The Bears should have won today. Fact. The Bears should have have won. But they didn't. And there's three reasons why.
1. GREG OLSEN. He fumbled in the first half on a drive that was set to guarantee points and in the second half because he didn't protect the football. Can't do that. Mr. Olsen is now officially on a short leash.
2. KYLE ORTON. If the Rex fans want to use today to gloat, they should go and root for another team. Still Kyle missed too many open receivers down the field, especially a Marty Booker running lonesome down the left sideline.
3. RON TURNER. I don't like criticizing the offensive coordinator but this second half was shameful. Last drive of the game...3rd and 1...screen to Booker...hand-off to McKie. Screen to Booker. Hand-off to McKie. GIVE THE FUCKING FOOTBALL TO MATT FORTE! HE'S YOUR BEST PLAYER!
We'll talk more tomorrow. Right now I'm not pleased.
#2 HesterFan23 said . . .penalties is up there as well.
September 15, 2008
#3 HesterFan23 said . . .Not making an excuse for Turner, but this was on the official site:
"As you would imagine, there were a lot of questions about the Bears’ final three offensive plays. After Matt Forte picked up nine yards on first-and-10 from the Chicago 41, Kyle Orton followed with two incompletions before fullback Jason McKie was stuffed for no gain on fourth down with 1:52 remaining. It’s hard to believe that Forte wouldn’t touch the ball on second-and-1, third-and-1 and fourth-and-1. It turns out that a run to Forte was called on third down, but Orton has the option of throwing the ball if he thinks the defense is lined up to take away the run. That’s exactly what he did, and Chris Gamble came up and knocked the ball away from Marty Booker. Ron Turner took the blame after the game for even giving Orton the option to throw it on that play."
September 15, 2008
#4 Taylor said . . .Anyways, I'm still not sure how we managed to piss that game down our leg. We dominated the entire thing and then we lose it.
Greg Olsen is who I blame, his turnovers led directly to 10 points. And one time, we were driving.
I also blame Turner. The first half we did a good job, but Forte didn't get the ball enough in the second and we didn't really do anything to make a big play.
Oh, and did I mention how bad the field position was? I can't remember a drive other than the interception that started outside of the 20.
September 15, 2008
#5 minnie Mad Dog said . . .Clean it up Olsen!!! Clark or someone needs to get on his ass this week!
No doubt Orton has better pocket presence and can read defenses better than Rex, but he doesn't seem to be able to make completions beyond 15 yards. Orton is going to need to be more than a "game manager". All the games won't be like Indy, were we just keep with the run game. Kyle needs to step up and be a playmaker!
I also think he got a little audible crazy.September 15, 2008
#6 HesterFan23 said . . .Game sucked.
Olsen dropped not one but two key passes. The offense got several nice runs called back for holding. Too bad, Forte. Whole team seemed to fade in 2nd half -- maybe coaching, Jeff ---- but maybe the heat, too. Hell, I dont know.
But Jeff, like Wisc. Al. said before the season ever started, Orton can't mount a sustained 80 yard drive. He had opportunity after opportunity and his passing >> 15 yards just sucked. Not just the wide open Marty Booker pass that you mention. But multiple others where he just heaved the ball into double coverage. And, he had pretty good pass protection, all considered.
Anyway, 1 win, 1 loss is not a bad start given the schedule. Vikings performance and fade was even more pathetic than the Bears.
September 15, 2008
#7 Al In WI said . . .We need the win next week before the Eagles head to town.
Tampa Bay wasn't great outside of their early two interceptions against Atlanta. Griese wasn't all that great so hopefully we can have a huge game to make us forget this one.
September 15, 2008
#8 Rancid said . . .This game has the potential to haunt us down the stretch. Especially if it comes down to a wild card spot or seeding against Carolina in the divisional round. That is a good team, and remember they didn't have Steve Smith today. This is really a game that got away, and we have two tough matchups now with the Bucs, and Eagles.
As for Jeff's list I would add Lovie Smith to that. The entire team went into run out the clock mode in 3rd quarter. While Turner's play calling reflected that, I believe that is an attitude that came from the top. Even without the Olsen fumbles, you can't give a good quarterback that many chances to beat you on a day with 100 degree heat. Not to mention that your D is on the field the entire second half because you can't get a first down.
But to me the bottom line is this; you had the ball twice with under 4 mins to play needing only about 30-40 yards to get a tying field goal, and you can't even get one first down. That is down right pathetic.September 15, 2008
#9 Brian in Sec 430 Row 25 said . . .Here's what I had to say on this blog last week about RT:
"The plan was good last night and it worked perfectly. I'm still afraid he won't be able to adjust if he needs to though."
