Week 14 at Bears pre-game analysis, keys, opinions

[jmt57]

Looks like we're starting to get a ton of new threads on the upcoming game, so for any thoughts, links to articles, minor news or other opinions and discussions on Sunday's game that don't really warrant a separate new thread, how about we make them here?

 

[jmt57]

Here's an article about the history between Bill Belichick and Bears GM Jerry Angelo; the two were part of the Giants organization at the same time from 1982 to 1986.

Talking football: New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo go back a long way - chicagotribune.com

Belichick and Angelo still have the conversations about talent they had when they were with the Giants. What do you think about this linebacker? Which position would he be best at? Do you like his play speed?

Robbie Gould is the kind of player they might have conferred on. Gould signed with the Patriots as an undrafted rookie in 2005, but the Patriots cut him before the season because they had Super Bowl hero Adam Vinatieri. Belichick cut Gould, but was fairly confident Gould would kick in the NFL.

The Bears found themselves in need of a kicker in October, so they gave a chance to the one Belichick liked. Five years and 657 points later, they are pretty happy they did.

Belichick and Angelo also can compare draft notes.

"The good thing about it is we're after really different players," Belichick said. "Sometimes we talk about players who fit their system that we really aren't that high on, or players that fit our system that he's not that high on. Especially defensively."

The Patriots run a 3-4 defense that relies on big bodies up front. A player like 325-pound nose tackle Vince Wilfork wouldn't fit in Rod Marinelli's defense. The Bears are looking for defenders with more speed and quickness. Outside linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa is an example of a player who would be out of place in Belichick's defense.

That doesn't mean Belichick has no appreciation for what the Bears do defensively, however.

"It's a great scheme," he said of the Cover 2. "It's a scheme they won a title with in Tampa, and Indianapolis has used. The Bears know how to run it, (coach Lovie Smith) knows how to run it. Marinelli obviously has done a good job. It's just a matter of getting the specific players you need within that scheme."

 

[Mountain_Commando]

Why does everyone say Bears are a great team? I'll confess that I haven't watched any of their games this season. But all their wins have come against mediocre teams, save for Packers and maybe Eagles. And all their game scores have been fairly pedestrian.

Not saying this game is gonna be a cakewalk. But I just don't see why the Bears need to be feared. And after defeating the likes of Raves/Colts/Steelers/Jets, having one of the top offences in the league, and a defense that has improved literally every game since week 2, do we really need to be worried about playing Chicago?

 

[jmt57]

Not about the Pats-Bears game, but NHL legend Scotty Bowman, who is now an advisor for the Chicago Blackhawks talks about Bill Belichick in this column.

Bill Belichick: Hockey legend Scotty Bowman sees a lot he likes in New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick - chicagotribune.com

Bowman never has met Belichick. Bowman's son-in-law, Jordy Ostroff, was Tom Brady's roommate as a freshman at Michigan. But the closest Bowman has come to interaction with Belichick came as a Red Wings consultant when coach Mike Babcok was such a fan of Belichick's style he would visit the Patriots Web site to print out news conference transcripts.

Yet Bowman still identifies with the coach who has won three Super Bowls the way men who walked on the moon feel connected forever. The men who have won pro sports championships belong to a small club. Those who have done so multiple times are in even more select company.

"I like and respect Belichick and what I see is there's no fooling around,'' Bowman said. "He doesn't demand respect as much as he earns it with tough decisions he knows he has to make. I didn't try to be friends with players, didn't get involved at all. I was there to win games. That's what I see with Belichick. There has to be a relationship with players, but coaches have to coach and players have to play and you can't hold hands in the meantime.''

 

[patsfaninpa]

I think the key is the turnover battle. How's that for some new-age analysis. Jay Cutler is prone to turn it over. Our secondary has been getting a lot of picks lately. Tom Brady hardly ever throws int's. However, they do have the type of defense that can slow us down. Need to get a pass-rush from your 4 man front without blitzing. Have some good lb's who can tackle like Urlacher and Briggs. Lousy field conditions, poor weather. I can see a low scoring game.

 

[jmt57]

Bears' defense has 26 takeaways; only Pittsburgh (27), Philadelphia (28) and the Giants (30) have more. The Pats aren't far behind though, with 23.

Although Chicago has turned the ball over a lot - 23 giveaways on 15 interceptions and 8 fumbles - they've done a lot better job of protecting the ball recently. They only had one turnover (fumble) at Detroit, one (interception) against the Eagles, one (pick) at Miami, two picks against Minnesota, and one fumble lost at Buffalo.

They're 5-0 in those games since their bye and seem to be a different team than before the bye, when they had just lost back-to-back home games to Seattle and Washington.

