Chicago Bears Red Zone Performances: More Like Dead Zone
by Mike Mueller on Jul 21, 2010 11:00 AM CDT
in Xs and Os
Email
PrintThe Chicago Bears did not perform very well while in the Red Zone in 2009. Jay Cutler, specifically, was bad. Even though he threw a very respectable 19 touchdowns, he offset that with an NFL leading 6 interceptions while in the Red Zone. Matt Forte did not fare much better. He averaged 2.0 yards per carry on 52 attempts while inside the opponents' 20 yard line. He managed just 3 touchdowns and also lost 1 fumble in the Red Zone. That's just the offense...
UPDATED w more data 7/21 3pm.
Jay Cutler's Red Zone struggles are not limited to just interceptions:
- Cutler was 38/76 (50% completion %) with 19 tds, 6 ints, with a passer rating of just 63.5.
Other notable quarterbacks' passer ratings in the Red Zone:
- Brett Favre: 112.0
- Kurt Warner: 109.8
- Aaron Rodgers: 107.7
- Matt Schaub: 103.1
- Philip Rivers: 100.9
- Peyton Manning: 100.8
- Drew Brees: 100.4
That's some impressive quarterbacking. It's no surprise that the combined record for those teams was 82-30 with all but Houston (who was 9-7) making the playoffs. 3 out of the NFL's final 4 are represented here along with both Super Bowl teams. Anyone see a connection here????
As an offense, the Bears scored a touchdown 1.5 times per game from the Red Zone (ranking 19th), with a scoring TD % of 47.059% (ranking 27th).
UPDATE: The Bears entered the Red Zone 51 times in 2009. They got 19 passing touchdowns, 5 rushing touchdowns (Cutler-1, Forte-3, Wolfe-1), 6 interceptions, and 1 fumble lost.
Robbie Gould hit 9/9 field goals from 29 yards and in. (Note: field goals of 28 or 29 yards might not count as Red Zone scores, FGs of longer could be counted as Red Zone scores because of penalties or lost yardage, exact # of RZ field goals is something I can't locate.)
The remaining RZ attempts could be blown by turnover on downs or end of half/game scenarios.
Jay Cutler and Mike Martz must do better on offense in the Red Zone.
Not to hammer the offense alone, the Bears' defense was even more inept in the Red Zone.
The Bears allowed 2.3 Red Zone touchdowns per game in 2009 (ranked 30th, tied with mighty Detroit). Link
The Bears allowed their opponents to score a TOUCHDOWN 66.071% of the time they entered the Red Zone. Link That number is good for 31st in the NFL, with only the Giants worse.
Everybody must do better on defense in the Red Zone.
Well, that was sobering and depressing.
23 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Debbie Downer...
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 21, 2010 11:12 AM CDT reply actions
Sorry, but we were really bad last year.
Can only go up from here!!! Mike Martz!!!!
by Mike Mueller on Jul 21, 2010 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
I know...
good post…
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 21, 2010 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Wow
Way to get everyone in such a positive mood.
by Dozjah on Jul 21, 2010 11:19 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Are your numbers off?
Cutler was 38/76 (50% completion %) with 19 tds, 6 ints, with a passer rating of just 63.5.
I would think he had more INTs than just six, but I could be wrong.
"In order to have a winner, the team must have a feeling of unity; every player must put the team first- ahead of personal glory" - motivational sign at Halas Hall.
He was talking about the 6 ints in the red zone
The Beras are who we thought they were and we let them off the hook!
Where did his 19 Red Zone TDs
rank in the NFL?
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 21, 2010 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions
He ranked 6th (which is good)
Favre: 27
Brees: 21
Schaub: 21
Warner: 21
Peyton: 20
by Mike Mueller on Jul 21, 2010 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Nevermind
I thought he had more in the redzone than six. Ok, he needs to improve everywhere on the field!
"In order to have a winner, the team must have a feeling of unity; every player must put the team first- ahead of personal glory" - motivational sign at Halas Hall.
just 6 INTs?
It felt like about 12 red zone picks last year.
Hopefully Taylor proves more effective at short yardage running than Forte has been.
As bad as the O was last year, I’m even more worried about the D. There were way too many games last year when you just knew the opponent was going to score on at least their next 3 possessions. In Peppers we must trust (as he is our only chance of an improved D)!
by MakeHalasProud on Jul 21, 2010 12:29 PM CDT reply actions
I know there's a ledge here somewhere...
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
Mike M is camped out there
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 21, 2010 1:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Martz or Mueller?
I’m optimistic that things will be vastly improved this year. Because last years’ numbers were awful.
by Mike Mueller on Jul 21, 2010 2:11 PM CDT up reply actions
your answer is in your mirror
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 22, 2010 8:16 AM CDT up reply actions
New coach, new scheme, new year
if Cutler puts up similar numbers this year, then we know he is the problem
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
there's enough blame to go around
…but O and D line play was a significant factor in the bad numbers. I’ll say it again another way – Cutler did some stupid things in the red zone, however, poor line play led to his bad decisions over the course of the year. He got rattled badly. Similar situation on the defensive side of the ball – if the line plays well then other weaknesses aren’t exposed as readily. It all starts with the linemen.
"Do or do not... there is no try." - Yoda
Cutler in Red Zone
To me, it seemed like he was trying to force too many throws and make something happen. He shouldn’t have to worry about that this year. New coordinator, different play-calls and he should have a lot more success.
Cutler also needs to understand that there are situational times to take big risks.
Field position is as critical as scoring. Trying to force the ball on 3rd and long in critical situations, when you already have a makeable FG if you throw it out of bounds, is not smart football. At least this year he should know what his receivers strengths and weaknesses are, and who he can rely on or look for on busted plays. I don’t mind the INTs on long passes in 3rd and long situations because they’re often better than a punt, it’s the INTs inside our 50 that drive me nuts.
by BigGeorgeTX on Jul 22, 2010 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Cutler's picks
Cutler’s 6 red zone picks were almost as many picks as Favre threw all season (7 total = from anywhere on the field). Same can be said for Rodgers (who also threw just 7 picks all season).
In fact, Cutler’s 26 picks last year are more than Rodgers has thrown in his entire career (Rodgers has 59 career TD passes vs. just 21 career picks).
Even Favre has only managed to throw 26 or more picks 1 time in his 19 year career.
Cutler has thrown progressively more picks each year of his career so far. Cutler has averaged nearlty 20 picks a year over the last 3 seasons.
Bottom line: Cutler needs to cut his picks significantly if we are going to be succesful (of course any NFL fan could have told you that).
by MakeHalasProud on Jul 22, 2010 10:50 AM CDT reply actions
Cutler has thrown progressively more picks Touchdowns each year of his career so far!
Cutler has thrown progressively more picks Touchdowns each year of his career so far, too!
TD:INT ratio is bad
27 TDs to 26 INTs is not a good ratio.
When you throw twice as many picks as Favre & Rodgers COMBINED, then you have 0% chance of winning the NFC North.
by MakeHalasProud on Jul 23, 2010 10:37 AM CDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Community Guidelines
Related FanPosts on Windy City Gridiron
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.
