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WCG Key Match-Up: Jay Cutler vs. Darrelle Revis

From Michael C. Wright blog at espnchicago.com

"No, you can't assume the Bears will stay away from Revis' side]," Cutler said. "We've got good receivers. We trust the guys in our locker room. I tell those guys: 'You're gonna have to get open.' Whatever it takes, we're gonna have to find a way to complete balls [on Revis' side] because you can't eliminate one side of the field."

 

"It doesn't mean you don't do it, you just have to be careful on how you're gonna do it," Martz said. "[Revis is] very consistent, very, very, very confident in his skill, and does not overreact. He's really as good as I've seen in many years. But that doesn't mean that you don't create opportunities. It's a terrific challenge for our guys, there's no question."

 

Going into this Sunday's game against the Jets, Bears fans, including myself, wonder if Jay Cutler would throw in Revis' direction. The above quotes indicate to me that Cutler and Martz are planning to do just that, and I agree with the decision too. Is Darrelle Revis a shutdown corner? Absolutely, but should that stop teams from throwing in his direction? No it shouldn't. Avoiding Darrelle Revis' side of the field is what Rex Ryan wants you to do as it gives him more flexibility to throw all types of different looks at QB's. Is it impossible to have success throwing towards Revis Island? No. Am I crazy for asking myself questions in this post? Yes, but that's a whole other story. For this story though, I will try my best to figure out ways that Jay can have success against the best cornerback in the NFL.

Star-divide

Plan A - Getting Physical: Throwing Earl Bennett on Revis

If there's one receiver on the team who has the best chance against Revis it's Bennett.

Best case scenario: Bennett is able to cleanly get off the line of scrimmage against Revis and get enough separation for him to complete the incoming pass. Bennett is the best route runner on the team and the Bears smartest receiver. He's also the Bears strongest receiver and that area is where I think he can take advantage of Revis who's smaller than him.

Worst case scenario: Revis' athleticism overshadows Bennett's strength, and Earl is not able to get clean separation on Revis. Likely to happen, but he would be the first guy I pin up against Revis.

Plan B - Size: Greg Olsen and Devin Aromashodu

Best case scernario: Olsen's size and above average speed could pose problems in the intermediate game for Revis. Aromashodu is ideally the best match-up the Bears can throw at him, because he's athletic and fast at his own right and has some height on Revis.

Worst case scenario: Bears fans have seen Olsen get shutdown by average corners with speed and athleticism, so imagine what Revis will do to him. Devin Aromashodu might be the best receiver to match-up against Revis, but he's still lost in the Martz offense and one mistake against Revis could cost Jay.

Plan C - Speed: Devin Hester and Johnny Knox

Best case scenario: If Johnny and Devin can get off the jam cleanly, they have a chance to beat Revis vertically and deep over the middle. Revis has been battling a hamstring for the longest of time this season and the speedsters might be the sleeper match-up against Revis.

Worst case scenario: Knox and Hester still haven't proven they can get off the line of scrimmage cleanly, and Revis is a good press corner to even if he is beat off the line he has the recovery speed gain ground on Hester and Knox. Knox is the worst guy to pin on Revis as he at times has a habit of rounding off routes or giving up inside position. Mistakes like that against an elite corner can cause Jay to turn the ball over.

Best case scenario for Jay: Throw different types of looks at Revis. I don't think one receiver can have success against Revis and it will take a group effort to get the job done. The weakness of not having a go to receiver might be a strength for Jay this Sunday, as Revis and Antonio Cromartie can't zero in on one receiver. I look for Jay and Martz to take advantage of that this Sunday.

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I hope Cutler and Martz are joking...

…. I fear they’re not. No, you can’t take away one side of the field. But does one cornerback truly eliminate an entire side of the field? Answer – no. Bottom line, play smart, let our defense force Sanchez into mistakes. Don’t be afraid to punt, and the Bears win.