 

[patfanken]

This is going to be like the rest of the season. Forget the hype of Monday, and just follow th same blueprint we have all season....when we have won. No turnovers, minimum penalties, tackle well, play great special teams, and turn the ball over 2 times. Do all these things and we will win the game, fail and we will likely lose

I'm not sure, given the conditions we will face on the field, that this game will get into the 20's. I just want the defense to continue making baby steps toward mediocrity. I think that will manifest itself in more pressure on Cutler. That and our offensive prowess should be enough.

 

[unpreDITKAble]

Why does everyone say Bears are a great team? I'll confess that I haven't watched any of their games this season. But all their wins have come against mediocre teams, save for Packers and maybe Eagles. And all their game scores have been fairly pedestrian.

Not saying this game is gonna be a cakewalk. But I just don't see why the Bears need to be feared. And after defeating the likes of Raves/Colts/Steelers/Jets, having one of the top offences in the league, and a defense that has improved literally every game since week 2, do we really need to be worried about playing Chicago?

I think why 'everyone' says the Bears are a great team is because like you defend your defense - i defend our offense. Since our bye-week we have improved tremendously. I dont think anyone questioned chicago's defense all year, but definitely our offense. Whats the point of anything without consistensy (something the bears were/still are heavily criticized for all year, and well almost every year.. lol), but if you look at us the past 5 games they are all wins in a more solid factor - rather than "defense bailed us out" type of win. Jay Cutler might not be doing as well as Tom Brady has (whos always spectacular and at worst decent), but He is being efficient enough to provide potentional game-winning drives instead of a turnover machine. Yeah, we dont have the flare that Tom Brady gives off to light up a scoreboard like last monday, but we have our methodical drives that eat up the clock and usually take advantage of the turnovers our defense provides us with.* Call us a "pretender" or whatever, but as of right now.. until I see another sign of sloppy/inconsistent play or Cutler saying he'll throw to DeAngelo Hall again.. I think it is safe to say we are the real deal. Like I said this is all an opinion.. I'm just happy that we have a tough remaining schedule (Pats, Jets, GB) - because to me its proof if we deserve to be in the playoffs.

As for saying our wins have come off mediocre teams is understandable to a degree, but c'mon. The Colts are 6-6 this year (and i am in no way shape or form saying peyton manning is comparable to jay cutler) but.. I havn't seen them beat anyone decent on their list.. except the giants, yet you feared them and not us even a little?

 

[Patspsycho]

I think why 'everyone' says the Bears are a great team is because like you defend your defense - i defend our offense. Since our bye-week we have improved tremendously. I dont think anyone questioned chicago's defense all year, but definitely our offense. Whats the point of anything without consistensy (something the bears were/still are heavily criticized for all year, and well almost every year.. lol), but if you look at us the past 5 games they are all wins in a more solid factor - rather than "defense bailed us out" type of win. Jay Cutler might not be doing as well as Tom Brady has (whos always spectacular and at worst decent), but He is being efficient enough to provide potentional game-winning drives instead of a turnover machine. Yeah, we dont have the flare that Tom Brady gives off to light up a scoreboard like last monday, but we have our methodical drives that eat up the clock and usually take advantage of the turnovers our defense provides us with.* Call us a "pretender" or whatever, but as of right now.. until I see another sign of sloppy/inconsistent play or Cutler saying he'll throw to DeAngelo Hall again.. I think it is safe to say we are the real deal. Like I said this is all an opinion..

It is not so much Cutler being all that much more efficient as it is getting Martz to stop being such a blockhead and giving up that 7 step drop game that was giving Cutler all those concussions. Since they've started mixing it up and giving the run game more of a chance, they've been better.

 

[Warren1985]

I expect the bears to run it more this weekend, so our Run D has to be on point!

I dont think we will have trouble scoring on them to be honest.

 

[sarge]

The weather could be the real equalizer for this game.

The thing about the Bears is they have the type of defense that has the best chance at stopping Brady.

The Key to stopping Brady is being able to apply pressure while only sending 4 and keeping everyone in covereage.

Of course 40 mile an hour winds do pretty good to.

But our running game and O line aint to shabby either.

 

[jmt57]

Patriots-Bears Preview - Dec. 8, 2010 - NFL - CBSSports.com Game Preview

"How can you not be pumped to play the three-time Super Bowl champions," said Chicago safety Chris Harris, tied for the team lead with three INTs. "I'm very confident about the team that we have here, and I still don't think that we've peaked."

Chicago is playing much better offensively since its bye in Week 8, averaging 24.0 points during its winning streak with Cutler passing for 1,062 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. Cutler has posted back-to-back passer ratings over 117.0, and his teams are 19-0 when his rating reaches 100.

Cutler will look to take advantage of a New England pass defense that is second worst in the league at 276.8 yards.

The Patriots' defense is coming off an impressive performance, however, limiting New York's Mark Sanchez to 164 passing yards while intercepting him three times. New England is tied for second in the NFL with 18 interceptions.

The last meeting between these teams at Gillette Stadium in 2006 was filled with turnovers.

Brady threw two interceptions and the Patriots lost three fumbles, but the defense picked off three passes and forced a fumble in a 17-13 victory.

This will be the teams' first matchup at Soldier Field since 2000. The Bears have won seven of their last eight December home games, and Sunday's forecast calls for temperatures to drop to single digits in the evening.

 

[unpreDITKAble]

Patriots-Bears Preview - Dec. 8, 2010 - NFL - CBSSports.com Game Preview

Great read! It is definitely going to be exciting as we've said plenty of times before.

Now with Tom Brady's new cleats Urlacher should get him this time for sure!

 

[jmt57]

Ha Ha, nice photoshop there; I didn't even catch it the first time I looked.


I did read somewhere that they are putting down new sod at the stadium this week. Any rain in the forecast this week? If I recall correctly if it rains right after new sod is put down it can really cause havoc - and be worse than if they had just played on the old turf. The other thing I'm thinking is that since the Bears played in Detroit Sunday, why didn't they put down the new sod last week to give it more time to set?

 

[patsfaninpittsburgh]

I think why 'everyone' says the Bears are a great team is because like you defend your defense - i defend our offense. Since our bye-week we have improved tremendously. I dont think anyone questioned chicago's defense all year, but definitely our offense. Whats the point of anything without consistensy (something the bears were/still are heavily criticized for all year, and well almost every year.. lol), but if you look at us the past 5 games they are all wins in a more solid factor - rather than "defense bailed us out" type of win. Jay Cutler might not be doing as well as Tom Brady has (whos always spectacular and at worst decent), but He is being efficient enough to provide potentional game-winning drives instead of a turnover machine. Yeah, we dont have the flare that Tom Brady gives off to light up a scoreboard like last monday, but we have our methodical drives that eat up the clock and usually take advantage of the turnovers our defense provides us with.* Call us a "pretender" or whatever, but as of right now.. until I see another sign of sloppy/inconsistent play or Cutler saying he'll throw to DeAngelo Hall again.. I think it is safe to say we are the real deal. Like I said this is all an opinion.. I'm just happy that we have a tough remaining schedule (Pats, Jets, GB) - because to me its proof if we deserve to be in the playoffs.

As for saying our wins have come off mediocre teams is understandable to a degree, but c'mon. The Colts are 6-6 this year (and i am in no way shape or form saying peyton manning is comparable to jay cutler) but.. I havn't seen them beat anyone decent on their list.. except the giants, yet you feared them and not us even a little?

DITK

Compliments over at daBears.com.

Interesting threads and discussions. Your people provide great insight on Da Bears.

I'm enjoyed your site tremendously.

I'll be at the game and hope that your site is representative of the fan base.

 

[unpreDITKAble]

Ha Ha, nice photoshop there; I didn't even catch it the first time I looked.


I did read somewhere that they are putting down new sod at the stadium this week. Any rain in the forecast this week? If I recall correctly if it rains right after new sod is put down it can really cause havoc - and be worse than if they had just played on the old turf. The other thing I'm thinking is that since the Bears played in Detroit Sunday, why didn't they put down the new sod last week to give it more time to set?

Haha I'm glad you took it for what it was - just a joke

For weather wise its cold.. and cold haha but this week/weekend its supposed to rain & snow

But I'm not sure if they resodded it again today.. but i know last wednesday they did. (Here is an article that goes into more detail - With Bears on the road, Soldier Field resodded - Chicago Breaking Sports)

DITK

Compliments over at daBears.com.

Interesting threads and discussions. Your people provide great insight on Da Bears.

I'm enjoyed your site tremendously.

I'll be at the game and hope that your site is representative of the fan base.

Thank you very much! Same here (its actually a lot more active here so i've been cruising around on this forum too). As for the fans - we all just want a competitive/injury free game, but just watch out for the occassional drunk fan who gets a bit arrogant. I guess you can say its pretty much the same for the most part. Don't worry there is no obnoxious fireman either. I have heard good things even from some packers fans! So I guess that speaks for itself! Hope you have fun and good luck!

PS Remember to wear layers..

 

[jmt57]

Here's a link to an 40-minute podcast with espn's Tedy Bruschi and Mike Reiss. They start out by ranking their current top five NFL teams - Bruschi ranks the Bears #5. After that they give their initial preview of the Pats - Bears game at about the 10:30 mark.