Damn I hate being right. Hope you got a nice insurance policy RT. In reality there is a lot of places for blame, I rank them as:
1. Greg Olsen - it's gonna take you a while to win fans back friend. He is truly the real problem, if he holds onto the ball the next 3 issues on this list are easy to overcome and we still win.
2. RT - If you've been on this blog in the last couple years at all you know how I feel about this pitiful excuse for a human being. He should be on unemployment.
3. KO - It wasn't very good today, man.
4. Penalties - Looks like the refs are gonna be out of breath after all Bears games from all that whistle blowing.
September 15, 2008
#10 Viva said . . .I too am discouraged...I spent first half hour of the game listening on the raido because the Biblical flodding closed 80/94 on my way home from the lake house.....then I spent the entire 2nd half in my buddies basement with the wet vac trying to manage 6 inches of water that all but ruined one of the great basements ever built (122 inch HD, Golden Tee, poker room etc). BUT.....I do have something positive to say. I understand we lost, and I admit I have not watched the 2nd half yet but we were winning 17-3 in Carolina and we should have won the game. Bottom line, this team has the talent to be 2-0 on the road. I tend to have a short memory but I do remember 2 weeks ago when I thought the Bears would be 6-10 and now I feel like we are good enought to make a serious playoff push. This season is going to be better than I thought and for that I am encouraged!
September 15, 2008
#11 Max said . . .Ron and Lovie's biggest problem is that they gave the offense to a QB they do not trust with the game on the line, and that is a BIG problem. They gave the offense, it seems to me, to a guy THEY feel cannot execute every play in the playbook. They need to believe in their decision, and take the fucking handcuffs off him; otherwise, we will never know what we have in Orton, and teams will continue to exploit our lack of downfield play calling.
I'm pissed about Lovie's decision to leave the 2 min offense off the field when we got the ball with 2 mins to go before the half. Run, run, penalty punt, and Carolina puts points on the board. This violates rule number one - never be a pussy on the objective!!!
This season is not over... but they need to do more then have KO "manage the game"... or they will continue to be out-managed...
September 15, 2008
#12 marc said . . .p.s. fuck moose
September 15, 2008
#13 Brian from WI said . . .KO is a good young QB he will learn from this....I DO NOT BLAME HIM >> HE WAS MANAGING THE GAME WELL....WHAT KILLED US WAS GREG OLSEN FUMBLING WHEN WE WERE ON A RYTHM TO POTENTIALLY SCORE AND OUR DEFENSE SECOUNDARY THEY COULDN't CoVER A FUCKIN COW!!! AND RON TURNER WHAT A DUMB BITCH
September 15, 2008
#14 Viva said . . .Did you guys see that Packer game today - Holy Shit ! ! Looks like those pesky Packers made a seamless transition at quarterback again. Ha-Ha ! !
PS - sorry about the loss - I know the win in the first week got your hopes up, but I'm here to remind you that you still suck.
September 15, 2008
#15 Viva said . . .Carlos Zambrano is pitching a gem ----- check it out!!!!
September 15, 2008
#16 HesterFan23 said . . .NO - NO BABY
September 15, 2008
#17 Bearman on the Sangamon said . . .I'm not going to go back and forth, but please remember who the Packers played.
The same team allowed 21 straight points in their opening week loss to the Falcons. Oh, and they scored quite a few on your "great" corners that everybody talks about.
September 15, 2008
#18 Albert in Tucson said . . .Hey, man. I agree. I'm not one to brutally go after Ron Turner. Hardly ever. But today was one of those games. I sucked it up and watched the game again on DVR. It is astonishing how different the first half and second half teams are! Staggering! Other than the Greg Olsen fumbles, Kyle Orton being inaffective at distances greater than 14 yards, the greatest problem I saw was play calling so conservative, it might make Mitt Romney queasy.
The first half of the game Turner, Orton, and Forte are moving the chains like crazy. The Orton to Lloyd pass from inside Chicago's endzone was outstanding and sent Carolina's defense reeling backwards for the rest of the drive (until the first Olsen fumble).
What I'm saying is that there is a pattern which has developed. Ron Turner is a great coach when it comes to preparation. His players are prepared as hell to play and that is an undeniable indesputable fact! But his play calling is outrageous. I remember Super Bowl XLI, why not run the ball Ron? Why not? Then I remember when the Giants came to Soldier Field last season, and if I remember correctly the Grossman led no-huddle offense had New York's defense on the back-peddle taking a first half lead. In the second half the Bears returned to traditional offense and the Giants were able to catch their breath and dismantle the Bears. I remember Michael Strahan commenting on that, that in the first half they couldn't keep up with Chicago.
Turner did a fabulous job against Indianapolis a week ago. But his play calling undoubtedly blew it for the Bears when they needed him the most. I now say that I am in the "Fire Turner" camp, but it has taken me many years to arrive here.
Sigh. Bear Down.
