Looking for the Brightside: Week 16
by Jacob Hayes on Dec 29, 2009 7:08 PM CST
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PrintWhat more can actually be said about this game? We came into this game having just lost two straight to the Ravens and the hated Packers, and with our last two wins coming against the cellar dwellers of the league in the Rams and the Browns.
Yet, in what is obviously a lost season, I know I wasn't the only one that had an odd feeling of hope about this game.
If our Bears had anything to show us, surely they would do so against an amalgam of hatred something best described as a Frankenstein's monster of Bears legend. The Minnesota Vikings led by the former general of the Green Bay Packers. The whole team showed up yesterday to give us a late Christmas present, by not only felling the beast, but by doing so in the same fashion they've lost so many games this year.
The entire defensive line deserves a round of applause, even if they don't all deserve their current contracts:
Anthony Adams, Mark Anderson, Alex Brown, Tommie Harris, and I'll even give a shout out to Izzy for his ability to seemingly always deliver in the clutch. A lot of these guys have been much maligned this year, and most of last year as well. Every last one of them showed up in the game, and were getting consistent pressure going towards the quarter back. We had it all, QB hits, pressure, and when you're dealing with an old QB in the dead of winter it's nice to lay the wood on the QB legally even if you don't get credit for the sack.
Tommie Harris definitely made it known that when motivated he can still contribute, but sadly after watching the game over again he looked great, but not what he once was.
Alex Brown was the same consistent force that he's been through the good and the bad, and with his play last night made me feel okay if the Bears want to give him a front loaded deal to finish off his career.
Anthony Adams was the real star of the show, being where he was supposed to be for every single play I saw, and against a team with a running back tandem like Minnesota, that's about 75% of the battle.
Mark Anderson, the guy everyone had listed as a one hit wonder finally showed the same thing he did in his rookie year, if everyone else is contributing he'll be right there with him.
Hats off to all of them
The hits keep on coming for the Bears WR corps who are literally developing before our eyes:
What can I say, but Devin Aromashodu really stepped his game up when it mattered most. I'm not as in love him as a lot of people are, but I have to give credit where it's due. This guy is a great asset to the team and really has the fire of a number 1 receiver right now. His huge high jumping catch across the middle on a slipped slick ball was one of those plays that makes you catch your breath just so you can scream a bit louder when he comes down with the ball. This was your coming out party to the NFL DA, enjoy it, and we'll see if we can't pad your stats a bit next week. However, this seven catch 150 yards and a touchdown performance should be going down in your rapidly forthcoming highlight reel.
That's not the only good thing going in this game as far as our WR go, as Bennett got a few balls thrown his way even with the reemergence of Clark into the line up, and a nice game from Olsen. Three catches with a very clutch touchdown is nothing to be ashamed of.
Jay Cutler finally stepped up and showed us what he's made of:
He's made of pure unadulterated win. Yeah, I know. Allow me to go into homer mode for a second. Cutler's play today is the kind of play I've been wanting to see out of him all year. Starting with a gutsy run involving him lowing his shoulder to break a tackle a the end of the first quarter, all the way to his winning TD pass, this is the punky QB I was expecting to see when we traded for Sizzle.
When you watch this game you get to see what Jay does best, and that's the play action passing, the bootleg passing, the passing that involves movement of some kind. Yeah, he's got a cannon and can definitely air it out, but it's these plays that we've seen virtually none of this year that are his bread and butter.
That's not all folks though, we got to see some of that precision passing starting with his first TD of the game throwing over the head of one defender and leading Olsen between two other defenders absolutely perfectly. Great pitch and catch, that was also ran off of a run fake.
Again we see another nice precision laser thrown to Bennett in the last two minutes of the second quarter, and a great job by Bennett to come down with the ball in traffic for the first down.
Not more than a few plays later we were a hairs breadth away from a touchdown to Knox, one that will likely be one once the two have a bit of time to get on the same page. For all the good that we saw out of Cutler there is still a bit to work on, and this play was one of those few that you'd like to have back.
