Chicago Bears Sackwatch 2017: Week 2 vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After giving up four sacks in week one, the Chicago Bears’ pass protection bounced back slightly against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I only say slightly, because the Bucs called off the dogs in the second half once they were up 26-0. In the first half, Tampa Bay was credited with eight quarterback hits, and one sack. In the second half, they were content to coast to victory, so they generally dropped seven into coverage.

Sackwatch after 2 games

2010 Sacks - 5 (Martz)
2011 Sacks - 11 (Martz)
2012 Sacks - 9 (Tice)
2013 Sacks - 1 (Trestman)
2014 Sacks - 3 (Trestman)
2015 Sacks - 4 (Gase)
2016 Sacks - 8 (Loggains)
2017 Sacks - 5 (Loggains)

Before I get into this sack, I want to make sure you guys all read the breakdown of all three Mike Glennon turnovers that Robert did right here; Anatomy of a play(s): Mike Glennon's neuralyzing first half in Tampa Bay.

I’ll also share some tweets that Andrew shot out yesterday on this play after my breakdown. He uses the All-22 film, so you’ll want to keep on scrolling after I give my sack allowed verdict.

Sack 5 - Second Quarter 11:37 - Noah Spence
The Bucs are showing blitz, and they do indeed come. They have a fifth man on the line of scrimmage, plus a linebacker over the A-gap. They rush six, but the Bears kept a sixth in to protect.

The Bears were manned up across the line, with running back Jordan Howard responsible for the linebacker blitz. On paper, the Bears had this covered. On the field, there were two piss-poor attempts at blocks that doomed this play.

Right tackle Bobby Massie opened the gate and allowed Noah Spence to walk right through. Look at his body. Look at his feet. His kick step is a step slow, and he turns to try and catch up to Spence. Massie, like many right tackles, struggles with the speed rusher. He’s at his best when he can deliver a controlled punch, but as you can see on this replay, he doesn’t even get his hands on Spence until he’s perpendicular with him.

Now look at Howard. He steps up and delivers the blow, but didn’t bring any power behind it. Perhaps, like my colleague Robert suggested, Howard’s shoulder was bothering him, but in any event, he should have stayed in front of his man. Howard allows the defender, #51 Kendell Beckwith, to slip the block and fight through to pressure the quarterback.

A better QB probably avoids this sack (see Andrew’s Tweets below), but as it is, I have to give the whole thing to Massie.

If Spence doesn’t knock the ball away, Glennon probably gets the pass off. His arm is in motion and Beckwith is on the ground.

Individual Sackwatch through 2 games.

Sacks Happen - 2
Bobby Massie - 1
Mike Glennon - 1
Charles Leno - 1

Now for some All-22 fun with Andrew!

I can’t speak for Glennon, but maybe he didn’t want to hit Wright so short of the first down marker (it was 3rd and 8). But at some point you have to take what the defense gives you and hope your wide out can make a play.

Kendall Wright is open in the middle of the field with some green grass in front of him.

Like I said earlier, a better QB probably avoids this sack, but in my opinion, the horrendous attempt by Massie gets the full sack allowed.