Three Phases, Three Musts. What Must the Chicago Bears do to be Successful in 2010?
by Mark Saade on Jul 12, 2010 7:00 PM CDT
in Notes
Email
PrintTraining camp is still about three weeks away. So while the Bears live up the final days of their summer vacation, let’s discuss what has to go right this season in order for the Bears to return to the playoffs and to ultimately have head coach Lovie Smith and Co. keep their jobs.
Ironically, when I think of what must go right in 2010, I think about the three phases of the football team: Offense, Defense and Special Teams.
In Chicago, we have a Fourth Phase, the wonderful diehard fans who are more than just spectators. The Fourth Phase will always hold up their part of the bargain and need not be discussed in this article.
As for the other three......
First Phase: Of course we need running backs Matt Forte & Chester Taylor to back up Coach Lovie and keep his running philosophy going, we also need the men in the trenches to prove that Mike Tice was a solid hire and we need the receivers to grow up fast. But I think the number one must for our new look offense is that Jay Cutler has to cut down on the interceptions.
With new offensive coordinator Mike Martz, the Bears finally have a professional caliber play caller and offensive coach. Looking back on Cutler’s 2009 season, his total yards and touchdown passes is exactly what we Bears fans have been hoping for. A few close losses last year may have been prevented if there was just a little more ball security. If the interceptions drop, Cutler is in the Pro Bowl and the Bears are in the playoffs.
Second Phase: We in Chicago are used to mediocre, sometimes even bad, play from the offensive side of the ball. But when the defense starts to fall off, there is a problem. With the addition of Julius Peppers and hopefully a healthy Tommie Harris, the defense’s most valuable unit, the defensive line, should be able to hold its own. The questionable secondary has been upgraded and with a disruptive pass rush, the defensive backs should be capable of generating turnovers. So I think the number one must for our hungry defense is that middle linebacker Brian Urlacher stays healthy all season and returns to All Pro form.
We have talked and talked about how much Urlacher’s physical play was missed last season. We have also talked and talked about how much Urlacher’s mental play was missed last season. This is what hurt the Bears the most. Every player at the NFL level is gifted athletically. It’s the mental aspect of the sport that sets you apart. With new members on the defense and a first time defensive coordinator, Urlacher’s brain will be just as important as his healthy wrist, back and neck.
Third Phase:The Bears third phase is like its fourth phase; always dependable. The one area of the team that is always hit with player turnover has been the backbone of the team for the last few years. With special teams coach Dave Toub running the show, the Bears third phase has finished in the top third of the league for the sixth straight season.
We know that the Bears will produce good coverage teams and more than likely will once again lead the league in blocked P.A.Ts/field goals.
Specialists Tim Shaw, Robbie Gould, Brad Maynard and Patrick Mannelly all have a special place in our hearts. Daniel Manning and Johnny Knox are probably setting wagers on who will be invited to Hawaii at season’s end as the NFC’s kickoff returner.
But one area of the Bears special teams needs to return to form. I think the one must for our special teams to help this team return to dominance is Devin Hester. It may be unfair to say it’s on Hester, maybe I should rephrase that. It is on whoever returns punts. When Hester was relieved of his kickoff duties, many Bears fans were upset. How does the only man to return the opening kickoff in a Super Bowl get taken off kickoff return duties? Then Manning and Knox did their thing.
But a game changing punt returner has not been seen since ’07. In Hester’s first two seasons the Bears enjoyed tremendous field position; either by Hester taking the punt for a big gain or the opposing team being too scared to even kick to #23 and the ball being shanked out of bounds. This type of play when an opponent is punting could change the entire game around. It gets the defense hyped to get off the field in hopes of a big play and great field position, or it gets the offense hyped to get on the field and score with great field position. Momentum is a glorious thing in football when it works in your favor.
So in conclusion; if Cutler cuts down on the picks, opponents asses Urlacher kicks, and Hester’s punt returns produce six…we're in the Championship!
What do you feel the Bears must do to contend in 2010?
27 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Agreed
By any means necessary. That’s one thing I think Martz will be great for, creating plays with one intention: get the ball in Devin Hester’s hands.
WILDCARD BITCHES!!! YEEEEHHHAAAAA!!!!!
I think Martz knows who his playmakers are
and will scheme to get the rock in their hands
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 13, 2010 9:52 AM CDT up reply actions
lol
we thought the same…. I wish y’all better success.
