Bears' Short Yardage Woes and a Solution

by mac30 on Sep 12, 2011 5:17 PM CDT

The Bears have been bad in short yardage situations for years. We will see whether that trend continues this year, but having to throw to the tight end as a first option from the 1-yard line, as they did yesterday, does not indicate confidence in their ability to pound it in. (Granted, Barber was out - and he is expected to do some of that).

Here's a novel solution: Use Melton.

The guy used to play the position (he had sixteen TDs as a backup in two years at the position in college) and is showing himself to be a beast. If he can't run it in we might as well forget about trying at all. We already have one d-lineman playing fullback already (Clutts) why not another?

This FanPost was written by a Windy City Gridiron member, and does not necessarily reflect the ideas or opinions of its staff or community.

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Here is a better option

His name is Marion Barber….

But, I would love to see one of the big guys line up at FB with the UFO (Clutts) at tailback. Like an homage to William Perry and da Bears of ’85

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

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Sep 12, 2011 5:45 PM CDT reply actions

people have paid enough homage to the 85 Bears

It’s time for a Bears team to stop living in the past and form their own identity. If anything this team should be compared, and formed in the image of that 06 team.

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Sep 12, 2011 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Our D looks even better than the 2006 D

And our Offense….worlds apart in philosophy and talent.

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

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Sep 12, 2011 8:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Agreed

‘06 all we had which was an upfront threat for the D was Tommie and he didn’t last the season, this new line has got Melton, Okoye and Peppers so they are much better.

by Gaak on Sep 13, 2011 6:00 AM CDT up reply actions

My point being that

I’m tired of people comparing every Bears team that wins more than 8 games to the 85 team. yeah they were awesome and everything, but it’s been almost 30 years. time to quit living in the past and move on.. 1/4 of the players on this Bears team weren’t even born yet in 85, 1/3 of the people on WCG weren’t even born yet, lol. time to put 85 behind us and it’s time for this Bears team to make their own identity.

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Sep 13, 2011 7:33 AM CDT up reply actions

something like 12 out of the 53 players are younger than 1985.

which is roughly 22%, close to 1/4

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Sep 13, 2011 7:35 AM CDT up reply actions

Until the Bears win another SB

they will always be judged against the 85 team. Heck even your name is based on da Coach of the 85 team!

by Gaak on Sep 13, 2011 8:33 AM CDT up reply actions

reality check ... it's only been one game

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 Sep 13, 2011 7:56 AM CDT up reply actions

get a grip

Boy, I sure hope this is the mess hall....how's it goin' Eisenhower?

by reefermadness3 on Sep 13, 2011 9:17 AM CDT up reply actions

you obviously meant the reply above for ECD

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 Sep 15, 2011 7:50 AM CDT up reply actions

Nah why risk injuring Melton

When the Bears just signed a fully capable fullback.

They also have Marion Barber, Kyle Adams, Matt Forte, Kalil Bell, and even Jay Cutler on a bootleg would work.
No need to risk injuring your starting 3T

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Sep 12, 2011 6:31 PM CDT reply actions

I'd attribute the short yardage issue to a remade O-line still going through growing pains.

The only player that started in the same position as last year was Chris Williams. Also our short yardage back hasn’t played in the regular season yet, we’ll be fine. I doubt we’ll be dominant this year in that area, but more than enough for opposing defenses to worry about it.

"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 Sep 12, 2011 6:50 PM CDT reply actions

Why put ourselves in a short yardage situation to begin with?

Score at will. Fuck yeah!

by mick11 on Sep 12, 2011 8:38 PM CDT reply actions

Woah bro save the F-bombs for open threads

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Sep 13, 2011 12:09 AM CDT up reply actions 4 recs

Rec

because this is SMD saying this.

Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!

by Steven Schweickert on Sep 13, 2011 8:28 AM CDT up reply actions

Ah, hell. I'll green it.

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by David Taylor on Sep 13, 2011 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions

Hey

Even I have a filter

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Sep 13, 2011 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions

SMD

The Profanity Police.

Whenever Mike Ditka boards an aircraft, it changes its call sign to Bear Force One.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Sep 13, 2011 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions

I bet thats what the pink bathrobe said on the back

WCG's Resident Nickelback and Boy Band fan

Also rated Worst WCG Blogger by Dr. Steven Schweickert's extensive "Total BR" (Blogger Rating)

by ThorCo on Sep 13, 2011 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions

That TD play call was beautiful and perfectly timed.

It doesn’t not indicated their confidence in the ability to pound it in, either.

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by David Taylor on Sep 12, 2011 8:52 PM CDT reply actions

Exactly..

That was one of the better designed plays i have seen the Bears run.

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Sep 13, 2011 7:37 AM CDT up reply actions

that and the throwback that Cutler overshot KDavis

execution sucked, but the design and call was great

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 Sep 13, 2011 7:57 AM CDT up reply actions

agreed.

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by David Taylor on Sep 13, 2011 8:45 AM CDT up reply actions

yeah that's what i was talking about

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Sep 13, 2011 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Both were great calls.

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by David Taylor on Sep 13, 2011 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I would like to see them try the Kellen Davis play again

except Jay not over throw his 6’7 TE

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Sep 13, 2011 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions

It was a tough throw, but one that he should have hit.

Davis would have walked in too.

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by David Taylor on Sep 13, 2011 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Honestly though

we don’t know if Jay over threw him, or if Davis wasn’t deep enough. Maybe it’s a timing thing where Jay knows that Davis is supposed to be a certain depth, and maybe he just wasn’t there

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Sep 13, 2011 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions

I felt like it was both

Jay def overthrew and should have completed it, but he was doing the quick twist and turn that usually only happens on Madden…Davis just froze instead of trying to get it

WCG's Resident Nickelback and Boy Band fan

Also rated Worst WCG Blogger by Dr. Steven Schweickert's extensive "Total BR" (Blogger Rating)

by ThorCo on Sep 13, 2011 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah i think davis was like "oh crap he actually threw it"

i have a feeling we will see that play again and it will work

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Sep 13, 2011 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Got to give you your due

Using Melton is a great idea!

by e-rabs on Sep 13, 2011 12:14 AM CDT reply actions

a great idea

for me to poop on

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Sep 13, 2011 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions

if the situation is right

i am for it. however, since 69 is showing more and more glimpses of being a well above-average dt, it would be a risky thing w/injury and all.

Boy, I sure hope this is the mess hall....how's it goin' Eisenhower?

by reefermadness3 on Sep 13, 2011 9:18 AM CDT reply actions

Just a half-serious thought, really

Just thinking how awesome it would be to see him smash through the line in a big spot. If the fridge could do it…

by mac30 on Sep 13, 2011 2:58 PM CDT reply actions

IIRC

Lovie stated last year, they will not do this.

You're never a loser until you quit trying - MIke Ditka

by DutchBear on Sep 13, 2011 4:50 PM CDT reply actions

He did.

@LovieSmith
I will not do this RT @mac20 You should run melton as a goal line running back. #Fridge
1 year ago

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by David Taylor on Sep 13, 2011 5:46 PM CDT up reply actions

lmao

"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders

It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!

~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders

At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool

by suckmyditka on Sep 13, 2011 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions