TishLover
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http://chicago.suntimes.com/sports/how-optimistic-are-you-about-the-2016-bears-take-our-test/
Rate these 10 categories, with 10 points for an optimistic vote, minus-10 for a pessimistic vote and zero for a neutral vote — and we’ll just how optimistic or pessimistic you are about the 2016 Bears.
THE CATEGORIES:
ALSHON JEFFERY
Optimist: Motivated by the dreaded franchise tag that will pay him $14.6 million guaranteed this season, a laser-focused Jeffery (78-1,217, 12 TDs) will play every game and take advantage of Kevin White’s emergence as a difference-making receiver to post Calvin Johnson-like numbers and eclipse A.J. Green as the highest-paid receiver in football.
Pessimist: Unhappy with the dreaded franchise tag that will pay him $14.6 million guaranteed this season and unable to stay healthy, a sullen Jeffery (56-756, 4 TDs) will be hit-and-miss all-season, lose interest as White emerges as Jay Cutler’s No. 1 target and sign with the Carolina Panthers in the offseason.
KEVIN WHITE
Optimist: With a motivated Jeffery drawing attention of defenses, White (75-1,478, 10 TDs) will blossom as a big-play receiver on the other side and give the Bears’ their best WR duo since the glory days of Jeffery-Brandon Marshall.
Pessimist: Rusty after missing all of last season, White’s inexperience will show as he struggles (47-733, 5 TDs) to adjust to NFL defenses. He’ll have his moments, but won’t show enough to make Jeffery expendable next offseason.
VIC FANGIO’S DEFENSE
Optimist: With Danny Trevathan, Jerrell Freeman and Eddie Goldman anchoring the middle, Fangio will be able to unleash his pass rushers and turn a questionable secondary into playmakers — with Kyle Fuller and Adrian Amos emerging as Pro Bowl players.
Pessimist: Pernell McPhee will be dogged by injuries, Leonard Fowler will be ineffective and Willie Young and Lamarr Houston won’t repeat their 2015 success, leaving the Bears’ defense again struggling for big plays and unable to get off the field on third down.
DANNY TREVATHAN
Optimist: A perfect fit for Fox and Fangio, Trevathan will reach a new level as a tackle-machine and leader who makes everyone around him better.
Pessimist: Without proven playmakers around him that he had in Denver, Trevathan still will be better than Shea McClellin but not the catalyst the Bears were hoping for.
LEONARD FLOYD
Optimist: Lanky rookie linebacker will start slowly but learn quickly and be as versatile and productive as advertised — a tough matchup wherever he is on the field.
Pessimist: Concerns about his weight will be realized as Floyd is overpowered by NFL blockers and spend most of the year thinking instead of reacting. Will be a man without a position.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Optimist: With right guard Kyle Long back at his best position, rookie Cody Whitehair winning the left guard spot early and bigger, stronger Hroniss Grasu making a big jump at center in his second season, the Bears’ inside strength will establish the run game that will be the foundation of a potent offense.
Pessimist: With Grasu still getting the hang of it and Whitehair battling Ted Larsen at left guard, the line will be a continual work-in-progress. Without Matt Slauson at his side, Charles Leno, Jr. will struggle at left tackle — and Jay Cutler could pay the price.
PERNELL McPHEE
Optimist: With an improved supporting cast, McPhee won’t feel the pressure of being the big free-agent signing, will play free and easy, stay fresh and healthy and reach double-digit sacks for the first time in his career.
Pessimist: Still not recovered from offseason surgery, McPhee will get off to a slow start in training camp, stuggle through the preseason and then rush back as other players excel in his place and hobble through the regular season with minial impact.
JAY CUTLER
Optimist: In a true run-first offense, Cutler will take advantage of Alshon Jeffery, Kevin White and a rejuvenated Eddie Royal to create a niche as one of the most potent game-managers in the league — with fewer attempts but career-highs in yards per attempt, touchdowns and passer rating.
Pessimist: Too many losses on offense — Adam Gase, Matt Forte, Matt Slauson, Martellus Bennett — will put Cutler back in a dangerous position of carrying the load, with the predictable result: too many untimely picks, fumbles and sacks with the usual risk of injury.
DOWELL LOGGAINS’ OFFENSE
Optimist: Loggains’ familiarity with Jay Cutler and his greater emphasis on the run game will give the Bears a diversified offense that can keep defenses on their heels, which will help Kevin White, Jeremy Langford, Cody Whitehair and other young players ease into key roles.
Pessimist: With too many new players and young players, the Bears will struggle to establish the run, preventing Cutler from getting into the groove he needs to avoid untimely mishaps. They will miss Forte, Slauson and even Bennett.
THE ROOKIES
Optimist: With contributions from top (Leonard Floyd, Cody Whitehair) to bottom (Jordan Howard, Deandre Houston-Carson, Daniel Braverman), this will be the Bears’ best rookie draft class since 2004. The upgrade on special-teams alone will make GM Ryan Pace look good.
Pessimist: With Floyd struggling to get on the field, let alone make an impact, the Bears will have few, if any, difference-makers out of this group of rookies. The biggest impact will be on special teams.
Scoring
90-100: Lay off the Kool-Aid.
70-80: A lot of faith in Fox and Fangio
30-60: Realist.
20 to minus-20: Seeing is believing.
Minus-50 to minus-70: Waiting for Ditka’s return.
