2nd Half thoughts

[bradjock]

During the 2nd half, I was able to focus on a few specific things. As we looked bad, there's not many positives. Here's my thoughts:

 

1. Ja'Marcus Webb can't play. He plays high giving him awful balance. Physically, he reminds me of Pace last year--big & slow. The d-lineman would give him a push back and go right around. He's a big reason LeFevour looked terrible. How do we keep hearing the staff likes a guy who's this bad? He might develop but right now he's not an NFL player.

2. While Webb couldn't hold a single block, Jarron Gilbert couldn't shed a single blocker. When he wasn't attacking the wrong part of the field, he was being stood up and unable to get anywhere. He doesn't have the speed to get around anybody, which makes me wonder why the hell we're playing him at DE?

3. I haven't thought much of Garrett Wolfe, but I'm starting to love the guy. He's a gamer and he threw out some nasty blocks which saved LeFevour. It's obvious that Martz doesn't want anything to do with him as a running-back, but he's too damn good not to have a role on this team.

4. Assuming Hanie's ok, I expect the plan is to keep just two QB's and put LeFevour on the practice squad. I'm not right LeFevour off yet. A big problem was the line was awful and Chico kept blitzing. But lets face it, there's nobody who's going to put him on their active roster right now.

5. Iglesias had a bad drop & a penalty. I don't want to read too much into 1 preseason game but it's not a good start for a guy trying to impress.

[bowlingtwig]

During the 2nd half, I was able to focus on a few specific things. As we looked bad, there's not many positives. Here's my thoughts:

 

1. Ja'Marcus Webb can't play. He plays high giving him awful balance. Physically, he reminds me of Pace last year--big & slow. The d-lineman would give him a push back and go right around. He's a big reason LeFevour looked terrible. How do we keep hearing the staff likes a guy who's this bad? He might develop but right now he's not an NFL player.

2. While Webb couldn't hold a single block, Jarron Gilbert couldn't shed a single blocker. When he wasn't attacking the wrong part of the field, he was being stood up and unable to get anywhere. He doesn't have the speed to get around anybody, which makes me wonder why the hell we're playing him at DE?

3. I haven't thought much of Garrett Wolfe, but I'm starting to love the guy. He's a gamer and he threw out some nasty blocks which saved LeFevour. It's obvious that Martz doesn't want anything to do with him as a running-back, but he's too damn good not to have a role on this team.

4. Assuming Hanie's ok, I expect the plan is to keep just two QB's and put LeFevour on the practice squad. I'm not right LeFevour off yet. A big problem was the line was awful and Chico kept blitzing. But lets face it, there's nobody who's going to put him on their active roster right now.

5. Iglesias had a bad drop & a penalty. I don't want to read too much into 1 preseason game but it's not a good start for a guy trying to impress.

I agree. Webb is huge and I think he could develop but man not yet, he has got to at least start playing better in order to make this team. I love Wolfe because he has heart and is willing to do whatever it takes even in the blitz pickup when he is completely outmatched against those LB's that are coming in. I hated the drafting of LeFevour and yesterday just proved me right. Now the Oline was crap last night for him and he didn't have much time to throw but when he did have time to throw he was floating passes everywhere. He needs to start using the arm. I'm not gonna single out just Iglesias but all those receivers at the end that got a chance were crap. I saw way to many penalties and way way to many dropped passes. If any of them expect to make this time they at least get Oakland next week to step there game up.

[dawhizz]

While I would agree that Webb has work to do, remember he's coming from a very small school at West Texas A&M, so this is a huge step up for him. And it's not like there are a ton of other deserving offensive lineman that are showing they are better than him out there.

As for LeFevour, while he wasn't great, he had at least three passes that should have been caught and, as was mentioned, he had almost no time to throw.

To me, the biggest disappointment were the two lines. With all the hype surrounding Marinelli and Tice, I didn't see anything last night to suggest anything has gotten better. The brightest spot I saw was probably Melton, who at least seemed to get occasional penetration. If Lance Louis is a starter on this team, we're going to have problems.

The only other encouraging performances were DA and Wright. If the Bears have another year where they keep DA on the bench for half the year, only to see him step up when somone goes down, it is inexcusable. As for Wright, he's the starter, IMO. He was consistently around the ball making plays against the run and in coverage. I didn't see enough to know if he can cover like a FS (which would be better, since Harris is much better at SS), but he may be our best overall safety right now.

