The Running Plays and Blitz Pickup

[lemonej]

Last night out of all the Bears running attempts only one was a toss to the outside to Bell the rest of the attempts were between the tackles. Maybe thats why we averaged 2.3 yards per run. This is what I saw at TC and that is what they did last night. I don't understand this type of thinking especially when they bring a reciever split wide in motion back towards the o-linemen essentially bringing another defender into the box.

 

Last night the blitz pickup was horrible and it needs to improve dramatically or the QBs are going to get killed. When the Bears were passing a LB was coming off the edge on almost every play unblocked. This team features a 3-4 and there are a few teams on the schedule who play that scheme most notably gb and NE.You have to figure whenever the Bears go empty backfield the opponents are going to blitz.

 

While the Bears are trying to spin this game in a positive way, I'm not because I didn't see enough of the starting unit on O to really gage anything. Maybe I'm crazy but I just think 8 snaps isn't enough.

[bowlingtwig]

Last night out of all the Bears running attempts only one was a toss to the outside to Bell the rest of the attempts were between the tackles. Maybe thats why we averaged 2.3 yards per run. This is what I saw at TC and that is what they did last night. I don't understand this type of thinking especially when they bring a reciever split wide in motion back towards the o-linemen essentially bringing another defender into the box.

 

Last night the blitz pickup was horrible and it needs to improve dramatically or the QBs are going to get killed. When the Bears were passing a LB was coming off the edge on almost every play unblocked. This team features a 3-4 and there are a few teams on the schedule who play that scheme most notably gb and NE.You have to figure whenever the Bears go empty backfield the opponents are going to blitz.

 

While the Bears are trying to spin this game in a positive way, I'm not because I didn't see enough of the starting unit on O to really gage anything. Maybe I'm crazy but I just think 8 snaps isn't enough.

I agree with you in regards to the blitz pickup. It was horrible. Especially the one when Forte essentially whiffed. He needs to at least step in the way. Later in the game Garrett Wolfe at least attempted to get in the way but he is so small that he just gets pushed way like a little fly. For the most part I thought the starting Oline was at least mediocre in pass protection as there was a few times when Cutler and Hanie had time to throw and we saw what happens when they have time. Run blocking is wow help us.

[lemonej]

I agree with you in regards to the blitz pickup. It was horrible. Especially the one when Forte essentially whiffed. He needs to at least step in the way. Later in the game Garrett Wolfe at least attempted to get in the way but he is so small that he just gets pushed way like a little fly. For the most part I thought the starting Oline was at least mediocre in pass protection as there was a few times when Cutler and Hanie had time to throw and we saw what happens when they have time. Run blocking is wow help us.

B-twig I'm right there with you and I also thought it was a litlle unusual for a team to blitz so frequently in a first preseason game. I don't know if Chico was trying to send a message or if that is how they plan to play this year but sending DBs on blitzes when you play a 3-4 was over doing it a bit. I'm not to mad about that since the Bears have some 3-4 teams on the schedule and need to see game action when everything is thrown at them.

[nfoligno]

This was something I had wondered about too. I know that in the past, coaches (around the league, not just ours) do not expect to see a ton of blitzes in the first pre-season game. I remember there was a preseason game last year (can't recall the two teams) and one coach was talking to reporters about how pissed he was at how the other team played. I am not sure if it is an un-written rule or what, but you simply do not usually see loads of blitzing in the first preseason game, and when you do, it is often a carry over effect from the past.

 

I remember some years ago, I took my wife to a Stars/ Blackhawks game, and there was a fight in the first 30 seconds. She asked what could have happened to already piss off the players, and I said it was something from a previous game that simply carried over. I think that is the case here. Even if the blitz is a part of SD's scheme, to not only see blitzing but as much as we did sure does seem to point to Rivera trying to stick it to the guys who fired him. Yes, I realize he was not technically fired, but the fact that we choose not to re-sign the DC of the defense that carried us to the SB is close enough.

 

So to me, it is a bit hard to judge the OL too harshly, YET. This was their first game action with 4 new faces in new positions, learning a new system. No way we should have expected them to look great, but then throw in (a) facing a 3-4 defense which we likely have not spent a lot of time preparing for and ( blitzing on, I believe I read, 6 of the first 8 snaps. Well, I just think we were far more likely to see some problems.

 

With all that said, I was concerned when I read about how Forte looked awful in blitz pickup, but then read that we actually did pickup the blitz fairly well, but that one that was missed early on simply stood out. I read that on both of Cutler's completions, part of what allowed the plays to happen were solid blitz pickups when SD sent a S blitz. So one got through, and it was a big one, but as often as they blitzed, we may not have done as poorly as some initially indicated.

 

B-twig I'm right there with you and I also thought it was a litlle unusual for a team to blitz so frequently in a first preseason game. I don't know if Chico was trying to send a message or if that is how they plan to play this year but sending DBs on blitzes when you play a 3-4 was over doing it a bit. I'm not to mad about that since the Bears have some 3-4 teams on the schedule and need to see game action when everything is thrown at them.

 

[Lucky Luciano]

Last night the blitz pickup was horrible and it needs to improve dramatically or the QBs are going to get killed. When the Bears were passing a LB was coming off the edge on almost every play unblocked. This team features a 3-4 and there are a few teams on the schedule who play that scheme most notably gb and NE.You have to figure whenever the Bears go empty backfield the opponents are going to blitz.

