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Upon Futher Review From Dan Pompei........
Film not kind to Bears' receivers
Rookie tackle Carimi has rough night too
Titans' Chris Hope breaks up a pass intended for Devin Hester. (Grant Halverson, Getty Images / August 27, 2011)
Dan Pompei On the NFL 7:00 p.m. CDT, August 28, 2011
After a closer inspection of the Bears' performance in their exhibition game against the Titans on Saturday, we should give a number of players a hand.
And we should give a number of other players — namely the wide receivers — some hands.
The hands they already have weren't working very well.
Here is what stood out in the weekly film review.
Wide receivers
Bears quarterbacks had a fairly productive night throwing the ball with 277 yards, but they could have had close to 100 yards more if the wide receivers had done their jobs on catchable passes.
Of course there was Roy Williams' tip on the second play of the game that resulted in an interception. Jay Cutler hit Williams square in the hands and should have had a 20-yard gain.
We have come to expect that from Williams. We should not have to expect it from rookie free agent Dane Sanzenbacher, who dropped what could have been at least a 14-yard gain. The only reason to keep Sanzenbacher on the final 53-man roster is he is supposed to catch everything.
The game against the Titans provided an opportunity for Johnny Knox to step up, and he failed to do so. On his sideline non-catch that was reviewed and upheld, Knox did not establish possession before stepping out. He also allowed Titans cornerback Chris Hawkins to reach around and break up a pass that hit him in the hands. Knox left at least 30 yards on the field.
Devin Hester added to the trend by dropping two catchable passes.
The only receiver who did his job well was Earl Bennett.
Offensive tackles
Good news: J'Marcus Webb probably played his best game at left tackle. Bad news: Gabe Carimi might have played his worst game at right tackle.
Carimi got off to a rough start and wasn't as technically sound as he had been in previous outings, but he settled down as the game went on.
He appeared to make a mental error on the first pass of the game, and defensive end Dave Ball subsequently drove Cutler into the ground on a pass to Williams. On the second play, Carimi lost his balance and was knocked to the ground by Ball. Carimi later had a false start.
Carimi was solid in the run game. A highlight was the push he and right guard Lance Louis provided on Caleb Hanie's fourth-and-1 quarterback sneak.
Webb also played physically and avoided the penalties that have been commonplace with him. On Cutler's 18-yard pass to Bennett, Webb blew out defensive tackle Marcus Sheppard.
Middle linebackers
Lots of encouraging things here. Good to see 33-year-old Brian Urlacher get some extended playing time and make the most of it. Urlacher played with the passion of a 21-year-old free agent trying to make the team.
He read well, got to the ballcarrier and tackled physically. One of his best moments came when he took on center Eugene Amato and drove him to the ground, which enabled Matt Toeaina to tackle Jamie Harper for a 2-yard loss.
On the other end of the spectrum, undrafted Dom DeCicco is making a strong push for a roster spot. He and Urlacher each had four tackles.
DeCicco shows excellent instincts. He nailed Harper for a loss of 3, and also stopped Kestahn Moore for only 1 yard with a head-on collision even though DeCicco had an offensive tackle on his shoulder.
Defensive linemen
Two players stood out here — Amobi Okoye and Israel Idonije.
Okoye has been the Bears' most productive pass rusher this summer, and should be a lock to make the final roster and get significant playing time.
The only other interior rusher who has shown the same kind of burst Okoye has is Henry Melton.
It was evident in Okoye's fourth-quarter sack when Stephen Paea flushed QB Jake Locker to his left, and Okoye shot past Pat McQuistan. It also was evident when he shot his gap and stopped Stafon Johnson for a loss of 3. And it was evident when he got around guard Jake Scott for a QB hit on an incompletion.
As for Idonije, he wasn't as productive, but he was disruptive, penetrating on run plays and pressuring Titans quarterbacks twice.
dpompei@tribune.com
Twitter @danpompei
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Copyright © 2011, Chicago Tribune
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I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. 
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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So, the question of the day is this: were there more positives for the Bears yesterday than negatives? Unfortunately, there was one BIG negative that ultimately led to our defeat, and that was the interception by...can't remember who...against Caleb Hanie that was returned for the decisive touchdown.
With all the negatives that we saw on offense and the missed field goal by usually-sure-footed Robbie Gould, the Bears probably had slightly more negatives to their game than the positives they achieved. Thankfully, this is the preseason, else we would be in a lot of trouble.
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The pass catchers did struggle doing just that. Knox did make a nice sideline catch but just caught the sideline with his big toe it looked like. Bad break but he has to learn how to tap dance those catches. Saw one Hester miss but not the other. Why does he always do so well in camp and then fall down when the games start? I was shocked that Sanz didn't catch that pass. It probably shocked him too. Wasn't the best throw in the world and it was around his knees from what I saw but we're so accustomed to him catching those that the drop came as a surprise. Hanie needs to get a little more zip on some of his passes and that was one.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Originally Posted by
Dagan81 
So, the question of the day is this: were there more positives for the Bears yesterday than negatives? Unfortunately, there was one BIG negative that ultimately led to our defeat, and that was the interception by...can't remember who...against Caleb Hanie that was returned for the decisive touchdown.
With all the negatives that we saw on offense and the missed field goal by usually-sure-footed Robbie Gould, the Bears probably had slightly more negatives to their game than the positives they achieved. Thankfully, this is the preseason, else we would be in a lot of trouble.
The upshot of it is that we shouldn't be losing games against teams we should beat. That's what got us in trouble for a while last year. When you roll up 400 yds on offense you need to come away with more thn 13 points.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Originally Posted by
Dagan81 So, the question of the day is this: were there more positives for the Bears yesterday than negatives? Unfortunately, there was one BIG negative that ultimately led to our defeat, and that was the interception by...can't remember who...against Caleb Hanie that was returned for the decisive touchdown.
With all the negatives that we saw on offense and the missed field goal by usually-sure-footed Robbie Gould, the Bears probably had slightly more negatives to their game than the positives they achieved. Thankfully, this is the preseason, else we would be in a lot of trouble.
Clear out you PM Inbox it's full and I have a PM for you.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Originally Posted by
soulman The pass catchers did struggle doing just that. Knox did make a nice sideline catch but just caught the sideline with his big toe it looked like. Bad break but he has to learn how to tap dance those catches. Saw one Hester miss but not the other. Why does he always do so well in camp and then fall down when the games start? I was shocked that Sanz didn't catch that pass. It probably shocked him too. Wasn't the best throw in the world and it was around his knees from what I saw but we're so accustomed to him catching those that the drop came as a surprise. Hanie needs to get a little more zip on some of his passes and that was one.
It's PS and the Titans weren't exactly stellar either but...
Hester dropped TWO easy catches both of which would have been 15+ yard plays.
Knox SUCKED in a game that should have been his big opportunity to definitively reclaim his starting spot. Two completions went uncompleted and he fumbled a ball on a kick return when he wasn't even hit very hard--he basically just dropped it. If the defender hadn't been so stupid as to not just fall on it, it would have been a game changer in a RS game.
RW caught two nice gains but cost Cutler an INT that shouldn't have been--a well thrown pass went right through his hands.
Sanz dropped a less-than-perfect pass at his knees that he NEEDS TO CATCH. I still want the guy to stick but he has to make those plays.
MWright wiffed on another can't-miss tackle.
Bowman didn't impress either at CB.
Hanie played like what he is--a number 2. He had good plays and he had groaners. Couple of bad decisions and his passes lacked zip.
I was hoping that Levi Horn would show something as a backup tackle--he did--he showed that he isn't much of one.
Ghoulston once again didn't distinguish himself.
Those are the low-lights. The highlights were Bennett, Forte, KBell, Cutler, Okoye, Conte (nice ST tackle), CWilliams, and Webb. The OL as a whole was pretty good. Carimi had a few bad plays but I'm not worried about him. LL looked better. Webb was pretty darn good considering. Gould hit the upright on a short FG but made two long ones--not concerned. Martz called a good game--nice balance, play actions, running attack, etc.
W/L doesn't matter here but it should have been an easy 24-10 victory.
Last edited by MPBears68; 08-28-2011 at 10:48 PM.
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Hester had a case of the alligator arms as both passes were over the middle and he was hearing ( thump thump thump ) ...footsteps. Thats ok dude. Git the jits outta ur system b4 the reg season starts.
What should you call any : Fumble , Hold , Interception , Three and out , or Sack ?
A " F.H.I.T.S " ? or a J'Marcus ?
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A bit off topic but related to Hanie. On a sack I noticed what appeared to be a horse collar at the end. Does that collar type maneuver not count as a "horse" because the defender is in so deep?
Arguing on the internet is like winning the special olympics, even if you win your still messed up.
Restore the roar!
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Originally Posted by
short faced bear A bit off topic but related to Hanie. On a sack I noticed what appeared to be a horse collar at the end. Does that collar type maneuver not count as a "horse" because the defender is in so deep?
It should be called whenever, where ever so = an ignored call prolly cuz it's pre season. Reg season they prolly wouldn't miss it ( i hope ).
What should you call any : Fumble , Hold , Interception , Three and out , or Sack ?
A " F.H.I.T.S " ? or a J'Marcus ?
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I saw some really nice plays on that TD drive with a ton of co-ordination and effort by the whole offense but after that they seemed to turn down the intensity to low and just coasted. If they can turn up the play every game all game like they did in that first quarter I'd say that we finally have an offense that can win some games. But they've got to play a better game inside the red zone. Not enough killer instinct and too many points left on the field.
The defense was it's usual "bend but not break" predictable self. On some drives they can be very frustrating as you watch teams complete pass after to the same guy without pause or watch your safety get trampled on a run but then they adjust. Seldom do the Bears give up yardage the same way all game long and if we don't turn the ball over the defense makes you use the whole field play by play to score. Overall thought the intensity level needs to match the one Urlacher plays with 100% of the time.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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