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Bears Mid-Season Report
BEARS’ MIDSEASON REPORT: Plenty of positives
BY MARK POTASH mpotash@suntimes.com November 6, 2012 11:31PM
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 01: Major Wright #21 celebrates with Corey Wootton #98 of the Chicago Bears after Wright intercepted the ball against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium on October 1, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Updated: November 7, 2012 8:28PM
The Bears believe they can be better. They say it all the time.
A 7-1 record — and numerous highlights — simply aren’t good enough.
Quarterback Jay Cutler wants the offense to match the defense’s high level of play, and defensive players think there’s another level they can reach.
“Each game as you continue to win, the stakes go up a little bit higher,” coach Lovie Smith said. “We realize that, and we’re going to embrace it. I see our team getting better and better.
“We haven’t peaked yet.” With that said, here’s a breakdown of the Bears’ stellar first half and a quick look ahead:
MVP
Brandon Marshall, WR: The offense would be in shambles without Marshall (59 receptions, 797 yards, 7 TDs), who accounts for 57 percent of the Bears’ wide receiver receptions, 59 percent of the yards and 70 percent of the touchdowns.
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Tim Jennings, CB: Always a solid tackler, Jennings not only is catching interceptions he dropped last season, but he’s making more plays overall. He has broken up 10 passes. He broke up eight all of last season.
UNSUNG HERO
Henry Melton, DT: You can’t overstate the contribution of inside pressure to the Bears’ big first half, and Melton has been a consistent force with 16 quarterback pressures and 5 sacks.
BIGGEST
DISAPPOINTMENT
Tight ends: They were supposed to be part of the ‘‘explosive’’ element of the offense, but it’s been the same old thing — downfield all day in Bourbonnais, invisible in the regular season. Kellen Davis (10 receptions, 144 yards) has two touchdowns, but he’s still a liability in pass protection.
TOP CUTLER MOMENT
Seven-yard touchdown pass to Marshall vs. Lions: The play was a Cutler rollout with Marshall in motion out of the backfield. But when it broke down, Cutler improvised, willed Marshall into the right spot and deftly threw a short pass on the run for a touchdown, proof that Cutler can make plays without relying on his arm.
MOST TELLING STATISTIC
The defense has allowed 10 touchdowns — three of them in garbage time — and scored seven. That’s a net of three touchdowns allowed in eight games.
NO. 1 THING I LEARNED ABOUT THE BEARS
The defense is more than just its 30-and-over core. Jennings, Melton and Chris Conte made plays that led to pick-sixes. Stephen Paea, Shea McClellin, Major Wright and Corey Wootton might develop into playmakers.
THREE KEYS FOR THE SECOND HALF
1. Fewer negative plays on offense. The Bears have had a negative play on their first offensive snap four times in eight games — three sacks and a holding penalty. When they stay clean and keep Jay Cutler in a rhythm, they are tough to stop.
2. Lady Luck. The Bears not only are healthier than most teams, but Brian Urlacher is getting better with every game on a bum knee. The breaks are going their way, too. Last year, Johnny Knox’s slip led to Cutler’s broken thumb. This year, Steve Smith’s slip led to Tim Jennings’ pick-six.
3. Outcoach the Packers. Lovie Smith and his staff have done an impressive job with one exception — they not only lost to the Packers, they were outcoached by the Packers. If Dom Capers keeps finding ways to confound the Bears’ offense, it’s likely another postseason opponent will have the same edge.
FINAL RECORD
PREDICTION: 13-3
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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JENSEN: BEARS’ MIDSEASON REPORT
BY SEAN JENSEN sjensen@suntimes.com Twitter: @seankjensen
CHICAGO, IL- OCTOBER 22: Charles Tillman #33 of the Chicago Bears reacts after the Bears recovered a fumble against the Detroit Lions in the third quarter on October 22, 2012 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
MVP
Charles Tillman, CB: The Bears are winning with defense, and no one is playing better than Tillman, who has a league-high seven forced fumbles and has scored two touchdowns. Tillman’s lockdown of the Lions’ Calvin Johnson was supremely impressive.
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Major Wright, S: He looked lost in the past, but Wright has been fairly steady this season, making the tackles he should and intercepting three passes, including one he returned for a touchdown. He and Chris Conte are providing stability in the secondary.
UNSUNG HERO
Michael Bush, RB: While Matt Forte has been very good in his career, his backups have been very bad. In Bush, the Bears finally have the complementary back they’ve wanted. Though he isn’t as explosive, Bush is a threat as a runner and receiver. Perhaps most importantly, he’s adept in short-yardage situations.
