Bears Blitz

Published by Devin Burks on May 13, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

If the playoffs are the dividend to the Bear’s season, then Jay Cutler is the numerator not the denominator.  The driving force behind the bear’s 2009 season lies with the coaches’ staff and management. After two unsatisfying years of Bears football, the real underachieving component to the organization lies with the front office, Lovie Smith, and staff.  They have failed to identify and develop significant playmakers on either side of the ball.

Over this period, they seem to have relied on sub par or borderline talent instead of scouting and cultivating playmakers.  Over the past two offseasons, we have seen them misidentify keepers, trades, cuts, drafts, and sign under performing players. This has left them void of true talent at several key positions.

If the Chicago Bears are going to make it to the playoff and compete for a championship, then the denominator had better made great choices in three critical areas.

The biggest hole in the Bears philosophy has been locking up many of its underachieving or lackluster players to long-term deals.  Primarily, is the defensive line aging vets Alex Brown and Adewale Ogunleye that have accumulated much attention. Do they have what it takes to be top of the line pass rushers?  If they cannot then there will be many troubles on the defense. 

Is there a pass rusher on the line at all? Will Tommie Harris (still one of my two favorite Bears) revert to form and implode O’lines?  This is the biggest factor on the production of the bears defense and team. 

When Tommie is at his best, he is quick, disruptive and commands a double team.  Without those factors to his game, he struggles and gets lost in the mass of meat in the middle.  This hurts our smaller ends so much; they do not have the luxury of using speed and quickness rather than brute strength.  Since Tommy is not drawing all attention to him they can send running back and slide guards to slow down any edge attack to come. 

Tommy is so valuable to the team, his penetration alone causes the pass rushers to get more sacks, the secondary more interceptions, and less coverage time.  He also affects the opponents running game as well as the pass.  He funnels many runs away for him or taking on linemen that can be of hazard to the linebackers.

Number two on the list is Brian Urlacher.  Urlacher still might be a premiere linebacker in the NFL today, but not at middle linebacker—well at least in this system.  The middle linebacker in the Cover-Two or Tampa-two system needs to be able to go deeper in coverage while playing zone and all the way to the backfield in the running game to be effective.  Due to all the injuries to critical parts of his neck, back, and legs it appears that he has lost a step or two. 

Physically he is not the player he once was.  He is not able to cover the field like as he once did with his freakish athletic abilities.  He’s possibility still one of the MLB’s in the league, but the ability to cover the middle of the field as he once did has declined.  In my opinion, he would be better suited as a strong side linebacker where his speed and size would allow him to cover tight ends and make more plays in his gap.  This would virtually shut down any chance opponents have of making a run to the outsides with perennial Pro Bowler Lance Briggs patrolling the weak side. 

One solution would be to develop Marcus Freeman. He is big enough and fast enough to play the middle in Lovie’s defense.  With an adequate line and decent secondary, this move could improve an already strong defense.

Where is the compliment to Cutler? Who do they have that can facilitate as a go to guy on third and six or a potential game winner?  It might be easier to stomach the group if we actually had a chance to see Earl Bennett in some fashion last season.  Given his sparse playing time we do not know who he is as a player, I just hope they do.  All hope for the receiving corps and a stellar Jay Cutler revolve around one man, (or does it) Devin Hester. Matt Forte will be solid for years to come. 

Charles Tillman is solid wherever he plays and Kevin Payne will be a pro bowl safety in two years.  Lance Briggs, potential Hall of Famer, and Marcus Freeman has great upside look for him to start at linebacker this year or next.  Jarron Gilbert really excites me, as such athleticism should.  Seriously, who jumps out of pools? The Olympics are impressed with people who jump in (I wonder if Michael Phelps can do that). 

I digress Mark Anderson always as a wonder. Can he turn it around again? I think so, especially if what we talked about is true (yeah I spoke with him for you doubters).  A couple of other holes need repairing with the 2009 Bears but for now, a little bit of Spackle will hold. 

First, the offensive line is a patchwork and aging, but with luck will be solid this year.  The secondary is thin at safety but still quite possibly will be adequate for this year but will need addressing next year.  Therefore, if this year is to be a success, Cutler will have to be the numerator and the coaching staff and Jerry Angelo the denominator.

Formula :T   (_JC__) = PO  (Team , Jay Cutler , Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo)

                     LS+JA

Of course we know what the PO is the Pay off Superbowl appearance or more.