"Coaches who can outline plays on a black board are a dime a dozen. The ones who win get inside their player and motivate." ~Vince Lombardi

by Fire Ron Turner on Dec 23, 2010 8:27 PM CST reply actions  

The lack of a true number 1 receiver actually helps us on this one

The way Martz mixes up the passes to various receivers should negate Revis’s advantage. Basically we dont have one “go to” guy that Revis can key on the whole game and that really favors us this time. Its about Cutler having ample time to find receivers and spread the ball around, If Cutler is patient and has time we will be ok, if Cutler is hurried and tries throwing into extremely small windows Revis will have more than a few highlights on ESPN.

White Sox fans need not apply.

by Bears-Cubs Bulls on Dec 23, 2010 8:29 PM CST reply actions  

Hopefully our play action will be functional and we can exploit 1 on 1s if they do blitz

Like in the Cowboys game, quick slants and screens are the best way to neutralize a blitz and if they sit back in zone (which I don’t see Ryan doing, he is sitting around watching the Giants game film thinking his D can ring up 10 sacks as well) The run should be there so again it all falls on the Oline to get it done.

White Sox fans need not apply.

by Bears-Cubs Bulls on Dec 23, 2010 9:24 PM CST up reply actions  

TEs have done damage all season against the Jets, a fast athletic TE like Olsen should be a focus of the game plan this week. I would get Forte in the flat also with dump passes off the blitz. Jets have been hurt in 3rd and long when they send the house.

In an Ideal world I would have all ten fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.

by BL3ACH on Dec 23, 2010 11:01 PM CST up reply actions  

Buddy, Rex, and Rob Ryan defenses draw up alot of blitz packages

Its all on Jay to read the formation and adjust if neccessary. Play action slants and bubble screens will work against a D that thinks the Bear Oline is Porous, expect stunts, blitzes, and exotic sets to try to confuse cutler and his line. If Cutler can find his rythm he will pick them apart, expect 3 TD passes , if they can disprupt Cutlers timing and get him running for his life it could be a 6 sack 4 INT day, but I doubt the later, Bears offensive line has turned a corner and they arent looking back, Division champs, now some homefield goodies.

White Sox fans need not apply.

by Bears-Cubs Bulls on Dec 25, 2010 1:13 AM CST up reply actions  

Cutler's mouth has written a check

I hope his, well ya’ll know the rest.

by Big Ike on Dec 23, 2010 8:40 PM CST reply actions  

Try quick WR screen passes as the Patriots did 3 weeks ago

Or pull all the wideouts to one side as Martz has done several times before. Audible some plays and make a tight or slot receiver switch sides. If the Bears can keep Revis in a tackle/attack first mindset near the line of scrimmage, it should open up some more opportunities on either side via play action. Field position is certainly a key, because this could become a repeating tale Sunday if the Bears can’t get away from their own endzone. Luckily, if the defense shuts down the run and forces Mark Sanchez to throw into the zone coverage they can come out with give Cutler good field position.

"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."

by GriggsBriggs on Dec 23, 2010 8:45 PM CST reply actions  

We will see a lot of motioning on the line of scrimmage to help Jay indentify what Rex is throwing...

at him. Drew Coleman is the weakest link in that secondary along with the safeties so I expect him to target them the most.

Field position I agree will be key this Sunday.

by Dominique Blanton on Dec 23, 2010 9:10 PM CST up reply actions  

Get some motion going to help with the jam

Or put Softie on him so Revis can’t jam (Olsen is a lot bigger). The fact that we spread the ball around really helps us against Revis since he won’t be able to shut the entire offense down. He hasn’t been excellent this season anyways.

by DaHamsta on Dec 23, 2010 9:53 PM CST reply actions  

yeah good point early in the seaon when Revis missed time Cro carried the CB core by pretty much handling the best WR on the other team. He is excellent in man coverage.

In an Ideal world I would have all ten fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.

by BL3ACH on Dec 23, 2010 10:58 PM CST up reply actions  

Establishing the run will be very important and I hope Martz stays patient with it as he has been.

If we establish the run we’ll get enough man coverage to at least get something open underneath every play. Power O early on and hope we make some holes.

