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Bears finally can stand up to Packers secondary
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports...,5978543.story
Bears finally can stand up to Packers secondary
By Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune reporter 7:38 p.m. CDT, September 11, 2012
One key reason the Bears have lost four straight games at Lambeau Field is the Packers have flat out beat up their wide receivers.
In a 37-3 whipping in 2008, the Bears completed four passes to wide receivers, a testament to their struggles when you consider how out of hand the score was. The Bears failed to keep the Packers out of the playoffs in 2010 when they lost the season finale 10-3 at Lambeau Field. Jay Cutler completed only eight passes to wideouts that game, seven going to Rashied Davis.
As they prepare for Thursday night's meeting in Green Bay, the Bears are saying bring on press man coverage. They don't believe the Packers can push them around any longer with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery as imposing figures for the Packers secondary.
"Good luck," Cutler said. "We have some dudes that if you're going to get up in our face … our big guys are going to throw-and-go. We invite press coverage. We invite man. And if we get in that type of game, our guys outside have to make some plays for us."
The Colts attempted to corral Marshall in man coverage and Cutler took notice, targeting 15 of his 35 passes for him and completing nine for 119 yards with one touchdown. It will be interesting to see how the Packers approach him.
Tramon Williams has been a top cover man but he's giving up a lot of size at 5 feet 11, 191 pounds. Although Marshall is listed at 6-4, 230, he moved to correct that.
"At the combine they had me at 6-4 and three-quarters," he said. "I didn't want to start being a headache that soon, so I just kind of let them have it. I think I'm 6-5. I walk around telling everyone I'm 6-5. I had to at least get to the NFL before I started giving everyone headaches.
"There aren't too many DBs walking around that big. If they want to get physical, I do welcome that."
The Packers have moved 35-year-old Charles Woodson to safety. He has been a wild card for the Packers in the past, sometimes covering tight end Greg Olsen almost exclusively. Cutler is curious to see how Woodson is deployed and admitted he wouldn't be surprised if he shadows Marshall.
But the Bears are going to keep going to Marshall, that is for sure. Maybe he will not be targeted 15 times per game like he was, but Cutler would like to complete nine passes per game to Marshall — a total that bring him to 144 for the season, one more than Marvin Harrison's NFL record in 2002.
"Yeah, I knew," Marshall said. "My goal was never just to make it to the NFL, it was to try to be one of the best. So, back to my rookie year I knew some of the receiver records whether it's franchise or the NFL.
"To achieve that you have to have awareness of where you're at or what's already out there. I'm familiar with that. I don't know if that can ever be done. That's tough, what Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison were able to do not only as a tandem that year but as a team.
"That will be hard to duplicate, but you have to keep it in the back of your head, something to work toward when you're catching the JUGS before practice or getting some extra work, you think of some of those things to keep you going."
If Cutler targets Marshall 15 times per game that would translate to 240 over the course of the season.
"Seems like a lot, doesn't it?" Cutler said.
But Cutler targeted Marshall 170 times in 2007 and 181 times in 2008 for the Broncos when he combined with him for 206 receptions in two seasons. They certainly have picked up where they left off.
The highest total in the NFL last season was 180 for the Falcons' Roddy White.
Marshall recalled Cutler's first career start late in the 2006 season against the Seahawks.
"I think (Peyton Manning and Harrison) combined for 130-something touchdowns (actually an NFL record 112), so I went up to Jay and was like, 'Our time starts now.'
"Trying to get to overtime, he threw me a ball and we took it 70-something yards. We met in the end zone and said, 'Hey, that's No. 1.' He just listens when I talk and sometimes I'm sure he really doesn't hear what I'm saying. But I'm going to continue to talk to him."
bmbiggs@tribune.com
Twitter @BradBiggs
Copyright © 2012, Chicago Tribune
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If they load up on Marshall, then Cutler is smart enough to target one of our other excellent receivers. Jeffreys is going to be huge for us in this regard. Bennett has always been solid. Even Hester looks better this year. Rodriguez looks like he could emerge as a solid receiving weapon too.
Trestman - Kromer - Tucker - DeCamillis
I'm looking forward to seeing these guys coach. Hope they're good.
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Don't forget Day and Forte. Plenty of weapons on this O.
I saw an article, didn't bother posting it..or maybe it was in another one I read and posted. But Cutler audibled something like 50% of the plays last week. AWESOME!
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
Riczaj01 
Don't forget Day and Forte. Plenty of weapons on this O.
I saw an article, didn't bother posting it..or maybe it was in another one I read and posted. But Cutler audibled something like 50% of the plays last week. AWESOME!
It's great that we finally, now have an OC who allows audibles, and allows the TE's to be receiving weapons.
Ric, how's your daughter doing?
