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

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Right now the high temperature that I'm seeing is 26 degrees. And that's a high. It'll probably be much colder at gametime. Definitely an advantage to the Bears. I'm hoping for freezing rain - sleet - worst blizzard on record in Chicago.... something along those lines. The Saints might be able to play in it, we don't know. But based on the fact that they're a dome team that plays in the South, I think winter weather might get into their heads more than the Bears.

[OleMissCub]

The game time temp is likely to be in the 20's this weekend. That has to be an edge for the Bears, right?

 

Go Saints!

Go Colts!

 

Well, Drew Brees is used to playing in the cold after his time at Purdue. As a southerner myself who usually played his sports in warm weather, I can attest to the fact that it does matter a bit. However, in the games where I've played baseball in frigid temps (road trips normally), your adrenaline is so high that it doesn't affect you as much as you would think it would.

 

That said, the temperature is the main thing that scares me....and oh ya, Devin Hester.

[BigSlick]

The game time temp is likely to be in the 20's this weekend. That has to be an edge for the Bears, right?

 

Go Saints!

Go Colts!

 

Well, Drew Brees is used to playing in the cold after his time at Purdue. As a southerner myself who usually played his sports in warm weather, I can attest to the fact that it does matter a bit. However, in the games where I've played baseball in frigid temps (road trips normally), your adrenaline is so high that it doesn't affect you as much as you would think it would.

 

That said, the temperature is the main thing that scares me....and oh ya, Devin Hester.

 

He should have had another TD this past week #-o

 

Although if not for Ricky Manning's block in the back, he probably would have been tackled.

[BleedCubbieBlue81]

Yeah, I couldn't get excited about that punt return because I saw the block in the back that freed him, and the flag that followed.

 

You say Hester is the one thing that scares you, I say Brees is the one thing that really scares me. It's a shame he didn't get more consideration for MVP. I know LT deserved it, but it shouldn't have been the landslide that it was.

[mul21]

My "scouting report" on the Bears:

 

The Bears are basically a fantastically inconsistent team. They have the ability to play like the best team in the league at any given moment, but they also have the ability to implode at any time (see: Third quarter yesterday).

 

Defense:

Losing Harris and Brown has really stretched the defense thin, forcing the Bears to blitz to put pressure on the QB, and forcing a rookie safety into the lineup. Blitzing from the LBs opens up the middle of the field for 5-15 yard passes, and Danieal Manning tends to count on his speed too much to catch up, giving a large cushion to throw to.

 

To improve, Manning needs to react better and guess less, so that he's on the receiver much quicker, either breaking up the pass or being there right away for the tackle, giving the receiver less chance for YAC (something Tillman and Vasher are generally very good at).

 

The line has been getting almost no pressure for weeks now, and I think the Bears are overcompensating by blitzing too much, allowing open routes and opening larger holes in the defensive backfield. The best the Bears did defensively yesterday was when they simply sent the front four in to rush, keeping the LBs back to react to runs or short passes. Urlacher and Briggs played very well yesterday to keep the Seahawks offense honest.

 

Offense:

Rex is both a boon and a liability. He always wants to make something happen out of nothing, and that was the main reason for the fumble. He generally had a good game yesterday, other than 2 passes about 6 inches behind where they needed to be, 1 to Berrian that would've been a TD, and one to Muhammad that led to the fluke INT.

 

Rushing, Jones always waits for a hole, even if there is none, and Benson generally just charges ahead right away. Benson's approach has been working better lately, but the run blocking was pretty good yesterday regardless.

 

Pass protection was OK, but blitz recognition was abysmal. Sure, rattling Rex with pressure will make him force things, but there was an unblocked rusher on about 75% of the blitzes, and there were blockers just standing around waiting for something to happen. Either Rex needs to recognize what's going on quicker, or the blockers have to recognize everyone that comes on the blitz.

 

That is as much Rex's responsibility as anyones. He has to see where the blitz is coming from and adjust accordingly so that he's not getting drilled in the middle of his drop by an unblocked blitzer.

[BigSlick]

My "scouting report" on the Bears:

 

The Bears are basically a fantastically inconsistent team. They have the ability to play like the best team in the league at any given moment, but they also have the ability to implode at any time (see: Third quarter yesterday).

 

Defense:

Losing Harris and Brown has really stretched the defense thin, forcing the Bears to blitz to put pressure on the QB, and forcing a rookie safety into the lineup. Blitzing from the LBs opens up the middle of the field for 5-15 yard passes, and Danieal Manning tends to count on his speed too much to catch up, giving a large cushion to throw to.

 

To improve, Manning needs to react better and guess less, so that he's on the receiver much quicker, either breaking up the pass or being there right away for the tackle, giving the receiver less chance for YAC (something Tillman and Vasher are generally very good at).

 

The line has been getting almost no pressure for weeks now, and I think the Bears are overcompensating by blitzing too much, allowing open routes and opening larger holes in the defensive backfield. The best the Bears did defensively yesterday was when they simply sent the front four in to rush, keeping the LBs back to react to runs or short passes. Urlacher and Briggs played very well yesterday to keep the Seahawks offense honest.

 

Offense:

Rex is both a boon and a liability. He always wants to make something happen out of nothing, and that was the main reason for the fumble. He generally had a good game yesterday, other than 2 passes about 6 inches behind where they needed to be, 1 to Berrian that would've been a TD, and one to Muhammad that led to the fluke INT.

 

Rushing, Jones always waits for a hole, even if there is none, and Benson generally just charges ahead right away. Benson's approach has been working better lately, but the run blocking was pretty good yesterday regardless.

 

Pass protection was OK, but blitz recognition was abysmal. Sure, rattling Rex with pressure will make him force things, but there was an unblocked rusher on about 75% of the blitzes, and there were blockers just standing around waiting for something to happen. Either Rex needs to recognize what's going on quicker, or the blockers have to recognize everyone that comes on the blitz.

 

That is as much Rex's responsibility as anyones. He has to see where the blitz is coming from and adjust accordingly so that he's not getting drilled in the middle of his drop by an unblocked blitzer.

 

Theres a difference between knowing where the pressure is coming from and doing what is needed of the situation...and completely letting rushers go free.

 

See...one results in the other. If it wasn't for the O-line completley losing its head on those 3-4 set rushes, Grossman wouldn't have to make those tough choices.

[Banedon]

The Bears lacked patience, tried to make big plays that weren't there. They were out of position, and at times, it was more of the same Sunday.

 

"The players pressed," defensive coordinator Ron Rivera said. "It's coming back to being disciplined, playing the scheme, playing within the framework of what we're trying to do."

 

This has me hopeful that the Bears can get back to being disciplined and play better...but I don't know. If they were going to be able to do that, you'd have thought it would happen during the bye week.

[goonys evil twin]

The Bears lacked patience, tried to make big plays that weren't there. They were out of position, and at times, it was more of the same Sunday.

 

"The players pressed," defensive coordinator Ron Rivera said. "It's coming back to being disciplined, playing the scheme, playing within the framework of what we're trying to do."

 

This has me hopeful that the Bears can get back to being disciplined and play better...but I don't know. If they were going to be able to do that, you'd have thought it would happen during the bye week.

 

I wouldn't be so sure. An off week leading up to your first playoff game is exactly the type of atmosphere that would breed going beyond the scheme and being undisciplined. They were obviously going to be jacked up for that game, and playing with a lot of emotion. That's how you "get out of your lanes" so to speak. I think this one win was a huge load off their shoulders.

[David]

The Bears lacked patience, tried to make big plays that weren't there. They were out of position, and at times, it was more of the same Sunday.

 

"The players pressed," defensive coordinator Ron Rivera said. "It's coming back to being disciplined, playing the scheme, playing within the framework of what we're trying to do."

 

This has me hopeful that the Bears can get back to being disciplined and play better...but I don't know. If they were going to be able to do that, you'd have thought it would happen during the bye week.

 

I wouldn't be so sure. An off week leading up to your first playoff game is exactly the type of atmosphere that would breed going beyond the scheme and being undisciplined. They were obviously going to be jacked up for that game, and playing with a lot of emotion. That's how you "get out of your lanes" so to speak. I think this one win was a huge load off their shoulders.

