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That doesn't make sense. That's saying that Cutler is better this year because of the players that surround him, and would still surround any other QB that replaced him. That's a point the bears would make, not Cutler's agent?

I actually LIKE the one gap scheme. When it works, it's extremely effective. But it takes time to learn, so new players and coaches don't usually excel in it early.

Yes. Finally. This is exactly what's happening. It happened in Urlacher's first year too. I predicted it on this board at the beginning of the season. A one gap front has 8 guys responsible for 8 holes. A two gap, like most of the league plays, is where the DL is responsible for the gap on either side of him. In a 2 gap, the LBs are like little safeties. The are a second line of defense, and the safeties are the 3rd line. In our front, there is no second line of defense. THe good of it is that the DL doesnt have to stay where he is to read holes, he can get right upfield into his gap. This theoretically means more plays for losses and more pressure on the QB. It deosn't leave room for error when someone is out of their gap or gets beat. In that case, the first man to make the stop will be a safety for an 8 yard run. We saw a lot of those early with Lovie too, until players learned their gaps. That we've had injuries and new players, both free agents in their first year, and pickups to replace injuries, means that we see more of this. When it works, its no gain. When it doesn't, it's 8 yards. The good news is that football rewards consistency (gotta keep making 1st downs) more than inconsistency with big plays, so a few no gian plays sets up passing situations, and then we can pass rush. Problem is, people are out of gaps, and frankly, some people in gaps are just plain getting beaten too. emery did well with the LB & OL groups. Im sure he'll work hard on the DL next year.

This is what's going on. I predicted it before the season started. In a one gap system, it takes time for new players to learn their run fits. Also, some people, even if they are in the right hole, are getting blown out by superior blockers. That's because of the rash of injuries on the DL specifically at DT. I don't blame Briggs for this at all.

What, Webb again?

I disagree. I thought Bostic was excellent in coverage, but had trouble getting off of blocks in the run game from what I saw.

I didnt read his comment to mean he was frustrated that Cutler wasn't choosing him, but that he was getting double teamed. I don't have any problem with what he said. I think Marshall is a good guy.

Yeah that's what I figured Grizzly, my response was to the phrase, and not what you meant by it

Actually the phrase "the pot calling the kettle black" implies that they are BOTH the same, in this case both thugs. And while I appreciate the irony given that Detroit is one of the dirtiest teams in the league, I am not willing to make that point while also saying the Bears are dirty, cuz they're not. I see a hard hitting aggressive team that plays within the rules. I don't see cheap shots from this team. I see fierce competitors. You probably didnt mean that when you started this thread, just the irony of Ford's statement, still i thought I'd make the point

HA! That joke is the ONLY kind of cheese we like here

Awesome

Without Burleson, I expect the Bears to bracket Megatron, so whoever draws the coverage won't be alone with him anyway. I think that means Jennings is alone vs. #2, because he can handle the solo responsibility, and because he doesnt have the height to play Johnson straight up anyway. Also, with Megatron doubled, the likelihood of Jennings getting more targets increases, and that means he has more chances to get interceptions, which plays to his strength. Since I expect more man coverage as a result of bracketing Johnson, I expect we will be free to blitz more too, which is a great plan vs. Stafford anyway, especially missing Melton and the lack of pass rush in general the past three weeks when only rushing 4. It kinda all fits together.

He's been hurt or sick or something, I predict he will straighten out at some point this season. He hasn't played well this year, but I don't think you cut him just yet.

Let's give him a chance. Sheesh.

Hahahaha totally. I'm a little more concerned about the game Pittsburgh is going to give us tho. 0-2 teams are dangerous.

It's too easy to second guess the play call. Football is a game of rock/paper/scissors and sometimes going away from the vanilla option is necessary. I don't blame Trestman for calling that play at all. He probably figures even with an incomplete pass it forces the defense to play us honestly on subsequent running downs. The armchair offensive coordinators here tell us the regular vanilla first option is a run. Yes I am SURE Trestman knows that LOL but you gotta mix it up, and Trestman has earned the right as an offensive coordinator in this league to call a change up. The real problem was why Cutler didn't just throw the ball away, and try again on second down. That's what we need to be focusing on. Trestman's call might not have generated a touchdown right there on first down at the goalline, but it sure didn't imply the interception had Cutler executed it properly. I'm still rooting for Cutler, but that decision and a few others leave me worried. I hope Trestman can straighten him out to think more strategically, that you don't win the game on every play, sometimes you fold your hand, and play the next one. We've got enough horses to win consistently if we can play smart.

Not all the points are scored on the defense. The kickoff return and the fumble recovery this week for example. They only socred 16 on us. And frankly, when the offense stops making mistakes, it will limit opponents scoring even more, both in terms of limiting their time with the ball, and in terms of our defensive front being better rested in the 3rd and 4th quarters. I think we've seen a lot to be happy about - talent, a scheme etc. I also think we've been terribly inefficient, and with good coaching we ought to get much better. It's early, but the trajectory looks good to me.

ESPN has the Bears 9th, with the Bengals 10th Packers are 7th. Lions 18th. Vikings 21st. http://espn.go.com/nfl/powerrankings

This is GREAT news. I hope the offensive tackles play with all the understanding of our scheme that Webb has. If he could show them some of what he's learned from Kromer's blocking techniques that'd be great too. Now yes I understand he's scouting for the defense, but still. Let's go kill those Vikings.

Right on Dude.

I'm not sure that a lot of us aren't misunderstanding Trestman. I don't think he is as passionless as he may seem at first glance. Take a karate master. They aren't going to yell at you when they assert to defend themselves. They may calmly look you in the eye and say "If you attack me I will defeat you" and trust me, you're going to get your butt kicked. I think Trestman provides a moral framework for fully aggressive play. I heard him say something like "If you respect your opponent you must give every ounce of effort you have to defeat them" I recognize that style of thinking. It is certainly controlled, but not passive in the least. I think Trestman's effect goes beyond Xs and Os and that he will prove to be an excellent emotional leader as well. It may not be readily apparent in sound bytes, but my read of him is that he is a killer competitor. Bill Belichick is similar in seeming emotionless but actually seething with competitive fire, but Trestman is more philosophical than Belichick so they are pretty different too. I really like where we seem to be heading.

THE GOOD Cutler wasn't sacked all day Cutler got rid of the ball quickly Receivers were well coached into good positions, generally open Forte looks good in the zone scheme our CBs are turnover machines Gould is great Playcalling, and halftime adjustments THE BAD NO pass pressure on Dalton People out of gaps on D, too many safeties making too many tackles Running lanes were inconsistent for FOrte Too many drops by WRs Hester is ordinary I liked a lot of what I saw today. We can build on this performance - there is a lOT of work to do, but they are up to it I believe.

I wanted to say a few more mean things before you locked it Now, GO BEARS.

You're so childish LOLOL

Dude. Shut. The. freak. Up. Already. For real go get some therapy or something. Cuz even if you were right (and you're not) your idea that you're going to get an entire community of people to bow down to you and give you the last word and no one ever question you again is friggin' bizarre. Just accept that people will think differently than you, and a lot of us believe you have acted incredibly foolishly. Learn to deal with that without trying to control everyone around you, and LET IT GO. I'm seriously ready to reach through the computer and slap you. It's pathetic.