Some of you probably consider the past decade of Chicago football to have been the "Brian Urlacher Era," while others think of it as the "Lovie Smith Era."
Either way, it's over. NFL betting odds at SportBet.com (click here) have Da Bears at +1400 to win the NFC.
Urlacher, an 8-time Pro Bowler, announced his retirement in May. Smith, a coach with a career record of 81-63, was fired on New Year's Eve, following a 10-win season. Thanks mostly to poor QB play.
The NFC North has been an arms race for a few years, and, finally — after missing the playoffs in five of the last six seasons — the Bears have decided to engage. The team addressed its offense in significant ways during the offseason. Chicago's new head coach, Marc Trestman, has a unique and impressive resume, with a deep history of coaxing quality seasons out of less-than-perfect quarterbacks. Good luck getting that out of cry baby Cutler.