NFC Championship: Bears vs. Saints - Sun Jan 21, 2 pm CST

[goonys evil twin]

I would say good in dome, noticably not as good on grass. But 3.7 YPC is still pretty decent. Don't expect us to just shut down the run game.

 

3.7 YPC is not decent. It's well below average. It's crap when talking about team's in the playoffs.

[goonys evil twin]

The anticipation is killing me worse than for last week's game.

 

I just want to see what's going to happen in this game.

 

I'm both optimistic and pessimistic at the same time about this game...is that even possible??

 

Not only is it possible, I think it's perfectly normal, and how it should be. It's football, there's no telling how the game will end. Lots of people thought Indy could lose to the Chiefs, and pretty much everybody thought Baltimore would run all over them. Half the football world seemed to think the Bears would fall to Seattle. Going into the playoffs, Baltimore and Philly were the hot teams peaking at the right time.

 

The only thing we know about this game is either team could win. Grossman could put up a 100+ rating game, or crap the bed. New Orleans could score at will, or wilt in the cold. Chicago's defense could force 5 turnovers, or get pushed around. Or none of that stuff could happen, and we could end up with a game that includes mediocre performances from just about everybody and a 13-9 type score.

 

I'm just happy as heck that the Bears actually have a legit Super Bowl contending team, and they have enough good young talent that they can stay that way for the foreseeable future.

[OleMissCub]

I would say good in dome, noticably not as good on grass. But 3.7 YPC is still pretty decent. Don't expect us to just shut down the run game.

 

3.7 YPC is not decent. It's well below average. It's crap when talking about team's in the playoffs.

 

On grass:

 

Jones: 76 yds, 3.8ypc

 

Benson: 41 yds, 4.2ypc

 

I guess Jones is well below average too?

[Chocolate Milk]

I would say good in dome, noticably not as good on grass. But 3.7 YPC is still pretty decent. Don't expect us to just shut down the run game.

 

3.7 YPC is not decent. It's well below average. It's crap when talking about team's in the playoffs.

 

On grass:

 

Jones: 76 yds, 3.8ypc

 

Benson: 41 yds, 4.2ypc

 

I guess Jones is well below average too?

 

I'm pretty sure Jones and Benson have more than 117 yards on grass this season.

[OleMissCub]

Didn't mean to jump all over you OleMiss. I think most Bears fans would agree that the Bears defense has fallen off a little late in the season. But honestly, they did have siginigant injuries (players are now back), they were playing prevent in a lot of those games, they put in the scrubs in some of those games, and really the games were meaningless. Whether or not you want to beleive that stuff, it's true.

 

I really think that trying to argue that the Saints have a better defense based on the last few games isn't a really good argument, especially using stuff like total yards. The Bears do give up yardage but they work to force turnovers. Yardage isn't a very good indicator of how a defense plays if it is used in a vaccum.

 

I would never actually argue that the Saints have a better defense. That would certainly be silly. The Bears D is frightening and makes me nervous.

 

However, my original reason I pulled out defensive stats over the last half of the season is to show that the Saints D has improved and shouldn't be overlooked. They deserve respect.

[UMFan83]

I would say good in dome, noticably not as good on grass. But 3.7 YPC is still pretty decent. Don't expect us to just shut down the run game.

 

3.7 YPC is not decent. It's well below average. It's crap when talking about team's in the playoffs.

 

On grass:

 

Jones: 76 yds, 3.8ypc

 

Benson: 41 yds, 4.2ypc

 

I guess Jones is well below average too?

 

I'm pretty sure Jones and Benson have more than 117 yards on grass this season.

 

Thats yards per game

[OleMissCub]

I would say good in dome, noticably not as good on grass. But 3.7 YPC is still pretty decent. Don't expect us to just shut down the run game.

 

3.7 YPC is not decent. It's well below average. It's crap when talking about team's in the playoffs.

 

On grass:

 

Jones: 76 yds, 3.8ypc

 

Benson: 41 yds, 4.2ypc

 

I guess Jones is well below average too?

 

I'm pretty sure Jones and Benson have more than 117 yards on grass this season.

 

Well, that was my own calculations. Here is what the splits page says:

 

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/187390/splits/2006

 

Thomas Jones on grass fields: 68.5 yards, 3.8 ypc

 

http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/406400/splits/2006

 

Cedric Benson on grass fields: 43 yds, 4.3 ypc

 

Bears backfield on grass fields: 111.5 yds, 4.0 ypc

[Chocolate Milk]

I don't think anyone thinks Thomas Jones has been great this season by any means. Most people here think Benson should be getting the bulk of the carries.

[Chocolate Milk]

I would say good in dome, noticably not as good on grass. But 3.7 YPC is still pretty decent. Don't expect us to just shut down the run game.

 

3.7 YPC is not decent. It's well below average. It's crap when talking about team's in the playoffs.

 

On grass:

 

Jones: 76 yds, 3.8ypc

 

Benson: 41 yds, 4.2ypc

 

I guess Jones is well below average too?

 

I'm pretty sure Jones and Benson have more than 117 yards on grass this season.

 

Thats yards per game

 

Gotcha.

