Every year it seems like Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith proclaims that year as the Bears year. It worked in 2006, which led us to believe again in 2007. Last year the acquisition of quarterback Jay Cutler allowed most of everyone to ignore the real issues and therefore believe him again.

This year, I'm not buying the dog and pony show.

The Bears have done fairly well in the offseason for not having a first or second round pick. The acquisition of Julius Peppers at defensive end should give a boost to the previously anemic pass rush. Chester Taylor could prove to be a valuable member of a backfield that already includes the Bears all-time rookie rushing leader in Matt Forte. Trading for safety Chris Harris, who the organization deemed expendable after 2006, is as close as we'll ever come to General Manager Jerry Angelo admitting he was wrong.

However, the two most ignored parts of this team that have really hurt it in the past went completely ignored: offensive line and wide receiver.

Now new offensive coordinator Mike Martz and Cutler are all saying the right things, and for all I know they may be right and this group of relatively unproven receivers can do the job. But this organization has absolutely no political capital to throw around and on-field success is the only way anyone will give any credence to their words. It's like Bill Clinton walking out of a strip club at 3 AM and insisting nothing happened, you're just not going to believe him.

The offensive line is the linchpin to this whole season. If they can create running lanes and protect Cutler, the potential is there for some fireworks coming out of Soldier Field. If this group resembles last year's bunch, it's going to be another long season.

And no, Lovie, I'm also not buying that crap about the anointed assistant coach that's going to put the pieces together. How'd that whole Rod Marinelli-as-Defensive-Line-Coach thing work out last year? That's what I thought, but hey- you promoted him to Defensive Coordinator so he must have done something right. What do I know?

I still believe that sub-par receivers can excel in the right system with the right quarterback. Deion Branch, anyone? However none of that will matter if Cutler spends most of his time on his back and Forte can't get out of the backfield.

Maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised, but as for now: talk to me in December.