The whole world is rightfully calling for Grossman's head today, but the key play in the loss was Ced Benson's fumble. Yes, point at Rex for sucking. But "Bad Rex" never really came out until Benson cost the Bears any offensive rhythm, which as we know is the most essential ingredient for "Good Rex." Rex is, unfortunately, not cool, calm, and collected. And his panic-induced mistakes can (and did) cost the Bears a ball game. But why was he in that position in the first place? Because Cedric Benson sucks. Up to the point of the fumble (in fairness, I thought his knee was down), the Rex and the offense were serviceable. After it, panic city. Let's look at the drives.
Q1. (A) Great field position to start the game, Benson looks good out of the gate, Rex goes 0-2, punt.
(B) Long drive, down to the six. On the drive, Rex looks good, Benson gets some holes, G-Reg makes his first catch. 2nd and goal from the 2, Benson gets stuffed. Ron Turner shows no faith in Ced on 3rd and 2 and elects to sprint Rex out. Can you think of a more awful play call in ANY situation than "Rex Grossman sprint-out?" Field goal.
Q2. (A) Rex and Bernie stay on the same page. Moose and Rex are not. Did Moose break off the route? I don't know, but if he would have run the route Rex threw, it would have been first and goal.
(B) Benson sucks, Rex throws to a covered Rashied Davis. Where is Mark Bradley?
(C) Terrible field position, holding, sack, run, punt. Ware abused Mark Tait, and yes, Rex can't scramble.
(D) Great field position after a lucky INT. Rex hits Berrian again, then Bernie drops a TD or at least 1st and goal inside the 5. Fake field goal attempt.
(E) They actually tried to score with 38 seconds left! A lucky horsecollar call, then Ware owns Tait again. At halftime, its tied, the D is still fresh because at least the offense is out on the field. If Benson doesn't suck and Bernie makes a catch (it looked like he lost it in the lights), its 14-3.
Q3. (A) Rex scrambles, hits Clark long, hits G-Reg (who looked tenative, I thought he could have scored), Ced gets in. A great drive.
(B) Down 7, near midfield, Ced fumbles with :30 left in the quarter. At this point, the D is already struggling, because Tony Romo is an escape artist who was about half a step ahead of about 10 sacks. Now they have to come back out gassed, and boom, it's a two score game.
Q4. (A) Now down 10, Rex panics, a la the Super Bowl, tosses up a duck, returned for a TD. Game over.
David Haugh wrote after the Chargers game (can't find the link) that this offense is not built to overcome fumbles. It may expect to have to see an interception or two, but if the ground game starts coughing it up too, forget about it.
Down 7, coming off a great drive, needing to keep the D off the field to regroup, Ced put it on the ground. Down 10, Rex presses, game over.
I agree that it's Greise time in Chicago, but if Ced and AP continually get stuffed and put the ball on the ground, it won't matter. Not only will Greise be unable to overcome those mistakes, but even the vaunted D needs to rest (see Marion Barber 5 carries, 31 yards late in the fourth).
In other news, thank god the NFC North sucks.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Sunday, September 23, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
Week 2: Chiefs Postgame
First thought: Devin Hester is a fictional character. This is the NFL. The players are physical freaks: giant men who also happen to be very, very fast. They are trained to knock down other giant men. And these NFL players, arguably the greatest and toughest athletes in the world are almost always able to knock/pull/push/drag down the guy with the ball. Or at least shove him out of bounds. And then there is Devin Hester. As I said earlier, he must be a fictional character, because somehow, he makes 11 outstanding athletes, whose sole purpose is to knock him down, look like old dogs chasing a rabbit. Who among you, NFL coaches, is so arrogant to think that your team can get away with kicking it deep?
Other notes: Devin excepted, this game was pretty boring, wasn’t it? I guess the defense forcing turnovers is exciting, but its almost expected now. And while Ced’s numbers look good now, it was a rather ho-hum 101. Rex, well, he’s always exciting I guess, but nobody enjoys that. Hey at least Urlacher got his first sack since early 05! And the crowd went crazy for it too.
Dad’s report from Soldier Field: Dancin’ Ditka (the fat guy in an 89 jersey who dances during every time-out in hopes of getting on the jumbotron) is back for more! And he wanted to know where The Great Mark Bradley and Garrett Wolfe were.