Pod Center >> ESPN Radio >> ESPN Boston: 12/8



ProFootballWeekly.com - Patriots' 60-second rant: Bears provide opportunity for pass rush to shine

But something is still missing, and it's something I've discussed here before: a consistent pass rush. Yes, Sanchez was under pressure a decent number of times on Monday night (one sack and four QB hits), but most of his mistakes were due to the coverage and disguising at the line, not because he was getting pressured. Without top sack man Mike Wright, the Patriots have no pass-rush threat on the defensive line and are counting on OLBs Tully Banta-Cain and Jermaine Cunningham to get the job done.

The Patriots will never have a week more ripe to come heavy with the blitz and to get their pass rushers some confidence than Sunday's battle with the Bears. Jay Cutler has been sacked a league-high 41 times, and that's with him missing 1½ games. The Patriots have sacked quarterbacks just 21 times, tied for 24th in the league.

Cunningham, the pass rusher of the future, has just one sack, but he had five tackles and a tackle for loss on Monday night and seems to be doing a better job getting after the quarterback. Banta-Cain had one sack on Monday night and four on the season, but he's well off his 10-sack 2009 campaign.

The Patriots have the schemes and a solid run defense but are still without the ability to blitz often and use it as a weapon. Against the Bears' O-line, the Pats need to pressure one of the weaker offensive lines in the league. A win with some good pressure on the QB won't change the fact that this team doesn't have a lot of pass-rushing personnel, but it's something missing from the 10-2 team that would just make them even scarier come playoff time.

This is from a betting sight, but I'm not finding much else out there yet for previews:

Bet on NFL? Patriots at Bears 2010-12-07; BetUS Locker Room

Instead of Mother Nature, however, the biggest difference maker in this game will be Bill Belichick’s defense trying to confuse Cutler. Betting this game seriously depends on how you feel about the face of the franchise in Chicago, because if his past resume has proven anything, it’s that he’s not the most intelligent quarterback, nor the most consistent.

For their part, the Bears have gone a solid 5-0 SU and 3-1-1 ATS in their past five games and Cutler has averaged 212.4 passing yards with a 66.2 completion percentage to boot. He’s also totaled 10 touchdowns and just three picks over that stretch and turned the tables on all preseason NFL preview and picks in the NFC North that projected Cutler’s quarterbacking problems from 2009 would migrate to the 2010 football betting season.

Boy how wrong were we.

Ok, that’s jumping the gun. Mike Martz may be considered an offense genius, but Cutler still has some bad habits. He stares down his receivers. He forces far too many passes. He holds on to the ball for too long instead of throwing it away to live another day.

You also can’t undersell how efficient Belichick has been at making good quarterbacks look foolish. NFL previews and picks love pressing on the fact that New England has one of the worst defenses in the league, but that is merely by statistics. Like the union of Martz and Cutler, Belichick has had to be patient with his young defense. They have reverted to that same “bend but don’t break” mentality and it is working for them.

While the main matchup in this game is Belichick and his defense trying to slow down the surging Cutler under the tutelage of Martz, a lot of NFL previews and picks might very well try to suggest that Chicago’s defense can stymie the Patriots blistering offense. If Urlacher, Peppers and company are able to at least slow down Brady and the Patriots then their playoff hopes will be given further vindication.

Few matchups, if any, will provide us as much feedback on the actual playoff hopes of the Chicago Bears than this one. Since finding their groove, they’ve caught good teams (Minnesota and Philadelphia) in bad weeks. The Patriots haven’t really had a bad week in the past month of football, especially after that wake-up call against Cleveland.

And here's one from a decidedly pro-Bears viewpoint. I'll link it for entertainment purposes only. Apparently some people think the Patriots play in a dome, haven't changed the offense since 2007, will fall apart in poor weather, and not having recognizable names on the roster will surely doom a team to failure. I'll spare everyone that portion of the column and quote something else.

Patriots at Bears Game Preview - Da' Bears Blog - chicagonow.com

In conditions like these, the Bears return game will be the star of the show. I'd be surprised if Bill Belichick punts the ball directly to Devin Hester but good coaches have done it before.

I love the emergence of Earl Bennett as a reliable possession receiver. With conditions and inevitably big third-down situations, I think the Duke of Earl comes up huge.

I think this is going to be a low-scoring game. And in low-scoring, cold weather games I will take the better run game and special teams.

Chicago Bears 13 - New England Patriots 10

 

[SVN]

martz likes to run lots of slants and incuts for large gains something the pats need to stop

 

[kkpat]

The Bears "O" line has some issues especially one of the Tackles is a rookie and the protection for Jay Cutler is breaking down. May be we can put pressure the way we did against Pittsburgh. Jay Cutler killed us before with his passes.

 

[Horace Ivory]

martz likes to run lots of slants and incuts for large gains something the pats need to stop

"Slants and incuts, that's the game! Slants and incuts."