 

While the Bears are trying to spin this game in a positive way, I'm not because I didn't see enough of the starting unit on O to really gage anything. Maybe I'm crazy but I just think 8 snaps isn't enough.

 

a few problems i saw...

 

if lance louis doesn't improve a lot in preseason we/cutler may have some serious problems at RG and our ability to hold a pocket for the qb to step up into. not even counting his lack of ability on running plays. by far he was the weakest link in the starting line and looked like he should have been playing in the 4th quarter rather than the 1st.

 

next was beekman. although he is penciled in as a 2nd string center, from what i saw if we expect him to replace a pro-bowl caliber center in kreutz in the future we are in trouble. by now he should be showing us a lot more at the job he is supposed to fill in the future. to me he does not even come close.

 

the center of our line was continually pushed back from the LOS in these 2 areas.

 

frank 'oh my' our right tackle had a fair game and looked a lot better than last season at this time especially in pass protection (although he had a lot of help from our TE's and dez clark in particular) taking on blockers. with that said, he appears to be a bit slow out of his stance at the snap (although he moved into the 2nd level fairly well) but he seemed to lack the desire to knock a defenders ---- in the dirt. in other words he seems to lack a killer instinct at least at this point in preseason.

 

overall: to me it appears we have at this time, very, very thin depth throughout the line. even if tice proves to be the messiah of the offensive line he still needs some real talent to work with. this falls directly onto angelo who did nothing to improve this situation during the offseason and especially in the draft even with the limited picks he had.

 

EDIT: i think if you were wondering why cutler only worked a series you have to look at what happened to hanie. with all the uncertainty i would rather see cutler sit on the sideline than find out our OL is getting him killed.

[lemonej]

a few problems i saw...

 

if lance louis doesn't improve a lot in preseason we/cutler may have some serious problems at RG and our ability to hold a pocket for the qb to step up into. not even counting his lack of ability on running plays. by far he was the weakest link in the starting line and looked like he should have been playing in the 4th quarter rather than the 1st.

 

next was beekman. although he is penciled in as a 2nd string center, from what i saw if we expect him to replace a pro-bowl caliber center in kreutz in the future we are in trouble. by now he should be showing us a lot more at the job he is supposed to fill in the future. to me he does not even come close.

 

the center of our line was continually pushed back from the LOS in these 2 areas.

 

frank 'oh my' our right tackle had a fair game and looked a lot better than last season at this time especially in pass protection (although he had a lot of help from our TE's and dez clark in particular) taking on blockers. with that said, he appears to be a bit slow out of his stance at the snap (although he moved into the 2nd level fairly well) but he seemed to lack the desire to knock a defenders ---- in the dirt. in other words he seems to lack a killer instinct at least at this point in preseason.

 

overall: to me it appears we have at this time, very, very thin depth throughout the line. even if tice proves to be the messiah of the offensive line he still needs some real talent to work with. this falls directly onto angelo who did nothing to improve this situation during the offseason and especially in the draft even with the limited picks he had.

 

EDIT: i think if you were wondering why cutler only worked a series you have to look at what happened to hanie. with all the uncertainty i would rather see cutler sit on the sideline than find out our OL is getting him killed.

Lucky L I agree with your assessments of the linemen except for Beekman who looked terrible but when I was at TC he was working exclusively at OG. The way he looked in the game was almost as if he had never played the position before. I'm not making excuses for him but if they want him to be ready to spell Kruetz then scrap his duty at OG and work him at center only.

 

[Lucky Luciano]

Lucky L I agree with your assessments of the linemen except for Beekman who looked terrible but when I was at TC he was working exclusively at OG. The way he looked in the game was almost as if he had never played the position before. I'm not making excuses for him but if they want him to be ready to spell Kruetz then scrap his duty at OG and work him at center only.

 

i think my major concern with beekman is he was getting manhandled in pass protection and got nearly no push of the LOS in running downs. he HAS to be able to hold the point of attack in pass protection as center as he is the key to the success or failure of pocket development. he literally was getting run over on pass protection against the chargers.

 

i understand he may have been practicing as a G mostly in camp but to me it is no excuse for the collapse whether he plays G or C especially for a player starting his fourth year in the league. this does not bode well for his replacement of kreutz in the future. this is one reason last season i was hopeful that angie would have stayed put in the 2nd round and picked unger a good center prospect with size and talent who went to the seahawks.

[lemonej]

i think my major concern with beekman is he was getting manhandled in pass protection and got nearly no push of the LOS in running downs. he HAS to be able to hold the point of attack in pass protection as center as he is the key to the success or failure of pocket development. he literally was getting run over on pass protection against the chargers.

 

i understand he may have been practicing as a G mostly in camp but to me it is no excuse for the collapse whether he plays G or C especially for a player starting his fourth year in the league. this does not bode well for his replacement of kreutz in the future. this is one reason last season i was hopeful that angie would have stayed put in the 2nd round and picked unger a good center prospect with size and talent who went to the seahawks.

You're absolutely right and he was getting straightened up as soon as he was snapping the ball. He looked totally uncomfortable at center. The last 2 drafts have had some decent prospects at the position and JA hasn't even brought any in as undrafted FAs.