[rawaction]

I would say good in dome, noticably not as good on grass. But 3.7 YPC is still pretty decent. Don't expect us to just shut down the run game.

 

3.7 YPC is not decent. It's well below average. It's crap when talking about team's in the playoffs.

 

On grass:

 

Jones: 76 yds, 3.8ypc

 

Benson: 41 yds, 4.2ypc

 

I guess Jones is well below average too?

 

Yeah he is actually. 4.0 is a decent average. Anything less isn't really an asset or is borderline so.

[Banedon]

Didn't mean to jump all over you OleMiss. I think most Bears fans would agree that the Bears defense has fallen off a little late in the season. But honestly, they did have siginigant injuries (players are now back), they were playing prevent in a lot of those games, they put in the scrubs in some of those games, and really the games were meaningless. Whether or not you want to beleive that stuff, it's true.

 

I really think that trying to argue that the Saints have a better defense based on the last few games isn't a really good argument, especially using stuff like total yards. The Bears do give up yardage but they work to force turnovers. Yardage isn't a very good indicator of how a defense plays if it is used in a vaccum.

 

I would never actually argue that the Saints have a better defense. That would certainly be silly. The Bears D is frightening and makes me nervous.

 

However, my original reason I pulled out defensive stats over the last half of the season is to show that the Saints D has improved and shouldn't be overlooked. They deserve respect.

 

The point is, though, that the defense, especially the secondary, is the Saints weakness. At this point in the playoffs, each phase of each team deserves respect.

[oldstyle81]

 

You really don't know much of anything about the Bears. That much is quite clear. I'm liking how much people are overlooking them and focusing on the supposed really hot Saints. They lost to the Redskins late in the season when the playoff seedings were up in the air. They lost many games during the season. Yet, for some reason, it's the Bears that have to prove something here. It's amusing.

 

You had the 32nd ranked strength of schedule. That's dead last. Saints had the 3rd ranked SOS.

 

 

The saints played 9 games against teams with a record of .500 or better

 

The bears played 8

 

both teams are 3-1 against teams with winning records

[YearofDaCubs]

Didn't mean to jump all over you OleMiss. I think most Bears fans would agree that the Bears defense has fallen off a little late in the season. But honestly, they did have siginigant injuries (players are now back), they were playing prevent in a lot of those games, they put in the scrubs in some of those games, and really the games were meaningless. Whether or not you want to beleive that stuff, it's true.

 

I really think that trying to argue that the Saints have a better defense based on the last few games isn't a really good argument, especially using stuff like total yards. The Bears do give up yardage but they work to force turnovers. Yardage isn't a very good indicator of how a defense plays if it is used in a vaccum.

 

I would never actually argue that the Saints have a better defense. That would certainly be silly. The Bears D is frightening and makes me nervous.

 

However, my original reason I pulled out defensive stats over the last half of the season is to show that the Saints D has improved and shouldn't be overlooked. They deserve respect.

Yet you were implying that they did have the better defense than the Bears because the last 6 games or so statistically they have been better.

[OleMissCub]

Didn't mean to jump all over you OleMiss. I think most Bears fans would agree that the Bears defense has fallen off a little late in the season. But honestly, they did have siginigant injuries (players are now back), they were playing prevent in a lot of those games, they put in the scrubs in some of those games, and really the games were meaningless. Whether or not you want to beleive that stuff, it's true.

 

I really think that trying to argue that the Saints have a better defense based on the last few games isn't a really good argument, especially using stuff like total yards. The Bears do give up yardage but they work to force turnovers. Yardage isn't a very good indicator of how a defense plays if it is used in a vaccum.

 

I would never actually argue that the Saints have a better defense. That would certainly be silly. The Bears D is frightening and makes me nervous.

 

However, my original reason I pulled out defensive stats over the last half of the season is to show that the Saints D has improved and shouldn't be overlooked. They deserve respect.

Yet you were implying that they did have the better defense than the Bears because the last 6 games or so statistically they have been better.

 

I feel that the Saints defense is fresher and hotter, but overall is not better.

[Chocolate Milk]

OleMiss,

 

What do you think are the weak spots of this Saints team?

[Omar]

I don't think anyone thinks Thomas Jones has been great this season by any means. Most people here think Benson should be getting the bulk of the carries.

 

I dont think anyone expected him to be great. He's okay. Acceptable. Nothing special.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

I don't think anyone thinks Thomas Jones has been great this season by any means. Most people here think Benson should be getting the bulk of the carries.

Eh, they're different types of backs, and they should be used in different situations. Jones has earned the starting spot though, so I don't see how everyone still is fighting for Benson to get it. Jones quietly ran for 1200 yards, and is a much better at picking up the blitz on passing downs. Benson is the bruiser of the two, and should be used in up the middle situations and occasionally on stretch plays so he doesn't become one dimensional.

 

Just my opinion though, I know others feel differently.

[Banedon]

I don't think anyone thinks Thomas Jones has been great this season by any means. Most people here think Benson should be getting the bulk of the carries.