[AZ54]

I don't recall anyone talking about Webb as anything other than a project and that means practice squad IMO. I don't even know if Beekman can make this team although it's not like anyone else really stepped up so it's possible he's the best of the worst.

 

Jarron Gilbert may not make the team either. With 4 DEs ahead of him and no swimming pools in sight what's he good for?

 

Chris Harris is still Chris Harris in coverage.

 

 

 

 

[bowlingtwig]

While I would agree that Webb has work to do, remember he's coming from a very small school at West Texas A&M, so this is a huge step up for him. And it's not like there are a ton of other deserving offensive lineman that are showing they are better than him out there.

As for LeFevour, while he wasn't great, he had at least three passes that should have been caught and, as was mentioned, he had almost no time to throw.

To me, the biggest disappointment were the two lines. With all the hype surrounding Marinelli and Tice, I didn't see anything last night to suggest anything has gotten better. The brightest spot I saw was probably Melton, who at least seemed to get occasional penetration. If Lance Louis is a starter on this team, we're going to have problems.

The only other encouraging performances were DA and Wright. If the Bears have another year where they keep DA on the bench for half the year, only to see him step up when somone goes down, it is inexcusable. As for Wright, he's the starter, IMO. He was consistently around the ball making plays against the run and in coverage. I didn't see enough to know if he can cover like a FS (which would be better, since Harris is much better at SS), but he may be our best overall safety right now.

There were times last night when they were talking about Wright and although he didn't make a few tackles he was in the area and on others how he was taking the correct route to ensure that he was at least there. I am completely impressed about Wright.

[lemonej]

There were times last night when they were talking about Wright and although he didn't make a few tackles he was in the area and on others how he was taking the correct route to ensure that he was at least there. I am completely impressed about Wright.

Wright was the most sure handed tackler on the field period. I may go as far to say that he is the best young guy I have seen tackling for the Bears in years. Why do I say this ? Simply because I like the fact that he wraps his arms around a ball carriers legs which IMO is text book tackling.

[bowlingtwig]

Wright was the most sure handed tackler on the field period. I may go as far to say that he is the best young guy I have seen tackling for the Bears in years. Why do I say this ? Simply because I like the fact that he wraps his arms around a ball carriers legs which IMO is text book tackling.

Your right and you actually saw him at least once wrap up and pile driver the carrier into the ground and still never let go of the guy until he was sure that he was on ground, unlike Briggs down there at the goal line who leaves his feet to early and just bounces off the ball carrier and that was on 3rd down I believe. Ball carrier then springs for the 1st.

[lemonej]

Your right and you actually saw him at least once wrap up and pile driver the carrier into the ground and still never let go of the guy until he was sure that he was on ground, unlike Briggs down there at the goal line who leaves his feet to early and just bounces off the ball carrier and that was on 3rd down I believe. Ball carrier then springs for the 1st.

Exactly and this is why I wish they would do some tackling in camp just so they can be acclimated to it when the games start.

[bradjock]

I don't recall anyone talking about Webb as anything other than a project and that means practice squad IMO.

 

Maybe it was the SCORE guys bragging him up or hearing the coaching staff talk about him. Either way, I was convinced there was a good chance of making the 53 man roster. Now I'm not sure he can even make the practice squad.

 

I don't even know if Beekman can make this team although it's not like anyone else really stepped up so it's possible he's the best of the worst.

 

Beekman's a lock to make the roster. For two consecutive years he beat out the guy in front of him. He's experienced, reliable, and can play 3 positions. While he's not a great starter, he's an ideal back-up.

 

Jarron Gilbert may not make the team either. With 4 DEs ahead of him and no swimming pools in sight what's he good for?

 

I still want to know who the hell thought it'd be a good idea to play him a DE? "He's big, he's slow, let's move him to the outside." And Marinelli's a d-line genius?

 

Chris Harris is still Chris Harris in coverage.

 

Yeah, but he's way better then Aflava.

 

 

[nfoligno]

Gilbert - I still want to know who the hell thought it'd be a good idea to play him a DE? "He's big, he's slow, let's move him to the outside." And Marinelli's a d-line genius?

 

With Gilbert, I think this is yet another example of where we took an athlete that lacked a true position, and tried to plug him in based on team need rather than where he is ideally suited. Look at what we did last year. He was considered a DE (thought to replace Wale) then moved to DT when we traded for Gaines, only to be moved back to DE after we let both starting DEs go and received positive news on Harris in terms of injury. I am not sure if he is out of position, but Gilbert is a player drafted due to athleticism, but is very raw, and I question how we are developing him.