Bears Rally Late, Win 27-24 in OT

by WCG on Dec 11, 2008 11:18 PM CST Comment 125 comments

Ok, I'm going to tell you a little story. Stop me when you have heard this one before.

The Bears come out and play some good football.

The special teams and defense are really playing well.

The Bears get out to a big lead.

The Bears go into half time comfortably in the lead with no signs of letting up.

2nd half rolls around and the other team has made adjustments, but seemingly the Bears did not.

Bears give up huge run of unanswered points.

The defense cannot stop anything.

The offense looks JV like.

The Bears....

Stop! You've heard this before? How about I finish the story?

The Bears offense grows a sack and plays like a real offense. The Bears all the sudden have receivers who can catch anything. They move the ball down the field. They should have won outright, but the refs don't blow the whistle when a Saints player mugs Greg Olsen. The Bears settle for the FG and take it into over time. The Bears win the toss. Orton leads the team down field with the Hester assist and the Bears kick a FG for the win.

Ending was a little bit different wasn't it?

GAME BALLS

Danieal Manning. Mannings returns in the first half won this game. We all know the Bears cannot be counted on to drive long distances. They need the ball on their own 40 to have a decent scoring chance. Manning ran the opening kickoff back for a TD and took another back to about the 50. His performance forced the Saints to resort to squibs and pooch kicks.

Devin Hester, WR. The Bears still need to address wide receiver this off season. Devin Hester is not and may not ever be as good as Boldin or Burress or TJ, but Hester played much like a #1 receiver. Hester could have had 3 TDs this game. He could have had around 170 yards receiving had all three deep balls connected. The first was overthrown, but the second led to a interference call and forced the Saints to change their defense. That is the job of the #1, to make the other team play a way they don't want to. Make them double team you, so it opens up other guys. And when the game was on the line, Hester came through in spades. This time he beat a double team and forced another interference call that setup the winning FG. Hester ended with 4 catches for 46 yards.

Kyle Orton. Orton could just as easily be in both section, but since we got the win and he did have something to do with it, he will get the benefit since I am in a good mood. Orton ended with 170 yards, one rushing TD and 2 INTs. When it mattered most Orton did step up. Most of the passes were short 10-15 yarders, but he still made them.

Bears defensive line. In the end the tally will only show 1 sack, but the Bears defensive line came up big. The Bears got some good pressure on Brees. They were active and took advantage of the Saints replacement left tackle. Anthony Adams had 6 tackles, Ogunleye had 5 and Idonije had 4 tackles. Brown and Ogunleye both had huge plays. Brown got into the backfield a number of times and Wale picked off Brees in what was looking like a sure TD.

They also did a good job against the run. Pierre Thomas did end with 87 yards, but he did not rip off any big runs that really hurt us. Reggie Bush ended with 30 yards.

Coaches. I can't believe I am saying this, but I think they did a good job. The coaching staff was not at fault for Orton's 2 INTs and they weren't at fault for the receivers dropping the ball. Ron Turner called a good game. Hester proved to have a mismatch and Turner took advantage of it. Babich actually tried some different things. I saw some pressure coming from non Bears traditional places. The fake punt took balls. It should have worked, AP just couldn't hold on to the ball.

Greg Olsen. 8 catches for 46 yards and a key play in getting out of bounds.

One minor game ball to Rashied Davis who had his own Vince Papale moment, when he just jumped the kick off and ran clear to cover Reggie Bush on an early kick.

Brian Urlacher. Could the demise of Urlacher be premature? Urlacher looked revived out there. He ended with 10 tackles. He was in the backfield. He actually was wrapping guys up and could have had an INT in there if he wanted to.

FUMBLED SNAPS

Olin Kruetz. Literally. On the wrong goal line Kruetz doesn't know the snap count and surprises Orton and the rest of the Bears team. This led to a Saints TD.

Other wide receivers. If tonight wasn't enough to spotlight the need for the Bears to bring in an actual receiver I don't know what will.

Run Game. I know the Saints were stacking the line to stop Forte and maybe his toe had something to do with this, but this line and Forte should have been able to rack up more than 34 yards.

Devin Hester, Return man. Hester continues to not know what he is doing back there. He is making bad decisions and what is worse he is losing precious field position in the process.

OVERALL

There was a lot to like and a lot to worry about, but the main thing that I take away from this is the QB play. We are quickly falling into a Good Kyle, Bad Kyle scenario. If Orton is going to start throwing bad interceptions, then lets put Rex back in. At least he will connect on the long ball a couple of times.

Orton needs to regain his pre-injury form. He needs to show he is the guy for this team. If he continues this path, he puts the Bears in a bad spot. They have Orton for one more year, they will have to decide to sign him long term, let it ride and hope for the best or bring in yet another QB. None of those is good for us.

With this win the Bears stay alive in the playoff race. With a Minnesota lose they move into a tie for first, though they would lose the tie break. The Saints are all but eliminated.

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Comments

I agree with some parts, and disagree with others

Here are the things I noticed during the game:

-Hester in the return game was once again less than stellar. He keeps trying to do what he did the past two years by running sideways and making people miss. The problem with this is that the other team has gameplanned for this by having “spys” on the sides waiting for Hester to run their way. It worked two years ago because these guys were running at Hester at full speed and he made them miss, whereas now these guys are there waiting for him. But he did have a great game at WR, he needs to run better routes though and improve his catching ability.

-Orton didn’t play amazing, but he didn’t play horribly either. He only really through one int as the other one was the fault of Rashied Davis. That ball was there for him to catch. He could have played better, but he got the win in the end and that’s all you can really ask.

-Coaching was amazing in the first half, but horrible in the second half. Who does a punt fake with the lead at home on the fifty yard line? I wouldn’t even do that if I were playing Madden. The thing about this defense in particular is that it works when we put pressure on the QB. This was done in the first half, but in the second, it was nonexistant with the exception being at the end of the game. I don’t think it was the players, but more of the coaching scheme. I know we have a 14 point lead, but you can not go away from what works by playing safe, especially against a team with a potent offense. I don’t know who was calling the plays in the second half, but it was just bad on both sides of the ball.

by aznsensation on Dec 11, 2008 11:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Mine.

I was actually pretty impressed with Hester’s route-running tonight. He pulled off some stellar moves in the 4th quarter, especially.

I’m as big an Orton booster as you’re liable to find, but the interception off of Davis’ hands was a bad throw. Davis should have caught it, but it should have also been a better pass. I’ll give ’em each half the blame. The fumbled snap was all Kreutz, though he did a good job of tackling our fullback in the final scoring drive of the first half to make up for it.

I really liked the punt fake call. It was gutsy play calling, and Maynard is better at that play in real life than he is in Madden, so what the hell? I love seeing this team take some chances in playing to win. It was a gutsy call, and came within inches of working- which is close enough, if you still get the win.

—f

by itsugly on Dec 11, 2008 11:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Hester was great at WR tonight!

He’s not perfect, but it is obvious that he can get open and he is starting to do it often. Now I think a lot of it is on Orton to make the deep throws count.

I like the fake punt. In my opinion that was a catch and down by contact. Peterson had the ball secured and was on the ground tackled.

Chris Collinsworth was an idiot. He was saying that you have to have two feet down to be a catch in the middle of the field. I guess he forgot that a football move or an elbow or knee also count. All of those mattered on the fake punt.

If it wouldn’t hurt Hester’s confidence I would put Manning in on punts too. But we do need that guy to feel good about himself. He’s making plays in the rest of the game.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 12:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The fake punt was clutch

And there is no way in hell that wasn’t a catch. We had bad calls against us all night! When we went 4-out on that drive it was a real downer, but the fake punt would have picked us right up and put the momentum in our favor. Too bad the ref sucked balls.

by GoCubbies34 on Dec 12, 2008 8:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

it wasn't...

… a catch.

Bringing moderation to a place I don't moderate.

visit the mindful mission

by big_lowitzki on Dec 12, 2008 9:03 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll just say this much

I ended up seeing not a minute of the game and had to rely on text messages from my girlfriend during class and one of my best bros once I was done at 9.

If WCG is correct on his synopsis, I hope this proves to you all that Danieal Manning should be returning kicks for the rest of the year (at least). Trust me, I am all for letting Devin try again next season, but it seems clear to me that Danieal finally broke one after being so close for so long.

Sounded like Orton was hit or miss. Again, I’ll take a look at the game and see what happened. Question: Were the INT’s a result of tipped passes or just horrible reads? Also, how did the WR’s do tonight? How many (approx.) dropped passes were there?

WCG, I’m terribly sorry, but I do not believe that Babich actually changed. I mean, he’s been as steady as LovieSpeak the entire season….he actually didn’t blitz #54 and #55 up the middle?

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Dec 12, 2008 12:19 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

INT's - Both

One INT was a pass that the receiver (not sure who it was, tho) should have caught. The second INT was just inexcusable – Orton was trying to thread it to Lloyd (I think) and didn’t see the Saints LB underneath. Why the Bears were throwing it with 5 mins left who the hell knows, but Orton I think on the whole had a bad night. A few dropped passes but not as bad as in the past (which isn’t saying much).

Hester, BTW, would have had 3 touchdowns tonight if Orton would have thrown the football on the money. On two of them we got a pass interference anyway, but both of those and the other one I saw were TD’s. He’s running good routes (I agree with itsugly). He’s absolutely smoking the coverage with good routes and speed. Now if we can just get him the ball in stride – once.

I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. - Dick Butkus

by iowaBear on Dec 12, 2008 12:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Rashied "Pan Hands" Davis

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 12:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

manning

would’ve had two if Craig Steltz would’ve laid a block for him on the 2nd one

by DartmouthCubsFan on Dec 12, 2008 7:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I saw that too. He was loafing watching the return because he thought Manning was going to get tackled.

Then when he didn’t it was too late for him to get in position to throw a block and then he ended up getting tackled.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 10:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just glad we won.

Now, Arizona, play the way you are capable of playing at home this year. You have played well their all year. Keep it up.

Fire Ron Turner!!!
Fire Angelo!!

by GallopingGhost on Dec 12, 2008 12:45 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

the williams boys should be playing

kind of ridiculous, but looks like they’ll play at least the next two weeks. not necessarily a huge issue with arizona, since they are a pass-happy offense, but still, it will allow the vikings to avoid blitzing, keeping more of their players in coverage.

by guy incognito on Dec 12, 2008 1:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

they cheated and should be disciplined. enough said..

"Charles Tillman is one of the best strippers in the NFL" - John Madden 11/30/08 Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings game

by Chanman25 on Dec 12, 2008 6:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Um no

they have the right of due process and they’re pursuing it.

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Dec 12, 2008 7:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm fine with due process, what took the NFL all season to get the suspensions announced?

That is my problem. And they are making excuses. They know they broke the rules and they should have checked out their stuff. Unless of course they were also taking steroids in which case they took it on purpose to hide it.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 10:20 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Even if they "checked out their stuff"

the banned substance was not listed on the label of what they took. I would like them to be suspended as much as anyone, but if it were 2 guys on our team, you would likely be singing a different tune right now. I think they deserve the due process.

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 12, 2008 10:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Taking all season was the NFL's fault

by Arbusto on Dec 12, 2008 11:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

they're claming they DID check their stuff

and what they took was on the safe list of supplements. And from what I’ve heard, it was on the safe list even though the NFL knew it had the banned diuretic in it.

That sounds like somethng shady to me that the players (even though they’re playing against my team) should be allowed to uncover and fight.

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Dec 12, 2008 1:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No, what happened was

they checked the banned list and it was not on it. It was not listed on a safe list. That would make this whole thing a no brainer.

I’m for what is fair. They are told to check each drug even if they are not on the banned list and even if it doesn’t show anything banned on the label. They didn’t do that. I do wish the NFL did more to let players know about the drug, but the players aren’t exempt from personal responsibility.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 3:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The morale of the story

the best offense is an underthrown ball for a PI call

Bears should have won in regulation on the non-PI call on Olsen in the endzone.

I thought the defense was pretty good considering the offense kept turning the ball over.

Orton kind of sucked (don’t forget the fumbled snap), especially against a bad pass defense, but put it together on the last drive at least. Hester’s looking better as a WR.

Davis should have caught the first INT, but it was behind him. Of course Orton threw another right at a linebacker in the first half that should have been picked.

Visit The Cub Reporter (thecubreporter.com)

by thecubreporter on Dec 12, 2008 2:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

That non PI call on Olsen wasn't PI

larry has that system down to a science. Especially with the way the economy is….big wigs like larry coming in dressed in their mink coats and 24k gold cigarrete holders with pockets lined with coke make for a large draw during shift changes.
by BobbySouthSide on Dec 9, 2008 4:24 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

by Jbasic89 on Dec 12, 2008 2:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

how do you figure?

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Dec 12, 2008 7:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You're allowed to tackle receivers in the end zone before the ball reaches them.

It’s a new rule.

—d

by itsugly on Dec 12, 2008 9:21 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ha!

Awesome new rule. In fact, I believe the rule is you are allowed to ‘textbook’ tackle receivers in the end zone – because that was textbook all the way.

I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something. - Dick Butkus

by iowaBear on Dec 12, 2008 6:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

at first

I thought Olsen did some pushing off as well, but replay showed the Saints guy grabbing his waist and then some before the ball got there…

my bad on the fumble then if it indeed was an early snap….I stepped away and just saw the replay and it looked like it was just botched.

So bad Kreutz…

Visit The Cub Reporter (thecubreporter.com)

by thecubreporter on Dec 12, 2008 9:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And when does Kreutz start to get blame for some of these botched snaps

by Jbasic89 on Dec 12, 2008 2:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm pretty sure I dropped this one on him.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by WCG on Dec 12, 2008 6:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I was glad to see you call him out

Especially since this was the second week in a row that he snapped one early…

--Torch

by torch on Dec 12, 2008 7:00 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

over a year ago

by mike b on Dec 12, 2008 9:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

it was talked about a year ago but not 100% concluded

Some said Kruetz had an issue, others say he’s a probowler and everyone is making excuses. You probably knew that for a while, but several didn’t. And believe me they won’t chirp up now and say they were wrong.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 10:23 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

not orton's fault

that kreutz can’t remember the snap count for longer than 20 seconds.

by mike b on Dec 12, 2008 9:18 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The fumbled snap.

That was one Kreutz. The two interceptions, he’s got to eat, though Davis shares some of the blame for the first one.

—d

by itsugly on Dec 12, 2008 9:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It was mostly Davis

yeah, the pass was behind him, but it was perfectly catchable.

by Subotai on Dec 12, 2008 9:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It was behind him, but not by much.

Davis screwed up bad!

But on the other side, Orton is not an accurate passer. He isn’t trying to throw to a spot, he throws to an area. That is his problem. Every long ball looks like the biggest guess I’ve ever seen. Hmmm, I think this will be in the right vicinity. Receivers don’t know what shoulder to look over, Lloyd is sprawling out everywhere to make a catch, it is pretty ridiculous.

