April 6, 2010

Bears needs: Lovie depending on Martz, Peppers to save his job

By Pete Prisco | CBSSports.com Senior Writer
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There is no sugarcoating it in Chicago. Bears coach Lovie Smith either wins this season, or he's almost certainly gone.

Smith got a reprieve after a disappointing season in 2009, Jay Cutler's first as Chicago's quarterback, but that won't be the case if the Bears aren't a playoff team in 2010.

To help make that a reality, the Bears added controversial Mike Martz as offensive coordinator, signed free agents Julius Peppers and Chester Taylor to lucrative contracts and gave off the feeling they are a team that needs to win now.

The Cutler-Martz relationship should be fun to watch. Martz is an offensive wizard who should bring out the best in Cutler.

Peppers will certainly help the defense, but how much? He needs help, but the Bears enter this draft without a first- or second-round pick.

Smith better hope what he has is enough. Or both he and general manager Jerry Angelo will be looking for work next year.

QB: Cutler has to cut down on his interceptions. He falls in love with his arm way too much. But he is better than people give him credit for, even if he struggled at times last season. Martz will really help his growth. Caleb Hanie and Brett Basanez are the backups, and both are inexperienced. They could use a veteran here.

RB: Matt Forte didn't have the kind of season the Bears expected in 2009. He didn't seem as decisive as he was as a rookie. Some of that was because of line issues, but even so, the Bears signed Chester Taylor in free agency. They will share carries, but the Bears have to hope Forte's speed will give him more of them. Garrett Wolfe and Kahlil Bell are the backups. Wolfe is a good special-teams player, while Bell surprised in his time last season backing up Forte.

WR: The Bears still think Devin Hester can be a No. 1 receiver. That's debatable. But he should find a lot of success in the slot in this new offense. He is perfect for what Martz wants to do. Earl Bennett is the starter on the other side, but Martz has to be drooling over second-year player Johnny Knox, who has a ton of speed. Devin Aromashodu emerged late last season as a possible starter. He was impressive at times. The team also likes second-year player Juaquin Iglesias.

Five possibilities: Bears

Chad Jones, S, LSU: He's a much more athletic safety than his numbers would show. He would be a nice addition. Larry Asante, S, Nebraska: If he was a pick, it certainly would help fill a glaring need. Mike Johnson, OG, Alabama: He would be an upgrade inside for a unit that needs it. Carlton Mitchell, WR, South Florida: This is a big, fast receiver who Mike Martz would love. Mitch Petrus, OG, Arkansas: This kid was the strongest player at the combine.

Draft strategy: Bears

Primary Needs: OG, S NFC North team-by-team needs

More Draft coverage

Team Needs: All 32 teams Mock Drafts: Rang | Reuter | Prisco | Judge

TE: Greg Olsen is a pass-catching tight end. There has been some speculation the Bears will let him go, but that's not happening. He will be a factor in this offense. The Bears did add blocking tight end Brandon Manumaleuna, whom Martz had in St. Louis. They also have veteran Desmond Clark and youngster Kellen Davis, whom they like. There is not a worry at this spot.

OL: The line really struggled last season. It has to be better. With Chris Williams now set at left tackle, that position should be better. He is better suited there than right tackle. There are questions everywhere else. Veteran center Olin Kreutz isn't the same player he was a few years ago. Guards Frank Omiyale and Roberto Garza are only OK. Right tackle Kevin Shaffer is a mauler, but he is limited athletically. There isn't a lot behind them. Guard Josh Beekman and tackle James Marten are the top reserves.

DL: They went out and spent big money to bring in Peppers. They better hope he's motivated. When he is, he's one of the best. When he's not, he tends to float. The other end will be Mark Anderson, who played well in 2009. He hasn't been the same speed rusher he was as a rookie, but the ability is there. The inside starters are Tommie Harris and Anthony Adams. Harris has star potential, and has flashed it in the past, but he doesn't always play to that level. Adams is a self-made player who plays hard all the time. There is depth at end and tackle. Jarron Gilbert and Marcus Harrison provide depth inside, with Israel Idonije and Henry Melton outside. Melton might also play some inside.

LB: In Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs, the Bears have two high-end linebackers. Briggs is coming off another successful season, but Urlacher is coming off a season cut short by a shoulder injury. He is a key to this defense, so he has to stay on the field. The other linebacker is Hunter Hillenmeyer, who is more steady than spectacular. Young players Nick Roach and Jamar Williams will push for time. Both showed flashes when they had their chances the past couple of seasons.

DB: This is a big area of concern. Charles Tillman and Zack Bowman are the corners and both should be starting in Week 1. Tillman is a veteran who fought through a bunch of injuries last year to have a successful season. He did suffer lung and rib injuries late last season that prevented him from going to the Pro Bowl as a replacement player. Bowman impressed in his first as a starter. The backups are D.J. Moore, former Colts player Tim Jennings and Corey Graham. The safety position is a big need. Smith was not happy with the play of his safeties. The starters are Kevin Payne and Al Afalafa. They are both only average at best. Danieal Manning and Josh Bullocks are also in the mix. Manning might be the nickel back if he doesn't start.