Projections (9/02/03)

Passing Stats

Rush Stats

Receiving Stats

Fantasy

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Quarterbacks
Starter - Kordell Stewart
Backups - Chris Chandler, Rex Grossman

Starting Quarterback: Oh the joys of off-season! One article states that Kordell Stewart is impressive so far in camps while other reports comment on his inability to pick up the offense and his lack of confidence on the field. Which story is correct? Well, that is very tough to say right now but we are leaning more to the negative side and his value is at best a backup fantasy quarterback. His rushing ability can elevate his play but he needs to show he can run this complex, short passing attack with precision or could be lucky to make it past week five. Stewart is a risky pick this year with a solid backup quarterback behind him as well as a gifted rookie passer. Stewart does have some upside though if he can learn the offense and become a confident player.

Backup Quarterback(s): Chris Chandler is a capable backup although at 38 years of age this season, his best years are likely behind him. If the Bears start out poorly like in 2002, they may decide to throw rookie quarterback Rex Grossman on the field over the second half of the season to give him some experience.

Update - 8/28: The much maligned Stewart is definitely a viable backup fantasy QB. Barring injury, he is in little danger of being benched. One more item very much in his favor his is very attractive Strength of Schedule.

Running Backs
Starter - Anthony Thomas
Backups - Adrian Peterson, Brock Forsey
Fullback - Damien Shelton

Starting Running Back: The 6-2, 228 Michigan star nicknamed "A-Train" finished the 2001 season by rushing for 1,060 yards the final ten games, earning Rookie of the Year honors. Playing for an awful Bears team last season, Anthony Thomas did manage to total at least ninety yards in five of his twelve games. Chicago was in the bottom three of the league in rushes, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and rushing yards per carry. The offensive line was decimated by injury (as was the rest of the team), and little went right offensively in 2002. Thomas was at his best when the Bears were winning, and he could run out the clock with his power running game. The Bears won't finish dead last in rushing again this year (Kordell Stewart alone should ensure that), but Anthony Thomas will have to improve greatly to be a solid RB2 for your roster. The team has publicly stated that their will be a competition for the job in training camp, but expect Thomas to win the job. Thomas came in to camp leaner and looking great, and he's more than aware that this is a make or break season for him.

Backup Running Back(s): Peterson, a sixth round pick in 2001 from Georgia Southern played well last year after Anthony Thomas went down. The 5-10, 214 Peterson may not be as big as Thomas, but the former collegiate fullback has good size and a nose for the end zone (career average of two touchdowns per game in college). While the Bears say Anthony Thomas is the starter, they have openly admitted Peterson will have the chance to earn himself some significant playing time. With a new quarterback under center, the Bears may be hesitant to give Peterson the starting role, as he has very little NFL experience. He has only nineteen career carries to date, and like Thomas doesn't bring much to the receiving game. Peterson is an intriguing pick, and will be featured more this season because of his aggressiveness. Forsey, a 5-11, 203 lb rookie out of Boise State, was a college star his senior season. He totaled thirty-two touchdowns, 1,611 rushing yards and was productive in the receiving game with thirty six receptions. He probably won't translate much of that into the pro game as he is neither big nor fast, but should be a capable third running back for Chicago.

Fullback(s): Shelton isn't much of a runner or receiver, but he is a bruising blocker. He's missed some time in his career with injuries and suspensions, but the 262 pound Shelton will help whoever is running the ball for the Bears this season.

Update - 8/28: Thomas is still the starting RB here, but his effectiveness this season is pretty much an unknown. Due to a focus on getting Kordell Stewart ready to play this season, the coaching staff has acknowledged that the running game has suffered from a lack of attention.

Wide Receivers
Starters - Marty Booker, David Terrell
Backups - Dez White, Justin Gage, Ahmad Merritt

Starting Receiver(s): No receiver has caught more passes in the NFC over the last two years than Marty Booker. What's more impressive is that Booker was able to improve upon a solid 2001 season last year despite substandard surrounding talent. Booker showed last year that he could stretch the defense on occasion, which translated into career high 12.2 yards per reception. Regardless of who is under center this year, Booker will be the team's main target and should be considered a decent fantasy starter, particularly if your league awards points for receptions.

Dez White is penciled in as the other starter, although it looks as though David Terrell will be given every chance to unseat him during training camp. In any event, White will see plenty of action in the slot. White isn't a game breaker, but he has improved his route running enough to contribute on a consistent basis.

Backup Receiver(s): David Terrell was considered a 'can't miss' prospect coming out of Michigan yet after two years in the NFL, we're still waiting for Terrell to prove he belongs. Injuries have kept him from developing, as he only played in five games last season. And his lackluster participation in voluntary workouts has the team demanding improvement. At 6'3", 225 pounds with sprinter speed, Terrell should be able to dominate on a team desperate for playmakers. Watch his progress (or lack thereof) in camp. Ahmad Merritt, Justin Gage and Bobby Wade will battle for the remaining roster spots. Keep an eye of Gage in keeper leagues; he has terrific size (6'04", 217 lbs) and was 1st Team All Big 12 each of the last two years. Bears GM Jerry Angelo believes he could supplant Terrell as the WR3 this year potentially.

Update - 8/28: David Terrell hasn't beaten out Dez White for a starting job, but he has shown a better commitment this training camp and looks to be ready to contribute more consistently. We don't expect big numbers given the conservative nature of the Bears offense, but Terrell remains one to watch given his pedigree and status as a former 'can't miss' first rounder. Ahmad Merritt has set himself apart from rookies Bobby Wade and Justin Gage for the fourth receiver slot. Toddy Haley, the Bears receivers' coach said, "He's made plays in practice, he's made plays in games. He's been a consistent player. Special teams aside-that will play a big factor in it-but what he's done on the field in practice at receiver, he's right in that first group."

Tight Ends
Starter - Desmond Clark
Backup(s) - John Davis
Desmond Clark was signed in the off-season to be the starter ahead of John Davis. Davis was the #26 tight end in fantasy scoring last year, but the Bears are looking for bigger pass catching production from their tight end. Clark has battled injuries the past two years and has the potential to post great numbers (#4 TE in 2001 with Denver). However, Kordell Stewart has never utilized his tight end much. Clark may be a good sleeper this season, but only time will tell if this one ever wakes up.

Update - 8/28: Clark has stated his goal is to catch 80 passes. While that's not going to happen, he is a good 'sleeper' pick this year.

Place Kicker
Paul Edinger: Edinger is an average kicker kicking for a less than average team. He got the opportunity to hit some long field goals last season and showed he has the leg to do it, but unless the Chicago shows early on that its offense has improved significantly Edinger won't be much help on your fantasy roster this season.

Offensive Line
C-Olin Kreutz; G-Rex Tucker; G-Chris Villarrial; T-Mike Gandy; T-Marc Columbo
One look at the Bears offensive line last year and it is clear why the team plummeted back down to earth in 2002. The line play was atrocious last season providing little pass blocking and opening no holes. Injuries were the main cause of the problems for this group last year, and I'm surprised they didn't add more depth via the draft. The best thing about these five players is their age. All of them are under 30 years of age and should continue to improve as a unit. Columbo has the talent to become a starting tackle in the league but needs another season or two of seasoning before that will happen. The Bears will be much better on the line this season if they stay healthy.