WCG Match-Up Post: Grades and Reviews for Week 10
by Dominique Blanton on Nov 16, 2010 7:46 PM CST
in Game Recap
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The Bears had one of their better offensive performances this past Sunday against the Vikings. I highlighted in last week's WCG Key Match-Up that in order for the Bears to win against the Vikings, Jay has to basically be Jay and not Kyle Orton circa 2008. Jay was Jay last Sunday and the credit has to go to the offensive line for giving Cutler the time in the pocket and not giving up when he rolled outside it. I was a little concerned about this line coming into this game because even though they played well against Buffalo, there is a reason why they claimed Shawne Merriman off waivers. Vikings have two outstanding defensive ends and for the most part our tackles kept them quiet. The Vikings has two pretty good defensive tackles and Chris Williams, Olin Kreutz, and Roberto Garza almost never allow them to get close to Jay. Arguably the best offensive line performances this season form a group that Jamie Dukes called "The worst offensive line in the history of football".
LT Frank Omiyale: Grade A-
Call me crazy, but this really wasn't the match-up that concerned me going into Sunday. When I do catch Vikings games, I notice that Allen usually struggles against the more athletic tackles in the league. Outside of the sack and the QB hurry allowed, Omiyale had a very solid game against a top 5 defensive end in this league.
Best Play: Omiyale's best play of the game came on a play where Jay didn't complete the pass to Bennett, but you noticed on that play that Omiyale handled Allen one on one. It also highlighted how much confidence Tice and Martz have in Omiyale to line him up one on one with a premiere defensive end like Allen.
LG Chris Williams: Grade B
Chris Williams got a lot of help from Kreutz against Pat Williams, but in my opinion this was his best game of the season at that LG position. Yes, I am still driving the bandwagon that Chris can potentially become a pretty good starting LG. He's showing good instincts inside as far as pass blocking, but he still needs work in the run blocking department but he's not awful at it.
Best Play: Hard to locate Williams' best play considering he got a lot of help against Pat Williams, but if I had to pick one, it would be the play action pass TD to Kellen Davis on 3rd & inches simply because the DT on those plays was bull rushing, and the pressure inside can make the QB throw a bad pass. Chris did a good job standing his ground against Kevin Williams on that play that gave Jay time to deliver the ball to Davis.
C Olin Kreutz: Grade A
Kreutz had a really good game against the Williams wall, and he and Chris Williams completely took Pat Williams out of the game.
RG Roberto Garza: Grade A+
I question whether Garza still had it in him to block better defensive ends one on one without much help, and he responded big against the Vikings best defensive tackle Kevin Williams. Kreutz helped out a little, but for the most part, Garza was one on one against Kevin and stepped up to the challenge.
Best Play: Garza had many good plays in the game, but the one that stood out to me was on the play where Bennett drops a tough pass in the endzone. Garza put Williams on his back. I know it should have been a holding penality on Garza, but that particular play showed me how much intensity he had going into this game.
RT J'Marcus Webb: Grade C+
Webb had his ups and downs in this game, but his ups leave hope for future stability on this offensive line going forward this season and into the next one. The bone-headed mistakes were obviously mental with some holding penalties while the offense is driving and gaining momentum. He also had a foolish false start penalty on second and 1 that, maybe for an elite offense is not a big deal, but with an offense that has been struggling to click it is.
Best Play: Webb's best play of the game was on the touchdown toss to Olsen in the second quarter on 3rd and 4. Webb delivered a vicious hand punch on Edwards and when Edwards went into a counter spin move Webb had enough awareness to box him out and give Jay more time to hit Olsen in the middle of the goal line for the TD. Love this guy's potential.
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You're on crack.
I don’t even know where to start on Omiyale, so I won’t even try. But giving an A to Loin Kreutz? Did you watch the game? You didn’t see two of those penalties? Did you see any of the boatload of penalties that line gave up? Man, seriously, put the crack pipe down.
by Wally&Mac on Nov 16, 2010 8:10 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
If I'm on crack then you are on some other type of drug.
1. How often did you hear Jared Allen name during the game? Omiyale held the guy in check for a large portion of the game. On many occasions Tice and Martz left Omiyale all along on Allen and he did a solid job on him. Did you watch the game or are you basing your feelings on Omiyale play from last season where he was playing an entirely different position.
2. Two penalties is not going overshadow the job Kreutz did helping Chris Williams out in pass protection (Pass Protection was the main focus in last Thursday key match-up). I guess Hub Arkush and other football analysts are on crack too since they too thought Kreutz had his best game of the season.
3. The majority of the offensive line penalties were against Webb which is why he has a much lower grade compared to the rest of the lineman.
So did I watched the game? Yes I watched every 35 pass attempt by Jay Cutler in this offensive line to come up with these grades.
by Dominique Blanton on Nov 16, 2010 8:39 PM CST up reply actions
Are you on crack?
I didn’t think so.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
I don't care if you are on crack...
but the interior line was not great. They held up OK in pass coverage, mostly because the Vikings did not blitz up the middle much so it was 3 on 2 blocking. Williams missed several blocks in the run game and Kreutz did have 2 penalties that negated a TD and a 3rd down conversion (not trivial penalties). Webb and Omiyale played pretty well on the outside, I might say B average. Williams missed 7 or so (hard to know the exact assignment) blocks in the run game by my count. Garza and Kreutz were blown up by the Williamses each twice on interior run plays. Overall they earned a C+ as the interior line on the whole. Cutler (and Martz play calling) did more to bail out the missed O-line assignments than the line did to protect him. I am OK with most of the penalties (especially from Webb) because they are “effort” penalties and not procedural ones. It shows they are aware of their assignments, just not always able to execute them; that can be corrected over time. I’d rather have a 10-yard holding that saves a hit on Cutler than a 5 yard sack any day. In all, it was the best game of the season for the O-line, and I do believe this is the best combo for the rest of this season.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FIRE LOVIE (IT'S BACK BABY!)!!!
"There's a fine line between stupid, and clever!"
I'm not sure it's really the best 5 or just the best 5 the Bears will admit to.....
I wonder if either Lance Lewis or Edwin Williams wouldn’t be a better choice at LG than Chris Williams but, because of his draft status, he’s in there by default. He just looks overmatched to me and has more of a “tackle” kind of body.
I get the feeling that JA/Lovie refuse to admit they messed up another #1 draft choice, so unless he has another injury, CW is going to be someplace on the line. Maybe they’ll make him Olin’s replacement when he retires to find another spot to “hide” him.
Not sure what to think of E Williams...
yet. He’s probably a stop-gap for Olin if he goes out and Beekmanesque back-up at the G/C spots. Louis seems to have the angry for the G spots, but I was not impressed with his physical ability to move people at the RG spot in run blocking. He might be a better fit at the LG spot if he improves his pass blocking. I agree about CW, he’s just not a guard. Yes, he can physically perform the functions of a guard, but not to any significant or useful degree. He does seem markedly out of place, but his draft status does warrant making every effort to get some kind of return, even if it’s a mediocre starter on the O-line. The problem is, there are too many other mediocre starters on that line to try and “hide” him at LG.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FIRE LOVIE (IT'S BACK BABY!)!!!
"There's a fine line between stupid, and clever!"
That's a good possibility
CW may be more of a back-up, at this level. They’re definately not going too admit that they screwed up another high draft pick, though.
Considering one of the penalties wiped out a TD...
Fortunately for Kreutz, Cutler and Olsen were able to connect on the following play. If Jay had thrown a pick on that drive (and don’t tell me that’s not likely), we would be having a very different conversation.
It’s not like these penalties were ticky-tack calls either, they were both flagrant penalties that, worse yet, had zero bearing on the play. I don’t care how well you’re doing on pass protection, it’s unacceptable, and I hope they gave him hell for it.
No one on the line deserved an A.
Are they playing better together? Yes. But they only call Jared Allen’s name when he sacks somebody and he does his stupid rope dance. He was in our backfield all day, as was anyone who lined up against Webb.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-playbook/09000d5d81c322a2/Playbook-Bears-biggest-weapons
Can you post an objective opinion?
Can you post a rebuttal without accusing people of being on drugs, drunk, or mentally ill?
Put the cra…. grow up.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
by Just Dave on Nov 16, 2010 8:50 PM CST up reply actions 2 recs
I don't think he watches the game to gather up an objective opinion.
by Dominique Blanton on Nov 16, 2010 9:04 PM CST up reply actions
Good write up...thanks for the recap
most people simply claim that Omiyale is no good because he struggled (to say it nicely) last year, but I’ll take the opinion of the guy that re-watched every pass play. And my common sense tells me that if Jared Allen makes only 1 impact play, the LT played a nice game.
Hey now whats wrong with crack ??
" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson
by MidWayMonster54 on Nov 16, 2010 11:54 PM CST up reply actions
just keep it up
and its military school for you my lad.
That’s a quote from the 60’s my dad I think.
Lovie is a Great Coach give him a contract extention!
by 62bearsthe best on Nov 17, 2010 12:42 AM CST up reply actions
and yes I know who my dad was
Lovie is a Great Coach give him a contract extention!
by 62bearsthe best on Nov 17, 2010 12:42 AM CST up reply actions
And knowing is half the battle .
" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson
by MidWayMonster54 on Nov 17, 2010 12:52 PM CST up reply actions
When the world slips you a Jeffrey, stroke a furry wall.
- Aldous Snow
by Ditkavsworld on Nov 17, 2010 1:44 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
the box out by webb was brilliant on his part
garza played tough and showed he still has gas left in the tank
good write up, Nique.
"I am a sinner who does not expect forgiveness. But I am not a government official." - Francis Wolcott
That was easily on of my favorite offensive line plays of the year
He boxed him out like a pro, he showed some veteran savvy.
I have to tip my hat to anyone who can continue to see the glass as half full these days.
but Jay had to scramble around like a ….well like a young Brett Favre to make plays.
Your grades are too high but your heart is in the right place! (just left of center)
Lovie is a Great Coach give him a contract extention!
by 62bearsthe best on Nov 16, 2010 8:35 PM CST reply actions
The pressure was mainly coming from Webb side as he was having a tough time with Edwards.
I think the grades was a bit too high last week, but fully stand by them this week. The line played pretty well against probably the best Defensive line in the NFL talent wise they will face all year.
by Dominique Blanton on Nov 16, 2010 8:44 PM CST up reply actions
Close!
If you drop them all down a half, your right on the money!
A good amount of holding and false starts, coupled with just some blown plays …
Add to that the fact that Jay made them look a lot better than the OL played with some pressure dictated roll-outs;
… those panic scrambles are not in the play book! LOL!!
Thank God he is so good on the run :)
pbanachi
No disrespect intended young man.
I always think your grades are too high.
You are correct in pointing out how much the O-line has improved. But, they hardly deserve such high grades. The Vike D-line has not been playing up to its talent level this year but I am encouraged by the play of our O-line last Sunday and lets hope Jay keeps his dancing shoes on!
Lovie is a Great Coach give him a contract extention!
by 62bearsthe best on Nov 17, 2010 12:33 AM CST up reply actions
Now you really are on crack.
Best Defensive line in the NFL ?? Please. Minnesota are 24th in the NFL at sacking the QB. 9th best rush defense.
We’ve already played a decent line – the Giants – and they sacked the mess out of us, embarrassed us, humiliated us, hammered us and concussed our QB. Ten sacks. Nineteen hits. How many times did the Vikes sack Cutler? And they’re the best line in the NFL ? We still have to play the Jets and the Packers ….
Part of me wants to agree with you.
However, the other part of me, the part that recognizes that you’re a tool who insists on disrespecting our writers, overrides the former.
"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 Nov 18, 2010 4:37 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
And since tempchad is no longer around...
"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 Nov 18, 2010 4:43 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Atta boy.
When the world slips you a Jeffrey, stroke a furry wall.
- Aldous Snow
by Ditkavsworld on Nov 18, 2010 12:50 PM CST up reply actions
that boxout cracked me up
i burst out laughing as soon as i saw it. but hey, it worked so obviously it wasn’t so bad after all.
Thinking these are a bit high
Maybe the line has been so bad it deserves the “based on previous weeks” curve.
Sorry no one on this line deserves an A+ although I will admit it was a good game for him.
The run game was weighed, measured and still left wanting. Jay was scrambling all over, unless the plays were designed that way, I admittedly do not have a Martz playbook, although I don’t think that is the design. Add in the believe Martz has had to alter the playcalling to shorter drop steps to account for the linemens suckitude, averaging what a B+ or so seems juuuust a bit outside.
Do like the “best play” feature added in there though, good work.
by TheMan1 on Nov 16, 2010 9:17 PM CST via mobile reply actions
I think the point is that this group has made quantum leaps in the last 4 weeks
Rock bottom was the Giants game (or so I hope) and the fact that they contained the Minn Dline as well as the did shows serious improvement. Dont forget this Minn DLine was arguably one of the best pure DLines in football coming into 2010, they have all but dissappeared this year but it by no means diminishes what the Bear OLine pulled off this Sunday. Yes there were too many penalties and thats got to get cleaned up, but just the fact that Cutler had some time to complete some passes and not run for his life the whole game is huge.
Lets give them props for making adjustments week to week, its how teams improve and our Oline is improving, probably too soon for letter grades but I agree with the overall theme of the post.
Go Bears.
White Sox fans need not apply.
by Bears-Cubs Bulls on Nov 16, 2010 9:22 PM CST reply actions
I Wouldnt Give Them An A...
…more like B’s but on the whole they did a good job. Its surprising to me that the O line is seeming to come together this late in the season; I guess Mike Tice is an excellent coach after all.
