By Nasser Khan

WITHIN HOURS of the Chicago Bears 2013 season finale against the Green Bay Packers, there was a flurry of Packer fans using social media to celebrate their victory over the arch-rival Bears. One of the more popular means of gloating was a meme of a grinning Aaron Rodgers, with the caption “The Bears broke my collar-bone, I broke their hearts.” ( This was in reference to the week 9 sack by Shea McClellin that sidelined Rodgers for several weeks, and subsequently nearly cost the Packers a berth in the post season.)

Key word, nearly. In what was a less than stellar performance by the Chicago secondary, the game still somehow went down to the wire, and it looked like the Bears were going to prepare for the Niners on January 5th. Until, well…Aaron Rodgers decided to be Aaron Rodgers, and heaved a pass down the field to a open Randall Cobb, which iced their victory. I remember that play very, very, very, well. My reaction was probably very similar to most peoples when they unexpectedly witness something exceptionally disturbing, in this case, poor defensive play that abruptly ended the Bears’ season.

The off-season officially started for Chicago, and it was time to figure out exactly what went wrong, which wasn’t all that hard to figure out if you were watching the Bears that year. Heck, you could have just watched that Rodgers to Cobb connection, and you would know what needed to be fixed for the Bears. The defense. It’s amazing isn’t it, how a team known for it’s defensive dominance would so quickly find itself in the same category as the Jacksonville Jaguars in terms of potency? It certainly was not a category that the Bears or the city of Chicago are accustomed to, which is why General Manager Phil Emery knew he had to immediately get to work. Ever since taking over for the team, Emery has proved to be a more than capable administrator, conducting solid drafts, and excellent free agency signings. This off season was no different. Emery knew who he needed to bring in, and who he needed to let go. Watching film from the 2013 campaign, the areas that stuck out like a sore thumb for the Bears was the defensive line, safety, and cornerback. The d-line was nothing less than depressing, which managed a measly 31 sacks. In fact, it was the horrid play by the boys up front that exposed the inability of safeties Chris Conte and Major Wright in making a appropriate tackle. Being more than aware of the situation, Emery executed some brilliant moves by adding key pieces in completely revamping the entire defensive line. He wisely let go of Henry Melton, who was coming off a torn ACL, parted ways with Julius Peppers, (or how he is more conventionally known in Chicago these days, “Judas” Peppers) along with saying goodbye to Corey Wooton, and moving McClellin to his more natural position at linebacker. Their replacements? The young and versatile Lamarr Houston from the Raiders, the young run stopper from Detroit Willie Young, and the dominant defensive end known as Jared Allen. Couple those guys with draft picks Ego Ferguson and Will Sutton, and the re-signings of Jay Ratliff and Nick Collins, and Chicago’s line has suddenly become very scary. Hiring defensive coaches Paul Pasqualoni and Reggie Herring makes it all the more better.

Taking all that in, here are 5 reasons why Chicago fans should anticipate a divisional championship in 2014.

1) Jared Allen and Lamarr Houston.

With the versatile Houston just beginning to enter his prime, we should see a good amount of production from the former Raider, who tallied 6 sacks last year. Pair him with the experienced and still very productive Jared Allen, and he should see a fair share of one on one’s which will more likely than not lead to him having a very big year. With Allen, you are going to see a player who will get at bare minimum ten sacks this year, and obviously bring a very intimidating presence that will affect the play of opposing lineman. In fact, its fair to say that these two are going to also make up for depth at the safety positions, because the safeties wont have to worry about nearly as much pass defense and run stopping as last year.Bottom line, these two players are going to be the difference for the defense, and will make their presence felt in the NFC North. I find it hard to see the Packers, Lions, and Vikings offensive lines containing these two in particular.

2) Brock Vereen

As much as I like the Kyle Fuller pick, I don’t think that he was the best defensive selection. I don’t even think that Ego Ferguson or big Will Sutton are going to be the best defensive selections, albeit they are all very productive players. That designation goes to Gophers safety Brock Vereen. I think that Vereen was a absolute steal in the fourth round, and is going to be a star for the Bears. He wasn’t exactly a ball hawk, recording 4 interceptions in his career at Minnesota, but posesses very impressive strength, putting up 25 reps at the bench in the combine, and impressive speed by recording a 4.47 at the 40 yard dash. He might not start day 1, but given that he has the pre-season, and training camp to impress Trestman and company, don’t be surprised if he gets the nod.

3) Charles Tillman is back! (For a year)

Peanut is back, and that means the Bears are giving themselves another year of balance at the corner position. Emery wisely brought Tillman in on a 1 year contract, in part due to the fact that the play maker is turning 34, but also because he will be a good presence in terms of tutoring heir apparent Kyle Fuller. In a division with the likes of Matt Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, and now Teddy Bridgewater, corner is a top priority, and Tillman serves that need very well for the Bears, simply because of the veteran presence he brings to the field and the locker room. Opposing offenses are going to have to make some tough decisions when they go up against the Bears, since they are going to be going against All-Pro corners on both sides of the field. There is no question that Tillman is going to help the Bears win.

4) Hiring quality coaches on defense

The Bears did themselves justice on defense by bringing in quality coaching for quality players. Hiring former UConn Head Coach Paul Pasqualoni and former Arkansas defensive coordinator Reggie Herring, they are going to see a big improvement in terms of coaching on defense. Mel Tucker is still a questionable choice as a coordinator, but these coaches are going to make his job easier if nothing else. Herring in particular should immediately improve the linebacker play, and bring the most out of a transformed Shea McClellin, who is going to move to LB, likely the Sam slot. Pasqualoni will be like a kid in a candy shop with pieces like Allen, Houston, Young, Sutton, and Ferguson to work with. Improved coaching on defense is and was a must, and the Bears did just that by bringing these very experienced, and well known coaches in.

5) The Offense! ( Who knew?)

Last year the only offense that was better than the Bears were the Broncos, who happened to go to the Superbowl. With the emergence of Alshon Jeffrey as a absolute monster, ( ask the Cowboys, Vikings, or Browns) and the ever consistent play of Brandon Marshall, the Bears boast the best receiving duo in all of football. Throw in the very impressive Martellus Bennett at tight end, with a offensive line that was one of the best in the league, with ever so versatile running back Matt Forte, along with his newly drafted back up Kadeem Carey, and you have a phenomenal offensive unit. Bringing back Cutler on a 7 year 127 million dollar contract will only help solidify the quarterback position, especially with Marc Trestman continuing to help Cutler reach his full potential. The recent 30 million dollar contract extension that Brandon Marshall got is also another vital move that the Bears management took in retaining a offense that is only set to be even more explosive than it was last year.

Not withstanding how many people like or dislike the Bears, there is no denying that they are looking like the team to beat in the NFC North, regardless of the fact that there happens to be a guy named Aaron Rodgers playing on the Green Bay Packers in the same division. With the Packers defense seemingly not being equipped to handle the Bears offense, (doesn’t matter that Peppers signed with them) my overall odds go to Trestman’s side prevailing. This is going to be a year that will undoubtedly be a memorable one for Da Bears. Hey, I even have some meme ideas.