Thread: what do you think is the team's biggest improvement

Originally Posted by StarkyLuv

Play-calling. Calling more runs which leads to calling more play-action passes which leads to more big plays.

And the reduction of turnovers and getting Jay out of the pocket by design.

Oh, and Cutler's running ability. It seems defenses STILL get caught off guard by that.

I think that every defense gets caught off guard a little when a quarterback runs. The one quarterback we had no answer for this season when he ran with the football was Aaron Rodgers.

I don't know if you all have noticed, but the defense has pretty much been crap anywhere between the 20 yard line known as the red zone and back toward the other goal line. WHY? They have stuffed so many red zone drives to rob the opposition, but look otherwise mediocre in the other 80 yards of field. We beat the Eagles because of this. They just couldn't get anything but field goals once in the red zone. I'm not complaining here either, I love that the defense is stopping the opposing team and keeping them from getting touchdowns. So now they just need to figure it out before they hit the red zone.

The offensive line has greatly improved during this season. Cutler is getting time to look things over and make passes that count, where applicable. There is room for improvement as far as the pass coverage goes. It would be much better if Cutler had someone open after he has held the ball for so long. He has also vastly improved on the dismal interception record. There have been a lot of sacks though, but at least those don't end up with the opposition getting the ball. Now if they could just get tie up all of the loose ends and put everything together.

Over all, he Bears have been a lot more fun to watch. It kills me when we are in a close game where the other team could either tie it or beat us in their last drive. So the fact that the Bears have, for the most part, been winning with enough points to make the finishes less stressful is appreciated. I have been close to heart attack a few times this year and worry for myself and my 81 year old father, who is likely closer to that heart attack than I am. For myself and my father, I ask the Bears to simply win every game from now on out with such a great lead as to make us less stressed. Thank you.

GO BEARS!

I don't hear a lot of people talking about how healthy this team is but it's almost freaky. What a difference a healthy team makes.

I'm going with the OL. The revolving door has finally stopped and these guys are developing some cohesion. Great to see them moving as a unit.

I think it was TIce or Martz who said once the OL gets healthy and they get to have some reps as one unit they will get better. I am liking the coaches right now. I hope it is not because they were on the hot seat. I hope it is because they got the drive to get this team to win week by week instead of looking too far down the road. The players on both sides of the ball are staying healthy and geling great and starting to put team over me. I am loving this team, even if they suck in some areas they are getting better and I hope they keep that trend.

Originally Posted by MikesNephew

I don't know if you all have noticed, but the defense has pretty much been crap anywhere between the 20 yard line known as the red zone and back toward the other goal line. WHY? They have stuffed so many red zone drives to rob the opposition, but look otherwise mediocre in the other 80 yards of field. We beat the Eagles because of this. They just couldn't get anything but field goals once in the red zone. I'm not complaining here either, I love that the defense is stopping the opposing team and keeping them from getting touchdowns. So now they just need to figure it out before they hit the red zone.

That is a product of Lovie Smith's bend but don't break Cover 2 defense. I've spent a little bit of time listening to post game press conferences of the opposing qb when we've won as well as spent some time reading posts on opposing teams fan boards. The consenses is that the Bears will give the opposing team the middle of the field. We put our safeties deep and deny them the deep ball. This frustrates opposing teams and fans to no end.

If you could only hear what they are saying! Favre was mentioning his inability to put the ball deep. He said he was forced to pick away slowly and take what the Bears give you. This sets up opportunities to get stopped on 4th down as well as sets up opportunities for interceptions. Believe me, this type of defense drives me crazy to have to watch sometimes! It looks like the Bears are just giving up too much, but we forget about the great opportunities it presents.

Remember how occasionally Rogers, Favre, Manning or whomever would launch that ball deep for a 40 yard reception in years past? That hasn't really happened this year. It's so demoralising to witness, and our defense now doesn't let that happen. The result is more 5 to 15 yard gains by the opposing team. I hate those too, but our defense is designed for this and it presents opportunities for take aways. The D is supposed to stiffen in the red zone, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Hopefully the other team settles for a field goal and has to kick to Hester or Manning who should give us good field position. This is Lovie's big game strategy, love it or hate it. I tend to flip flop on whether or not I like it. If they screw it up, I'm cussing at the TV!