Sportswriter for Montgomery Media
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To help pass the time between now and the start of the 2011 NFL season I am going to take a look at two teams a day. I will give you the impact players on offense and defense , a breakout player, and the biggest question in training camp.
QB - Cam Newton (r)
RB - DeAngelo Williams
RB - Jonathan Stewart
WR - Steve Smith
TE - Greg Olsen (acquired in trade)
Defense
DE - Charles Johnson
DE - Greg Hardy
MLB - Jon Beason
OLB - Thomas Davis
Breakout: Greg Olsen - When a former coach trades for you he must have some kind of fondest for you. Ron Rivera brings Olsen over from Chicago with him and the former Miami Hurricane could play big role in bringing along Cam Newton and/or Jimmy Claussen. With a two tight-end set usually on the field blocking for a heavy run offense and Jeremy Shockey drawing some attention on the other side the 26-year old to breakout.
Biggest Training Camp Question: Everyone wants to know who will be the week one starter. Will they give Jimmy Claussen a second chance or was his rookie year enough to end any hopes of a future in the NFL? Will they play it safe and go with the veteran Derek Anderson, who does have a pro-bowl season as well as being benched for guys named Max Hall and John Skelton in Arizona. Or will they throw the number one overall pick this year into the fire? They should choose whoever gives them the best chance to improve on the two win season from a year ago, but I'm not sure they have that guy in camp yet.
Last year's record: 2-14
Projected finish: 5-11 (4th in the NFC South)
Offense
QB - Jay Cutler
RB - Matt Forte
WR - Johnny Knox
WR - Roy Williams (acquired in free agency)
WR - Devin Hester
Defense
DE - Julius Peppers
DE - Israel Idonije
MLB - Brian Urlacher
OLB - Lance Briggs
Breakout: Anthony Adams - The defensive tackle started every game last year, but with Tommie Harris out of the picture completely the former Penn Stater could easily improve on his 37 tackles and two sacks from a season ago. His ninth year in the league has a chance to be his best.
Biggest Training Question: The Bears need to rejuvenate the careers of former Dallas Cowboys Roy Williams and Marian Barber if they want to take the next step toward a Super Bowl. Barber could be that short yardage, goal-line back that Matt Forte isn't and Chester Taylor failed at. Williams could become a viable option down field for Jay Cutler, something he sorely missed a season ago.
Last year's record: 11-5
Projected finish 9-7 (3rd in NFC North)
** Check back tomorrow for a look at the Bengals and Browns
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