Game 13 - BEARS @ Minnesota Vikings - 12 PM

[Banedon]

This is from the last page but I also think the Michael Bush signing was pretty good, he hasn't had a ton of opportunities, but he's a great complement to Forte, and in fact I'd say he's outplayed Forte thus far. His average isn't outstanding, but he's been in a good amount of short yardage and goaline situations that don't benefit you're P/C average, and from merely my subjective eye, he's been succesful in these situations. (In fact, the advanced stats bear this out- his success rate is 50%, which is better than Forte's 41% http://footballoutsiders.com/stats/rb )

 

I'm also not all that crushed by the Urlacher injury, though the drop off could still be dire if the other linebackers can't handle their new duties. We just need someone that can physically handle the job now.

 

It'll be nice having Jeffery back.

 

I know he's been a little banged up but that Forte deal looks like bad money to me. He doesn't look like the same guy as last year

 

He's played the whole season on a bum ankle. But yeah, I like Bush better this year.

[rawaction]

Tim Jennings likely going to miss Sunday. Doesn't have full range of motion in his shoulder yet.

[Soul]

Those defensive injuries are really starting to become a concern. Will Conte play at least?

[Banedon]

Those defensive injuries are really starting to become a concern. Will Conte play at least?

 

He was only out cuz of the flu. He'll play.

[Banedon]

Cade McNown...dethroned!!!

 

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/quick-reads/2012/week-13-quick-reads

[Soul]

Those defensive injuries are really starting to become a concern. Will Conte play at least?

 

He was only out cuz of the flu. He'll play.

 

Ahh yes, that's right. I remember hearing that during the game last week.

[UMFan83]

So players who will probably be on the injury report:

 

WR Bennett

WR Hester

WR Jeffery

RB Forte

G Spencer

G Louis

LB Briggs

LB Urlacher

CB Jennings

 

7 starters and 2/3rds of our WRs.

 

Remember back in 2010 when there were weeks towards the end of the year when there was NO ONE on the injury report? Last year we were crushed with 2 major injuries (Cutler and Forte), and this year we are being taken down by all the depth around these impact players going down.

[Banedon]

So players who will probably be on the injury report:

 

WR Bennett

WR Hester

WR Jeffery

RB Forte

G Spencer

G Louis

LB Briggs

LB Urlacher

CB Jennings

 

7 starters and 2/3rds of our WRs.

 

Remember back in 2010 when there were weeks towards the end of the year when there was NO ONE on the injury report? Last year we were crushed with 2 major injuries (Cutler and Forte), and this year we are being taken down by all the depth around these impact players going down.

 

Jeffrey will probably play, and Hester is a possibility. Forte and Briggs will play too. But you're right, they'll all be on the report.

[Banedon]

Per Sean Jensen, Bennett is unlikely to play this week, but he says the Bears are hopeful that Hester and Jeffrey will both play.

[Banedon]

Percy Harvin put on IR.

[Banedon]

A good article talking about how the Bears got burned by the read option on Sunday.

 

http://www.windycitygridiron.com/2012/12/5/3730016/bears-playbook-not-defending-the-read-option

[Soul]

Percy Harvin put on IR.

 

That has to be frustrating for them.

[UMFan83]

Regarding the Urlacher injury, where do you guys stand on the issue of weakening 2 positions by sliding Roach to MLB and have a backup at OLB vs. leaving Roach at OLB where he's played all year and subbing someone at MLB?

[Guest]

Regarding the Urlacher injury, where do you guys stand on the issue of weakening 2 positions by sliding Roach to MLB and have a backup at OLB vs. leaving Roach at OLB where he's played all year and subbing someone at MLB?

I'd move Roach over since I'd rather have him on the field when they go nickel instead of the #4 LB on the depth chart.

[cubbyvirus00]

Regarding the Urlacher injury, where do you guys stand on the issue of weakening 2 positions by sliding Roach to MLB and have a backup at OLB vs. leaving Roach at OLB where he's played all year and subbing someone at MLB?

I'd move Roach over since I'd rather have him on the field when they go nickel instead of the #4 LB on the depth chart.

 

This. Bears are mostly in a nickel alignment with 2 LBs

[UMFan83]

Was just going through Football Outsider statistics a minute ago, and ventured over to the offensive line stats. I know adjusted sack rate is a mediocre tool for evaluating pass blocking, but its the only stat FO gaves us. If you look at the Bears rankings since 2010, when the offensive line really went down the crapper, its horrifying to see the Bears finish 32nd, tied for 32nd and this year 31st in pass blocking. I guess its an improvement because there's a team worse than us this year (San Francisco), and I realize Martz and idiot offensive coordinators who take 8 weeks to make an adjustment for a poor pass rushing line skew the results a little bit, but it just goes into the bewilderment many of us have when thinking about the lack of moves the Bears have made on the line the last 3 season.

[JonJayCutler]

Geno Hayes was a starter for the previous three years with TB before signing here. Doesn't mean he's good, I know, but we're not plugging in a career special teamer.

[JonJayCutler]

Although with that said, I can't really remember one time where the defense has gotten by fine without Urlacher on the field. So yeah I'm worried too.

[jersey cubs fan]

Although with that said, I can't really remember one time where the defense has gotten by fine without Urlacher on the field. So yeah I'm worried too.

 

Other than the first few games this year I completely agree.

[Guest]

Bennett is out.

 

Jennings and Bush didn't practice. Jared Allen didn't practice for the Vikings.

[Guest]

I sorta thought JT Thomas was the guy who would slide into that spot on the roster when Urlacher went down. I thought they had high hopes for him.

[cubbyvirus00]

I sorta thought JT Thomas was the guy who would slide into that spot on the roster when Urlacher went down. I thought they had high hopes for him.

 

Yea, I haven't even seen him on the field.

[Pushfrog98]

I sorta thought JT Thomas was the guy who would slide into that spot on the roster when Urlacher went down. I thought they had high hopes for him.

The kid from Home Improvement?!

[rawaction]

I think if it was a long-term think you'd see Thomas. Hayes gives them a vet for 3 weeks in the playoff hunt.

[Guest]

Bennett is out.

 

Jennings and Bush didn't practice. Jared Allen didn't practice for the Vikings.

 

Jennings out too. Hayden will start.

 

Bush, Jeffery and Hester will play.