We will find out Sunday if we have a running game

and a legit feature running back.

 

pretty much. Even some network analysts have stated that we're tailoring the running game back to Foster's strengths again. So maybe there's a little more room after all.

I think I read where FO had us at #12 for adjusted line yards, so it's not as if there's been nothing there at all. Foster's been, at times, a part of the problem with ypc, but when you play his style football, you obviously garner more yards. The hard part this week is going to be containing linebackers, more than anything, though I wouldn't mind running right at Hillenmeyer.

 

Obviously we need to be better at running this week, but to me they are going to deal with that. They are going to have to do a better job against Smitty and I am sure they will. So that means we need to have a solid X factor. I am thinking Sunday is the time for Drew Carter to make a statement

 

We'll be doing much better if the safeties are busy chasing Smith and Carter down the field instead of nosing around the LOS

 

I don't think Chicago uses its safeties in run support all that often anyway. But the Bears are very aggressive in stopping the run with their front seven, perhaps in an attempt to get opposing teams to give up on it. Aside from Urlacher their guys tend to be a little on the small side for their positions, so we have to neutralize some of their quickness and then wear them down. That's where I think Goings might be helpful.

 

Has anybody not abandoned the run against them this year?
I wonder if there's been a game where a team has run the ball right at the front seven often enough to see if they'll wear down over the course of a whole game.

 

Pittsburg did not abandon the run and got 190 against them.

The vikings did not, really, and got 149 against them.

Wash didn't and got 164 against them.

3 of their five losses.

Both their other two losses (Clev and Cin were at about 80 each and under 200 passing).
Really, these two teams beat Chic with defense of all things- turnovers). Neither of these two teams had much of any O. They didn't need to - short fields all day.

 

Again, we stack up well in the screw-up stats.

Chi sacks- 41; Opp got- 31

Panthers sack- 45; Opp got- 28

Chi fumbles caused- 28; Opp caused- 28

Panthers fumbles caused- 30; Opp caused- 15

Chi INTs- 24; Opp got- 15

Panthers INT- 23; Opp got- 16

Our fumbles stat remains outstanding and we got 3 more aganst the Giants. The Giants failed to get any aganst us.

I didn't see the penalty stat, but I would be interested to know that.

How does Grossman act in the pocket? Does he move well? Hold the ball a little long? I haven't seen him at all. I'm hoping he acts like most new QBs and holds the ball to long. Orton was pretty good in that department, probably why he doesn't move the ball too well. Still tho, a good characteristic for a defensive team. Let's hope that Grossman is a little more Patient in finding a receiver as I suspect.

 

we gave them 20% of their sacks

 

I've got a gut feeling that executing the screen and little dumpoff passes like Jake did against the Giants last week is going to be critical in this game. Chicago's defense is on the aggressive side, something that screens and even draws can have some success against.