Re: Week 6 - Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons, 7:20 PM NBC

[Wilson A2000]

Yeah, the blitzing is bad. The LBs crowd the line. Either they both blitz or they both don't. The OL either blocks the guy in front of them or they don't. The back picks up the extra guy or if nobody comes, goes out on a route. It's not that hard to figure out. I do like the nickel, corner and safety blitzes, even though those aren't all that creative either. What I would like to see is more zone blitzing, especially with Anderson at DE and/or Idonije at DT. They are athletic enough to be factors dropping back in coverage with more speed coming off the edge.

 

The 2nd half this week, the pressure the DL has been getting all year, and the fact the Bears are playing the Falcons SHOULD mean that we see far less of the dull blitzes. With All-Pro talent at WR, TE, and QB; the Bears are less likely to leave their defenders 1-on-1.

 

This is going to be the toughest test for the D all year. Strong OL. Good QB. Good run game. Size and speed at WR. Tough matchup at TE. GB and Pitt had questionable OL and run games when the Bears faced them. Seattle didn't have a good TE or as good of a QB. Detroit only had the WR. And a QB that played pretty well.

 

Good thing that the Falcons only have one defensive playmaker in John Abraham. I think this game is going to be a shootout.

[Vanilla Ice]

Lofton is pretty good. But yea, Falcons defense is awful.

[rawaction]

It's hard for me to imagine a true shootout in this game. Falcons haven't exactly been a well oiled machine so far, and don't figure to get there in SF this weekend. Despite not turning the ball over much, ATL hasn't been on the field as much as they would like offensively. They haven't had any big plays with only 2 plays over 25 yards, though they have played 2 tough defenses in 3 games.

 

Plus, I think both teams are going to try to establish the run a lot. They are 25th and 26th in that area so far this year. That should slow down the scoring some.

 

I think the game will see both teams in the 20s, but I wouldn't expect either in the 30s.

[Soul]

OK, I can buy your reasoning on that. I just have to wonder, if neither team establishes the run in this game, which one turns to the pass first? I suspect it would be the Bears. It's been our M.O. so far.

[Tyrant]

Yeah, I don't know what it is, but man the Bears are bad at blitzing. They seemingly run into the lineman on purpose, I guess hoping that this will create a free blitzer but it never seems to. I've always felt that on a blitz, unless you have an overload all the rushers should be shooting through gaps and forcing the linemen out of position, opening holes.

 

How is it that we all see this and the Bear's coaching staff doesn't?

 

Because you all probably know more about football than they do.

[Guest]

OK, I can buy your reasoning on that. I just have to wonder, if neither team establishes the run in this game, which one turns to the pass first? I suspect it would be the Bears. It's been our M.O. so far.

 

Bears in a landslide. They haven't even attempted to establish the run. I guess that's endorsement enough as to how bad our run blocking line is in that the coaching staff won't even try to establish the run. A coaching staff and organization that has always bled smash mouth, in your face, clock gobbling run game.

 

Luckily, Cutler has enough weapons through the air on offense to make up for the lack of ground game. However, hardly ever running the ball does make the running game a bit stronger in that the defense isn't expecting the run. And Forte proved that if you can get through the first wave of defenders, he can match any linebacker and quite a few db's in a foot race.

[Banedon]

OK, I can buy your reasoning on that. I just have to wonder, if neither team establishes the run in this game, which one turns to the pass first? I suspect it would be the Bears. It's been our M.O. so far.

 

Bears in a landslide. They haven't even attempted to establish the run. I guess that's endorsement enough as to how bad our run blocking line is in that the coaching staff won't even try to establish the run. A coaching staff and organization that has always bled smash mouth, in your face, clock gobbling run game.

 

Luckily, Cutler has enough weapons through the air on offense to make up for the lack of ground game. However, hardly ever running the ball does make the running game a bit stronger in that the defense isn't expecting the run. And Forte proved that if you can get through the first wave of defenders, he can match any linebacker and quite a few db's in a foot race.

