough catches and gritty first downs.

Olsen is purely a wild guess on my part, but it would make sense that Martz could tweak his system to complement the talent at the TE position, and maybe a lot of the reason Olsen didn’t see a ton of passes is because he needed to get his blocking right. That Seattle game proves that he can still do plenty of damage in the passing game.

Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent - Salvor Hardin

by badsamaritan on Apr 8, 2011 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Just a quick point on speed....

Bennett is faster than Wes Welker, who has been to the Pro Bowl for the past three seasons. Speed is nice, bit it doesn’t do much for you if you can’t hang on to the ball and appear afraid of contact.

I don’t think Knox ends up the #1 this year. I’m betting on a rookie or a FA signing.

in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.

by Timothy Hockemeyer on Apr 8, 2011 7:58 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

I also want to say that he may not be the fastest WR in our corps by a long shot

But he is by no means a slow WR, as he has adequate speed where he can get deep. Plus he is without a doubt the best route runner on our team, he definately knows how to get open, as well as compeating for the football. He made some spectacular snags last year.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Apr 8, 2011 8:37 PM CDT up reply actions

kinda agree with the route running....

He runs very good routes, but I can’t honestly call him the best route runner on the team. That would be Des Clark followed closely by G-Reg and Rashied Davis (really the only part of the WR game that Davis is good at) and Forte is better too, IMO. Bennett definitely runs good routes though, and is the best route runner of the young receivers on the team. I think he’s the most complete WR, as well, from blocking to route running to hands to seperation to physical play, I think Bennett is the “Pearl” of the receiving corps.

in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.

by Timothy Hockemeyer on Apr 11, 2011 6:55 AM CDT up reply actions

Have to point this out:

Earl Bennett…may not be #1 receiver material

Then what makes you think he could be one of the six (including alternates) best WRs in the entire NFC?

Roddy White
Calvin Johnson
DeSean Jackson
Larry Fitzgerald
Greg Jennings
Miles Austin
Sidney Rice (if he’s stays in the NFC)
pretty much everyone on the Giants roster

and on top of those guys I would even consider a guy like Tampa Bay’s Mike Williams a more likely candidate than Earl Bennett.

I hope I’m not raining on your parade too much here, but making the Pro Bowl is a little bit more than just having a nice season.

We don't need 8 in the box. We have 52 in the box.

by these3words on Apr 8, 2011 1:15 AM CDT reply actions

wes welker

Isn’t #1material. Been to the pro bowl, though, hasn’t he? #2’s and even slots make the pro bowl, especially when theuy have a good year on as good team.

And, actually, having a good season is enough to get you a pro bowl nod. Steven Jackson had a quantity over quality season anmd got in over forte, who played much better. But his total yards were higher.

Take a look at the pro bowl rosters over the past several decades and tell me that having a good year won’t get you in. To many one hit wonders in the pro bowl to make that claim.

in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.

by Timothy Hockemeyer on Apr 8, 2011 4:17 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

didn't Wes Welker lead the NFL in receptions a couple times?

When Tom Brady is your Quarterback, there are no #2 WRs, just a whole bunch of #1s.

And I did look up the last couple pro bowl rosters. You know who I saw? The guys I listed above: Roddy White, Calvin Johnson, Sidney Rice…

We don't need 8 in the box. We have 52 in the box.

by these3words on Apr 8, 2011 7:08 AM CDT up reply actions

To this point, Sidney Rice is a one year wonder

by rdent4hof on Apr 8, 2011 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions

Well one major difference between those guys is that Bennett has never been given the shot at being a number 1....

Mike Martz basically chose to make Knox the number 1 even though Bennett is far more reliable in every way. His knock is his lack of top speed but Bennett is no slouch. Now 2 out of the 3 guys were on the verge of being wasted talent. White and Rice took a few years to become the top receivers they are and one can even make the argument that Rice was a one year wonder. He did nothing before the ‘09 season and he was out almost all last year and when he was in didn’t look as great as he did the previous year. Wes Welker became a Pro Bowler because he had Randy Moss taking 2 defenders away allowing Welker to tear it up in the slot.

