2006 NFL Season Preview: Chicago Bears

With the preseason in full swing and the opening weekend less than a calendar month away, now is the perfect time to glance in at all 32 NFL franchises and get a scoop on what to expect this season. I will be grading every team on all three phases of the game: offense, defense, and special teams. I will also take a look at the coaching staffs of all 32 teams, including the 10 new Head Coaches and evaluate the impact they might have on their team's success. Then I will outline some key position battles and some names you may or may not know about to watch for the upcoming season.

The Chicago Bears came out of nowhere to be NFC contenders in the 2005 season. Well, maybe their defense did. The defense was the top defense in the NFL in scoring defense, challenging the 2000 Baltimore Ravens for the title of best scoring defense in NFL history by allowing a paltry 12.6 points a game. They return 22 starters, but it will be the possibility of new starters in key positions which makes Chicago so intriguing in this preseason. With Head Coach Lovie Smith, the Bears know that they have a coach dedicated to succeeding in Chicago, and it'll be upto Smith to make the tough decisions at some of the key positions on the field. Their defense was upto the task in 2005, but it'll take an improved showing from the offense in order for them to get any further than the NFC divisional round.


Offense