Super Bowl XLI: Bears vs. Colts, Sun 2/4, 5:30 pm CT

[CuseCubFan69]

Apart from the stupidity of everyone at ESPN picking the Saints to win last week, I just haven't seen this flat-out disrespecting.

 

It's definitely been going on all year, but personally I really don't care what people say. I actually like it that way.

 

The Bears will just need to remember on Super Bowl Sunday that no lead is safe when Peyton Manning is lining up behind center. Stick with what got us there and DO NOT TURN THE BALL OVER!

 

I don't think that's true. I think once Grossman started to struggle is when the critics started to come out.

 

It started after AZ, although there were seeds earlier (the weak schedule argument). But it really peaked after the Vikings game. The two NY games and the NE loss more or less cancelled things out as far as the media was concerned. But once Rex had a bad game against Minnesota, the national media pounced. People ignored Rex's really good games and decided that his bad games were the norm, and the best we could hope for was a Rex that didn't make too many mistakes (as opposed to the possibility that he could actually go something like 20/30 for 250 yards and 3 TDs 0 INTs).

 

A lot of Bears fans fell for this same storyline. For some reason, Grossman's ceiling lowered dramatically. Grossman isn't your typical "average" QB, who has a lot of average games. He's highly inconsistent (which obviously isn't good), but capable of greatness that most average QB's have no chance of achieving. But since his really high QB rating games and his really bad QB rating games averaged out to a relatively low rating, people label him as something he clearly is not.

 

But anyway, after Grossman crapped the bed against the Vikes, the tide really turned heavily. Prior to that game, lots of people rated the Bears in the top 3 in the league, after that game, they were regularly relegated to worse than whatever hot flavor of the week NFC team got top billing. By season's end, the #1 team in the NFC was rated behind at least 2 (Philly/NO) other teams in their league, and many people rated them behind Dallas.

 

I agree and many times I heard it was a battle for the AFC and the Bears hands down in the NFC up until Grossman struggled.

[cubweiser03]

Anyone with news on Nick Harper? Inserting Marlin in the starting lineup isnt such a bad thing for them. I'll guess he lines up against Moose. But it does hurt their depth on covering the slot reciever like Rasheed when the Bears go 3 wide. If the Bears get Bradley on Marlin a few times that should favor the Bears.

 

I was encouraged at the Bears pressure on Brees. The Saints had phenominal Sack/Pass Attempt stat. Not only did they get 3 sacks they forced at least 2 intentional groundings because of pressure. The Colts like the Saints are very solid against pressure. Because the Bears played so well against the Saints OL, im much more encouraged about that matchup than say 2-3 weeks ago.

[CubColtPacer]

Anyone with news on Nick Harper? Inserting Marlin in the starting lineup isnt such a bad thing for them. I'll guess he lines up against Moose. But it does hurt their depth on covering the slot reciever like Rasheed when the Bears go 3 wide. If the Bears get Bradley on Marlin a few times that should favor the Bears.

 

I was encouraged at the Bears pressure on Brees. The Saints had phenominal Sack/Pass Attempt stat. Not only did they get 3 sacks they forced at least 2 intentional groundings because of pressure. The Colts like the Saints are very solid against pressure. Because the Bears played so well against the Saints OL, im much more encouraged about that matchup than say 2-3 weeks ago.

 

I've heard nothing yet on which sprain it is-I'll post as soon as I know, because you're certainly right in that it could possibly make a very big difference in the game.

[Banedon]

An interesting stat:

 

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/scorecard/nflstandings.asp?stat=grass

 

Colts - Turf Record 10-1 Grass Record 2-3

Bears - Turf Record 5-1 Grass Record 8-2

[CubColtPacer]

An interesting stat:

 

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/scorecard/nflstandings.asp?stat=grass

 

Colts - Turf Record 10-1 Grass Record 2-3

Bears - Turf Record 5-1 Grass Record 8-2

 

It is interesting-of course, it's hard to differentiate homefield from grass-especially since the Colts only played 3 games on turf that were not their home field. Miami is also said to have the best grass field in the league, and with the SB that grass will be the most like turf that it ever is going to get.

[cubweiser03]

Judge rules Tank can travel to Miami and play in the Super Bowl.

