Too hot:
The final major move the Buccaneers made before Jerry Angelo left the organization in 2001 to become the general manager of the Bears was acquiring pass rusher Simeon Rice, a pickup that took that defense to the next level. With that in mind, the Bears went Daniel Snyder-wild for free agent Julius Peppers, hoping he can transform a unit that was mediocre in 2009. Peppers played for a contract the last two seasons and after getting a $91.5 million deal, he looks to be still hungry. If he’s dominant, his play will elevate that of his teammates on the line and that’s what Angelo is banking on.
Too cold:
Left tackle Chris Williams looked like a former first-round draft pick at the end of last season, but he has been a serious concern ever since the Raiders’ Kamerion Wimbley went Derrick Thomas on him in the second exhibition game. The assumption has been that he’s solid as the left tackle of the future. The Bears remain confident that he is, but Angelo has admitted concern and if left tackle is still up in the air, well, that could throw the rebuilding of the offensive line for a loss. Williams has an impressive tool box and he needs to put it together quickly so he can play with confidence.
Just right:
Maybe the signing of Chester Taylor as a nice sidebar to Peppers on the first day of free agency motivated Matt Forte some. Whatever the case, Forte has looked like a new man. He’s running fluid, he’s cutting well with better lateral quickness and he looks faster. Forte has the receiving skills to be a perfect fit in Mike Martz’s scheme and he’s a three-down back. Entering the third year of a four-year contract, he looks positioned to turn heads again quickly like he did in the 2008 opener at Indianapolis. Forte again has the breakaway speed he displayed on the 50-yard touchdown he had vs. the Colts.
