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Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans every day on ChicagoBears.com.
A lot has been made about veterans with a track record for success needing to step up this year, but what player currently flying under the radar on the Bears roster do you think will surprise us all and contribute in a big way this year?
Mark L.
Litchfield, New Hampshire
It’s difficult to say because it’s hard to define “flying under the radar.” But if you’re talking about a player who could contribute a whole lot more than he did last season, I’d go with backup running back Kevin Jones
. He’s another year removed from surgery to repair a torn ACL, and I think he could really play a vital role on offense with the Bears seemingly committed to having starter Matt Forte share more of the workload than he did last year. On defense, I think that strong safety Kevin Payne could have a big season both defending the run and the pass, especially if the front four generates a consistent pass rush.
It seems like the Bears could have at least 30 percent turnover in their starting lineup compared to the beginning of last season. Do you think that’s accurate?
Jim P.
Carrollton, Georgia
I think there will actually be more than 40 percent turnover, with as many as nine new starters compared to the 2008 opener, including six on offense: Jay Cutler at quarterback (instead of Kyle Orton), Devin Hester and Earl Bennett at receiver (Rashied Davis and Brandon Lloyd), Orlando Pace at left tackle (John St. Clair), Frank Omiyale at left guard (Josh Beekman) and Chris Williams at right tackle (John Tait). Defensively, new starters could include Anthony Adams at nose tackle (Dusty Dvoracek), Pisa Tinoisamoa at strongside linebacker (Hunter Hillenmeyer) and Craig Steltz at free safety (Brandon McGowan). Of course, several of those jobs will be determined in training camp. But there will be at least five new starters given the departures of Orton, Lloyd, St. Clair, Tait and McGowan.
Could you please go over Marcus Freeman’s achievements at Ohio State? It seems that he could be a real steal for the Bears in the fifth round of the draft. He started a lot of games for the Buckeyes he was involved in a lot of victories there.
Jason M.
Maui, Hawaii
Marcus Freeman started all 13 games at weakside linebacker in each of his final two seasons at Ohio State, registering 109 tackles, 9½ tackles for loss and 1½ sacks as a junior, and 84 tackles, 9½ tackles for loss and 3½ sacks as a senior. The Ohio native was named Academic All-Big Ten and second-team All-Big Ten as a senior. Bears coaches are high on Freeman, and I can tell you that in working with him on his weekly diary for ChicagoBears.com (which resumes later this month), he's an impressive individual. Freeman is very mature and grounded and truly “gets it.” I hope that he has a long, successful career with the Bears.
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