Once again on a play action pass that the Vikings bit on heavily we got to see a nice TD lob to Clark in the back of the end zone leading him to the back corner over a few Vikings defenders.
We've also got the fantastic throw while getting hit to Bennett in the end zone, just a fantastic move by Bennett and gutsy throw while getting hit that was absolutely spot on.
And then we've got the game winner to DA, which is well...enough said.
We had to wait 15 games to finally see what we paid for, but man if the rest of the games from here on out are anything like this one, you'll never hear another word about it from me.
Quick Hits
Olsen looked a lot like a great TE tonight, breaking more than a few weak arm/leg tackles, and doing the same thing he's always done in campaigning for the call.
Manning has finally found a place to shine at kick returner, I hope he enjoys his ST role and sticks with the team.
CDub vs Rodeo Cowboy, and CDub wins. I couldn't be prouder of our new starting LT.
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The offensive production was 100%
relate to the OL play.
We have all the pieces needed to be an effective offense, but the OL is the hinge that it all swings on, without question.
Good run blocking sets up the run. The run sets up the pass. Good pass blocking allows for routes to develop over 8 yards. Good pass blocking allows for the QB to set his feet.
It all starts in the trenches, and the OL looked better yesterday than it has all season long. Maybe Omiyale can be a decent RT next year, and we’ll have a good set of bookends to build on.
You are all gentlemen (and ladies) and good judges of cheap whiskey.
Without a doubt...
CDub actually justified my mancrush, and I’ve said all along that Omiyale would probably be a good RT considering his size and ability to block on the move.
Kreutz still wasn’t great, but he wasn’t the complete eyesore that he was a lot of the year.
I think in another thread I laid out a plan of CDub/3rd Rounder/Beekman/4th RounderorGarza/Omiyale line for next year, and it sounds really good to me at this point. Have Shaffer backing up the right side, and Louis the Left side and we’ve got ourself a stout line.
Associate Writer - WindyCityGridiron.com
C Williams played his best game as a Bear...
and the o-line was overall good. Remember that they were blocking Jimmy Kennedy and not Pat Williams last night. Plus Henderson was out, but the Bears have injuries as well. I agree that the initial run blocking led to better play action which led to more confusion for the V’queens LBs, which led to less blitzing which led to easier pass blocking which led to better play from Cutler. I think Omiyale need to be at RT and Beekman needs to go at C. Still need at least 1 or 2 guards.
DA will be a good WR, but not a great one. He’s got all the skills, but he’s not an elite talent. He’s gone against hobbled starters and there is not much game film on him yet, but defenses will catch up to him by next season, so don’t look for those 150yd games for too long. Honestly, there are more holes on the defense to fix first. Luckily, it’s easier to get FA defensive players and draft o-line guys. I still have my questions about Forte as a feature back, but I am less concerned because of K Bell’s rise to prominence. They can be a good tandem with Wolfe as the “change-of-pace” guy. Hester may have more value as a trade option, but we’ll see; the uncapped year may work in the Bear’s favor there. Lastly, I wish more of D Clark infected Olsen. Olsen just doesn’t seem to make the tough catches because he’s looking for a flag too often. Yes, other teams key on him, but he’s should be able to perform better by now. Maybe he needs a better OC.
Overall this was a great win, but (IMO) this obviates the incompetence of this entire coaching staff. FIRE LOVIE AND JA NOW!
When you find yourself in a hole, STOP DIGGING!!!
Turner has finally realized that Cutler throws better when he's on the move
Out of the pocket – or off of the play-action. It’s too bad he’s taken until week 15 to figure this out, though. And I guess the O-line finally “gelling” really means benching Pace and letting CDub play the position that he was drafted to play.
The D-line played outstanding in the first half, broke down in the second half, and then came back when they had to make the big stop in OT. I look at last night’s game as “what might have been” this year – if we had competent coaches evaluating and running the team. This is a team that could have easily won 10-11 games this year. I think the management and coaching was our big, achilles heal.
"Yes, risk taking is inherently failure-prone. Otherwise, it would be called sure-thing-taking." - Jim McMahon
This game is a complete indictment of this coaching staff
and many of it’s players.
Jimmy Johnson went 1-15 his first season in Dallas. He just came over from Miami (the U) and said he had better players in Florida than in Dallas. He wasn’t at all surprised that they only won one game his first year in Dallas.
If the Bears were complete crap they couldn’t have played as well as they did last night.
Even allowing for some growing pains between Cutler and his young receivers, the question then becomes this:
Why have the SAME players who played so crappy most of the season able to play so well on a national stage against one of the better teams in the NFL?
I’d say that the coaches and many of the players were pretty much staeling money for most of the season.
For the most part that’s all you can glean from last night.
This game does help give some confidence for next season.
Cutler will be much better next season, and it was nice to finally see the OC play to his strengths.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan.
No band-wagoner fans allowed, pick a team and stick with em, throughout the good and the bad.
It helps a little for the Future.
We know that with a real game plan and real good play calling we could have a quick turnaround next year on offense.
Cutler to Devin Aroma “achoo!” (pardon me) for the Touchdown. Announcers will have to call it so much they just give up and pretend to sneeze on his last name.
D-line played better. Does that mean we bring back Tommie Harris next year? Who knows.
WIll Knox’s speed be affected by the ankle injury? I hope not.
With Knox’s injury finally Iglesias should be activated. Now we get to see what we have in the 3rd rounder.
With Tillman’s injury we will see more of D.J Moore then we can see how he plays.
Gilbert i saw during a few snaps. It was some good and some bad.
Chris Williams made Jared Allen his little mulleted bitch
I think Bell should be the number two. Kevin Jones can’t stay healthy..and he’s 27. Who knows if Adrian Peterson will be back. Garret Wolfe, who knows about him too. They are good on ST though.
is it the common thought
that the bears won this much more than the vikings lost it?
Too bad ESPN won't give them credit.
Even though we took the ball from that hands of Adrian “Vasoline Hands” Peterson.
He is NOT the best RB in the NFL. I honestly would take Chris Johnson or Steven Jackson over him. AG fumbles way too much.
Would you take him over Forte?
Say what you will, but Peterson is a machine and one of the best running backs in the league. I’d love to have him on my team.
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"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 Dec 30, 2009 8:12 AM CST up reply actions
Hey man.
I never said that AP sucks he is a beast. But still he needs to hang on to the ball to be compared to greats like (Jim freakin Brown)
I know you didn't.
And as for your example, let’s look at the numbers. I also threw out a couple other running backs you may have heard of, just for reference sake:
Adrian Peterson – 3 years, 20 fumbles: Avg. 6.6 fumbles per year
Jim Brown – 9 years, 57 fumbles. Avg. 6.3 fumbles per year
Walter Payton – 13 years, 86 fumbles: Avg. 6.6 fumbles per year
Barry Sanders – 10 years, 41 fumbles: Avg. 4.1 fumbles per year
OJ Simpson – 11 years, 62 fumbles: Avg. 5.6 fumbles per year
It’s important to note that Brown’s first four seasons were played when the league was at a 12 game schedule, and the last five were at 14 game schedule. Walter played three seasons under the 14 game schedule and Simpson never played more than 14 games in a season, even after the 16 game schedule was put into place. Meaning, even these numbers are a bit padded for some.
So, let’s look more closely, at fumbles per game:
Adrian Peterson – 45 games, 20 fumbles: Avg. 0.44 fumbles per game
Jim Brown – 118 games, 57 fumbles: Avg. 0.48 fumbles per game
Walter Payton – 190 games, 86 fumbles: Avg. 0.45 fumbles per game
Barry Sanders – 153 games, 41 fumbles: Avg. 0.27 fumbles per game
OJ Simpson – 135 games, 62 fumbles: Avg. 0.45 fumbles per game
Besides the anomaly that was Barry Sanders (and Gale Sayers), Peterson is right on tap with some of the best running backs to ever play the game. I’m not saying that it’s not something he shouldn’t work on, he should. But to say he can’t be compared to some of the greats “because of his fumbles” is ill advised, that’s all.
