Why I hate this matchup w/ Chicago

[Cat'sGrowl]

Exactly. But that has been easier said than done for this defense. Beanie Wells, James Starks, and MJD have faired pretty well so far.

And Forte had a field day against us last year.

As for the offense, I don't think we have to be perfect, just patient. In addition to be inaccurate in the first half last week, he was also impatient to start the game.

Not a totally bad thing b/c I like having a QB that goes for the jugular, but Chicago's defense is predicated on bending but not breaking.

Atlanta made a lot of mistakes week 1 trying to throw it down the field early and then falling behind late and having to throw and Chicago teed off on Matt Ryan.

If the defense can stop Forte, and pressure Cutler, I think we stand a good chance.

And then on offense, just be patient and take what the defense gives.

ALL those numbers by those back's have been inflated. this DL has played much better than anyone thought it would coming into the season.

Not to mention, the Bear's haven't exactly made a strong commitment to the run game. Forte will be more utilized in the screen game than anything else.

[I am Hubby]

i don't care how fast their receivers are...they don't have nearly the time necessary to get into position b/c of that piss poor oline.

I have to agree with this. Their O-line is turrible, well maybe just really bad. This is the reason we win. If, the defense does not help them, their offense will struggle all day.

As to the "Chicago cover 2". It is basically a reactive d, because it keeps everything in front of them. However, if you can handle their front four, you can attack it on the ground, as well as dump-offs and screens, and deep throws under the safties. The exact things we like to do.

Chicago should become just another stepping stone on our road back to relevance.

And oh yeah, one is a bad game, and two is a trend. Let's not get too excited about Cameron just yet.

And GOOOOOOO PATHERS!!!!!!!!!!!

[beastson]

Im thinking Olsen and Shockey have a field day

But I get a good feeling Steve will have a good day going unnoticed cause of those 2

[I am Hubby]

ALL those numbers by those back's have been inflated. this DL has played much better than anyone thought it would coming into the season.

Not to mention, the Bear's haven't exactly made a strong commitment to the run game. Forte will be more utilized in the screen game than anything else.

Not going to count preseason myself, because I see steady improvement from the d-line. I definately agree they are playing better than expected at this point.

As to Forte. He is Peppers 2.0. He can dominate, or he can disappear. If you can contain him early, he has a tendency to go into a funk. If he goes off early, he can be a beast. I would prefer the former, because he is basically their only true threat.

Just a couple thoughts. And GOOOOOOO PANTHERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rico6]

Biggest threat the Bears have is Urlacher.

[CatMan72]

they sill have one of the two worst olines in the league right now. as much as this might be a juicy matchup for a mike martz offense, that oline with a QB that is having to make quick passes is still going to keep them down. we keep that pressure on cutler and he won't have time to make those big throws.

that isn't what i'm worried about. the martz offense is irrelevant because they can't run it the way it's intended. the only thing i'm worried about offensively is matt forte.

as far as their cover2 defense...last week was essentially a scrimmage to help cam and the boys get it figured out. the thing that has always been kryptonite for the tampa2 are TEs. they are always weak in the seams. we have two very solid TEs, one of them has a very solid knowledge of their defense, having watched them for 4 years and practicing against them weekly, and we have a QB that is incredibly comfortable throwing to them.

i like our chances.

Yup, I was sitting here thinking the Jacksonville game provided Cam with a nice primer for the cover-2 defense... I would much rather he work the kinks out against Jacksonville then Chicago.

His performance against Jacksonville (when the sky wasn't falling) also gave the coaching staff a chance to see what he was good at and not good at vs. the cover-2 at this point in his development, so all the way around it was a good opportunity for him to get acquainted against an opponent that was more forgiving of mistakes.

The TD Cam threw to Olsen at the end of the Jacksonville game was a perfect cover-2 busting play... Chud had both Olsen and Smitty run right across the middle of the field through the zones and it caused some hesitation/confusion with the coverage responsibilities. That moment of hesitation allowed Cam to hit Olsen with the pass and gave Olsen a lane to the end zone. We have play-makers on offense, just need to dink and dunk against Chicago until they get frustrated and drop a safety down... then we go over the top.

[CatMan72]

A good screen game causes the cover-2 fits as well... and the last time I check Stew was pretty dangerous on screen plays.

[pawsandclaws]

I know why Cam was off last week. It was obvious. EVERYTIME we passed he would back up with the ball 5 or 7 steps and look down the field. Often with the ball held high. Everyone on the defense knew it was a pass.

[Montsta]

A good screen game causes the cover-2 fits as well... and the last time I check Stew was pretty dangerous on screen plays.

This is exactly what I've been saying. Stew has shown he can be a Westbrook-type out of the backfield. We can still stretch the field with Smitty and run tight ends in the seams, but if Stew is open as an option in the flat and has some time to gain a full head of steam, well let's just say Chris harris won't be posting that picture on twitter.

[ItsPantone278]

I love the fact that coach came out and said head on this isn't just your regular game. If he said that to the media I can't imagine the emotion behind the scene. Schematically the OP has a good point though. Cam looked very uncomfortable against the cover 2 last week, but to be honest I'm glad we got a bit of a warm up run with those looks, as the Bears have perfected that scheme over the years.

[edromeo]

The Bears scare me too.

I was saying this in another thread but I was focused mainly on how tight their Cover 2/Tampa 2 defense is and always has been.

But the scary part about their offense is they have talent.

Forte is a very good back and Cutler is actually a good QB when he isn't on the ground.

We have to hope that Lovie Smith doesn't reign in Mike Martz multiple receiver minimum pass protection run averse offense.

Back to the Cover 2/Tampa 2.

This defense gives veteran QBs fits.

This defense was able to keep the Bears in the NFC championship game with Caleb Haney at QB.

[I am Hubby]

There are various ways to attack the cover 2 that Chicago uses. Dump offs and screens work well, as does the deep throw underneath the safties. Just happens to be three things we do well.

However, the only way to beat it is to own the line of scrimmage. If they can rush just the front four, you are in for a long day. If they have to adjust, they become just another D.

Also, if you can control the front four and have some success in the run game, you can exploit the back seven as they have a tendency to creep up on the line. If Harris is out, their safties are beatable.

If we cut down on the mistakes, and can handle the front four, we have a realistic shot at winning.

Just how I see this. And GOOOO PANTHERS!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kevin Greene]

I know Smitty is going to have something special for Chicago.

[MadHatter]

Carolina Panthers pass D

They have given up 5 passing TDs in 3 games. Only 2 of those games did they face a legit threat in the passing game.

84, 70, 49, 48, and a 36 yd TD pass. If you are a Mike Martz offense, this on paper looks like the exact type of matchup you want to get your team back on track. Carolina isn't just giving up pass plays, they are giving up HUGE ones.

Chicago Bears D scheme

It was painfully obvious week 3 Cam hit a stumbling block (it happens w/ rookies). Was it just a random bad day or was it the rookie struggling w/ something specific. Weeks 1 and 2 he faced aggressive schemes that as a result gave him lots of 1 on 1 coverage downfield. Against the Jags he was off early and often. Jags didn't give him those looks b/c they play 2 deep safties at a high rate......just like Chicago. So if a team dictates that they don't want to allow Carolina to pick up there "chunks" of yards w/ the deep vertical........can we move the ball consistantly?

Too bad that the Bears don't have a single WR that could even make the GB or Arizona squads.

the two games you are referring to were against teams with outstanding WR's....fitz, jennings, nelson, etc....

the MM offense will only work with a stacked WR corp...something th eBears don't even come close to.