The 2013 season proved to be a dramatic change for the Chicago Bears. At the end of the 2012 season they dismissed Lovie Smith from head coaching duties and brought on the “Quarterback Whisperer” Marc Trestman. And whisper he did. In the past year, Trestman morphed this team from strictly defensive minds to an unlimited offensive bonanza. Utilizing his weapons that he inherited, Trestman was able to engineer a fantasy machine. He even resurrected a career backup quarterback, Josh McCown, into a starter for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 2014, with aforementioned Lovie Smith. What a crazy world we live in. Let’s see what the Bears have in store for fantasy owners this year.
2014 Chicago Bears Fantasy Outlook
Quarterback: Midway through the season Jay Cutler was forced to sit out due to a high ankle sprain for five games in total. In his return, and final three games, he accumulated 723 passing yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions. It was a little below par as he averaged 269 passing yards in his 7 full games before injury. Not lofty by any standards, but enough to place Cutler in the top 12 fantasy conversation. Especially with the weapons to follow on this list, we can hang our hopes on him as a late round flier with high upside.
Wide Receivers: Very few teams can say that their top two wide receivers belong in the top ten for fantasy prospects. The Bears have been afforded that luxury by having Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery twisting up the secondary. Marshall has the strength and size to outmuscle most defenders and dash the most respected defensive backs. In his time spent with the Dolphins, B-Marsh was constantly covered by Darrelle Revis, who at the time was the premier corner of the game. In his final four visits on Revis Island, Marshall managed to average 107 yards a game and at least 5 receptions in each bout. Needless to say, he faces no one like Revis, in his prime, in time spent with the NFC North. Alshon Jeffery came on in his second year like a thief in the night. His unheralded concentration on the ball is phenomenal which is equally matched by the tack his hands have on the ball. Once that ball lands in his palms it is as secured as a national treasure. Aside from these two, there isn’t much to peruse as far as the wide receiver position stands. Santonio Holmes has just joined the team and has limited exposure to the complicated system that Trestman implements, but serves no purpose fantasy-wise at the moment.
Running Back: One of the duties that Trestman imposes on his running backs is to catch a heavy amount of passes from all over the field. This is a point-per-reception (PPR) players dream as Matt Forte is an absolute dynamo in this realm of the game. Who am I kidding? He’s dangerous in all aspects of the game. Year after year Forte was deemed as a mid-level second or third rounder and now his price has escalated into the top 5 off the board in any format, with merit of course. Behind him on the depth chart is rookie Ka’deem Carey who would like to see the field soon, but at this point we wouldn’t condone submitting any pick in your draft to the young gun. Just remain vigilant on the wire if Forte succumbs to injury.
Tight End: During camp, Martellus Bennett showed signs of frustration with rookie and fellow teammate Kyle Fuller and, in true WWE form, body slammed him into the turf. In these training assessments, players get fired up and swing a few fists; the passion wears off and players make amends while coaches praise them for showing some exuberance. Except for this time Bennett was suspended by the team for a very short time. Last year, during camp, Bennett incited a scuffle so it may be a statement made to put Bennett on notice. Behave or be benched. Anyways, the Bears have nothing else to turn to, especially since Zach Miller was sent to the injured reserve. In nine contests, Bennet underwhelmed recording nine sub-50 yard games, redeeming only two with a touchdown. Those stats were still enough to garner the tenth spot amongst fantasy tight ends and should be comparable this year. If Bennet is the first TE you select this year, insure him with high upside guys such as Charles Clay, Delanie Walker, or even Ladarius Green.
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