Chicago Bears Sackwatch 2017: Week 4 vs Green Bay Packers

With Mike Glennon sliding to the bench and Mitchell Trubisky taking the reigns, it’s (hopefully) the end of an era. Glennon played much, much worse than I thought he would. I figured he’d be a serviceable, turnover-free type of quarterback, but that never happened.

I was among the many that figured Glennon would be able to hold down the fort while Trubisky took his time learning the pro game, but two things happened. One, Trubisky picked things up quicker than the Bears expected, and two, Glennon wasn’t very good.

Let’s see how things have progressed through four games over the last several years.

Sackwatch after 4 games

2010 - 18 Martz
2011 - 15 Martz
2012 - 13 Tice
2013 - 6 Trestman
2014 - 8 Trestman
2015 - 9 Gase
2016 - 11 Loggians
2017 - 8 Loggains

Sack 8 - First Quarter 9:49 - Clay Matthews
This was the very first play the Bears ran after the Packers methodically marched down the field on a 10 play, 75 yard drive. The Bears opened up in a double tight end formation, with Dion Sims on the right side, and Zach Miller flexed off the line on the left. I loved the idea of opening up with a play action pass, but the execution wasn’t good.

The Bears kept Sims in to block Clay Matthews, which isn’t a good idea. Matthews is one of the better pass rushers in the game, and asking a tight end to take him on an island is usually a win for Goldilocks.

Sims starts off in good position. He stonewalls Matthews at first, but then he makes the mistake most inexperienced pass blockers make, he stopped moving his feet. Sims doesn’t anticipate Matthews fighting off the block, because he’s not tasked with blocking an edge rusher all that often. Matthews keeps working, and he gets around the block.

But with that being said, Sims holds his block long enough for the play to be successful.

I’m not sure if Glennon had it in his head to go for the home run, but with nothing open deep, he should have hit Miller to the left.

The Packers also send a man late, right through the gap that opened up when Kyle Long stepped inside.

I’d also like to point out one more nit-picky thing about this play, so look at Jordan Howard’s route. He executes his fake, then he runs through the line on a quick stick route. Since the Packer defender is right behind him when he turns, he should probably race to the right sideline. On that route, if Howard reads zone coverage, he needs to settle in between it, if he reads man coverage, he should run away from the coverage.

I thought about splitting this sack between Sims and Glennon, but since Sims held up long enough, I’m pinning it all on Glennon.

Individual Sackwatch through 4 games

Sacks Happen - 3
Mike Glennon - 2
Bobby Massie - 1
Charles Leno - 1
Bradley Sowell - 1