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Nam Y. Huh/Associated Press

Last season proved to be unbearable for the team from the Windy City.

A franchise known for its toughness thanks to a traditionally tough defense couldn’t stop much of anything in 2013.

However, thanks to free agency and the draft, the Chicago Bears look like they have fixed the leaks that eventually turned a 3-0 start into a mediocre 8-8 finish.

The club that finished 30th in the NFL in total defense, last in the league in stopping the run and allowed a whopping 478 points this past season (tied for the second most in the NFL) has done plenty to rectify the situation.

General manager Phil Emery added defensive ends Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston and Willie Young to help a pass rush that managed a mere 31 sacks a year ago—tied for the second fewest in the league. Emery used four of his top five picks in May on this side of the ball, adding cornerback Kyle Fuller, defensive tackles Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton and safety Brock Vereen. The latter looks like the starter at free safety, at least until Chris Conte is healthy.

Offensively, the team is primed for a big season. All the pieces are in place for head coach Marc Trestman. The key is whether quarterback Jay Cutler can start all 16 games for the first time since 2009. A year ago, only the Denver Broncos scored more points than the Bears.

Over the past few days, there have been a few bumps in the road. Larry Mayer of ChicagoBears.com talks about promising second-year wide receiver Marquess Wilson, who will be sidelined indefinitely with a broken clavicle. Meanwhile, David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune recaps the latest on tight end Martellus Bennett and his altercation with Fuller at training camp.

Still, there have been plenty of positives for a club that looks to get back to the playoffs after a three-year absence.