Editor’s note: This is part 7 of a 32-part series in which Tim and Zuri draft the teams they think have the best chance of winning the Super Bowl. All teams will be picked to ensure a winner, so check back, because someone will be making a case for the Lions and the greatest one-season turnaround in NFL history.
Screw Brett Favre. Jay Cutler is the best move of the offseason.
Brett Favre has stolen all the attention, but trading for Jay Cutler was easily the biggest offseason move and turned the Bears into instant contenders. Yeah I know, he’s throwing it to Devin Hester and Earl Bennett instead of Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal, but nobody will argue he’s a huge upgrade over Kyle Orton, Rex Grossman and every other Bears quarterback of the past 20 years. Hopefully he doesn’t get sucked into the same black hole or bermuda triangle.
Swagger counts for something in sports. Championship teams need a certain confident swagger, and the Bears have that now with Cutler. In prior years, the attitude was more not making eye contact with the tough-looking guy. They were just hoping their quarterback didn’t blow the game. They’re in a much better situation this year.
Chicago’s one weakness may be at wide receiver, but Hester at least has some experience at the position now, and Earl Bennett has looked good in the preseason. Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark are solid, well rounded tight ends that will take a little of the pressure of the receiving corps. And Matt Forte became an elite running back in his rookie year. If he shows any improvement, and the passing game improves, this offense could put up big numbers.
That’s a pretty good case for their offense, and it’s their defense that’s always carried them. Linebackers Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs return to the team, with the addition of Pisa Tinoisamoa. Alex Brown, Tommie Harris and Adewale Ogunleye make it tough to run and pass. Nathan Vasher and Danieal Manning (not a typo) return to the secondary, which finally moved on from tough but injury-prone Mike Brown.
It’s a simple equation really. The Bears defense has always been one of the best in the NFL. Now with the addition of a franchise quarterback in Cutler, their offense has a chance to meet them up there. Makes for a championship team.