Mom’s report from Soldier Field: She wishes Mike Carey would do every game. And Urlacher has great shoes, which you can see in photo 19 here.
Things I watched in Week 2:
Maynard watch: I updated this late on Saturday after I found out about Dirk Johnson, so the situation wasn’t as dire as I thought it might be. But they he gets hurt and Robbie had to punt anyway! In any event, there was the mini heart-attack on the first punt when the rent-a-punter dropped the low snap from the normally perfect Pat Mannelly. And the shank on Gould’s first punt. And the fact that my dad thinks Johnson is faking his injury to get paid for the whole year instead of one week. But hey, the Bears got away unscathed. And thankfully it’s only one week, because over time, those mistakes would turn out terribly. (PS. Remember how I said in the pregame post that the Bears were the ones who are supposed to win games with game-breaking special teams? Ahem, see Brandon, Manitoba’s own Izzy Idonije’s blocked kick. And that 23 guy as well)
Danieal Manning watch: I thought Manning was serviceable in his first start of 2007. Obviously he had the pick in the endzone, but he benefited from a great play from Peanut on that one. He seemed late getting over a few times, especially on the chaotic play in the back corner that ended up as the Chiefs’ lone TD of the day. He’ll keep getting better, and Tillman and Vasher will make him look good.
O-line watch: They had outstanding push this week, and looked dominant on the TD drive in the second quarter. Not sure why they had so much trouble picking up the blitz early, but it looked like the result of missed pickups by the backs rather than Rex or Olin misreading the D. It’s good to see Kruetz and Rueben get a little chippy, too.
Things I'll be watching for in 2007 (running themes):
Corey Dillon watch: Cedric showed up! Ok, so he can’t get the corner, and he’s not going to break any long ones. So he might be the second coming of Anthony Thomas. But if he gives the Bears 1,100 yards and keeps the clock moving by being a sure thing on third-and-short, I’ll take it.
Rex watch: I didn’t bring a pen or paper to Alary’s so I’ll be going from memory. In the first half I remember him going deep into coverage, woefully underthrowing Bernard and having it be nearly picked. CBS camera’s barely showed Rex ripping his chinstrap off like he was looking for a flag. Still, an awful throw. The first pick was terrible footwork, and another example of why you want your QB to be taller than 5’11.” Could he even see Wolfe? Or Napoleon Harris? I doubt it. And maybe the Chiefs saw it coming when Wolfe came into the game for the first time? Obvious play-call, terrible execution. I love the Edwards pick because Rex hummed it in with such confidence and hit him right between the numbers. He must not have seen him. You do not hear great quarterbacks say they didn’t see someone. All-in-all, Rex was who we thought he was. It didn’t cost them the game or anything, but he better start improving quickly.
Other notes: Devin excepted, this game was pretty boring, wasn’t it? I guess the defense forcing turnovers is exciting, but its almost expected now. And while Ced’s numbers look good now, it was a rather ho-hum 101. Rex, well, he’s always exciting I guess, but nobody enjoys that. Hey at least Urlacher got his first sack since early 05! And the crowd went crazy for it too.
Dad’s report from Soldier Field: Dancin’ Ditka (the fat guy in an 89 jersey who dances during every time-out in hopes of getting on the jumbotron) is back for more! And he wanted to know where The Great Mark Bradley and Garrett Wolfe were.
Mom’s report from Soldier Field: She wishes Mike Carey would do every game. And Urlacher has great shoes, which you can see in photo 19 here.
Things I watched in Week 2:
Maynard watch: I updated this late on Saturday after I found out about Dirk Johnson, so the situation wasn’t as dire as I thought it might be. But they he gets hurt and Robbie had to punt anyway! In any event, there was the mini heart-attack on the first punt when the rent-a-punter dropped the low snap from the normally perfect Pat Mannelly. And the shank on Gould’s first punt. And the fact that my dad thinks Johnson is faking his injury to get paid for the whole year instead of one week. But hey, the Bears got away unscathed. And thankfully it’s only one week, because over time, those mistakes would turn out terribly. (PS. Remember how I said in the pregame post that the Bears were the ones who are supposed to win games with game-breaking special teams? Ahem, see Brandon, Manitoba’s own Izzy Idonije’s blocked kick. And that 23 guy as well)
Danieal Manning watch: I thought Manning was serviceable in his first start of 2007. Obviously he had the pick in the endzone, but he benefited from a great play from Peanut on that one. He seemed late getting over a few times, especially on the chaotic play in the back corner that ended up as the Chiefs’ lone TD of the day. He’ll keep getting better, and Tillman and Vasher will make him look good.
O-line watch: They had outstanding push this week, and looked dominant on the TD drive in the second quarter. Not sure why they had so much trouble picking up the blitz early, but it looked like the result of missed pickups by the backs rather than Rex or Olin misreading the D. It’s good to see Kruetz and Rueben get a little chippy, too.
Things I'll be watching for in 2007 (running themes):
Corey Dillon watch: Cedric showed up! Ok, so he can’t get the corner, and he’s not going to break any long ones. So he might be the second coming of Anthony Thomas. But if he gives the Bears 1,100 yards and keeps the clock moving by being a sure thing on third-and-short, I’ll take it.
Rex watch: I didn’t bring a pen or paper to Alary’s so I’ll be going from memory. In the first half I remember him going deep into coverage, woefully underthrowing Bernard and having it be nearly picked. CBS camera’s barely showed Rex ripping his chinstrap off like he was looking for a flag. Still, an awful throw. The first pick was terrible footwork, and another example of why you want your QB to be taller than 5’11.” Could he even see Wolfe? Or Napoleon Harris? I doubt it. And maybe the Chiefs saw it coming when Wolfe came into the game for the first time? Obvious play-call, terrible execution. I love the Edwards pick because Rex hummed it in with such confidence and hit him right between the numbers. He must not have seen him. You do not hear great quarterbacks say they didn’t see someone. All-in-all, Rex was who we thought he was. It didn’t cost them the game or anything, but he better start improving quickly.
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Week 2: Chiefs Pregame
Things I'll be watching for Week 2:
Maynard watch (Update): The Bears signed Dirk Johnson for Sunday's game. I wonder how impressed he is by Pat Mannelly.This is a big deal, Bears fans. The Bears D should be able to dominate the Chiefs offense, but if KC gets to play with a short field all day, anything could happen. On top of the field position implications, the fluke special teams play that turned the Chargers loss is still fresh in my mind. The 2006 team won with game-breaking special teams. Here's hoping 2007 isn't the exact opposite. Needless to say, without Maynard, I'll be biting my nails every time Robbie Gould or Kevin Payne lines up to punt.
Danieal Manning watch: We all know Mike Brown is a ball-hawk(1), the emotional leader, and a huge part of the Bears swarming D... I don't need to expound on that. Super Bowl gaffe aside, I have confidence in D. Manning. I'll still watching closely this week, as safety could quickly become the weak point in this defense. We now have Manning's inexperience lining up next to the unproven Archuleta.... Chris Harris anybody? The good news is that the new-look secondary gets to jell against the aerially-challenged Chiefs offense.
O-line watch: Boy, they looked old last week. I know they only played one snap together in the preseason. But please, don't use that excuse when you told us all through camp that as veterans, you know when to turn it on. Was it the tough front 7 of San Diego? Let's hope so.
Things I'll be watching for in 2007 (running themes):
Corey Dillon watch: I do not like Cedric Benson. Please change my mind, Ced. Please.
Rex watch: I'll be keeping a tally of "Mental Midget" decisions (2), poor footwork, and panic attacks. Seriously, did you think I could blog about the Bears without mentioning Rex?
Notes:
(1) Mike Brown was about as close to Johnny On-the-Spot as I have ever seen. And we all know that Johnny On-the-Spot is the greatest football player of all-time.
(2) There has to be a more PC way of putting it, but man, what a hilarious and spot-on comment. I can promise you that if you are a Bears fan with any friends whatsoever, you have not heard the last of the term "mental midget."
Maynard watch (Update): The Bears signed Dirk Johnson for Sunday's game. I wonder how impressed he is by Pat Mannelly.
Danieal Manning watch: We all know Mike Brown is a ball-hawk(1), the emotional leader, and a huge part of the Bears swarming D... I don't need to expound on that. Super Bowl gaffe aside, I have confidence in D. Manning. I'll still watching closely this week, as safety could quickly become the weak point in this defense. We now have Manning's inexperience lining up next to the unproven Archuleta.... Chris Harris anybody? The good news is that the new-look secondary gets to jell against the aerially-challenged Chiefs offense.
