Most-likely to Earn All-Pro Honors: Bears Offensive Edition

by Dane Noble on Jun 2, 2011 9:00 AM CDT in Poll

Yesterday, we looked at three defensive players who could possibly earn All-Pro honors in 2011, and today, we'll consider players from the offensive side of the ball.

As a reminder, in 2010, Julius Peppers and Devin Hester made the NFL's first team, and Brian Urlacher and Chris Harris earned second team honors.

For today's exercise, we'll take one lineman and two skill-positions who could show up on the NFL's 2011 radar.

Gabe Carimi: When the Bears were on the clock in the first round of this year's Draft, the selection of Carimi was a no-brainer. Expected to make an immediate impact, the rookie could lower Jay Cutler's sack total dramatically from his 52 a year ago.

Jay Cutler: Speaking of the QB, a second year in Mike Martz's offensive system, an upgrade on the OL, and an anticipated free agency addition to the WR corp, and Cutler could finally break into the upper-echelon of NFL QBs.

Matt Forte: Some say the versatile RB is underrated, as his statistics don't place him among the league's best. As much of a receiving threat as a runner, Forte could be poised to finally earn some extra respect in NFL circles.

So, of the players listed, what do you think?

Poll

Who is more-likely to earn All-Pro honors in 2011... Gabe Carimi, Jay Cutler, or Matt Forte?

Carimi

18 votes

Cutler

82 votes

Forte

139 votes

239 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 9 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

As much as I love Gabe Carimi

I really doubt a rookie O-Lineman will crack All-Pro honors in their first year, not saying that its impossible.

I chose Jay Cutler because of the way he started playing towards the end of the season with chemistry beginning to take shape. He really had some of his best career performances during the second half of last season, and with a full year under Martz under his belt I believe Jay Cutler will explode next season.

Matt Forte would be a close second, as this offense suits to Forte’s skills perfectly. He is a tough runner while being a reliable option in the passing game. Look for him and Jay Cutler along with at least one of our current WRs, most likely Earl Bennett, to take a major step forward next season.

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

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jun 2, 2011 9:27 AM CDT reply actions

agreed

O-line is probably the position where popularity is the #1 factor as far as voting goes – even among football junkies, linesmen don’t have a lot of name recognition unless they’ve been around for years and years (or have a movie featuring Sandra Bullock made about them)

by Steve Ronkowski on Jun 2, 2011 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I guess Forte, but really none of the above is your best bet.

Way too many QBs ahead of JC on the pecking order for him, ditto Carimi at T. Forte “only” has to leap-frog all but 1 of these guys to make it: CJ, AP, Foster, Charles, MJD, and possibly McFadden & McCoy.

by Mike Mueller on Jun 2, 2011 9:29 AM CDT reply actions

I said Forte

Carimi has a chance, but not if the lockout drags on much longer, I am going to go out on a limb and say that there will be fewer rookies going All-Pro and going to the Pro-Bowl this year as a result of the lockout.

But anyway, I would think Jay or Forte are the best bets to go All-Pro this year but it will take monster years from either one to get there.

Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.

by Sam Householder on Jun 2, 2011 10:30 AM CDT reply actions

Forte

He’s so close, and I think he had some good highlights last year to help leapfrog him into this year.

Cutler would pretty much have to end world hunger to gain All-pro at this point. he is hated, and it’s far more than just a stat level with him

what’s important here, is the coming Superbowl champion honors.

Superman wears an Urlacher Jersey under his costume

by BearNecessities on Jun 2, 2011 10:40 AM CDT reply actions

Carimi has the best shot imho

Jake Long, Joe Thomas, Jason Peters, Sebastian Vollmer were the OT’s from last year. I think Carimi can push one of those guys out of the way.

Maybe Forte if he can have 1000receiving /1000rushing type season (A la Faulk).

Cutler will need to put up Greatest Show on Turf type numbers if he’s gonna be an All-pro.

I know this defense was on another post, But…

Haloti Ngata, Ndamukong Suh, Vince Wilfork, and Kyle Williams were the DT’s from last year. Between Paea and Melton, I’m thinking one of them may sneek in there.

by rdent4hof on Jun 2, 2011 10:48 AM CDT reply actions

I voted Forte

Not Jay for the reason that GallopingGhost said. He is hated.

Not Gabe, because it too hard for a rookie OT to make it and because the sack numbers are always high in a Martz system.

Matt Forte has been very productive without an oline. If that improves, his numbers will be all pro.

by Sound_Automatic on Jun 2, 2011 12:31 PM CDT reply actions

the rookie could lower Jay Cutler’s sack total dramatically from his 52 a year ago.

Not if Martz has anything to say about it.

by oripunk3485 on Jun 2, 2011 1:03 PM CDT reply actions

Carimi could be a factor in any reduction of sacks

But we need to improve our interior if Carimi wants to have a chance at having a good rookie season. After all, he is just 1 of 5 O-Lineman that are tasked with protecting Jay Cutler.

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

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jun 3, 2011 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions