Chicago Bears Sackwatch 2011; Bye Week Breakdown All 21 Sacks

It's not always as easy as seeing who's guy made the sack to determine who is responsible for giving up that sack.  Does that make sense?  The casual football fan watches a defensive end run around a left tackle to sack the QB, and automatically assumes the left tackle blew it.  That's not always the case.  What if the play called was a 3 step drop and the LT gave the DE the outside rush to ensure he couldn't be beat back inside and crush his short dropping QB?  But.  The guard allowed too much penetration causing the QB to backup even more, right into the waiting arms of the DE.  Who's at fault?  The LT's guy made the sack, but the guard gave up the penetration that led to the sack...

Only the respective coaching staffs know exactly who's at fault.  That's why you have to take any football website, expert, or grades (even mine), with a grain of salt.  None of us can be 100% sure on every sack who's to blame, some are so obvious that I channel my inner meatball and yell at the TV like the Score's OB and Doug, but not all.  I already went into great detail on all the sacks the Bears have given up.  For a recap you can check out our Xs and Os section and scroll through all the weekly Sackwatch posts, including one where I look at the 1st career sack of Chicago's Stephen Paea. 

I must say it's very nice of the NFL to schedule the Bears bye game at the same time as last season.  It makes for a smooth Sackwatch.  Before I get started with who I think may be responsible for the sacks, let's see where the Sackwatch stands so far...

Sackwatch after 7 games
2010 - 31
2011 - 21

The leader in the clubhouse is the new favorite whipping boy, now that Frank Omiyale is back on the pine, J'Marcus Webb.  I have him giving up 7 sacks.  He's shown his inexperience by not knowing where his help is.  He's taken bad angles on some plays.  And he's failed to keep his shoulders over his feet leading to bad balance.  All correctable mistakes. How do I know they're correctable?  Because he's had good balance, and taken solid angles, and utilized his help on other plays.

Frank Omiyale is next on the leaderboard with 4 sacks.  He's shown bad technique and he's been physically dominated.  If he were 23, 24 years old I'd say give the kid time, but he's in his 7th year as a pro.  He's looked the worst off all the Bears linemen, but along with Webb we can't forget that the tackles were put in a position to fail by their offensive coordinator earlier this season.  The next two games the Bears face the Eagles and the Lions, both teams that run the Wide 9 Defense.  If Mike Martz fails to chip on the defensive ends out in a 9 technique while he drops Jay Cutler deep it could be a long day.  Hopefully he's learned his lesson.

The next highest total I'm giving to the Bears scheme or lack of execution of said scheme.  I have 4 sacks that were allowed, but I can't determine who was at fault.  Was the guard supposed to kick out to the DE, was there a chip block missed, did Roberto Garza call a line shift that failed...  Unless I talk to Mike Tice I have no way of knowing.  Maybe Dane could get on that interview request.

I have 3 of the sacks on Jay Cutler.  One he held the ball to long in my opinion, one he bobbled the ball and had to eat the sack, and one he rolled out and wisely slid down to avoid an incomplete pass that would have stopped the clock in a 4th quarter clock killing situation.

Kellen Davis was made to look foolish on 2 sacks.  I've said it before and I'll say it again, leaving tight ends matched up one on one against a defensive end is idiotic.  D-ends have been practicing their pass rush technique for most of their football lives.  Whereas if a TE shows a pass blocking proficiency in their youth, they're moved to offensive tackle.  To put it even clearer, Gate 68 is a much better pass blocker then the best pass blocking TE in the NFL.

Which leaves 1 final sack that I'm giving to the rookie Gabe Carimi.  Carimi was beat inside in week 1 after thwarting what he thought was a hard outside rush.  It was a good move against the rookie.  It happens, he'll get better, as will all those charged with protecting the QB.  Better schemes, some more help, and simply the youth gaining experience.