AP Pro32 comments about Bears

NEW YORK (AP) Comments on the Chicago Bears by the AP Pro32 panel (ranking in parentheses):

Rich Gannon (CBS Sports/SiriusXM NFL Radio, 8): Protect Cutler and Bears are back in the playoffs.

Clark Judge (CBSSports.com, 8): Offseason moves make Bears legit playoff candidates again.

Dan Pompei (Chicago Tribune, 9): Bears won only eight games in 2011, but are much better team heading into this season than at end of last year.

Chris Berman (ESPN, 11): Bears were rolling until offensive injuries.

Cris Collinsworth (NBC Sports, 11): Before Jay Cutler's injury, Bears were dangerous; now add Brandon Marshall.

John Lynch (Fox Sports, 11): Bears have stayed course with Lovie Smith and will reap rewards in 2012. Brandon Marshall is a BEAST if he keeps himself out of trouble and adds explosion to already potent offense. Healthy Jay Cutler is a must.

Pat Kirwan (SiriusXM NFL Radio/CBSSports.com, 11): Offense will be sound and present classic conflict of defending Forte in run game or Cutler/Marshall pass game.

Clifton Brown (Sporting News, 11): Bears will have better luck with injuries, and Brandon Marshall makes passing attack more explosive.

Bob Glauber (Newsday, 12): New coordinator Mike Tice adds his meat-and-potatoes style to offense that lost its way with Mike Martz's go-for-broke style that left Jay Cutler bruised and battered.

Rick Gosselin (Dallas Morning News, 13): Bears have reunited dynamic passing combo of Jay Cutler and WR Brandon Marshall.

Alex Marvez (Foxsports.com, 16): Quarterback Jay Cutler should take less beating in new offensive coordinator Mike Tice's system. But just like last season, Bears project to being third-best team in NFC North.

Ira Kaufman (Tampa Tribune, 18): Healthy Jay Cutler is key to NFC wild-card run.

Online: http://bigstory.ap.org/NFL-Pro32 and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL

Updated July 31, 2012