Offseason Early Report (so far): Good Start, More to Do on D

I guess the best news in this early part of the offseason is that the words “all the pieces are in place” have not been uttered.  In fact, the BearBrass has been pretty active so far.  To recap the past couple weeks: three defensive position coaches gone, Hoke, Marinelli (plus Warren Sapp, apparently) in; Babich keeps the title Defensive Coordinator but in a diminished role; Lovie will call the defenses and vows to tweak the scheme.

Bravo Bears!  Though Smith won’t come out and point the finger at his buddy Bobby, his actions so far do exactly that.  Hopefully the promised tweaking means tighter corners and less predictable blitz packages.  Because if they do that, and Marinelli can raise the performance of the D-line, this defense has a chance to again be scary.

I think a key part of the offseason work has to be taking a close look at the teams in the Conference championship games and seeing how they operate.   There is one common similarity among the four when looking at defense.  They all ATTACK.  Now, the individual schemes are different, to be sure.  Each teams strongest defensive position varies greatly.  But they all attack.  And they attack in all situations.   Whether 4-3, 3-4, goal line, 3rd down, doesn’t matter.  These teams attack the QB, attack the wideouts, run blitz and only use the Cover 2 or 3 scheme on occasion after camoflaging it and dropping back.  More of a surprise for the offense than the basis of the defense.

How could the Tampa 2 Bears lead the league in blitzes and still do so poorly all year in applying cover?  Easy, they were predictable.  Offensive lines knew who was coming, when and from where.  What they saw on film, they got in the game.  No new wrinkles with the exception of the couple of games late in the year when we sent the nickel back (great band by the way!) on blitzes.

Daniele Manning was probably the most effective blitzer we had, and that was just because they tried something different!

So the “tweaking,” as Lovie puts it, is to put some teeth on this Bear defense and go on the attack.   They must attack receivers on the line, before they get a chance to get into their routes.  Disrupting that timing will make the D-line more effective, as QBs won’t have open targets when they expect them, or where they want them.  Marinelli must put the line on the attack as well.  To hell with this “filling gaps” and “doing our job” mentality.  The D line must create havoc in the backfield and confusion among the blockers.  They need to be so fearsome that the whole country starts looking for a nickname for them.

Next couple of posts, it’s time to start coverage on the draft and free agency.   Plus we’ve got to talk about the offense.  And maybe a little bit on the Super Bowl that this team should have had a shot at!

Roll up the sleeves!

Now it’s time to get to work.  You’ll notice that there has been no dissertation on the completely terrible end of the season.  After a couple of days digesting that stinker of a finale, I’m still speechless (fairly speechless anyway).  All I will say is that we came out strong, as was the case nearly all year.  We finished with a little fight, as we did most of the year.  And we stunk it up in the middle, as was nearly always the case.

And that is the problem with our coaching staff and philosophy.  Offense and defense both seem to come out of the gate with unpredictable and aggressive approaches.  And then we settle in to a very cautious mode that enables opponents to catch up and pass us.  And then at the end, we don’t trust the special teams to be able to cover kicks.  Those approaches to playing have cost us the playoffs more than any boneheaded penalty, mis-timed fumble or physical or mental miscues have.

That said, the 2009 season starts now.  They’ve gotten rid of the DB coach.  Good move!  But only if they get rid of the cushion that our DBsw constantly gave wideouts all year.  That cushion gave opposing QBs their highest quarterback rating of the year whenever they played the Bears.

I like the idea of bringing in Marinelli.   He’s a great DL coach and can impact the play of the line as much as a great edge pass rusher, if not more.

But while we’re on the subject of coaching changes, can we please not mention Shannahan, Martz or Cowher?  Smiling Mike will not come to Chicago as OC after being the High and Holy Grand Poobah of All Things Football in the Mile High City.   Smith knows Martz and knows that he does not get off the bus running.  Plus he knows Martz’s ego is bigger than Andy Reid’s beltline.   And Cowher either wants to not coach in 09 like he says, or he’s got a specific team in mind if not lined up.  Plus the McCash-keys won’t hire a high profile, respected coach.  Period.

So what should be on the ‘off’ season agenda.  First, current team members need to commit NOW to working their way to the top.  Not taking a whirlpool and massage and going home, but working.  The coaching staff needs to be pared down and then refilled with NFL experienced, teaching coaches who know at least as much as Tom Thayer does about the intricacies of the fundamentals of the game.

Then it’s time to trim the fat and get into the  free agent market.  We’ll have a lot more on this in upcoming posts.  And then the draft.  More to come on that as well.

It seems apparent that this team is close, as Lovie says.  At least it’s as close as any other team in this era of parity/mediocrity.  If you don’t think so, how close did you think the Dolphins were when the season started?  But we could use help and/or upgrades at WR, DE, Safety, and depth at CB, and on the lines.  And we haven’t even mentioned the annual QB quandry!  Definitely no hibernation on the schedule for these Bears.

