OFFENSE
OFFENSIVE LINE: Pro Bowler Olin Kreutz was the best on a veteran unit that kept Thomas Jones running and the Bears with some semblance of an offense when they could not pass effectively. The Bears rarely were dominant but rarely were dominated. The line was the reason.
GRADE: A-
RECEIVERS: Muhsin Muhammad never clicked with Kyle Orton and had just 64 catches for 750 yards, including a career-worst 2.8 yards after catch. Bernard Berrian broke through late and provided a deep (underscore)threat. Justin Gage returned with 31 (underscore)catches. Tight ends were rarely a factor.
GRADE: C+
QUARTERBACKS: It’s hard to evaluate Rex Grossman on six quarters, but he has put a charge into the offense and has the Bears believing. Kyle Orton’s body of work was modest statistically, but he ran game plans well, which is why the Bears are still playing.
GRADE: B-
RUNNING BACKS: Supposedly keeping the seat warm for Cedric Benson, Thomas Jones made history, joining Walter Payton as the only Bears to rush for 1,300 yards. Jones also blocked well. Adrian Peterson established himself as one of the best backups in the NFL, averaging 5.1.
GRADE: A-
DEFENSE
SECONDARY: Tackling was a problem late in the season, but the Bears ranked fourth in interception percentage. Nathan Vasher is going to the Pro Bowl with eight picks; Charles Tillman had five. Mike Brown will join them in Hawaii for the honor.
GRADE: B+
LINEBACKERS: The second year in Lovie Smith’s scheme sent Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher to the Pro Bowl and earned Urlacher NFL defensive player of the year. Neither had a sack after Game 5, but opponents were limited to 3.7 yards per rush. Hunter Hillenmeyer’s thumb injury cost him three games.
GRADE: A
DEFENSIVE LINE: Practically no weaknesses. Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye were forces all season in the pass rush, combining for 16 sacks, 17 tackles for loss and 12 passes broken up. Tommie Harris became a Pro Bowl tackle requiring double teams, and Ian Scott was the anchor of the run defense.
GRADE: A-
SPECIAL TEAMS: Punt returns were a problem until Bernard Berrian, and kickoff returns were little better with Jerry Azumah. Kicker Robbie Gould was a pleasant surprise, and punter Brad Maynard was as consistent as ever. Coverage teams allowed 19.9 per kickoff return and only one punt return longer than 20 yards.
GRADE: B
COACHING: Lovie Smith rallied a 1-3 team. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner planned to his team’s strength, committing to the run. Defensive coordinator Ron Rivera adjusted as his players matured. Special-teams coordinator Dave Toub designed coverages that helped win the field-position battle.
GRADE: A
