Thread: Moon Mullin: "Missed opps, and now a season nearing the brink"

Another by Moon:

LINK to the article

Bears have their 'backs against the wall'

Right tackle Jonathan Scott is a relative newcomer but he cut to a painful core reality after Sunday’s 20-17 overtime loss to the Seattle Seahawks:

“Our backs are against the wall,” Scott said.

Losing a third out of four games against teams with winning records will put a team, even one that is still 8-4, in that unpleasant spot.

But that’s precisely where the Bears realistically are after being in the discussion of “NFL’s best” along with Atlanta and Houston before the Texans and San Francisco 49ers games effectively ended those musings.

Lovie Smith said during his pregame visit with WBBM play-by-play announcer Jeff Joniak that the Bears were already in playoff mode. The problem is that they are now in danger of slipping out of the playoffs, sitting at the No. 5 seed right now.

Green Bay (8-4) is the de factor NFC North leader after putting down the Minnesota Vikings (6-6) on Sunday. Beyond the Packers’ having beaten the Bears already, which can be addressed by a Bears win in two weeks when Green Bay comes to Soldier Field, the Packers also are 3-0 in division play. The Bears and Packers are the only teams on each other’s remaining schedule with a record above .500.

So what?

But all that playoff analysis means absolutely nothing if a team that prides itself on defense cannot make one stop with a game on the line. And Lovie Smith knows it.

“Once you get a lead, you’ve got to be able to hold a lead at home with our defense,” Smith said. “Defensively we didn’t get a lot done…Just not the type of football that we play around here.”

Smith needs to hope not. His defense allowed drives of 94, 107 (Seattle was penalized 10 yards and made that up a play later) and 85 yards (also with a penalty of their own thrown in and overcome).

The defense wasn’t admitting it was tired at the end of the game, but it clearly was, just looking at some of the 1,000-yard stares in the locker room afterwards. The concerning part of that is that it had nothing to do with age, heat or anything else, just bad play.

“I don’t think we were gassed,” said defensive end Shea McClellin. “We rotate in and out enough; we shouldn’t be gassed. I don’t think that was the issue.”

It wasn’t. You get tired when you’re on the field too long, and the issue was not finishing off Seattle on third-and-long’s when they presented themselves.

Smith acknowledged that poor tackling was a problem, and “we couldn’t get off blocks, we didn’t take the ball away enough.”

Seattle jinx?

The ignominy on Sunday was that it was the third straight loss, at home, to Seattle. And it came just as the 49ers were losing in overtime, which would have put the Bears back in the No. 2 playoff spot had the Bears been able to make any sort of defensive stand. Just one, against rookie quarterback Russell Wilson, whom they couldn’t entirely keep up with even with the help of a “spy” system of assigning speed end Shea McClellin to keep an eye on the guy.

Changes coming?

Coaches have made performance-based position changes this season, at two different spots on the offensive line, at defensive end and at nickel back.

CSNChicago colleague Jim Miller posited on our “Bears Postgame Live” that after two dismal defensive performances in three weeks, more changes perhaps should be in the offing.

Lovie Smith and Rod Marinelli have rarely suffered perceived under-performance for long. And while virtually everyone is perhaps already on the field, playing time may be apportioned differently based on evaluations over the next few days.

Surprised

Seattle threw some minor surprises at the Bears defense by using some shotgun formations that said “Pass” but were run plays or options, defensive players said.

The task then was just to stay on keys, which the Bears didn’t do, keep Russell Wilson in the pocket, which the Bears also didn’t do, and make tackles when they did get to where they needed to be, which they also didn’t do too well.

“We pride ourselves on playing defense,” said safety Major Wright, who missed a chance at an interception in the final minutes that would have ended Seattle’s go-ahead touchdown drive. “[Russell Wilson] got out of the pocket a couple of times and we had to break down and make tackles.”

Which didn’t happen soon enough.

Pretty much sums things up.

Originally Posted by JustAnotherBearsFan99

Our 2012 season is on the brink Sunday:

1. If we look good and win Sunday, we're still in good shape.

2. If we win, but look bad, against another bad team, then we're probably in trouble, even if we DO make the playoffs.

3. If we lose in another crappy showing, then the fat lady is singing. Our 2012 season is probably over.

1. If we look good Sunday we're beating a team that we should beat yet again.

2. If we look bad we are still in the same boat. Injuries might necessitate eeking out an ugly game.

3. If we lose it only magnifies what the problems of the team are. Some of the problems can be fixed some cannot.

Missed opportunities? Yea, we had missed opportunities during this game, but I have to admit, I didn't even watch it. The weather here was nice and there was yard work to be done, so I recorded it. Then I inadvertently heard the score and decided to pass on it. I've been a Bear fan for over 40 years and I'll bet I could count the number of games I've missed in my entire life on my hands and toes. Unfortunately, I've been growing a little indifferent of late. Some of you may notice that I haven't even been on here as much. The thing is, I've seen this movie before and it's growing old. We talked about it on here earlier in the year when we were at 7-1, debating if we were that good or not. A few of us tempered our enthusiasm based on the quality of teams we had beaten, but like myself, I wanted to believe. Now that we've played some better teams (and lost 3 out of 4), we see that this is the same old Bears we've seen since 2007. Say what you want about 2010, but we really had no business playing in the NFCCG then either. We we're fortunate as hell week after week and anyone that is honest with themselves knows it. The bottom line is that we regularly beat average and bad teams, but we can't beat winning teams and no matter how many times we're called "meatballs" for calling for Lovie's replacement, you can't convince me that he can bring us a championship in today's NFL. Honestly, it's not the missed opportunities last Sunday that bothers me, it's missed opportunities that Lovie had to hire effective coaches and coordinators over the last several years instead of his buddies. It's missed opportunities to improve a terrible O-Line year after year after year (and don't blame it all on Angelo, the Head Coach is equally to blame in such matters). It's missed opportunities to to KEEP good coordinators (Chico Rivera) even if they don't always agree with you (our Defense hasn't been the same since Chico left and almost exclusively depends on turnovers that don't ALWAYS happen). It's missed opportunities to find a better than average coach because Virginia likes Lovie (see Jim Harbaugh). That's just off the top of my head, there are several more.

Frankly, I don't know if we can beat the Vikings again or not, but I really don't think it's going to matter anyway. We are the Chicago Bum Slayers and until some changes are made, that's what we're going to to continue to be. Sorry if I have brought anyone down, but welcome to what I perceive as reality. Feel free to try to cheer me up on this because I'm not exactly happy about it, but I've seen this flick about 5 times now and I know how it ends...average...and middle of the draft (actually, a little higher than middle because we'll win 1 game too much and bounce us out of the top half).

4D --

I agree with much of what you have said. But it is still the Bears and I am still a fan. I don't expect to beat anyone should we get into the playoffs. If we did, it would really be a pleasant surprise. Yes, it is the same year after despite pulling in some top notch WR ability and now being able to somewhat protect Cutler. You are right. I see it too. Something is wrong.

But I can only speak for myself when I say that there 4 games left and I'm a Bears fan and I plan on watching them. I honestly was hoping for the best, but expecting about what we got. I have no faith in Lovie and I do in Emery. So my take on this is that while they are playing, I am going to be rooting for them. In the meantime, I will say that we are in a better position than we have been in years.

We have NEVER had a more talented group of WR's in years. We have the best QB we have had in years. Those are fairly recent developments. The WR upgrade very recent due to our new GM. I am optimistic that he will make some difficult but objective decisions. He has already fixed a weakness that we have had forever (WR). So I am upbeat on this. It may all change depending on what he does in the off-season.

However, if he brings in enough talent, even Tice and Lovie might stumble onto a SB. Lovie for sure. He is not incompetent -- just not all as good as many people give him credit for. I really believe that if Emery has any say, Tice will be gone. I think Lovie will defend him and I pray that Emery does what he has to do.

There are lots of recent positives -- stuff that we have never had before. It is close to possibly turning around depending on what Emery does. In his first year, he has accomplished a lot. Remember, he was made to keep Lovie, so we don't know what he really thinks. Publicly, he praised Lovie, but that was around our 7-1 record. Now that he has seen the real capabilities of the team (and that is players as well as coaches), that may have sobered him up a little.

We will know more in a few months. You have waited years. This won't take long to shake out. Just hang in there....



BTW, if you still have the recording, I'd go back and watch it. It actually was a very good game.

Originally Posted by 4DaBERS

Missed opportunities? Yea, we had missed opportunities during this game, but I have to admit, I didn't even watch it. The weather here was nice and there was yard work to be done, so I recorded it. Then I inadvertently heard the score and decided to pass on it. I've been a Bear fan for over 40 years and I'll bet I could count the number of games I've missed in my entire life on my hands and toes. Unfortunately, I've been growing a little indifferent of late. Some of you may notice that I haven't even been on here as much. The thing is, I've seen this movie before and it's growing old. We talked about it on here earlier in the year when we were at 7-1, debating if we were that good or not. A few of us tempered our enthusiasm based on the quality of teams we had beaten, but like myself, I wanted to believe. Now that we've played some better teams (and lost 3 out of 4), we see that this is the same old Bears we've seen since 2007. Say what you want about 2010, but we really had no business playing in the NFCCG then either. We we're fortunate as hell week after week and anyone that is honest with themselves knows it. The bottom line is that we regularly beat average and bad teams, but we can't beat winning teams and no matter how many times we're called "meatballs" for calling for Lovie's replacement, you can't convince me that he can bring us a championship in today's NFL. Honestly, it's not the missed opportunities last Sunday that bothers me, it's missed opportunities that Lovie had to hire effective coaches and coordinators over the last several years instead of his buddies. It's missed opportunities to improve a terrible O-Line year after year after year (and don't blame it all on Angelo, the Head Coach is equally to blame in such matters). It's missed opportunities to to KEEP good coordinators (Chico Rivera) even if they don't always agree with you (our Defense hasn't been the same since Chico left and almost exclusively depends on turnovers that don't ALWAYS happen). It's missed opportunities to find a better than average coach because Virginia likes Lovie (see Jim Harbaugh). That's just off the top of my head, there are several more.

