Thread: Bears could blitz more this season

If front four can't get to quarterback, Marinelli may call on others

By Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune reporter

9:02 p.m. CDT, August 27, 2012
The first time the Bears put Robert Griffin III in a third-and-long situation, on the opening series of the second exhibition game, the Redskins were in a difficult spot.

It was third-and-23 from their 32-yard line. Conventional wisdom tells Lovie Smith's defense typically plays its signature Cover-2 defense on the money down. But off the edge came nickel back D.J. Moore on a blitz along with middle linebacker Nick Roach. The weak-side end, Shea McClellin, dropped into the flat and weak-side linebacker Lance Briggs had the middle with the secondary in a three-deep look.

The Bears chose to pressure the rookie quarterback instead of forcing him to check it down. Griffin handed off to Evan Royster on a draw that gained 13 yards and led to a punt.

In the most recent game, the defense had the Giants backed up at the end of the first quarter. Eli Manning was facing third-and-15 from his 15 when Briggs and free safety Major Wright blitzed with McClellin, again on the weak side, dropping into man-to-man coverage on tight end Martellus Bennett. Wright and Julius Peppers pressured Manning into throwing the ball away, a productive play wiped out by an unnecessary pass-interference penalty against Charles Tillman.

Signs of more aggressive times to come for the Bears defense or a defensive coordinator simply working through calls he wants to see executed in the preseason?

"We've got some guys that can blitz," play caller Rod Marinelli said. "So we are excited about it."

The Bears are driven to improve their pass rush and the first move to shore up that area was drafting McClellin in the first round. But the pass rush from the front four through three exhibitions hasn't been consistent. If the defense can't get home with four, the next step could be a more aggressive approach to play-calling.

The club's record of 72 sacks in 1984 is not in danger, but Marinelli and Smith just might have some more wrinkles for opponents to consider. In the NFC North, the Bears must beat the Packers and Lions, and if the defense cannot get to Aaron Rodgers and Matthew Stafford with four down linemen, it's going to require more creative ways to pressure. Otherwise, the quarterbacks will pick apart any secondary.

The Bears had 33 sacks in 2011, tied for 19th in the NFL, and were 28th in passing yards allowed, giving up 254.1 yards per game. But the opponents' passer rating was 79.3, ranking eighth best among defenses. They rushed five defenders 17.9 percent of the time, 21st in the NFL, according to Football Outsiders. They pressured with six 7.1 percent, ranking 18th. Moore, who is a major component of the team's blitz package, isn't convinced a lot is changing. When the Bears do blitz it is with a pretty basic zone package. It's not exotic.

"It's the same stuff we've been doing every year," Moore said. "I don't see much different."

The Bears did not have a single sack from a linebacker last season. They had eight in 2010 when Brian Urlacher had four and Lance Briggs got two. If the front four is not generating steady pressure the Bears might choose to involve the linebackers more.

"We want more big plays," Briggs said. "Sacks are big plays and they are a big part of being one of the top players; it's what you expect from playmakers. Last year, we got close a lot but didn't get a chance to get any numbers down. So, I think that is important. Not only do that, but create more turnovers and create opportunities for our offense to get more points on the board."

Asked if there is a measure in place for the linebacker to do more this season, Briggs turned coy.

"That is kind of a wait-and-see type deal," he said. "We don't want to reveal too many secrets for the 2012 season. I can tell you one thing, nine years in, eight years in Lovie's system, there is a lot of trust in our locker room."

Don't fall into the trap of thinking the Bears work exclusively in a two-deep zone. There is more going on.

"We like them talking like that. That's what you want," Marinelli said. "We have some really good blitzers."

In desperate times, perhaps they will be used more.



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