NightLink: Minnesota to Run Wildcat?
Upon arriving at day two of Minnesota's training camp, Kevin Seifert saw something that caught his attention:
Rookie Percy Harvin was lined up as a shotgun quarterback. Sage Rosenfels was split out wide.
What? Yep. The Wildcat.
There are several things about this that are worth discussing:
- Percy Harvin's proclivity for getting hurt.
- How Green Bay's 3-4 defense and Chicago's speed at linebacker will stack up against the Wildcat.
- Whether Chester Taylor would be dangerous in the WIldcat.
- Adrian Peterson getting less attention from defenses.
There have been discussions around these parts as to whether the WIldcat offense could have a future in the NFL, or if it is just a fad that will quickly get phased out. Regardless, it looks like the Chicago Bears will possibly have a first-hand look at the reality of the Wildcat. Thoughts?
0 recs |
52 comments
|
Comments
I think its just a fad, however...
if you don’t prepare for it, then you might be forced to burn a timeout on defense. Also, if you have the hosses on the o-line (which Minny has) it could be effective against a light d-line (which we have).
by MuleTrain on Jun 1, 2009 5:09 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I'll go ahead and say this...
And get it out of my system.
Green Bay’s defense is going to be terribad comparitively to this year. A rookie at NT, combined with a team not entirely behind a new scheme, and players positioned piece mail in a defense that isn’t as good at Run D as their previous defense.
Not a good idea when going against Forte and AP twice a year.
by Sklz711 on Jun 1, 2009 5:11 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Here's hoping!
I agree with you about GB and their switch to the 3-4, although I think we’ll have to wait and see if it’s going to be a hybrid before saying they’ll be terrible.
"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
"Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack." - Sun Tzu
by propheteer on Jun 1, 2009 5:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not great reasons
I don’t think saying our defense will be “terribad” compared to last year is very accurate. Let me tell you, nothing can get worse then last year. Injuries killed us but more so the lack of creativity from our D coordinator played a great deal into our D struggling. If our rookie at our DT was some 2-7th round pick then ya we would be screwed, but the guy was the best NT in the draft by FAR and away. But even if for some reason he doesn’t work out we still have Pickett who is a good player, and holds the size (335 lbs.) to play the NT position. When you say not everybody is backing it I’m sure your referring to Kampan. McCarthy has said that he might be “hesitant” but has never came out and said he isn’t backing the switch. The primary reason for switching to the 3-4 was to improve our run D. It’s a D in which things are supposed to open up for the LB’s to make plays. Barnett and Hawk are two very skilled LB’s who will be able to make plays, assuming the dline can help them out. And last year our horrendous run D held Forte too under 75 yards in both games. You might wanna more about your oline then our defense…
by packallday555 on Jun 1, 2009 10:41 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Try paragraphs when you comment.
Makes all the difference in the world to the readers. As far as the Packers defense, tough for anyone, fan or foe, to say with any certainty whether the coaching/ scheme change will help or hurt in the first year.
As for our OLine, well we did make improvements. If Pace and Williams can both stay healthy for 16 games, we might be a bit more solid than you think. But, I do realize that is a big “if”.
Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec 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.
by Dane Noble on Jun 1, 2009 10:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
take a deep breathe...
and remember, this is a chicago bears blog site… of course we’re going to rip on everybody in the conference, that’s our job! and… if you feel no love, it’s because of the longest rivalry in football… kinda’ like the hatfields and mccoys. when i, myself, travel to others blogs, as i’ve been known to do from time to time, i go in with a little more respect. numbers are always a good way to shut people up, no matter who your team is.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
by windycity72 on Jun 1, 2009 10:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Opening night
Packallday- I agree it’s probably a wait and see on the 3-4, but I’m hoping the Bears offense can take them “off-guard” in the first game. It may take a few games to find a groove in Caper’s new system.
"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
"Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack." - Sun Tzu
by propheteer on Jun 2, 2009 12:19 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha I'm perfectly
calm and relaxed windctiy72. Yes, I understand I’m blogging on a Bears’ blog. I like you, like to blog on the Vikes blog and your blog, or at least take a look at them.
