The 2016 Bears season is absolutely
nothing short of a huge disappointment. Going into the season it was expected
that it would be a much-improved team not necessarily a playoff team but an
improvement on a 6-10 record from the 2015 season. There were so many factors that
contributed to a bad 3-13 season rather it was lack of QB play, injuries,
suspensions, lack of talent.
The Bears first issue is the QB
play, mainly, the presence of Jay Cutler. It’s time for a change at the QB
position for the Bears. The Bears need to take advantage of the clause in his
contract in where the team doesn’t owe him a single penny if he’s released this
offseason. The team will take a $2 million cap hit but releasing or trading him
opens $13 million in cap space. I say let him go because he lacks the mental
makeup to be a successful QB and he quits on his team once the chips go down
i.e. the 2011 NFC Championship game in which he hurt his knee but was seen
peddling a stationary bike on the sideline during the game in which the Bears
lost to the rival Packers 21-14. He hasn’t thrown for over 30TD’s in a season
in his career. In seasons in which he has played 11 or more games he’s thrown
12 or more INT’s in each of them including 26 in 2009 and 18 in 2014. He also hasn’t
guided the team to the playoffs since 2010. He has the arm talent to be a good
QB but he lacks the mental toughness to be great. He’s also been hurt/injured
most of his career as a Bear, including only playing in 5 games this season. It’s
time for a change at the QB position in Chicago. Brian Hoyer was productive but
he couldn’t push the ball down the field to help the offense score points. He
ended up breaking his arm in Week 7 vs. Packers and missing the rest of the
season. Cutler played in the two games after but ended up going down with
another injury and cost him the season as well. Matt Barkley finished the
season and showed flashes at times but completely sputtered late. The Bears
need to start fresh and build at the QB position because going back to Cutler
is going to be more of the same unproductive questionable play. Cutler is the
highest paid, most unproductive QB in the NFL and he must get out of Chicago
ASAP.
The 2016 Season was absolutely HAMMERED
with injuries from start to finish. Rather it was preseason injuries to
starting C Hroniss Grasu & CB Kyle Fuller, To in season injuries to QB’s
Jay Cutler & Brian Hoyer, WR Kevin White, & LB Lamaar Houston.
Here’s a
list of notable Bears who missed time due to injuries or suspension
·
QB
Jay Cutler (Thumb, Shoulder)
·
QB
Brian Hoyer (Broken Arm)
·
RB
Jeremy Langford (Hamstring)
·
WR
Alshon Jeffery (Suspension)
·
WR
Kevin White (Broken Fibula)
·
WR
Eddie Royal (Hamstring)
·
TE
Zach Miller (Broken Foot)
·
G
Josh Sitton (Ankle)
·
G
Kyle Long (Forearm, Ankle)
·
LB
Lamaar Houston (Knee)
·
LB
Danny Treveathan (Thumb)
·
LB
Pernell McPhee (Suspension)
·
LB
Leonard Floyd (Concussion)
·
CB
Kyle Fuller (Knee)
The Bears
roster has been riddled with injuries from start to finish and that’s another
contributing factor in the abysmal season.
The Final
Injured Reserve List:
T Mike Adams
TE Rory Anderson
T Nick Becton
CB Brandon Boykin
QB Jay Cutler
DE Ego Ferguson
CB Kyle Fuller
NT Eddie Goldman
C Hroniss Grasu
QB Brian Hoyer
LB Roy Robertson-Harris OLB
G Kyle Long
LB Danny Mason
TE Zach Miller
TE Justin Perillo
WR Eddie Royal
QB Connor Shaw
NT Will Sutton
LB Danny Trevathan
WR Kevin White
WR Marquess Wilson
It wasn’t all negative this season
for the Bears. It’s positives to take from this season despite all the losing.
One of the positives is rookie RB Jordan Howard who was a 4th round
pick from Indiana. He had one of the more productive seasons for a rookie RB in
Bears history. He became the 5th rookie in franchise history to rush
1,000 yards. He was super productive finishing the season with 6 games over 100
yards rushing and 1,313 yards rushing (2nd in the NFL behind fellow
rookie Ezekiel Elliot). What makes it more impressive for Howard is that he didn’t
get his first start until week 4 because of injuries to Kadeem Carey &
Jeremy Langford. Another positive to build on is the play of their 1st
round pick Leonard Floyd. Who finished the year 7.0 sacks and was an added
contribution to the Bears pass rush. WR Cameron Meredith also was a positive.
He stepped up big when Eddie Royal & Kevin White went down with injuries. Also,
stepped in big time when WR Alshon Jeffery was suspended for 4 games for PED
use.
Areas of
Needed Improvement
The
Quarterback Position- Need to release Cutler and start from scratch. Draft a QB
& sign a place-holder until the draftee is ready
The Offensive
Line- One of the Bears problems for years mainly the Left Tackle position the
can use a sure up
The
Secondary- It was abysmal all season long with various injuries and young
players starting at the positions. Outside of Tracy Porter there weren’t any
consistent plays being made.
Kick Return
Specialist- Lack of explosive game changing kick returner.
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