Chicago Bears
Key Additions: DE Julius Peppers, RB Chester Taylor, FS Major Wright, TE Brandon Manumaleuna, CB Tim Jennings
Key Subtractions: DE Alex Brown, LB Jamar Williams, CB Nathan Vasher
The Bears enter year two with QB Jay Cutler under center trading him for an abundance of drafty picks prior to last season. Cutler struggled last year throwing for 27 TD's, but 26 INT's, only the Lions and Bucs threw for more interceptions. Mike Martz takes over the offense that will do wonders for Cutler. However, Martz loves to throw the ball, and head coach Lovie Smith does not. Lovie went as far as to have Cutler only attempt 17 passes in a game last year against the Rams in which they won 17-9. But the message was clear that what Lovie wanted out of Culter wasnt resonating. Martz now is faced with the challenge of improving Culter and limiting his mistakes. Cutler has the weapons around him to succeed. Chester Taylor joins Matt Forte in the backfield as the Bears struggled to run the ball last year. But the real strength is at wide receiver, where Johnny Knox, Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, and Devin Aromashodu-ashodu lead the way, and bringing in Manumaleuna provides a big target in the red zone. With the weapons surrounding Cutler, he should improve big time this season.
The premier free agent this offseason was Peppers, and the Bears landed the big fish. Peppers improves the defense by himself, as there is no better coverage in my mind than an excellent pass rush. Urlacher returns after missing pretty much all of last season. He can still play at a high level and with Lance Briggs still there, the Bears are set at linebacker. They brought in Tim Jennings to compete for one of the starting corner jobsw, but the rest of the secondary is up in the eair with a lot of rookies and vets competing for spots, including FS Major Wright.
Schedule:
1 Sun. Sep. 12 vs. Lions
2 Sun. Sep. 19 at Cowboys
3 Mon. Sep. 27 vs. Packers
4 Sun. Oct. 03 at Giants
5 Sun. Oct. 10 at Panthers
6 Sun. Oct. 17 vs. Seahawks
7 Sun. Oct. 24 vs. Redskins
8 BYE
9 Sun. Nov. 07 at Bills
10 Sun. Nov. 14 vs. Vikings
11 Thu. Nov. 18 at Dolphins
12 Sun. Nov. 28 vs. Eagles
13 Sun. Dec. 05 at Lions
14 Sun. Dec. 12 vs. Patriots
15 Mon. Dec. 20 at Vikings
16 Sun. Dec. 26 vs. Jets
17 Sun. Jan. 02 at Packers
The Bears have the #14th hardest schedule and opponents were 129-127 last season. They catch the AFC East and NFC East, two of the toughest divisions in the NFL. Already having to contend with the Packers and Vikings twice each, this schedule doesnt favor the Bears. But they should contend for a playoff spot.
Miami Dolphins
Key Additions: WR Brandon Marshall, LB Karlos Dansby, DT Jared Odrick,
Key Subtractions: WR Ted Ginn Jr., LB Joey Porter, LB Jason Taylor
The Dolphins are now three years into the Parcells era and look to have something brewing down in Miami. Chad Henne is the quarterback the Dolphins feel they can win with. He took over in Week 2 last year and started every game for the remainder of the season. His numbers were decent even in the absence of a true number one receiver. In the offseason, the Dolphins acquired one...Brandon Marshall. Marhsall is the physical go to guy that Hennne can lean on in a big spot. But the strength of the offense has, and will continue to be, the running game. Ronnie Brown struggled until going down for the year in Week 10. Ricky Williams did pick up the slack, rushing for 1,211 yards averaging 4.7 yards per carry. If both of them can stay healthy and Chad Henne improves, the Dolphins will do better on offense.
Defensively, the Dolphins lost a few veterans. However, they did get the best middle linebacker in free agency in Karlos Dansby. Dansby will play alongside Chaning Crowder. However the Dolphins were playing with rookies at corner towards the end of the season and were terrible against the pass. They were worst in the league in giving up plays of 40+ yards through the air, surrendering 17. They must improve heading into year two. Mike Nolan may have his hands full if the defensive personnel currently in place does not do their job.
Schedule:
1 Sun. Sep. 12 at Bills
2 Sun. Sep. 19 at Vikings
3 Sun. Sep. 26 vs. Jets
4 Mon. Oct. 04 vs. Patriots
5 BYE
6 Sun. Oct. 17 at Packers
7 Sun. Oct. 24 vs. Steelers
8 Sun. Oct. 31 at Bengals
9 Sun. Nov. 07 at Ravens
10 Sun. Nov. 14 vs. Titans
11 Thu. Nov. 18 vs. Bears
12 Sun. Nov. 28 at Raiders
13 Sun. Dec. 05 vs. Browns
14 Sun. Dec. 12 at Jets
15 Sun. Dec. 19 vs. Bills
16 Sun. Dec. 26 vs. Lions
17 Sun. Jan. 02 at Patriots
The Dolphins have the 17th hardest schedule in the league and opponents were 128-128 last season. They catch the NFC North and AFC North this season. Both divisions have teams with three or more teams capable of making the playoffs. Three easy games at the end of the schedule at home sure help the Dolphins. If they can remain in the hunt once December rolls around, they'll be in good shape.
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