Pro Football Focus, one of the best places to go for the insider stats of the game, is an interesting place to go for an opinion on where Bears talent rates visavis the rest of the NFC North.
PFF has zero Bears named to its NFCN all-division offensive team, not impressed that center Roberto Garza was named to the Pro Bowl squad and going with Minnesotas John Sullivan. The close call was at running back where both Adrian Peterson and Matt Forte both ended the year on IR. Peterson edged out Forte, the far-superior receiver, on the strength of pure running ability. (Not sure Forte or his agent are seeing it that way in their contract negotiations with the Bears.).
Where this gets really fun is on defense.
Julius Peppers was a gimme along with Jared Allen at defensive end. PFF went with a 3-4 arrangement, so only Kevin Williams from the Vikings is at tackle. Henry Melton had more sacks than any other NFCN D-tackle but was downgraded for run-stopping.
Clay Matthews, Stephen Tulloch from Detroit, Erin Henderson from Minnesota and Brian Urlacher are the linebackers? And not Lance Briggs?
Charles Tillman is one cornerback. OK, Pro Bowl guy. And Tim Jennings is the pick over Charles Woodson, who was left as really the nickel guy. Woodson was a lot of reputation in 2011 but really...
Chris Conte was at safety alongside Detroits Louis Delmas, but it isnt an honor Contes likely to frame and cherish: didnt do anything spectacularly over the season but wasnt bad at anything, either, and was beaten less than the other options.
NFL
OK, then.
Special teams are worth a chuckle. Robbie Gould, Devin Hester and Adam Podlesh are the picks at their positions. But Detroits John Wendling was the coverage guy over Corey Graham, whos in the Pro Bowl.
Well, its an opinion thing.