WCG Key Match-Up: Bears Passing Game vs. Packers Secondary

by Dominique Blanton on Sep 23, 2010 6:28 PM CDT

I was watching ESPN SportsNation yesterday and a topic came up about who has had the most impressive start to the season: Bears or Packers? My mind went blah when Michelle Beadle was talking, but what Colin Cowherd had to say about our Receivers caught my attention and got under my skin. After calling the Bears a flawed team and saying we have a bad offensive line (well deserved criticism by the way), he went on to add that the Bears receiving corps was "weak". I understand that we don't have household names at the positions, but to call them weak is a little too much. I'm pretty sure Mike Jenkins and Terrence Newman of the Cowboys are not calling them weak, and those two are pretty good starting corners.

This week's match-up post will focus on the wide receivers and tight ends versus the Packers secondary. Monday Night Football in front of the national media, the stage is set for this young receiving crew to quiet the Colin Cowherds of the world who think they are "weak" and can't compete at a high level in this league. The Cowboys defensive backs are really good, but the Packers defensive backs are tough and always play the Bears receivers physically (sometimes too physically where they can get away with pass interference calls). This match-up will tell us a lot about our Wide Receiving Corps.

WR1- Devin Hester vs. Charles Woodson

Hester had a really good game last week against a pretty good veteran corner in Terrence Newman. Can he have a repeat performance against last year's defensive player of the year in Charles Woodson? Woodson is very good at jamming receivers at the line of scrimmage while the book on Hester is that he has a tough time fighting off of it. This can disrupt the timing of the offense, especially in the Martz Coryell offense that puts a big emphasis on timing. Hester had a very good game last Sunday, but we need our #1 receiver to raise his game to a next level against one of the better corners in the league.

WR2- Johnny Knox vs. Tramon Williams

I like this match-up in favor of Knox. Watching Williams, he seems to have many flaws in his game that a good receiver can take advantage of. He's not as good as his teammate in press coverage, inconsistent in his technique, and he likes to hold receivers when he feels like he is beat. Like I said in the opening of this post, this game will tell us a lot about our receivers, and if Knox struggles against Williams, it will tell me where Knox is at in his development. You want to be a big time receiver in this league; you have to take advantage of match-ups you are favor in. Bears fans should have good expectations for Knox in this game against Tramon Williams.

WR3- Earl Bennett/Devin Aromashodu/Devin Hester vs. Sam Shields

Packers fans and coaches like the first year player Sam Shields playmaking ability on the ball, but this will be a match-up that Martz and Cutler will try to exploit by throwing different looks at the 1^st year player. Earl Bennett is a good route runner and might be a bit stronger than Shields, Aromashodu has the size advantage over him, and Hester has the advantage to where he can get a clean release off the line of scrimmage and utilize his speed and quickness. We will see if Martz throws a lot of different looks at the 1^st year player.

TE- Greg Olsen vs. Packers Linebackers and Safeties

This is a wash of a match-up, because although Olsen is a big fast tight end, I like the range the Packers linebacking corps has with Brandon Chillar, Nick Barnett, and Brad Jones. Olsen has to use his speed and athleticism to his advantage against the Packers linebackers. His size against Safety Morgan Burnett should be an advantage, but not against Collins whose size, speed, and athleticism match-up well against Tight-Ends.

HB- Matt Forte vs. Packers Linebackers

Forte needs to continue hurting linebackers with his receiving skills out in the backfield. The way Martz is using Matt Forte this season is something I wanted to see since his rookie season, but creativity and Ron Turner don't go together like Ketchup on a Chicago style hot-dog. We should expect Martz to motion Forte out the backfield and test the Packer's linebackers' ability to play man to man coverage against a dual threat like Forte. Chester Taylor should also factor in the passing game especially on 3rd downs when Jay needs that safety net to keep the drive alive.

