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

[Banedon]

This game sort of destroyed my confidence that Forte is more than a slightly above average NFL starting running back.

It all starts with the OL and until they get that fixed Forte's going to continue to struggle.

 

The OL isn't very good, but some of it is on Forte. He is very tentative hitting the hole now. He has been popped quite a bit this year, and I think he is a little gunshy. What happened to his ability to slip tackles? What happened to his cutback? Hell, he can't even hold onto the ball anymore, with 3-4 fumbles this year.

 

Yeah, Forte hasn't been good. I'm really concerned about the running game. We're awfully far into the season to be saying that "it will come along".

[Soul]

Small sample size, but Wolfe actually looked less tentative, and more effective even, than Forte -- and it was the same OLine.

 

I do think Forte must share some of the blame. But I'm really sick of seeing Kreutz and Omiyale blown 3 yards into their own backfield on running plays.

 

Frank Omiyale's not working out. I don't understand why we wouldn't put Beekman in there at this point. I guess it's too disruptive or something to switch Kreutz out, but Beekman's already played there -- should be able to just plug him in.

 

Beyond that, this game was right there for us to win. I understand Atlanta did some good things, but when you have the number of mistakes that the Bears had you just aren't going to win on the road very often. Looking at the stats from the game, it was pretty decidedly slanted in the Bears favor.

 

The Bears handed this one away.

[sneakypower]

Jim Miller on Comcast Postgame Show, is advocating going to a New Orleans Saints type of offense. He is saying outside of Colston our WR's matchup with the Saints Wr's, and our TE's matchup with Shockey.

 

In terms of pure talent, who's to say our offense isn't as good? Orton and Benson sure look like pro bowlers outside of Ron Turner's horrific system. To me, the skill positions have talent. Adrian Peterson would've had a difficult time gaining yards today with the blocking, and Randy Moss couldn't have done much more than the receivers. It's easy to blame the offensive line, but what about the coach?

oh, come on. Orton didn't have a terrific receiving corps to throw to with the Bears and Benson didn't have a great run blocking OL. the Bears really aren't as talented as you think. truth be told, coaching might be a strong suit to this team. they beat the Steelers, who have a more talented player at damn near every position on the field.

[Derwood]

I didn't have the pleasure of following the game thread, but my general observation from this game was that once the Falcons started blitzing, the Bears offense looked like they were playing scared. Tentative play calling, indecisive routes/running, and poor decision making by Cutler.

[soapy]

This offensive line should be downright embarrassed by this team's complete inability to run the ball. It's been the same story all season, save for the Lions game. If I was Forte, I'd probably be tentative at this point too. He has to dodge people in the backfield on most of his carries.

 

The turnovers were a big problem last night, but the o-line has been a disaster all season and certainly didn't show any signs of improving their run blocking last night which I was hoping for coming off of a bye week.

[Keener98]

I said it last night, and I'll say it again today, Frank Omilaye better not be a member of the starting OLine vs the Bengals. He has done nothing since joining the Bears, and we ran the ball a hell of a lot better with Beekman in there last year. I know they paid Omilaye a lot of money, but he sucks, plain and simple.

[DivineBovine]

Jim Miller on Comcast Postgame Show, is advocating going to a New Orleans Saints type of offense. He is saying outside of Colston our WR's matchup with the Saints Wr's, and our TE's matchup with Shockey.

 

In terms of pure talent, who's to say our offense isn't as good? Orton and Benson sure look like pro bowlers outside of Ron Turner's horrific system. To me, the skill positions have talent. Adrian Peterson would've had a difficult time gaining yards today with the blocking, and Randy Moss couldn't have done much more than the receivers. It's easy to blame the offensive line, but what about the coach?

oh, come on. Orton didn't have a terrific receiving corps to throw to with the Bears and Benson didn't have a great run blocking OL. the Bears really aren't as talented as you think. truth be told, coaching might be a strong suit to this team. they beat the Steelers, who have a more talented player at damn near every position on the field.