I still like Orton though and hope he can improve this accuracy thing. I think we need to keep drafting QB’s just in case.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 10:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Why is Orton getting worse as the season goes on....

by Jbasic89 on Dec 12, 2008 2:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

he's still not playing at 100 percent and i think it plays a bit with his head

the second interception was bad. and the olsen ball in the end zone was pass interference. the defender was draped all over him before the ball was remotely within grasp. watch the replay again. i wouldnt worry too much about neckbeard, especially if hester keeps making double moves and isnt dropping balls.

by lampnasty on Dec 12, 2008 2:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

thats a bunch of bullshit

his injury was 6 weeks ago… what good is a wide open hester if orton cant hit him. its unbelievable how accurate he can be with fade routes and short passes and still be so awful at deep patterns down the middle of the field…

by Jbasic89 on Dec 12, 2008 2:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

he was moving fine last night. He was just missing guys. He admitted in post game that he did not see the guy on the second INT>

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by WCG on Dec 12, 2008 6:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

wasn't he limping

after his 6 yard run?

by mike b on Dec 12, 2008 9:17 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah.

He was rushed back to the field a couple weeks early because we haven’t got a backup, and I think it is messing with his head a little- probably also messing with Turner’s play-calling to some extent. He hit his nadir against the Vikings and he’s picking back up some. He’s been delivering game-winning drives since then, so I think we can afford to be patient in the meantime.

—d

by itsugly on Dec 12, 2008 9:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

either ankle

will affect the throw if its lame.

by mike b on Dec 12, 2008 9:27 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

His accuracy is not an ankle thing.

The guy guesses on medium to long passes where to throw it. We saw him look accurate on a few more throws than normal in a couple games, but not many deep passes have been completed all year. Most of his completions are short-short medium. A few medium, but not many medium-long, or long passes. All of the crazy catches by Lloyd & Booker have been because of this. Hester is consistently well underthrown or way overthrown. It is rarely even close on the long ball. He’s just guessing, ankle or no ankle. He can’t throw past 15 yards accurately.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 10:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

True

but he DID lead 2 pretty stellar scoring drives to seal the deal.

THAT’S why he keeps my confidence. Once Gross had started to go bad he showed no ability to bounce back and have a non-sucky drive.

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Dec 12, 2008 1:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Some quick thoughts

1.) Look for Daniel Manning to move to wide reciever next year…

2.) Alex Brown and Wall E gave the Saints problems all night. Arguably their best tandem game this season.

3.) Orton stinks at deep balls. he needs to leave it out it front of hester and he hasnt been able to do so all season. And the first offensive possesion was a fluke and hardly a pattern.

4.) You can argue Robbie Gould has been one of the best finds in the Lovie Smith/Angelo draft era.

5.) Im lost as to why Anthony Adams has been inactive this whole season. He should’ve been the starter from week one, but might have won his job back last night.

6.) For those who didnt watch, this game was similiar to the eagles game up until the last 3 minutes.

7.) one last thing: Jason David could be the worst player ever to play in the secondary at Soldier Field since Adam Archuleta.

by rahulsriram on Dec 12, 2008 6:10 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

#3, For the record

The one deep ball to Hester that didn’t result in a pass interference call was out in front of him. When Hester laid out for it, it was just out of his reach.

--Torch

by torch on Dec 12, 2008 7:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He throws it out front by a mile about every other time from what I see.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 10:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd like to paint a picture

I got to watch the game last night in a bar here in Ocean Springs, Mississippi which is close to Biloxi if you don’t know. Well needless to say I was about the only bears fan in the bar so this win was just great for me, I got messed with when the Saints made the comeback but I didn’t let them get to me. It was pretty quiet when Gould hit the field goal and of course I had to raise my hand in victory.

A few sightings/observations from the bar last night:
1. I saw a guy about 6’5" wearing a Bobby Hebert jersey( I had to laugh).
2. Apparently a guy who was in the bar was claiming to be the father of Dave Toub. I had my doubts on that one.
3. Old drunk people need to watch out for that step to go outside, nothing funnier than somebody falling when they are drunk (as long as they are not seriously hurt).
4. I actually heard the “Who Dey” chant last night.
5. Saints fans hate the FB dive as much as we do, I told them the play wouldn’t work I’d seen the Bears use it enough, and sure enough not effective.

Game Observations:
With Manning’s success on kick offs at the end of the game we had Hester deep and Manning as the up man, this will create great field position for us, hopefully some special team unit has something to prove and Manning and or Hester make them pay.

The DLine had a good game overall. Not very many big plays given up. If you take away Thomas’ 1 big run he had a decent night but nothing spectacular. Nice to see Wale getting the INT and Alex Brown was playing like a Beast. I even think Tommie Harris was trying to earn a paycheck.

Secondary played well and didn’t give up the BIG play, I think this was more due to the dink and dunk style the Saints were playing but it was nice to see the secondary not get burnt. Mike Brown could’ve had 2 INTS, that’s always nice to see.

Offense
Turnovers about gave the game away, but like WCG wrote they finally got a sack and came back and won the game. I couldn’t help but feel that this was like Atlanta all over again.

If things came easy, then everybody would be great at what they did, let's face it.
Mike Ditka

by Ditkavsworld on Dec 12, 2008 6:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

great post

btw…..

