Offense trying to figure out slow starts

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 10-31-2012, 09:56 PM

1. Do you think this offense will get much better this season, before the playoffs?

2. If so, then how much of an improvement do you think we'll see? Significant improvement? Will it match our pre-season expectations?

LINK to the article

Offense trying to figure out slow starts

LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Jay Cutler totally understands the team's current style of offense is unsustainable if the Chicago Bears hope to advance far into the postseason.

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Jay Cutler's Bears offense have scored just 30 points in the first quarter through seven games this season.

The problem, though, is there's really no bona fide solution to cure the club's slow starts on offense.

"We could be playing this type of ball in December, I don't know. I can't tell the future," Cutler said. "All I know is offensively we're going to try to get better. I'm going to try to get better each week and each day. I know the guys that we have in that room are going to try to get better. I believe in our coaches and the system we have. They're going to do the best possible job they can to put us in situations to be successful."

So far, it hasn't worked on a consistent basis. Through the first seven games, the offense continues to struggle early, with the team scoring a total of 30 points in the first quarter, compared to 81 in the fourth. The Bears entered their victory over Carolina on Sunday ranked last in average yardage (4.1) on first downs, which serves as one component of the team's problems thus far.

Cutler admitted the Bears probably "see more second-and-10's than anybody else in the league, second-and-8-plus" which typically snowballs into a dilemma on third down. Cutler said "if you call a run and don't get five-plus" in those second-and-long situations "you're sitting in third-and-long, and if you pass and it's incomplete, then you're at third-and-10."

That only exacerbates the struggles, putting the team in predictable passing situations. When the Bears face third downs with 5 yards or fewer to gain for a first down, they've converted 20 of 33 (60.6 percent conversion rate). Push that distance from third-and-6 to 10-plus yards needed for the first down, and the conversion rate falls to 29 percent.

"Facing some better teams down the stretch, we're going to have to get better at it," Cutler said.

Teammate Brandon Marshall admitted to not knowing what the offense's problem has been early in games this season, adding that "what I do know is that we're close. I know we're working hard to get where we want to be."

It all starts with the quarterback. Cutler's passer rating in the first quarter is 29.5 with the quarterback completing 25 of 53 for 169 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions. In addition, he's been sacked eight times in the first quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Cutler's passer rating dramatically improves to an NFL-best 132.0, garnering praise from Marshall, who has suggested nicknames such as "The Closer" and "Ace" for the quarterback.

"Jay is one of those guys where he has that clutch gene," Marshall said. "You hear guys talking about it. Some believe it, some don't. But Jay has it."

Does he really, though?

The Bears held leads going into the fourth quarter in five of the club's seven games, winning by an average score of close to 15-9 heading into the final 15 minutes. Teams at a disadvantage in the final quarter typically don't key in on the pass because the winning squad is usually trying to run down the clock with the rushing attack.

In addition, trailing fourth-quarter teams usually play more aggressive schemes in an attempt to regain possession for their offenses. That's why Cutler isn't putting too much stock in his fourth-quarter performances this season, although it's important to note he lit up the Panthers on Sunday for 106 yards and a touchdown on 12-of-14 passing with his team trailing in the fourth quarter.

In the two games Chicago trailed going into the fourth quarter, Cutler completed 16 of 23 for two TDs and two INTs (82.1 passer rating) as the Bears claimed victory in one of those contests.

"(Our) defense is putting us in positions where we're leading games and defenses are trying to get the ball back," Cutler said. (So we're seeing) a lot of single-high (safety looks), which makes it a lot easier on the outside throwing the ball. We've hit some big plays out there. The way our defense is playing and carrying leads into the fourth quarter makes my job easier."

Through the normal flow of a game, Cutler and the offensive staff also seems to be figuring out the opposing defense. But the Bears can't afford to waste time getting dialed in on offense, especially given the upcoming schedule that includes the Tennessee Titans on Sunday followed by back-to-back outings against the Houston Texans and San Francisco 49ers.

The Bears follow up those games with two more strong opponents in the Minnesota Vikings andSeattle Seahawks, and the team knows slow starts on offense can put stress on the vaunted defense, even though that hasn't yet happened.