Trestman - Kromer - Tucker - DeCamillis
I'm looking forward to seeing these guys coach. Hope they're good.
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I know right. I'm really interested to see how this OL and the team handles a better pass rush tomorrow. Even if we don't win(GB needs this game more then we do, and it's at their home) If we put up a solid performance And there isn't pressure all night I'll be pretty happy.
She's doing fine she acts fine for a day or so, then has a down day; every night has been a down night until lastnight; she was only up 1x(4:30) last night.
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Originally Posted by
JustAnotherBearsFan99 It's great that we finally, now have an OC who allows audibles, and allows the TE's to be receiving weapons.
Ric, how's your daughter doing?
Is it only me or does that sound wrong? 
Hester looking good, all tho I think that he should just have gone down the middel a couple of times with his speed he should get more yards that way than trying to go outside, it failed once or twice. Can't wait till they open more of the Hester package.
It's time for the big brother to stand up to it's littlebrother and beat the hell out of him. Teach him what football is about, winning SB's.. okay perhaps not that. But playing with pride, and having a magnificent history.. And lads.. it will hopefully happen this Thursday night!
Allow me brothers and sisters...
We have all been witness to a terrible tragedy. The snaps of good men has been shed upon this soil! Honorable players, injuried defending their team - our team! And such can never be forgortten, we must remain vigilant in our cause! The Green Bay Packers must answer for what they have won and must not be allowed to win any further SB! I make a promise to you now brothers and sisters: The Packers will be defeated! On this day I call for a Bears win! The deffense and the offense will come together as one! We will succeed where so many before us have failed! We will take the fight to Lambeau Field and tear down Packers from their so called ”throne”! THE CHICAGO BEARS COMES FOR YOU CHEESEHEADS! 
Last edited by ZifanQ; 09-12-2012 at 10:14 AM.
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High Fives / Like - 3 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Whoa Zif, whatever you're into I'll take some too.
Marshall has proven throughout his career that he can't be covered man on man. He's too big, too strong, and he has a huge catching radius that allows him to get to balls even with guys hanging all over him. He's the biggest challenge in the passing game every team will have to counter.
If they double him we have three other receivers who can also hurt you. I think quite a few people were surprised last week when Jeffery out ran both the CB and the FS for the TD grab. Once he gets open down field he has more speed than most thought he did.
This a much different offense than the Packers have ever prepared for before and if Cutler is on his game the combination of the things we can throw at them will be hard to stop completely. They'll have to choose. This short week may actually turn into an advantage just for that reason.
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
Riczaj01 In a 37-3 whipping in 2008, the Bears completed four passes to wide receivers, a testament to their struggles when you consider how out of hand the score was. The Bears failed to keep the Packers out of the playoffs in 2010 when they lost the season finale 10-3 at Lambeau Field. Jay Cutler completed only eight passes to wideouts that game, seven going to Rashied Davis.
And what the hell does 2008 have to do with THIS Bears team? We didnt even have cutler then. I really hate articles that use old stats to try and make some kind of point.
If were bringing up stats, why not oh i dunno...use a more relevant one like LAST YEAR?:
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/201109...ghts&tab=recap
Cutler was 21/37 for 302 yards (more then Rodgers had that day) and 2 TDs. Seems like we did ok against their secondary, even with the mediocre WRs we had.
GBs secondary and defense hasnt been that good for years now, GB just follows the Bellichek method: kill em with offense. Lets not forget, they were DEAD LAST last season in Pass defense.
I'm trying//to let go//of maybe//but maybe's just so//very interesting//Oh, what a thing.
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
soulman Whoa Zif, whatever you're into I'll take some too.
Marshall has proven throughout his career that he can't be covered man on man. He's too big, too strong, and he has a huge catching radius that allows him to get to balls even with guys hanging all over him. He's the biggest challenge in the passing game every team will have to counter.
If they double him we have three other receivers who can also hurt you. I think quite a few people were surprised last week when Jeffery out ran both the CB and the FS for the TD grab. Once he gets open down field he has more speed than most thought he did.
This a much different offense than the Packers have ever prepared for before and if Cutler is on his game the combination of the things we can throw at them will be hard to stop completely. They'll have to choose. This short week may actually turn into an advantage just for that reason.
Yeah, no doubt we've never ever prepared for an offense that has a run game and a pass game before. That's a brand new concept to the NFL. Never been done before in NFL history. 
Last edited by Evernight; 09-12-2012 at 06:51 PM.
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High Fives / Like - 2 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
Evernight Yeah, no doubt we've never ever prepared for an offense that has a run game and a pass game before. That's a brand new concept to the NFL. Never been done before in NFL history.
A much different Bears offense. You know what I meant. 
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 - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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