Come To Think of It: Bears’ Revival Depends on Play Down in the Trenches
Published by Bob Warja on August 12, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Down in Bourbonnais and on Chicago talk radio, every one is excited about Jay Cutler. And with good reason, for the Chicago Bears finally have a truly gifted player at the QB position, something they have not enjoyed since…well, ever.
Yet, despite the expected improvement to the offense that the addition of a franchise QB like Cutler may bring, knowledgeable football fans know that the games are won and lost down in the trenches.
Yes, the offensive and defensive lines make all the difference. All success is built around those foundational pieces.
Protection for the QB; opening holes for the running game; blocking and tackling and freeing up defensive ends to rush the opposing QB all depends on how strong and effective your lines are.
It may not be sexy to talk about, but it’s the truth. Time and again, skilled offensive players have been hampered by poor offensive line blocking.
And all too often, cornerbacks and safeties are exposed by weak defensive pressure up front.
Consider what Alex Brown said on the Chicago Bears official web site:
“This defense runs on what we do up front,” said Brown. “When we’re moving and we’re going, then we have a pretty good defense. We understand that. That’s a lot of pressure on us, but we have a veteran group. We have a lot of good talent and we accept the challenge. That’s fine.”
We all know the Bears have issues at safety, where Mike Brown is but a memory, and at cornerback, where Charles Tillman is recovering from surgery.
So it’s even more vital that the linemen up front generate pressure and force the QB to throw the ball before he’s ready.
New defensive line coach Rod Marinelli agrees.
“They’re the closest guys to the ball, and that’s where it all starts,” said Marinelli. “They’ve got to create the disruption.”
We know that the Bears pass rush and thus, their defense in general, was not good last season. The defensive line fell from 36 sacks in the Super Bowl season two years ago to 22.5 last year.
After ranking fifth in overall defense in ’06, the Bears slipped to 28th in ’07 and 21st last year despite ranking second in the league in takeaways and fifth in run defense.
Perhaps longer, more sustained offensive drives will help keep the defense fresh.
As will better coaching.
Relegating Bob Babich to linebackers coach is a good start, as was bringing in Marinelli to coach the defensive line.
And remember, Lovie Smith was considered a fine defensive coach prior to being hired by the Bears as their head coach. Now, he will be calling the shots on defense.
However, all is not chocolate and roses. Lingering concern over the health of Tommie Harris continues to build. We’re finding out that Harris has knee this past spring, and hasn’t practiced yet.
Harris is a vital cog, especially in a cover-two scheme.
Meanwhile, the offensive line added future HOF’er Orlando Pace. While we can’t be sure how much he has left in the tank, we can only hope that whatever he’s lost in athleticism has been made up for with experience.
Another question mark is Chris Williams. After having back surgery last year, he has looked good so far at camp.
The Bears did, however, add Frank Omiyale to the mix in the offseason, so there should be plenty of competition.
Jay Cutler’s arrival has raised expectations, and that’s fine. But it’s the play of the offensive and defensive lines that are going to make or break this team, come to think of it.