Visit The Cub Reporter (thecubreporter.com)

by thecubreporter on Dec 12, 2008 9:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I second that. Very entertaining.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 10:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

I just had to share my experiance with everyone on here. Could’ve used some back up last night. All in all though most people were polite and nothing like some friendly ribbing.

If things came easy, then everybody would be great at what they did, let's face it.
Mike Ditka

by Ditkavsworld on Dec 12, 2008 11:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

What about Hester as the up man and Manning deep?

I mean they are kicking it short because they are afraid of Manning, right?

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 10:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Either way

You set up Hester deep and Manning up or vice versa, it’s a pick your poision type scenario that I’d like to see continue. I kept saying Hester is due but if he keeps running towards Gary instead of Milwaukee it’ll never happen.

If things came easy, then everybody would be great at what they did, let's face it.
Mike Ditka

by Ditkavsworld on Dec 12, 2008 11:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

LOL, that is why I want Manning deep

That way if Hester goes for Gary at least he is further up the field. We know Manning runs for Milwaukee.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 3:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

A couple things

First

They also did a good job against the run. Pierre Thomas did end with 87 yards, but he did not rip off any big runs that really hurt us. Reggie Bush ended with 30 yards.

Other than the 40 yard run for a TD? Seems like a big run that hurts…

I still think the offense is entirely too predictable. All this quick passes or screens were obvious to me.

Orton’s injury can’t be to blame for much of anything anymore. He’s looking mobile and ran for a TD. He had an OK night. If he’d played consistently all night he wouldn’t have had to be driving the ball late in the game.

This game belonged to the special teams. It was clear that the offensive couldn’t move the ball very far.

by Arbusto on Dec 12, 2008 7:04 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Orton

I don’t understand why Orton does not get the same sort of derisive abuse that Grossman has gotten (I’m not calling for this abuse – just wondering why he doesn’t get it). Remember that for a 6 game stretch a couple of years ago Grossman was the best QB in the league. There are a lot of QB’s who can play well for a few games at a time. Orton has not yet put together as good a stretch as Grossman did.

Why is there this perception that Orton is a “safe” QB? He throws plenty of picks (and less TD’s than Grossman), and nearly cost the Bears the game yesterday. In my opinion the Viking game was not lost on the goal-line stand and 99 yard bomb (the score was only 10-7) but with his repeated obvious errors throughout the rest of the game. He also can’t throw a deep ball, negating the only obvious receiving threat the bears have.

I’m not saying Grossman is the answer. They are both middling QB’s who would be very good backups on a team with a real QB. Orton has much better pocket presence and touch on his short passes, but Grossman can throw the deep ball. Neither is a complete QB.

As an aside – does anyone think that the offensive line is not getting criticized enough for a failure to run-block? Their pass protection has been pretty good (although some of that is Orton doing a good job of getting the ball away and moving in the pocket), but I think that Forte has succeeded in spite of them, rather than because of them.

by mac30 on Dec 12, 2008 7:41 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I think you just made a friend in Big

by Arbusto on Dec 12, 2008 8:04 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

if we could combine

Orton’s ability to get rid of the ball quickly and accurately on short passes, with Rex’s deep ball i think we’d be onto something..

by DartmouthCubsFan on Dec 12, 2008 9:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ort-man

the perfect QB hybrid

by mac30 on Dec 12, 2008 9:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

not sure

but i am also wondering where all the bullshit excuses are for orton, if grossman has stubbed his toe we would be hearing abotu how the “the dragon can’t fly with a clipped wing” or some bullshit.

by mike b on Dec 12, 2008 9:16 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs

wow

"the dragon can’t fly with a clipped wing"

mike b for president.

—d

by itsugly on Dec 12, 2008 9:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I was thinking about this today and came to the conclusion that....

Orton’s upside is Jake Delhomme. Not great physical attributes, very streaky as far as INTs, don’t fumble when sacked, and the team for whatever reason plays better with them than anybody else. The main difference between Kyle and Rex is the C on the jersey, something Rex never earned. Orton has the players behind him, whereas it always seemed like Dez Clark and Kreutz wanted to punch Rex in the face.

by escolio on Dec 12, 2008 9:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Pocket presence is another plus for Orton

Rex runs straight backwards and takes 10 yard sacks. He doesn’t step up in the pocket.

Rex is more accurate on everything short as well as medium and long, but doesn’t throw well to RB’s out of the backfield.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 10:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not Impressed

Running game?? Was Kevin Jones available?
Bears need a tight end who is a bruiser – Olson is great reciever but he doesn’t run over anybody – can Kellen Davis fit the bill?
Don’t misinterpret – I like Olson and we should keep him, but we need another tight end who runs over few people before he goes down.

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell

by phastphil on Dec 12, 2008 8:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Jones was likely inactive

They have been using Peterson as the backup since Forte basically plays 90% of the plays. Peterson plays special teams and can fill in the 10%. Jones is less valuable and the use the roster spot on someone else.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 10:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Jones was active

They used him on special teams

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 12, 2008 11:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Really? I didn't see him.

I knew if I posted without checking that would happen.

Now I’m curious too. Why not play Jones?