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Martz vs. the Packers Secondary

That’s really what this comes down to IMO. Martz thus far has been rather hesitant to show that any of his WRs are truly #1, and only Matt Forte has had consistent targets and lineups week to week. Martz has used all 5 of our WR2s (I’m including Olsen as a WR, cuz that’s what he is) pretty much everywhere on the field and in all types of formations. It’ll be impossible for any of the Slacker DBs to guard them one-on-one, and they’d be stupid to even try. If they play some semblance of short zone most of the day with bump-and-release coverage, it could be a long day for the Bears WRs. If they try and play man, Martz and Cutler will simply find their weakest matchup and exploit it.

And, yes. I just said that the Bears have 5 different WR2s on their roster. I’ve been saying that since the end of last season. I’m certain that there are many teams out there that simply wish they could have one of our guys as their #2 wideout. We’ve got 5 of them. Different skills, but basically plug&play into the various sets and go.

Expect to see more DevA in this game, as his size matches up well with both Slacker corners, and he torched them last year in a Slacker must-win game. Hopefully, he’ll be on the outside, probably covered by Williams so that Woody can cover Knox, our most accomplished WR threat. I hope they’ll line up Hester more in the slot to take advantage of his matchup against a nickelback, who is probably far slower than he is. I’d also like to see some 4-wide sets with Hester and Bennett in the respective slots and Forte single back offset to the QB.

This is all, of course, assuming that Cutler can take a 7 step drop without getting drilled in the face by a Slacker LB, not anywhere near a given with the Bears OL woes.

by Doshi on Sep 23, 2010 7:29 PM CDT reply actions

All of this conjecture is

a waste in energy, but I understand why many of you find it fun. However, this board was full of freaking out doomsayers all throughout the preseason.
Why don’t we all just trust in our club and enjoy the games, win or lose? I am looking forward to Da Bears having a great game tomorrow night and know that it will not be easy. I do believe that we will win…somehow. That is the addicting quality of watching football.

Our recievers are going to be great because they are talented and catching Martz-coached balls thrown from Jay.

Do not forget the 12th man effect.

I also think that Williams is a tinker-bell Cedric Benson clone who is afraid of stepping up to the plate after being exposed by J Peppers all pre-season, so get used to Omayale at left tackle.

Lastly, besides Cowherd, every single other prognosticator on every NFL show I watched (besides CSN Chicago) this week has picked the fudge packers to win. Just like they did for Dallas. It’ll be nice to watch them eat crow two weeks in a row.

Sharks have a Week dedicated to Chuck Norris

by Kreutzski on Sep 27, 2010 12:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Cowherd

is a joke, before last season he was saying how Roy Williams was going to be a “gem” at wideout for the Cowboys. I put no stock in anything he says.

by Lucky820 on Sep 23, 2010 7:31 PM CDT reply actions

Is it just me

or does anybody else immediately get pissed off when you see, hear, or say the name Ron Turner. By far our best roster move of the offseason. I finally got to see the replay of the Dallas game yesterday and to see actual adjustments being made was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen. I hated the Martz move initially, but actual in game adjustments. Wow. May you burn in hell Ron Turner.

"We can do it any way you want to. We can go right out back and get it on or you can shape your ass up," Da Coach

by droppopotamus on Sep 23, 2010 7:39 PM CDT reply actions

I remember wanting a Air Coryell disciple here because the scheme best fits our personnel.

Either Martz, Zampese, or Saunders would have been a good for me.

by Dominique Blanton on Sep 23, 2010 8:30 PM CDT up reply actions

Nique

I have to say my friend, Your posts get better andbetreach week! I love it bruh!

Now on to the Bears Vs Pack.

Bears WRs shold have NO problem gaining yards on the Pack.
and heres why.

1. Hester 4.27 (unofficial) Knox 4.30 40 yd dashes.
Hester and Knox are the two fastest men in the NFL, period. There is NO WAY that Woodson will be able to cover them unless he can jump them at the line, maul them, and beat them to death with a louisville slugger.

2. Olsen is NOT as charmin soft as people may think. I saw him plenty of times throw blocks in the Cowboys game that gave Culer plenty of time to make his decision. Olsen is our X factor, because if he can find space against the Packs LB core, he will rip them apart.

and
3. Devin Aromashodu. He showed flashes of greatness in game Vs. the Pack last year and even mre flashes in the first game this year. I have a feeling this guy is going to be solid for us. He may never be that “Number 1” WR, but he will still be a 30- 40 catch a year type of guy. This guy is due for a great game is used correctly, which, no doubt, Martz will use him correctly.

And that’s all i have to say about that

~>PrettyBoISwagg* ' ~^Ayyyeee^~ BakK PaKk ~_PaKk_~ Boogie

by suckmyditka on Sep 23, 2010 7:42 PM CDT reply actions

Woah typo

“better and better each week”*

~>PrettyBoISwagg* ' ~^Ayyyeee^~ BakK PaKk ~_PaKk_~ Boogie

by suckmyditka on Sep 23, 2010 7:42 PM CDT up reply actions

Don’t forget core.

"44 years of football history and nothing to show for it. I wish I wasn’t banned at the Norseman.." - tfrabotta
"Fellas, what are they, unblockable? Is that the '85 Bears over there?" - Tom Coughlin, Giants '06 training camp
~~~ Check my profile for links for SB20 and America's Game: '85 Bears ~~~

by Spongie on Sep 24, 2010 12:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Thanks a lot for that, I appreciate that.

I agree that Olsen is the X-factor especially in the blocking department. We need him to be chip blocking and giving Omiyale some help against Clay Matthews.

I wouldn’t be surprise if Aromashodu has a great game against the Packers especially when he was reportedly benched last week against the Cowboys. I like his size and speed on the outside versus Woodson and his experience versus Shields in the slot. I expect DA to have a chip on his shoulder Monday night.

by Dominique Blanton on Sep 23, 2010 8:21 PM CDT up reply actions

Be Honest Now!

If you review the tape, you can’t help but see that Olsen has consistently thrown better blocks than Manny so far!!!

pbanachi

by pbanachi on Sep 24, 2010 1:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Not to be a smart aleck but

Manny = Manumaleuna or Manny = many?

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

by Just Dave on Sep 24, 2010 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions

And here I was thinking the Sox finally located Manny Ramirez.

by Steven Schweickert on Sep 24, 2010 12:15 PM CDT up reply actions

good write-up

i am interested to see if they can get an answer for woodson this year.

by reefermadness3 on Sep 23, 2010 7:58 PM CDT reply actions

As I recall last season

Our wrs struggled in the first game against GB finding the right spots to lineup in, but once they found the right spots I remember Knox and Hester beating Woodson deep in that game. Now you combine that with Martz play calling and our recievers having a vast knowledge of the playbook could equal a long night for the Packers secondary.

by Dozjah on Sep 23, 2010 8:40 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

How do you stop Clay Matthews Jr ? More quick passes . Worked .....

…. aginest Ware and now it should work to stop Matthews Jr . Maybe work in a few screens and draws to keep them on their heels and slow that pass rush down and then hit ’em deep .

" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson

by MidWayMonster54 on Sep 23, 2010 9:23 PM CDT reply actions

How do you stop CM3?

Take away his syringe

~>PrettyBoISwagg* ' ~^Ayyyeee^~ BakK PaKk ~_PaKk_~ Boogie

by suckmyditka on Sep 23, 2010 10:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Na he can keep the syringe ....

…. just not its contents . And hes got overtraining syndrome hes needs his substances .

" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson

by MidWayMonster54 on Sep 23, 2010 11:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Chip blocking him with either the RB or TE would work.

I don’t think the quick passes will be all that effective since Green Bay line backers are good in coverage and most likely won’t be sending the house like Dallas did. But yeah I agree, screen passes and passes out the backfield should neutralize Matthews.

by Dominique Blanton on Sep 23, 2010 10:49 PM CDT up reply actions

I can deal with chipping him ....

