Chicago: A Tale Of Two Bears

The Chicago Bears defense: a riddle trapped in an enigma.

Being a Chicago Bears fan is difficult at times (actually being a Chicago sports fan this decade has been rough), but the Bears are seemingly on a never ending rollercoaster.

Against the Bengals, the defense did not even bother to show up, allowing Cincinnati to score on their first seven possessions and humiliating them in a game that the Bears defense should have been keyed up for, but instead, showed up flatter than a three year-old two liter cola. 

But was that game just an anomaly?

I realize that this most recent victory against the Cleveland Browns is not a fair example because, well because, it is against the Browns. Cleveland is one of the worst teams in the NFL so this win was not a good measuring stick.

But it wasn’t just the Browns game that makes me wonder if the Bears defense is better than we think. They held a high powered Falcons offense to only 21 points. They have only allowed one rusher to top the century mark this season (Cedric Benson).  

They have held some good opponents down, the Green Bay Packers scored only 21 points despite their defense intercepting Cutler four times. The Pittsburgh Steelers managed only 14 points.

While the loss to the Bengals exposed the many weaknesses in the Bears Cover-Two scheme, was it their play or the Bears lack of play that did it? Is the Bears defense that bad?

And for that matter, is our offense that much more improved?

Let me rant.

On the first three trips inside the red zone against the Browns this past week, the Bears walked away with only nine points.

Add in that a stat Brad Biggs mentioned, the Bears rank 25th in red zone efficiency converting only 44.4 percent of the time for scores and, you have to wonder how this team has won four games at all.

Sometimes this passing offense looks unstoppable; sometimes Cutler looks like the Pro- Bowler he has been in the past; sometimes the receivers look unreal.

Although on the flip side, the Bears rush game has been non-existent. Their offensive line has been nothing short of disappointing and sometimes Cutler looks like Rex Grossman; BAD Rex Grossman.

It is infuriating. On both sides of the ball, the Bears can rarely put together a game where both units play well for all four quarters; Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde on BOTH SIDES of the ball.

So this upcoming week they play the Arizona Cardinals, who are also trying to prove they belong in the playoff hunt after dropping a game to the lowly Carolina Panthers.

They play the Cardinals in Chicago, which continues the OLDEST rivalry in the entire NFL.

They play Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald and a passing offense that could be the best in the NFL when in sync. And don’t think it is all offense for the Cards, their rush defense ranks eighth in the NFL, which means the offense will be tested too.

So which Bears team will show up? This week starts a four game series that will make or break the Bears season. After their home game against the Cardinals, they go to San Francisco, then back home home against the Philadelphia Eagles, and then at the division leader Minnesota Vikings.

Go 2-2 and the Bears will have difficulty making the playoffs for the fourth straight year,go 3-1 and you will be sitting pretty.

It starts with Arizona this week. Win one and go out to face a reeling 49ers team and set yourself up for success. I know, that word and Chicago Bears don’t always go together, but now is the time; bear down. 

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News Flash: Ron Turner Thinks Chicago Bears O-Line Is Good…Um, What?

It is official: Ron Turner, you are an idiot.

If there were any doubters of this observation, Turner silenced them this past week as the Chicago Bears offensive coordinator came out and made several head-scratching comments to Chicago Tribune reporter Vaughn McClure:

“Everyone’s talking about the offensive line, and I have no idea why. I like our offensive line. Got good players, good depth.”

“We’ve got a good offensive line… They’re good football players. They’re playing well. And collectively, as an offense, we’ve got to do some things better.”

…Did I miss something? 

Hasn’t Jay Cutler had zero time to throw the ball this year?

Hasn’t Jay Cutler been sacked 11 times this season?

Aren’t the Bears ranked 29th in rushing?

How can anyone, much less the offensive coordinator of the team, claim that this line is anything but disappointing?

I realize he is trying to be confident and encouraging, but let us be realistic. The Bears finally have a “franchise” quarterback, but the line has allowed him to be hit on every third drop back.

While the defense has been terrible at times, the offensive line is the single biggest problem for this team.

And just because you say that they have to improve does not mean you can spend the rest of the time talking about how good they are…THEY’RE NOT GOOD!

Orlando Pace and Olin Kreutz are old. Roberto Garza is no spring chicken either. Chris Williams has done alright but is still learning the position and Frank Omiyale has been nothing short of a disaster.

