Week 5: Thoughts and Observations

[Bort]

I wanted to get this down before I rewatched the game and made some adjustments.

1. Charles Leno continues to impress at LT. I am not sure how, but he went on the road into an incredibly hostile environment and shut down a very good pass rusher in Tamba Hali. He held Hali to 2 tackles and 0 hits.

This is the only one I disagree with you about. I think if you were able to rewatch, you'd notice that Hali beat Leno around the edge quite a few times, but Cutler was able to step up in the pocket and avoid the sack. Cutler had the room to step up because everyone else on the OL was doing their jobs (even Grasu, who I thought played very well after struggling on the first couple drives).

 

[WindyCity]

Cutlers performance was magnificent in context.

-2 backup OLmen
-3 backup WRs
-On the road
-Bad hamstring

In the context of those qualifiers he was really good.

 

[WindyCity]

This is the only one I disagree with you about. I think if you were able to rewatch, you'd notice that Hali beat Leno around the edge quite a few times, but Cutler was able to step up in the pocket and avoid the sack. Cutler had the room to step up because everyone else on the OL was doing their jobs (even Grasu, who I thought played very well after struggling on the first couple drives).

I did see him get beat wide around the edge and then steer Hali wide and high.

That might not look dominant, but that is a win for the OT.

The back of the pocket is useable space for the OT and most are trained to ride guys over the top of the QB.

 

[Bort]

I did see him get beat wide around the edge and then steer Hali wide and high.

That might not look dominant, but that is a win for the OT.

The back of the pocket is useable space for the OT and most are trained to ride guys over the top of the QB.

It depends on how wide and high he manages to steer him. There were a couple plays where I think Hali would have gotten the sack if Cutler didn't do such a good job feeling the pressure and stepping up to avoid it (and if the rest of the OL didn't do such a good job maintaining a clean pocket in front of him).

 

[Moose27]

1. Leno--the book is still out on him but he has been more good than bad. Which was not the expected outcome as of a few short weeks ago. I think he allowed way too much pressure yesterday on the outside but Cutler worked around it nicely. Gase game plan did so as well.

2. Long--the guy is working towards earning a big fat pay check and he deserves for the way he has played so far.

3. O-line and their penalties--Ridiculous is as good as any other way to describe it at this point. It seems like they can't go one drive without one. Especially early in games when the offense is trying to get into a rhythm and can ill afford constant pre-snap and holding penalties.

4. Grasu--looked like a burning hot ember in the dumpster fire early on. Then seemed to start coming around as the game wore on. He is a rookie thrown into the frying pan in the 5th game of the season. What can you expect from this guy moving foward? For me I just want him to get better each week and become more reliable. He has a lot on his plate as the Center. Without knowing for sure I'm guessing that Slauson is helping call out pre-snap stuff but Grasu will probably be expected to do that sooner rather than later. If he wasn't already doing so during the KC game.

5. Wilson--I really wanted to see him show a gutsy performance yesterday as the Bears #1 WR. He exceeded my expectations and I am leaning towards being a believe in Wilson. I am shifting my desire to see him become a serviceable WR to possibly a good #1 or #2. The #1 might be crazy talk but #2 looks like it might be easy money for Wilson with the way he is coming along.

6. Bennett--awful game for him yesterday. The Bears won and he still remains an asset on offense. He will never be a top 3 TE that makes you drool over his performances. He simply doesn't have the physical ability to be that guy. On the other hand he normally comes up clutch and can bang for extra yards. When I consider all the turd TE this team has presented to the fans over my 43 years of life, I am in no rush to see Bennett removed from the roster.

7. Meredith and Bellamy-- I thought Bellamy played like Earl Bennett. In that he gave it 100% and then some. He made the most of the talent he has and looked like a guy doing everything he could to be noticed and perform well. Both Meredith and Bellamy are what they are. Which means they aren't desirable to have as your teams #2 and #3 WR's. That's harsh but it is what it is. On the other hand both of them are better than the awful scrub WR's the Bears have had on the roster for years. I feel like both of them can get the job done on any given Sunday. That's really all you can ask from them when all is considered. Anything more than that is gravy and they deserve serious props for doing such.