 

I think it has more to do with Cutler than bad run blocking. I think Turner is pass enamored. If you're gonna be pass happy though, like Brad Biggs was saying on the radio this morning, you really have to start drawing up some big plays for some of these WR's. So far we've had what...one long pass, and that really was a short pass with a nice Hester run for a TD. If you believe Hester is really a number 1, and you believe that Knox is an up and comer, start watching how other teams are getting their receivers open, and get some packages designed specifically to do that.

[jersey cubs fan]

What I would like to see is more zone blitzing, especially with Anderson at DE and/or Idonije at DT. They are athletic enough to be factors dropping back in coverage with more speed coming off the edge.

 

I'd like to see that, but I don't think they have the personel. I don't think either of those guys would be effective at all dropping back.

[jersey cubs fan]

OK, I can buy your reasoning on that. I just have to wonder, if neither team establishes the run in this game, which one turns to the pass first? I suspect it would be the Bears. It's been our M.O. so far.

 

Bears in a landslide. They haven't even attempted to establish the run. I guess that's endorsement enough as to how bad our run blocking line is in that the coaching staff won't even try to establish the run. A coaching staff and organization that has always bled smash mouth, in your face, clock gobbling run game.

 

Luckily, Cutler has enough weapons through the air on offense to make up for the lack of ground game. However, hardly ever running the ball does make the running game a bit stronger in that the defense isn't expecting the run. And Forte proved that if you can get through the first wave of defenders, he can match any linebacker and quite a few db's in a foot race.

 

I think it has more to do with Cutler than bad run blocking. I think Turner is pass enamored. If you're gonna be pass happy though, like Brad Biggs was saying on the radio this morning, you really have to start drawing up some big plays for some of these WR's. So far we've had what...one long pass, and that really was a short pass with a nice Hester run for a TD. If you believe Hester is really a number 1, and you believe that Knox is an up and comer, start watching how other teams are getting their receivers open, and get some packages designed specifically to do that.

 

I don't necessariliy agree with that. This isn't the Colts. The Bears are closer to what Philly has been, using the short passing game as a substitute for running. It keeps completion % high, keeps the clock running and moves the chains. They've tried to go deep, but haven't had great opportunities. And while their receivers have some talent, none of them are capable of getting themselves open deep even when the defense is covering it.

 

And can you really say clock gobbling on here?

[Guest]

And can you really say clock gobbling on here?

 

Haha.

 

I guess I can see where Turner might have the inspiration to use the pass more with a QB he can trust to make good decisions and actually make the plays happen. What's weird though is Rex Grossman certainly sent the ball 20+ yards down the field more often than Cutler has been so far. Is it because Berrian could get open better than Hester and Knox?

 

Or does Turner feel that Hester and Knox have better potential after the catch over running deep patterns and catching the ball over their shoulders?

 

There has only been one lengthy connection and that was to Knox in game 1. Everything else has been possession type throws. Maybe Lovie is open to a more pass friendly attack as long as they are passes that they don't create turnovers. Sort of a smash mouth, in your face, clock gobbling short passing game.

[jersey cubs fan]

And can you really say clock gobbling on here?

 

Haha.

 

I guess I can see where Turner might have the inspiration to use the pass more with a QB he can trust to make good decisions and actually make the plays happen. What's weird though is Rex Grossman certainly sent the ball 20+ yards down the field more often than Cutler has been so far. Is it because Berrian could get open better than Hester and Knox?

 

Or does Turner feel that Hester and Knox have better potential after the catch over running deep patterns and catching the ball over their shoulders?

 

There has only been one lengthy connection and that was to Knox in game 1. Everything else has been possession type throws. Maybe Lovie is open to a more pass friendly attack as long as they are passes that they don't create turnovers. Sort of a smash mouth, in your face, clock gobbling short passing game.