Thankfully, they have announced that Josh Beekman, the starter from last year, will be taking over at left guard. But he won’t make everything sunshine and daisies!

Ron Turner needs to snap back to reality and start figuring out ways to make his line’s play less important. Move the pocket, run draws, run screens and implement roll-outs and bootlegs.

The offensive line is bad. Turner needs to cut the delusions and do his job by trying to mask their deficiencies through his play calling.

Bear Down or get out already.

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Lovie Smith: On the Hot Seat in Chicago?

Lovie Smith—the man who led the Chicago Bears back to the Super Bowl.

The man who made his priorities clear on his first day, No. 1 being to beat Green Bay, and I agreed with every one of them.

The man with the voice of calm and reason.

The man who has led the Bears to a regular season record of 48-38 since he took over.

…and I am calling for his job to be put on the line?

While those are the good points on his behalf—remember, this is the man whose defense has gotten progressively worse every year since the 2006 season, when Ron Rivera was the defensive coordinator. 

The man who sent Rivera packing at the end of the year because they did not see eye-to-eye.

The man who stood there and watched as his defense was torn apart for 45 points in this past week’s loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and former Bear “bust” Cedric Benson.

Listen, I understand that Lovie led the Bears to their first Super Bowl appearance in 20 years. He doesn’t panic. But at the same time, he does not inspire the team. That effort on Sunday was one of the worst I have seen in my lifetime. There was no fire, no passion. They were getting stomped, and not one of them look liked they cared.

If Mike Brown, Brian Urlacher, or even Dusty Dvoracek were playing, they would have been screaming. But none of those three played, and no one on that bench looked like they cared.

I care. The rest of the fan base cares. Why don’t the Bears players?

I was getting big into the Bears right during the Dave Wannstedt era, and those were some bad years. I didn’t fully appreciate just how bad they were because I was still in grade school. Then I became a die-hard Bears fan during the Dick Jauron time. With the exception of one year, they were even worse and he showed less fire than Lovie does.

So yes, Lovie is better than those two previous coaches. But just because he was better than those two doesn’t mean he should get a pass for missing the playoffs three straight years (which will looks like it will happen this season).

I mean, he is good comparatively to the previous choices, but overall? 

The Chicago Bears finally have a “franchise” quarterback with some potent offensive weapons, and, all of the sudden, the defense—the unit that has kept this team competitive for years—is not only a weak point but a complete gaping hole.

Let me be clear; I am not calling for Smith to be fired here and now. I think that if the Bears miss the playoffs again this year, we have to explore what other options are available.

Now with Smith under contract for two more years, it would have to take a complete epic meltdown for him to be fired by the season’s end, even though it might be the right move. And it will be even harder considering how much money would be owed to him.

But the coaching options out there this offseason will be aplenty, including some very interesting Super Bowl winners—Mike Shanahan, Bill Cowher, and John Gruden. Or maybe even a couple former Bears if Jeff Fisher gets the boot in Tennessee or Leslie Frazier, who is a coordinator for the rival Vikings, becomes available.

It is just food for thought, but right here and right now, Lovie needs to realize that he can’t sit back and take his time working out the problems.

He needs to make adjustments now.

He needs to man up and makes sure that last Sunday’s performance does not happen again.

He needs to Bear Down…not lay down.

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Chicago Bears Put The “F” in Fail, Getting Blown Out in Cincinnati

The Chicago Bears are not a playoff team.

End of story.

The Bears got destroyed today, 45-10 by Cedric Benson, Carson Palmer and the Cincinnati Bengals. This in a game that the Bears defense should have been keyed up for after all the smack talk that both Cedric Benson and Chad Johnson let loose (his name is Chad Johnson … I don’t care what is on the back of his jersey).

I am going to give you the grades for each position, but first I want to take a look at the Bengals first seven offensive possessions:

First drive: Eight plays covering 77 yards over a span of four minutes resulting in a 9-yard touchdown pass to Chris Henry.

Second drive: Eight plays covering 80 yards over the span of four minutes and nine seconds resulting in a touchdown pass to Chad Johnson.

Third drive: Seven plays covering 63 yards over the span of three minutes and four seconds resulting in a 3-yard touchdown pass to J.P. Foschi.