Maybe, just once, someone will call me "sir" without adding, "you're making a scene."
by HireMattMillen on Jul 13, 2010 10:32 AM CDT up reply actions
Shouldn't you be working?
-------
Stupid babies need the most attention!
by David Taylor on Jul 13, 2010 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Did Detroit have playmakers then?
;)
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 13, 2010 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions
haha not so much...
but i just talked to Barry, he’s coming out of retirement.
Maybe, just once, someone will call me "sir" without adding, "you're making a scene."
by HireMattMillen on Jul 13, 2010 11:23 AM CDT up reply actions
One phase has to step up quick...
and set the tone for the team early in the first game. While ST has that possibility, my bet is the offense will be that phase. The offense is aggressive and relentless by design and has the capability to take pressure off the ST and defense by scoring quickly and often. The defense just has too many question marks to be the tone setting phase for this Bears team. I worry about the interior line play of both O and D lines, so quick bombs and slants to rack up points puts the Bears ahead and they will make the playoffs by playing from ahead and minimizing the need for great interior line play. I refer to it as playing from the outside in. My hope is that the offense comes out gunning and not tentative against a weak defense in the Lions in game one. That will set a tone that the defense can back up and the ST can compliment.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FIRE LOVIE!
Red zone efficiency
is my #1 aspect for this team to succeed. Jay must cut down his mistakes in half for the team to score enough points and win most games. If no one is open, throw the ball away and take the three points for goodness sakes.
2- The defense must get off the field on 3rd and long. They were one of the worst, if not the worst, at forcing a punt when it’s 3rd down and six yards or more to go. 2a- secondary must improve when the ball is the air. Peppers will help, but they have to defend the ball better. Harris seems healthy, and may just be the icing on the cake if he continues his good play from the end of last season.
3- The offensive line must find continuity and allow the running game to become effective. Omi on the right side should improve cause he’s athletic and seems to be more comfortable in space. In addition, the line needs to give Jay a little more time to stay in the pocket. He displayed good decision making when given a decent amount of protection. Their mantra should be “mean streak!”
Jeff from Cleveland wrote- I've figured out the moral of the story: Stay in school. Wade: 3 years at Marquette, Bosh: 1 year at Georgia Tech, the kid from Akron: no college. The most educated guy convinced his dumber friends to come play on his team for less money.
It all depends
On Martz and Cutler. If Jay buys into the new system, and if Martz can help Jay make better decisions and learn when to throw the ball away or take a sack – then this is a playoff team.
The Offense Needs to be Great for the Sake of the Defense
Unlike in years past, like 2005 or 2006, when we needed the defense to keep opponents under about 14-20 points in order to be in the game and it was always really nice if the D got in on the scoring, this season the defense doesn’t have to be great, as long as the offense holds up its end. Under Martz, if everything goes according to plan, we should have an offense capable of putting up over 21 points/game and in that case it won’t matter if the defense is great or not, we won’t need them to return to the glory of 2005/2006. As long as they become a top 15 unit that would be enough to support the offense.
"I was interviewing George Halas and I asked him who is the greatest running back you ever saw. And he said, 'That would be Red Grange.' And I asked him if Grange was playing today, how many yards do you think he'd gain. And he said, 'About 750, maybe 800 yards.' And I said, 'Well, 800 yards is just okay.' He sat up in his chair and he said, 'Son, you must remember one thing. Red Grange is 75 years old.' - Chris Berman
by Sam Householder on Jul 13, 2010 7:41 AM CDT reply actions
Hester has to be the punt returner
even if it means less time playing WR. He is far more replaceable at WR than at PR.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
I'd still rather have Hester as our kick returner
over being our punt returner.
-------
Stupid babies need the most attention!
by David Taylor on Jul 13, 2010 8:58 AM CDT up reply actions
You'd rather
having him dance around on a kick return? That’s the worse thing you can do, but on punts, lateral movement at least at the beginning of the return can spring him loose into the open field. Knox and Manning are straight-line runners unlike Hester, which is the skill needed to succeed in that capacity. They’ve done an excellent job, no need to change it up.
Jeff from Cleveland wrote- I've figured out the moral of the story: Stay in school. Wade: 3 years at Marquette, Bosh: 1 year at Georgia Tech, the kid from Akron: no college. The most educated guy convinced his dumber friends to come play on his team for less money.
To save time...
