FanHouse NFL Season Preview: Chicago Bears - Devin's World

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: It's an open competition between Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton. Cue the laugh track. I'll try to be positive. In 2006, Grossman led the team to a 13-3 record and an NFC Championship to boot. He led the NFL in 100+ QB rating games (yes, I know he led in games below 40 and also had a zero rating once ... remember I was being positive), and threw for over 3000 yards with 23 TD passes for a running-and-defense team. Orton went 10-5 as a starter in the previous season with atrocious numbers (seriously, he didn't even throw for 2,000 yards or ten TDs in 15 games). Look for Grossman to start, unless the Bears want to completely take away the threat of Devin Hester. And they can't do that. Heat Index: 2

Running backs: Matt Forte was an absolute monster at Tulane. But that was college, and Conference USA at that. So far he's doing and saying all the right things in camp, which is a start. Many fans think the line didn't block hard for Cedric Benson because they detested him. I doubt that's true, but it's gotta be easier mentally to clear holes for a guy you like rather than one you don't. They are human after all. Kevin Jones has shown flashes of brilliance in his career, but those flashes have been overshadowed by serious injuries. You start to wonder how many more his body can take. Adrian Peterson is a good #3, but not good if any higher on the depth chart. This group actually has potential to be better than average should Jones stay healthy and Forte prove the second round steal the Bears thought they got. Those are big "ifs," though. Heat Index: 3

Receivers: Marty Booker can easily out-perform Muhsin Muhammad's '07 season. Replacing Bernard Berrian's numbers will be up to Mark Bradley, Brandon Lloyd, Devin Hester, and Rashied Davis. There's no one overly capable, but the coaches really believe in Hester. Look for him to be a key player on offense even if he doesn't touch the ball much. He'll play decoy and the defense will have to respect him as a home-run threat. The TEs are very solid both as blockers and pass-catchers. Greg Olsen is the main pass-catcher, but the veteran Desmond Clark still has a few years left. Oh, and don't forget about Right Said Kellen. Heat Index: 3

Offensive line: If I even hear that Fred Miller is hanging around training camp as a spectator, the heat index is an automatic zero. He's the worst lineman I've ever seen in the NFL. Now that he's gone, things have to get better. It's not possible for anyone to be worse. Olin Kruetz is the leader of the line, and he had a very subpar year in '07. Expect him to come back with a chip on his shoulder and something to prove. First round pick Chris Williams is already on his way to bust-dom. He's had surgery and there's talk of bringing back Miller. Heat Index: 2

Defensive line: Tommie Harris played all last season hurt, and still had a good season. He'll return to elite form this year. The trio of ends -- Adewale Ogunleye, Alex Brown, and Mark Anderson -- is among the best in the NFL when properly rotated (the chemistry was greatly effected last year when Lovie Smith made Anderson the starter and the more well-rounded Brown simply a situational player ... but the mistake was rectified late in the season and should remain corrected this year). Heat Index: 7

Linebackers: Brian Urlacher feels reborn. He didn't really need a rebirth on the field, but now that he's pain free and apparently determined, watch out. Lance Briggs got his long-term deal and is happy as well. Those two hoard the attention, and Hunter Hillenmeyer plays a steady SAM. Heat Index: 8

Secondary: Nathan Vasher killed the defense last year by missing 12 games. You never realized how big a difference he made on the unit until he came back and forced a turnover on an early possession in Minnesota. Along with Charles Tillman, Vasher gives the Bears an above average corner duo. Mike Brown does nothing but make plays when he's healthy. Unfortunately he's never healthy. Logic would dictate he'll get hurt again this year. If not, he gives a huge boost in leadership and big plays. Good group, and don't underestimate how much difference it will make to have Brown and Vasher while not having Abysmal Adam Archuleta. Heat Index: 7

Special teams: Ace special teams cover man Brendon Ayanbadejo is gone. I think I can speak for every Bears fan that he will be irreplaceable. It was amazing to watch him blow up a wedge or beat double-teams on punt coverage. That downgrades the group from a ten. There are a few decent options to take on the tough role of filling his shoes (Craig Steltz, maybe?) Brad Maynard is still a decent enough punter, though he could be better at pinning the ball inside the 20. Robbie Gould is arguably the best kicker in the league, and Hester is the best returner of all-time. Those guys push this grade near perfection alone. Between the two, the offense will usually only have to gain two first downs to score three points. Unfortunately -- as you saw from the grades above -- that will be an issue. Heat Index: 9

Coaches: Losing Ron Rivera prior to last season really did hurt the defense. While Lovie Smith is a strong leader, he doesn't seem to be much the talent evaluator or tactician. Ron Turner is a good coordinator, but nothing special. Heat Index: 5

Intangibles: Going from the Super Bowl to a losing record had to be a bitter pill to swallow. You could argue that all the big names getting their big contracts makes them less motivated, but you could also argue it's less stressful to play when you are satisfied monetarily. Personally, I think the defense is pissed. Expect them to reclaim swagger and the offense to lack confidence. Heat Index: 6

Total Heat Index: 52
It's really all about Hester. If he continues to get the offense good field position -- via return or the opposing team avoiding him -- then helps the offense move the ball enough to take pressure off the defense; there's a chance at a winning record. The coaching staff contains the only people on the planet that believe Hester will be a #1 NFL wideout this season, and I guess they'd know better than anyone. Realistically, though, the offense just isn't good enough anywhere and the defense will likely be beaten down all season. Again.