Jay Cutler now has a new home in Chicago.
(AP Photo/Nam Y Huh)
The Jay Culter fiasco ended in Chicago when the Pro Bowl quarterback was traded from the Broncos to the Bears for Kyle Orton. With a whole new setting, Cutler has to adjust to a new offense in what looks to be a season full of hope for the Bears.
The 49ers understand that the Bears defense can still be very tough to score against, but if they can score early, they might be able to control the ball throughout the game and pull out a win. Let's look at the Bears.
2008 Record: 9-7 (2nd NFC North)
Last meeting: 10/29/06 @ Chicago (Bears win 41-10)
2009 schedule: Week 10 @ San Francisco
Top 3 best players: QB Jay Cutler, PR/WR Devin Hester, LB Brian Urlacher
Notable draft picks: DE Jarron Gilbert, WR Juaquin Iglesias
Notable new acquisitions: QB Jay Cutler, OT Orlando Pace, OT Frank Omiyale, LB Pisa Tinoisamoa
Notable losses: WR Marty Booker, WR Brandon Lloyd, S Mike Brown, QB Rex Grossman, QB Kyle Orton
The Bears still boast a very tight defense that might have to win them a lot of games this year. Looking at the Bears offense, it's features a huge question mark at wide receiver.
The departure of Marty Booker and Brandon Lloyd doesn't make the Bears receiving core any better. The Bears saw this and drafted three wide receivers in April. But it will be a while before these three rookies make an impact.
With the current roster, we see Rashied Davis (SJSU alum and typical third or fourth stringer) now in the #1 spot. Devin Hester is the #2 receiver. But aside from these two, the wide receivers are not impressive and new quarterback Jay Cutler will definitely have a lot of pressure to make the passing game work.
Since Cutler's options aren't as impressive as the ones he had in Denver, he can definitely check down to Greg Olson and Desmond Clark at tight end. Both of these tight ends have helped a very wobbly Chicago passing game in recent years.
The biggest option on offense that the 49ers must contain is Matt Forte at running back. With 1,238 rushing yards in his rookie season, there will be a lot more pressure for Forte to total those numbers again. The Bears signed veteran Orlando Pace at tackle to help the team's rushing attack. The running game will most definitely help out the offense that doesn't feature many established receivers.
If the 49ers can hold down the running game of the Bears, then that would force Cutler to throw the ball. Cutler threw 18 interceptions last year. With mediocre receivers, the 49ers must like their chances in stopping the Bears offense from scoring.
When looking at the Bears defense, you notice that linebackers spot immediately. With a history of great linebackers like Dick Butkus and Mike Singletary (current 49ers head coach), you can see the same intensity in Brian Urlacher. Alongside Lance Briggs, the Bears have a very strong presence in run stoppage. And the addition of Pisa Tinoisamoa makes the Bears linebacker group very dangerous.
The passing game for the 49ers will also have to be on its A-game against the cornerbacks. Both Charles Tillman and Nathan Vasher have been consistent staples in the Bears secondary. Vasher has been limited in workouts this summer but is expected to be 100 percent by training camp.
The biggest offensive impact for the Bears (and it has been for the past few seasons) is punt returner Devin Hester. Now used as a receiver and primarily in punt returning duties, Hester might not be as effective as before. With his focus now more on being a receiver, Danieal Manning is now returning kickoffs. It's a lighter task to take on Manning over Hester, but the 49ers must still prevent the big returns from both of these players.
For the offensive passing game of the Bears that could definitely benefit from short yardage, the 49ers must prevent the big returns.
The Bears surrendered 93.5 rushing yards a game last year (fifth best in the league). And if the 49ers are held down significantly below that number, there will be little chance that the 49ers can get their passing game to be successful. Against this Bears defense, the 49ers have to play mistake-free football.
However, I think that the 49ers defense can stop this Bears offense (especially the passing game). The secondary has improved for the 49ers and with the mediocrity at wide receiver, the Bears might be forced to run a lot more. This surely will be a toss up football game for both teams. My biased thoughts believe that the 49ers can pull out the win at home. But it's a tough call.
Trying out Twitter for 49ers updates. Check me out here @SLam49ers
Comments
Not a bad analysis. However, as a Bear fan, I must say that no one in Chicago thinks of Davis as a starter, let alone the #1 receiver. Bennett will assume the #2 slot unless he gets injured. Hester is the #1.
I've read a few of Lam's articles and I've got to say he is an extremely poor writer for someone who gets paid to write!
As a diehard 49er fan, I'll probably end up reading anyway...
