{Numbers in braces are Approximate Value, other stats are labeled as appropriate.}
Berlin’s offense was one of the best in the league, and certainly one of the most balanced, with Walter Payton‘s running providing the counterpoint to Sid Luckman‘s arm and the dual receiving threats of Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery (and, from the moment he joined, TE Mike Ditka). Yet, they finished 7-10, 3 games out of the playoff race. The defense was indeed that bad, riddled by injuries and largely ineffective, and surrendering the 3rd most points in the league. The challenge for the Bärin in Year II is simple: maintain the offense, and radically improve the defense. If they do that, a playoff appearance may await.
Key Additions: RB Pierre Thomas {4} from SFO; DB Mike Mitchell {2} from IST.
Key Departures: DB Charles Godfrey {4}; OL Jermon Bushrod {3}.
#Year I Leaders
Passing: Sid Luckman: 4161 yards, 45 TDs.
Rushing: Walter Payton: 1603 yards, 7 TDs.
Receiving: Brandon Marshall: 68 receptions, 1302 yards; Alshon Jeffery: 19 TDs.
Blocking: Joe Stydahar: 42 big holes.
Pressuring: John Abraham: 8 sacks, 18 hurries.
Tackling: Mike Singletary: 112 tackles; Joplo Bartu: 13 stuffs.
Defending: Ray Brown, Rolland Lawrence, William Moore: 4 interceptions; Brown: 15 deflections.
AV: J. Stydahar {16}, S. Luckman {15}, A. Jeffery {15}, W. Payton {14}, B. Marshall {14}, L. Briggs {11}, J. Van Note {11}, R. Brown {10}, J. Ratliff {10}.
#Year I Award Winners
All-League: Alshon Jeffery, Walter Payton, Joe Stydahar.
All-Pro’s: Lance Briggs, Sid Luckman, Brandon Marshall, Jeff Van Note, Eric Weems.
Offensive Player of the Week: Sid Luckman (x2)
Defensive Player of the Week: Mike Singletary
Special Teams Player of the Week: Eric Weems (x2)
#QB
Luckman was at his gunslinging best in Year I, and easily retains the starting position, with Matt Ryan as the backup. Should continue to be a strength of the team.
#RB / WR / TE
Payton rode a strong back half of the season to be the 4th leading rusher in the league with over 1600 yards. Pierre Thomas should add some variety to the rushing attack, and the team is high on rookie George Gulyanics as well.
Luckman should continue to have an embarrassment of riches to pick from for his targets: Alfred Jenkins {3}, Roddy White {2}, and Santonio Holmes {1} form a decent trio behind Marshall and Jeffery, and Martellus Bennett {1} is a capable reserve behind Ditka.
#OL
Joe Stydahar was one of the premiere linemen in the league, and Jeff Van Note a deserving all pro. Behind them, though, there are some question marks: for the Bärin to succeed, both Kyle Long {5} and Justin Blalock {6} need to repeat their strong performances and Jordan Mills {3} needs to prove deserving of his newfound starting role. Michael Ola {3} is a capable reserve.
#DL
Osi Umenyiora {6} and newcomer Dan Hampton will flank Jay Ratliff up front. They need to produce to take some pressure of the LB corps.
#LB
The LBs made a ton of tackles in Year I, with Mike Singletary {6}, Lance Briggs, and Joplo Bartu {8} combining for over 300.The surprise might be that Singletary–despite 112 tackles–is moved to the bench as Dick Butkus {7} is joined by Brian Urlacher at MLB. Urlacher is healthy again after a miserable stay on IR. Singletary, John Abraham {9}, and Lamarr Houston {4} may be the best reserve group of LBs in the WFL.
#DB
This was a hard group to evaluate, as giving up a ton of yards also inflates defensive counting stats. Still, the starters all return: Desmond Trufant {5} and Rolland Lawrence {4} at the corners and Ray Brown and William Moore {8} at the safeties. Mike Mitchell should be a good pickup for the secondary, and Charles Tillman {3} is available should injuries hit the front line starters.
#ST
Kevin Butler {2} returns as the K and Billy Lothridge takes over at P. Late season sensation–and Pro Bowler–Eric Weems {2} returns for a full season running back kicks.