 

There's only 1 way to find out. Fire the damn coach. This looks like the same Bears offense for the past 5 years. Terrible run blocking. Same short passes. Constant 3rd and 5's. Over and over again. The excuse used to be that the QB had no arm, or the QB was too reckless, or the offensive line couldn't block, the running back was too slow. How about the offensive coordinator can't design or call a damn play? Can't keep looking at the talent and saying its not there. The players have recycled over and over. The ass designing and calling the plays has remained the same. The same guy who has never been successful on any level in football.

[jersey cubs fan]

Damn, that sucked. I hate when they lose games they control.

[cubbyvirus00]

Jim Miller on Comcast Postgame Show, is advocating going to a New Orleans Saints type of offense. He is saying outside of Colston our WR's matchup with the Saints Wr's, and our TE's matchup with Shockey.

 

In terms of pure talent, who's to say our offense isn't as good? Orton and Benson sure look like pro bowlers outside of Ron Turner's horrific system. To me, the skill positions have talent. Adrian Peterson would've had a difficult time gaining yards today with the blocking, and Randy Moss couldn't have done much more than the receivers. It's easy to blame the offensive line, but what about the coach?

oh, come on. Orton didn't have a terrific receiving corps to throw to with the Bears and Benson didn't have a great run blocking OL. the Bears really aren't as talented as you think. truth be told, coaching might be a strong suit to this team. they beat the Steelers, who have a more talented player at damn near every position on the field.

 

There's only 1 way to find out. Fire the damn coach. This looks like the same Bears offense for the past 5 years. Terrible run blocking. Same short passes. Constant 3rd and 5's. Over and over again. The excuse used to be that the QB had no arm, or the QB was too reckless, or the offensive line couldn't block, the running back was too slow. How about the offensive coordinator can't design or call a damn play? Can't keep looking at the talent and saying its not there. The players have recycled over and over. The ass designing and calling the plays has remained the same. The same guy who has never been successful on any level in football.

 

 

 

This is accurate. The Turner idiot can't design a play that will net us 15-20 yards. He'll design checkdown's and 5 yard gains.

[cardinalsfan]

What happened to Lovie Smith? I see lot of hatred for Lovie on this board. I dont follow football much but I remember he was a damn fine Defensive Co-ordinator for the Rams. I know he is the head coach for Bears but is he also the defensive co-ordinator ?

[bukie]

Lovie calls the defensive plays. He's not an awful coach, for sure, but the results leave much to be desired from the playcalling front.

[Soul]

I said it last night, and I'll say it again today, Frank Omilaye better not be a member of the starting OLine vs the Bengals. He has done nothing since joining the Bears, and we ran the ball a hell of a lot better with Beekman in there last year. I know they paid Omilaye a lot of money, but he sucks, plain and simple.

 

Yeah, I view that as a change that can be made immediately, and *should* be made immediately.

 

Beekman must start against Cincy.

 

Not saying it's going to solve everything, but it should be done IMO.

[JonJayCutler]

Anyone have the latest on Pisa? I think its worth noting that besides Cutler, our offseason acquisitons have pretty much been busts to this point. Pisa can't stay healthy, while Pace and Omiyale are pretty much our two weakest linemen right now.

[Mark Priors Calves]

I think Pisa can still play with a bum knee. He could just lean to one side and he'll be fine.

[UMFan83]

I'm obviously obsessed with this play, but since I saw it again replayed, I decided to take a picture of it and post it online. I just can't believe any media organization has even question whether Hester could have scored on this play. I must be missing something obvious I guess.

