So I’ve been asked to write a preview of my team, the Chicago Bears for the upcoming season (2015) – Now admittedly being only into my 9th Season as a UK based Bears fan I don’t claim to be any kind of expert so I’ll speak from what I’ve seen so far during Training Camp and the 2 pre-season games we’ve played thus far.
Let’s be honest fellow Bears fans, the past few years have been disastrous, I can’t sugar coat it. Jay Cutler comes under a lot of scrutiny for his performances of late, many in Chicago want him out but the man is here to stay, for this season at least. Under Marc Trestman he was awful, I put that down to Trestmans lack of leadership and the pair falling out, resulting Jay being dropped in favour of back up QB Jimmy Clauson. I feel under Coach Fox things will improve, he will bring a discipline and accountability that was lacking under Trestman. Personally, I’m a big fan of Cutlers and would love to see him perform as I know he can.
Onto the Draft, first round pick Kevin White is an exciting prospect who sadly looks likely to miss the whole of the 2015 season through injury. The WR was drafted in to replace “the ego Brandon Marshall”. With that being said, Alshon Jeffrey now has a chance to shine once he has been declared fit. For me he is in the top 5 of WR’s in the NFL. Eddie Royal also comes in to add some experience to the Bears O Line from the San Diego Chargers. It’ll be interesting to see how this O line responds to new offensive Coach Adam Gase in his first season.
The biggest problem the bears have had of late is with the D. In replacing Mel Tucker with the Bears who should have been fired after the 2013 season – Vic Fangio is the second assistant coach to join Fox’s staff following special team’s coordinator Jeff Rodgers arrival, who was hired recently. Jared Allen will no doubt be the go to guy this season as this new D looks to take shape. Up against the Miami Dolphins in week one of Pre-season saw the secondary look like a whole new beast. Very encouraging signs indeed. I’m under no illusions that once again the Packers will boss the NFC North this year but who knows, with a little bit of luck and a new found determination under Coach Fox the Bears could indeed challenge for second spot. I think we will surprise a few this year who are already writing the Bears off. Write us off at your peril.
I could go on longer but keeping this brief – my prediction. The Bears to go 7-9 this season.
BearDown
You can follow Bears fan Graham on Twitter at @Gray_1978. Enjoy!