The last time the Bears were this surprisingly good was 2001, when they went 13-3 after five straight losing seasons. They followed that up with 4-12, 7-9 and 5-11. John Madden later described 2001 as a “false positive,” saying everything fell right in ’01 and they really weren’t that good. In 2010, a lot of things, from playing teams that were missing key personnel, to a bye week when it was most needed, to their ridiculously good health, went right for the Bears. Yet they still lost to a Packers team that had nearly half its starters on IR. So, were the Bears really good, the kind of good they can build on, or was this year another false positive?
— Mark Early, Arlington, Va.
Interesting question, Mark, and not one I would dismiss. Certainly, it is possible the Bears of 2010 were a one-year wonder. We see various NFL teams shoot up out of nowhere and return from whence they came on a regular basis. And as you point out, an awful lot went right for the Bears last season. Whether the Bears can continue to contend depends mostly on these things: Jay Cutler’s ongoing development; the reconstruction project on the offensive line; Brian Urlacher staying healthy and productive; the front office acquiring a complementary pass rusher to Julius Peppers; and the team’s ability to avoid/manage injuries. Without most of those things going right, the Bears could backslide.
Who gets the NFC North first-place schedule next year? Is it the Bears who were first, or the Packers who won the Super Bowl. Does a non-division winner ever leap over the division winner if it wins the Super Bowl?
–Bob Savage, Fort Wayne, Ind.
The Bears will play the NFC North first-place schedule next season. Scheduling is based on regular-season results, not postseason results. The difference in opponents between the first-place and second-place schedule is the Bears get the Eagles and Seahawks while the Packers play the Giants and Rams.
Do you think we will make a play for free agents Sidney Rice or Vincent Jackson? Also, will the newly signed CFL WR Andy Fantuz make the team and make an impact?
— Mike Ockhurtz, Frederick, Md.
I don’t believe the Bears will go for a free-agent wide receiver with a big price tag. They have other positions that are more pressing. I am very intrigued by Fantuz, but it’s difficult to say how much of an impact he will have until we see him padded up and competing with NFL players. He looked great in Canada, but that’s a different game, and he was playing against inferior competition.
What’s with Devin Aromashodu? Why didn’t the coaching staff let him play almost all year? Is he going to come back?
— Mario, Eagle Pass, Texas
I think Aromashodu is done with the Bears. He and offensive coordinator Mike Martz clearly were not on the same page. Aromashodu is a gifted player who never has been able to consistently realize his abilities, going back to his college days. His substandard blocking attempts did not endear him to the coaching staff.
Has Jay Cutler’s career proven that a lot of writers and talking heads have a severe lack of critical thinking skills? They criticize Cutler for not winning in college when winning five games at Vandy is like going to a BCS bowl at another school. They criticize him for the Josh McDaniels saga. Now that McDaniels has run other players out of town and run down the franchise, Cutler still gets a lot of the blame. Then there’s the latest incident. In a world of speculation, is even a little bit of objective analysis too much to ask?
— Chris, Nashville, Tenn.
There has been plenty of objective analysis out there in my opinion. In fact, I would say the large majority of writers and talking heads have defended Cutler in “the latest incident,” to which you refer. Only a few have been critical of him. Those who have been most critical of him have been former players. The thing I would be critical of Cutler about from the NFC Championship Game was his lousy performance, which probably cost the Bears a trip to the Super Bowl.
Any rumors how the Bears will respond to Caleb Hanie’s RFA status? I imagine his agent’s phone has started ringing already. I don’t envision him being a career backup.
— Mike, Forney, Texas
I would expect the Bears to protect themselves with Hanie, assuming they can’t sign him to a contract prior to the start of free agency. But I don’t think they need to be concerned about another team offering him starter’s money. While Hanie has obvious potential, I don’t think he’s had enough opportunity to create that kind of market for himself.
Were you as surprised as I was that Chris Harris made second-team All-Pro? I thought he had a decent year but had several lapses in the passing game, although to be fair he wasn’t playing his most natural position — strong safety. What’s the plan for safety next year? I don’t like the three-man rotation they used this past season. They should stick to two guys who play the whole game.
— Doug Parrish, Kansas City, Mo.
I thought Chris Harris had a nice season, especially with takeaways. But I thought Danieal Manning was the Bears’ most consistent safety. He just didn’t make as many big plays. Harris made second-team all-pro because he finished in an eight-way tie for second. Each of the eight safeties received one vote. See what I mean about honors being misleading? As for next year, it’s hard to tell what will happen at the position. Manning probably will be a free agent. The Bears would like him back, but might not be willing to meet his price. I know the team would like to get Major Wright on the field more, and my hunch is he will be on the field more no matter who else is on the roster.
My question had to do with the Tampa-2 defense that Lovie likes to run so much. I heard an interview with Tony Romo, discussing Green Bay’s defense and how they like to use the Cover-2 look in the secondary and how it differs from how Chicago runs their secondary. The two corners on Green Bay eliminate the inside slant routes and force the receivers to the outside, while having two safeties deep (like Cover-2). Why do we not employ the same concept? We are always getting burned with the slants, yet the Pack can eliminate it with a simple thing as that?
— Sid Fernandez, Dayton, Ohio
There are times when Bears defensive backs play the Cover-2 as you described it. And there are times when they play outside technique, and try to force the action inside. It all depends on the strengths, weaknesses and tendencies of their opponent. There is no one right way to play the coverage. If you take one thing away, you always are going to leave yourself vulnerable in another area. Slants were not a consistent problem for the Bears in 2010. They were a problem in probably two or three games. If the Packers played it better, it’s because they had better cornerbacks.
I would like to ask your expert opinion on a draft choice. I know that we need OL desperately, and we just picked up a tall receiver, but I am also a huge Oregon Ducks fan. I’d like to draft Casey Matthews, Clay Matthews’ brother from the Packers. Their dad also played in the NFL. The one thing this family has is a high motor — a never-quit-on-any-play mentality. The Bears could benefit from his services. What are your thoughts?
— Todd Davis, Marco Island, Fla.
Scouts tell me Casey is nowhere near as talented as his brother. But he still is a solid prospect with instincts and toughness. Casey doesn’t have the same kind of speed and explosiveness that Clay has. Casey also plays a different position. Casey is a middle linebacker, and could be picked up as an eventual successor to Brian Urlacher. He likely will be drafted in the fourth-round range and could be a consideration for the Bears.
Do you share my opinion that if Wilber Marshall played his entire career for the Bears, he would be in the Hall of Fame by now?
— Joe Morris, Knoxville, Tenn.
I would say if Marshall had continued to play for another five to seven years at the level he was playing at during his first five years, he would have had quite an impressive resume. I’m not a big believer in putting too much stock in Pro Bowl voting, but Marshall played in only one Pro Bowl after leaving the Bears. He was one of the best outside linebackers in a 4-3 defense I have ever seen early in his career. After going to Washington, getting a big pay day and playing in a different scheme, he wasn’t the same player. Don’t forget the Bears switched schemes, too, and it’s possible Marshall would have fallen off even if he had remained in Chicago.
