Bears 2010 preseason thread

[cubbyvirus00]

Now that I'm watching the replay of this game, I'm not as negative about it. The o-line looked average, the offense wasted a redzone chance with trick plays (which is completely fine to do in the preseason). The front 7 look solid on defense, so I'm thinking the secondary is the main problem.

 

Problems by ranking:

 

1) Secondary

2) O-line

3) Lovie Smith

4) Recievers.

 

My biggest issue is was pass protection. I don't know how the O-line looked ok when Cutler was sacked 4 more times, another time the pressure forced a fumble, and Cutler threw 2 INTs which I'd have to watch again but would think at least some of that was getting rid of the ball under pressure. The Bears can move the ball...they did last year a lot. But with no pass protection and a QB like Cutler that tends to throw a couple of dumbfounding passes per game, way too many possessions end in an INT, lost fumble or a couple of sacks making it a long 3rd down conversion. I don't think the Bears running game and WRs are good enough to overcome multiple turnovers per game by the QB.

 

It's just really frustrating because the Bears have tried everything, signing potentially undervalued FA Olinemen, hiring one of the better oline coaches in the game, etc to improve the line. But the one thing they haven't done was commit the offseason to building the O-line which to me is the most important thing to have. Instead they decided to go with what they had in house which was awful last year, and move them around to their more natural positions and hoped that this and Tice were gonna make the Bears O-line average...I say average because I don't even think Angelo was dumb enough to think that what he built was good enough to build an above average O-line. Oh and he put even more pressure on this O-line when he hired Martz who relies on 5 step drops and perfect timing to make his offense work. You can't do that with an offensive line that is going to leave the QB scrambling multiple times per drive.

 

 

I see what you saw, but I chalk up at least half of what happened to the preseason. I dont think they'll win 12 games, but I think that they will compete.

[rawaction]

Now that I'm watching the replay of this game, I'm not as negative about it. The o-line looked average, the offense wasted a redzone chance with trick plays (which is completely fine to do in the preseason). The front 7 look solid on defense, so I'm thinking the secondary is the main problem.

 

Problems by ranking:

 

1) Secondary

2) O-line

3) Lovie Smith

4) Recievers.

 

My biggest issue is was pass protection. I don't know how the O-line looked ok when Cutler was sacked 4 more times, another time the pressure forced a fumble, and Cutler threw 2 INTs which I'd have to watch again but would think at least some of that was getting rid of the ball under pressure. The Bears can move the ball...they did last year a lot. But with no pass protection and a QB like Cutler that tends to throw a couple of dumbfounding passes per game, way too many possessions end in an INT, lost fumble or a couple of sacks making it a long 3rd down conversion. I don't think the Bears running game and WRs are good enough to overcome multiple turnovers per game by the QB.

 

It's just really frustrating because the Bears have tried everything, signing potentially undervalued FA Olinemen, hiring one of the better oline coaches in the game, etc to improve the line. But the one thing they haven't done was commit the offseason to building the O-line which to me is the most important thing to have. Instead they decided to go with what they had in house which was awful last year, and move them around to their more natural positions and hoped that this and Tice were gonna make the Bears O-line average...I say average because I don't even think Angelo was dumb enough to think that what he built was good enough to build an above average O-line. Oh and he put even more pressure on this O-line when he hired Martz who relies on 5 step drops and perfect timing to make his offense work. You can't do that with an offensive line that is going to leave the QB scrambling multiple times per drive.

 

Cutler had happy feet all game. He played to pressure that wasn't there. Three of the 4 sacks were on Cutler. First one, he just fell down behind the line of scrimmage after having nowhere to throw. Second one, he ran outside the pocket and didn't get rid of it. Third one, was Chris Williams getting beat. Fourth, he ran outside the pocket and wasn't even pressured. Both INTs were bad throws or miscommunications with the WR, and came with no pressure on him. Only the Campbell sack vs. Williams was the only time Cutler had pressure right as he made his drop. The pass blocking was OK. The run blocking was poor though.

 

I also am not as down as I was after watching the replay. I know it's not much, but the Bears have put together FOUR 50+ yard drives with the #1 offense in 15 possessions. And that doesn't include the Forte run or other TD the Bears got on a short field (TD to Knox). Granted, 10 sacks and 2 INTs on 15 possessions is not good either. But I contribute 4 of those sacks to coverage/Cutler.