[David]

Judge rules Tank can travel to Miami and play in the Super Bowl.

 

Welcome to 3 hours ago. :D

[BigSlick]

All I have to say about this game is....run, run, run, play action. And then run some more.

 

Also be careful blitzing Manning too much...he will make you pay.

 

fixed

 

What about Pittsburgh and San Diego last year? They blitzed him quite effectively.

 

If you can conceal the blitzes well, (Which we don't do) and if you can get pressure on him (which doesn't always happen with our blitzes) then there is nothing wrong with blitzing him.

 

In fact, we might have to end up blitzing him. If you cannot get pressure from the front 4, he'll pick your cover 2 apart. You can't sit in a zone against Manning.

[Banedon]

All I have to say about this game is....run, run, run, play action. And then run some more.

 

Also be careful blitzing Manning too much...he will make you pay.

 

fixed

 

What about Pittsburgh and San Diego last year? They blitzed him quite effectively.

 

If you can conceal the blitzes well, (Which we don't do) and if you can get pressure on him (which doesn't always happen with our blitzes) then there is nothing wrong with blitzing him.

 

In fact, we might have to end up blitzing him. If you cannot get pressure from the front 4, he'll pick your cover 2 apart. You can't sit in a zone against Manning.

 

I wasn't saying don't blitz him...just be careful how it's done...

[BigSlick]

All I have to say about this game is....run, run, run, play action. And then run some more.

 

Also be careful blitzing Manning too much...he will make you pay.

 

fixed

 

What about Pittsburgh and San Diego last year? They blitzed him quite effectively.

 

If you can conceal the blitzes well, (Which we don't do) and if you can get pressure on him (which doesn't always happen with our blitzes) then there is nothing wrong with blitzing him.

 

In fact, we might have to end up blitzing him. If you cannot get pressure from the front 4, he'll pick your cover 2 apart. You can't sit in a zone against Manning.

 

I wasn't saying don't blitz him...just be careful how it's done...

 

Very true, and it should be a last resort. With Tommie Harris, we wouldn't (hopefully) have to worry about blitzing as much.

 

Oh well. Gotta deal with injuries just like everybody else.

[CubColtPacer]

All I have to say about this game is....run, run, run, play action. And then run some more.

 

Also be careful blitzing Manning too much...he will make you pay.

 

fixed

 

What about Pittsburgh and San Diego last year? They blitzed him quite effectively.

 

If you can conceal the blitzes well, (Which we don't do) and if you can get pressure on him (which doesn't always happen with our blitzes) then there is nothing wrong with blitzing him.

 

In fact, we might have to end up blitzing him. If you cannot get pressure from the front 4, he'll pick your cover 2 apart. You can't sit in a zone against Manning.

 

Pittsburgh and San Diego are both 3-4 defenses. 3-4 defenses have confused the offensive line in the past (see also the Dallas game from this year). The offensive line has never had much of a problem picking up blitzes from even the best 4-3 teams. It's a big thing in Indy before every game-the inevitable question, are they a 4-3 or a 3-4? I'm not saying the offensive line is perfect, but how an offense blocks a 4-3 and a 3-4 is a little different, and all the defenses the Colts have ever had trouble against are 3-4's.

[Jon]

The media and whatever crap they write isn't important. Crediting being called underdogs and the disrespect that may have received from the media as having any significant motivating factor that can make a difference in the game is a huge disrespect to the talent that the Bears have.

[BigSlick]

All I have to say about this game is....run, run, run, play action. And then run some more.

 

Also be careful blitzing Manning too much...he will make you pay.

 

fixed

 

What about Pittsburgh and San Diego last year? They blitzed him quite effectively.

 

If you can conceal the blitzes well, (Which we don't do) and if you can get pressure on him (which doesn't always happen with our blitzes) then there is nothing wrong with blitzing him.

 

In fact, we might have to end up blitzing him. If you cannot get pressure from the front 4, he'll pick your cover 2 apart. You can't sit in a zone against Manning.

 

Pittsburgh and San Diego are both 3-4 defenses. 3-4 defenses have confused the offensive line in the past (see also the Dallas game from this year). The offensive line has never had much of a problem picking up blitzes from even the best 4-3 teams. It's a big thing in Indy before every game-the inevitable question, are they a 4-3 or a 3-4? I'm not saying the offensive line is perfect, but how an offense blocks a 4-3 and a 3-4 is a little different, and all the defenses the Colts have ever had trouble against are 3-4's.