In retrospect, Matt Forte averages 3.5 fumbles per year, and 0.26 fumbles per game, that’s better than the entire group, including Sanders. But like I said, who’d you rather have? Personally, I like Forte and think he’s a decent NFL back, but I’d take AP in the drop of a hat. No questions asked.
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"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 Dec 31, 2009 9:33 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
and if you care...
Since I put in the research, I decided to turn it into a fan post over at the DN. I also broke it down quite a bit more in the comments section, including fumbles per touch, over the course of their career as well as each of their first three seasons. Link’ers >>
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"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 Dec 31, 2009 2:36 PM CST up reply actions
Thats what I have seen all over ESPN
They allowed Izzy to block the kick, they allowed Manning to run wild on kick returns, they allowed Williams to eat up allen, they allowed the Bears running game to have some life, They allowed Cutler to go nuts with 4 TDs, etc, etc, etc ……
The Bears did not win this game more than minny lost it….Again according to ESPN (and well minny press)….
"You want cheerleaders? Bah you have the Bears drumline that should be good enough for ya! If ya don't like that you can bite me!"
- Virginia McCaskey to fans complaining to bring back the Honey Bears
by CloudyFuture on Dec 30, 2009 6:32 AM CST up reply actions
Those dropped passes by Minny
sure were a big help. The Pitt game, yes, I’d say they lost it. But the Minny game, I think we won it a little more than they lost it.
You are all gentlemen (and ladies) and good judges of cheap whiskey.
i don't know
the ease at which they carved up the secondary once childress let favre actually qb, and the missing piece of the williams wall lead me to call it the other way, but it really doesn’t matter in the end. there is no doubt in my mind though that the bears are closer to the 9 loss team than they are the 6 win team. maybe chris williams changes all that, but right now hopefully the bears get the proper speticism that will lead to actual improvement. there would be nothing worse than to parlay two late wins into an offseason of few upgrades.
espn’s point (to speak to the other posts) is that the vikings are a better (i say far) team that the bears, they should not have allowed the bears to outplay them like that. same thing people in the media and on here said about bad bear’s games in 06. i really don’t understand how the same group of bears fans who look at close losses and count them as an indictment on how close the team was to being good (while ignoring the close wins as an indictment of how bad the team could actually be) can get so upset when the media speaks poorly of a poor team.
think tommie harris can play like that consistently? and i think that berrian drop was huge.
Good points.
But I still think that our offensive production is 100% tied into how well the OL performs.
Forte couldn’t do squat, WRs couldn’t run any downfield routes, Cutler couldn’t set his feet… what we saw Monday night was at least the potential that we have on offense should our OL play solidly.
Defensively, we just don’t have the personnel to execute our scheme, and we saw that all season long as well. Lack of talent at some positions, as well as injuries at others definitely caused us to play like a 9 (or even 10) loss team.
On both sides of the ball (moreso defense), we need new folks on the field if we are going to try and compete next year, or we will continue to be sub .500
You are all gentlemen (and ladies) and good judges of cheap whiskey.
absolutely
But I still think that our offensive production is 100% tied into how well the OL performs
hopefully it more the bears plaing well then the vikings coming out flat.
If everybody we had played with the intensity and passion that Izzy and Alex Brown play with week in and week out
We would be a lot better off. I love these 2 guys..i want to see them Bears until they retire..period.
hmm
wonder if the play of the bears had to do with auditioning in case they get cut!! on national tv at least they showed they can play.. a glimmer of hope perhaps.. still on the fence with lovie.. think they need a sronger leader to fire these guys up
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