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The last line of defense appears to be the last unit the Bears will figure out -- unless they already have a plan and aren't sharing it, according to the Chicago Sun Times.
There are injury and performance worries heading into the 2009 NFL season. Betting on the regular season wins total for 2009 would pay $130 for every $100 bet if Chicago were to win UNDER 8 ½ games. The oddsmakers do have the Bears favored to win OVER 8 ½ games however.
The early indications suggests that Chicago could have a bumpy road this season despite the acquisition of Jay Cutler as quarterback.
From the Chicago Sun Times:
Starting cornerback Charles Tillman remains on the physically unable-to-perform list; he'll have to come off sometime in the next eight days. Zack Bowman figures to be the other starting corner, and he's slowly working his way back from a pulled hamstring.
Nothing is settled at safety, either. Sixth-round pick Al Afalava has been the only rookie to impress all summer, and he might be entrenching himself as the starter at strong safety. Kevin Payne has done well for himself at free safety, which isn't even his natural position, and Danieal Manning is working back from a recurring hamstring injury.
Manning was shifted to free safety on the eve of training camp without any work there in the offseason, a hint of the uncertainty to come. The question is, will Manning return to the top of the depth chart with all indications being he'll be ready for the regular-season opener Sept. 13 against the Green Bay Packers?
Dan Shapiro, Gambling911.com