Davis as the #1? Do you even research what you write about?
dude are you nuts you say the 49rs can stop the passing game jay cutler threw for over 4500 yards as a 25 year old qb,and lets not forget brandon marshall was a 4th round pick and royal was a 2nd round pick,we have alot of promising young wideouts,and the quarterback makes the wide recievers not the other way around,devin hester should of had 1000 yards last year orton missed him on deep balls at least 1 time a game i will bet cutler wont,sorry guy this will be a blow out bears 35 49rs 6
oh yeah and the kick returner manning led all of football in kick return average,and brandon lloyd and booker suck anything is better than them the bears are a great team and will dominate the 9rs final score bears 28 9rs 0
niners 23 bears 17
I feel dumber for having read this article. There is nothing more disgusting than a writer that hasn't done his research first... I almost bust a gut when I read that Rashied Davis was our #1 WR... Hester is #1, Earl Bennett (Cutlers favorite target in college) is the #2, Then Rashied, Brandon Rideau, & Johnny Knox, & Iglesias are behind that. Greg Olson will get a lot of balls thrown his way along with Des Clark... Don't forget Matt Forte is a RB who does a lot of recieving as well. So this game won't even be close. The Bears D is better, The Bears O is better, and the Bears special teams are better so predicting anything but a loss is just comical... Atleast you admit your opinion is bias; translation would be not based on real logic or fact... What an idiot you are...
Obviously the depth chart at this point isn't set in stone. I looked at the unofficial depth chart that was posted on Yahoo! Sports and they listed Davis as the #1 receiver at this point. I'm sure that it will change a lot until the season starts.
Your analysis is so full of mistakes it just sad.
First off, Hester is set in stone as the #1 receiver; Davis may not even make the team. Bennet is pencilled in at #2.
Second, the TEs haven't just 'helped a wobbly passing game'; the passing game essentially starts with the TEs.
Chicago is a predominantly right-handed running team. Pace was signed to protect Cutlers blind side more than to help the running game. Players were brought in to compete at both guard positions and RT (Chris Williams) they will affect the running game much more than Pace.
Lance Briggs should, without a doubt, be listed in the 'best players category'.
Manning lead the league in yards per return last year; he will likely be more of a factor in the return game than Hester.
Vasher has been anything but a 'consistent staple' over the past few seasons. He was even benched in favor of Graham last season do to poor play (especially sloppy tackling).
Also, you missed the biggest weakness and question mark on this Chicago defense.
The 49ers will have to try to take advantage of whoever is playing at free safety, as that is the least established position on the team with the departure of Mike Brown.
There is also a wild card in the D-line. It has been playing poorly of late, generating little pressure. The game (and likely the season) hinges on wether Rod Marinelli can turn it around.
Your research & analysis is a JOKE. Yahoo Sports is your basis for your expertise? Try the team's homepage for REAL information.
I can't blame you for your eternal optimism as a HOMER, but based on your lack of football knowledge, I guess you have to make up things to make your team sound like it has a chance. Good luck in your 49'er Fantasy Football dreams, but reality will hit hard and fast in November.
The only way the game will be close is when Da Bears feel pity for Mike Singletary and call off the dogs, hopefully by half time.
I hope you quit insulting people's intelligence with your faux knowledge and expertise of Football, and especially of Da Bears.
You're just lucky most of the Bear Fans moved from Chicago out here because of the weather and to better the SF Bay Area culture with our Chicago/Midwest values.
BEAR FANS UNITE AND ENJOY THE SMACKDOWN COMING IN NOVEMBER AND THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE SEASON...TO THE SUPERBOWL BEAR FANS!!!
Niners will win. Five Lombardi Trophies > one. Don't even bring up your NFL League Championships because those don't even count nowadays. Teams success are measured by the number of Lombardi trophies they have.
The depth chart on the Bears homepage doesn't load.
But at the wide receivers spot, the Bears have a lot of players that haven't proved themselves as elite receivers in the league.
Yes Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal have emereged as good receivers. Marshall's success didn't happen in one season. Royal's success came in part with Marshall's success.
I don't think Cutler can turn that receiving core so quick in one season.
lmao dude u did 0 research devin hester isnt going to be a #2 recierver and davis isnt even going to be #3 in my opinion hester will be 1 earl bennett 2 then the rest unknown
The Bears wide are younger than what they had last year but I like that. Look for Hester as #1, Bennett as the #2, Davis as the slot receiver, Brandon Rideau, Iglesias, Knox and Kinder to all be in the mix. They can be very good. Trust me
the only thing the 49rs have going for them is your all pro middle lb other than that the 9rs are pathetic
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