Bears Blitz

Published by Bryan Dietzler on September 23, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

Yes, it’s only been two games but it’s a great time to look at the Bears position by position and give out some grades as they head into what is now going to be the toughest game to date for them (against the Green Bay Packers).  Almost everyone figured that the Bears would beat the Detroit Lions but really no one thought that the Bears could beat the Cowboys.  This team has become quite the surprise.

The following is a position by position look at each position on the Bears through the first two games of the season.  After the review of each position, we will assign a grade to each position indicating how well they have done so far this season.

Quarterbacks

The only quarterback to step on the field for the Bears so far this season has been Jay Cutler.  Cutler’s first outing was a bit shaky as he threw and interception and tried hard but just didn’t get enough out of what he was trying to do to make things happen that would not happen. 

In the second game against Dallas, Cutler started off having to virtually run for his life thanks to a heavy Cowboys pass rush but after a while, his line got things under control and was able to protect him better so that he can make plays.

With just the one interception thrown so far this season, Cutler has managed, at least for now, to turn back the turnovers a little bit and play much better.  He is getting the ball down the field better, he’s making longer passing attempts but what is most important is that he is making better decision. 

If he can play well and play with consistency then he should be able to overcome some of the tougher challenges ahead of him (on the schedule) and keep the Bears on the right track.

Grade: B

Running Backs

The running backs have been solid pass catchers but really haven’t had a lot of success running the ball.  Matt Forte has three touchdowns so far this season, all through the air and the Bears haven’t scored a single rushing touchdown in two games.

Chester Taylor has made some decent runs and managed to keep the ball moving through the air as well but we have to wonder just when the Bear’s running game will actually take hold and start to do something for the offense.

It’s going to be imperative that the Bears get something going on the ground.  They need to control the ball and the clock against some of the quick strike offenses that they will be facing soon (such as the Packers).  Look for them to start establishing the run soon and making it an important part of their offense.

Grade: A for pass catching, C for running

Wide Receivers

Things started out a little bit rough for the wide receivers in their first game as growing pains in the new offense caused some miscommunication between themselves and Cutler and some opportunities were missed.  Things did get better in their game against the Cowboys and the wide receivers were much more productive in that game. 

We also know that the Bears have some pretty significant depth at this position as they were able to take out one player (Devin Aromashodu) and put in another (Earl Bennett) and not miss a beat.

As the season goes on, the wide receiver group will grow and eventually could become one of the top wide receiving groups in the NFL.

Grade: B-

Tight Ends

Coming into training camp, it was thought that the tight ends wouldn’t have that big of a role in the Bears offense.  The only think that new offensive coordinator Mike Martz had used tight ends for in the past was for blocking.  Would Greg Olsen find himself out of a job?  So far that hasn’t happened. 

In fact, the Bears used Olsen very well in their game against the Cowboys as he scored a touchdown and become a solid receiving threat over the middle (of the defense).  Expect Olsen to see a lot more action as the season wears on.   

In terms of blocking, the Bears tight ends have performed well at times but Brandon Manumaleuna, brought in exclusively for his blocking skill, has not been everything he has been hyped up to be.  Perhaps he will improve in time and become a much more vital part of the offense.

Grade: B

Centers

Olin Kreutz is the only one at the center position and so far this season he hasn’t done too bad of a job keeping defenders from coming up the middle and putting pressure on Cutler.  He hasn’t showed his age yet this year but keep in mind, it’s still early in the season and he’s still healthy and ready to go.  Hopefully he can stay that way as the Bears continue to move through the rest of the season.

Grade: B+

Offensive Tackles

The play of the Bear’s offensive tackles through two games has been interesting.  First, Chris Williams, who played a decent game against the Lions left the Cowboys game early (with a hamstring injury) and didn’t return.  He still hasn’t quite “gotten it” yet at the tackle position and if he doesn’t have a good season the rest of the way (when he comes back from his hamstring injury).

