Twenty thoughts on viewing the game a second time:
(1) "If you don't get there to intercept or knock down the ball, get there shortly thereafter." -John Madden on playing cornerback. Really, John?
(2) The player of the game was right guard Roberto Garza. Both Forte and McKie scored touchdowns because Garza leveled defenders and created huge holes. John Tait was also great in the run-blocking department.
(3) Nathan Vasher needs to work on tackling in space.
(4) Olin Kretuz had an indistinguishable evening which included an illegal snap, a holding penalty and a sack allowed. He was good in short yardage but this line can't afford mistakes like that from the captain.
(5) "If a guy is managing the game, he usually can't play." Now that's classic Madden. Kyle Orton threw one bad pass the entire night, sailing a ball over Des Dispenser's head and into the arms of Kelvin Hayden. Hayden - contrary to the Super Bowl - didn't catch it.
(6) Best drive of the game came after the Colts scored their third quarter touchdown. Orton and the running game held the ball for seven minutes and literally drained the life out of the stadium. TNo points due to a bad sack. They pinned the Colts deep and Lance Briggs scored a touchdown a few plays later.
(7) Best play of the game was a 3rd and 2 early in the fourth quarter where Orton wisely hit Forte over the middle for the first down as the pocket collapsed around him.
(8) Orton to Olsen down the right sideline at the end of the first half was pretty stuff. Olsen's other first down catch was a shoestring tackle away from being a big time touchdown. What a fascinating play call! I doubted using G-Reg in the backfield but it set him up one-on-one with a linebacker and that's a battle he's not losing.
(9) Loved the coach's facial expression after Hester got tackled on the three yard line. He had this, "Oh mannnnnn" look. Very funny.
(10) Charles Tillman played a spectacular football game.
(11) So did Adewale Ogunleye.
(12) So did Desmond Clark.
(13) Hey Danieal Manning. If Hester can catch the kickoff, let him catch the kickoff.
(14) My first grade on the 2008 draft class: A+. If Matt Forte and Marcus Harrison are the kinds of players we saw last night, we drafted two stars.
(15) You know what's amazing about the Bears defense? When they recover a fumble or intercept a pass, the entire unit goes into a kick return mode. They make a wedge-like thing and become excellent blockers. Lance Briggs was touched by one Colt en route to the endzone.
(16) Mike Brown landed thre hits that left a Colt writhing in pain. Joseph Addai won't forget #30.
(17) They didn't just dominate the shaky middle of the Colts offensive line, Wale and Ale Brown they dominated Ugoh and Diem too.
(18) When Kevin Jones came into the game, there was very little dropoff at running back. What are the odds Jerry Angelo trades Matt Forte for a second round pick swap?
(19) Lloyd Lee, linebackers coach. Not gonna lie. Had no idea who he was until yesterday. But when Lance Briggs scored, he jumped about eleven feet in the air.
(20) Supreme effort. The coaches deserve a tremendous amount of credit for putting together an exquisite game plan. Keep it up.
#2 jeff said . . .first (In think).
I'm downloading the game right now.
I feel like a new fan!
September 8, 2008
#3 VA Jeff said . . .to quote gwennie paltrow in shakespeare in love:
"it is a new world"
September 8, 2008
#4 Luke said . . .Is it just me or does Orton have a "tell' whenever he audibles. Each time he audibled, if it was going to be a run he would walk in circles calling out the adjustments. I noticed this 'cause I was laughing thinking he was going to get himself dizzy. On the other hand, if he audibled to a pass, he didn't spin around (never turned his back to the D)
Anyone else notice this or did I have one too many watching the game.
I'm not looking to knock on Orton, I thought he played great yesterday.
September 8, 2008
#5 Luke said . . .jdawg, where from, the game download that is.(if that question is allowed)
September 8, 2008
#6 Polygonhell said . . .Jay Mariotti on espn just now..."I love sports, and I will return."
September 8, 2008
#7 Kyle in Madison said . . .I just kept waiting through the second half for the other shoe to drop....
Payton Manning looked confused all game long, I was convinced at some point he was going to make the adjustment, and he didn't.
As politically incorrect as it is in Chicago, you really have to credit the coaches both on offense and defense.
The offensive line had some good play, and the defense certainly turned up. Payne was the only person I could see missing tackles, hopefully we'll get that cleaned up.
It's worth listening to Tony Dungies press conference on the official Indianapolis site if you get a chance. He has some interesting comments having watched the film.
September 8, 2008
#8 animal said . . .VA Jeff-
I also noticed Orton doing his best Manning Audible impressions. It looked almost frantic, but his play last night was exactly what the bears need. He looked poised, pulled the ball down when no one was open, and managed the clock (see Forte). I was always a huge Grossman backer, having seen his potential in a select few months the past few years, but seeing Orton play as he did erased that (if not only for the moment). Grossman I think has an overall better arm, but for every "huge play" possibility from grossman comes a huge mistake possibility. We do not need our QB to run wild and make game changing plays. Consistency and few turnovers is what I hope to see all year from Orton.September 8, 2008
#9 Viva said . . .Right off the bat, Kornheser chalked the game up to "Manning being rusty"
hey Tony- go fuck yourself.September 8, 2008
#10 Tone Capone from Jersey said . . .Babich was a man's man yesterday. Thankfully, and to the chagrin of Manning and Co., he kept his tools in the tool chest all preaseason long. Nice job, Bob.
Look, Orton looked grood (part great, part good) yesterday, but he had guys open downfield that he did not go to. This will become a problem when teams start looking at film. Turner needs to address this immediately (and no, this is not a vote for Rex).
Liked what Thayer said after Hester's botch, "never, ever, ever, put your self ahead of the team...)
September 8, 2008
#11 BearDown1982 said . . .Vash looked like he had on cement shoes but overall our boys were awesome!
September 8, 2008
#12 Al In WI said . . .Good analysis. My tivo is broken...otherwise, I'd be enjoying my Monday night by first rewatching the Bears game and then watching the second half of the Packers-Vikings game.
The game plan was one of the better ones I can remember in quite a while. I wish we had run the ball this much in the Super Bowl...but that is water under the bridge of course.
I like that they have also brought back the fake reverse wrinkle into the running game on a more consistent basis. If Forte continues to run like this...we will reverse it in one of these games and it will work wonders. Maybe I'm wrong though.
Only possible downsides from the game I can think of are these:
#1. I'd be more confident in the offense if there was a receiver on our team that I completely trusted...one of them will have to start coming through at some point this season, but time will tell. Receiver by committee can work...but it would be nice if Orton had a dependable target.
#2. Mark Anderson was invisible yesterday. The rest of the d-line played awesome, so it mattered little...but I was hoping that he would be back to his 2006 sub ways now that AB is rightfully the starter again. I expect him to make some plays in the coming weeks though.
#3. Am I the only one who gets freaked out any time he sees Daniel Manning on the field? I just don't trust that guy. He has great speed and athleticism..but can't seem to harness them to his advantage.To close...man, I hope Muhsin catches one over the middle next Sunday just as Mike Brown breaks in on the play...
September 8, 2008
#13 jdawg said . . .Jeff, you deserve a lot of credit for calling this. I believe your post last week laid out exactly how this game would go. Kinda freaky, but in a good way! Great job, you are the only one I saw all week predicting a Bears win. So hat's off.
Attention: Mike Brown is still healthy, there is hope for the rest of the season!!September 8, 2008
#14 Pissed Off said . . .Luke -- go here:
hxxp://forums.tenyardtorrents.com/index.php
of course, change the xx to tt.
you can get all the games there.
September 8, 2008
#15 jeff said . . .A new Roy video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1K7-2y2jR8
September 8, 2008
#16 Green Lantern said . . .i appreciate that Al...i'm not right with these predictions often but i wasn't bad this week.
