Happy New Year: Let's Fix The Bears.
Some quick thoughts on what the Bears must do to improve in 2008:
- There are two theories on the Bears right now. There is the school that says they are close to having the right pieces for 2008 and the school that says they are not. I'm with the latter. Most of the theory on the former is coming from ex-players (who have radio jobs) and the team itself.
- Offensively, the Bears need a huge makeover. The offensive line is old and weak. A left tackle should be a top priority, with John Tait moving over to the right side, his natural position. Many of the vets like Fred Miller and Ruben Brown should be sent packing.
- Muhsin Muhammad should be let go as well as Mark Bradley. I'm not in the re-sign Bernard Berrian camp either. He's Willie Gualt with better hands. He's above average but not elite and the Bears need an elite receiver.
- Obviously, the running back position is the Bears second biggest need. Michael Turner is over rated and too expensive. Try Julius Jones or Jamal Lewis. But bring in someone that can average a few yards per carry and not Cedric Benson, who is proving to be a third down back at best and at worst, a total bust.
- The Bears have several options at quarterback. Everyone talks about how Kyle Orton is below average, but like Jim McMahon, the guy seems to win. Give him a shot at the number one job. Give Rex Grossman a bus ticket.
- Defensively, Alex Brown needs to start. Veteran help is needed at defensive tackle. Mike Brown needs to go to the medical ward permanently. Peanut Tillman needs to move to safety. Adam Archuletta needs to go away.
- While Lance Briggs will be missed, the Bears survived losing Roosevelt Colvin a few years ago when everyone was weeping and wailing and gnashing their teeth. The truth is, if the Bears sign Lance, they run the risk of not having enough cap space to address their real needs.
- Special teams is going to be an issue because the Bears will most likely lose Brendon Ayanbadejo, their best special teams player on the NFL's top ranked special team. Ayanbadejo's agent is Drew Rosenhaus, who will try to get his client a starting job somewhere else. Given the contentious nature of the relationship between the Bears and Rosenhaus, it is likely that re-signing Ayanbadejo will be out of the Bears budget.
- I don't think there needs to be a change in the coaching staff as much as I think there needs to be a big change in philosophy. Lovie Smith needs to quit being so stubborn regarding game planning. He needs to let Ron Turner let the offense lose and let the offense score. Offense is in and with a number of teams (including the Patriots) running the spread, the Bears need to get in the 21st century. It's not possible anymore to just milk the clock and hope for a strip or a pick. Teams have quick strike capability. Running your team based on a strong defense and a time efficient offense is like the U.S. being defended by slingshots during the cold war. There needs to be quick strike capability.
- In the free agent market, Alan Faneca should be your biggest target. That's the kind of anchor you need on the offensive line. If the Bears don't get the line fixed, it doesn't matter who is at quarterback and running back.
Comments