September 15, 2008
#19 Z said . . .Plenty of blame to go around. Bottom line: A golden opportunity lost. 2 road wins against 'good'teams' would have been fantastic. Minnesota, at o-2 is nice, though.
September 15, 2008
#20 Z said . . .I swear GO and McGowan were drunk or stoned out there. 12 penalties for the team. Some very costly. RT reverts to his old self for the 2nd half. Were we trying to run the game out starting at the end of the 2nd Q. No 2 min Offense huh? That lead too big Lovie and Ron? WTF? This better not be a game that keeps us out of the playoffs or fire them both. D was giving up some big plays too, especially to the run in the 2nd half but they were on the field the whole time the 2nd half. The O couldn't budge the chains. I think they were getting dusty out there.
I wasn't especially pissed when we traded Chris Harris but I do remember thinking we didn't get much for him at a position we always seem not very deep in and that he was still very young. Guess we blew that. He lays the lumber hard. Would fit real nice with our other sledgehammers on D.
Anyway KO can't throw 15 yards accurately and Sexy can't see what the hell is going on and sprints backwards when there is pressure coming. The coaches have obviously never had full confidence in either one and why should they. They try to handcuff either one to limit the damage and guess what, our O ends up limited and handcuffed. We made it to the playoffs with KO and the SB with Sexy. If they could combine their positives into 1 QB they would be worthy of being an NFL starting QB but they are not.
I just read that Tampa offered a trade to the SF 49ers for Garcia. I say we do what it takes to make this trade. Yes that is depressing to type but I think we have a 2 or 3 year window tops here and I think he could replace those 2 in a second and take the handcuffs off of our O. Is Matt Leinert ready to be traded yet? And yes I realize what I am typing.
RT will still suck monkey nuts because he is appparently a douchebag but I think it would help. When we are behind or not ready to be running the clock down on O yet with a lead, we should let the monkey call the plays after Ron is done teabagging it. There is no way it could do any worse. Have a nice day.
September 15, 2008
#21 Luke said . . .And Forte and Lloyd are studs. Keep it up boys and just give Forte the damn ball!
September 15, 2008
#22 marc said . . .Pending an Eagles/Cowboys game our boy Matt Forte is 3rd in the league for rushing yards. Just a positive note, ya know.
And Brandon Lloyd did play solid as hell. He's looking like our guy.
And I keep thinking...Where was Mark Bradley?
And if Rash is gonna keep playing like that, throw him on the practice squad and bring in Rideau.
I'm starting to think that the year we traded down and got Danielle Manning we should have traded up and got Jay Cutler.
September 15, 2008
#23 What the hay said . . .BEARS HAD ONE OF THE HARDEST FIRST TWO GAME BOTH ON THE ROAD AT PLAYOFF CALIBER TEAMS...PACKERS GOT EASY TEAMS THE VIKINGS AND LIONS WAIT TILL WE PLAY THE PACL A ROD IS IN FOR SOME REAL SMASHMOUTH CHICAGO STYLE FOOTBALL!!! GO BEARS
FORTE IS BEAST
FIRE RON TURNERSeptember 15, 2008
#24 shonbear said . . .DAMN! what the heck!!!! i'm mad mad mad. packers game pissed me off too...then again it was against the lions.
September 15, 2008
#25 middless linebacker said . . .Can someone please confirm to me that Gregg Olsen really made the reception on the first fumble?
Where was Kevin Jones today for some change up/fresh running?
Here's some stuff:
Goods:
We had more passing yards
We had more rushing yards
We had more sacks
We had a better completion rate
We had better third down efficiencyBads:
2 turn overs (GO)/this is the real killer
3 minutes less time of possession
Devin Hester injury (hope not bad)
Two more penalties than them
too many missed opportunites
deplorable play calling at the end (KO/RT)
All I know is the Freakin Pack needs to lose next week and we need to win. I think again that the Bears will have a chip on that shoulder and take down the Bucs!!!September 15, 2008
#26 Worm0922 said . . .Does anyone notice how bad Brian Urlacher is? This has been going on for the past two years. Just think how good the D would be with a real middle linebacker.
Butkus must get real pissed watching this slacker.September 15, 2008
I have tried to be positive since the change at quarterback. Yesterday, Orton showed the reason Rex might have been a better option. I know we as fans want a stable qb situation, but it worked for the cardinals. Maybe Rex could have come in and out as the situation shows. Only problem would be the defense would know what we were planning. I can even think straight due to yesterday. 4.6 per an attempt is not cutting it. I'm behind who ever is QB, but imagine with me for a moment. The line is holding up and rb job is stable for 2 games. With someone who could stretch the defense, imagine over 200 yds on the ground. Ron would have to commit to the run, but yesterday should have been like week 1. Sry, just rambling
September 15, 2008
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