Frankly, I don't know if we can beat the Vikings again or not, but I really don't think it's going to matter anyway. We are the Chicago Bum Slayers and until some changes are made, that's what we're going to to continue to be. Sorry if I have brought anyone down, but welcome to what I perceive as reality. Feel free to try to cheer me up on this because I'm not exactly happy about it, but I've seen this flick about 5 times now and I know how it ends...average...and middle of the draft (actually, a little higher than middle because we'll win 1 game too much and bounce us out of the top half).

Originally Posted by Titan1967

I can't disagree with anything you said here. My only issue with Lovie getting canned is that then we really have a rebuilding project on our hands. Whether I like it or not the defense is, and has been, the heart and soul of this team. If we bring in a new coach, new coordinators, etc, etc now we're talking about revamping personel on that side of the ball too when the offense still needs a lot of work in the draft and free-agency. Do I trust Emery to bring the right guys in here to build this team into a perennial contender for championships? Jury is still out on that one. I guess at least it wouldn't be Ted Phillips making the coaching hire again, which can only be a good thing.

I know; believe me, I understand what you're saying and it's not something that I look forward to myself. But at some point, don't you have to ask yourself, what have you done for me lately? The only reason I even bring this up is that this off season the question will have to be asked whether or not to let Lovie go or extend him as he will be a lame duck coach going into next year. My best hunch is that we MAY make the playoffs as a wild card team, but I don't think we can get the Division back from the Packers, I really don't. So if we sneak in with a wildcard, having proven we are simply mediocre and then we get beat in the first round, is that good enough to extend our coach for another 2 to 4 years? Because once he gets that extension, he will be here for another 2 to 3 years no matter what. Should we spend the next 2 or 3 years building under a new coach or spend another 2 or 3 years repeating what we've been seeing.

I know what my choice would be, but I understand and respect the opposite.

Originally Posted by bearsinhouston

4D --

I agree with much of what you have said. But it is still the Bears and I am still a fan. I don't expect to beat anyone should we get into the playoffs. If we did, it would really be a pleasant surprise. Yes, it is the same year after despite pulling in some top notch WR ability and now being able to somewhat protect Cutler. You are right. I see it too. Something is wrong.

But I can only speak for myself when I say that there 4 games left and I'm a Bears fan and I plan on watching them. I honestly was hoping for the best, but expecting about what we got. I have no faith in Lovie and I do in Emery. So my take on this is that while they are playing, I am going to be rooting for them. In the meantime, I will say that we are in a better position than we have been in years.

We have NEVER had a more talented group of WR's in years. We have the best QB we have had in years. Those are fairly recent developments. The WR upgrade very recent due to our new GM. I am optimistic that he will make some difficult but objective decisions. He has already fixed a weakness that we have had forever (WR). So I am upbeat on this. It may all change depending on what he does in the off-season.

However, if he brings in enough talent, even Tice and Lovie might stumble onto a SB. Lovie for sure. He is not incompetent -- just not all as good as many people give him credit for. I really believe that if Emery has any say, Tice will be gone. I think Lovie will defend him and I pray that Emery does what he has to do.

There are lots of recent positives -- stuff that we have never had before. It is close to possibly turning around depending on what Emery does. In his first year, he has accomplished a lot. Remember, he was made to keep Lovie, so we don't know what he really thinks. Publicly, he praised Lovie, but that was around our 7-1 record. Now that he has seen the real capabilities of the team (and that is players as well as coaches), that may have sobered him up a little.

We will know more in a few months. You have waited years. This won't take long to shake out. Just hang in there....



BTW, if you still have the recording, I'd go back and watch it. It actually was a very good game.

Well said brother. Of course you are right, there are a lot of positives on the team that I should take solice in. Perhaps it would help if I shared with you my other favorite teams besides the Bears. My other favorites are the Chicago Cubs, and of course, the Fighting Illini. Frankly, I'm getting real tired of losing everywhere I turn. So, obviously, Lovie isn't the only one on my shit list.

I also realize that Lovie isn't incompetent. I actually admire him, I'm just losing faith. If he finds a way to beat the Packers and pull the Division out of his ass, then I may find some love again.