If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.

by Just Dave on Dec 24, 2010 9:20 PM CST up reply actions  

getting an early lead could be a big advantage.

. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank

by ed_brown on Dec 24, 2010 10:16 PM CST up reply actions  

Off tackle runs have hurt the Jets this year. They are much better at defending runs up the middle.

In an Ideal world I would have all ten fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.

by BL3ACH on Dec 24, 2010 10:48 PM CST up reply actions  

If we can indeed build and maintain an early lead, then the Jets dont have much of a chance

In their last 2 losses (Pats and Phins) they gave up an early lead and were subsequently unable to catch up. Their offense doesn’t scare me, and their O-Line is not nearly good enough to keep the Rush Men (D-Line) off of Sanchez. Peppers should have another monster game as should Izzy, and if both Martz and Cutler are patient then I could see this game getting ugly for the Jets.

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Dec 25, 2010 8:18 PM CST up reply actions  

Idk

But everytime I watch him play he’s always halfheartedly keeping his hand up, running behind the receiver, as if he’s begging to get burned by speedier types like Knox/Hester come Sunday.
I’ve only watched a few Jets games, but that’s just my opinion on him based on how I’ve seen him cover.

"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."

by GriggsBriggs on Dec 24, 2010 8:34 AM CST up reply actions  

The one thing he does that is a concern for me is his ability to make plays on the ball

Now he doesn’t match up very well agaist fast recievers unlike Revis, so the one way to beat him ( and their secondary) is to line up Knox against him and then line Hester in the slot on Knox’s side so that if he does get into a position where he is daring Cutler to go deep Hester should be wide open.

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Dec 24, 2010 1:09 PM CST up reply actions  

Thank you

getting tired of QBs just riping the middle of the Jets defense up and staying away from the true strength of their defense. The Jets have one good corner and one great corner. After that, nobody on the defense is even average in coverage. Well the rookie Wilson has shown improvement, but he’s a rookie. Even Brady stayed away from him in that butt whooping they gave the Jets recently. Only throwing one wide receiver screen Revis way. Hey, he’s not invincible. Just glad, somebody is smart enough to go after Revis and leave the weak part of the defense alone.

by BIG OH!!!!! on Dec 23, 2010 9:53 PM CST reply actions  

Not the point.

It’s not like every play will be drawn up for attacking Revis; this is just an offense that has all kinds of receivers that Revis will be matched up with, and not a “#1” primary threat for him to shadow.

by Steven Schweickert on Dec 23, 2010 10:28 PM CST up reply actions  

I'd stay away from him

but run to his side, and hit some screens to his side. Make him work through blockers and tackle. Then test his leg by running Knox and Hester deep on him… not necessarily throw it deep, but keep running fresh bodies at him so he has to cover a lot of the field.

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 Dec 23, 2010 10:07 PM CST reply actions   1 recs

Id agree with that

After running down the field chasing Kevin Knox and Devin Hester that’ll wear him down. Hopefully the fifth phase (the turf) will give Revis some problems. He’s also had the hammy problems so that’s something to watch for.

When the world slips you a Jeffrey, stroke a furry wall.
- Aldous Snow

by Ditkavsworld on Dec 24, 2010 8:56 AM CST up reply actions  

I don't see Jay testing his side often, but he will throw in that direction at times to keep the...

defense honest. I think if its one guy that Revis will zero in on is Earl Bennett as over the past several weeks he has been the go to guy in the passing game. I agree that keeping him working by running at him and throwing different looks at him could be effective.

by Dominique Blanton on Dec 24, 2010 11:07 AM CST up reply actions  

Actually the best way to defeat the Jets D is to do what the Pats did, use 2 TEs

Olsen and Davis would force their defense to “vanilla” themselves, and their LBs are not the world’s best

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Dec 23, 2010 10:28 PM CST reply actions  

Their best "big thumper" in the linebacking core is Bart Scott

If one of our tight-ends (Olsen) can get him to stray away from between the tackles and cover, and have the other tight-end (Manu probably) block on the other side I think that could open up some nice draw plays or screens with a potential for big yardage.