…. with the TE’s or the RB’s . Also I think that the Packers LB’s are better blitzers than coverage guys . Look at the Eagles game after corn on the Kolb left . Their backers got caught out of position on a few different occasions . Matthews is a pass rusher that is OK in coverage , Nick Barnett is a pure ILB with average skills in man and zone coverage , AJ Hawk is a 4-3 backer playing in the 3-4 and looks the part …..out of place , Chillar is a career backup with minimal coverage skills and the other starter Brad Jones is average all the way around . Now in a 3-4 where their asked to blitz more and cover less their a stout group , but they can be had in coverage . Olsen is a mismatch for all of them , as is Matt Forte & Chester Taylor . My only concern with any of them is Matthews’ pass rushing . Kid is on a hot streak and killin fools .

On to the secondary …… Morgan Burnett can be had in both the run game ( where he shows poor tackling ) and via the pass ( hes a rookie that Martz & Jay can work ) , Woodson is rock solid in every facet of the game , Tramon Williams can be had on double moves and by speedsters , Sam Shields is OK as a nickel but our 3rd reciever ( whomever it may be ) should be able to get open and Nick Collins is a solid DB . They tend to look better than they are due to the pressure their front 7 can produce . Just my opinion thought & by the way your write ups are always a must read keep up the good work .

" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson

by MidWayMonster54 on Sep 23, 2010 11:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, our inside backer’s aren’t very good in coverage. Chillar is probably the best of the guys, and he’s probably a little above average. All of the other guys are pretty average though, with Hawk being just terrible.

by packallday555 on Sep 24, 2010 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't think they can cover either Forte or Olsen in man coverage, but they have good range

as far zone coverage. I agree that Chillar is the best out the bunch, but their range in zone coverages makes it tough on QB’s trying complete passes over the middle.

by Dominique Blanton on Sep 24, 2010 12:58 PM CDT up reply actions

I've said it before...

I’d rather have 4 guys, five counting Olsen, that I’d love as WR2 than one WR1 and a bunch of scrubs.

Here is why, out of all the WR1 in the league there is pretty much only one that doesn’t get shut down on occasion by a shutdown corner, and that’s Andre Johnson, and even he got a trip to Revis Island last year if I remember correctly. So you spend huge amounts of cap on a guy that can be taken out of the game if properly game planned for, and often the teams don’t have anyone to take advantage of the holes the double coverage might create.

Look at the successful teams over the years in the passing game, sure you have guys like Moss, TO, Ocho Cinco, Marshall, Johnson, Colston, Megatron, but the ones that really shine are the guys that have someone behind them that is really good as well. Wes Welker for Moss, Ocho Cinco with TJ and company, Marshall with Royal and their TE, Colston and pretty much the entire WR group, same with Johnson and Jacoby and co.

Would I love to have Andre Johnson + the guys we’ve got? Sure. Would I rather have Andre Johnson / DA / Igleasis as our top 3 WR? No thanks. Not in this offense ever, and even in a more classic vertical passing game you still always worry about one injury devastating your entire season. With our current situation, Ditka forbid, Hester/Knox/DA/Bennett/Olsen/Davis any of them could go down and someone else could step up immediately and be a legitimate threat. Hell, we could probably have two TE’s go down and still have a decent threat.

I think it’s better for the stability of the team, and cap advantages of having four #2 receivers is mind blowing.

Associate Writer - WindyCityGridiron.com - Artist formerly known as Sklz711

by Jacob Hayes on Sep 23, 2010 11:07 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

i agree

and andre johnson isnt human
to quote my homeboy “HIM from somewhere else”

by Tommy Ohyeah Mcduffie on Sep 24, 2010 7:49 AM CDT up reply actions

What about the running game?

I’m not really worried about the passing game. It’s the running game or lack of that worries me. The bears want to be an explosive offense but you still have to make 3rd and 1 situations. They have to get better at short yardage and using the running game to eat up the clock after they have a lead late in the game. If not this team is just going to be one dimensional and good teams will exploit their weaknesses.

After Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF.

by Mars10 on Sep 23, 2010 11:57 PM CDT reply actions

