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Free Head Exam; Chicago Bears (Funny Title for an Article).........
Chicago Bears Report
Free Head Exam: Chicago Bears
October, 3, 2011Oct 3
3:50
PM CT
By Kevin Seifert
After the Chicago Bears’ 34-29 victory Sunday over the Carolina Panthers, here are three issues that merit further examination:
1. How important is it for this Bears team to emphasize its running game? ESPN Stats & Information produced some stunning numbers to answer that question. The Bears had nine possessions Sunday in which they ran at least one offensive play. On the four that resulted in a score, the Bears had an 84%-16% run-pass ratio. On their non-scoring possessions, the Bears’ ratio was 38.5%-61.5%. It’s yet another example of how important it is for the Bears to establish the run -- and what happens when they can’t or don’t try. (Would someone please email this to Mike Martz)
2. It might not make the Bears feel any better about it, but theirs isn’t the only respected defense to get gashed by the Panthers. They allowed quarterback Cam Newton 374 passing yards and the Panthers a total of 543 offensive yards, 40 yards short of the Bears franchise record. But Newton has thrown for more yards in his first four starts than any quarterback in NFL history. I’m not walking away from Week 4 in a panic over the Bears defense. But I do think the Bears are hoping veteran safety Chris Harris (hamstring) returns shortly. Fluctuation in the safety lineup has left the them looking a little disorganized in the back end. New safety Brandon Meriweather appeared to be at fault for leaving Steve Smith wide open on a 53-yard reception. Harris should be able to help settle that down. (I've taken all of these factors into consideration as to why the Bears gave up so much yardage on Sunday except the one regarding Meriweather. He has a rep for doing exactly what he did on that play and if he does it again we made a very bad choice signing him. That's not the way we play defense)
3.Every now and then, the Bears provide a clinic in the value of innovative and explosive special teams. Simply put, they wouldn’t have won Sunday without them. We all know that Devin Hester returned a punt 69 yards for one touchdown and set up another with a 73-yard kickoff return. But the final few minutes of the game would have looked a lot different had Julius Peppers not blocked Olindo Mare’s 34-yard field goal in the third quarter. Yes, Mare’s kick was low. But the Bears have too many games like this to consider it good fortune. Their special teams keeps opponents off balance like few, if any, others.
And here is one issue I still don’t get: (Don't feel bad, neither do we)
The Bears have either decided to place the franchise tag on tailback Matt Forte this offseason or they are costing themselves some money by delaying a contract extension. I’m not sure which one it is yet. But his value for this team has never been higher. Forte has 263 rushing yards on 41 attempts in the Bears’ two victories this season. He has 51 yards on 19 carries in their two losses. Obviously, additional factors were at play in those games. But it’s hard to dispute the significance of those numbers. (This is Jerry's brain when the stupid circuit sticks in the open position and the $$$ circuit in the closed)
Last edited by soulman; 10-04-2011 at 10:47 PM.
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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Merriweather reminds me of Kevin Payne- could hit but would not wrap up and slip in deep coverage. Just pay Forte already-I'm pretty sure they can afford it.
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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I'm all for making Dave Toub either the OC or the HC. Who's with me?
This guy can lose key players, cope with rule changes, and reconstruct his ST's with new guys and never seems to lose a step. Why is it that this is the only unit on the team that does this consistently?
Cam Newton has certainly silenced his critics and those who said Carolina was foolish to pass on defensive players like Van Miller or Marcell Dareus and take the next Vince Young. All I can say is WOW! I'm happy for "Chico" since he got a great player they can build around and I'm grateful we don't have to play this guy twice a year. If he can do this much damage as a rookie with short prep time and a new coach what will he look like by year three? I've never seen a rookie play with that much poise and throwing ability this early in his career and the guy can't be brought down. He's fearless.
If any of you remember some of the posts from Pats fans about Meriweather's tendency to free lance then after Sunday you know exactly what they were referring to. We had a discussion in the chat room about whose fault it was that Smith wasn't covered on that first deep pass he caught. Some opted for blaming Jennings but knowing that Jennings has enough experience not to release a guy like that unless he has Safety help I opted for Meriweather knowing that it was just like him to pull a stunt like that. He bit on another route and completely blew off his resposibilties on that play.
I hope Lovie has a long talk with him about the principal responsibilties of the FS in this defense. One more stunt like that and he's be playing on ST for the rest of the year.
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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High Fives / Like - 2 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
short faced bear 
Just pay Forte already-I'm pretty sure they can afford it.
Still got $18.1 million in space for this year. It would be foolish not to sign him and utilize the space now (unless of course they are stupid as shit and don't intend on resigning him).
Winston Churchill:
"Since light travels faster than sound, some people appear bright until you hear them speak."
"If you're not a liberal at twenty you have no heart, if you're not a conservative at forty you have no brain."
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If Forte somehow lands with another team, I think I might just throw in the towel and not watch football for a while. It would make me sick to my stomach. I would hope then someone would fire Jerry Angelo.... then perhaps I'd come back.
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
gammabears If Forte somehow lands with another team, I think I might just throw in the towel and not watch football for a while. It would make me sick to my stomach. I would hope then someone would fire Jerry Angelo.... then perhaps I'd come back.
Let's just make Forte player/GM and have it all. 
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Originally Posted by
BearStuff Still got $18.1 million in space for this year. It would be foolish not to sign him and utilize the space now (unless of course they are stupid as shit and don't intend on resigning him).
Yeah but if they don't resign him then the mckaskeys get a higher dividend at the end of year.... And if they use money this year which will leave extra cap for next year then they will be forced to spend more next year as well not happening
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Originally Posted by
motownbear Yeah but if they don't resign him then the mckaskeys get a higher dividend at the end of year.... And if they use money this year which will leave extra cap for next year then they will be forced to spend more next year as well not happening
Ginny's got more grandkids turning 16 soon. Land Rovers don't just fall from the sky, you know.
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High Fives / Like - 3 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
gammabears If Forte somehow lands with another team, I think I might just throw in the towel and not watch football for a while. It would make me sick to my stomach. I would hope then someone would fire Jerry Angelo.... then perhaps I'd come back.
I would never desert the Bears but I'm with you on the spectating part. It would be like a novice skier telling me that he's gonna ski a double black diamond run. He can go right ahead but it would be way too painful to watch.
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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