The Chicago Bears Look to Get Back Some of their Bite

Over the past few seasons it has been quite frustrating to be a Chicago Bears player or fan. The Bears are usually one of the most consistent in the league but, have been unable to put it all together over the past few years. After missing the playoffs for the past two years, the team looked to make some major changes this year. Their once dominant defense had become mediocre and the offense has struggled to put up any points thanks to never having a true starting quarterback or reliable offensive line. It looks like that is all about to change coming into the 2009 NFL season.

Lovie Smith, the bears head coach, made a rare personnel decision and decided that he in fact will be in charge of defensive play calling on game day. This is usually left up to the defensive coordinator but there is no doubt that Smith wants more control after the team has struggled so much the past two seasons. Smith has the knowledge and experience to do an excellent job considered he was defensive coordinator of the St. Louis Rams in 2003 when they led the league in takeaways and finished fourth in sacks. So this move could help the Bears defense become a lot more aggressive and get back some of their bite.

The blockbuster off season move for the Bears was the trade for all star quarterback Jay Cutler. Cutler now becomes the first, true franchise quarterback that the team has had in years. The team now has a legitimate quarterback who will be able to complement the running game that has always been efficient, and should continue to get better thanks to young stud Matt Forte. The fact that Cutler can gun the ball so deep will force opposing defenses to fall back to cover the big plays. This will allow the running game a lot more room and allow the Bears to efficiently grind it out. With previous QB's, defenses were just playing a short field and focusing squarely on the run game.

The team also drastically improved their offensive line would should help protect Cutler and give Forte some extra space. The signed long time all star Orlando Pace to man one tackle position and Kevin Shaffer to man the other. With both of these guys sitting tight on the line, the offense could become a dangerous one for the first time in years.

A number of experts are still pointing out that the Bears need an all star and reliable wide receiver to push them over the edge, however the major improvements are there. You never know when a young receiver could step in and take the land. And the fact is that with a new big time quarterback and a top notch offensive line, the Bears look poised to take back their NFC North title. The defense is improved and more aggressive now that Smith makes the play calling and opposing defenses will actually have to start being careful when lining up against the Monsters of the Midway this year.