Three Keys Against The Packers: Offense

by Steven Schweickert on Dec 25, 2011 11:00 AM CST in Notes

Yes, I'm going to try to do this post with a straight face.

1) Base the Game Plan Around Kahlil Bell

I wish I could say I was joking. Josh McCown becomes the third quarterback to start for the Bears this season, and Kahlil Bell becomes the third running back. There's two noticeable differences here - one, Bell was on the roster to start the year, and two, he's closer to what Forte would give the offense than McCown to Cutler. The Bears should lean more on their ground game this week against a defense looking to tee off on a quarterback who just showed up last month.

2) Limit Turnovers

The primary problem with the Hanie regime was that the ball kept ending up in the other team's hand too quickly, whether it be a interception or a three and out. So for the McCown regime, the first campaign promise that has to be made is "No New Turnovers." If the coaching staff feels like McCown is better equipped to start, there better be fewer interceptions and more first downs, instead of seeing disgusting stuff like a sub-10% 3rd down conversion rate.

3) A Devin Hester Return-to-Form

The offense hasn't exactly shown anything resembling Packer-level, Patriot-level or even Viking-level consistency since Cutler and Forte went down, and points have come about as easily as... I don't have anything here that is safe for publishing, but it's been bad. So, Superman has to come through in a way that he hasn't in this stretch. When the offense sputters like it has, defense and special teams have to step up. So far, the defense has, but the special teams has looked miserable. That must change.

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Advice to da Bears free of charge

Embrace the tradition. Yep, tall order tonight. So what? This is the Bears and the Packers, for crying out loud! Play your hearts out and Bear fans will still luv ya. Win and we will immediately cast off any semblance of sanity that we may have retained in this mind-numbing season.

Go Bears!

We’ll talk about 2012 later…

by Mdwymnstr on Dec 25, 2011 11:24 AM CST reply actions

Return game has faltered

but Gould nd Podlesh are bootin that baby around just fine, thank you

by BOBdaBEAR on Dec 25, 2011 11:50 AM CST reply actions

It's the Bears we're talking about

When there are no TDs scored, we consider the overall performance “miserable”.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Dec 25, 2011 12:25 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

in other news...

Adrian Peterson tore his ACL and MCL. Yikes. I wish a speedy and safe recovery for him, hopefully it’s not a career destroyer.

by Nih1lus on Dec 25, 2011 12:25 PM CST reply actions

unfortunately

given his age and style of running, it might well be. These kind of injuries all take about 9 months/year to recover, and he will have to make adjustments to his style.

The weather has been merciful, but the awful injuries are piling up.

by lmfsilva on Dec 25, 2011 12:35 PM CST up reply actions

With lockout

Came the worst rash of injuries that I can remember. I don’t believe he has to change his style; injuries are usually the result of freak plays, but I didn’t see the play.

"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct

by propheteer on Dec 25, 2011 1:02 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

He got nailed real hard in the knee by someone's helmet.

He was writhing around on the ground and his non-hit leg was spasming from the pain, I’d say freak play…it was horrible to watch.

"You have a young group and if they start feeling too good about themselves, that’s not a good thing. So it’s my job not to let them. So probably they will hate me. But that’s OK too. My wife hates me and she’s still married to me." - Mike Tice

by badsamaritan on Dec 25, 2011 1:22 PM CST up reply actions

Sounds awful

I’m glad I didn’t see it.

"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct

by propheteer on Dec 25, 2011 4:55 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

Hester?

Please. Other than his few returns for TD a season, and his shining moments where everybody is reminded of his NFL record, Devin Hester is useless. Bears need consistent play-makers on offense. Not a weak WR who is easily taken out. Not a KR who has been neutralized by most teams this season.

Where are the Tight-Ends? Sanzenbacher? Bennett? Bears have to find a way to move those chains, or else the game will be over by half-time.

I just hope this won’t turn out be a Bears bloodbath on national TV. I just hope…

by PatientBear on Dec 25, 2011 12:52 PM CST reply actions

JA:

We like the development of our receivers.

"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct

by propheteer on Dec 25, 2011 1:03 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions

Bell

Tonight, he’ll convince the Bears brass to cut Barber after the season. He can do it better for much less.

"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct

by propheteer on Dec 25, 2011 1:05 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions

prophecy come true. what're tonights numbers? and the next week's?

by BOBdaBEAR on Dec 26, 2011 11:11 AM CST up reply actions

run the football

we get off the bus running. throw when we want to not when we have to. keep the offense on the field and keep Rodgers off. the more we have the ball the less chance they have of scoring

by stepeo on Dec 25, 2011 1:32 PM CST reply actions

The Bears are just not capable...

of keeping up with the Packers offense without Cutler. The Bears need at least 2 scores on ST/Defense. Time of possession would be huge, but simply trying to run is not enough. The Bears have to be tough and patient on offense. Short throws; NOTHING beyond a 3 step drop other than shotgun. Keep the clock running and be content with 3-4 yards per play. Patience and sustained drives can keep the game close, but unless the defense can keep it close, the offense is just doomed. Lastly, the o-line has to all play the game of their lives; an epic showing that will be talked about for years. I do not hold out much hope for the Bears tonight, but it is football, so who knows.

There's a fine line between stupid...and clever!

by LostInSTL on Dec 25, 2011 3:34 PM CST reply actions

Misdirection

To beat the Packer defense, run misdirection plays early and often. Show reverse; run reverse. Run counters. Hit off tackle, especially to Walden’s side. Hawk and Bishop may be back in their ILB roles; both drop quite deep on passing downs, leaving a big void just over the line of scrimmage for backs and wide outs on crossing routes. Their backups, Francois and Smith, shut down that short passing game in their brief replacement stint by playing more aggressively near the line of scrimmage on passing downs.

Work double moves against Woodson often. With a Bears QB making his first start in years, Woodson will be overly aggressive and try to jump numerous routes. Use the double moves on Wood to draw a contact penalty or to beat him deep. Conversely, be mighty careful of the dig or out route against Woodson – he’ll be ready for the pick.

Work the tight ends on Peprah. I had a lot more hope for him this season; he’s been the weak link in the defensive secondary.

Finally, work the screen game. The Chiefs did a great job of this last week and moved the chains with this play. The Packers never seemed to sniff out a single screen against KC.

Nitschke never wore an earring!

by Packer Pete on Dec 25, 2011 3:36 PM CST reply actions