 

Right now, I'm just as concerned about the defense. They have played the best 1st and 2nd down defense in the history of football this preseason. But 3rd down continues to be a travesty. What makes it so bad is it's not the lack of pass rush, because they have been getting pressure. It's blown coverages, it's soft corners, it's poor tackling, it's losing contain. Makes it worse is that Urlacher, Briggs, and Roach have all been injured in the last 8 days. Major Wright is probably the best coverage safety and he's been hurt. Even when this team gets everyone back, they still haven't played together very much this year.

[Magnetic Curses]

i prefer to think of the 2010 bears as a movie, they start off terrible, not gelling, infighting and losing faith in themselves and then, there's a cathartic moment when chris williams, lance louis, and frank omiyale rescue a dozen kittens from a burning building where they also discover a ring of power hidden for centuries within a broken floorboard while crouching to avoid the noxious fumes of the fire. the line instantly bonds and goes on to kick ass all the way to the super bowl, but they lose the ring just before the game. they get destroyed for the first half and quickly descend into a maelstrom of primal fighting in the locker room. jay cutler, on crutches after breaking his leg on the first play of the game, ends the fighting by giving a rousing speech about how the ring of power was just some carnival consolation prize from a ball-toss game and that their ring of power was actually their sense of love for their fellow teammates and the city of chicago. todd collins ends up throwing 5 touchdowns in the second half, leading them to victory, winning the sb mvp and giving the disneyworld soundbite while sean astin is carried off the field.

 

the movie ends with the epilogue about sean astin being the first person carried off the field since ditka and ryan, and a part about lovie smith and jerry angelo being indicted for fraud in australia, where they will spend the rest of their natural lives behind bars. oh yes, and the mccaskeys are kicked out of the league forever and the franchise is awarded to ditka.

[Derwood]

i prefer to think of the 2010 bears as a movie, they start off terrible, not gelling, infighting and losing faith in themselves and then, there's a cathartic moment when chris williams, lance louis, and frank omiyale rescue a dozen kittens from a burning building where they also discover a ring of power hidden for centuries within a broken floorboard while crouching to avoid the noxious fumes of the fire. the line instantly bonds and goes on to kick ass all the way to the super bowl, but they lose the ring just before the game. they get destroyed for the first half and quickly descend into a maelstrom of primal fighting in the locker room. jay cutler, on crutches after breaking his leg on the first play of the game, ends the fighting by giving a rousing speech about how the ring of power was just some carnival consolation prize from a ball-toss game and that their ring of power was actually their sense of love for their fellow teammates and the city of chicago. todd collins ends up throwing 5 touchdowns in the second half, leading them to victory, winning the sb mvp and giving the disneyworld soundbite while sean astin is carried off the field.

 

the movie ends with the epilogue about sean astin being the first person carried off the field since ditka and ryan, and a part about lovie smith and jerry angelo being indicted for fraud in australia, where they will spend the rest of their natural lives behind bars. oh yes, and the mccaskeys are kicked out of the league forever and the franchise is awarded to ditka.

 

This is the most likely way the Bears win the Super Bowl this year

[UMFan83]

i prefer to think of the 2010 bears as a movie, they start off terrible, not gelling, infighting and losing faith in themselves and then, there's a cathartic moment when chris williams, lance louis, and frank omiyale rescue a dozen kittens from a burning building where they also discover a ring of power hidden for centuries within a broken floorboard while crouching to avoid the noxious fumes of the fire. the line instantly bonds and goes on to kick ass all the way to the super bowl, but they lose the ring just before the game. they get destroyed for the first half and quickly descend into a maelstrom of primal fighting in the locker room. jay cutler, on crutches after breaking his leg on the first play of the game, ends the fighting by giving a rousing speech about how the ring of power was just some carnival consolation prize from a ball-toss game and that their ring of power was actually their sense of love for their fellow teammates and the city of chicago. todd collins ends up throwing 5 touchdowns in the second half, leading them to victory, winning the sb mvp and giving the disneyworld soundbite while sean astin is carried off the field.

 

the movie ends with the epilogue about sean astin being the first person carried off the field since ditka and ryan, and a part about lovie smith and jerry angelo being indicted for fraud in australia, where they will spend the rest of their natural lives behind bars. oh yes, and the mccaskeys are kicked out of the league forever and the franchise is awarded to ditka.