Let's not get carried away
and think the line is great. Still a huge improvement given how bad they were earlier in the season. Omiyale strikes me as an adequate Mike Gandy-type: the best we’ve got until an elite LT is available. The next step is to add a stud OL early in the draft, plus a C who can eventually take over for Kruetz.
but not good ones unfortunately,
Lets hope he retires after this year and moves to Florida so we never have to see his ugly mug ever again.
Lovie is a Great Coach give him a contract extention!
by 62bearsthe best on Nov 17, 2010 12:47 AM CST up reply actions
Nah. Just keep him tied up in some South American prison for the first couple days.
He’s frankly gotten a ton of value out of his 5-7 picks. It’s just his 1-4 picks are torterrible to the nth degree.
Hey, we've got enough problems down here.
Send him elsewhere, please.
"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST
Agreed
Omiyale had a good game, but too frequently has poor ones.
And Allen by his standards has been having a distinctly average season.
We definitely need to look at a LT in Round 1, and I hope Anthony Castonzo will be around when we pick. If Kreutz returns I think we can afford to wait until 2012 for a Center as the likes of Michael Brewster or Ben Jones can be a Day1 starter
"I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals."
Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
Leopard's dont change their spots.
Frank OMG sucked at RT. He sucked at Guard, and more often than not when you look at him at RT he has somebody running around him like he’s standing still (ditto Webb). He suddenly becomes our future LT. Well God help us if that’s so. Remember, our previous ‘future LT’ is now at LG.
He's NOT a future LT.
And Black-sheep said as much.
Gate 68 is what he is, at this point a decent stopgap, but not one we want to rely on beyond this or even early next year.
by Steven Schweickert on Nov 17, 2010 10:50 PM CST up reply actions
+1
That’s the thing, we don’t just need a stud G/T in the first round, we need to draft Kreutz’ replacement in the very next round. Urlacher’s replacement needs to be drafted in the first round a year later.
BPA
We shouldn’t just draft someone out of perceived need if we end up reaching for that position.
In R1, we should have a good chance of Derek Sherrod or Anthony Castonzo
In R2, if Stefen Wisniewski slides to us here then excellent, but too often we have reached for players when we should have actually looked at BPA. All other Centers in this draft have a R3 or R4 grade
Decent interior linemen are often in the middle of the draft anyway and I think we could get an equally talented player in R3 or R4 at C or G as we might find in R2
"I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals."
Sir Winston Churchill (1874-1965)
by Black-sheep on Nov 18, 2010 10:35 AM CST up reply actions
funny how Jamie Dukes is now the Bears backer at the NFL network
Championship level D, and behind an improving O-line JC is the man.
give Lovie some love!
Looking at the play by play
shows the line with 2 negative pass plays where one was a sack. There were 3 plays for negative yardage on run plays, 3 false starts, 2 holding calls and 2 illegal blocks.
The good news: 130yds rushing and 230yds passing, plus a win!
I watched the game last night and really the running game blocking needs to improve. More times than not, the line push was simply not there. But, let’s remember this is a good interior d-line from Minni. I thought the backs did a good job picking (however small) seems in the blocking to gain positive yards running the ball.
All in all, not terrible. But improvement is still needed.
It's 106 miles to Chicago, we have a full tank of gas, 1/2 pack of cigarettes...it's dark, and we're wearing sunglasses.
It wasn't just Minny.
It seems any time we run between tackles, Forte goes nowhere, there’s just no push from our C/Gs. Forte’sMCL is definitely affected. Taylor seems to have more lateral nip in his step, and he can salvage yards in there. There is definitely improvement in the line – but when they were worst in the NFL at allowing sacks and getting the hard yards ….
I thought the line had their best games as a group
I do think your grades are a bit high… Hopefully they can keep gelling
If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Nov 17, 2010 2:51 PM CST reply actions
of note
it’s important to ascertain who they are being graded against.
if Nique is grading each of the Bears O linemen against their previous performances, then i don’t think the grades are too high.
if Nique is grading them against others in their position in the division or the league then maybe a bit high graded.
it would be helpful to nail the grading criteria down.
"I am a sinner who does not expect forgiveness. But I am not a government official." - Francis Wolcott
I dont see anything wrong with the grades
Ive seen quite a few people mention Jay scrambling as a reason to lower the grades on the lineman but i dont see it like that. I look at it this way, Jay was doing what he does naturally. If the left end is going to rush hard to the outside he’s leaving a huge hole for Jay to use to his advantage by rolling out and creating more time for his receivers to get open. We can critique every single play but the fact remains they only gave up 1 sack, he wasnt picking himself off the ground all game and didnt get hurried all afternoon imo that is B+ or A status
When did Phil start playing rookies? With age brings wisdom lol
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