NFL Team Preview: Chicago BearsBy Mike Brody The Chicago Bears, coming off their best season since their improbable 13-3 season in 2001, didn't tinker much with last year's team that went 11-5 and won the NFC North. Despite finishing with the second worst offense in the NFL, the Bears drafted defense and their main free-agent moves were on defense as well except for backup QB Brian Griese. Griese has had a better preseason than incumbent Rex Grossman. Grossman, however, gives the team the best chance to win, and the team is still confident he will be able to successfully lead them. "Preseason," star LB Brian Urlacher said. "Rex is Rex. As far as I'm concerned, he's our starting quarterback." Key Additions: DBs Ricky Manning Jr., Dante Wesley and Devin Hester (rookie), QB Griese, DT Dusty Dvoracek (rookie). Key Subtractions: DB Jerry Azumah, QB Jeff Blake. Sportsbook Odds: The Bears are the favorite to win the NFC North again. If they run away with the division and get to play at home in the playoffs they could be a factor in the NFC championship race. wagerweb.com has Chicago as -250 to win the NFC North, +700 to win the NFC Championship and +2000 to win Super Bowl XLI. Player to Watch: The running game will be the key for the Chicago offense. The players would like to see Thomas Jones be the main rusher, but the team drafted Cedric Benson with its first pick two years ago and is hoping he will take over the job. Jones had a career year last season rushing for 1,335 yards and 9 TDs. Benson is still recovering from a shoulder injury and may not be ready for the season opener at Green Bay on Sunday. The Bears will be in a lot of tight games, so whichever running back gets the work will be a huge factor in the team's success. Outlook: Chicago has the good fortune of playing in possibly the worst division in the NFL. Because of that, they have one of the easiest schedules in the league. If they can protect Grossman, or if he falters then Griese, they should be able to put some points on the board, and once they get a lead, their stingy defense will be tougher to score on. The Bears are out to prove last year wasn't a fluke. They will be the class of the NFC North again and could go deeper in the playoffs with a little bit of luck. --- by Mike Brody at wagerweb.com on September 11, 2006
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