2010 Team Outlook: Chicago

Chicago is an interesting team to profile. Finishing 7-9 in the NFC North last season was not impressive. Change in personnel was a theme this off-season for Angelo. The coaching staff and front office are now set, especially with the addition of Tim Ruskell in charge of college and professional player personnel. I am hopeful that Jay Cutler can pick up the pieces and lead this team despite negative comments this week by Gale Sayers. Sayers criticized Lovie Smith, Cutler and others, stating that Cutler has not done the job and that the team should be focused on picking up key position players (a major aspect of quality pro team leadership that Chicago has lacked to do). This season several things need to align for success: Matt Forte needs to adjust his game and get back to prime form. The running game was stunted last season and for Cutler to be effective he needs solid running. Chester Taylor has been added to the roster and there are also other outlets in the running game such as Kahlil Bell and Adrian Peterson. If the running game buys Cutler some time, he will have the opportunity to connect with his receivers -- Hester, Bennett and Knox and solid tight end, Greg Olsen. Look for Chicago to be a dark horse this season. Cutler and the boys could steal a few games with consistency. Green Bay and Minnesota will likely battle it out for the top of the NFC North again, but Chicago could play into the mix. I foresee Chicago being a .500 or just over team this season.

Chicago - Updated Team Outlook - 8/2/10

There are a few areas that will define Chicago this season; The team's ability to make a post-season run, Cutler and his wide outs, and the Defense. Chicago is due for a solid season followed by at least one postseason victory. This update previews the competition at wide out and Chicago's defense.

Jay Cutler will be testing five targets under the guidance of Martz this pre-season. Look for heated competition between Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett, Devin Aromashodu and Juaquin Iglesias. Each of these guys will be looking to impress Cutler with their speed and skills. The wide outs who sync with Cutler will get more playing time. Out of this bunch I like Hester, Bennett and Knox, but also think Aromashodu and Iglesias might be quite valuable. Cutler has shown he frequents specific receivers and can ignore others. Any of these Chicago receivers could excel. Hester and Bennett have the most experience and in evaluating the bigger picture receiving game, Olsen is a direct competitor for all of these wide outs. Cutler has demonstrated his affinity to his TE in the past. My solid pick at wide out is Hester. He has speed and has been working his route running. The others are sleepers until one jumps out and consistently catches Cutler's eye. An interesting fact reported by sports.yahoo.com/nfl/teams/chi/report about these guys, is Bennett, Iglesias, Hester and Knox play the board game Monopoly between practice sessions.

Chicago's defense can be a deal breaker. We have seen the success of this team fluctuate with the effectiveness of the defense. This off-season Chicago cashed in and struck a deal with Julius Peppers in the free-agent market. This is a great pick-up for a defense that has been lacking something lately. Peppers is not only a stud defensive end, but he is a leader who can assist this team in bolstering it's confidence. Peppers, known or his ability to get to the quarterback can and I feel will be a huge upgrade for this team. As Peppers pressures the offense up front, Tillman, Bowman and Harris will be looking for interceptions. I am expecting Chicago's defense to be rejuvenated this season and looking to punish their opponents. This defense can help keep Cutler and the offense on the field as much as possible, a key element to winning games for Chicago. Is Julius Peppers a deal breaking acquisition? The answer is yes. Over a career he has had 30 forced fumbles, over 300 solo tackles and 81 sacks.

Coaches and players have been worried about another down season and their futures. They will have nothing to worry about with the right combination of offense and defense in Chicago as it will lead to success and prosperity, meaning a winning team in the windy city will retain coaches and players.

I always review teams based upon potential and not certain prowess. As we all know too well, stud players have down seasons and sleepers often prevail when we least expect it. I feel that Chicago's squad this season has great potential. Cutler and his offense can be exceptional in the right circumstances. If the defense protects field position and the offense capitalizes with solid performance on the ground and Cutler has chances to be accurate through the air, this team will succeed in having a season worth talking about.

QB Jay Cutler, CHI (QB - #8) - Gamble (high risk)

Personally I think Cutler is a gamble. Yes, he can throw 20-some touch downs, but he tends to nearly match those with interceptions. Cutler has up and down games and tends to be unpredictable. Inconsistency is the one thing that almost all fantasy owners shy away from. I think Cutler has an upside if he can control his turnovers and continue his scoring, but in order for this to happen in 2010 Cutler needs Forte and the ground game to be working 110%. Chester Taylor may assist in making this a reality. Given the right circumstances and Cutler's arm, the air attack could be highly effective. We will all have to wait and see as the season progresses.

RB Matt Forte, CHI (RB - #20) - Gamble (high risk)

Forte was high on my list last year until he started to struggle early on in the season. Forte's year was less than stellar with only four games with more than 90 yards rushing. I like Forte and would like him even more if he returns to his prime form. He has the upside of receiving ability so he has to be an option. However, this season if he does not produce, Chester Taylor is in the wings. Taylor has been successful at filling in during his career and takes advantage of his opportunities. Forte and Taylor working together could be a deadly combination in the ground attack. Maybe a string running mate is exactly what Forte needs to be more effective against defenses who seemingly figured out his game.

RB Chester Taylor, CHI (RB - #43) - Sleeper (undervalued)

I figure Chester Taylor will factor into the mix in Chicago quite nicely. Taylor is a sleeper (given Forte's potential production and knowing Cutler will pass often), but he is an option. We have seen Taylor lead running games in the past and he could be an interesting play once we see the season progress. Look for Taylor to spell Forte, but show his value. Take Taylor in a late round, either as handcuff for Forte or sleeper back.

RB Kahlil Bell, CHI (RB - #75) - Low Potential

Bell played in a few games last season and averaged 5.5 yards per carry. Not bad, but Forte and Taylor will lead this charge. Bell will likely be used to spell the top two (and in situations where productivity has slipped), but in my opinion he has low potential in terms of fantasy production. Bell might be draftable in very deep leagues, but should not be on your radar unless we hear of issues with Forte and/or Taylor.

WR Devin Hester, CHI (WR - #62) - Quality Backup

Hester is the main attraction in the Chicago receiving game. Hester's speed and Cutler's arm can be a huge factor, but consistency is the issue. Hester will be looking for the Chicago ground game to gain steam and take pressure off Cutler. If this happens, Hester will have more time to out pace opponents and get into open lanes. Cutler has the ability to hit his target and needs to do it more often. I like Hester's upside, speed and big plays potential; Hester's downside is the effectiveness of the running game and Cutler's consistency.

WR Johnny Knox, CHI (WR - #27) - Sleeper (undervalued)

Johnny Knox went to the Pro Bowl last season as a rookie for his return prowess. I like this guy's speed and toughness. If Cutler gets his act together and syncs with his backs and receivers to coordinate the attack, Knox could be an interesting play. It all remains to be seen as to what role Knox will play outside the return game, but he is a sleeper at receiver and will be viewed as such by many owners. I say take a gamble on him if you can afford it. Knox might be a waiver wire guy and those pick ups sometimes have great value.