Minus-80 to minus-100: Packers fan.
I scored 30 :shrug:
Rate these 10 categories, with 10 points for an optimistic vote, minus-10 for a pessimistic vote and zero for a neutral vote — and we’ll just how optimistic or pessimistic you are about the 2016 Bears.
THE CATEGORIES:
ALSHON JEFFERY
Optimist: Motivated by the dreaded franchise tag that will pay him $14.6 million guaranteed this season, a laser-focused Jeffery (78-1,217, 12 TDs) will play every game and take advantage of Kevin White’s emergence as a difference-making receiver to post Calvin Johnson-like numbers and eclipse A.J. Green as the highest-paid receiver in football.
Pessimist: Unhappy with the dreaded franchise tag that will pay him $14.6 million guaranteed this season and unable to stay healthy, a sullen Jeffery (56-756, 4 TDs) will be hit-and-miss all-season, lose interest as White emerges as Jay Cutler’s No. 1 target and sign with the Carolina Panthers in the offseason.
KEVIN WHITE
Optimist: With a motivated Jeffery drawing attention of defenses, White (75-1,478, 10 TDs) will blossom as a big-play receiver on the other side and give the Bears’ their best WR duo since the glory days of Jeffery-Brandon Marshall.
Pessimist: Rusty after missing all of last season, White’s inexperience will show as he struggles (47-733, 5 TDs) to adjust to NFL defenses. He’ll have his moments, but won’t show enough to make Jeffery expendable next offseason.
VIC FANGIO’S DEFENSE
Optimist: With Danny Trevathan, Jerrell Freeman and Eddie Goldman anchoring the middle, Fangio will be able to unleash his pass rushers and turn a questionable secondary into playmakers — with Kyle Fuller and Adrian Amos emerging as Pro Bowl players.
Pessimist: Pernell McPhee will be dogged by injuries, Leonard Fowler will be ineffective and Willie Young and Lamarr Houston won’t repeat their 2015 success, leaving the Bears’ defense again struggling for big plays and unable to get off the field on third down.
DANNY TREVATHAN
Optimist: A perfect fit for Fox and Fangio, Trevathan will reach a new level as a tackle-machine and leader who makes everyone around him better.
Pessimist: Without proven playmakers around him that he had in Denver, Trevathan still will be better than Shea McClellin but not the catalyst the Bears were hoping for.
LEONARD FLOYD
Optimist: Lanky rookie linebacker will start slowly but learn quickly and be as versatile and productive as advertised — a tough matchup wherever he is on the field.
Pessimist: Concerns about his weight will be realized as Floyd is overpowered by NFL blockers and spend most of the year thinking instead of reacting. Will be a man without a position.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Optimist: With right guard Kyle Long back at his best position, rookie Cody Whitehair winning the left guard spot early and bigger, stronger Hroniss Grasu making a big jump at center in his second season, the Bears’ inside strength will establish the run game that will be the foundation of a potent offense.
Pessimist: With Grasu still getting the hang of it and Whitehair battling Ted Larsen at left guard, the line will be a continual work-in-progress. Without Matt Slauson at his side, Charles Leno, Jr. will struggle at left tackle — and Jay Cutler could pay the price.
PERNELL McPHEE
Optimist: With an improved supporting cast, McPhee won’t feel the pressure of being the big free-agent signing, will play free and easy, stay fresh and healthy and reach double-digit sacks for the first time in his career.
Pessimist: Still not recovered from offseason surgery, McPhee will get off to a slow start in training camp, stuggle through the preseason and then rush back as other players excel in his place and hobble through the regular season with minial impact.
JAY CUTLER
Optimist: In a true run-first offense, Cutler will take advantage of Alshon Jeffery, Kevin White and a rejuvenated Eddie Royal to create a niche as one of the most potent game-managers in the league — with fewer attempts but career-highs in yards per attempt, touchdowns and passer rating.
Pessimist: Too many losses on offense — Adam Gase, Matt Forte, Matt Slauson, Martellus Bennett — will put Cutler back in a dangerous position of carrying the load, with the predictable result: too many untimely picks, fumbles and sacks with the usual risk of injury.
DOWELL LOGGAINS’ OFFENSE
Optimist: Loggains’ familiarity with Jay Cutler and his greater emphasis on the run game will give the Bears a diversified offense that can keep defenses on their heels, which will help Kevin White, Jeremy Langford, Cody Whitehair and other young players ease into key roles.
Pessimist: With too many new players and young players, the Bears will struggle to establish the run, preventing Cutler from getting into the groove he needs to avoid untimely mishaps. They will miss Forte, Slauson and even Bennett.
THE ROOKIES
Optimist: With contributions from top (Leonard Floyd, Cody Whitehair) to bottom (Jordan Howard, Deandre Houston-Carson, Daniel Braverman), this will be the Bears’ best rookie draft class since 2004. The upgrade on special-teams alone will make GM Ryan Pace look good.
Pessimist: With Floyd struggling to get on the field, let alone make an impact, the Bears will have few, if any, difference-makers out of this group of rookies. The biggest impact will be on special teams.
Scoring
90-100: Lay off the Kool-Aid.
70-80: A lot of faith in Fox and Fangio
30-60: Realist.
20 to minus-20: Seeing is believing.
Minus-50 to minus-70: Waiting for Ditka’s return.
Minus-80 to minus-100: Packers fan.
I scored 30 :shrug:
