Sacking Jay Cutler, or Protecting Our (Future) Investment

by Dane Noble on Oct 9, 2009 11:30 AM CDT in Notes

Even before this past April's historic quarterback trade, the Chicago Bears offensive line was a major concern. This became even more important after the acquisition of Jay Cutler, and this season we have seen three new starters on the OL: Frank Omiyale, Chris Williams, and Orlando Pace.

One of the many attributes of our young QB is his ability to avoid the sack, and extend the play with his legs. We have seen his scrambling ability, as well as his talent for delivering strong throws while off balance and on the run. But, Cutler has also been sacked eight times in his first four games for Chicago, and that is not a pace we can afford to keep up.

As the season continues to unfold, we can expect our offensive line to improve with more snaps under their belts, but don't expect the pressure to go away.

So far in 2009, 3 sacks have come from the right defensive ends, 2 from safety blitzes, 2 from linebackers, and 1 from the left defensive end. Our starting running back Matt Forte is an excellent blocker, but we can't expect him to constantly pick up the slack from defensive line pressure.

Looking at the next two games on the schedule, Atlanta and Cincinnati, 12 sacks have come from the right defensive ends. For Atlanta, John Abraham and Kroy Biermann have each registered 2 sacks apiece, while Antwan Odom of Cincy has registered 8.

You can bet that Ron Turner and his crew are taking a hard look at Orlando Pace and the rest of the offensive line, and how to best adjust for the upcoming pressure Jay Cuter will face. Until our running game starts to pick up the slack, Cutler will continue to have to throw the ball, and right now he is getting sacked an average of once every 16 drop backs. And that is with his ability to avoid the rush.

We have to be able to protect our (future) investment better than we have so far...

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I'm not that worried

The line will gel… and hopefully Ron Turner will call more playaction, screens, and 3 step drops to frustrate pass rushers… then again the best way to slow down a pass rush is to run the ball down their throat

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Oct 9, 2009 11:38 AM CDT reply actions

What I would do...

… is look at more 2 TE sets. Bring Kellen Davis a lot in the first half, and use he and Pace to deliberately punish the opponents RDE as much as possible throughout the first half. That is, implement a deliberate strategy to wear them down by facing two big guys for as many plays as we can get away with.

Of course, that means the WR will have to get open or the running game will have to pick up. Getting Omiyale out and Beekman in should help with the latter.

But I suppose you can see why I’m no the OC :)

by SC Dave on Oct 9, 2009 12:09 PM CDT reply actions

I'd like to see us try max-protecting on a few more plays

We definately need to emphasize picking up the blitz with our backs and tight ends – when we watch film. It sounds like Paces’ side may be the weak link, so to speak. When we play the Vikings, I wouldn’t have a problem with us putting a blocking TE on Jared Allen’s side and double teaming him for the entire game.

I agree we need to run more play-action, but unfortunately the running game needs to pick up in order to be able to consistently sell that. Maybe after last week, we’re back on track with that.

by JimmyMack on Oct 9, 2009 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions

I agree with running more double-tight sets

but I would use Des Clark or Michael Gaines in those spots. Davis is coming along, but he’s not nearly as good at blocking as those two.

"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST

by JerBear50 on Oct 10, 2009 4:33 AM CDT up reply actions

On the bright side...

…he’s certainly not getting as many sacks as Aaron Rodgers right now (Scary thought: Rodgers has been sacked 54 times in just 20 starts. Scarier thought: This season’s O-line is on pace to break the record of 76 sacks allowed by the Texans in David Carr’s rookie year.), but that number can always go down.

It’ll probably go down as the guys get more and more comfortable playing with each other on the field.

by V. Money on Oct 9, 2009 12:38 PM CDT reply actions

Is 2 a game really that bad?

Seems to me with all the emphases virtually every defense now places on rushing the quarterback, and the number of players who specialize in it, having your QB sacked one time per half doesn’t strike me as that big of a deal. Actually seems modest. I could live with 2 a game.

by Shuffle85 on Oct 9, 2009 12:45 PM CDT reply actions

It's not terrible, but it's not great either

especially considering that we’ve only played one top-level defense in Pittsburgh. The other three are average to bad. Right now, Jays healthy and still fairly fresh. Later in the season, especially if he gets banged up, those hits will take more of a toll. There’s also the fact that he’s being pressured/hit a lot more than the actual sack numbers. He avoids a lot of it with his scrambling, but a hit is a hit whether it registers as a sack or not.

