PFF Article on Bears

[adam]

https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/...-chicago-bears/

 

Pretty good read. Some interesting stats I was not aware of (Forte bad at pass blocking).

[CrackerDog]

Good article but mostly could've been written by us. I don't share their worry about backup RB at this point because I think we saw they had promise last weekend. We'd miss Forte if here were injured for lots of reasons and you aren't goinng to have someone of his caliber backing him up. But I think the guys we have can spell him enough to keep him fresh.

[Alaskan Grizzly]

Interesting points made in the article. Especially how not all that great the O-line was overall. Both tackles (Bushrod and Mills) were listed as concerns. And according to the article Long was a "slight upgrade" over Rachal and Spencer from the year before. Despite he being chosen for a Pro Bowl. Yet, according to the article, both Garza and Slauson graded out better and neither was chosen for the Pro Bowl.

 

I agree that I'm not nearly as concerned with the backup RB play. Both Draughn and Carey have shown promise. I think it safe to say that either will be capable as a third down back should it be necessary. Nice thing is that Forte is pretty durable and plays despite maybe battling injury (from two years ago?).

 

The linebackers will be a concern, as a whole. I still lack confidence in Williams' ability in staying on the field and have yet to see him do anything noteworthy when he is. Briggs will produce but he's in the twilight of his career. Bostic is imporviing but he's not "there" yet. And IMHO if anyone has shown some improvement its McCLellin. I have to say in watching the re-broadcast of the game against Jax he was involved in most plays and seemed to be in the right place, most of the time. Will this translate to effective play against Seattle this week? Remains to be seen. The fact that not one player stands out enough to carry the rest of the group concerns me personally.

 

In the safety area I really want to see Wilson and Vereen get the start. Not sure either will be able but I've got my fingers crossed. With the potential of Wilson's leadership and ability to recognize where he needs to be (and his stout run defense) I think Vereen could gain gobs of experience points. I'm in no way shape or form convinced that Conte is capable of holding his position at Safety. Especially after having off season shoulder surgery.

 

I think a lot will be learned after the Seattle game. And to his credit Kromer paraphrased it best. If we do good great, if we don't we have time to fix it before the regular season.

[AZ54]

Good article but mostly could've been written by us. I don't share their worry about backup RB at this point because I think we saw they had promise last weekend. We'd miss Forte if here were injured for lots of reasons and you aren't goinng to have someone of his caliber backing him up. But I think the guys we have can spell him enough to keep him fresh.

 

True, not a lot there that we don't talk about here. I've seen plenty of Forte misses on pass protection to know he's not a great pass blocker, despite what John Gruden says.

 

As far as the Oline…the article looked at overall grades for the season. Early on we had tons of issues with plays, missed blocking assignments, etc. The first 4 games were not smooth at all on offense. I think Long improved significantly over the course of the season while Mills improved in some areas but still struggled with speed rushers in space. We all knew Bushrod was not an elite LT but he does well enough that Cutler doesn't have to worry about it on each snap. The key is that the inside is solid (as Kromer and Trestman wanted) allowing Cutler opportunities to move around. I'm curious to see if Ola continues to improve and gives Mills a run for the spot at RT. I don't foresee that happening but Ola's play could mean the end of the road for a guy like Britton.