Also look at Hines Ward, a Pro Bowl receiver himself. The guy was never fast and he was also a 3rd round pick. Yet he became a go to guy because he was tough, reliable and an excellent route runner, which Earl Bennett is as well. There is no reason to think that Earl Bennett won’t take that big step if given more opportunities.

by frenchbears113 on Apr 8, 2011 9:37 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Yes, He did....

And he wasn’t a #1 receiver He was a slot. Which strengthens my point. Just because a player isn’t a “#1” receiver doesn’t mean they can’t have a great year in the right system. Welker is one of those guys. Remember that before he got to NE, he was a Bennett type guy. middle of the pack slot receiver who wasn’t afraid to catch over the middle and who was a reliable target……..wait, that’s all Welker is now. I find it funny thaty people mischaracterize what Welker is so much. They want to compare Knox and Hester to him. Welker isn’t fast. He ran a 4.65 40 in his prime. That ain’t quick, my friends. In fact, it’s slower than Bennett. who runs a 4.52. Many scouts thought Bennett would have been the top receiver on the board in ’08 if he had run a 4.4 40.

So I’m not sure why Bennett supposedly couldn’t make a pro bowl. He has the tools, the system, and the QB. I think he stands as good a chance as anyone else who hasn’t been, including Mike Williams, who isn’t but .07 seconds faster (the biggest knock on Bennett has been his speed), caught all of 64 of the 128 passes thrown his way (Bennett caught 46 of the 70 targets thrown his way) and is no guarantee at anything. The guy quit on his team at Syracuse and has problems keeping out of trouble. He missed parts of two college seasons of off field issues and got a DUI in November. I’m not betting on him, sorry. And it kinda sucks, cause he’s a talented kid.

Side note…..Martz systems run very much the way you noted about Brady. A group of number 1’s based on the system.

And I said past several decades, not last five years. Not to mention that Sidney Rice, as noted above, has been to one pro bowl. You’ll notice that every year there are 2 or 3 guys who make the Pro Bowl once due to a good season.

You don’t have to be one of the six best WRs to get a pro bowl nod. You made that point nicely when you included Sidney Rice.

in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.

by Timothy Hockemeyer on Apr 8, 2011 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions

Exactly.

I mean, just because he’s not the #1 doesn’t mean he’s not capable of putting up 1000 yards and 8 TD’s. The system. Spreading the ball around, finding the hot receiver and delivering matchups. I think that the focus being Knox will always benefit Bennett. Especially if Knox comes hard out of the gates.

Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...

by awfullyquiet on Apr 8, 2011 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Forte is the most likely candidate and should already have at least one Pro Bowl on his resume

Hitman Harris probably follows after Forte as likely selections.

I’m hearin’ the Bennett sentiment and I’m liking it! I just think he needs the opportunity.

I’d have to say my deep sleeper is Henry Melton. If the Bears pass on 3-tech DT’s through the first two rounds, I’ll read that as an official endorsement of Henry Melton. Melton’s athletic ability combined with the coaching of Marinelli, is definitely something to feel good about.

Rick Casares long overdue indeed sir.

by rdent4hof on Apr 8, 2011 10:03 AM CDT reply actions

I like the Melton pick...

but left it off due to the overwhelming opinion that the Bears draft a DT high.

in•san•i•ty \in-ˈsa-nə-tē\ noun
1 : The practice of repeating the same action while expecting different results.

by Timothy Hockemeyer on Apr 8, 2011 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions

That or if we sign someone such as Cullen Jenkins to play at 3 tech

These next 2 months are going to greatly influence how much PT Henry Melton will receive next season.

I really want to see him come out and light it up next year as he is someone with a big heart and will do everything he can to be a positive contributor to our team.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Apr 8, 2011 6:03 PM CDT up reply actions