 

Bennet caught some passes that were somewhat lengthy. I think a lot of it has to do with the lack of pass blocking. They aren't going to the really deep drop because they are old on the left side and inexperienced on the right. They don't really have the time to prepare for those big 40+ yards in the air throws. But they are fine with the intermediate stuff, and that is where your bread is buttered.

[Guest]

I really like what I've seen out of Bennett so far. Does anyone have his percentages of balls caught that have been thrown his way?

[Banedon]

http://i34.tinypic.com/34grbwh.gif

[Tyrant]

http://i34.tinypic.com/34grbwh.gif

 

This is like posting a video of Scarlett Johannson stripping and stopping it just before the bra comes off.

 

EDIT: The actual touchdown dive wasn't loading for me, but it is now.

Edited October 7, 2009 by Tyrant

[Soul]

http://i34.tinypic.com/34grbwh.gif

 

This is like posting a video of Scarlett Johannson stripping and stopping it just before the bra comes off.

 

One of the hilarious things about that play was that afterwards, Brennaman was saying "they haven't called a TD yet, waiting for the signal..."

 

I'm like....ummmmm are you blind?

[wekse]

well, to be fair, you can barely tell his ENTIRE body lands inside the pylon.

[Banedon]

Rookie Johnny Knox was named the NFC special teams player of the week following his 102-yard touchdown return against the Lions. He leads the league with an average return of 35.8 yards.

[SpongeWorthy]

Dave Toub is one hell of an outstanding special teams coach, no doubt.

[Keener98]

well, to be fair, you can barely tell his ENTIRE body lands inside the pylon.

 

And to be fair, the ref standing there 3 feet from where Cutler landed, immediately raised his arms for a TD, so I can see the confusion.....

[Banedon]

Dave Toub is one hell of an outstanding special teams coach, no doubt.

 

Yeah...as good as Hester was...you have to think Toub had a lot to do with the 06 season.

[SpongeWorthy]

Dave Toub is one hell of an outstanding special teams coach, no doubt.

 

Yeah...as good as Hester was...you have to think Toub had a lot to do with the 06 season.

 

Manning led the league in yards per return last year and Knox is doing the same thing so far this season. He's definitely doing something right. The Bears have generally been excellent in all areas of special teams too including punt and kick coverage so I think he has to get a lot of credit. I've been critical of Maynard but the numbers disagree with me.

[Banedon]

Dave Toub is one hell of an outstanding special teams coach, no doubt.

 

Yeah...as good as Hester was...you have to think Toub had a lot to do with the 06 season.

 

Manning led the league in yards per return last year and Knox is doing the same thing so far this season. He's definitely doing something right. The Bears have generally been excellent in all areas of special teams too including punt and kick coverage so I think he has to get a lot of credit. I've been critical of Maynard but the numbers disagree with me.

 

Why critical of Maynard? He's only really had the one bad punt that I can think of (the shank against Seattle).

[jersey cubs fan]

Dave Toub is one hell of an outstanding special teams coach, no doubt.

 

Yeah...as good as Hester was...you have to think Toub had a lot to do with the 06 season.

 

Manning led the league in yards per return last year and Knox is doing the same thing so far this season. He's definitely doing something right. The Bears have generally been excellent in all areas of special teams too including punt and kick coverage so I think he has to get a lot of credit. I've been critical of Maynard but the numbers disagree with me.

 

Why critical of Maynard? He's only really had the one bad punt that I can think of (the shank against Seattle).

 

I thought he was bad a couple years ago, but he's generally been a really good punter.

[SpongeWorthy]

I remember early to mid season last year I was constantly whining about Maynard. I think it was just a bit of a slump though.

[jersey cubs fan]

I remember early to mid season last year I was constantly whining about Maynard. I think it was just a bit of a slump though.

 

As a directional kicker and not a big boomer, he probably has a small margin of error between great kicks and shanks.