Are the Bears Wide Receivers Underrated?
This Q&A happened on Adam Scheffter's blog on ESPN:
Q: Have you caught how everyone is sleeping on Devin Hester? The way I see it, no one in the Chicago Bears' young talented crop of WRs has passed him as the No. 1, and that usually means a big year in a Mike Martz offense. What are your thoughts? -- Double J (Chicago)
A: Double J, I like Hester this season. I'm hoping he's around later in my fantasy drafts next week. He still is a dynamic playmaker and has made more plays in his career than the other Bears wideouts. But right now, people are talking more about Johnny Knox and Devin Aromashodu than Hester. The truth is I think the Bears' wide receivers are underrated. People are wondering if they have enough firepower there -- that's not the question. The question is whether Chicago's offensive line will hold up and give Jay Cutler the time he needs to find those wide receivers.
Interesting. I think that is the first time I have ever heard this group described as underrated, but I suppose it could be true, despite the relativity of the statement.
If you watched any of the Bears last season you probably remember Jay delivering the ball to spots where receivers were supposed to be only to find out they had either gone to the wrong spot, failed to break away from a defender, or worse yet, fallen down.
With the Mike Martz offense based on timing, and with the complexity of the whole thing, Bears fans have to hope that their group of receivers have not only improved, but grasped the scheme wel enough to utilize their natural atheltic ability.
And with the line play suspect, Hester, Aromashodu and Co. will need not only athleticism, they will need to rely a lot on football instinct. Let's hope it's not all too much to handle in one short off-season.