Eh, they're different types of backs, and they should be used in different situations. Jones has earned the starting spot though, so I don't see how everyone still is fighting for Benson to get it. Jones quietly ran for 1200 yards, and is a much better at picking up the blitz on passing downs. Benson is the bruiser of the two, and should be used in up the middle situations and occasionally on stretch plays so he doesn't become one dimensional.

 

Just my opinion though, I know others feel differently.

 

Problem is that Lovie seems to use them in the opposite situations in which they would seem to be appropriately used. That "picking up the blitz" thing is flat out wrong. The commentators last week did a nice job of pointing out Benson picking up blitzes nicely last week (though the line didn't do as well sometimes). Lovie loves to bring in Jones for 3rd downs, which seems to be ridiculous given the ability Benson has to run for a few extra yards when he's seemingly wrapped up.

[OleMissCub]

OleMiss,

 

What do you think are the weak spots of this Saints team?

 

1) THE BIG PLAY!!!

-The Redskins had 2 30+ yard passes.

-The Cowboys had a 77 yard run, and 2 30+ yard passes, including a 50 yard TD bomb to Glenn.

-The Giants had a 55 yard TD pass.

-The Eagles had a 62 yard run and a 75 yard pass.

-The 49ers had a 48 yard TD pass.

-The Falcons had a 51 yard rush and a 44 yard pass.

-The Bengals had a 60 yard TD pass.

-The Steelers had a 76 yard run and a 3 30+ yard passes.

-Tampa Bay had a 44 yard TD pass.

-Earlier in the season the Eagles had a 60 yard TD pass and a 40 yard pass.

-The Bucs had a 52 yard TD pass and a 34 yard run.

-Panthers had a 43 yard TD run and another 31 yard run.

-Packers had a 48 yard TD pass.

 

2) The secondary is extremely suspect. They have good moments, but overall are average or below average. McKenzie is probably the best DB we have, with Thomas being the weakest. The injury of our strong safety Stoutmire hurts us even greater.

 

So, rest assured, y'all will most definitely get one, or two, or three big plays.

 

I have no complaints on the offensive side of the ball.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Oh, Benson is the guy that definitely should be used on 3rd downs. He rarely goes down on first contact, and he's not the all or nothing back that Jones is. And you might be right about Benson, but Jones has become outstanding at picking up blitzes, so I think he might have the edge there. Don't get me wrong, Benson will be the premier back in the future, probably even next year. But Jones has done a lot this year that goes unnoticed. Hell, just look at how many 3rd and 20's he's gotten them out of. I know of 2 or 3 just off the top of my head. And for a running back taking a handoff or catching a screen, 20+ yards in big 3rd and long situations is huge.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

OleMiss,

 

What do you think are the weak spots of this Saints team?

 

1) THE BIG PLAY!!!

-The Redskins had 2 30+ yard passes.

-The Cowboys had a 77 yard run, and 2 30+ yard passes, including a 50 yard TD bomb to Glenn.

-The Giants had a 55 yard TD pass.

-The Eagles had a 62 yard run and a 75 yard pass.

-The 49ers had a 48 yard TD pass.

-The Falcons had a 51 yard rush and a 44 yard pass.

-The Bengals had a 60 yard TD pass.

-The Steelers had a 76 yard run and a 3 30+ yard passes.

-Tampa Bay had a 44 yard TD pass.

-Earlier in the season the Eagles had a 60 yard TD pass and a 40 yard pass.

-The Bucs had a 52 yard TD pass and a 34 yard run.

-Panthers had a 43 yard TD run and another 31 yard run.

-Packers had a 48 yard TD pass.

 

2) The secondary is extremely suspect. They have good moments, but overall are average or below average. McKenzie is probably the best DB we have, with Thomas being the weakest. The injury of our strong safety Stoutmire hurts us even greater.

 

So, rest assured, y'all will most definitely get one, or two, or three big plays.

 

I have no complaints on the offensive side of the ball.

 

Berrian... fly pattern.... all game long!

 

If it works twice, we're in damn good shape. :lol:

[OleMissCub]

Swweeeeeeet!

 

Joe Horn and Omar Stoutmire were just upgraded to probable at the press conference.

[Banedon]

2) The secondary is extremely suspect. They have good moments, but overall are average or below average. McKenzie is probably the best DB we have, with Thomas being the weakest. The injury of our strong safety Stoutmire hurts us even greater.

 

So wait...the secondary is suspect, the Saints are ranked 23rd in rushing defense, but saying that the Saints have defensive issues is wrong?

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Swweeeeeeet!

 

Joe Horn and Omar Stoutmire were just upgraded to probable at the press conference.

Really? Horn actually might play? I know his presence on the field alone causes problems, but do you think he'll be as effective not at 100%? Either way, that puts a hitch in the Bears defensive plans.

[OleMissCub]

Swweeeeeeet!

 

Joe Horn and Omar Stoutmire were just upgraded to probable at the press conference.

Really? Horn actually might play? I know his presence on the field alone causes problems, but do you think he'll be as effective not at 100%? Either way, that puts a hitch in the Bears defensive plans.

 

Well there were several rumors coming from anonymous players that Horn wasn't as injured as the Saints front office made him out to be.