The Bears have moved right tackle Frank Omiyale into Williams position and during the remainder of the Cowboys game, Omiyale didn’t play at all bad.  He might have to stay there for a while though so let’s hope he can play well there.

Kevin Shaffer hasn’t been quite as good as the Bears have hoped but he’s getting better.  Overall, the guys at this position have to perform or else this offense will suffer.

Grade: C

Offensive Guards

You haven’t heard a lot of complaints about the Bears starting offensive guards (Roberto Garza and Lance Louis) and they have started to really come together well on the line.  As long as they can stay healthy and not make any mistakes, the Bears may have strength at their guard position.

Grade: B

Defensive Tackles

You would have thought that after Julius Peppers was signed during the offseason, the Bears defensive tackles would have been able to help generate much more of a pass rush.  This hasn’t happened yet but one thing that has happened is that they are stopping the run and that is a good thing for this defense.  Hopefully they will be able to do that for the remainder of the season.

However, they need to ramp up their pass rush and hopefully they will be able todo that as the season moves on.

Grade: C+

Defensive Ends

Everyone felt that having Julius Peppers in the lineup would be huge for the Bears and so far he’s had mixed results.  He had a very good game against the Lions but didn’t do so well against the Cowboys but it appeared as if he was being double teamed a fair percentage of the time in that game.  It would have been ideal if another player had stepped up and taken advantage of the double team but no one really did.

Mark Anderson has been steady but quiet at the position and Israel Idonije has made some good plays against the run while he’s been in there but he hasn’t done much rushing the passer.   This has to improve.

Grade: B

Linebackers

You have to love what you are seeing out of middle linebacker Brian Urlacher and outside linebacker Lance Briggs so far this season.  Both have had two very outstanding games and have been a big part of the success of this defense. Urlacher looks like he did when he first came into the NFL and Briggs has had two big plays, one in each game, that have helped give the Bears defense the edge.

Pisa Tinoisamoa is playing quiet football but he’s been solid and the Bears really like him out there.  Their backups did take a hit however as Hunter Hillenmeyer is gone for the year with a concussion problem.  Hopefully they won’t need their backups this season.

Grade: A+

Safeties

The Bears secondary hasn’t been tested that much but when they have they have done well except for a play or two.  Chris Harris is clearly playing out of position and has had some problems covering receivers (see Calvin Johnson) so the Bears may end up making some changes there.  Danieal Manning has been quiet but consistent and as long as he can play the position, the Bears will keep him back there.

Major Wright suffered a hamstring injury in the Bears game against Dallas so keep an eye on his status.  He was working his way into the lineup before the injury happened.  Hopefully he’s not out too long.

Grade: C+

Cornerbacks

The cornerbacks still haven’t been tested that much this season but will see a huge test coming up against the Packers this coming Monday night.  Charles Tillman has been productive (one interception) and Zachary Bowman had his problems against Calvin Johnson but still didn’t allow a big play. 

The nickelback, D.J. Moore, had a near career game against the Cowboys and looks great as a nickel back.
Let’s see how well they do against the Packers but for now, they aren’t looking too bad.

Grade: B-

Special Teams

This might be the first ever near failing grade handed out to the Bear’s special teams unit but after their performance against the Cowboys this past Sunday, they deserve it. 

Not only did they allow rookie wide receiver Dez Bryant to return a punt for a touchdown but they have been allowing teams to get some pretty decent yardage on kickoff returns.  Hopefully special teams coach Dave Toub will be able to rein this group in and help them get back on the right track.

Grade: D

Coaching

The coaching staff could have been heading for a pretty low grade after the Lions game due to some of the calls that they made but after the Cowboys game you have to give this coaching staff a lot of credit.  The adjustments that they made on the offensive line really helped to save the offense (and Cutler) and lead directly to the win.  Would you have seen these adjustments made in the past?  Most likely not.

Grade: B

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