 

LSD is a hell of a drug.

 

Awesome

[Soul]

Now that I'm watching the replay of this game, I'm not as negative about it. The o-line looked average, the offense wasted a redzone chance with trick plays (which is completely fine to do in the preseason). The front 7 look solid on defense, so I'm thinking the secondary is the main problem.

 

Problems by ranking:

 

1) Secondary

2) O-line

3) Lovie Smith

4) Recievers.

 

My biggest issue is was pass protection. I don't know how the O-line looked ok when Cutler was sacked 4 more times, another time the pressure forced a fumble, and Cutler threw 2 INTs which I'd have to watch again but would think at least some of that was getting rid of the ball under pressure. The Bears can move the ball...they did last year a lot. But with no pass protection and a QB like Cutler that tends to throw a couple of dumbfounding passes per game, way too many possessions end in an INT, lost fumble or a couple of sacks making it a long 3rd down conversion. I don't think the Bears running game and WRs are good enough to overcome multiple turnovers per game by the QB.

 

It's just really frustrating because the Bears have tried everything, signing potentially undervalued FA Olinemen, hiring one of the better oline coaches in the game, etc to improve the line. But the one thing they haven't done was commit the offseason to building the O-line which to me is the most important thing to have. Instead they decided to go with what they had in house which was awful last year, and move them around to their more natural positions and hoped that this and Tice were gonna make the Bears O-line average...I say average because I don't even think Angelo was dumb enough to think that what he built was good enough to build an above average O-line. Oh and he put even more pressure on this O-line when he hired Martz who relies on 5 step drops and perfect timing to make his offense work. You can't do that with an offensive line that is going to leave the QB scrambling multiple times per drive.

 

Cutler had happy feet all game. He played to pressure that wasn't there. Three of the 4 sacks were on Cutler. First one, he just fell down behind the line of scrimmage after having nowhere to throw. Second one, he ran outside the pocket and didn't get rid of it. Third one, was Chris Williams getting beat. Fourth, he ran outside the pocket and wasn't even pressured. Both INTs were bad throws or miscommunications with the WR, and came with no pressure on him. Only the Campbell sack vs. Williams was the only time Cutler had pressure right as he made his drop. The pass blocking was OK. The run blocking was poor though.

 

I also am not as down as I was after watching the replay. I know it's not much, but the Bears have put together FOUR 50+ yard drives with the #1 offense in 15 possessions. And that doesn't include the Forte run or other TD the Bears got on a short field (TD to Knox). Granted, 10 sacks and 2 INTs on 15 possessions is not good either. But I contribute 4 of those sacks to coverage/Cutler.

 

Right now, I'm just as concerned about the defense. They have played the best 1st and 2nd down defense in the history of football this preseason. But 3rd down continues to be a travesty. What makes it so bad is it's not the lack of pass rush, because they have been getting pressure. It's blown coverages, it's soft corners, it's poor tackling, it's losing contain. Makes it worse is that Urlacher, Briggs, and Roach have all been injured in the last 8 days. Major Wright is probably the best coverage safety and he's been hurt. Even when this team gets everyone back, they still haven't played together very much this year.

 

Agree with your points. The only thing I would say is -- we can blame Cutler for some of these sacks, but it's got to be rough not having confidence in your OLine. I would think many QBs in that same situation would have happy feet knowing he's playing behind some shaky players up front. QBs we think of as good ones, too.

 

It's just not a great situation for a franchise QB to try to deliver in, that's all. We knew it would be rough, and it is indeed rough.

[UMFan83]

When (if) the O-line fails again this year, will this be the offseason where Angelo (if it's him) finally decides to make it the number 1 priority in the offseason ?

[Soul]

When (if) the O-line fails again this year, will this be the offseason where Angelo (if it's him) finally decides to make it the number 1 priority in the offseason ?

 

Even if he does, do you have confidence that he is capable of making the right decisions?

[Banedon]

Cutler was definitely the biggest offensive issue this week. He ran himself into sacks, threw the ball when he shouldn't, and held on to it when he shouldn't.

 

I was a bit bothered by the lack of TE usage on Saturday.

[jersey cubs fan]

When (if) the O-line fails again this year, will this be the offseason where Angelo (if it's him) finally decides to make it the number 1 priority in the offseason ?