"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."

by GriggsBriggs on Dec 24, 2010 8:40 AM CST up reply actions  

Well as in coverage LBs

Matter of fact his game reminds me of the match-up we had against the Cowboys, except the fact the Jets have MUCH better corners both their LBs and Safeties have been concerns to them all year on their pass defense. Those quick throws to Olsen could be potential back breakers to the Jets D, as most of the time their LBs (like Dallas) are in blitz mode for a good part of the game, leaving Olsen or a slot reciever wide open real quick.

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Dec 24, 2010 1:14 PM CST up reply actions  

I posted this in the fanpost but I will put it here also

plan C both Jet CBs have sore Hammys so I would run them deep early and often.

In an Ideal world I would have all ten fingers on my left hand so my right hand could just be a fist for punching.

by BL3ACH on Dec 23, 2010 10:53 PM CST reply actions  

Please, Jay,

don’t have any turnovers like throwing picks or fumbling, K? That’s a good boy.

by Gaak on Dec 23, 2010 11:23 PM CST reply actions  

have you been brain washed by Trent Dilfer?

Jay go out and kick some Green & White butt Sunday!!

. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank

by ed_brown on Dec 23, 2010 11:37 PM CST up reply actions  

Lee Evans and Ted Ginn

Routinely spanked Revis. The latter of the two, who is a complete joke of a reciever, looked like Jerry Rice against Revis. I’ll take plan c as the antidote. Knox and Hester should win the matchup.

I don't remember Space Mountain being so nauseating.

by ifuwannacrownem on Dec 24, 2010 8:38 AM CST via mobile reply actions  

"routinely spanked" is a curious way of putting it

Ginn burned Revis once deep. He had a total of one other catch against him ever and it was for insignificant yardage. Lee Evans had success against him as a rookie, and never again. He didn’t even match up against him last year, and the one game the Jets have played against Buffalo, Revis didn’t play.

That said, I agree that if you’re gonna beat Revis nowadays, it’s going to be vertically. He pulled that hammy chasing down Randy Moss on that gorgeous TD pass, and the one time he truly got beat last year was that Ted Ginn Jr. go route. Reggie Wayne also had a little bit of success against him in the regular season game vs. the Colts last year as well, but that’s more because he’s a masterful route-runner with exceptional quickness rather than anything else.

by Exystence on Dec 24, 2010 1:44 PM CST up reply actions  

Jay, Jay Jay

Why should I think this “going to throw at Revis” is going to turn out any better than when you decided to throw at DeAngelo Hall. Just be cauious about it, that’s all I’m saying. But if you throw two picks to that side, I’d steer away from going right back there.

"I feel like the pieces are in place. But we have to execute...It's about execution. You have to execute. You have to have a scheme that facilitates the strengths of your players. If it doesn't, then it's a bad scheme. It's that simple. So we feel real good about the parts in place on offense."

"We feel very good about this football team. We felt very good about our football teams in the past and it's no different. You've got to go out there and you've got to do it."
-Jerry Angelo, Aug. 2, 2010

by Sam Householder on Dec 24, 2010 9:53 AM CST reply actions  

Just what I was thinking

Let’s not make Revis our leader in receptions like Cutler did with Hall

by ChiTownSportsMaster on Dec 24, 2010 6:59 PM CST up reply actions  

I'm all for the idea

of keeping the guy busy all day, dont give him much down time. Dont have to throw at him everyother play (a la Lester& some others comments), but make him work. As the saying goes…discretion is the better part of valor… pick your shots. Always spreading the ball anyhow, dont change it up just to show some “Bravado” to Revis, work them legs alot with 2-3 different guys, and the scores are coming from “other” routes / areas. After we’re up and the D has stunted and twisted and looped sanchez back to the side lines to try to figure whats up…then burn the island guy deeeeeep. That was fun, starting to get carried away, got this really great mental picture going on…..