BIGGEST
DISAPPOINTMENT
Gabe Carimi, RT: He’s a first-round pick, and he certainly isn’t playing to that level. In some ways, he’s still a rookie after playing in 11/2 games last year. But he needs to step up in a big way if the Bears are going to make a run at the Super Bowl.
TOP CUTLER MOMENT
39-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Marshall vs. Titans: Yes, the Bears were playing the Titans, and they were blowing them out. But on this fourth-quarter play, Cutler dropped back and launched a perfect strike to Marshall, who caught it in stride. That was the Bears’ offense at its best.
MOST TELLING STATISTIC
The Bears have seven touchdowns on interception returns. They already are tied for third-most in NFL history, and they’re only two shy of the 1961 San Diego Chargers’ record of nine.
NO. 1 THING I LEARNED ABOUT THE BEARS
Age is just a number, apparently. The Over the Hill Gang on defense is playing some ridiculous football.
THREE KEYS FOR THE SECOND HALF
1. Shore up pass protection: Jay Cutler sometimes looks jittery in the pocket early in games. That’s usually an indication that he doesn’t trust his protection, which should come as no surprise. Mike Tice must do whatever is necessary to limit the blows Cutler takes.
2. Get Devin Hester’s mojo back: One of the things that makes the Bears truly special is Hester, and he isn’t returning kicks with his usual swagger. His unit still is jelling, but it must cut down on penalties and free him up for some big gains on a more consistent basis.
3. Start faster: The defense certainly has started strong, allowing only 12 points in the first quarter. But the offense has to do more early on, especially against the better clubs. The offense generally finds itself in the second half, and that won’t cut it for the Bears to make a Super Bowl run.
FINAL RECORD
PREDICTION: 13-3
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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JAHNS: BEARS’ MIDSEASON REPORT
BY ADAM L. JAHNS ajahns@suntimes.com Twitter: @AdamJahns
RECEIVERS: A Brandon Marshall is all they needed. Marshall led the way with 9 catches for 122 yards and TD catches of 39, 13 and 5 yards. Earl Bennett had 4 catches for 22 yards. Devin Hester had 2 catches for 19 yards.
Article Extras
MVP
Brandon Marshall, WR: While cornerback Charles Tillman is a legitimate candidate for defensive player of the year, there’s too many standouts on defense to pick one. Marshall’s impact on the offense has been immense. He’s the No. 1 receiver quarterback Jay Cutler needed. Marshall ranks second in the NFL in receiving yards (797), fourth in catches (59) and third in touchdowns (seven).
BIGGEST SURPRISE
Chris Conte, FS: The second-year pro has done very well limiting big plays, coming up to make tackles and covering players one-on-one. He also has been useful in blitz packages.
UNSUNG HERO
Stephen Paea, NT: Paea very quietly — and very productively — has gone about his business since winning the starting job in Week 2. By eating double-teams and plugging holes, Paea (five quarterback pressures, 11/2 sacks, two tackles for loss) is a big reason for the Bears’ success against the run.
BIGGEST
DISAPPOINTMENT
Pass protection: Every week, the coaches seemingly say “X-amount” of sacks is too much. While Cutler should be blamed for some of the 28 sacks, all those employed to block have to improve.
TOP CUTLER MOMENT
39-yard touchdown pass to Marshall vs. Titans: Give Cutler time, and he can make stellar passes, such as this one to Marshall down the sideline and between two Titans.
MOST TELLING STATISTIC
NFL-best plus-16 turnover ratio.
NO. 1 THING I LEARNED ABOUT THE BEARS
The Bears’ defensive line is deep, talented and aggressive. It’s an overused cliché to say, “Everything starts up front,” but what the Bears are doing is special.
THREE KEYS FOR THE SECOND HALF
1. Find different ways to get Cutler into rhythm.Whether it’s more play-action, more max protection, more swing passes to Matt Forte or more no-huddle, something has to work. The earlier Cutler gets going in games, the less pressure the defense will feel if the turnovers aren’t coming. Cutler is 15-0 in his Bears career when he has a 100-plus passer rating.
2. Continue to keep opponents’ big plays at a minimum. There have been some — Titans running back Chris Johnson has the longest with an 80-yard touchdown run against mainly backups — but not many, including on special teams.
3. Keep after the quarterback. Yes, the Bears’ second-half schedule is tougher, with their opponents’ records a combined 42-27, but they’ll face just one elite quarterback in the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers. The Texans’ Matt Schaub is the next-closest, and the 49ers’ Alex Smith is a game manager; the Seahawks’ Russell Wilson and the Vikings’ Christian Ponder are young; and the Lions’ Matthew Stafford still isn’t what he was last season. And who knows who the Cardinals will have at quarterback?
FINAL RECORD
PREDICTION: 12-4
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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I like Jahns options best.
Unsung Hero Melton? Really Potash?
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