Beating the Bears

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=2229862

 

i think we may just embarass the shit out of them. we need to try and jump out early, that will just compound all their problems. nothing wrong with taking some early shots and punting if we need to.

 

Defensively, watch that stretch play. Play solid coverage on the ends, don't lose contain. Blitz a fair bit. They can check down, but they're not efficient there, and have no real weapons there that will scare you. If we felt like we could handle it, I'd play man-read all day. I'd bring the safety up much of the day. I'd totally disrespect Orton, because I don't think he's gonna have the balls to get it to Muhammad in tight coverage (a place he excells, but where young QBs have always struggled pulling the trigger),

Offensively, I still like us spread. They have a decent third corner in Azumah, but that's not what I'm after there. I don't think Azumah's anywhere near elite, just savvy, but the idea is more to force us into putting multiple guys into patterns in one side so we're not worrying about the safety.

Pass short a fair bit - we should employ the TE to keep drives moving, Foster should be used liberally there, and I'd use a bit of underneath WR behind clearouts with the secondary receivers.

I also like the empty set here more than in the past few games. Watch Briggs on coming from the outside, but certainly, pick on him otherwise. I think we can do well if we can pull a guy like Brown up, one on one. Hillenmeyer's slower than most would expect at WLB, so he might try to cheat a bit outside on the run, and might be exploitable in empty.

Draw makes more sense in spread, and they've got nothing but one-gappers right now, they're quick up front and susceptible. #3 pass D, #8 rush D, this might be their weakness. So try to get yards on 1st down, so you can draw a bit on 2nd. They're tough all the way through 3rd down, too.

Base D, you want to run on someone? It's probably over left tackle/left guard, if you can turn Ian Scott inside. You must account for Urlacher, even if it means getting a tackle like Gross on him in pursuit to run outside. For the first time in a few games, I'd run right at the ends, especially if you can get them to think pass. I'd trap to them, I'd sweep to them. We've run inside too long for too many games basically expecting trap/contain blocking to be inline blocking. It's not working right now. I'd even pull in a Mathis as a tackle-eligible for a few plays to guarantee a seal on that side.

And don't get cute. I don't recall any trick plays in the last month, and if this is close, we might try to pull something. Don't.

This could be the best D we face all year. Certainly is the best D we'll have faced up to now.



ON ST, I'd have to pressure Wade into more mistakes. I'd be wary of them using Vasher in trick ways and/or replacing Wade mid-game. Azumah is a decent but not terribly explosive KR who, again, I'd watch the tricks.

 

Nice analysis, mVm. :xyzthumbs Why can't I get something like that on ESPN?

 

thanks
I think it's kinda "know your audience". Most outlets don't put in the time or effort because few will pay attention. I wish NFL Matchup had more time per game to break things down (or that I make time to sit down and watch it) because they always break down one thing, two things, and it's all very short-scoped.

 

ouchie.

 

Haven't run well. Doing OK against their run. Just OK.

Nope

Uhhhm. No.

 

Put Smith in the slot and on the snap have him take a fast step backcatch and stiff arm the nearest guys running towards sideline

 

this thread should be titled Murphy's Law