O-line watch: Boy, they looked old last week. I know they only played one snap together in the preseason. But please, don't use that excuse when you told us all through camp that as veterans, you know when to turn it on. Was it the tough front 7 of San Diego? Let's hope so.
Things I'll be watching for in 2007 (running themes):
Corey Dillon watch: I do not like Cedric Benson. Please change my mind, Ced. Please.
Rex watch: I'll be keeping a tally of "Mental Midget" decisions (2), poor footwork, and panic attacks. Seriously, did you think I could blog about the Bears without mentioning Rex?
Notes:
(1) Mike Brown was about as close to Johnny On-the-Spot as I have ever seen. And we all know that Johnny On-the-Spot is the greatest football player of all-time.
(2) There has to be a more PC way of putting it, but man, what a hilarious and spot-on comment. I can promise you that if you are a Bears fan with any friends whatsoever, you have not heard the last of the term "mental midget."
View from KC
A couple articles from Kansas City that should help Bears fans breathe easy:
On the defense:
Ok, Herm, nice prediction. It would seem to me that every team wants to have a defense like the Bears. It also seems that very few teams will ever get there. It takes talent, or, if the Chiefs think they can get there "eventually," at least promising young talent. Looking at their roster, it would seem that Tamba Hali is the only guy that fits the bill. I mean they start Alphonso Boone for crying out loud. The linebackers feature Donnie Edwards (past his prime) and Napoleon Harris (best known in my household as a member of the 1995 Thornton Wildcats that featured 4 professional athletes in their starting 5). In the secondary I see big names like Patrick Surtain and Ty Law, which would be great if this was 2000. So Herm, I'd like to know why exactly you expect to get to an elite level.
Hilariously, the article goes on to say that Chiefs fans aren't concerned. Rather, they would rather see Edwards focus on an offense that laid an egg last week. Herm doesn't care.
News flash: scoring points helps!
Let's go through what we learned from the KC Star: The Chief's D is at least a few years away. The O is terrible. And the coach claims to understand why you play, yet thinks that it's worth noting that scoring points helps. At least they have the Royals...
On the defense:
"Eventually, Edwards predicts, folks will be saying the same kind of things about the Chiefs, who hope to establish the same type of leathery identity with their defense that Chicago has formed under coach Lovie Smith."
Ok, Herm, nice prediction. It would seem to me that every team wants to have a defense like the Bears. It also seems that very few teams will ever get there. It takes talent, or, if the Chiefs think they can get there "eventually," at least promising young talent. Looking at their roster, it would seem that Tamba Hali is the only guy that fits the bill. I mean they start Alphonso Boone for crying out loud. The linebackers feature Donnie Edwards (past his prime) and Napoleon Harris (best known in my household as a member of the 1995 Thornton Wildcats that featured 4 professional athletes in their starting 5). In the secondary I see big names like Patrick Surtain and Ty Law, which would be great if this was 2000. So Herm, I'd like to know why exactly you expect to get to an elite level.
Hilariously, the article goes on to say that Chiefs fans aren't concerned. Rather, they would rather see Edwards focus on an offense that laid an egg last week. Herm doesn't care.
"I’d love to have an offense that scores 30 points a game,” Edwards said. “But most offenses don’t do that. I’m not saying that I don’t want to score points. (Scoring points) helps because then my defense can unleash on them."
News flash: scoring points helps!
Let's go through what we learned from the KC Star: The Chief's D is at least a few years away. The O is terrible. And the coach claims to understand why you play, yet thinks that it's worth noting that scoring points helps. At least they have the Royals...
Friday, September 14, 2007
Media picks
ESPN: Bears across the board.
Tribune Staff: All Bears
CS.com Bloggers: Da Bears
Peter King: Bears 26- Chiefs 3
Dan Shanoff: Bears
Kansas City Star: Bears 24-9
My pick coming soon...
CS.com Bloggers: Da Bears
Peter King: Bears 26- Chiefs 3
Dan Shanoff: Bears
Kansas City Star: Bears 24-9
My pick coming soon...
Virgin Post
Welcome to Bear Down, a Chicago Bears blog. I know it's probably poor timing to debut a new blog two days before Week Two, but better late than never.
More on the match-up vs. KC to follow.
More on the match-up vs. KC to follow.
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