Yes, numbers are a good way to prove a point. In my case though, numbers aren’t an option because we haven’t yet played a season in the 3-4 as you know. I could have responded more politely Sklz, so I apologize for that. Your comment though, was a pretty ignorant one. 2 of your 3 reasons were based off of pure speculation.
I am confident though because of injury ridden dline held Forte to 64 rushing yards, and 73 rushing yards. Though we changed our D system, and it’s a hard one to transition too, I’m confident that getting our starters back from injury will ensure that we our run D couldn’t get any worse then last year.
P.S.- There are your paragraphs GeauxBears :)
by packallday555 on Jun 2, 2009 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Quit edit!!!
I meant, Like you in the third sentence not I like you. Haha it would be kind of random though it that’s what I actually meant.
by packallday555 on Jun 2, 2009 10:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
another pack attack...
i think sarcasm must’ve been outlawed in wisconsin… along with a sense of humor!!!
first off child, ignorant means lacking of knowledge or education. since you lack both, apparently, let me school you for a bit, jr…
1) what part of the longest rivalry in football do you not get? let’s see… two of the oldest teams in football playing each other for a really really long time(i.e., 170 games dating back almost 90 years).
2) yes, it’s a bears blog site… so that’s fact. yes, we rip on kittens, cheeseheads, and viqueens on this site… also, a fact.
3) you admitted to not being very polite, so that concludes the respect portion of it…
4) and, you agreed that “numbers” is a good way to prove a point… which incidently, is 4 points, not 3, so there goes the “numbers” portion
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
by windycity72 on Jun 2, 2009 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Past history doesn't dictate the future
I am confident though because of injury ridden dline held Forte to 64 rushing yards, and 73 rushing yards.
Forte’s lack of success is more of an indictment on the Bears poor line play than the Packers good defense; that’s based on Forte’s overall good season and the Pack’s bad run defense last year.
"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
"Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack." - Sun Tzu
by propheteer on Jun 2, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
i really am going to stop being so polite to these guys
and let our “junkyard dogs” handle it from now on! so much for diplomacy… where the hell is Geaux when i need a moment of zen?!?!?!
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
by windycity72 on Jun 2, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I prefer
to kill the enemy with kindness and subtle fury.
"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
"Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack." - Sun Tzu
by propheteer on Jun 2, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
subtly, subtly, they become invisible;
wondrously, wondrously, they become soundless… – Sun Tzu
thought you might enjoy that nugget!
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
by windycity72 on Jun 2, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
"... they are thus able to be their enemies' Fates."
Great book… read it probably 100 times in the last 12-14 years.
Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec 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.
by Dane Noble on Jun 2, 2009 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice windycity!
I don’t think I’ve seen that Sun Tzu quote before; not sure what it means but I would think it has something to do with defeating an enemy through debate/superior knowledge rather than force.
"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
"Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack." - Sun Tzu
by propheteer on Jun 2, 2009 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
book six...
and you’re both absolutely correct!!! had the original given to me as a college graduation gift but got the cheater’s version about 5 yrs ago… man, i missed ALOT the first couple go-rounds! don’t know if you guys are interested, but the version by J.H. huang gives pretty good insight.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
by windycity72 on Jun 2, 2009 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
book six...
and you’re both absolutely correct!!! had the original given to me as a college graduation gift but got the cheater’s version about 5 yrs ago… man, i missed ALOT the first couple go-rounds! don’t know if you guys are interested, but the version by J.H. huang gives pretty good insight.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
by windycity72 on Jun 2, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good to know
I haven’t read the book, but plan on buying it very soon. Did you happen to see the special on Sun Tzu on the History channel? He was one bad mutha of a general and philosopher.
"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
"Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack." - Sun Tzu
by propheteer on Jun 2, 2009 4:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
never caught it...
but i will look it up on line…
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
by windycity72 on Jun 2, 2009 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I did
I thought it was really really good. I assume you felt the same?
I'M A MAN! I'M 23!
by ChiFan13 on Jun 2, 2009 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Definitely
I loved how they implemented the different U.S. wars into his philosophy, especially the N. Vietnamese general’s tactics (Diap?), and the “Go” vs. Chess debate.
"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
"Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack." - Sun Tzu
by propheteer on Jun 2, 2009 5:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tzu was cool, but Christopher Columbus was a son of a Bitch.
or so I’ve heard.
