Chicago Bears Midseason Awards

Aug 23, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) in the huddle before a play against the Oakland Raiders during the first quarter at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears haven’t quite gotten through half of their 2013 schedule, but the NFL commemorates the halfway point of the season, so it’s as good a time as any to pass out some hardware for the Bears before they hit the field against the Packers on Monday Night Football.

Chicago Bears First Half MVP: Jay Cutler

Who gets credit for the Bears’ 4-3 start?  How about Mr. Fourth Quarter?  If it weren’t for Cutler and his career best passer rating under?  If not for Cutler, the Bears could easily be 2-5 or worse.
Others receiving votes: Matt Forte

Chicago Bears First Half  LVP: Julius Peppers

With great power comes great responsibility.  Peppers has great power, in the form of a gigantic paycheck and chunk of the Bears’ salary cap.  When Brian Urlacher departed he was going to be called upon to step up as a defensive leader.  He’s been pretty much invisible for the Bears’ worst performing group.
Others receiving votes: Shea McClellin and Chris Conte

Rookie of the First Half: Kyle Long

Go ahead and admit you were wrong about Kyle Long.  I will.  When the Bears drafted him, I thought it was a reach of a pick.  Maybe I was jaded by the Shea McClellin pick or I was blinded by a big name tight end like Tyler Eifert out of Notre Dame?  Long has been outstanding on the Bears most improved group of performers.  I see a bright future for this kid.
Others receiving votes: Jordan Mills

Most Improved of the First Half: Alshon Jeffery

This one seemed to be an easy choice for our panel of voters.  I suppose that’s easy since there aren’t a lot of good candidates for most improved.  Alshon Jeffery has made the kind of leaps that you want to see from a second round selection.  Jeffery put in a lot of hard work this offseason, training in Florida with Brandon Marshall and the results have shown on the field.  Jeffery leads the Bears in receiving yards with 561 thru 7 games and is second among wide receivers with catches with 33.  If you project those numbers out over a full season and Jeffery could have himself a 1000 yard season.
Others receiving votes: Isaiah Frey