The “Rallying Cry” for the Chicago Bears in 2008: “TAMPA” You’ve heard this following line coined or phrased uttered before, often said to describe an over-matched team as they prepare to face the opponent that will truly and completely dismantle ‘em: “It was over before it even got started”. This is how I feel about the Chicago Bears chances to make another run at the Super Bowl, let alone the Playoffs. While all teams believe they can contend for the Vince Lombardi Trophy (rightfully so) in the hot, muggy summer months of camp, it’s one incredible dream if the Bears think they can make it back to the big stage where they were under the spotlight just less than two years ago – I know you’re thinking the trip to Miami seems so far removed, along with the biggest question: What has happened to the team that represented the NFC in ‘06?

Though I cannot give you the answers to “all” the Bears problems, I can you give you the 10 biggest questions staring/glaring/blinding the Monsters of the Midway this upcoming season. The questions/concerns that arise and will plague this squad from the Windy City, preventing ‘em to travel down the road to Super Bowl XLIII, let alone the chance to enter January with the opportunity to continue taking the field – are too imposingly strong to overcome. Therefore, let’s take a look at the main reasons why the Bears have a “rocky” road ahead of ‘em – while attacking the issue with the top 10 important questions the team needs to address and deal with in order to become successful (division winners) again in ‘08. (Part 2 – Answers from Bears Gab Columnist Eric Cook)

1. Can the Dominant Defense/Special Teams Unit (Devin Hester) Overcome a Woeful Offense?

2. Does Two Quarterbacks mean you have no “True” Quarterback? Who’s the Leader/Let Alone the Starter?

3. Do the Bears have an “Identity” on Offense? Will the Bears be able to utilize their “speed” and get their playmakers the rock in the open field to showcase their skills – to put up points & move the chains? The Bears have enough weapons but do we have enough time to get ‘em the pigskin with our offensive line?

4. Is this team in rebuilding mode/and if so, why would it be? Will there be any sort of balance/consistency/cohesiveness on offense?

5. How well will the two rookies with the most inexperience at two of the key positions on offense perform? Can the team expect ‘em to contribute and perform at a high level right away? Are they ready to rely on Chris Williams to start at left tackle & Matt Forte as our starting RB?

6. When will a #1 Wide Receiver stand up? Who will play next to Tommie Harris/Mike Brown? Who is our starting left guard?

7. Don’t think I forgot about our health concerns. Injuries were a major source resulting towards the team’s fall in ‘07. Will Mike Brown, Tommie Harris, Dusty Dvoracek, Brian Urlacher, Nathan Vasher, Rex Grossman, and Mark Bradley spend more time wearing a soft cap or a hard hat/will they be on the sidelines or on the field more?

8. Will the Bears bail out on the run early (like in ‘07) in an effort to go to an exclusive pass-happy aerial attack because of a lackluster offensive line?

9. Does this team have the ability to run out the clock and close out games in the 4th quarter?

10. Is the offense playing it safe going to be our downfall? Will the offense turnover the ball over way too much in trying to be aggressive (Rex)? Will the awful 3rd down conversion rate continue, keeping the D on the field too long? Will the defense have too much of a heavy load on their shoulders? Will the offense give the defense a chance to keep the game within reach? What if the D does not play up to expectations and does not return back to it’s former dominant self?