 

Also, I have seen other angles of this play. The 3 Falcons that are closest to Hester are the only Falcons near him or past him on the field. If the picture was in motion, the Falcon to his left was actually running faster then him (if you could zoom up a few frames, you will see he almost gets equal to Hester, albeit at a bad angle to tackle him). The player to his right is running slower than him (Hester catches up to him with relatively the same distance between them a few frames after this). The player behind him is running slightly slower than Hester and is not an issue. Finally the player on the far right....the only potential doubt I have. He might end up with the angle to catch him, but even if so, it would be 30-40 yards farther down the field than where they are at right now. That's the best case scenario for him...the worst case is Hester proves he's the fastest man on the field and races for a game tying TD.

 

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/7729/photoowk.jpg

 

Edit: Since I keep talking about what's happening a few frames after, I took a picture as Hester is making his ill-advised cut. I couldn't get one just before but the defenders haven't had time to adjust yet so it's a good look at the progress he's made since the first photo

 

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/9585/photo2lx.jpg

 

Also, I just saw a replay of the 4th down play at the end and Cutler had Forte open in the flats which would have likely have gotten him a first down. Unfortunately, he didn't make his move until about 1/2 second before Cutler tried to force that pass to Clark.

[SpongeWorthy]

I want to vomit looking at those pictures.

 

Why the eff did you do that Devin?

[Banedon]

Watching it live, I presumed there was another player I wasn't able to see off screen downfield.

[UMFan83]

Watching it live, I presumed there was another player I wasn't able to see off screen downfield.

 

I thought so too, but one of their replays on the broadcast as from the Falcons endzone, allowing you to see all the way upfield. When they showed that angle, I specifically looked for players up field and only saw the ones in the above pictures.

[RedFlash]

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Bears could make changes to their offensive line after they were unable to run the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6. OG Josh Beekman could return to left guard and replace OG Frank Omiyale. The team could also turn to OT Kevin Shaffer at tackle.

[kujay]

I want to vomit looking at those pictures.

 

Why the eff did you do that Devin?

 

He's not smart. Seriously. He probably thought he needed to get out of bounds to save time.

[Keener98]

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Bears could make changes to their offensive line after they were unable to run the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6. OG Josh Beekman could return to left guard and replace OG Frank Omiyale. The team could also turn to OT Kevin Shaffer at tackle.

 

Screw the "could" and freaking do it!

[Guest]

Damn, UMFan. Pretty telling pictures. They had another chance at a TD on the batted pass too. And then the damn penalties. That final drive was so dumb.

 

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Bears could make changes to their offensive line after they were unable to run the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6. OG Josh Beekman could return to left guard and replace OG Frank Omiyale. The team could also turn to OT Kevin Shaffer at tackle.

 

Who would Shaffer be replacing? Better not be Williams.

[UMFan83]

I want to vomit looking at those pictures.

 

Why the eff did you do that Devin?

 

He's not smart. Seriously. He probably thought he needed to get out of bounds to save time.

 

Even Forrest Gump could figure out "catch the ball and run to the end zone"

[Keener98]

Damn, UMFan. Pretty telling pictures. They had another chance at a TD on the batted pass too. And then the damn penalties. That final drive was so dumb.

 

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Bears could make changes to their offensive line after they were unable to run the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6. OG Josh Beekman could return to left guard and replace OG Frank Omiyale. The team could also turn to OT Kevin Shaffer at tackle.

 

Who would Shaffer be replacing? Better not be Williams.

 

Ive got to imagine itd be Pace. Id be shocked if they gave up on Williams

[Soul]

Damn, UMFan. Pretty telling pictures. They had another chance at a TD on the batted pass too. And then the damn penalties. That final drive was so dumb.

 

Brad Biggs, of the Chicago Sun-Times, reports the Chicago Bears could make changes to their offensive line after they were unable to run the ball against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6. OG Josh Beekman could return to left guard and replace OG Frank Omiyale. The team could also turn to OT Kevin Shaffer at tackle.

 

Who would Shaffer be replacing? Better not be Williams.

 

Ive got to imagine itd be Pace. Id be shocked if they gave up on Williams

 

At least they're thinking about it. I want action though. By Sunday.