Fourth drive: Twelve plays, 64 yards over the span of six minutes and fifty two seconds resulting in a 8-yard Laveranues Coles touchdown reception.

Fifth drive: Four plays for six yards over the span of fifty six seconds resulting in a field goal.

Sixth drive: Nine plays covering 61 yards spanning four minutes and thirty seconds resulting in a 13-yard touchdown pass to Johnson again.

Seventh drive: Seven plays over 53 yards spanning three minutes and eight seconds ending when Cedric Benson pounded it in from one yard out.

I should also point out that to start the eighth drive, J.T. O’Sullivan took over as the QB for the Bengals.

THAT is the definition of a pathetic, uninspired performance.

But I digress…

OFFENSE:

Quarterback: Jay Cutler.

Cuter threw for 254 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. He also fumbled two snaps. Does this sound like any other former Chicago Bears quarterback of old?

It wasn’t entirely his fault. The complete lack of a defense did not allow him on the field for much time and one of his interceptions was on a batted ball. But still, an ugly performance.

GRADE: D

Running back: Matt Forte

Six carries for 24 yards and five receptions for 25 yards. There isn’t to much to say, when losing 28-0 at halftime, you can’t expect much out of your run game from there on out.

Grade: INCOMPLETE

Receivers: Devin Hester, Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett

Hester had his first 100-yard game plus a touchdown, but he also coughed up the ball once. Knox and Bennett both had four receptions. Knox for 42 yards and Bennett for 48. Again, they weren’t on the field much to really get it going.

Grade: C+ (this is because after a 45-10 blowout, no one deserves to be any higher than average)

 

Tight Ends: Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark

Did these two even play? Oh wait, they did. Although for some reason the only time I ever saw them catch a pass was on four yard out routes. Am I missing something Ron Turner? AM I? DID I MISS THE PART WHERE FOUR YARD OUT ROUTES WERE SMART PLAY CALLS WHEN FACING 3rd and 13?

Grade: C-

Offensive line:

I am not even going to bother naming each one because they all equally sucked. Chris Williams started the game with a five yard false start penalty. Kreutz had a couple low snaps, I did not hear Garza’s name all day.

Although maybe that’s a good thing because I heard Pace and Omiyale’s names called, and never for anything positive. Pace had at least one holding penalty and Omiyale couldn’t even seem to get his hands on a player long enough to hold them.

If this game did anything positive, it should be that it open’s Lovie Smith’s eyes to the fact that Omiyale is not a starting guard caliber player.

Man up, admit your mistake and make a change already Lovie. Right now, your butt is on the hot seat.

Grade: F

 

DEFENSE: (here is where it gets pretty)

Safeties: Kevin Payne, Danieal Manning and Al Afalava.

Payne and Afalava did not know what coverage they were playing at times. Manning missed more tackles than a ghost and their play made me sick to my stomach.

Want to know what else made me sick to my stomach? Carson Palmer who went 20-for-24 for 233 yards and five touchdowns. That is on you safeties…

Grade: F

Cornerbacks: Charles Tillman and Zachary Bowman

Is this on repeat? I feel like putting everything down that I just put for the safeties. On the first touchdown, Bowman pulled his best Nathan Vasher impersonation and stopped covering Chris Henry.

Charles Tillman, not wanting to be out down, was beaten twice by Chad Johnson. Even worse, Tillman was actually called for a penalty on one of the touchdowns. I mean, if you are going to get called for a penalty, at least make sure you don’t let him score.

It’s like basketball, if you are going to foul a shooter, at least make sure he isn’t going to make the shot too.

Grade: F

Linebackers: Lance Briggs, Nick Roach and Hunter Hillenmeyer

Hillenmeyer was the one who let in touchdown number three to tight end J.P. Foschi when he bit on a play action and let Foschi run right past him. Roach, for the second week in a row, looked lost at times trying to make play calls and Lance Briggs simply got trucked by Benson on more than one occasion.

I realize injuries have depleted this unit, but Benson ran up 189 yards rushing. No excuses, please.

Grade: F

Defensive line:

As with the O-line, this unit doesn’t even deserve to be separated. They all played bad. There was zero pass rush and on run plays were getting knocked backwards on the snap of the ball.