So in the upcoming weeks, bear with us (duh) as we give you the poop

Yup, they go in the woods.

on what is going on and what should be going on in Halas Hall and around the league.

Merry Christmas!

To all the Bears fans everywhere…ah what the heck, to all fans everywhere we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Whew! Now let’s get some new coaches!

Well, they played like crap (frozen variety) for 90% of the game and then squeaked one out thanks to Special Teams and Forte.

I don’t know about you but I have ZERO confidence in our ability to knock of the stinking Texans next week.  And it’s due more to the coaches than the players.

So I say let’s bring in some new coaches.  And not any of the BIG names or the hot names.  I say let’s go with media names.

Listening to Jaworski last night gave me the idea.  How come this guy can see all the specific problems that Orton has (staring down receivers, not pushing off the back foot, receivers that suck, etc.) but our O.C. can’t.  So Jaws is my first hire as offensive coordinator.  Just watch him break down film with Merrill Hoge every week and tell me this guy couldn’t game plan better than Turner.

Another guy I marvel at every week is Tom Thayer.   This guy knows everything there is to know about blocking.  God knows nobody on the Bears staff right now does.  So he’s my Assistant O.C./Line coach.  He’s a local guy, played on THE 85 Bears and has been a professional observer of the team for years.

Moving to the defense, you gotta get another 85 alum for the d-line.  Danimal has the pedigree, H.O.F. ring, Super Bowl ring, size and knarled fingers to demand attention.  He’s also big on coaching the ‘little things’ like pad level, using the hands, leverage, etc.  Things that you just don’t see too often from our guys.

Gotta stay with the alumni reunion for D-Coordinator.  But veering away from media guys for this one.  Samurai is an intellectual with a beast’s attitude.  And another H.O.F.er with a championsip ring.  There won’t be any ‘me’ guys or overpaid prima donas on the field or in the locker room.  And the defense will be attacking offenses instead of filling gaps.   Smart + mean streak + PASSION = WINS!

Now for head coach, you want someone that will stay out of the way of the coordinators we just hired, but can fire up a team like Lombardi, Madden, Halas and the other greats.  Someone that can channel the NFL legends and bring their voices to the locker room.  Someone that can deal with the media.

Frank Caliendo!

Who would you want to see coaching the Bears?  Look forward to your comments!

Packer week

As is the habit, I have spent Packer week holed-up in my own little Bears cave, staring in darkness at the moss covered walls and chanting the Bear mantra, “Bronko, Butkus, Sweetness, Sayers” over and over trying to channel past glory into the puzzlement that is the ’08 Bears. And the theme of this years Bears remains “Coulda.” We coulda been 11-3 (infamous NFC South blunders) right now. Or we coulda been 4-10 (Philly, Vikings, Lions, Saints games all one play away from snatching defeat from the jaws of victory).

So what are the Bears? And no Dennis Green quotes allowed. The Bears are a team devoid of reliable, much less big-play, receivers. They are a team a little too reliant on a stellar rookie running back. They are (STILL) way too predictable in offensive play calling and too chicken-poop in defensive play calling.
Are you as sick of the word ‘gap’ as I am when talking about our D?   Filling gaps is a phrase that should be applied to discussions of Spackle, not a high-priced NFL defense. (Notice the eerie similarity in colors?)

I want to hear the terms attacking, unpredictable, swarming, and the like. Face it, this filling gap crap is not working. Bend-but-don’t-break is another Lovie-ism that should be banned not only from press conferences but from the defensive psyche of the team.
We need to send our defensive coaches to a retreat in Pennsylvania where they can learn some of the theories of defense from Philly and Pittsburgh. Blitz, from everywhere, in any situation, and CONTROL the game. Don’t wait for it to come to you.
That said, it is Packer week. It is also elimination week. Let’s assume the Falcons take it to Minnesota. I like Matt Ryan over Jackson and/or Frerotte anyday, any stadium.  Plus “The Burner” will be running into a defense without “The Fat Williams.”

(Tell me that guy is 317  pounds like they list him!?!?!)

So assume that we’ve still got a playoff pulse Monday night. It’s gonna be flippin’ cold. Orton took out the Pack last year in similar conditions and teams, no matter what hemisphere their from, don’t like playing in cold unless it’s at home. Cold is like home cooking. It’s better prepared in your kitchen than someone else’s. Plus we’ve got motivation. No not the playoffs. Orton’s escalators!  And hopefully, someday soon, the coaches will pull the plug on Booker/Davis and give Bennett/Rideaux a try.  Can’t be worse than the bad routes and bad hands that just seem to be getting worse every week.

So I’m into the blue and orange Kool-aid yet again and I see not just a victory but a payback for the bitch-slapping we took a few weeks ago.  Bears wipe out the Pack but the devastation isn’t reflected in the score (like usual).  Beloved 31 Hated Nemesis from the North 17.

Game Balls and questions

Wow!  Where has this kind of defense been all year??  

If you take the 3+ minutes of OT out of the equation, N.O. had a 13 minute advantage in time of possession (36:32 to 23:28).  How did the D manage to hold up?  Huge KUDOS to all of them!!!!  The same effort (and gameplan) next week will wipe out Green Bay and keep hope alive (if the Vikes lose this week).  But the offense has to keep the ball a lot longer.  I’ve got to put that on Ron Turner (more on that later).

Obvious game balls to:

Danieal Manning – doing his best to make Hester a full-time receiver

D-line – If they put in this kind of effort all year we’d be talking about home field throughout the playoffs.

Maynard – OK, the pass in the fourth quarter was boneheaded, though it was a hell of a throw…and I still say that IS a catch…but the punting for the third week in a row was huge in the field position battle.  That’s something we didn’t get in the losses to GB and Minny.

Orton – Yeah, he stared down a receiver and then threw straight to a LB he didn’t see, but the Davis INT wasn’t his fault.  Plus Clark drops a TD and Olsen gets mugged in the end zone with no call.  If (and I love using that word) Davis and Clark make those  catches, and Olsen doesn’t get tackled with the ball in the air, we’re talking about a huge game and QB rating.  That’s without ‘iffing’ the two Hester interference calls into catches.  The opening missed bomb to 23 (left) was a huge play.  The Saints had that in their heads the rest of the night and it cost them 77 yards of penalties.

Questions:

Why can’t Ron Turner call plays in the second half of games?

Twin sons of different mothers?

I love that photo, and it does explain a lot.  Like “Let’s run a screen pass which is a timing pattern requiring lots of practice and we’ll throw it to our special teams ace instead of a guy that’s had reps on it.”   Sure he dropped the same ball last week, but he’s due!”

And why did we not run more?  Collinsworth gets a Game Mic for seeing that N.O. is in a “soft umbrella coverage” and saying that the Bears should be able to run all day on that.  So Turner decides to pass.

Where was the no huddle?  It worked all year so let’s just put it on the shelf for the most important game to date.

Why do we have no pass plays set up for Riddeau, Bennett, or for fan fave Hass??  We have a lot of guys who have proven they can’t get open, and when they do they can’t catch.  Can those three guys on the bench and practice squad be worse?  No.  Can they be better?  Don’t know.  Let’s see them.

Bottom Line: Excellent defense against a great offense, stellar special teams and the offense did come back to tie and then win the game (mostly on the shoulders of Orton).  Lots of good things happened.   But Turner has got to get his head out of the tundra and call a better game.  Hopefully in time for the Packers!

Saints come rollin’ in

Big game tonight.  HUGE game tonight.  Biggest of the year so far.  And the bad news is we’re oh-fer three against the NFC South.  Not as bad news is all three were giveaway games that we had in control in the fourth quarter and then gave away.  Carolina was the Olsen 2-fumble game; Tampa, despite Griese going Marino on us, was blown by Tillman’s Peanut-head personal foul; and we left too much time and too much cushion on the outside in Atlanta.  Now come the Saints.   The only team they beat on the road was a pitiful KC team.

And they can’t win here in December…can they?

I think Babich comes out firing with 8 man fronts and blitzes.    Hopefully he remembers NOT TO GIVE CUSHIONS to the wideouts.  Orton and Forte should both have Midway Monster nights against a defense ranked 20 v. run, 26 vs. pass and 24 in points given up.   Bears are +6 in tuurnovers, Saints are -4.

I think our special teams, for no special reason, will shine tonight.  Manning will continue to give us field position and (here it comes) Hester will find the endzone on a return tonight.  Something about national TV, a ton of criticism, Reggie Bush returning for the Saints, and watching #38 make it look easy will spark the return of the Windy City Flyer.

It’s not going to be brutally cold or a blizzard, but it sure ain’t gonna be Field Turf under a roof, either.

Let’s hope that with Marty Booker out (thank you football injury gods), and Davis’ hands gone AWOL, that Turner gives at least a couple of throws to Bennett and/orRiddeau.  Gee, let me see, our WRs can’t get open or catch the ball, and we’ve got the ALL-TIME SEC best receiver and a 6’3″ catching machine on the bench…. hmmmm, let’s maybe toss it their way and see what happens.  Can’t be any worse than watching one slide off  81′s hands, or watching Hester not run the right route.

Fearless prediction…Forte 180 total yards, Orton turnover free 240 yards, 4 T.O.s for the defense and the Bears stay in the race for at least another week with a 30 -17 win.

Go Cardinals!

Welcome to the poop!

We’re just starting with BearsPoop, but planning on many updates and additions.  Hope that you visit often and let me know what you think.

Let’s kick off with a graphic that every Bears fan should have…

Tomorrow, some opinion and a forecast of the big game against Nahwlins.