"I think this team, we've talked about it being a young offense, and now we're kind of coming together. It takes a little bit longer to make adjustments in games and get everything straightened out. It goes along with first down and having successful plays on first down," Cutler said. "We've got to get better early on in the first half, and that counts for the first parts of drives too, first down, and second down. We're not going to make a living coming back in the fourth quarter and trying to convert third-and-longs."

**bearsinhouston** · 10-31-2012, 10:08 PM

oh heck, I can help him with this. No charge. Jay - you are not completing enough of your passes.

I love when I can help out a guy in need.

Seriously -- he looks just to Marshall too often, the play calling does not play to their strengths - when they see they can run the ball -- do so! And did I mention that they need to give Jay a little more time and actually use Bennett more?

I don't think they are far off either, but Tice is only in this because of a great defense and a very good QB. He is not outsmarting anyone out there. And why do we have half the team made up of TE's who don't really catch, nor block all that well for that matter?

Other than that, our O is just killing them!

**short faced bear** · 10-31-2012, 10:16 PM

To do list:
QB mechanics-read progressions, and for Pete's sake use a pump fake once in awhile, pump to Bennett and co. and you might find Bmarsh wide the hell open.

Play calling-nuff said

ST-limit Hester at WR. Put Weems in to mix it up. Go for punt blocks once in awhile so the punter can't get into a rhythm. Getting Bowman back is a plus.

**JustAnotherBearsFan99** · 10-31-2012, 10:18 PM

Maybe a better question is: "What is the ceiling THIS season for:

1. Cutler

2. WR's

3. TE's

4. Oline

5. RB's

6. Mike Tice's play calling

How much better do you believe each unit will get? Or is this present state, about what we'll see the rest of the season?

BONUS QUESTION: Is Lovie Smith getting better with his challenges?

**short faced bear** · 10-31-2012, 10:29 PM

Originally Posted by JustAnotherBearsFan99

Maybe a better question is: "What is the ceiling THIS season for:

1. Cutler

2. WR's

3. TE's

4. Oline

5. RB's

6. Mike Tice's play calling

How much better do you believe each unit will get? Or is this present state, about what we'll see the rest of the season?

They all look leagues better if the play calling improves. Jay improves his progressions he and the WR's look better. The TE's have to chip so it might be as good as it gets. Oline can get better incrementally but not leaps and bounds like some believe. Let the RB's do their thing and you set up the play action as well.

If I thought Tice was a genius I would think he's holding something back for later. But the scatter-shot playcalling doesn't look like he's setting up a chess match out there. I guess the one good thing you could say is that it's hard to judge his tendencies. But doesn't help when your offense is slapped down like a hooker on a holiday.

**Anytime23** · 10-31-2012, 10:49 PM

Its a new offense so it very well could play much better as the season progresses. Our horrible RT hasnt even played 10 NFL games. Jeffery is hurt and hopefully is coming back by the Houston game. Rodriguez who was graded high in the run game should start seeing some time soon.

As the weeks go by, hopefully Tice, Bates and Jay get together and say "This is what works, this is what doesnt work" and if they have to trim down the play book, then you trim down the play book. Tice is new to calling plays. So i see no reason why they cant get better. What sucks is that this team has played some of the softer defenses on the schedule. SEA, HOU, SF, ARI and the GB D they always struggle against. Its probably going to be a rough go. Its all going to come down to play calling and Jay. The OL is what it is and nothing is going to change that unless Carimi gets right. If Cutler can find a way to play with the type of confidence and accuracy he does late in games, throughout the whole game, theyll be fine. He looked well on his way last week before he got hurt. I mean, with Cutler, Marshall, Forte, Bennett and Jeffery. How hard can it be to be an above average offense? Which is really all we need with this D.

**Henry Burris** · 10-31-2012, 10:58 PM

I noticed any time Forte ran about 5 yards or so in front of the line, turned to look for the ball, Cutler never threw to him, and it's plays like that, the dink and dunks, that get momentum going. It isn't the "HOLY CRAP, WE SCORED ON OUR FIRST PLAY OF THE GAME!" type stuff. No, you score first play, so what? there's a lot of time left in the game. Try to eat about 6-8 minutes every drive. IDC if we're down by 10, keep doing that, and when you need it, you can start gashing the hell out of the defense.