Hot Rod’s magic must have run out because not one single player distinguished himself enough to even rip on, much less praise.

Grade: F

 

Coaching:

I don’t even want to get into it but at some point, Lovie needs to pull his head out of the dark, enclosed space he has lodged it up and make changes on the offensive line and alter the scheme played by the defense. He needs to do something.

This team was not prepared, they lacked fire and looked confused for most of the game. That reflects upon the coaches.

Grade: F

 

Overall: F

I won’t even waste time trying to add up the grades and coming out with a real average. This was a team loss. They were beaten in every facet of the game. Today, after that lack of effort, it is embarrassing to be a Bears fan.

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Cedric Benson Claims Chicago Bears Blackballed Him After He Was Released

Really Cedric? You don’t think it had anything to do with your trouble with the law and your poor stats?

While Cedric Benson’s play on the field has shown signs of improvement and maturity with the Cincinnati Bengals, his conversation with the Chicago media on Wednesday showed how he is still the same person we all knew and grew to dislike when he was a Chicago Bear.

Several different sources, including Zach Zaidman from WSCR 670 and Jeff Dickerson from ESPN, reported that during a recent conference call with media members, Benson made several claims that the Chicago Bears organization spoke negatively of him when other teams called to inquire after his release in 2008. He maintains that it was the main reason why he could not sign with another team earlier than midseason.

“Anything negative that they could say was said…I’m sure that contributed largely to me not getting picked up right away,” Benson stated.

Benson also claimed that the Bears told the league that “…I didn’t work hard. That I was a prima donna.”

Maybe this writer missed something, but Benson did not really do much to warrant a positive recommendation from the Bears by the time he was let go.

He was hurt constantly. He complained about playing time. He was never a really good team player and he had two separate run-ins with the law for suspected alcohol issues in the span of two months. Not to mention that when you step back and look at his total body of work with the Bears, it is not what you would call impressive.

Heck, it isn’t even what some would call half decent.

The simple fact the Jerry Angelo and Lovie Smith gave up on him after only three years should be a sign that he just was not putting forth the effort. Both Angelo and Smith seem to give players with far less talent at least that much time if not more before realizing it is a useless venture (i.e. David Terrell, who was actually given four years).

But in all seriousness, Cedric Benson had a tumultuous stint with the Bears, after being drafted with the fourth pick of the 2005 NFL Draft. And really, the only person he has to blame is himself.

He held out for the first 36 days of training camp before finally signing. Missing most of the preseason caused him to be the backup to Thomas Jones and Benson went through some ups and downs as a rookie. During his second year, his game seemed to improve, but with that unfortunately came an even cockier attitude as he called out Lovie Smith for not starting him.

When given the starting role in 2007, he responded with 674 yards rushing over the first 11 games and had a 3.4 yards per carry average. Not exactly the jaw dropping numbers he seemed confident he would put up. Plus he only played three fourths of the season due to an ankle injury.

He then ran into trouble with the law that following offseason. He was first arrested for driving a boat while intoxicated (charges that were later dropped) on May 3rd and then was pulled over, and after failing a field sobriety test and refusing to take a breathalyzer, was detained by police on June 7th.

The Bears released him the following day for displaying, “…a pattern of behavior we will not tolerate,” according to Jerry Angelo.

However, since signing with the Bengals in midseason last year, Benson has finally shown why he was drafted as high as he was, running with authority and power. He is currently the leading rusher in terms of yardage in the NFL.

But to claim that the Bears blackballed him from being signed by another team is just foolish.

I mean, all the Bears had to do was tell the truth.

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Memo to Lovie Smith: End the Frank Omiyale Experiement Now

On the very first day of free agency, Chicago Bears’ General Manager Jerry Angelo jumped out and signed free agent offensive lineman Frank Omiyale from the Carolina Panthers.

At the time, the move was applauded for adding some much needed depth to a line that, at times, was shaky.

When training camp started, Coach Lovie Smith made it clear that it was an open competition between Omiyale and incumbent Josh Beekman for the starting left guard position.

However, despite the fact that Beekman played just as well as Omiyale, if not better through training camp and week one of the preseason, Omiyale was elevated into the starters role in week two of the preseason and has not relinquished the spot since.

While one could argue that perhaps Lovie saw something that others didn’t, the general consensus is that Beekman lost the job strictly because Omiyale was paid handsomely, to the tune of 14 million dollars over four years.

