Bears Have Trends With Benefits................................

Printable View

10-25-2011, 10:41 PM
soulman

Bears Have Trends With Benefits................................

Bears have trends with benefits By Neil Hayes
nhayes@suntimes.com October 24, 2011 10:36PM

Updated: October 25, 2011 2:10AM

The more time you spend watching the NFL, the more difficult it becomes to know where the Bears will end up in the wide-open NFC.

Are the Buccaneers a lousy team? They sure looked like it during a blowout loss to the 49ers two weeks ago and during much of the Bears 24-18 victory in London on Sunday. Was this a quality win for the Bears? Those two Tampa Bay losses were sandwiched around an impressive triumph over a two-loss New Orleans Saints team that took the undefeated Green Bay Packers to the wire.

The NFL is such a week-to-week proposition that looking too far down the road becomes futile. The Bears looked to be on the brink of collapse in losses to the Saints, Packers and Lions. We’ve also seen signs of them developing into a legitimate playoff team in wins over the Falcons, Panthers and Vikings.
Against the Bucs, they looked like a Super Bowl contender for three quarters before collapsing in the fourth.

At this time last year, offensive coordinator Mike Martz and offensive line coach Mike Tice had to re-invent the offense. Nothing so drastic needs to occur this year. The offensive line must continue to develop, of course. The Bears have allowed 21 sacks in the first seven games, which is 10 fewer than they had at this point last season.

The defense needs more pressure from the front four. It needs to eliminate big plays. Julius Peppers recovering from a knee injury should help the former and more stability at safety the latter.

Here are three other developing trends that must continue if the Bears are to be playoff bound:

◆ When Adrian Clayborn sacked Jay Cutler in the third quarter it wasn’t alarming or worrisome. The rookie from Iowa beat J’Marcus Webb to the inside. No big deal. It happens. The second-year offensive tackle is settling in at one of the most important positions on the field. There is no better sign for the Bears offense.

More impressive than solid pass protection was the way linemen covered up defenders in the running game. Roberto Garza, Chris Spencer and Chris Williams got out in front of Matt Forte and paved the way. Webb and fill-in right tackle Lance Louis are reliable. Tight ends Matt Spaeth and Kellen Davis helped seal the edges. Most impressive were the blocks downfield. Roy Williams, Devin Hester and fullback Tyler Clutts were hustling and throwing their bodies around. Even diminutive Dane Sanzenbacher knocked over a defender on Matt Forte’s 36-yard reception in the fourth quarter.

A selflessness seems to be developing that the offense will need to maximize its limited potential in the second half.

◆ Roy Williams had four catches for 59 yards, which sounds about right. Williams is never going to be the No. 1 receiver Martz predicted he would be when he was signed during training camp. The return of Earl Bennett from a chest injury and Williams developing into a consistent presence will help Cutler.
Martz downplays size. It’s separation he’s looking for in a receiver. That’s fine, but quarterbacks don’t have to be as accurate when throwing to bigger receivers such as Williams and Bennett. Spaeth and Davis will catch balls occasionally because defenders forget they are eligible. Johnny Knox and Devin Hester are effective deep threats. With Greg Olsen gone, Cutler needs consistent mid-range targets. Williams isn’t the dynamic player Martz envisioned but he can fill a crucial role if he can keep doing what he did Sunday, minus the drop and the bobble.

◆ Josh Freeman is a young quarterback and is often described as a budding star, and that may well be true, but he was awful Sunday. He was intercepted four times. On three other occasions a Bears defender had two hands on one of his passes and dropped it.

Smith’s defense relies on turnovers and the Bears need more days like they had Sunday. The defense had forced 17 turnovers through seven games last season. They have 13 this year. More pressure on opposing quarterbacks means more fumbles and more errant throws.

Even though the schedule gets more manageable in the second half, the Bears aren’t good enough to let turnovers slip through their fingers if they want to go to the playoffs again
10-25-2011, 11:02 PM
soulman

There's been some debate here as to whether or not posters like myself should be so negative about the team most of the time. I say this not to make and excuse but to explain why I seem to be doing it.

