Great Article on the Cover-2 from SI's Archive

by Hatchetm on Dec 31, 2008 8:43 AM CST

Here is a bit I found particularly enlightening and explains why the Bears defense doesn't work so well.

The 5 commandments of the Cover-2:

1. The front four must be able to rush the quarterback, because that allows the linebackers freedom.

2. The middle linebacker must be able and willing to drop deep into coverage

3. The outside linebackers must be smart and athletic enough to cover receivers in the middle zone or rally to runs at the line of scrimmage.

4. The cornerbacks must be physical enough to jam wideouts at the line and also tackle ballcarriers.

5. The safeties must be smart and quick enough to break properly on balls in the air and physical enough to create--and survive--violent collisions with wide receivers or backs

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so...

we fail on number 1, partly 3 (hunter/roach), 4 (we don’t jam anyone), and 5. gee, i wonder why running the cover 2 hasn’t worked well for us the past 2 years????

by guy incognito on Dec 31, 2008 12:47 PM CST reply actions

Ha ha!

Great post.

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 31, 2008 1:05 PM CST up reply actions

The sad thing on #4 is

we have guys who can. Tillman and Graham are both bigger CBs.

Being Who You Thought We Were Since 2005!

by Adam T on Dec 31, 2008 1:50 PM CST up reply actions

Rec'd

Nice article, even though it is from 2006. Ahhh, them were the days…

Residence: Portland, Oregon Pro Team: Da Bears NCAA Football: LSU Baby!! Make sense?

by Dane Noble on Dec 31, 2008 2:21 PM CST reply actions

Looks like we have the wrong talent on this team

- Front four provides almost no pressure except against scrub teams like Detroit and St. Louis
- We blitz more than anyone in the league because of no pressure from the front four.
- Urlacher doesn’t cover the deep middle as well anymore. Definitely a decline. Part of it can be attributed to playing so close at the line of scrimmage, but he has lost speed and power for sure.
- When do we play press? Never.
- Vasher couldn’t help in run support.
- Mike Brown was definitely slower, but both Payne and Brown would deliver shots.

Yep makes since. Briggs and Alex Brown and Tillman and Grahn stay, and the rest find a new home. Maybe we keep Tommie Harris.

The sad thing is I really love all these guys, but some of them are just aging fast.

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

by #23 on Dec 31, 2008 4:26 PM CST reply actions

Demote Lovie Smith to DC.

I believe that if Lovie’s Sole priority was DC (of course this is just wishful B.S.) That he could make the cover 2/ Tampa 2 work with the personal that we have with the addition of a solid pass rusher. So, I propose we make Lovie the highest paid DC in the NFL and bring in Bill Cowher. Any objections?

Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.

by Haightminow on Jan 1, 2009 7:57 PM CST reply actions