Game 10 - BEARS @ San Francisco 49ers - 7:30 MNF

[Sammy Sofa]

The Bears don't have Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers. It's ridiculous to bring up guys who have been or are the best quarterbacks in the entire NFL as if that's some kind of "oh, why don't they do THAT?"-scenario. You have to play to the strengths and weaknesses of your key players, and Cutler is clearly a guy whose significant talents are best utilized by getting him as much protection as possible. The Bears have not attempted to do that and have actually exacerbated the issue by barely doing anything to improve an OL that has been glaringly problematic for a long time now (2 draft picks, even in the first round, is not all that impressive given their drafting history and how the line has desperately needed improvement at pretty much every position), essentially ignoring TE and making horrible, horrible choices when it comes to the OC. Cutler, as talented as he is, simply is not the kind of guy that can essentially make do with anything that's thrown out there and the Bears need to stop pretending like he is. He's an incredibly valuable QB, but you need to play to his strengths.

[Guest]

I'm no football expert. I don't evaluate offensive line talent. But it seems to me like a total copout to blame personnel for all the offensive line woes. .

 

Why? It is personnel. They ignored it for nearly a decade then drafted second rate guys. It's a 5 man unit that needs 6-7 in a season, and if you do it right only one or two are weak spots. The bears have 5 weak spots on the line. Not one good guy. No talent. They thought they could coach the suck out of them because they think are great coaches. But it's an unshinsble turd.

 

I explained why. I wouldn't say they've totally ignored it. Have there been a lot of teams who have used 2 first rounders in the past 4 years on O line and paid millions to FA's?

 

I think good offenses can scheme their way out of personnel issues at the line. Peyton Manning avoids sacks by getting rid of the ball, not by sitting in the pocket 10 seconds and having a great line block for him. The Packers line has looked as bad as the Bears at times, and they won a Superbowl and went 15-1 last year.

 

I think its too simplistic to say get better blockers and the problems are solved. Just line it was too simplistic to say get some WR's, or a franchise QB. How about get a competent offense?

 

Most teams know you're allowed to draft offensive linemen in round 2-6, not just 1 and 7. They also go into free agency and sign linemen - the Bears big signee 2 years ago (Spencer) got benched after 2 games this year. The only OL they signed this year in free agency is Chilo Rachal.

 

I do agree that Tice is not helping as an OC nor did Martz with his slow-developing play calls. The Bears need more moving pockets, designed roll outs. But the fact of the matter is, they have 4 well below average starters on the OL and maybe one average (Louis) one.

[cubbyvirus00]

My biggest gripe is with management and coaching. Everything else trickles down from that incompetent bunch. Ownership has done little to make the situation better and they've done nothing to force complete change on the franchise. Even the hire of Emery a former Bears scout was pretty classic and typical Bears

[UMFan83]

I'm no football expert. I don't evaluate offensive line talent. But it seems to me like a total copout to blame personnel for all the offensive line woes. .

 

Why? It is personnel. They ignored it for nearly a decade then drafted second rate guys. It's a 5 man unit that needs 6-7 in a season, and if you do it right only one or two are weak spots. The bears have 5 weak spots on the line. Not one good guy. No talent. They thought they could coach the suck out of them because they think are great coaches. But it's an unshinsble turd.

 

I explained why. I wouldn't say they've totally ignored it. Have there been a lot of teams who have used 2 first rounders in the past 4 years on O line and paid millions to FA's?

 

I think good offenses can scheme their way out of personnel issues at the line. Peyton Manning avoids sacks by getting rid of the ball, not by sitting in the pocket 10 seconds and having a great line block for him. The Packers line has looked as bad as the Bears at times, and they won a Superbowl and went 15-1 last year.

 

I think its too simplistic to say get better blockers and the problems are solved. Just line it was too simplistic to say get some WR's, or a franchise QB. How about get a competent offense?

 

Keep in mind that the Bears have had a bottom 5 offensive line since the 2009 season and before that they had an aging offensive line that needed to be addressed immediately.