Not this Year :(

This O-Line can’t run block worth shit.
Sorry but that’s the sad truth :(

pbanachi

by pbanachi on Sep 24, 2010 1:07 AM CDT up reply actions

Mars

you have take into account that a lot of our “passing” plays, are basically extended handoffs, dumps or screens out the side, while they may not officially count as a run, it’s a run designed scheme/execution

but yes, on 3rd, we need to convert, period

He's a 300-pound man who moves like a defensive back. That's what you're dealing with." — Bears coach Lovie Smith on DE Julius Peppers

by BearNecessities on Sep 24, 2010 7:17 AM CDT up reply actions

I think Martz can find a good plan

Moving receivers around this game should help. Martz said Aroma was not comfortable in the slot, put him on Woodsons side and slide Hester into the slot on and off. Throw Knox in the slot too, big speed advantages. While the Packs passing D looks good so far, I really think the Bears can exploit them. Got to get Cutler time though and that might be a challenge.

by TheMan1 on Sep 24, 2010 8:35 AM CDT reply actions

Charles Woodson almost always moves into the slot in the Nickel Package. The question then becomes: Is he blitzing or is he dropping back in coverage?

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Sep 24, 2010 11:29 AM CDT up reply actions

Good stuff as usual

Love my boy Cowherd, but he doesn’t know nearly as much as he thinks he does. We are deep at WR and that’s the fact Jack.

All this true #1 garbage or Bears don’t have that go to guy…. It’s all ridiculous.

Cutler: 649 passing yards, 5 TD, 1 Int, Comp. 68.8%, Passer Rating 121.2

That’s all I need to know about my teams passing game.

by rdent4hof on Sep 24, 2010 9:00 AM CDT reply actions

Yep Saints have proven you can get the job done without...

an elite wide out. The Saints have drawn a blueprint on how to build a good passing offense by adding receivers with different skill sets that can hurt you in many ways. The Bears seem to have picked up on that blueprint.

by Dominique Blanton on Sep 24, 2010 3:51 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Good post

The match-ups will probably be a little different though. Capers likes to stick Woodson in the slot because it maximizes his ability to make a play. He’ll likely cover whoever lines up in the slot, with Shields and Williams covering the outside guys.

My guess would be Williams will be on Hester, Shields on Knox, and Woodson on whoever lines up in the slot. Woodson might be used on Olsen every once in a while too.

Williams has been spotty in his technique at times but he has tremendous athleticism. He covered Jackson in our first game and shut him down pretty well, and did a good job against Evans in our second game. You’re 100% right about him using hands too much when he feels beat. We haven’t seen him do that this season but the year is still young. I’d expect Cutler to go deep a couple of times, and I’m just praying that he doesn’t hold or arm bar the guy he is on. He usually is in good enough position to make a play on the ball.

The Shields match-up is scary. He’s looked really, really good for being an undrafted rookie but he’s made his share of mistakes. He did a pretty respectable job against Maclin but struggled at times too. He’s kind of like Williams actually, just much more raw obviously. He’s got great speed and instincts but not great technique. He gets lost out there every once in a while.

by packallday555 on Sep 24, 2010 10:39 AM CDT reply actions

Reply Fail

please see below. LOL!

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Sep 24, 2010 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Yeah when i watch Williams he has the potential to be a good

starting corner, but just lacks consistency in his technique . He did do a good job against Jackson and Evans so maybe he has turned the corner which just makes that Packer secondary that much dangerous when Al Harris returns.

by Dominique Blanton on Sep 24, 2010 4:02 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

That’s what I’m really hoping but there’s only a small sample size on him.

by packallday555 on Sep 24, 2010 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions

Ooops, I didn’t realize you brought up the part in Woodson playing in the slot. Should’ve kept reading before posting.