 

Plus, the defense did tighten up toward the end of the game. Also played well on all the 3rd and shorts. So that's something to build on, I guess.

 

The run defense needs to play better, though. I think the Bears can contain Bush with their speed much in the same way they've held Mike Vick under control.

 

Deuce worries me a lot more because he seems to be a more physical guy. The play where he and his line just carried the pile against Philly for the TD stands out in my mind. These are the type of RB's we tend to struggle more with.

[CP_414]

I think it's funny I keep hearing and reading the Bears are in trouble this week because they have not been that good since early in the season, but we hear nothing about the Siants going 5-5 in their last 10 regular season games. People say the Bears schedule was weak, but both the Bears and Saints played 4 games against playoff teams and both the Bears and Saints won 3 of 4.

[Soul]

The Bears lacked patience, tried to make big plays that weren't there. They were out of position, and at times, it was more of the same Sunday.

 

"The players pressed," defensive coordinator Ron Rivera said. "It's coming back to being disciplined, playing the scheme, playing within the framework of what we're trying to do."

 

This has me hopeful that the Bears can get back to being disciplined and play better...but I don't know. If they were going to be able to do that, you'd have thought it would happen during the bye week.

 

I wouldn't be so sure. An off week leading up to your first playoff game is exactly the type of atmosphere that would breed going beyond the scheme and being undisciplined. They were obviously going to be jacked up for that game, and playing with a lot of emotion. That's how you "get out of your lanes" so to speak. I think this one win was a huge load off their shoulders.

 

Plus, the defense did tighten up toward the end of the game. Also played well on all the 3rd and shorts. So that's something to build on, I guess.

 

The run defense needs to play better, though. I think the Bears can contain Bush with their speed much in the same way they've held Mike Vick under control.

 

Deuce worries me a lot more because he seems to be a more physical guy. The play where he and his line just carried the pile against Philly for the TD stands out in my mind. These are the type of RB's we tend to struggle more with.

 

True, but IMO he's not more physical than Alexander. Physical, but not MVP physical like Shaun.

 

For me it's the combo of Deuce, Bush, and Brees. Can't focus on anything. You can get beat all over the field.

 

I expect the Bears D to play straight-up to limit the gaping holes that blitzing and stunting would cause. And that worries me---because straight-up D will leave us with little QB pressure.

[Soriano12]

This is really how I think the Bears need to attack the Saints. Shadow Tillman on Colston the entire game. He will match up well. Then throw everything you have to stop the run game.

 

Try and make Brees beat you with passes to the other receivers. What is Joe Horn's status for this game?

[DivineBovine]

 

 

By the way, every time Robbie Gould makes a kick I get more and more pissed off. Not because I hate the Bears or anything, but because he sucked when he was at Penn State. And I blame the PSU coaching staff for that (since they inexplicably refuse to hire a special teams coach).

 

Just curious cuz I know nothing of Gould, but if he sucked how did he get to the NFL?

 

Basically, because the Bears needed something after Doug Brien didn't work out at all last year. Gould was essentially hammering nails last year.

 

 

Gould is such a money kicker. His ball is so straight and accurate. I wish he'd pound it into the endzone more on kickoffs, but I'll take a money field goal kicker over a strong legged kickoff guy any time. Perhaps that's why he didn't attract more attention in the NFL. His leg strength. It might be wise to invest in a long kicker at some point, though. Because I think Gould costs us some field position at times. But I hate to complain about him at all. I'll shut up about him.

[Soul]

 

 

By the way, every time Robbie Gould makes a kick I get more and more pissed off. Not because I hate the Bears or anything, but because he sucked when he was at Penn State. And I blame the PSU coaching staff for that (since they inexplicably refuse to hire a special teams coach).

 

Just curious cuz I know nothing of Gould, but if he sucked how did he get to the NFL?

 

Basically, because the Bears needed something after Doug Brien didn't work out at all last year. Gould was essentially hammering nails last year.

 

 

Gould is such a money kicker. His ball is so straight and accurate. I wish he'd pound it into the endzone more on kickoffs, but I'll take a money field goal kicker over a strong legged kickoff guy any time. Perhaps that's why he didn't attract more attention in the NFL. His leg strength. It might be wise to invest in a long kicker at some point, though. Because I think Gould costs us some field position at times. But I hate to complain about him at all. I'll shut up about him.

 

I'm not so sure his distance is all that bad. What's the league average on kickoff depth? All I know is, Gould's kicks regularly land inside the 5, and that's a heck of lot better than Edinger's.

 

It's so gratifying to attend training camp, be blown away at a guy like Gould who *obviously* showed several notches of improvement, and then see it carry all the way through the season to a playoff game-winning kick.

 

It all started in Bourbonnais. =D>

[Banedon]

Some interesting stats that don't bode well for the Colts or Saints...

 

http://community.foxsports.com/blogs/footballoutsiders/2007/01/15/Why_history_points_to_a_BearsPatriots_Super_Bowl

[Balsa]

Good lord, are football people that much more against the use of statistics than baseball people? Some of those comments are absurd.

[Banedon]

Good lord, are football people that much more against the use of statistics than baseball people? Some of those comments are absurd.

 

My favorite:

 

Dude, Aaron, are you still trying to make arguments and predictions for this season based off past statistics? Have you people (media, "experts") not learned your lesson already? The Colts have repeatedly defied the odds this postseason. You can take your Pythagorean argument and shove it where the sun don't shine for all I care - we're sick of hearing about statistics and have phoney people like you make predictions and then sounding like fools trying to backpeddal and make excuses for why you were wrong. Just watch, the Colts will defy your statistics once again, what will you say then?

 

I know past performance isn't as indicative of future performance in football as much as baseball, but it was just an analysis...sheesh.

[jaydee]

Deuce is good, but he isn't nearly as good as Alexander was yesterday. Yesterday was pretty close to the MVP Alexander, and neither Bush or Deuce are as good as him.

[CDBears1259]

I'm listening to a local sports radio guys here in BR and I heard him compare Grossman to Aaron Brooks. These morons are completely discounting the Bears. I used to be a Saints fan when I was much younger until I realized what kind of franchise they were destined to be. I never wanted to see this happen, but listening to the locals, I'm hoping that the Bears thoroughly destroy the Saints. I think the Bears win, but I want to stomp the Saints now.

[soccer10k]

Once again it will come down to Rex Grossman. If he has another game like he did against Seattle, the Bears will have a very good chance to win the game.

[soccer10k]

Bleh.

 

EDITED by me.

Edited January 16, 2007 by soccer10k

[OleMissCub]

Deuce is good, but he isn't nearly as good as Alexander was yesterday. Yesterday was pretty close to the MVP Alexander, and neither Bush or Deuce are as good as him.

 

How was yesterday close to the MVP Alexander? He had 108 yards on 26 rushes with 2 touchdowns and one reception. Deuce had 143 yards on 21 carries with a touchdown, plus 4 receptions with a touchdown. Add onto that Bush who had 55 rushing yards with a touchdown and 3 receptions.

 

If I was a team I'd rather face one one-dimensional superstar who missed most of the season than two two-dimensional stars who've both had stellar full seasons.

[Chocolate Milk]

Also, should those of us who will be rooting for the Saints start our own thread so we're not verbally attacked in this one if the Bears are losing? This also goes for any potential celebrating if the Saints are winning since I'm sure none of you Bears fans want to read things like that.

 

:roll:

[soccer10k]

Also, should those of us who will be rooting for the Saints start our own thread so we're not verbally attacked in this one if the Bears are losing? This also goes for any potential celebrating if the Saints are winning since I'm sure none of you Bears fans want to read things like that.

 

:roll:

 

At least I said IF the Bears are losing.

[BigSlick]

Also, should those of us who will be rooting for the Saints start our own thread so we're not verbally attacked in this one if the Bears are losing? This also goes for any potential celebrating if the Saints are winning since I'm sure none of you Bears fans want to read things like that.

 

Why do you have to act so smug?