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Chicago Bearswww.chicagobears.comLocation:
Bourbonnais, Ill.
Camp Opens
JULY 30
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Are there enough pieces in place for Martz?
Mike Martz has been known to improve an NFL offense in his first season in charge. He even did it in Detroit with Jon Kitna. There's no doubt in my mind he will have Jay Cutler tuned up and ready to go, and that Cutler will greatly reduce his interception total from 26. The Bears have two excellent receiving running backs and the dump-off will be a critical component of the offense. Devin Hester isn't a polished route runner, but he must play a major role. Earl Bennett made a big jump in his second season. Johnny Knox has speed. Martz may not be known to use tight ends much in the aerial attack, but can he ignore Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark? A lot of questions to be answered in camp.
What will Peppers and return of Urlacher do for defense?
The Bears were always built on defense, but they fell to 17th last year due to injuries and a lack of talent in some pivotal areas. Now they have Julius Peppers, who can be the league's most dominant pass rusher when he wants to be. Coordinator Rod Marinelli is going to get the best out of Peppers in this defense. Remember Marinelli got Simeon Rice to play up to his abilities in Tampa. The Bears' defense now knows where the protection is going all the time. Brian Urlacher stood on the sidelines last year watching the defense give up 30 or more points five times. With Urlacher in the middle, the Tampa 2 coverage will be back to form, and the Bears have their sideline-to-sideline tackler still capable of 100-plus tackles.
What is the best way to use Hester?
There is much debate in football circles about the most effective way to use Hester. As a return man he only touches the ball eight to 10 times a game, but he has demonstrated big-play ability. In 2006 and '07 he touched the ball as a returner 152 times for 2,713 yards and 11 TDs. In 2008 and '09 as a receiver he caught 108 passes for 1,422 yards and six TDs. Hester had more touches, yards and scores as a return man than he did as a wide receiver in the same number of games (32). He will be a key receiver in this Martz offense but the debate about where he's most dangerous will continue during training camp.
-- Pat Kirwan
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 -- Chet Gresham, Blog Blitz Blog Blitz has you covered, with a fan's view of your favorite team. For more on the Bears and the every other team in the NFL, check out the latest from our team of bloggers. » Blog Blitz TE Greg Olsen
The presence of coordinator Mike Martz brings added fantasy value to the Bears' top three wideouts -- Devin Hester, Johnny Knox and Devin Aromashodu. The same can't be said for Greg Olsen. No tight end has caught 40 or more passes in a Martz offense, so Olsen's numbers are destined to fall. He should be considered no more than a fantasy reserve in drafts.
-- Michael Fabiano 
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