 

In a way he's done that a couple times. The problem is with a 5 man unit it takes more than one offseason of attention to get right. You can't just spend a #1 on a tackle one offseason and assume you are set. You can't just spend an offseason signing retiring hall of famers and other teams' castoffs and think you are set. It requires constant attention and multiple top half of the draft selections. They need to stop drafting athletes in the 2nd/3rd round and start drafting guys who can play football, especially on the offensive line.

 

But I also don't trust Angelo to make the right decision when he does focus on the line.

[jersey cubs fan]

Cutler was definitely the biggest offensive issue this week. He ran himself into sacks, threw the ball when he shouldn't, and held on to it when he shouldn't.

 

I was a bit bothered by the lack of TE usage on Saturday.

 

I didn't watch much, but it did look like a couple receivers were confused out there in addition to Cutler having happy feet.

[Banedon]

Cutler was definitely the biggest offensive issue this week. He ran himself into sacks, threw the ball when he shouldn't, and held on to it when he shouldn't.

 

I was a bit bothered by the lack of TE usage on Saturday.

 

I didn't watch much, but it did look like a couple receivers were confused out there in addition to Cutler having happy feet.

 

Very possible...that's something that's hard for us to see watching on TV.

[rawaction]

Cutler was definitely the biggest offensive issue this week. He ran himself into sacks, threw the ball when he shouldn't, and held on to it when he shouldn't.

 

I was a bit bothered by the lack of TE usage on Saturday.

 

I didn't watch much, but it did look like a couple receivers were confused out there in addition to Cutler having happy feet.

 

Hester is always confused. Knox and Aromashodu made mistakes too if you assume Cutler's throws to the inside meant they were supposed to cut off their routes.

[Soul]

Since one of the hallmarks of Lovie Smith teams in recent years has been lack of preparation, I'm going to go ahead and assume things will be pretty rough around the edges for the first few weeks, and the only thing that might save us is getting embarrassed enough to make hard, quick improvements.

[Banedon]

Since one of the hallmarks of Lovie Smith teams in recent years has been lack of preparation, I'm going to go ahead and assume things will be pretty rough around the edges for the first few weeks, and the only thing that might save us is getting embarrassed enough to make hard, quick improvements.

 

Unfortunately the first 4-5 games are arguably the toughest part of the Bears schedule.

[Soul]

Since one of the hallmarks of Lovie Smith teams in recent years has been lack of preparation, I'm going to go ahead and assume things will be pretty rough around the edges for the first few weeks, and the only thing that might save us is getting embarrassed enough to make hard, quick improvements.

 

Unfortunately the first 4-5 games are arguably the toughest part of the Bears schedule.

 

If we started 1-3, with the one win being Detroit, we might have a chance to come back and salvage something respectable.

[rawaction]

On the bright side, the Bears #1 offense is being ridiculed for all the sacks and having 2 TDs in 15 possessions. However, they have put the team in chances to get FGs on 5 other possessions. 1 blocked FG, 1 missed FG, 1 FG in the opener, and 2 situations where missing the LS stopped them from attempting a FG.

 

In 12 possessions, the Cowboys #1 (w/Romo) has just 1 TD, on an 8 yard drive. They have only made 1 FG, and Romo threw 2 INTs in the red zone. He has also been under a ton of pressure.

 

In 15 possessions, the Jets #1s have w TDs in 15 possessions. They have made all 5 FG attempts, but 3 of them came after muffed punts, 2 of them on drives of 10 and -4.

 

In 12 possessions, the Falcons #1 have 2 TDs in 12 possessions. They have made 3 FGs and missed 2.

 

Miami only has 2 TDs in 16 possessions. Also 2 FGs and 1 red zone INT.

 

Eli and the Giants 1s have 1 TD in 10 possessions, and that was a 1 yard drive after an INT. They also only have 2 FGs, 1 of which was an 8 yard drive after an INT in the last 15 seconds of the 1st half.

 

In 20 drives, Carolina only has 6 points, which were scored in their last 2 drives this weekend. Only 1 other time were they in the redzone, and had a fumble.

 

And these are all teams that are NOT learning a new offense. These are teams that (other than the Giants) have at least 4 of their OL returning and playing the same position as last year.

[Soul]

I looked at the Cowboys and thought the same thing. They've really struggled in preseason, but most people I've heard think they'll pull it together.

