All Bears Team by BEST Individual Season since '86:
I thought it would be neat to pick an ALL BEARS TEAM starting lineup based on BEST season at each position SINCE OUR LAST SB, to see what perfect storm of players at their best would look like as one lineup.
Best Individual Seasons Offense:
QB: 12- Kramer ('95)
RB: 35-Anderson ('89)
FB: 25-Muster ('90)
TE: 82- Olsen ('09)
WR: 15- Marshall ('12)
WR: 17- Jeffery ('13)
LT: 74-Covert
LG: 62- Bortz
C: 63- Hilgenberg
RG: 57- Thayer
RT: 78- Van Horne
K: 9- Gould ('06)
P: 4- Maynard ('06)
KR: 38-Manning ('08)
PR: 23- Hester ('07)
Best Individual Seasons Defense:
DE: 95- Dent ('90)
DT: 76- Mongo ('88)
DT: 91- Harris ('05)
DE: 90- Peppers ('10)
OLB: 58- Marshall ('86)
MLB: 54- Urlacher ('06)
OLB: 55- Briggs ('06)
CB: 33- Tillman ('12)
CB: 21- Woolford ('92)
FS: 20- Carrier ('90)
SS: 22- Duerson ('86)
Analysis:
QB: Erik Kramer (1995)- 3838yds 29tds 10ints 93.2rtng
This one was pretty easy. While Jay had a decent season in 2015 and had some big numbers in 2009 and 2014, he, nor any other Bears QB has come even close to Kramer's magical '95 campaign. It was the only time I can remember as a Bears fan where you just KNEW that Kramer could March the offense down the field, on his arm, at ANY given time.
RB: Neal Anderson (1989)- 1275yds 4.7avg 11 tds/50 rec 434yds 4tds
This wasnt easy. A LOT to choose from. Sweetness. Neal. Jones. Forte. For me it came down to Forte's 2013 season and Neal Anderson's 1989. And while statistically Forte's was slightly better...I give the edge to Neal with the "era" bump. Neal in '89 nearly matches Fortes output of 2013 in a different era of offense. You put Neal in the 2013 offense, and he probably has the BEST SEASON EVER for a Bears RB. He was the best all round RB in football in the wasted '89 season. What a talent he was.
FB: Brad Muster (1990)- 664yds 4.7avg 6tds/47rec 452yds
This was probably the EASIEST. Mostly because FB's died at least statistically around the time Muster left Chicago. But in 1990, FB was as important as any position on offense. And Muster was a beast for a few years.
TE: Greg Olsen (2009)- 60rec 612yds 8tds
Mike Martz...I hate you. And just look at his last 4-5 years in Carolina and it's enough to make you wanna puke.
WR: Brandon Marshall (2012)- 118rec 1508yds 11tds
The numbers don't lie. But what was even more impressive was the fact that opposing defenses KNEW he was the PRIMARY target for Cutler every play. And STILL couldn't slow him down. Marshall played like a man possessed in 2012.
WR: Alshon Jeffery (2013)- 89rec 1421yds 7tds
He was a HUMAM VACUUM that season. It was pretty incredible. He was like a gazelle from those National Geographic shows out there.
As for O-Line, not gonna lie, i can't give you educated analysis over 30 whole years . So if anyone can as far as INDIVIDUAL seasons, then have at it. So I'm.just gonna give my 5 best guys since '86.
LT: Jim Covert
LG: Mark Bortz
C: Jay Hilgenberg
RG: Tom That
RT: Keith Van Horne
KR: Danieal Manning (2008)- 36ret 1070yds 29.7 avg 1td
Perhaps the first SHOCKER of the list? Not to anybody who watched him in '08. The THUNDER to Hesters lightning. Guy just had crazy speed and power on KR'S. Hester's 06 season is a close 2nd, but Manning beasted AFTER Hester changed the way teams prepared for returns.
PR: Devin Hester (2007)- 42ret 651yds 15.5avg 4tds
Crazy that his SB season isn't tops here. But that's exactly what makes what he did in '07 even more remarkable. The NFL knew it was coming and STILL couldn't stop him.
K: Robbie Gould (2006)- 88.9% 31-36 47-47xp
He wasn't a long ball FG kicker yet but man was he on point inside of 50. Voted to Pro Bowl and All-Pro teams.
P: Brad Maynard (2006)- 44.2avg
Man, what a group that was. Gould arrived. Hester was changing the game. Ayanbadejo was the best at his job. And Maynard was a stud.
With defense I relaxed a little on stats and weighed their impact without stats and other circumstances (team injuries/team performance)
DE: Richard Dent (1990)- 12sacks 81 tkl 3 ints 2FF
Dent was a monster pretty much his entire career, but this season really jumps off the stat sheet.
DT: Steve McMichael (1988)- 11.5 sacks 88tkl
No Dent and no Fridge for the majority of that season, so Mongo stepped up and played lights out. With just him and an aging Hampton as the lone studs up front, that was an impressive campaign for Mongo.
DT: Tommie Harris (2005)- 3 sacks 27tkl 2 FF
Statistically it's one of his weakest seasons but his impact that season doesn't show up on paper. He was a dominant pro-bowler. He anchored that D-line to the #2 in football. I could see arguments for Danimal here, but he never had as good a season after 85 as Harris did in 2005. He singlehandedly WRECKED game plans.
DE: Julius Peppers (2010)- 8sacks 43tkl 2ints 3 FF
Looking at his Chicago sack totals, this may come as a suprise but make no mistake,we dont get to NFCC that year without him. He was "the missing piece". His impact was MORE than just sacks as you can see.
LB: Wilber Marshall (1986)- 5.5 sacks 105tkl 5ints 4FF
If '85 was his coming out party, then '86 was his Hollywood Star ceremony. He BALLED.
MLB: Brian Urlacher (2006)-92tkl (49AST) 3int 1 FF 9PD
I realize 05 was his DPOY campaign, but in 06 he was on a mission. The 2nd half of the Arizona game locks it up for me. He was EVERYWHERE! And for those saying where's Singletary...to that I say, Urlacher just shows up on the stat sheet more. Singletary is a HOF MLB no doubt but he had a simpler job by my estimation. His job was to just scan and pursue. Urlacher was asked to do more. And had far more INTS and SACKS because of his added responsibilities.
LB: Lance Briggs (2006)- 109TKL 2INT 9PD 4FF 1SACK
You could make arguments for 05, 08, and even 09 (because of Urlachers injury) but I go with 2006 because he and Urlacher just fed off each other. It was like they were trying to outdo each other every week.
CB: CHARLES TILLMAN (2012)- 3 INT 74 TKL 16PD 10FF 3TDS
The year the Peanut Punch became a household name. Who will ever forget that Tennessee game when he forced FOUR fumbles!!! UNHEARD OF for a DB. He was the MVP of that defense.
CB: Donnell Woolford (1992)- 7 INT 94 TKL 2 FF
In Ditka's final season there were few bright spots, but Woolford wasn't one of them. He played lights out on an aging defense around him.
FS: MARK CARRIER (1990)- 10 INT 122TKL 5FF
Doubtful his rookie year will EVER be topped in Chicago. He was an INT machine that year.
SS: Dave Duerson (1986)- 6 Ints 7sacks
'85 was just his warm up too thanks to Todd Bell holding out. But in '86 with Bell back, DD was like "Enjoy the bench, homie". DUERSON was all over the field!