Now, six weeks in, the move needs to be reevaluated regardless of paychecks.

The Bears offensive line has been atrocious this season, especially when it comes to run blocking. And while Omiyale is not the sole reason for these issues, he is a major component.

In week one against the Packers, DE Cullen Jenkins simply abused Omiyale, and to be fair LT Orlando Pace as well, constantly getting pressure on Cutler and getting into the backfield before running back Matt Forte could even get to the line of scrimmage.

A perfect example was in the third quarter, the Bears had just picked up a first down on a Forte rushing play. They attempted to run through the left side behind Omiyale and Pace. But on the snap, Jenkins pulled a swim move right past Omiyale, who whiffed completely on the block and ended up on all fours, and Jenkins stuffed Forte before he could even attempt to make a move, losing three yards.

In the three games that followed, Omiyale did little to establish himself as a lock for the starter’s role as he has constantly been unable to get a push on run plays and has continued to have difficulties standing up defensive tackles on passing plays. One hoped that Omiyale would come off the bye week ready, but the extra time off seemed to slow his reaction time more than anything.

On the Bears’ opening possession against the Falcons this past Sunday, they drove it down to the Atlanta 24 yard line and were facing a first and 10. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner called a run play and Forte started up the middle and then bounced it to the outside for a three yard gain. NBC showed the replay and analyst Chris Collinsworth spent most of his time praising Forte for showing excellent patience despite the rush by John Abraham.

What he failed to mention (and the replays confirmed) is that defensive tackle Jonathon Babineaux blew past Omiyale almost the exact same way that Jenkins did in week one and was in the backfield before Forte could even get to the line of scrimmage.

While it has not been mentioned because Forte managed to avoide the rush, the fact that defensive linemen have been consistently throwing off block attempts by Omiyale is an indication that he should not be in the starting lineup if the Bears want to succeed. These are not the only examples, just the most obvious.

And I am not saying that Josh Beekman is a Pro Bowl quality player, but he had success last year at that position and did not seem as overmatched as Omiyale has been through the first five games.

The offensive line has had time to gel, but it just hasn’t worked. Now is the time to pull the plug. Now is the time to make a change. I am not saying that Omiyale can’t be a positive contributor in the future, but right now, he may not be the best man for the job.

By putting in Beekman for these next two games, it gives him a chance to adjust to being a starter again before we get into the tough four game stretch that follows where we have a home game vs the Cardinals, at the 49ers, home vs the Eagles and at the Vikings.

Being a head coach is about making decisions. This is a decision that Lovie needs to make and make now.

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Chicago Bears Do Their Best to Lose, And Succeed As They Fall To Falcons

Initial reactions from the Chicago Bears 21-14 loss at the Atlanta Falcons…

Jeff Joniak said it best on the score postgame “Bears lose in a very frustrating way.”

The Bears played miserable. While Jay Cutler had over 300 yards passing and two touchdowns, he also threw two ugly interceptions.

Running back Matt Forte couldn’t get it going on the ground game and while a lot had to do with the offensive line, his back-to-back fumbles inside the two yard line really just makes you want to scream. You would think after the first one, he may be a little more protective the second time around.

The Bears wide receivers didn’t have many drops and made some plays when Cutler got them the ball, but the offensive line was unimpressive at best and at worst, just plain awful at times. Cutler was sacked twice and the running game accumulated only 83 total yards (that includes a 34 yard scramble by Cutler).

And the penalties…Dear God, the Bears shot themselves in the foot on that final drive more than once. False starts and clippings. And then Orlando Pace, on a 4th and 1, he jumps early making it 4th and 5. UNACCEPTABLE! Pace is a 13 year veteran and he made a mistake.

While the defense did come out and play lights out for the first quarter, they then went on a stretch where they did not force a three and out until the third quarter came around.

Heck, even when the defense forced a turnover, they tried giving it right back to them. On interceptions by Zachary Bowman AND Nathan Vasher, both fumbled the ball and were very lucky that Danieal Manning was able to recover it both times.

For the offense and their three turnovers, two of them were inside Atlanta’s redzone; Forte’s previously mentioned fumble and Cutler’s first interception at Atlanta’s 12-yard line.

The other interception occurred at the Atlanta 30 yard line on an overthrown pass intended for Greg Olsen.

Center and captain Olin Kruetz said it best in his postgame interview on 670 The Score, “We played like sh*t… We, as an O-line, just didn’t get it done today.”

Injury Note: Pisa Tinoisamoa left the game with an injury to the same leg that had him miss the previous three games. He did not return.

There were positives. Nick Roach showed he is a solid option at the middle linebacker position. The receivers continued to impress, including Johnny Knox with another touchdown and Earl Bennett with a couple clutch receptions.

Cutler still threw for over 300 yards and they did force a couple of turnovers and another fumble on Michael Turner that Matt Ryan managed to recover.

And Devin Hester made Bear fans hearts skip a beat on more than one punt return, especially the first one when a Falcon defender just managed to get his hand on his foot to trip him up.

But overall, it was a sloppy and embarrassing performance and it made one thing very clear to this writer, the Bears are not ready to be a playoff team.

Grades to come tomorrow.

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Chicago Bears @ Atlanta Falcons: Bleacher Report Writers Debate

Trying to change up the constant stream of pregame breakdowns, featured columnists Scott Ottersen and myself have teamed up to try and bring you a fair case for who should win this weekend when the Bears travel down to the Georgia Dome for the second year in a row to face the Falcons.

For this week, I will be taking the side of the Bears, while my esteemed colleague will be making a case that supports the Falcons.

We debate, you judge…

Chicago Bears

My case really boils down to five key points:

No. 1 is Jay Cutler. I realize it is early to be crowning him, but his ability to keep the Bears in games allows for the defense to eventually establish itself and his play at the end of games has been fantastic.

His numbers so far this season in the fourth quarter: 22/28 for 241 yards two TDs, one INT with 13 first downs and three plays longer than 20 yards. That gives him a 111.5 QB rating in the fourth quarter. 

Even against the Packers, the Bears were winning with just over a minute to go because despite the three interception first half performance, Jay orchestrated a couple scoring drives to put us in a position to win the game.

No. 2 is the Chicago Bears wide receivers. Believe me, if I had to write this article before the start of the season, this group would have been one of the cases AGAINST betting on the Bears. But four games in, this unit has looked very, very dangerous.

The combination of speed and big play ability (Hester, Knox) coupled with the size and athleticism (Olsen) plus the sure handed, reliable secondary options (Forte, Clark, Bennett) has surprised Bear fans and opponents alike. While the Falcons have solid corners and do not give up a lot of touchdowns, they do rank 20^th in passing yards allowed.

No. 3 is the Bears linebacker corps.  Despite missing Brian Urlacher for the rest of the season, it looks like strong side linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa will finally be back in the starting line up. This comes as a major boost for the Bears depleted unit.

Despite also having back up MLB Hunter Hillenmeyer on the injury report, Pisa’s return will allow the Bears some more options on trying to defend Falcons TE Tony Gonzalez. 

No. 4 is that fact the Bears are coming off their bye week. The Bears play some pretty impressive football under Lovie Smith when playing after week off, especially the defense.

As ESPN showed on NFL Live, in the past three seasons the Bears have gone 3-0 in the week following their bye and held opponents to an average of 13 points per game. Lovie has had two weeks to prep his guys for this big match up, so expect them to come out ready.

And No. 5 is the simple fact that the Chicago Bears special teams is…well, special. Under coordinator Dave Toub, this Bears unit has been one of the tops in the league. One testament to this fact is that in the three straight seasons, they have had three separate players return kicks for touchdowns. Plus, the Bears keep more players on their roster for strictly special team’s duty than anyone else in the league.

Eric Weems, the Falcons kick returner, currently has an average of 25.5 yards per kick return with a long of 41. That stat isn’t too shabby until you compare it to Johnny Knox’s average of 35.8 yards per kick return with a long of 102, which was a touchdown.

Falcon’s kicker Jason Elam has a strong leg but is only four for six on his field goal attempts while Robbie Gould has knocked in six out of seven field goals including the game winner in the final seconds to upset the defending Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

Falcons Punter Michael Koenen has punted 16 times for an average right near 41 yards and landing four inside the 20. Brad Maynard for the Bears has punted 18 times for an average of just under 44 yards per kick and dropped nine inside the 20 yard line.