 

If we make our FGs that final TD drive w/ LeFevor is for the win. Just sayin'......not that it really means all that much. But I don't think it's too much to ask to make the FGs, and I really don't think we'll be that bad on ST until I actually see it happen in the regular season.

[Wilson A2000]

Cutler was definitely the biggest offensive issue this week. He ran himself into sacks, threw the ball when he shouldn't, and held on to it when he shouldn't.

 

I was a bit bothered by the lack of TE usage on Saturday.

 

I didn't watch much, but it did look like a couple receivers were confused out there in addition to Cutler having happy feet.

 

Very possible...that's something that's hard for us to see watching on TV.

 

Fox said something on the Saturday broadcast on how they were using wide-screen cameras in addition to the widescreen HD format. I guess you can see the safeties line up now a little better. The whole defense is now in view.

[UMFan83]

I looked at the Cowboys and thought the same thing. They've really struggled in preseason, but most people I've heard think they'll pull it together.

 

If we make our FGs that final TD drive w/ LeFevor is for the win. Just sayin'......not that it really means all that much. But I don't think it's too much to ask to make the FGs, and I really don't think we'll be that bad on ST until I actually see it happen in the regular season.

 

It doesn't really mean all that much. The Cowboys struggled but they went to the 2nd round of the playoffs last year with almost the exact same cast. They can get away with struggling. I understand your point though that struggling doesn't mean that come week 1 we're going to suck.

 

Winning and losing doesn't matter in a game where the playbooks are fairly vanilla compared to what will be run in week 1. So you can't really measure the performance in terms of results. You can however, notice how things like the pass rush looks or the run blocking. It's still not completely accurate because you need to factor in things like intensity, which sometimes you just can't duplicate until the curtains go up. You can try but if you had a guaranteed starting position, and are comfortable with the offense, its hard to give 100% out there when your main goal is not getting hurt.

 

I remember a similar complaint about preseason performance in 2006 when the first team offense hadn't scored a TD the first 3 preseason games. Coming off such a mediocre offensive performance in 2005, many people were thinking 'more of the same". Instead the offense came out and scored 34+ points in 5 of our first 9 games of the season.

[Wilson A2000]

Since one of the hallmarks of Lovie Smith teams in recent years has been lack of preparation, I'm going to go ahead and assume things will be pretty rough around the edges for the first few weeks, and the only thing that might save us is getting embarrassed enough to make hard, quick improvements.

 

Unfortunately the first 4-5 games are arguably the toughest part of the Bears schedule.

 

The last quarter looks impossibly difficult: home New England, at Minnesota, home NY Jets, at Green Bay.

[Banedon]

Cutler was definitely the biggest offensive issue this week. He ran himself into sacks, threw the ball when he shouldn't, and held on to it when he shouldn't.

 

I was a bit bothered by the lack of TE usage on Saturday.

 

I didn't watch much, but it did look like a couple receivers were confused out there in addition to Cutler having happy feet.

 

Very possible...that's something that's hard for us to see watching on TV.

 

Fox said something on the Saturday broadcast on how they were using wide-screen cameras in addition to the widescreen HD format. I guess you can see the safeties line up now a little better. The whole defense is now in view.

 

I'm the guy with no HD yet.

[Banedon]

"I've learned a lot," Wright said of the last two weeks. "Me sitting on the sideline, (I've studied) my gaps, my quarterback reads, my zone drops, things like that that are really important."

 

Wright has been standing next to Craig Steltz on the sideline and soaking up what he can from the veteran, who is out with a sprained right ankle. Steltz has Wright make the calls.

 

"He's a lot older than me and he helps me out, telling me, 'Look at this and look at that,'" Wright said.

 

For the record, Steltz is 24 and Wright is 22.

[Soul]

Ahh to be young again, where 2 years makes the difference between newbie and old hand.

 

Now I count my age in half-decade increments. Funny how you go from "I'm 15 and a half" to "I'm somewhere in my 40's"

[UMFan83]

Since one of the hallmarks of Lovie Smith teams in recent years has been lack of preparation, I'm going to go ahead and assume things will be pretty rough around the edges for the first few weeks, and the only thing that might save us is getting embarrassed enough to make hard, quick improvements.

 

Unfortunately the first 4-5 games are arguably the toughest part of the Bears schedule.

 

The last quarter looks impossibly difficult: home New England, at Minnesota, home NY Jets, at Green Bay.

 

Yup...our schedule is insanely hard this year.