In a new feature, GotFrag Madden will be breaking down all 32 NFL franchises and analyzing what will push that team over the top for Madden NFL 09. There are some teams that get a lot of play, such as New England and San Diego, while others are rarely used like the Chiefs and Texans. While we know not every team will be competitive in Madden NFL 09, we look at what potential offseason changes will help improve each team.


Madden NFL 08 Overall Score: 90
2007 NFL Record: 7-9

The Chicago Bears were dreadful in 2007. A year removed from the NFC Championship, how will the team reverse its losing ways, especially after seeing some of the team's best offensive players leave during the early parts of free agency.


Replace Cedric Benson
After seeing Cedric Benson play at Texas in college, I thought he would be the best running back out of the draft class that included the likes of Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams. However, Benson never really carried over his collegiate success into the NFL, and therefore the Bears rushing attack took a huge drop with the loss of Thomas Jones. In Madden NFL 08 Benson scored an 80 overall, but gamers can expect that number to drop into the low 70s for Madden 09 as Benson's elusivness and agility will certainly go down after his poor 2007 seaon. So the question falls to where Benson's replacement will come from.

While the Bears drafted the speedy Garrett Wolfe a year ago, expect them to look for a solid replacement in the draft. Illinois running back Rashard Mendenhall is the most likely selection if the Bears go running back in the first round with their 14th pick. Mendenhall would certainly be more successful than Benson at getting to the corner against speedy defensive ends and outside linebackers as he showed against teams like Wisconsin and USC. The only option to replacing Benson would be to improve the offensive line in hope that he can reinvent himself as a successful NFL RB. An option is to look at Jeff Otah of Pittsburgh who could help to shore up the right side of the line. For the Bears to be successful in Madden NFL 09, they are going to need a rushing attack, especially considering the team has shown no interest in upgrading the quarterback position.