New York Giants vs Chicago Bears: A Repeat of the Massacre at the Meadowlands?
Published by Bob Warja on August 18, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Sure, it’s only a preseason game. But Monday night’s tilt against the New York Giants must send shivers down Bears QB Jay Cutler‘s spine.
It was last October when the Giants concussed Cutler to the tune of nine sacks in one half of football. It was the game that defined the season for Chicago, as shortly after, the Bears decided to change things up and save their season.
Mike Martz and the Bears offense reverted to a more balanced attack, and it led to an 11-5 finish and a spot in the NFC Championship game.
So, while some good came out of it, I’m sure that Cutler has to be reliving that nightmare in his head. Right, Jay?
“I don’t know about that,” Cutler said, laughing. “It’s just a preseason game. So we’ve just got to take it for what it is.”
Laughing? Seriously? Has this man gone mad?
I mean, it’s basically the same offensive line, albeit with the addition of rookie Gabe Carimi and the loss of Olin Kreutz.
But Cutler will likely only get one quarter of reps, limiting the potential damage perhaps. Still, Giants pass rusher Osi Umenyiora, who posted three sacks in last season’s matchup, is expected to be in action against the Bears.
Cutler was sacked 42.9 percent of the time he dropped back to pass in last year’s debacle. The final tally of 10 sacks is the most ever by a Bears opponent since they began keeping records 29 years ago.
Look, for all of this talk about “The Greatest Show on Grass”, this offense will likely continue to use the formula the Bears employed after the bye week last season, which is a balance of running the ball and passing.
It’s not the way Martz likes to run his offense, but with this offensive line, it is imperative.
Meanwhile, Martz expects improvement.
“The thing you want to see as a playcaller, you try to put linemen, backs, receivers, quarterbacks in situations and see how they respond,” Martz said. “You’re just looking at guys mostly and trying to get them in pressure situations and see what they do, and how they handle it and play. Last year we didn’t win (any) of these games. I think we’re much, much further along than we were in the past.”
I don’t know about the Bears being “much further along,” but whatever you say, Mike. But let’s just try and keep the damage to a minimum, OK?
No massacre is worth the effort in a relatively meaningless exhibition game.
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