Chicago Bears

It’s been an interesting off-season for the defending NFC Champions so far. Running back Thomas Jones is now a New York Jet, giving Cedric Benson the opportunity to be the lone tailback and prove he was worth being drafted the fourth overall in the 2004 NFL Draft. Lance Briggs is unhappy with the Bears’ front office for putting the franchise tag on him instead of offering him a long term deal. He wants out of Chicago and threatens to sit out until week 10 in order to collect of full year’s salary. Last but not least, defensive tackle Tank Johnson was released after Johnson was pulled over in Arizona for speeding and allegedly being over the alcohol limit. The Bears are done with all the problems Johnson has brought to the organization and wishes to move forward.

So what’s next for Chicago? The defense is still one of the best in the league with Brian Urlacher and will continue to dominate when the season begins in September. The problem still remains to be the inconsistent play of quarterback Rex Grossman. I believe this year that Grossman will not have the luxury playing the entire year if he shows glimpses of his horrible play from 2006. Brian Griese is a better quarterback who may be able to take the Bears just as far as Grossman did last season, the Super Bowl.

Prediction: The defense will remain a top 5 unit in the league, while the offense struggles early with Grossman. Don’t be surprised to see Griese as the starting quarterback by mid-season. The Bears win the division for the third straight year.

Green Bay Packers

In 2006, a young Packer team (led by the aging Brett Farve) finished the season on a positive note and left their fan base with lots of optimism going into this year. However, the front office made no serious player acquisitions this off-season, opting to leave the team pretty much intact. Besides Ahman Green moving on to Houston, the Packers look like the same unit from last year which did not make Brett Farve too happy. With a lack of weapons on offense, Farve has to be second guessing his decision to return for another year.

Prediction: Brett Farve will make the best out of whatever talent is around him, he always does. Just don’t hold your breath for a miracle this year. I see a record repeat in 2007 for the packers. 8-8