I’m just going to LINK you to where the two of us have already had this exact same argument. And yes, I still feel this way.
-------
Stupid babies need the most attention!
by David Taylor on Jul 13, 2010 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
I do remember
We’re stubborn like two old mules.
Jeff from Cleveland wrote- I've figured out the moral of the story: Stay in school. Wade: 3 years at Marquette, Bosh: 1 year at Georgia Tech, the kid from Akron: no college. The most educated guy convinced his dumber friends to come play on his team for less money.
yes.
but at least we don’t waiver.
-------
Stupid babies need the most attention!
by David Taylor on Jul 13, 2010 11:54 AM CDT up reply actions
The difference being
you are correct, propheteer.
; )
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 14, 2010 8:34 AM CDT up reply actions
I based that on the idea that he will only do one or the other
and since they have a very good alternative to run back KOs (DManning), that would leave PRs to Hester. Plus, if the D is doing its job, there should be a lot more PRs than KRs this season, so more touches for Hester as the PR man.
All this said, I would like to see him back there for both, even if it means less time as a WR.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 14, 2010 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions
i'd prefer him start as qb in the wildcat
replaceable…? umm johnie knox has already replaced him as a returner, but not as a wr.
A nice Dr. Suess moment!
So in conclusion; if Cutler cuts down on the picks, opponents asses Urlacher kicks, and Hester’s punt returns produce six…we’re in the Championship!
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 13, 2010 9:53 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
It's so cliche' but true. You win upfront!
If Jay Clutchler gets protection from Chris Walliams, O-line Kreutz, Roberto Guardza, Frank “The Tank” Omiyale and whomever else ends up on the line. Sky’s the limit for what the Bears can achieve in the passing game. Our WR’s are very talented, Forte & C. Taylor are excellent receivers out of the backfield and Cutler is unlimited in his ability.
Make no mistake, the Bears will pass to set up the run this year. And as long as the passing game is successful, the running game will follow suit. Not because we’re gonna over power opposing D-lines every play, but because the success of the passing game will keep the guys on the other side of the ball off balance. Matt “TD’s are his” Forte & Chester “The Defense Molester” Taylor should do well. Both are duel threats, when it comes to running or receiving out of the backfield.
If the offense struggles to put points on the board, I think the biggest challenge for the D-line will be stopping the run. We are an undersized D-line by design. So maintaining gap control will be key in the close games. I’m confident Julius “Sgt.” Peppers will be fine. And I’m cautiously feeling better about Tommie “DT” Harris. The words from Tom Thayer helped with that. I’m relatively comfortable with whomever is in rotation at the other tackle. My biggest concern in gap control would be “Mark up another sack” Anderson. Anderson used to be awful against the run… Over pursuing, biting on fakes and some times just plain whiffing on tackle attempts. But with that said, under “Rush Rod” Marinelli I saw improvement from Anderson last year. If he can take another step this season, I think he’ll be fine. Plus Izzy will be rotating with Anderson, and that’s a good thing. Izzy is an athletic specimen, that just may have a breakout year.
If and when the offense is putting points on the board, quite frankly, this defensive line should be taking over games. Like I mentioned above, the D-line is undersized by design. Why? Because they want to get to the QB FAST! And with double digit leads, that is what Peppers, Harris and company are paid to do. Pin your ears back and put the quarterback, on his back! And force some turnovers while you’re at it.
Some folks have concern for the WRs. I do not, just as long as Jay has time to get them the ball.
Some folks have concern for our secondary. I do not, just as long as the D-line keeps pressure on the QB. Don’t agree with me? Nathan Vasher was once considered a rising star at CB. And it’s not because he was that good, but because opposing QB’s were throwing errant passes, in an attempt to save their well being.
And some folks have concern for the health of our players. Yes, I hear that, but that’s how thirty-one other fan bases feel. So it is, what it is.
Bear Down!!!
keys to success in '10
Offense-score 21+ a game
Defense-just get off the field on 3rd down-too many opponent drives extended last yr
ST-Make Hester KR and PR because that’s when we were most successful
What Bears need in order to win
defensive secondary and offensive line have to do much better!
Beg to differ (sarcastically)
Out score their opponent.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
I remain a pessimistically hopeful Bears fan.
Are you crazy dude?!?
What the Bears need to do to win is to hold their opponents to fewer points! Sheeesshhh!!
WILDCARD BITCHES!!! YEEEEHHHAAAAA!!!!!
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