Think With Your Dipstick Jimmy!
by ifuwannacrownem on Jun 2, 2009 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lol.
Those salt-water fumes are getting to you…
Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec 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.
by Dane Noble on Jun 2, 2009 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
don't get me started on that!!!!
i don’t wanna’ disrespect any of the italian folk around here… although at the time, they didn’t want him either.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
by windycity72 on Jun 2, 2009 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey watch it!
I’m 100% Italian-American, but people tell me I’m the most un-Italian they’ve ever met. Oh, and I don’t offend easily so don’t worry WC72.
"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
"Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack." - Sun Tzu
by propheteer on Jun 2, 2009 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Moment of Zen:
If you read objectively the comments by packallday, and follow his trains of thought around the other NFL blogs, you will notice a pattern of him using a whole lot of words to not really say anything significant.
No offense intended, but I have typically stayed out of his arguments due to it not really being worth the time.
Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec 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.
by Dane Noble on Jun 2, 2009 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
sorry geaux...
i have a new zen master now!!! but first, i must snatch pebble out of hand…
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
by windycity72 on Jun 2, 2009 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good luck Minny.
What team is going to respect Rosencopter splitting out wide? If it’s TJack, well then that makes much more sense cause he can run decently.
"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
"Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack." - Sun Tzu
by propheteer on Jun 1, 2009 5:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
yep... i want rosenfels to hold on to the ball any longer than he has to...
so let’s line him up at wide-out… that’s not fooling anybody!!!
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
by windycity72 on Jun 1, 2009 11:40 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just gives everyone in our division a chance to put a real hurtin on Harvin:)
"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 Jun 1, 2009 5:35 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Does anyone else thing the Wildcat...
Is going to end up have a strange interaction with all the “QB” protection rules?
by Sklz711 on Jun 1, 2009 6:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
things that make you go hmm...
didn’t think about that til just now… so, let’s just say harvin is lined up at qb, if he takes off, is he allowed to slide feet first and avoid “the hit”? anybody? anybody?
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
by windycity72 on Jun 1, 2009 8:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
actually, I think that holds true for any player
if they slide feet first, obviously giving up (I don’t mean that negatively) on the play, I think hitting them at that point is a penalty. At that point they can’t get up again and advance the ball. I’m not 100% sure, but I think that’s the rule now.
by BearFan611 on Jun 1, 2009 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
you are absolutely correct!!!
just checked the rulebook sec. 4, art. 1, part c in the 2006 copy, which brings me to a good question… anybody out there have a more updated copy? can’t seem to find one.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
by windycity72 on Jun 1, 2009 9:17 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Total capital B capital S
With AP and their O-line, anything that the Vikings do other than run up the middle – or at least between the tackles – can be qualified as sheer insanity. I get the same feeling about the Minnesota ‘Wildcat’ stories as I do about their ‘Favre’ stories – anything that detracts from AP being the focal point of their season only weakens them. And don’t get me wrong – I’m all for that!
But there are only two reasons that Minnesota would be publicly practicing the ‘Wildcat’ offense at this point, let alone with a rookie (Percy Harvin) at QB: 1. Either their QB situation is so tenuous and so unproductive that they’re forced to look at other options during a full game (which I don’t believe they’d be advertising in public at this time); or 2. It’s simply a ruse, a formation they’ll use once or twice this season. And in that case I don’t care.
Long story short – If I’m the owner of a NFL Franchise with Adrian Peterson, and my Head Coach is running the Wildcat with a rookie WR at QB (for more than a few plays) in the regular season, I’m firing him before he gets into the tunnel.
by BullsFanInSeattle on Jun 1, 2009 6:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
It was semi-effective
because no one expected it, but when the pros have the time to prepare for all of these gimmick offenses, they always fade away. Remember the run & shoot that everyone thought was going to be the offense of the future? Who has run that in the last several years and, even better, who ever won a championship with it? The Wildcat will be a memory by this time next year.
by BearFan611 on Jun 1, 2009 6:31 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Where was I reading that
Ron Turner has a couple of wildcat plays in the playbook. It may be coming soon to a field near you…
by SouthSidePolack on Jun 1, 2009 6:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ron Turner probably has all kind of wildcat plays
From his days with Northwestern. I just wish he’d realize that this is professional football and the fullback dive blows goats.
