June 13--It has been a long time since the Bears have had an offseason with as much change from top to bottom, so the last six months have passed quickly at Halas Hall.
Coach John Fox will tie a bow on things this week with his second minicamp, this one mandatory from Tuesday to Thursday, before a six-week break before reporting for training camp July 29.
General manager Ryan Pace has revamped the front office and his scouting staff, and Fox has brought in a coaching staff that has created a positive energy throughout the locker room. But plenty of work remains before the Bears host the rival Packers on Sept. 13 in the season opener.
Here are 10 questions facing the club with minicamp about to kick off:
1. How fast is Jay Cutler picking up his fifth offensive system since joining the team in 2009?
Work ethic never has been an issue with Cutler, but the offense can progress only as fast as the quarterback. Answers on Cutler will not come until the games begin, and the big question is how does the offense as a whole react when something bad happens? When Cutler has been at his worst, mistakes have multiplied. That is the challenge for offensive coordinator Adam Gase. Put more distance between the rocky patches.
2. Does tight end Martellus Bennett show up?
Odds are the veteran, who has skipped the entire voluntary offseason program, will be present. Bennett passed on a $100,000 workout bonus when he skipped what amounted to two months of activities. He can be fined north of $70,000 for skipping 72 hours of minicamp, and that would be a bad business decision under a new front office and coaching staff.
3. How quickly can the defense pick up coordinator Vic Fangio's scheme?
One thing that made Fangio so successful with the 49ers wasn't just a talented roster, it also was that his system is so well disguised. There are not a lot of tells. But all 11 players have to be on the same page. That takes time.
4. Will the offensive line be more durable?
With Jermon Bushrod and Jordan Mills out last week, Pro Bowl right guard Kyle Long was moved to right tackle. The team used nine offensive line combinations last season, and health is a legitimate question because rotating guys up front only causes issues. No team has enough depth to have two starters go down without having to change the thought process when it comes to protection schemes.
5. How will the linebackers sort themselves out? There are 15 on the 90-man roster, and the focus isn't just on the outside linebackers with a healthy competition set to happen opposite free-agent prize Pernell McPhee. Jared Allen, Sam Acho and Lamarr Houston figure to be in play. It will be interesting to see what unfolds on the inside, where Mason Foster, Shea McClellin and Christian Jones have gotten the bulk of reps with a back injury sidelining former second-round pick Jon Bostic.
6. Is there adequate depth on the defensive line?
The most decorated player up front, Jeremiah Ratliff, has missed significant time the last couple of years. Ray McDonald was locked into one end spot as a starter before he was sent packing. Ratliff's durability and the emergence of rookie second-round pick Eddie Goldman at nose tackle are key.
7. How long will it take Kevin White to be productive?
Traditionally, rookie wide receivers have not been big statistical producers, and White came out of West Virginia as a junior after only one really big season. He doesn't have to put up Odell Beckham or Mike Evans numbers to make a big impact for Cutler. But he does need to have a feel for the offense and understand what it takes to get open. The Bears likely will keep it simple to allow White to find some success and build on it.
8. Is the return game adequate?
In the first year of the post-Devin Hester era, the Bears were terrible in the return game. They were undermanned to begin the season and shuffled through a variety of options. Veteran Marc Mariani is back, but he is now five years removed from his Pro Bowl season with the Titans. You don't get a good feel for special teams until the exhibitions arrive.
9. What is Tim Jennings' role?
You get the feeling Jennings is still around because his $4.4 million base salary is guaranteed. Alan Ball was signed to a $3 million, one-year deal, and that makes it likely he gets the first crack at the starting job opposite Kyle Fuller. Does Jennings fit as a slot corner in the nickel package in which he wasn't necessarily comfortable in 2014?
10. Who is the best fit as Matt Forte's running mate at running back?
Don't look for the Bears to go running-back-by-committee with Forte primed for another big season. But they likely will look to get a second back more meaningful work than they have the last few years. Fourth-round pick Jeremy Langford, Jacquizz Rodgers, Ka'Deem Carey and Senorise Perry are all options. Obviously, the team has a high degree of faith in Langford because the new regime brought him in.
bmbiggs@tribpub.com
