In depth: Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears were 7-3 and finishing up a five-game win streak when quarterback Jay Cutler went down for the season with an injury. Caleb Hanie proved an unworthy replacement and the Bears’ season spiraled in a five-game losing streak.

Cutler will be back and Lovie Smith returns as head coach. But there’s also a fair amount of change taking place in the Windy City. Mike Tice has replaced Mike Martz as offensive coordinator and Phil Emery is the new general manager, replacing Jerry Angelo.

And though this was a competitive team when full strength in 2011, there are question marks along the offensive line, at wide receiver and at several spots on a solid-but-aging defense. So what will 2012 bring? Jake Perper, owner and head writer at Bears Backer, shared his thoughts with Zoneblitz: Here’s what he had to say:

Zoneblitz: What do you think of the hiring of Emery as general manager?

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