The Good, The Bad and The Ugly - Bears VS. Packers
I almost called this section The Bad, The Bad and The Ugly, but there were a few good things that happened. Some guys were really out there trying.
THE GOOD
Matt Forte. In what is the Bears only reliable good point, Forte ran for 64 yards with a 4.0 yard average. The majority of that was in the first half and had the Bears not totally ignored him in the second maybe they would have actually moved the ball. Forte also had 6 catches for 40 yards.
The Return of Mike Brown. I commented during the Detroit game that Brown looked like he was returning to form. Perhaps it had to do with switching his safety spot and getting back to the line. Brown was everywhere. He was near the line or on their side of the line quite a bit during this game. He racked up 6 tackles.
Danieal Manning. Late in the game the Bears pulled Devin Hester from return duties. I don't know if was because of lack of production, an apparent lack of focus and direction or just to keep him safe. Either way Manning replaced him tallied 82 yards on 3 punts. That was including a return that saw him push the pile for what seemed like 15 yards to go down near the 50.

THE BAD
Bears 3rd down defense. I know the entire defense should get some of this, but this one is pointing to the fact that the Packers only punted twice the entire game. That means the Packers either always got the ball on our side of the field or moved it there every time they touched it. There were a number of 3rd and longs that the Bears allowed the Packers to convert. Early in the season this was our strong point. We led the league in not allowing teams to convert on 3rd down, now we can't stop it.
Bears pass defense. I only give this a bad because there were a number of other things involved here. The Bears finally didn't let a QB have their season best passing numbers. Of course that was because of...well lets wait until the Ugly to discuss that.
Receivers. For most of the game Kyle Orton lacked any mobility. He had to just site back and take the hits. His receivers did nothing to help him out. They were rarely open and when Orton did get them the ball in tight spots they dropped it.
THE UGLY
Bears Defensive Line. Not only did our defensive line not tally a single sack again and not only did they barely even hurry Rodgers all game, they didn't even do their part in stopping the run. They allowed a season high rushing effort against us allowing Ryan Grant to rush for 147 yards and a GB total of 200 yards.
Lovie Smith. His lackadaisical attitude is getting off putting. I don't have a problem with a coach not getting riled and going on a tantrum that creates sound bytes that opposing teams fan blogs use as their motto, but show some emotion. Don't sugar coat it. Don't hide it and certainly don't ignore it. Make it public. Tell everybody that this team is playing very poorly right now and as a group we have to figure out how to fix it. The team is already doing it, why not you?
Bears receivers. Do I need address this one? And yes I know I just gave the receivers a Bad and Ugly. Do you disagree?
Comments
Our own Bagdad Bob
Lovie is the guy staring straight into the camera saying things are not bad, when all evidence points to an AWFUL defense and impotent offense. “We are routing the Americans!” is something Bagdad Bob would say, yet video footage shows American tanks rumbling unencumbered toward the capital. Not only a little emotion would work, but maybe if he took whatever blinders he’s got on…off, he could see that his team is an utter train wreck.
by MuleTrain on
Nov 18, 2008 8:59 AM CST
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Agreed
I’m at the point now where I just don’t believe anything Lovie has to say. It’s one thing to try and remain calm and keep a positive attitude, but what it feels like is he’s putting his head in the sand and hoping things above ground work themselves out.
It’s exactly like the Bagdad Bob comments. Or like the line in Outlaw Josey Wales: “don’t piss down my back and tell me it’s raining.”
At the same time, I don’t know what he’s supposed to come out and say? As the leader of that team he still has to show confidence that the team can get better and provide at least some motivation. Coming out and telling the unadulterated truth(Babich isn’t good, some of the players on D aren’t as good as we thought, we have a team full of #3 WRs) probably isn’t a good way of doing either.
Oh well, here’s to hoping we can get Boldin or Housh in the offseason and draft some OL and Defense.
by Subotai on
Nov 18, 2008 9:24 AM CST
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Yes, I do disagree
The receivers deserve two tallies in the “Ugly” column. They don’t deserve a bad.
I'M A MAN! I'M 22!
by ChiFan13 on
Nov 18, 2008 12:10 PM CST
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I also give Orton and Ugly
No mobility. Clearly still hurt. Badly overthrowing receivers.
by Arbusto on
Nov 18, 2008 12:32 PM CST
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I'm confused.
Did you mean Manning did it on 3 returns? Because you said he returned three punts, but then you said they only punted twice.
by KDoggers on
Nov 18, 2008 12:56 PM CST
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is orton going to play sunday??
His stats are as good as Fields -- that's the sad thing
by Jbasic89 on
Nov 18, 2008 5:21 PM CST
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More importantly....
Are the Bears going to play on Sunday?
I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008
by SackMan on
Nov 18, 2008 7:57 PM CST
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the Bears definition of play
is obviously different from the rest of the leagues at this point.
by lopey986 on
Nov 19, 2008 12:47 AM CST
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Forte should have a field day against St. Louis
His stats are as good as Fields -- that's the sad thing
by Jbasic89 on
Nov 19, 2008 1:01 AM CST
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didn't someone peg him for 130 against the packers?
not sure i’d be predicting anything positive at this point.
by mike b on
Nov 19, 2008 8:35 AM CST
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we couldn't stop ryan grant whos sucked all year
steven jackson scares the shit out of me at this point.
"Next year" sucks.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Nov 19, 2008 1:02 AM CST
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jacksons missed like the last 4-5 weeks
His stats are as good as Fields -- that's the sad thing
by Jbasic89 on
Nov 19, 2008 1:15 AM CST
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after sunday
i doubt we could stop him in street clothes.
"Next year" sucks.
by halfblindcubbiegirl on
Nov 19, 2008 1:22 AM CST
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don't worry about Jackson
Not only has he sucked for almost 2 full years he is still hurt and if he plays it will be only about a third of the plays. What we should worry about is holt and avery cause they are good after the catch the same way the packers are.
I think the run defense was an abberation this week and they will be stout again but I’m worried about the God- damned slant!
by scespy12 on
Nov 19, 2008 1:16 AM CST
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$20.00
says Marc Bulger looks like the Bulger from 2004 and 2006 on Sunday!!!!
And I’ll happily pay up if I’m wrong.
by McRipper on
Nov 19, 2008 8:40 AM CST
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