http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/ Chicago Bears Fan Blog and Message Board en Fri, 24 May 2013 17:00:15 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.dabears.com/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/ http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/bizzaro_bears-36/ Mon, 18 Oct 2010 14:55:04 GMT Think they should win? Think they should lose? You are wrong either way. No matter what you think should happen, the Bears will do the exact... Think they should win? Think they should lose? You are wrong either way.

No matter what you think should happen, the Bears will do the exact opposite. That's why I mentioned that Seattle was a trap game. We SHOULD have won. They had a terrible pass defense. They couldn't run the ball. We SHOULD have exploited both.

Maybe this week we SHOULD lose to the Redskins. I'll wait to see what direction the fickle finger of fandom points on the site and in the media. Seemingly our only chance to win would be to have everyone expect us to lose. That's a tough direction for a home team.

On thing for sure. If we don't attempt to run more than 23% of the time, Cutler SHOULD be dead by December. ]]> BearStuff http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/bizzaro_bears-36/ http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/trap_games-35/ Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:56:44 GMT These next two games are trap games. You know, ones where the Bears (and their fans in particular) feel overconfident about their ability to win. ... These next two games are trap games. You know, ones where the Bears (and their fans in particular) feel overconfident about their ability to win.

Seattle is still a bit of a mystery. Coach USC has still not developed the "pattern" of behavior that is easily predicted by opponents. The pickup of Marshawn Lynch isn't being talked about, and his skill set meshs well with the way that Carroll likes to utilize his RB's. Frankly, I think we will see a fair amount of delayed screens to Lynch. By the way, Seattle did a nice job trading a 4th rounder for Lynch, then getting a 4th back for Deion Branch (though they moved down in the 4th). Golden Tate will have to step up though.

Washington is playing very good defense. Very good. McNabb seems to do just enough to get by. Their weakness is the same as ours, offensive line. Heading into a bye week is a bad time to play a team like Washington. Shanahan can coach, so I expect a tough game.

Stay on your toes Bears. These next two weeks could very well determine our ability to get in the playoffs. As long as we take them seriously, we will have the ability to control our destiny. If not, we will be mirred in "the hunt". ]]> BearStuff http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/trap_games-35/ http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/building_confidence_amongst_ol-32/ Mon, 11 Oct 2010 01:32:45 GMT Nothing builds confidence amongst the OL like running the ball successfully. They get to take the fight to the DL, instead of moving backward. They... Nothing builds confidence amongst the OL like running the ball successfully. They get to take the fight to the DL, instead of moving backward. They get to be more aggressive. Plus, IMO, there are less variables for them to deal with during a play.

I think running the ball today had to do a world of good for Edwin Williams and J'Marcus Webb. They seemed more comfortable when we did get around to throwing the ball (and even more so when Hanie came in).

Omiyale still needs to find a seat, so I hope Webb continues (or Shaffer) at RT once Williams gets healthy.

:18_1_205: ]]> BearStuff http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/building_confidence_amongst_ol-32/ http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/bears_showing_depth-30/ Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:13:27 GMT The win over the Packers was certainly fun for Bears fans, but for me because of the display of depth where I thought we had weakness. Omiyale... The win over the Packers was certainly fun for Bears fans, but for me because of the display of depth where I thought we had weakness.

Omiyale playing left tackle fairly well (with the exception of one whiff on a block of Pickett) when everyone wondered if he was starter material on the right side. Shaffer embarassing media acclaimed Clay Matthews on the right side. Henry Melton seeing good time and playing effectively at DT. Matt Toenia providing solid play in both the run and pass defense throughout the game. Tim Jennings surprising everyone playing almost the entire game at #1 CB position. Heck, J'Marcus Webb even got two series in at OT, though he wasn't too impressive. Webb wasn't a turnstile either.

Wow, just wow.

I'll be the first to admit that I had conversations with fans of other teams about the Bears and mentioned that health would be a major factor in our success, in particular on our offensive line. What a pleasant surprise to see that we have more depth than even I gave them credit for previously.

Certainly some of the credit goes to the coaching staff, but some needs to go to (hold your breath) Angelo too. While he hasn't always hit on drafted players, he hasn't always missed either. ]]> BearStuff http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/bears_showing_depth-30/ http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/monday_night_games-28/ Sun, 26 Sep 2010 11:06:18 GMT It's an honor to be scheduled to play on Monday night. It's fun to have the spotlight. But it sure does take all of the fun out of Sunday morning.

I've got my rituals to gameday, and all of them are "blown out" by having to work.

Today I will watch games, but really won't know which one to watch. I bet I fall asleep on the couch. It just isn't the same without the anticipation of Bear football. ]]> BearStuff http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/monday_night_games-28/ http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/what_type_oline_do_we_have_anyway-27/ Fri, 24 Sep 2010 16:07:41 GMT So much of the offseason and preseason discussion about the offensive line has been about pass protection. We've been inundated with articles and speculation about how well this group of guys will do. And I suppose there is still question in many minds about this specific subject, especially given the recent injury to Chris Williams.

But it dawned on me this morning, that while we have "held our own" in the passing game (and by that I mean exceeded the expectations of many), in part we have done so at the expense of the running game. When Chris Williams went out last week, and once we settled into Frank Omiyale at left tackle and Kevin Shaffer at right, we did better than in week one.

With this new, possibly temporary, personnel package along the line, we should be set up for better success running the ball. Omiyale was known as a road grader when originally brought here from Carolina. Shaffer too has been known for his abilities in the run game. Maybe this will breed more success in the run game.

Granted, we haven't run the ball as much as in years past so far in 2010. It's time that we do though. Balance is always a necessity, even in a Mike Martz offense. Forte and Taylor are more than capable runners, if they can find some daylight.

Statistically, Green Bay is a pretty good run defense thusfar, and Chicago isn't a very good run offense. There are a number of different reasons for both rankings. However, with this latest incarnation of our offensive line, perhaps this week is when those statistics move a bit for both teams. I sure hope so.

:18_1_205: :bearbang[1]: ]]> BearStuff http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/what_type_oline_do_we_have_anyway-27/ http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/adjustments-25/ Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:55:06 GMT Don't look now, but your Chicago Bears can, and do, make adjustments.

Starting left tackle out and the replacement not getting the job done? Tice switches the players around. At the same time....defense getting too much pressure on the QB? Martz starts calling short drops and quick passes, carving up the defense and putting it on it's heals. Other team running on you up the middle in a disturbing manner? Fill the gaps with LB's and make Romo beat you with his arm.

After years of frustration with the stubborn mentality of the Bears coaching staff, this is refreshing and cause for hope. Let's keep the adjustments going, playoff teams are typically those that can react.

:18_1_205: ]]> BearStuff http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/adjustments-25/ http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/year_defense-23/ Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:59:56 GMT Seems to me that, although only one week has passed, the trend of offense over defense has reversed. This weekend's games were slugfests. Lots of grinding it out. As a fan of the Bears, I gotta say I like it.

For the last few years it seems that the OC's had something over on the DC's. Stats were through the roof for "skilled" positions. Could it be that the DC's have shored up their deficiencies?

I noticed better disguised blitzes, more 8-9 man fronts, more goal line stands than I remember from the past few years. Sure there were a couple of games that were scorefests, but most were lower scoring than in the past. Last year's superbowl was a matchup of offensive powerhouses, with good (but not great) defenses. Did everyone spend the whole offseason studying those two team's tapes? It sure seems like it.

Of course, we have that stupid placement of the ref to blame...if you are looking for a scapegoat. ]]> BearStuff http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/year_defense-23/ http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/rule_needs_change-21/ Sun, 12 Sep 2010 21:05:24 GMT I know the ruling meant a win for Chicago, one which it didn't deserve, for a number of reasons. Still, that was a touchdown.

This continuation until after someone completely finishes hitting the ground is just terrible. Even more so in the endzone. What good does breaking the plane do then? If Jahvid Best got credit for a touchdown in the first half (especially when he didn't break the plane), then why didn't Johnson's two feet in, one hip down and a botched spike of the ball count. After all, he possessed that ball for almost 3 seconds before the botched spike.

Hopefully this rule will change. It's just horrible. Perhaps this will be one of the prime examples used to help support the changing of the rule. If this were late in the season, there would be a huge outcry to change the rule. ]]> BearStuff http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/rule_needs_change-21/ http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/favre_may_not_last_first_game_much_less_season-19/ Thu, 09 Sep 2010 16:07:28 GMT The grey beard ironman limps his way into his 457th year in the league. He is still receiving treatments to his ankle he injured last January. Forty... The grey beard ironman limps his way into his 457th year in the league. He is still receiving treatments to his ankle he injured last January. Forty year olds, regardless of "grit", don't recover the same as 30 year olds.

The Saints are coming after him. Again. He can't really scramble. If his O line doesn't do more than last year, he may not survive the game.

AP isn't the best at blocking. He doesn't have his tried and true receivers. He will be playing at a charged up Superdome.

Good luck Bert, you will need it.:lol-027: ]]> BearStuff http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/favre_may_not_last_first_game_much_less_season-19/ http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/its_most_hopeful_time_year-18/ Sat, 04 Sep 2010 10:23:36 GMT Preseason isn't the reason. The time of the year is.

The Bears have themselves in a precarious place. New offense, good talent (save the Oline) and an ever improving division.

Lovie and Jerry are scrambling up a rope that is thread baring. Ted probably should be too.

Still, I remain hopeful for the season. Not delusional, but hopeful. Something tells me that if we can avoid injury, we will be better at the end of the year than all indications are at the beginning.
:18_1_205: ]]> BearStuff http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/its_most_hopeful_time_year-18/ http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/balance-4/ Wed, 23 Sep 2009 12:59:36 GMT After Chicago lost in Green Bay, spirits were low for many Bears fans. Now that the Bears defeated the Steelers, spirits are high. The proper emotion... After Chicago lost in Green Bay, spirits were low for many Bears fans. Now that the Bears defeated the Steelers, spirits are high. The proper emotion is probably somewhere in between.

Always necessary in life, balance is essential in football too. Balance of emotions on the field and off, and balance in the offensive gameplan. The Bears have the emotions in check, at least seemingly. The gameplan, however, is definitely off center.

Ron Turner needs to work on his scripted plays. In years past, his scripted plays seemed like the only ones that worked effectively. After those 15 plays, the calls became decidedly more conservative and far too reactive. His play calling is still reactive after the first 15 "scripted" plays, however, those first plays seem to be all pass plays now. That sets the tone for the rest of the game, and it seems that we have forgotten that we have a top 5 running back.

Run the ball! Run it more than you pass it. Run it so that play action passes are successful. Run it so that you eat time off the clock. Run it so that the offensive line gets to be the aggressor. Just run it.

:18_1_205: ]]> BearStuff http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/balance-4/ http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/patience-3/ Mon, 14 Sep 2009 13:37:56 GMT As disappointing as it was to see history seem to repeat itself last night, I saw a lot of reasons to be hopeful. The defensive line seems to be... As disappointing as it was to see history seem to repeat itself last night, I saw a lot of reasons to be hopeful.

The defensive line seems to be completely rejuvenated under Marinelli. While Ogunleye got the rewards, I noticed very good push from everyone, making a double team (or even chip blocks) an impossible situation.

Al Afalava played well, and Payne did too (with the exception of one tackle). Vasher, save for one very costly slip, didn't play bad. Daniel Manning has a new lease on life, and seems to be enjoying it.

The receivers and Cutler do have communication/read problems. I don't think it will last forever, but Knox had a big hand in 2 of those interceptions. I thought we would see more of Olsen, but the Packers got that memo and covered him well.

Forte seemed barely utilized. He ran well when used, but wasn't used enough. Not one catch out of the backfield though.

Patrick Mannelly will never make that mistake again.

The good news is that we have depth at all of the positions of injury, including LB.

I knew this would be a tough game, I just thought it would play out as a shootout. I'm kind of happy that it was a defensive struggle. I'm familiar with that game. ]]> BearStuff http://www.dabears.com/blogs/bearstuff/patience-3/