I don’t think Capers will fix any coverages. Williams is on the right side, Woodson is on the left side. If there are 3 WR’s, Woodson goes to the slot, wherever that may be. However, I don’t expect Capers to blitz often against Cutler. I think Capers will want more coverage guys and trusts 4 or maybe 5 guys to get to Cutler. What worries me most about Cutler is his athletic ability to escape trouble in the pocket.

"No player is greater than a team."
-Vince Lombardi

by Jabooty on Sep 24, 2010 11:33 AM CDT reply actions

Nice post

I think Cutler will get his yards… but I think a big key to the game might be the Bears ability to run the ball. The Packers are giving up yards on the ground. Hopefully the Bears ground game can get on track.

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 Sep 24, 2010 12:45 PM CDT reply actions

This could be the week that game where the ground game gets on track especially...

with all the attention being focus on the passing game. I think the short passing game to the running backs have been a substitute to the running game through two games, but we need Forte and Taylor to step it up.

by Dominique Blanton on Sep 24, 2010 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions

GB secondary

I think Cutler will have a big game against this secondary and he will finally prove to a national TV audience why we made this trade, and I expect to see us go deep early and often.

by walterfan34 on Sep 24, 2010 2:16 PM CDT reply actions

Editor!

core
who’s
line backer’s
duel

by Spongie on Sep 24, 2010 2:41 PM CDT reply actions

Core whose linebackers duel?

Spongie, what kind of anachronistic 1700s steampunk football graphical novel are you reading? And where can I get it?

;-)

by Steven Schweickert on Sep 24, 2010 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions

I like your thinking… do we have any budding novelists on WCG? :-D

by Spongie on Sep 24, 2010 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Is there a ~~doctor~~ writer in the house?!

… Damn it, now all I can think about is the Victorian Era with shoulder pads and a random-ass futuristic machine. Just, you know, taking up space and doing stuff.

Come to think of it, that would be an awesome image to airbrush on a mural. Or a van.

by Steven Schweickert on Sep 24, 2010 7:16 PM CDT up reply actions

I sense an off-the cuff challenge for the Artist Formerly Know As Smudgers…..

by Spongie on Sep 24, 2010 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Known. Known.

by Steven Schweickert on Sep 25, 2010 9:06 PM CDT up reply actions

See? I said I typo with the best of ’em.

by Spongie on Sep 26, 2010 6:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Sorry...

…started a new job so I can’t be around as much as before. I edit them all eventually, it just takes a little longer sometimes!

"A lot of fans were drawn to me because they knew that whatever the score was, I was going to run as hard as I could on every play. You don't have that now, you have guys waiting for next week or even next year." - Walter Payton

Editor/Writer for WindyCityGridiron.com

by Ashley Czuba on Sep 27, 2010 8:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Bears offensive line

I know its old to hash this back up but I believe that the bears offensive line has to have an outstaniding performance for this game to be a win. Not only in pass protection but they need to get a few yards off the ball push to be successfull in the running game. Everybody is saying “duh” at this but my bigger point is that if their successful there then I believe that the packers upon seeing Matthews having trouble might be inclined to blitz more and that will allow the bears to use over the middle throws to the TE’s and RB’s to pick up quick 4-5 yd conversions. Also the deep threat of knox and hester is something the packers have to take into account thus making their safeties play farther off the line of scrimage also opening up the middle to once again TE’s and RB’s. I believe that Chester Taylor catching passes after release the block will also be huge because it seems to me that the defensive coordinators in the league still don’t watch for him dispite his consistancy w/ the Vikings last year and plays this year. Quick throws exploiting zone coverage might be our best bet but lining Olsen out to the left against the DB’s might be a good move to exploit his size and sure hands. As always good clean blocks and movement along the line will help both RB’s have success. Mike Martz has the league watching our play and formations and the belief that were up to no good might make benefits on something as simple as a quick square out pass.

by waw950727 on Sep 26, 2010 5:37 PM CDT reply actions