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 3:52 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well, I imagine

that he was only active because Gerrit Wolfe was not…

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 12, 2008 4:51 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Still I would have thought he would get carries over Peterson

Maybe they think Peterson is more into the flow of the offense. He sucked catching passes though last night!

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 9:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It went like this

Jones was inactive, because the Bears needed more bodies on special teams. AP fills both a ST player and backup back, so they can bring on another guy.

Per the story I read this morning, Jones went to Smith to find out why he hasn’t seen the field. Smith explained that they needed the ST help. Jones asked if he played ST would he then see some playing time, so he is out there.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by WCG on Dec 15, 2008 11:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Playoffs

In the event that the Bears do actually make the playoffs, how do they expect to beat a playoff team when they can’t even move the ball against the Saints defense?

Somebody said coaching was great? How does your defense play the way it did in the first half, then give up 17 unanswered points? Coaching. Zero adjustments made on D and O and this has been a problem since Steve Smith torched the Bears in the 05 playoffs.

Bears might be the worst second half team in football (Besides the Lions) Bears D can’t hold a lead and the O can’t get a first down.

All this equals very early playoff exit if they are lucky enough to get in.

I shouldn’t complain too much since they did get the win, but damn, how do you dominate in the first half and get dominated in the second?

I’m done.

by McRipper on Dec 12, 2008 8:24 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

The D

To be fair to them, 14 of the 17 points the Saints picked up last night came off of turnovers. If the offense had stayed on the field, they wouldn’t have been in the “hold a lead” position. If we win the division, we’ll be okay for the first playoff game, at least- no way do Dallas or the Bucs/Falcons come into Soldier Field in January and have an easy win.

—d

by itsugly on Dec 12, 2008 9:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

but they can’t get a stop when they need one. Obviously, the Offense isn’t doing their job either but all season long this D has underperformed. 3rd and long should be a long shot for an offense and the Bears seem to give those up at will.

How does that work? If the Bears win their division, do they automatically get a 3rd or 4th spot or does record indicate playoff position? A wildcard team is probably going to have a better record than the North winner but does the fact that they are a Wildcard team make them play on the road?

by McRipper on Dec 12, 2008 12:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I feel like you are talking about the first half of the year

I know the Bears defense is not what it was 2 seasons ago, but there has been much improvement last few games. I don’t make excuses for GB though, that was stupid.

3rd and longs are much better than before!

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 3:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Division winners automatically get the 3/4 spot.

They talked about changing it during the off-season this year, because an 11-5 wildcard probably deserves it more than a 9-7 division champ, but it didn’t happen. It would have had interesting implications for the Giants last year, I believe, if it were the case.

—d

by itsugly on Dec 12, 2008 5:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Cowboys

would kick the Bears ass something severe…sad to say.

Visit The Cub Reporter (thecubreporter.com)

by thecubreporter on Dec 12, 2008 4:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I dunno.

It’d depend on if Orton and the offense could capitalize on all five of Romo’s interceptions, I guess.

—d

by itsugly on Dec 12, 2008 5:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Only if the defense returned it to the Cowboy's 20 yrd line.

by Arbusto on Dec 13, 2008 6:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The Dallas pass rush would

eat our offensive line alive. Orton would be dumping the ball all day to Forte 5 yards behind the LOS.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by WCG on Dec 15, 2008 11:07 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The first TD they started on the 1 yard line.

I would say giving up 17 total points to the Saints is very good. They are a top scoring team. Even the other 17 were all started around the 50.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 10:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Couple Things

1. Along with the Anthony Adams theme, why doesn’t Isreal Idonijae (Spelling???) play more? It seems like every time he is in the game he is making a play, forcing the QB out of the pocket, steady pressure.

2. 4th qtr 6min left, why the hell is Turner calling consecutive pass plays!?!?!? there is 6 minutes left, you have matt forte, and the saints have one timeout left, I know there are things we may not know, but come on, that one seems obvious, dont over thing these things turner!!! RUN THE BALL AND THE CLOCK.

3. A JV high school QB could have seen the blitzes coming, we have no imagination at all with our blitz packages, which is sad for a team that blitzs more then any other in the league.

Finally, is it just me or is Mariucci just not good at his analyst role? He seems so uncomfortable.

Now to work and making sales calls, anyone need help with transportation? I can find you some trucks! HAHAHA! What a night! GO CARDS!

by CurtisConway on Dec 12, 2008 8:25 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

My guess on Turner

- Everyone has been griping about him taking the foot off the gas.
- He knew that the Saints were expecting us to run and knew with 5 minutes left, we needed a couple first downs.
- He tried to throw on first down to catch them off guard. He did call a very save throw to the FB out of the backfield and it was dropped.
- Then Orton audibled on second down to a pass, then it was 3rd and 10 and we still needed a first down. We couldn’t give them the ball back with still 5 minutes left. There was some logic and I’m glad we were trying to win the game instead of run, run, run, give it back. They were going to stack the box. We may have gotten the first down, but Turner tried to surprise them and give us a better shot at a first.