"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST

by JerBear50 on Oct 10, 2009 4:44 AM CDT up reply actions

Utilizing Cutler

You are so right.
He’s only doing three step drop backs and 7 yard passes.
This is when Cutler is least efficient (look it up). I have seen every Cutler snap in his career (am Bears fan from Colorado). Cutler is the best vertical passer in football (coaches poll last year). And he throws best from a rolling pocket. He had 12 sacks all of last year and the Broncos ran only 25% of the time. Why did Chicago trade for Cutler if he’s only going to be a fancy clutch version of Orton? In any situation he is great at avoiding sacks and he’s still being sacked alot. I have been shocked at how poor the protection has been.

It’s like running your ferrari in first gear-cold- at high RPMs- over mountain trails. Don’t be surprised when it breaks. But there will people who will blame the ferrari.

by sdw2is on Oct 9, 2009 12:50 PM CDT reply actions 2 recs

nice!!!

Unreasonable people make life difficult...

by WisBearsFan34 on Oct 9, 2009 1:18 PM CDT up reply actions

LOL. rec'd

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 9, 2009 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions

Rec'd x2

But let’s be blunt: Denver had a great OL in ‘08 and struck gold with Clady. Orlando Pace was a stop-gap measure for the Bears, and frankly it was a great move even if the line play stays pretty close to where it’s been in the first month (I think it will improve).

I’m an OL kinda guy. I think the most under-rated position in football is LG. And with the exception of Chris Williams (doesn’t he look good out there, even out of position on the right?), we haven’t invested enough premium picks there recently.

Our current OL configuration is better than the ’08 version in terms of talent. It will be better in December than it was in September. And it probably has another year.

The challenge is going to be building a new OL that can form a unit with Cutler for the next decade. I think we’ve found our LT of the future in Williams, but we need to find a couple of new players over the next two years.

We’re used to building around star running backs and linebackers. Now our star is a quarterback. Job No. 1 is using all available resources to keep him intact. Job No. 2 is building the best long-term OL for his unique talents.

And the prevailing wind happens to be blowing from Vichy.

by xarker on Oct 10, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions

Wow

In-line citations no less; it’s weird to see someone on the interwebs back up a claim.

Censorship of anything, at any time, in any place, on whatever pretense, has always been and will always be the last resort of the boob and the bigot.
—Eugene O’Neill

by 14theofleury on Oct 11, 2009 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Problem is Pace looks so terribad when he’s up against a really fast DE…we definitely need to draft in a tackle next year if the class looks reasonably deep.

by Pretender85 on Oct 9, 2009 1:32 PM CDT reply actions

My question is who will replace Pace & Kreutz?

How much longer does Pace have in the NFL one season? I assume Kreutz is going to be replaced by Beekman and I’d be ok with that. But Protecting Cutler’s back isn’t something I really wanna se a rookie doing. I wonder if they move Williams over once Pace retires?

I've got this thing and it's fucking golden!

by SoulEater7 on Oct 9, 2009 1:58 PM CDT reply actions

I'm thinking they will move CW over to LT

once Pace is done and bring in another RT, draft or FA.

You can't believe everything you read on the internet, that's how World War One got started.
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by Ditkavsworld on Oct 9, 2009 2:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes, that's what I've thought too.

One of the reasons I didn’t like the signing of Pace was that we don’t get to see Williams at LT. We’re once again taking a player and shifting him from position to position to suit immediate needs. OBviously going from RT to LT isn’t as big a change as a completely different position, but it’s still a big adjustment.
As far as the future, I’m more in favor of building the line through the draft rather than free agency. Free agent lineman are either 1) outrageously overpriced or 2) mediocre and still kinda overpriced (Omiyale, St Clair, etc.)

"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST

by JerBear50 on Oct 10, 2009 4:53 AM CDT up reply actions

I think you're right about Williams sliding over once Pace is done.

And if you look at our OL:

Kreutz- 12th season
Pace- 13th
Garza- 9th

That leaves Beekman, Williams, Omiyale, Shaffer, and Louis. And honestly, Williams is the only one that I would feel comfortable with as a long-term starter (with Louis being an unknown at this point). And actually, Shaffer is in his 8th season right now.

Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec (wreck) comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.

Just because it can be done on Madden NFL does not automatically make it a viable option in real life.

by Dane Noble on Oct 9, 2009 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions

I hear lewis is a beast.

I've got this thing and it's fucking golden!

by SoulEater7 on Oct 9, 2009 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions

We really need Louis to become a quality starter.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 9, 2009 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions

Agree, totally

If he can emerge and claim a job in 2010 then all sorts of possibilities open up for the offense.

And the prevailing wind happens to be blowing from Vichy.

by xarker on Oct 10, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions

I'd like to see what Beeks can do at center,

a position that’s predicated more on quickness, agility and smarts than guard. seems a better fit there.

The poster formerly known as Freethefro.

by MPG on Oct 9, 2009 7:01 PM CDT up reply actions

when Pace is done

probably next year, Williams will slide to LT, i bet Omiyale goes to RT…remember he’s a tackle by trade, and Beekman will take over under Center, which leaves us with Shaffer at RT, and then needing a G.

hopefully we can address this next offseason, while were busy pursuing Peppers

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Oct 9, 2009 2:21 PM CDT up reply actions

this is what i got..

Williams(6’6), Omiyale(6’4), Beekman(6’2) Louis (6’3) Shaffer (6’5) or sign a RT in the FA market.

I've got this thing and it's fucking golden!

by SoulEater7 on Oct 9, 2009 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions

But Protecting Cutler’s back isn’t something I really wanna se a rookie doing. I wonder if they move Williams over once Pace retires?

Would pan out; he’s rated a finesse pass blocker suited to LR rather than a mauler of a RT run-blocking RT, I believe, and by the time he moves over to replace Pace he’ll have had at least this season under his belt (assuming Pace lasts the pace, no pun intended).

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
"F*** everybody outside of Halas Hall. BEARDOWN" - WavyGravy

by Spongie on Oct 12, 2009 1:53 AM CDT up reply actions

omiyale

He made one of the blocks on Forte’s huge run. He is a much better open feild type blocker, the inside isn’t right for him.

by DaHamsta on Oct 9, 2009 2:40 PM CDT reply actions

At least we don't have the Packers' O-Line...

That would get Cutler killed.

Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.

No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.

by JoeCB1991 on Oct 9, 2009 3:30 PM CDT reply actions

Agreed

I couldn’t agree more with you…It would be much worse if not for Cutler’s formidable mobility, but all it takes is one hit and I don’t like thinking about the Bears sans Cutler! Definitely need to tighten up the line moving forward to have any hope of winning the division and keeping our QB healthy all season…

by SweetnessNever on Oct 9, 2009 3:33 PM CDT reply actions

Two tight end sets would help

Davis absolutely ruined a Detroit lineman on Forte’s TD run – opened a huge hole.

by Waylon on Oct 9, 2009 6:49 PM CDT reply actions

Nice post GB,

good to see the breakdown on where the sacks were coming from.

-------
"Newbie, if the next two words out of your mouth aren't 'See ya' then the third word will be 'Oh my god. My crotch. You've punched me in my crotch." - Dr. Percival Ulysses Cox

by David Taylor on Oct 9, 2009 7:33 PM CDT reply actions

Draft a Guard

Preferably a huge one (relatively) for Omiyale spot. Move CW to the left and Omiyale to the right. Put Beekman in place for Olin whenever he breaks (is it just me or has he looked pretty average this year?)

by Sound_Automatic on Oct 9, 2009 8:56 PM CDT reply actions

Pace and Kreutz may be showing their ages this year

I think the o-line is definitely the main priority in next years draft – followed by the secondary. JA will also have to go back to free agency and try to shore up the line. I thought Pace would have a little more left in the tank, but I guess we’ve got to remember that he got cut by the Rams for a reason… He’s definitely showed signs of slowing down the past couple of years.

by JimmyMack on Oct 10, 2009 2:31 AM CDT up reply actions

but i still think

he’s part of a better upgrade than what we would have had, with St Clair and Tait. if Pace has even this season left on the tires, then he’s served his purpose. Now THATs what we should spend some draft pick trades on, instead of Braylon “hands” Edwards, an all-pro Tackle or Guard

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Oct 10, 2009 3:33 AM CDT up reply actions

First off...

…if Williams is the real deal at left tackle, the Bears will have the most important position on the entire line all but sewn up. And if Omiyale ends up doing well at left guard, the Bears have Cutler’s blind side in good hands.

I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bears drafted someone to play on the right side in the draft, although Brian Urlacher is 31 in a position where a lot of values slip to the late first or the second round.

by V. Money on Oct 10, 2009 9:06 AM CDT reply actions