Will the Chicago Bears Return to the Super Bowl in '07
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by Behbigben15
This is probably a bigger, and harder question to answer than "Will the Colts repeat?" Chicago has the number 1 defense in the NFL, a defense that pretty much carried Chicago all the to the Super Bowl in 2006. But I don't think the defense will be able to manage that this year. The Bears will, without a doubt, win the easiest division in the NFL, there is no question about that. But, can a team with a questionable running game, and a very inconsistent QB win the super bowl? I guess we will have to wait until the regular season to find out.
In 2006, QB Rex Grossman was very inconsistent, and had a completion percentage of 54.6 (262 for 480), and 23 TD, compared to 20 INT's, he did manage to throw for over 3,000 yards, though. Grossman had a QB rating of 73.9, not too good. One week (against the Cardinals in week 6) Rex went 14 for 37, for 144 yards, and 4 INT (zero TD's) for a rating of a horrendus 10.2, and was sacked twice, it wasn't even the lowest rating he had in a game last season. Lucky for Grossman, the Bears defense saved his ass from being embarrassed on national TV (MNF). The next game he played (two weeks later, after bye week), Rex went 23 for 29, for 252 yards, and 3 TD's (zero INT's), for a rating of 137.4, and zero sacks. Grossman was the most inconsistent QB last year.
Grossman's best game: Week 2 in win over Det (34-7)- 20 for 27, 289 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT, 1 sack, 98.6 rating
Grossman's worst game: Week 6 in win over Ari (24-23)- 14 for 37, 144 yards, 0 TD, 4 INT, 2 sacks, 10.2 rating
Grossman in Playoffs:
- Divisional game: W 27-24 (OT) over SEA- 21 for 38, 282 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 3 sacks, 76.9 rating
- Conference game: W 39-14 over NO- 11 for 26, 144 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, 0 sacks, 73.2 rating
- Super Bowl: L 17-29 against INDY- 20 for 28, 165 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT, 1 sack, 68.3 rating
Grossman got a new QB's coach this offseason, but I don't think that will make much of a difference, Grossman reminds me of Eli Manning, you can't fix him. Grossman just wasn't made to be a Peyton Manning, or Tom Brady. Rx may say that he will be much more consistent, and a precision passer, but he won't be much better in '07. When he has a good day, he is fantastic, and when he has a normal day for most, he has a horrible day. Grossman wasn't made to be an elite QB, he may even be benched in the middle of the season, Lovie Smith may be back to back up Brian Griese, or possibly Kyle Orton.
The Bears running game is in trouble too, with the loss of Thomas Jones, the Bears will have to rely on shaky Cedric Benson, who hasn't had a complete season yet, and I am not to sure he is able to handle 300 to 400 carries in a season. Benson may manage 700 to 800 rushing yards this year, but that's about it. If the Bears get far this year, the credit will once again fall on the defense, led by LB Brian Urlacher.
*Preseason update:
CHI 10
IND 7
8 minutes to go in 2nd qtr
- Grossman: 9 for 11, 59 pass Yds, 1 INT, 1 Rushing Yd (1-yd TD run), 3 fumbles (2 lost)
- P Manning: 5 for 8, 61 pass Yds
- Benson: 10 Att, 24 Yds
- Addai: 7 Att, 24 Yds, 1 TD
- Berrian: 3 Rec, 40 Yds
- Wayne: 2 Rec, 39 Yds
Grossman started hot, going 4 for 5 for 29 Yds, but then fumbled a snap, and from there it just went downhill, he may have only 2 incomplete passes, but he has thrown an INT, and fumbled three balls. Both Manning and Grossman are done for the night.
