Get To Know Your Foe: 5 Questions With The Chicago Bears

Everyone in the St. Louis Rams community is well aware of the San Francisco 49ers, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Arizona Cardinals. However, outside of the division, the Rams have a tough schedule this season, filled with a handful of playoff-contenders from last season and others that expect to be “in the chase” this year. In Week 12, in St. Louis return from their bye, they will take on the Chicago Bears in a rematch from last season. In 2012, the Rams lost the battle in the 4th quarter after an errant interception, leading to a 23-6 defeat in Week 3. Can the St. Louis Rams even the score this season?

For our Chicago Bears’ knowledge, we went behind enemy lines and spoke with Mike Praser, one of the staff writers at BearGogglesOn, the Chicago Bears page within the Fansided Network. Since we have still yet to play a single preseason game, it would be a bit of a reach to ask for a “final score” prediction. Instead, here are five questions that should give a solid, overall impression of the “new” Chicago Bears…

What did you like and/or dislike about what the Bears did in free agency and the draft?

The biggest moves would have to be the free agent signings of Tight End Martellus Bennett and Left Tackle Jermon Bushrod. If Phil Emery gets fired tomorrow as General Manager of the Bears, it won’t be for not addressing the needs of the football team through free agency. Bennett gives an immediate upgrade at the Tight End position as a complete Tight End. He is not only an effective blocker, but he can stretch the field as a receiver as well. Jermon Bushrod is the upgrade at Left Tackle that the Bears desperately needed. They could have signed me to be Left Tackle and it would have been an upgrade. The Bears may have overpaid a little, but that is what happens when you can’t grow your own players from the draft.

The Bears also bolstered their offensive line by drafting Kyle Long in the first round of the draft. A lot of Bears fans wanted the Bears to sign Tight End Tyler Eifert, but with the signing of Martellus Bennett and their pressing needs for offensive lineman, the Bears reached a little and took Kyle Long.

Which rookie are you most looking forward to seeing this season?

I am most looking forward to seeing Linebacker Jon Bostic play in 2013. He has size and speed and there is a lot of praise going around about him. He is going to have to earn a starting spot, but I think that he will be challenging D.J. Williams for playing time.

I know I can’t wait to see Howie wearing a half Bears, half Rams jersey. Are you looking forward to Long vs. Long?

I am looking very forward to Long vs. Long this upcoming season. Lately, when the Bears have played the Rams in St. Louis it has felt like a home game to me. Now that the Rams are getting better, especially with Head Coach Jeff Fisher, I think that Rams fans will be making it harder for Bears fans to get tickets. I think the Bears are going to have their hands full this year when they travel to St. Louis to take on Jeff Fishers’s Rams.

What do Bears Fans feel about new Head Coach Marc Trestman?

This Bears Fan is super excited about new Head Coach Marc Trestman. I know Lovie Smith was loved by the players, but I think that Marc Trestman can easily be accepted as a players coach.

According to Stats from NFL.com, in 2012 the Chicago Bears ranked 28th in total offense, 29th in passing offense and 10thin rushing offense. Don’t be fooled by the 10th in rushing offense because if you watched the games, the Bears didn’t run the ball as effectively or efficiently as the numbers tell you. I am hoping that Marc Trestman will make it so that the Bears will be exciting to watch on offense. From his track record, this should be the case.

Will the Bears miss Brian Urlacher this season?

The worst move that the Bears made this season was letting Brian Urlacher walk. I know that he was not the player that he once was, but the Bears could have at least tried a little harder to keep the face of the franchise with their club. Obviously there weren’t any other teams that were interested in Urlacher, but it was just sad to see him go like that. Now that he has retired, it doesn’t sting as much, but he was the leader of their defense. Someone else will now have to step up and fill his role and so far it seems like Lance Briggs is doing a fine job.