 

2012 draft: 0 Offensive lineman drafted

2011 draft: 1 drafted (1st round)

2010 draft: 1 drafted (7th round)

2009 draft: 1 drafted (7th round)

2008 draft: 3 drafted (1st round, (2) in the 7th round, neither made the team)

 

So, with the Bears offensive line either aging or awful, the Bears drafted 6 players over a 5 year span, 2 in the first round and 4 in the 7th round. Not a single pick between rounds 2-6. 7th round picks are a complete crapshoot and you can't expect to draft a 7th rounder and say 'we addressed the o-line in the draft'.

 

Now lets look at the 'millions' of dollars we've given to FA's to fill holes. Note: I'm not including undrafted FA and practice squad players:

2012: signed Chico Rachal - a 2nd rate player signed as a backup for depth

2011: signed Chris Spencer - run of the mill starter to replace Olin Kreutz, certainly not someone you expect to make the line a lot better

2010: Did not sign any FA offensive linemen

2009: Signed Frank Omiyale and Orlando Pace and Kevin Schaeffer - this might be the only year the Bears actually tried to improve the line via FA and it failed miserably. Pace was expected to be a starting tackle, but Omiyale from the start was supposed to be a backup as well as Schaeffer. All 3 of them were terrible.

 

Between 2010 and 2012, the Bears acquired 4 players through drafting and FA to fill offensive line holes. 1 was a 7th round pick, 1 was signed for depth, and only 2 were signed/drafted expected to contribute to the starting line. And during that entire period, the line was one of the worst 5 units in football. They blatantly ignored the position and it's been costing them every year.

[cubbyvirus00]

I'm no football expert. I don't evaluate offensive line talent. But it seems to me like a total copout to blame personnel for all the offensive line woes. .

 

Why? It is personnel. They ignored it for nearly a decade then drafted second rate guys. It's a 5 man unit that needs 6-7 in a season, and if you do it right only one or two are weak spots. The bears have 5 weak spots on the line. Not one good guy. No talent. They thought they could coach the suck out of them because they think are great coaches. But it's an unshinsble turd.

 

I explained why. I wouldn't say they've totally ignored it. Have there been a lot of teams who have used 2 first rounders in the past 4 years on O line and paid millions to FA's?

 

I think good offenses can scheme their way out of personnel issues at the line. Peyton Manning avoids sacks by getting rid of the ball, not by sitting in the pocket 10 seconds and having a great line block for him. The Packers line has looked as bad as the Bears at times, and they won a Superbowl and went 15-1 last year.

 

I think its too simplistic to say get better blockers and the problems are solved. Just line it was too simplistic to say get some WR's, or a franchise QB. How about get a competent offense?

 

Keep in mind that the Bears have had a bottom 5 offensive line since the 2009 season and before that they had an aging offensive line that needed to be addressed immediately.

 

2012 draft: 0 Offensive lineman drafted

2011 draft: 1 drafted (1st round)

2010 draft: 1 drafted (7th round)

2009 draft: 1 drafted (7th round)

2008 draft: 3 drafted (1st round, (2) in the 7th round, neither made the team)

 

So, with the Bears offensive line either aging or awful, the Bears drafted 6 players over a 5 year span, 2 in the first round and 4 in the 7th round. Not a single pick between rounds 2-6. 7th round picks are a complete crapshoot and you can't expect to draft a 7th rounder and say 'we addressed the o-line in the draft'.

 

Now lets look at the 'millions' of dollars we've given to FA's to fill holes. Note: I'm not including undrafted FA and practice squad players:

2012: signed Chico Rachal - a 2nd rate player signed as a backup for depth

2011: signed Chris Spencer - run of the mill starter to replace Olin Kreutz, certainly not someone you expect to make the line a lot better

2010: Did not sign any FA offensive linemen

2009: Signed Frank Omiyale and Orlando Pace and Kevin Schaeffer - this might be the only year the Bears actually tried to improve the line via FA and it failed miserably. Pace was expected to be a starting tackle, but Omiyale from the start was supposed to be a backup as well as Schaeffer. All 3 of them were terrible.

 

Between 2010 and 2012, the Bears acquired 4 players through drafting and FA to fill offensive line holes. 1 was a 7th round pick, 1 was signed for depth, and only 2 were signed/drafted expected to contribute to the starting line. And during that entire period, the line was one of the worst 5 units in football. They blatantly ignored the position and it's been costing them every year.

 

Can we accurately say that the bears really haven't developed much of anything out of their recent drafts? This coaching staff is awful

[rawaction]

Can we accurately say that the bears really haven't developed much of anything out of their recent drafts? This coaching staff is awful

No. Melton is one of the best in the league at DT after being a college RB and DE. Wright and Conte have been decent. Wootton is finally developing. Louis was a college TE that is a serviceable OG. Paea is decent. DJ Moore. Forte is a recent pick too. Its not ideal but the Bears have had players develop fine. Scouting has been another issue.

[Guest]

Hub Arkush claims that the Dolphins won't be franchising Long after this season.

 

Stinks that Long hasn't really been himself lately.

[KingCubsFan]

Hub Arkush claims that the Dolphins won't be franchising Long after this season.

 

Stinks that Long hasn't really been himself lately.

I have to think a one-legged/one-armed Long is better than anything on the Bears' roster.

[Guest]

Can we accurately say that the bears really haven't developed much of anything out of their recent drafts? This coaching staff is awful

No. Melton is one of the best in the league at DT after being a college RB and DE. Wright and Conte have been decent. Wootton is finally developing. Louis was a college TE that is a serviceable OG. Paea is decent. DJ Moore. Forte is a recent pick too. Its not ideal but the Bears have had players develop fine. Scouting has been another issue.

 

To be fair, Louis played OL his junior and senior years at San Diego State.

[Guest]

Hub Arkush claims that the Dolphins won't be franchising Long after this season.

 

Stinks that Long hasn't really been himself lately.

I have to think a one-legged/one-armed Long is better than anything on the Bears' roster.

 

This is a couple of weeks old but...

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/aIoHa.jpg

 

[KingCubsFan]

Hub Arkush claims that the Dolphins won't be franchising Long after this season.

 

Stinks that Long hasn't really been himself lately.

I have to think a one-legged/one-armed Long is better than anything on the Bears' roster.

 

This is a couple of weeks old but...

 

 

http://i.imgur.com/aIoHa.jpg

That list just makes me mad we drafted Chris Williams one spot before Branden Albert.

[rawaction]

Can we accurately say that the bears really haven't developed much of anything out of their recent drafts? This coaching staff is awful

No. Melton is one of the best in the league at DT after being a college RB and DE. Wright and Conte have been decent. Wootton is finally developing. Louis was a college TE that is a serviceable OG. Paea is decent. DJ Moore. Forte is a recent pick too. Its not ideal but the Bears have had players develop fine. Scouting has been another issue.

 

To be fair, Louis played OL his junior and senior years at San Diego State.

 

Yeah, I know. My point was the Bears have had some success in developing players, mostly defensively though. That goes along with the makeup of the coaching staff though. It's not a mystery why the Bears can't develop any offensive players when they don't have any good offensive minds with any say-so in the organization.

 

A lot of those players are 3rd-7th round picks though. The Bears have combined an utter lack of early picks with failure on the ones they have had. That's tough to overcome, but they are probably 1 really good draft away ala the Giants, Niners were a couple years ago. Of course, they don't really have the picks this year to do anything about that.

[Guest]

Can we accurately say that the bears really haven't developed much of anything out of their recent drafts? This coaching staff is awful

No. Melton is one of the best in the league at DT after being a college RB and DE. Wright and Conte have been decent. Wootton is finally developing. Louis was a college TE that is a serviceable OG. Paea is decent. DJ Moore. Forte is a recent pick too. Its not ideal but the Bears have had players develop fine. Scouting has been another issue.

 

To be fair, Louis played OL his junior and senior years at San Diego State.

 

Yeah, I know. My point was the Bears have had some success in developing players, mostly defensively though. That goes along with the makeup of the coaching staff though. It's not a mystery why the Bears can't develop any offensive players when they don't have any good offensive minds with any say-so in the organization.

 

A lot of those players are 3rd-7th round picks though. The Bears have combined an utter lack of early picks with failure on the ones they have had. That's tough to overcome, but they are probably 1 really good draft away ala the Giants, Niners were a couple years ago. Of course, they don't really have the picks this year to do anything about that.

 

Sorry, didn't mean to take away from your overall point. The Bears scouting has been a lot worse than development.

[Old Style]

Read on Twitter a short time ago that Carimi has been demoted. A friend in Chicago said that Rachal has left the team after also being benched. Yay Bears!