So it is for these reasons I think the Bears will be able to pull out a win against a very tough NFC opponent.

Bears 34 Falcons 31

 

PAGE TWO: Scott’s argument for why the FALCONS will win the game…

Atlanta Falcons

Okay, Max, well I have reviewed your five reasons, and while every bone in my body wants to attest to what you are saying, I am playing the role of devil’s advocate here, and will tell you why the Falcons are going to win this game.  Since you broke your argument into points, I will do the same. 

No. 1 is that Matt Ryan is coming into his own this season.  He has all the tools.  He has a strong arm, quick release, good footwork, good protection, great options to throw to, a good running game, and can read defenses well.  He doesn’t make mistakes.  Even as a rookie, he only threw 11 interceptions, and lost only one fumble. 

This season, he is on pace for more of the same, only throwing two interceptions and not fumbling the ball yet.  With his confidence building, he looks poised for a breakout, Pro Bowl-type year.

No. 2 is Roddy White.  The Bears secondary trying to stop Roddy White…good luck.  The Bears struggle against teams top receivers.  Each week, they get torched by the main guy (Jennings 6-106 and a TD, Holmes 5-83, Burleson 9-109, Calvin 8-133).  It doesn’t seem to matter if they are big and physical or small and fast, the Bears secondary can’t handle them.  And, Roddy White is one of the premier wideouts in the NFL today, and with the confidence he has after last weeks standout performance, the Bears secondary are going to have their hands full.  Peanut Tillman is just not up to the challenge.

No. 3 is Tony Gonzalez.  Yes, the Bears will have Pisa Tinoisamoa back for this game, but are he, Briggs, and the safeties up to the challenge against Tony Gonzalez.  The Bears defense allows one of the highest rate of pass attempts to tight ends, and that is saying something considering they haven’t faced a team with a decent tight end yet. 

The Falcons don’t stretch Tony down the field that often, so he is going to occupy the middle of the field, which will keep the safeties honest and leave the outside open for the taking.  And, if the safeties don’t remain honest, Matt Ryan is going to hit Tony Gonzalez down the middle every time, because Pisa and Lance aren’t going to be able to stay with him.

No. 4 is the Falcons special teams.  I will combat your argument about the Bears having an advantage on the special teams’ side of the ball.  Yes, the Bears have great return men and the Falcons don’t.  But, in defense of Johnny Knox’s return average, it is greatly skewered by the 102 yard return against Detroit, which in all honesty should have been 101 yards and no TD, seeing as how he stupidly dropped the ball before he crossed the goal line. 

But, I digress. In combatant to the Bears return teams is the highly ranked Falcons’ cover team.  They rank fourth in average yards per kickoff return, and are tied for third in touchbacks.  And, they are ninth in punt return yard average, allowing less than seven yards per return, with half of their punts being downed inside the 20 yard line or being fair caught.  So, as good as the Bears return teams are, the Falcons will be able to put a stranglehold on that advantage. 

One interesting stat is that the Falcons are first in the league in offensive AND defensive line of scrimmage for the start of drives.  Their drives start (on average) at their own 36 yard line, while the opposing teams start (on average) at the 23 yard line.

No. 5 is the Falcons opportunistic defense.  The stats are never what tell the true story of a game.  But, the reason the Falcons are 3-1 despite allowing a lot of yardage is the fact that they make plays on defense.  In the second half against Carolina, only up one score, the defense came up with a fumble and an INT to ice the game. 

The Falcons are second in the league when it comes to recovering fumbles compared to the number of drives they’re opponent has had.  And, they are sixth in overall turnovers caused per opponent drive.  So, as much as everyone likes to think that the Bears have an opportunistic defense, the Falcons have an even more opportunistic defense, because the Bears aren’t even in the top 15 in those categories.

With all that said, it should be an easy win for the Falcons.  If they play the way they have been playing so far this season, the Bears will stand no chance.  The big plays are going to determine this game, and the Falcons are just going to make more of them. 

I predict a 31-21 Falcons victory.

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Terrell Owens to the Chicago Bears? Rumors Starting to Fly

Mike Francesa, a New York radio personality on WFAN, and formerly of Mike and the Mad Dog, sparked debate this morning after mentioning on his show that the the Buffalo Bills are shopping Terrell Owens and that the Chicago Bears are interested.