**inchibearfan** · 10-31-2012, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by short faced bear

[F]or Pete's sake use a pump fake once in awhile, pump to Bennett and co. and you might find Bmarsh wide the hell open.

This line is not blocking well enough to even attempt to do a pump fake on most passing plays. When Cutler's arm goes forward he has to be getting that ball out of his hands.

**soulman** · 11-01-2012, 12:35 AM

It's a new offense to everyone and you have guys who are "getting it" and guys who aren't. The problem is the guys who aren't are still starting and that's what hurts.

For the most part Marshall has it figured out and even when he and Cutler misfire they know each other well enough to check in and adjust. Hester is worthless so far and part of the reason for some of the incompletions. Not every incomplete pass is the result of a poor throw by the QB but the way the stats record it it always appears to be.

I'm finally starting to figure out why they rave about Hester in camp and then the season starts and he looks like shit. What he runs in camp works just like the play is diagrammed to work. Nobody is bumping him or doing all they can to upset his timing and misdirect him. He gets a lot of free passes early on. Then comes game time and their always throwing things at him and he has trouble adjusting his route properly.

Jay see where the opening is and where he should be going and throws for that window but Hester isn't in it. He's only good when he's unmolested and can get a clean break off the line into a very simple one move route that allows him to keep the ball in front of him so he can look the catch in. That's it! That's all the man can do well and that's not enough to be a #2 WR. He needs to sit and we need to be playing Bennett and Sanz more until Jeffery returns. If we don't nothing will change. He's one that won't magically "get it" by next game.

Carimi is another guy who should be on the borderline of losing his start to Scott. Tice has helped him to identify what's wrong with some of his blocking technique but he's another whose "not getting it". I saw him do exactly the same stuff against Carolina that Tice criticized him for after the Lions game. Yes he's a rookie and I'm probably his biggest fan but right now he's a liability and that needs to change. The point should be "get it" or sit" not just try a little harder will you?

I tough to evaluate all of the line but from what I can see Webb is starting to "get it", Rachal has the potential to if he can keep his aggressiveness in check too, Louis already has it and Garza apparently get's everything except the snap count which for an OC isn't a good thing. How can an OC be charged with that many false starts?

Forte gets in and Bush gets it very well but seldom gets enough chances to show it. Other than this continued insistence on starting Hester the other biggest criminal act being perpetrated against us is not using Bush enough either in the run of the passing games. I mean if your dead set on passing then throw more to the backs! That how you avoid 2nd and 3rd and long situations. Both Forte and Bush are very good receivers in addition to being good runners and that's the biggest difference between I can see between Tice and Martz right now. Martz did a much better job of using his backs in the passing game and that's the primary reason why his offense ran "smoother" as someone pointed out.

Once you start focusing on the short passing game to the WRs and throwing more to the backs the entire offense will become more effective. So it's obvious that the last guy who has yet to "get it" is Tice himself. Not scoring enough early would be the sign of a combination of a very poor game plan and poor play calling which taken together is a sign that he still doesn't know what he's doing as an OC.

He's has some great veteran talent at his skill positions and he not even close to getting maximum efficiency out of that talent. The rookie whose struggling is him. This is my reason for holding Lovie responsible for doing something about it. With the offensive firepower on this team and his defense playing the way it is if this team doesn't make a serious playoff run then people are gonna lose their jobs. Tice should be mindful of the fact that Bates sits awfully close to inheriting that OC spot if he doesn't get his offense rolling soon. I expected them to struggle for four or five games but not halfway through the season.

With the schedule now getting a whole lot tougher there isn't a whole more time to get it together. Now would be good and yesterday even better.

**short faced bear** · 11-01-2012, 12:41 AM

Originally Posted by inchibearfan

This line is not blocking well enough to even attempt to do a pump fake on most passing plays. When Cutler's arm goes forward he has to be getting that ball out of his hands.

Agreed. But he can do it in the shotgun, on a rollout, or when he actually HAS time.

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