"most football players are temperamental, thats 90 percent temper and 10 percent mental" Doug Plank

by fin4bears on Dec 24, 2010 10:07 AM CST reply actions  

I'm less worried about Cutler...

and more worried about which WR matches up with which CB. Cromartie will match up better with Bennett and DA and possibly Olsen. Revis matches up better against Hester Knox. If the Bears can get the match-ups reversed, they can have success. Revis will literally shut down Knox and Hester, so getting DA and Bennett against him is key. Cromartie can be susceptible to drag routes and shorter speedy guys like Hester/Knox. The Bears will go with more protection looks (with less WRs) to combat the constant blitz pressure the Jets will bring. Olsen (and Dez Clark who should be activated) can have a career day against a defense that does not protect well over the middle in the passing game. Establishing the run game will be key to setting up the play-action pass (which is where the Jets are most susceptible on defense), but I hope to see the Bears play conservative/ball control offense against a Jets team that will not likely put up many points anyway. Cutler need to resist to the urge to force the throws and just take what is available and no more.

I'd prefer not to have Lovie return...Unless we win the SB baby!!!!

"There's a fine line between stupid, and clever!"

"I am serious... and don't call me Shirley." Leslie Nielson 1926-2010

by LostInSTL on Dec 24, 2010 10:15 AM CST reply actions  

Dang, there you go again Lost!

Always so level headed even when your calling for Smitty’s. You probably pretty well nailed the game plan…though not as" exotic" or" exciting" as whats been going through my head…I’ll take it, along with the win though. Guess I can’t remember too many “exotic” Bear teams/games in my many years of bein’ a Bear inside and out.

"most football players are temperamental, thats 90 percent temper and 10 percent mental" Doug Plank

by fin4bears on Dec 24, 2010 10:39 AM CST reply actions  

Aw c'mon

let’s do a search and destroy, won’t really have to search, know where they are…just destroy!! Think of the fanfare, the hoopla, the fireworks my friends. I’m just a little fired up, it’s Christmas Eve and the sun is shining brightly here in Florida, had a red beer with tabasco..I’m ready, I’m ready! I want to be basking in the aftermath,, to the victor!!….

"most football players are temperamental, thats 90 percent temper and 10 percent mental" Doug Plank

by fin4bears on Dec 24, 2010 11:48 AM CST reply actions  

my take
Revis has been battling a hamstring for the longest of time this season and the speedsters might be the sleeper match-up against Revis.

Plan c… run him tired and test that hammy i wouldnt start throwing to him till late 2nd early 3rd… maybe we can use earl as wes welker this week force their nb to cover our best wr

┌∩┐(•_•)┌∩┐

by Tommy Ohyeah Mcduffie on Dec 24, 2010 1:33 PM CST reply actions  

If we were talking about Asoumgha

then i would clearly be writing every 10 mintues to jay and mike like how about we just run the ball and stay in 3 te sets lol

its revis and his problem is he “thinks” he is the best corner in the league… that is incorrect he is the 2nd best corner in the league…. reason why people do actually throw to him and to the person who talked about the td’s he gave up this season he also ducked out some of the top wr’s in the league this season using his hammy as the excuse

┌∩┐(•_•)┌∩┐

by Tommy Ohyeah Mcduffie on Dec 24, 2010 1:36 PM CST reply actions  

jets fan here

personally i pray that cutler does target revis because outside of him and cromartie, the jets secondary is useless in coverage. i mean, it’s really quite pathetic. there’s no reason to go anywhere near either of them. the pats put up 45 on us mostly through the air and didn’t throw a single ball anywhere near him, if you want a bears victory, i suggest following that formula. this game is likely going to be a bit sloppy, the team that protects the ball will probably come away with the W. attacking revis or cromartie is asking for turnovers, attacking wilson, ihedigbo, lowery, coleman, et al is, unfortunately for the jets, a recipe for offensive touchdowns

by Crimetime Island on Dec 25, 2010 10:09 PM CST reply actions  

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