8. You mean to say that Urlacher/leader of the Bears team. Calling Cutler a pussy before he even arrived in Chicago and clearly being a fucking toolbag towards Cutler because he didn't like him. You mean that wasn't beneficial to the locker room environment. Urlacher still can't stop running his trap about being butt hurt over not liking Cutler. So not only should the locker room be better off several years removed from Urlacher and all of Lovie's guys. It also should be and appears to be better due to better coaching and the makeup of the roster. I know if they were to lose to Detroit and lose some games we think they can win. The locker room would be down a little but I don't see it ever evolving into the stink hole that Dr. Death created during his 2 years as HC.

9. I thought he had a pretty good game when you take into account the O-line stability or lack thereof. The WR situation and his injury that is clearly hampered his mobility. Then you factor in the early sack/fumble/TD early in the game & I think any sane mind would have expected the Bears to lose by a large margin. Some of us were goofing around, when the Bears were down by 13, saying that the Bears should just call it a day and be happy with only losing by 13. Gutsy performance on his part & it will probably all seem worthless if he shits the bed against the Lions. Hopefully the defense can do their part and the O-line can gel a little more. If not Cutler has his work cutout for him against the Lions. If the D plays well and the O-line is respectable, I think Cutler will go back to eating the Lions alive like he used to do on a regular basis and possibly have a couple of turnovers but still provide more than enough to win this game.

10. Gase has been money so far IMO. Working around the O-line and WR problems has been nothing short of a miracle. In the 3 and 1/2 games he had his starting QB. the Bears have been competitive. Hopefully the Lions give them their first chance at taking charge relatively early in the game and keeping the lead the rest of the way.

But when Urlacher goes in the Hall of Fame you'll start talking about how good he was instead of clicking and clacking garbage on your keyboard. Let me know when Cutler gets in the HOF buddy.


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[Enasic]

Urlacher is/was a dull meatball, but he was really good at the football.

 

[Kazu2324]

I just checked and my PVR recorded a Nascar race so there will be no rewatch this week.

I was hoping to take a closer look at Leno and Grasu.

Hey Windy, if I downloaded the condensed version of the game and put it onto a Dropbox link for you, would you be willing to rewatch and update the observations? I have like 20 GB on dropbox that I'll never use, so I think even if it's a full game, I could still upload it on there.

 

[WindyCity]

Hey Windy, if I downloaded the condensed version of the game and put it onto a Dropbox link for you, would you be willing to rewatch and update the observations? I have like 20 GB on dropbox that I'll never use, so I think even if it's a full game, I could still upload it on there.

I would love too.

How does that all work? I just click the link?

 

[Kazu2324]

I would love too.

How does that all work? I just click the link?

Yeah I'll pm you a link tonight when I get back from work and upload it to Dropbox. I downloaded the game last night.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jc456]

Your going to hear a lot about Leno not playing that well and I would suggest looking at the context. Yes he gave up some pressure and was bull rushed a couple of times, but I felt he recovered nicely and gave Jay a chance to throw the ball.

No one should expect dominance from Leno, but if he can hold up and allow Cutler to climb with limited pressure he is doing a very good job.

If Leno is not taking penalties or giving up splash plays then he is doing his job.


Pressures Happen

just block well enough to give the QB a hole to step up into. it's what's been missing for a long time here. Again, as mentioned in another thread, Cutler did a very nice job of finding the hole and extending plays.

 

[WindyCity]

just block well enough to give the QB a hole to step up into. it's what's been missing for a long time here. Again, as mentioned in another thread, Cutler did a very nice job of finding the hole and extending plays.

In todays NFL if your OL can do that then they are playing well.

 

[WindyCity]

Adam Jahns ‏@adamjahns 24h24 hours ago
1. #Bears QB Jay Cutler's pocket awareness and mobility were special on game-winning drive. But the offensive line held their own.

2. #Bears right tackle Kyle Long did better than good on game-winning drive against Chiefs star Justin Houston, who never really got close.

3. #Bears Jay Cutler's TD throw to Matt Forte was special. Dropped snap, defender at his feet, developing route off pick. Great throw.

4.#Bears CB Tracy Porter was great 1-on-1 vs. Jeremy Maclin when he broke up key third down in 4th. But Alex Smith's pass was behind him.