For the most part I'm copying and pasting written articles from the press for comment and debate. I admit that I highlight portions of those articles where my observations of the team, an individual player or coach, or a play agree with mine. I'm not trying to lead others into those same conclusions I'm really just stating my own. Some agree and others don't and that's why I think these reprints are great for debating over.

If they seem to negative at times it's only because the represent the conclusions of a paid group of observers who, while not always accurate in their reporting, at least have an opportunity to observe the team in a way we cannot. They also get to interview key players and coaches and report on those as well. If my threads are on the negative side it's because the majority of what these guys are writing is negative at least as some see it.

I'm not a "homer" and I'm trying to be honest about my attitude towards the team. If I point out or say something negative it's not out of joy or smuggness it's because I'm a die hard Bears fan and I want to see the team get better and win more championships and I don't enjoy the things that stand in the way of that. I don't see it so much as negativity as honesty about the issue with a good motive. I want to see both the Halas and the Lombardi Trophies in our trophy cans and not 200 miles to he north.

So here's a more positive look a our beloved Bears and I agree with what Neil Hayes is saying here too.
10-26-2011, 03:00 AM
Henry Burris

I find it interesting, that in almost every category, our team is better than it was last year, with the same record. IF the defense can get back to its stifling ways (which, for the majority of the third quarter, it left TB at negative offensive yards), we've got a really good shot. The offense, when going from pass to run and back, needs to keep the other team guessing, not KNOWING that if we have two tight ends, we're running, or that we're passing, because we have NOBODY, or a slow WR in the backfield. I think instead of Bennett or Sanzanbacher, they should put johnny knox or Devin Hester back there to have the other teams guess if we're going to pitch it to them, use them in a screen or some other trickery.
10-26-2011, 05:50 AM
StarkyLuv

I just feel that the entire season depends on Martz continuing to emphasize protecting Cutler and running Forte/Barber. The second half of Bucs game, he inexplicably stared passing more than running when we had a big lead and Forte/Barber slicing up the Bucs at will. He really does seem to think that the "style" in which you win is more important than the win. Lovie really needs to get into his firkin' ear and threaten him with termination if it continues.
10-26-2011, 11:21 AM
BearStuff

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarkyLuv

I just feel that the entire season depends on Martz continuing to emphasize protecting Cutler and running Forte/Barber. The second half of Bucs game, he inexplicably stared passing more than running when we had a big lead and Forte/Barber slicing up the Bucs at will. He really does seem to think that the "style" in which you win is more important than the win. Lovie really needs to get into his firkin' ear and threaten him with termination if it continues.

We don't fire people mid-season, but he won't be back.
10-26-2011, 04:15 PM
golfinbuddy

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarkyLuv

I just feel that the entire season depends on Martz continuing to emphasize protecting Cutler and running Forte/Barber. The second half of Bucs game, he inexplicably stared passing more than running when we had a big lead and Forte/Barber slicing up the Bucs at will. He really does seem to think that the "style" in which you win is more important than the win. Lovie really needs to get into his firkin' ear and threaten him with termination if it continues.

Truer words have never been spoken! He is still locked into the "Greatest Show on Turf" mentality at times. If our personnel says run the ball down their throat (which is what should have happened against TB with a 2 TD lead and the way Forte performed in the 1st half), he needs to get off his high horse and do what is best for the team.
10-26-2011, 06:22 PM
soulman

Quote:

Originally Posted by BearStuff

We don't fire people mid-season, but he won't be back.

Yeah, I tend to agree with you. If Martz isn't able to generate a decent offense in a style that fits the Bears then no matter hopw much of a genius he may be it's not gonna work. I think Sunday was another classic example of his departure from what works back into Lala lane. Yeah the were bringing 8 men against the run but he should use that to burn them deep on a play fake and try for a big score. Trying to move the ball down the field one pass at a time didn't work and calling three consecutive pass plays on 1st an goal from the 4 was ludicrous. He just can't keep his finger off that pass button.