If it works, he’s smart, if not he’s stupid. Same as the fake punt. And I hate Turner, but I was glad to see him trying to put more points on the board to finish the Saints off.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 10:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

story of the year

in that shitty game.

offense:

oline can’t do anythng most of the time in the run game. how good would forte look running right, behind otah?

qb: think we’ll ever have a qb that can hit a wide open receiver?

wr: cut davis today. TODAY. the guy is worthless. a real wide receiver can catch a ball at his back shoulder. that drop is the turning point that almost lost that game. what kind of rhythm does a qb get with this revolving door at wr?

coaching: fake punt on the 50, how about you pin them and make them move the ball? twice now we have thrown wheel routes to AP, who is playing offense what, 2% of the time? why are you throwing passes to him when he barely gets game time?

by mike b on Dec 12, 2008 9:14 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

With you on Davis

I’m glad they pretty much took him off the field at the end, but damn, can Bennett be THAT much worse in the slot? Put the guy in on passing downs and see what he can do. What’s the worst he could do, drop a pass?

At this point I’d like to just see them dink and dunk to the TE’s, take shots deep to Hester and attempt to run enough to keep a team honest. Davis doesn’t deserve to be out there any longer, I don’t care what he did in training camp.

On another note, I think Brandon Lloyd has earned himself another couple of years here in Chicago. I know he’s been hurt, but give him a small contract. he’s worth hanging on to.

by Subotai on Dec 12, 2008 9:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

loyd?

eh. draft somebody good but the complete lack of a number 1 or really even a 2 makes it easy.

by mike b on Dec 12, 2008 9:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I know.

He’s just eh. I didn’t mean pay him to be our number 1. he could be our #3 or 4 guy. We need a true #1. Hopefully from free agency.

by Subotai on Dec 12, 2008 9:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Clean WR house

if they don’t keep Lloyd, I’m fine with that. keep Hester and Bennett and clean out everyone else.

by Subotai on Dec 12, 2008 9:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bennett over Lloyd?

What has Bennett shown you that Lloyd hasn’t? I’ve never been a Brandon Lloyd fan, but he’s made good catches most of the year, and he seems to have a good rhythm with Orton. Both passes he caught last night were important, difficult receptions. Why would you favor a rookie who can’t even make it out of training camp to that?

—d

by itsugly on Dec 12, 2008 9:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bennett hasn't had a chance to show ANYTHING!

That’s the problem.

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 12, 2008 10:15 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Keep Lloyd

my vote is for keeping Lloyd. He’s done well when healthy. My post was about IF they let Lloyd go. Bennett has obviously not impressed enough in practice to be able to get on the field. But they’re going to hang on to him since he’s a 3rd round draft pick and just a rookie. I suppose they’ll just develop him and see how he progresses.

At the same time, I mean c’mon, Davis has sucked, put Bennett in and see what he can do.

by Subotai on Dec 12, 2008 11:06 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bennett over Davis.

No argument here. I’d rather see Rex Grossman lined up wide than Rashied Davis at this point.

—d

by itsugly on Dec 12, 2008 5:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Bennett

might have been another drafting mistake as well. I know it takes a few years for a WR to adjust fully to the pro game, but most guys who are true #1 WRs are good enough as rookies to at least contribute a little on offense. Especially an offense with bad receivers.

by Subotai on Dec 12, 2008 9:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not so sure Bennett was a mistake

We have no way of knowing because they won’t let him play.

It’s not like we have any reason to think he’ll be good, but there’s really no way he can be worse than what we throw out there on a regular basis.

I don’t think Lovie is a bad coach (I think he’s above average) but I think he and his coaches have a serious weakness in in-roster talent evaluation. (Guys that couldn’t make the field for the Bears play well for other teams – e.g. Bradley).

by mac30 on Dec 12, 2008 9:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lloyd is the only guy catching the ball and getting open regularly

With a QB with no accuracy past 10 yards you need him. He doesn’t have to be the #1. We can still draft a guy and bring in someone else through FA. Just keep him on the roster.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 10:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

WR corps for next year should be...

Legit #1 thru trade or FA like Housh or Boldin
#2/#3 are Hester and Lloyd. Lloyd has good hands and when healthy can make plays. Hester is getting better and is a very potent deep threat.
Earl Bennet either develops or doesn’t.

by MuleTrain on Dec 12, 2008 10:58 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

and draft another prospect in round 2-4.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 3:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The worst that could happen is

he runs the wrong route in a crucial playoff type game (which all of our currently are) and Orton throws it to where he is suppose to be, but he isn’t there and it ends up being a pick.

If you remember just last season Hester was doing that. Rookies make mistakes. I want to see him play as well but I can understand why he isn’t getting his first reps this time of the year. i want to see Chris Williams too, but I can wait till next season.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 10:50 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

he did that in the vikings game apparently

by mike b on Dec 12, 2008 10:54 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

appendix

O-line: ditto
QB: would be great to have a QB who can hit an open WR… would also be great to actually have an open WR.
Coaching: We run a fake friggin punt, and the intended receiver (AP) still can’t even get open on the play. How lame is that?

I’m sick of watching our opponent’s WRs catch the ball in open space and rack up YACs. When we catch the ball, there’s a DB draped on the back of our WR.

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 Dec 12, 2008 11:36 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I'll mention it again

I think the D had its best game of the year by far….

that’s a damn good Saints offense and most of the points were off Bears turnovers….a couple of huge stops along the way.

Visit The Cub Reporter (thecubreporter.com)

by thecubreporter on Dec 12, 2008 9:27 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

agreed

i thought the D finally showed up last night, especially the DLine which is really the key to our defense.

The one guy who i thought played really poorly last night was Urlacher. He took bad angles on a couple big run plays

by DartmouthCubsFan on Dec 12, 2008 9:31 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

how many 3rd longs did NO pick up?

color me unimpressed.

by tempchad on Dec 12, 2008 12:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

unimpressed by the Bears D?

okay….

very good Saints offense, they’re going to get their yards and make plays…Bears D held them for the most part. All but 7 pts were because of turnovers and a short field I believe.

It’s not the Ravens or Steelers defense, but a damn good game imo…

Visit The Cub Reporter (thecubreporter.com)

by thecubreporter on Dec 12, 2008 3:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ditto, If I tell you we only give up 17 before the game and score on special teams

you would be impressed. That 7 points on the 1 isn’t fair at all to attribute to our D.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 4:22 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Lloyd won't be here next year, nor will Davis

It’s been clear that the Bears were disgusted with Lloyd’s inability to play at anything less than 100% healthy, during his time on the bench. This was the rap on him with previous teams, signs of a spark at the beginning of a season, then begging off games as the season progresses, due to little owies and the like. Every player is suffering from one injury or another at this point in the season, you can’t have your starting WR taking himself out of games for literally nothing.

by Waylon on Dec 12, 2008 10:09 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

vasher

has been the same way this year and has a bit of a rap like that.

by mike b on Dec 12, 2008 10:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Seeing Vasher get reinjured twice after coming back, leads me to believe he was really hurt

Coaches like Vasher so they will give him every opportunity.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 10:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Earl Bennett.

Everyone in the stands last night was buzzing about Earl Bennett…I am still dumbfounded as to how the career leader in receptions in the SEC does not get a CHANCE out there…I wonder if he has somehow gotten into Lovie’s doghouse.

At least the media is finally starting to ask the same questions. I just wish we could see him out there. Hell, put him back to return punts since Hester is lost. He ran one back in the preseason…

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 12, 2008 10:17 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

there's got to be something there

maybe he’s not picking up the routes or something. there’s no way for a rookie with talent to not get in on this offense. i wonder if not knowing what hester will give you as far as consistency is making them reluctant to put a rookie out there.

by mike b on Dec 12, 2008 10:19 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I know, there HAS to be something...

I just can’t imagine that someone with Bennett’s pedigree would struggle so much…Just kinda frustrating…

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 12, 2008 10:26 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It's week 15

If you can’t grasp the playbook by now, you shouldn’t have a job. Therefore… I don’t see that as an excuse.

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 Dec 12, 2008 11:30 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He needs to become a great special teams player to get on the active roster regularly

much like what Wolfe did and he will get his chance to get in the game. Poor Wolfe has a beast in Forte that doesn’t want to let anyone else come into the game.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 10:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed...

I wish that Bennett would get a shot at returning punts then…

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 12, 2008 11:08 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No way

Put D-Man back there. It’s not like he has a position anyways.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Dec 12, 2008 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He can't return a punt. Did you see him last night?

He muffed one, lost SIGNIFICANT yardage on another….It’s terrible. And it’s not like this was his first poor performance back there. He has been pretty consistently awful. Bennett can’t hurt, and can also let Devin focus on being a WR.

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 12, 2008 3:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

D-Man

i think = Danieal Manning

not Devin Hester

by DartmouthCubsFan on Dec 12, 2008 3:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Understood...

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 12, 2008 4:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Danieal Manning

I didn’t see the game, but from what I heard, Manning didn’t do those things.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Dec 12, 2008 3:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He did well and looks like the wholes are getting bigger

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 3:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

holes, i keep typing it wrong!!! ehhhh!

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 3:58 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I thought he meant Hester...

My mistake. Manning did not return any punts- I wish he had though!

Brian McRae's 5 o'clock shadow

by PurpleLineToWrigley on Dec 12, 2008 4:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He muffed a short kick off and fell on it.

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 9:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

He's playing nickel and looks like he is doing a solid job

Kick it to me... I'm open!

by #23 on Dec 12, 2008 3:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sure, but...

he has a girl’s name. Let him have two jobs. The world owes him that much.

—d

by itsugly on Dec 12, 2008 5:40 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry missed the thread last night but was out of town

watched the game at a bar and here is my take. The defensive gameplan has definitely made adjustments it is evident and Mike Brown has played excellent since the 2nd lion’s game. The DLine has been solid and the Adams affect has been mentioned already. Overall they are playing better as a group. Offense on teh other hand is digressing. The playcalling has been off for weeks and has become very conserative. I think he did it when Orton came back early from injury but has never got it back. It also seems like the avoid throwing to Lloyd on purpose to punish him?? They also force the ball to Hester way too much, he doesn’t have great hands and they just don’t spread the ball around. Need to go back to watching films from the early Viking game.

by tfrabotta on Dec 12, 2008 9:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs