2007 Previews: Chicago Bears

Note: This is a team-by-team look previewing the 2007 season. These are my official thoughts on how I think things will play out.

Last year: 13-3 (NFC champs, lost to Colts in Super Bowl)

Best addition: Anthony Adams (DT, 49ers)

Key personnel loss: Thomas Jones (RB, Jets)

2007 outlook: Even though they went to the Super Bowl last year and their defense is still as dangerous as ever, the Chicago Bears have huge question marks on the offensive side of the ball. The first is which Rex Grossman will show up the most this year - will it be the one that threw 4 TD passes against the Lions or the one that threw 3 or more INTs against the Cardinals, Dolphins, Patriots, Vikings and Packers?

While Grossman has the potential to be more consistent in his second full year as a starter, he may face even more pressure with the departure of Jones, which leaves Cedric Benson as the Bears every down RB. Defenses may try to use 8-man fronts early to rattle Grossman and Benson and unless they beat those fronts early, they will continue to see them until they make teams pay, which could be a hard challenge to overcome.

Key to success: This defense carried the team to the Super Bowl last year and if the Bears want to get back there, it will have to carry it again. Adams should provide more reliability compared to the man he replaced (the now-unemployed Tank Johnson) in the middle of the D-line with the returning Tommie Harris. It may be asking a lot to have a defense carry a team to the Super Bowl but if there is any defense that it can, it's the one in Chicago that is anchored by Brian Urlacher.

Against Washington: The defending NFC champs come to town for a Thursday night game in December. The Skins last faced Chicago to open the season in 2005 in the game that proved to be the (short-lived) return of Mark Brunell and the end of Patrick Ramsey's career in Washington. The Skins won 9-7 when the defense helped force Chicago into a 3rd-and-38 at the end of the game.

Fantasy sleeper: Desmond Clark. Even though Chicago drafted Miami TE Greg Olsen in the first round this year, look for Clark to still be the primary TE target early on. This means Clark should be the one getting the looks around the goal line and with the running game a question mark, look for the WR's and TE's to benefit while things get straightened out. Clark is the perfect option for those who choose to pass up the early-round TE frenzy sure to take place around the third or fourth round.