Francesa did not name specific sources, but his comments have started a firestorm of controversy across both blogs and ESPN talk shows.

Owens, who signed a one-year deal with the Bills this offseason, has managed only 12 catches for 200 yards and a touchdown so far this year. To be fair, though, the entire Bills offense is currently floundering in ineptitude under former Bear head coach Dick Jauron.

Would the Bears benefit from trading for a 35-year-old prima donna?

Owens has basically caused problems in every clubhouse he has ever been in except, ironically, Buffalo, where his production has been the lowest.

The Bears’ current crop of wide receivers includes a lot of young talent in Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, and Earl Bennett. Would the addition of Owens help this trio by having his experience and his command of the opposing team’s No. 1 corner?

Or would his selfish attitude and arrogant personality disrupt the locker room?

Whose roster spot would be taken if the Bears traded a draft pick for him? The most obvious answer would be Devin Aromashodu since Rashied Davis continues to be a special teams ace.

(In my opinion, if the the Bears traded for Owens, I have no problem waving goodbye to Josh Bullocks, who has yet to see the field on defense this year.)

In the end, it is unlikely that Jerry Angelo would send ANOTHER draft pick away IF the Bills are even interested, but it raises some interesting scenarios if the Bears wanted to try to make it happen. It certainly will be a fun story to follow leading up the Bears’ showdown with the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday Night Football.

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Okay Bear Fans, Who Should I Be Rooting For? The Vikings Or The Packers

While ESPN continues to drool over the upcoming Monday Night Football game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers, I continue to sit here and wonder how I should be watching this game.

It is, for the lack of a better analogy, like Darth Vader going up against the Empire.

It is the one man that Bears fans hate more than any other person in this world in Brett Favre (only person that comes anywhere close is Charles Martin)

vs.

The evil empire themselves. The Bears chief rival always seems to have the NFC North Championship go through its historic Lambeau Field and has been the center of much of my heartache for the past 10 years.

I laughed gleefully after the ugly divorce between Favre and the Packers.

I cheered the fact that both the Jets and Packers missed the playoffs last year, with the Packers being unable to win close games and Favre’s second half swoon finishing what had been a promising start.

I rolled my eyes when Favre announced once again that he was retiring.

And then I stood there quietly thinking when Favre returned to the NFL with Minnesota.

…I thought of this moment. I thought of this situation.

On the one hand, it is easy to just root for the Vikings because when it comes down to it, I hate them slightly less than I do the Packers…I always have and I always will. The Minnesota/Chicago rivalry will always take a back seat for me to the Green Bay/Chicago games.

Plus, I have an immense amount of respect for Adrian Peterson. And an extreme dislike for Charles Woodson, Al Harris, and most of the Packers’ linebacker corps.

But on the flip side, I realize that if I was looking at it from a pure football standpoint, then I should be rooting for the Packers because I do not want to see the ANY team in the NFC North jump out to a 4-0 start, with a 2-0 conference record. What is more, rooting for Brett Favre is really an impossibility for me.

I mean, I hated the Jets when he signed there just because of him. AND I like Thomas Jones. But now he is with another North team and what is more, they are leading the division.

Plus, I respect Aaron Rodgers for his ability, and my hatred doesn’t just lay with Favre, it is directed to the Williams sisters in the middle, Jared Allen and that money grubbing turncoat Bernard Berrian also.

I can’t even use fantasy football to bail me on on this one because in all of my leagues, I do not own one single Viking or one single Packer. It is just against my nature.

Now, whom do I cheer for?

I can’t cheer for a good game. If I had it my way, these teams would tie each other at 17-17 and have eight unforced turnovers, two missed field goals each, wounded duck passes, penalties, missed tackles, and a multitude of other errors.

And regardless of who wins, I will have to see nothing but love being spread for whoever wins. Either it will be another amazing game from the “ageless wonder” Favre or it will be about how about the freakin’ Packer fans got their revenge upon Brett.

Neither story is one I look forward to, come Tuesday morning.

So, when Monday afternoon rolls around, while I will be hopefully basking in a Bears’ victory, I will also still be struggling with whom I want to lose between these two evil foes.

The green and gold that I have grown to despise or the purple squad who added on to my hatred when they gave Brett Favre a home?

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