Comcast Red Zone: Keys to Victory

by Dane Noble on Nov 20, 2009 9:22 AM CST

This post is sponsored by Comcast's Red Zone. Catch Every Touchdown From Every Game. Every Sunday Afternoon.

Starting off the season winning three of the first four games was a great feeling. Since then, losing four of the next five has been gut-wrenching.... but, it has taught us a lot about our football team. We've definitely got plenty of talent to build around for years to come, but we've also got some glaring issues that have to be addressed.

And when we play a team like the Eagles on prime-time television, the keys to victory aren't that hard to figure out.

Possibly the weakest link on the Chicago Bears football team is the offensive line. And one of the most successful pieces for the Philadelphia Eagles is their blitzing defense.

Key #1 to victory: Protect Jay Cutler. How will the Bears protect Cutler? At this point, I really, honestly, have no idea. Luckily for you all, I'm not an OC.

Also on the docket: the Bears lack of pass rush. Rod Marinelli's big guys up front made their presence known in the first 4 games of the year. Since then, not much has happened. And in the meantime, while not getting pressure on the QB, we are getting gashed for close to 4,000 rushing yards per game (okay, maybe an exaggeration).

Key #2 to victory: Don't let our DL get dominated by Philly's OL. The Eagles have a ton of offensive weapons, so the Bears defense will have to be on their "A" game for 4 quarters if they expect to win... epecially the guys in the trenches. Here's lookin' at you, Tommie.

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I'm expecting a monster game out of Harris.

He played well last week, and this is a real national game. Y’know..one everyone has a reasonable opportunity of seeing.

I’m thinking the D can come out fired up and play strong, but I’m still worried that McNabb will just roll out and then throw it all over our face. Here’s hoping.

"I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule."-Randal Graves

by KDoggers on Nov 20, 2009 9:36 AM CST reply actions

Matt Forte also

"Chance favors the prepared mind." - Pasteur

by Maelvampyre on Nov 20, 2009 11:35 AM CST up reply actions

Did he find a good OL on craigslist this week?

You are all gentlemen (and ladies) and good judges of cheap whiskey.

by Dane Noble on Nov 20, 2009 11:38 AM CST up reply actions

Yeah.

It was under “Missed Connections” It read as follows:

You: Five Big Dudes with Talent. Me: Smart player with a knack for hitting the hole, great hands. We met last year, had some pretty good, successful times. We could’ve had more time together, but there were 11 other guys we hung out with who weren’t interested in trying to win games.I have a buddy now who can throw a ball a nautical mile. Please find a Delorean and meet me back in the future.

"I'm a firm believer in the philosophy of a ruling class. Especially since I rule."-Randal Graves

by KDoggers on Nov 20, 2009 3:11 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Awesome

And the Delorean reference deserves a rec. Built in my hometown, y’know.

"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 Nov 21, 2009 1:49 AM CST up reply actions

Red Zone keys to victory,

1. No picks. 2. Score from inside the 5

by Big Ike on Nov 20, 2009 9:50 AM CST reply actions

Monster game?

from Tommie Harris!?

Good luck with that. I suppose he did have 2 good plays last week (though his sack was completely due to somebody else forcing the QB to run right into Harris). He also had at least 2 offsides penalties, so ultimately it was not a good game. Though for his standards, it was a great game.

Bring on Gilbert!

by MakeHalasProud on Nov 20, 2009 10:34 AM CST reply actions

Only one Key...

just execute! Play your position to the best of your ability and hope the coaches put you in a position to win. DO NOT THINK, JUST DO! This team simply needs to quit pressing and start playing like this game is fun. Just run the plays, that’s all.

When you find yourself in a hole, STOP DIGGING!!!

by LostInSTL on Nov 20, 2009 11:26 AM CST reply actions

Actually the only key that matters...

The team that scores the most is the one that usually wins. -John Madden.

If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.

by Just Dave on Nov 20, 2009 11:36 AM CST up reply actions

Do you have a game named after you...huh...do ya!

When you find yourself in a hole, STOP DIGGING!!!

by LostInSTL on Nov 20, 2009 12:17 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs

Nice.

If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.

by Just Dave on Nov 20, 2009 2:01 PM CST up reply actions

Here's an idea

What if Cutler tells the offensive line the snap count is 2 and he tells the rest of the offense the snap count is 1? That should eliminate most of the false starts and it also might give them the advantage in actually blocking someone. It’s a bit drastic, but it’s just a thought!!

Or, the Bears could borrow that play that’s been all over the internet when the QB chucks the ball over his head. It might look like a mess, but with the Bears, it would actually look organized.

by McRipper on Nov 20, 2009 12:37 PM CST reply actions

nice try

Unfortunately, our WRs false start too.

by TrialsBass on Nov 20, 2009 9:07 PM CST up reply actions

We could go with the Swinging Gate

by DaHamsta on Nov 20, 2009 12:57 PM CST reply actions

Morrissey wrote an Article about simple explanations for the Bears silence.

My favorite

—Smith believes his refusal to talk to Costas sends a galvanizing message to his players that it’s them against the world. By the way, the world is winning 31-3 at halftime.

LINK

If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.

by Just Dave on Nov 20, 2009 2:17 PM CST reply actions

D-Line

How does this sound as our future defensive line?

LE-Gilbert
DT-Harris(If he plays well the rest of the season)
NT-Harrison
RE-Adams

This is one of the team’s bright spots for the future. Looks pretty good to me.

by GouldisGold on Nov 20, 2009 8:57 PM CST reply actions

That’s two veterans who aren’t performing much, a RE who has a history of underperforming, and a LE who has only had a handful of snaps so we have no idea if his ability to jump out of a pool will translate to the football field. Not sure that looks so good to me.

"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 Nov 21, 2009 1:52 AM CST up reply actions

Just because

we haven’t seen Gilbert play yet doesn’t mean he won’t be good. I think we got a 3rd round steal. He led the nation last year with 22 tackles for a loss, I believe.

And as for Adams, maybe all he needs is a change of scenery. After all, he is only 2 years removed from being drafted 4th overall.

by GouldisGold on Nov 21, 2009 10:14 AM CST up reply actions