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

Originally Posted by Nick

The OL? The D-Line? Secondary? I think what I've been most impressed with over the win streak is the improved 3rd down efficiency. That was a terrible stat and has drastically improved. The OL has improved, but they still have a long way to go.

I'm gonna say the offense as a whole. the line is playing better, blocking better, recievers know where they are going, and come back to the ball when jay gets hung up. Forte is not giving up on runs when the hole isn't there....
I'd say the offense as a whole.

QB Protection. I prefer to use the blanket term "quarterback protection" rather than O-Line, because the O-Line definately needs to continue to improve. But it's a drastic improvement over what we had. Without some semblance of protection, Cutler would be throwing more interceptions and we'd be seeing more three and outs. So by protecting the QB, that has in turn improved our 3rd down efficiency.

one thing I noticed alot sunday, was major wright played safety over d manning. is he replacing him full time? the secondary as a whole has been improved as well. I like that marinelli isn't playing that soft cushion on the line of scrimmage and just giving the WR's a free release.

I'd say it's offensive play calling/protections. I think the oline has improved, but Martz needed to quit being so damned stubborn about passing 75% of the time. Now we make adjustments (Tice & Martz) and keep defenses honest.

The playcalling itself as it's established a better run-pass balance. By doing that it shows what the offense is capable of.

I think the biggest reason is the offensive play calling. The pocket is moving and running game is just successful enough to keep defenses honest and guessing. Defenses are at least biting on play action. The offensive line hasn't actually improved it's pass blocking skills all that much IMO.

Give credit in the run game to better run blocking though. The o-line isn't stellar at it, they may not get a great push overall, but they're doing good enough and at least opening up some holes. It has definitely improved.

Offensive efficiency is up. They do better on 3rd downs and I think that's because they do better on first and second down by running the ball more. That offensive efficiency helps the defense, which was strong early in the season but now it's, like, really strong.