"Like a young contortionist, for the first time coming into his own...." -Bert Sugar
by Just Dave on Jun 1, 2009 7:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
the bears tried it twice I think last year. While I believe the wildcat will last through next season, I don’t see the bears running it past a couple of experiments. Watching the Dolphins playoff game against the ravens proves that it cant be that effective against a good defense
by OrangeO22 on Jun 1, 2009 7:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I put it up there
with “Maynard passes to Urlacher” offensive plays. Good once in a long while, but not much better than any other trick play. Let’s hope we can stick to actual plays to get the job done.
by SouthSidePolack on Jun 1, 2009 8:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can't wait,
to see Rosenfels try to catch a ball, thrown by Harvin or AP, over Tillman or any of our other backs. I would think that they would use Tjack for that over Rosenfels? They better start stocking up on QB’s now, because they are going to go through a lot of them I would imagine.
It will be nice seeing Briggs and Urlacher getting shots at the Viqueens QB’s in open space.
IMO, there might be some NFL team out there that pulls off a good Wildcat. It’s not going to be the Viqueens. Really, I hope they use it a lot. The NFC North will go Bears, Packers, and a tie between Viqueens and Lions for last place.
by Fridge72 on Jun 1, 2009 9:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
hey... you get 5 yards...
i’d be taking a shot at the quarterback!!! that’s why i never understood that… with all the rules in place for the QB, why would you give the opposing team a free shot at him? hmm… maybe the rules will change for the ‘wildcat’ ???
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
by windycity72 on Jun 1, 2009 11:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope the rules do change.
The QB should get no special treatment, I don’t care how much money they make. They are an offensive back like all the rest. I wonder what Sid Luckman would have thought of the Brady rule? Football strategy in the NFL is cyclical. There are trends and fads, but most of it has been done before.
As long as the 3-4 defense has become main-stream again, counter-acting the west coast and spread offense, than the power running game and wild-cat will flourish. Much like a yin-yang.
It is good to remember, the west coast offense became popular counteracting the Bears 46 defense and most of the other defenses that Buddy Ryan and his progeny, the Steelers, and the Raiders, were responsible for. Hence lame Dan Marino and the Dolphins beating the Bears in the 85 season. Pox on you Shula and Marino!
I don’t get it either, if there is going to be woos rules about protecting the QB, and your team happens to have a QB worth that much money. Why would an OC want to risk his ass in the flat? He better be an athletic Mother-F%ck&r.
by Fridge72 on Jun 2, 2009 1:34 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
my apologies for the plug...
but “thesportsfanatic.com” is probably the best place to shop for bears gear. had an issue with my i’net, so i called them instead. they gave me the owner’s cell phone number(which i thought was odd), and when i called him, he was out golfing. he left the golf course(i think he mentioned being around the12th hole), and called me from one of his locations within a half hour! the staff is stellar, and no i don’t own stock in the place. i just thought that in a world full of sh!tty customer service, that these people should get some recognition for what they did… and again, they sell bears gear!
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
by windycity72 on Jun 1, 2009 11:08 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
When I was in Wisconsin last weekend
The bartender at our regular restaurant had the balls to tell me that the Bears still don’t have a QB and then tried to convince me that Rex Grossman was a Pro-Bowler in 2006.
Sorry Green Bay, if we still don’t have a QB then you sure as s*** don’t have a defense.
by GallopingGhost on Jun 2, 2009 12:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
That's all good,
I’m not completely convinced that they have a QB. Aaron Rodgers is less proven than Cutler if we’re counting pro-bowls.
by Fridge72 on Jun 2, 2009 1:06 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, I almost forgot,
If we were only counting the first eight games of 2006, than Grossman was a pro-bowler. That was a good year for the Bears.
by Fridge72 on Jun 2, 2009 1:08 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha
That sounds pretty typical of a Packer fan. Cutler is a good QB, looking at our blog, and especailly the Vikes blog one might think otherwise though. (Maybe the Vikes are just jealous they still don’t have a QB)
by packallday555 on Jun 2, 2009 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

by 


