 

This is very true. The problems that Peyton has had in the past have all come from teams that run 3-4 defenses. I'm very afraid he'll pick our defense apart.

 

Of course, I was afraid Drew Brees would, too. So we shall see, we shall see. We'll need another superhuman effort in this one.

[Andy]

Forgot to mention the 2003 Panthers against the Patriots as a team that received no chance from the media before the game. The line was -7 for that game as well and not one person I knew of gave us a chance.

 

I'm still going through the what-ifs from that game.

[CaliforniaRaisin]

The media and whatever crap they write isn't important. Crediting being called underdogs and the disrespect that may have received from the media as having any significant motivating factor that can make a difference in the game is a huge disrespect to the talent that the Bears have.

 

Certainly, but judging by Lovie, Urlacher and P-Nut's comments in the media, you can tell they relish proving everyone wrong.

[Banedon]

The media and whatever crap they write isn't important. Crediting being called underdogs and the disrespect that may have received from the media as having any significant motivating factor that can make a difference in the game is a huge disrespect to the talent that the Bears have.

 

Certainly, but judging by Lovie, Urlacher and P-Nut's comments in the media, you can tell they relish proving everyone wrong.

 

How is it disrespect? Clearly the Bears had no motivation in the Packers game, and it cost them. Clearly they had a huge amount of motivation last week, and it propelled them a lopsided win. Those are just a couple of examples, but I think the right movtivation can maximize talent output, or lack of motivation can minimize it. I don't think that disrespects the talent of the team.

[jaydee]

you can blitz manning quite well. Pressure does get to him, thats for sure

[YearofDaCubs]

All I have to say about this game is....run, run, run, play action. And then run some more.

 

Also be careful blitzing Manning too much...he will make you pay.

 

fixed

 

What about Pittsburgh and San Diego last year? They blitzed him quite effectively.

 

If you can conceal the blitzes well, (Which we don't do) and if you can get pressure on him (which doesn't always happen with our blitzes) then there is nothing wrong with blitzing him.

 

In fact, we might have to end up blitzing him. If you cannot get pressure from the front 4, he'll pick your cover 2 apart. You can't sit in a zone against Manning.

 

Pittsburgh and San Diego are both 3-4 defenses. 3-4 defenses have confused the offensive line in the past (see also the Dallas game from this year). The offensive line has never had much of a problem picking up blitzes from even the best 4-3 teams. It's a big thing in Indy before every game-the inevitable question, are they a 4-3 or a 3-4? I'm not saying the offensive line is perfect, but how an offense blocks a 4-3 and a 3-4 is a little different, and all the defenses the Colts have ever had trouble against are 3-4's.

 

This is very true. The problems that Peyton has had in the past have all come from teams that run 3-4 defenses. I'm very afraid he'll pick our defense apart.

 

Of course, I was afraid Drew Brees would, too. So we shall see, we shall see. We'll need another superhuman effort in this one.

Don't the Jags run a 4-3 defense? Manning had a hard time with them.

[YearofDaCubs]

The media and whatever crap they write isn't important. Crediting being called underdogs and the disrespect that may have received from the media as having any significant motivating factor that can make a difference in the game is a huge disrespect to the talent that the Bears have.

 

Certainly, but judging by Lovie, Urlacher and P-Nut's comments in the media, you can tell they relish proving everyone wrong.

Agreed. You can tell the players like that angle. If that gives them the best chance to win, so be it.

[CubColtPacer]

All I have to say about this game is....run, run, run, play action. And then run some more.

 

Also be careful blitzing Manning too much...he will make you pay.

 

fixed

 

What about Pittsburgh and San Diego last year? They blitzed him quite effectively.

 

If you can conceal the blitzes well, (Which we don't do) and if you can get pressure on him (which doesn't always happen with our blitzes) then there is nothing wrong with blitzing him.

 

In fact, we might have to end up blitzing him. If you cannot get pressure from the front 4, he'll pick your cover 2 apart. You can't sit in a zone against Manning.

 

Pittsburgh and San Diego are both 3-4 defenses. 3-4 defenses have confused the offensive line in the past (see also the Dallas game from this year). The offensive line has never had much of a problem picking up blitzes from even the best 4-3 teams. It's a big thing in Indy before every game-the inevitable question, are they a 4-3 or a 3-4? I'm not saying the offensive line is perfect, but how an offense blocks a 4-3 and a 3-4 is a little different, and all the defenses the Colts have ever had trouble against are 3-4's.

 

This is very true. The problems that Peyton has had in the past have all come from teams that run 3-4 defenses. I'm very afraid he'll pick our defense apart.

 

Of course, I was afraid Drew Brees would, too. So we shall see, we shall see. We'll need another superhuman effort in this one.

Don't the Jags run a 4-3 defense? Manning had a hard time with them.

 

Jacksonville tends to run a 3-3-5 against the Colts, but that is probably a pretty good comparison to the Bears (when Jax is totally healthy). They tackle well, and they stop the run well. Manning's never had a problem with pressure against them, it's always been about finding receivers-and the game at Jax his receivers dropped I think 8 passes that day.

[CubColtPacer]

you can blitz manning quite well. Pressure does get to him, thats for sure

 

Manning's actually one of the better QB's in the league under pressure due to his quick release and timing. Of course if you can consistently pressure him, it's going to be a much harder day for him, just like it will be for every QB. One thing that Manning has done a lot better this year though is throw on the run. Two great examples of this were the NYG and NE regular season games. Both teams had Manning running a decent amount (especially since the running attack hadn't fully gelled then) and Manning was making much better passes while on the move then ever before.

 

I still do agree though on bringing pressure against Manning. At least you have a chance at flustering him then-sit back in the zone, and the Colts will play ball control up and down the field.

[soccer10k]

The problem is, most non-Bears fans buy into the same media garbage and don't recognize the crap they're being spoon-fed. They've seen one or two national games and have made their conclusions about the Bears already.

 

I don't think that's true at all, especially on this board, where fans tend to be more informed than the average fan. From what I've seen, the Bears have the best defense in the league, but a below-average quarterback and an offensive line that isn't always good enough to keep pressure off him - which is when he really struggles.

 

I think the Colts will win because I think they're a bad matchup for the Bears - they're the best passing team in the league, and that's where the Bears can be beat.

 

I hope for the Bears' sake that they don't buy into the "let's just run the ball all game like Jacksonville did" bull. This isn't 1994-95 Nebraska versus Baylor, these are two really good NFL teams playing in the Super Bowl. I'd like for the Super Bowl to be competitive, especially since I won't be able to watch until the second half.

 

Actually, New Orleans was the best passing team in the league, and it didn't help them much.

 

I think the weather will be a little different in Florida then it was in Chicago though.

 

Colts had a higher completion percentage, more touchdown passes, fewer interceptions and were sacked less. They played in a tougher conference and most teams specifically had game plans to try to make Indy run the ball.

[Chris]

What's up with the troll avatars?

[Soul]

you can blitz manning quite well. Pressure does get to him, thats for sure

 

Manning's actually one of the better QB's in the league under pressure due to his quick release and timing. Of course if you can consistently pressure him, it's going to be a much harder day for him, just like it will be for every QB. One thing that Manning has done a lot better this year though is throw on the run. Two great examples of this were the NYG and NE regular season games. Both teams had Manning running a decent amount (especially since the running attack hadn't fully gelled then) and Manning was making much better passes while on the move then ever before.

 

I still do agree though on bringing pressure against Manning. At least you have a chance at flustering him then-sit back in the zone, and the Colts will play ball control up and down the field.

 

Yeah they can't just sit back and let Peyton tear them to shreds. I think the only option is to dial up a few blitzes and hope he doesn't find too many open receivers streaking down the field.

 

It's going to be rough, no question. I do fear the Colts just whooping up on us---I think every team that faces Indy fears that.

[soccer10k]

What's up with the troll avatars?

 

1. It's a sad troll.

 

2. I put mine up as a joke (much like Treeman's USA sig) last night - the reason I was sending you the PM's - and when I woke up this morning, Truffle had it as well. I can't speak for him as to why he decided to use it as well.