5. One more note about #Bears' O line. They handled interior stunts well on that final drive, including center Hroniss Grasu.

6. I think #Bears rookie WR Cameron Meredith (ISU, St. Joe's) has earned himself more playing time.

 

[WindyCity]

Dan Pompei ‏@danpompei 22h22 hours ago
1. Time to credit John Fox for realizing his team’s limitations, playing smart football, & bringing out the grit and toughness in his 53 men

2. I think if 70 percent of the other coaching staffs in the league would have been coaching Bears Sunday, Bears would have lost.

3. Adam Gase is thought of as a no-huddle/shotgun/Martz/Peyton guy. He is showing rare flexibility and the ability to adjust to personnel.

4. Give credit to coaches for finding ways to compensate for kick and punt cover deficiencies. That area has improved.

5. Ability to compensate for injuries is 1 of the most critical qualities a team can have. Bears have it so far. LaRoy Reynolds? Unreal.

6. Chiefs failed to do it when Jamaal Charles went down. Chiefs averaged 5.6 per play before play he was injured on; 3.5 from that play on.

7. Beforehand, Andy Reid told me Pernell McPhee looks like he studies the game because he has a feel. It was obvious on his blocked kick.

8. That was one of the most impressive performances by Jay Cutler in his Bears tenure. Not the prettiest, but impressive.

9. Cutler didn’t get the help he should have from his receivers, but he avoided the self destruct button that has doomed him so many times.

10. Cutler passer rating last two drives: 113.9. Cutler passer rating previous ten drives: 73.2. That’s clutch.

11. Quite a body of work Robbie Gould is putting together. Interesting thing is he tells me he sees himself having many more years to play.

12. Kyle Long’s acclimation to RT has been remarkable. He continues to impress.

13. Tough first assignment for Hroniss Grasu, and there is much room for improvement. By the way, they call him “Duck” as Halas Hall.

14. Cameron Meredith can play for me.

15. Like the back-to-back consistent games for Marquess Wilson.

16. Tracy Porter isn't the kind of CB who would have been highly valued in Lovie Smith's D. But he’s a really good fit for what Fangio likes

 

[Gustavus Adolphus]

Hey Windy,

If I've ever been a dick to you in the past, I apologize. If I'm ever a dick to you in the future, please know that it is me being a smart-ass, and it is out of love.

Your friend,
Gus

 

[Sagbear]

I knew Porter had some talent back from his days in New Orleans days but didn't know he had the kind of man coverage skills he does.

Also were not seeing Fuller get killed anymore which is an improvement.

 

[WindyCity]

Hey Windy,

If I've ever been a dick to you in the past, I apologize. If I'm ever a dick to you in the future, please know that it is me being a smart-ass, and it is out of love.

Your friend,
Gus

Thank You

Last season was a tough, meltdown filled, disappointment and I am hoping to have a better season this year and get back to my poster of the year ways.

 

[WindyCity]

I knew Porter had some talent back from his days in New Orleans days but didn't know he had the kind of man coverage skills he does.

Also were not seeing Fuller get killed anymore which is an improvement.

With Fuller the Bears just need to go step by step and rebuild it.

 

[Sagbear]

With Fuller the Bears just need to go step by step and rebuild it.

Agree. he has natural cover skills and play making ability and ideal size and arm length he just needs to continue to improve.

 

[pseudonym]

Thank You

Last season was a tough, meltdown filled, disappointment and I am hoping to have a better season this year and get back to my poster of the year ways.

We all got frustrated.

I'm not saying Chicago can do what the Cubs did, but man, if they could? I like the approach so far—young guys with energy and talent, trade or cut the older and weaker players, draft well (so far, i think, hard to say with White IRd), and keep drafting well, hit FA and do well there. Looking good. Thanks for all of your contributions, Windy. You put a lot of thought and work into your posts and it's appreciated, brother.

 

[jc456]

In todays NFL if your OL can do that then they are playing well.

All I've been asking for. Stop this allowing defenders unabated to the passer shit all the damn time like it has been in previous years and the one that resulted in the fumble in the endzone. Not just one guy there, but two. That just ain't good. The O-line picked up in the game though and was nice to see. they finally marched down to two TDs in less than four minutes. really nice to see.