September 8, 2008
#17 Phillip from NYC said . . .Lloyd Lee! pride of Dartmouth College, my alma mater.
coach em up! last night was incredible. this week is a very interesting game....my opening line would be panthers by 3, basically a toss up with carolina getting three points for home field, even though their home field sucks. if they win that they will be 2-0 with 8 home games left, and a lot of games against bad teams (stl, det twice, atl, etc)
September 8, 2008
#18 Phillip from NYC said . . .I tell ya what, I LOVE being right. Especially when other people tell me I'm wrong.
Hey Jeff, does Josie Woods do pregame parties? I have responsibilities during game time at the Gael but I'd really like to come out there to check the place out before a game.
Also, BEAT THE CATS!
September 8, 2008
#19 jeff said . . .I tell ya what, I LOVE being right. Especially when other people tell me I'm wrong.
Hey Jeff, does Josie Woods do pregame parties? I have responsibilities during game time at the Gael but I'd really like to come out there to check the place out before a game.
Also, BEAT THE CATS!
September 8, 2008
#20 Phillip from NYC said . . .if by "party" you mean a lot of drinking...then yes
September 8, 2008
#21 Luke said . . .Excellent. See you sunday after church.
September 8, 2008
#22 The Duke said . . .The Bears have again made us giddy schoolchildren with a whiff of optimism hitting Bear fans in the face around the globe. Who were ANY of us to doubt that D? Brilliantly played game. Perfectly executed gameplan. This team looks mean. MEAN!!!
And Jdawg, thanks a bunch. that shit rocks!
September 8, 2008
#23 jeff said . . .awesome game, awesome gameplan. Can you imagine this defense if Chris Harris was still in there??? Payne needs help. And I hate to say it but Vasher looked like absolute shit. He got burned more than a few times. Overall though, the DB's held their own against two of the NFL's top receivers. Peyton missed a few guys by inches or this game is tied in the 4th. I don't care how much a DB claps after a dropped catch, it was just that, a dropped catch or a bad pass. And they were lucky at that. Predictions for Carolina? I still have a hate on for Delhomme since the last playoff game I won't mention. As much as it pains me to say it, who's gonna lay out Moose over the middle???
September 8, 2008
#24 Shady said . . .duke, vasher didn't actually play poorly. he looked bad in space but his coverage on the whole was pretty damn good.
September 8, 2008
#25 Max said . . .Couldn't agree more with the analysis, looking forward to watching our NFC North rivals beat each other up tonight on MNF.
September 8, 2008
#26 The Duke said . . .Wow. . . ok. Im recovered. That game was flipping awesome. Loved every second of it.
I will say, there were some things we should work on. Penalties. Bad Olin and say what you will, the man played awesome, but what a stupid, stupid play by Wale when he head butted whatever player for the Colts. . . and right in front of the ref.
Sorry, i have been so amped the past couple days i had to say something negative. but thats it
Bring on Moose the Douche. I hope we murder him
Oh and im definitely rockin the Hester jersey today, the Big Cat jersey tomorrow and then Hester again. Loving life
September 8, 2008
#27 mikebdot said . . .Fair enough Jeff. I haven't seen the game again yet. I just remembered him missing some serious open field tackles. Onward to Carolina.
September 8, 2008
#28 mikebdot said . . .I disagree about the comment regarding Garza. I think that Beekman was the best guard on the field the majority of the night. Regardless of the two plays you talk about. There were plenty of other plays where he didn't even come close performing his assigned duty. Kreutz was, in fact, worse on many occasions. Actually, that McKie run was just a good play call. It was meant to be a one on one type play and it worked out. Barely. Relying on McKie to level anyone on a given play will only work against quite possibly the weakest middle linebacker in the game. That's just my opinion though.
I agree with pretty much everything else though (less comment 18, weak). Olsen can't block for shit either. It's really sad.
Only beef I had with #93 was his headbutt. Lots of really awful penalties last night. This team is not disciplined and it needs to stop. That's even taking into account the awful call on Urlacher. Nobody cares when you're winning, but it loses games. I want to keep track of the number of 1st and 15s we have this season. I would bet it will be near 25 or 30.
September 9, 2008
#29 jeff said . . .Polygon: I thought the tell was how he pointed to the 'mike'. It was not directed at anyone in particular. The audible was most likely a change in direction.
September 9, 2008
#30 mikebdot said . . .mikeb, you're wrong on garza. love to argue about it but i've watched the game three times and he was terrific. he was also out in space on a number of screens, plowing people, even drawing the praise ofmadden on several plays. madden may be crazy but he knows o-linemen.
September 9, 2008
#31 Phil from SATX said . . .It's awfully difficult to miss open field tackles against Marvin Harrison, you know, since he just fucking falls down when he catches the ball anywhere near a defender. Reggie Wayne, meanwhile, is huge (compared to that fucking midget of a man in Harrison, god I hate him with a passion normally reserved for Green Bay Packers). Might sound like an excuse for Vasher, but just saying, tackling Reggie Wayne is actually not a very easy thing to do in open space.
Payne didn't miss that many tackles folks. He made some good plays. Watch closer. One or two bad plays per game are usually drowned out by superior performance elsewhere. When a safety fucks up, problems are readily apparent, since, you know, he's the SAFETY! See, Sanders, Bob + 50 yard Forte Run. Course, he looks great cleaning up slop. I hate Bob Sanders so much. Him and his muscle-flexing. Must be showing off for his boyfriend.
September 9, 2008
#32 brian in sec 430 row 25 said . . .Jeff, I gotta say, there's a reason your name's at the top of this blog, you're the best analyst on here always and it isn't close. Enjoyed reading every one of those kazillion points.
I'll add some...
1) Cut Vasher some slack - remember it's been a long time since he's seen real playing time - rust is what you're seeing. Same comment about MB. These guys will look much better as the season progresses (provided they stay healthy, of course).
2) Receiver by committee IS going to work - if the running game continues to. Probably the only thing that a-hole writer from Indy had right was that he couldn't name a single Bears receiver after watching the game. That's okay - who needs a go-to receiver if every Tom Dick and Marty you throw it to catches it? Cause that's what I saw last night - were there any drops?
3) I too love not being worried about 3rd and short with this crew - they'll get it, by whatever means. Think for a moment about the enormous difference this is between this year and last year - last year we KNEW we weren't going to pick it up, and we never did. Different year, different story.
4) PO'd, you're committing a Suicide by Rex. There's no need, man! Plenty o' posters lining up today to give kudos and mea culpas, and while none of that's required, you have to give it up for Cool Breeze - whether you think Rex could have done the same, that's okay, but to suggest that Kyle's performance was anything but very very good is, well it's crazy talk. I'm not busting on you here, I'm just sayin "Come on in boys, the water's fine!" Join us in welcoming the QB of the first win of the season, hopefully, LOGICALLY, to be followed by many more.
5) VA jeff, you may be on to something - but I was totally mesmerized by Kyle's whirligig audibling deal. Seemed to work, seemed like Indy was mesmerized too. Maybe his nick s/b Snake Charmer!
6) Next test for our heroes - facing the 8 man front they will undoubtedly face against Panthers. I'll make an early, easy call - they'll know some receivers names after the next win!
GO BEARS!
September 9, 2008
#33 Z said . . .I was at the game and it was sooooo sweet. You guys have more than covered all angles of the victory but there was one perspective I wanted to give as someone who was there....I was very impressed with Colts fans on the whole. One of my biggest pet peeves is when some drunk ahole makes someones sunday expierence at soldier field miserable just because they are rooting for the other team. Fans should be able to go to an away game and enjoy themselves, period. I was also impressed with Bears fans who in my road game experience are the classiest in the NFL.....very little if any "taunting" even when we knew we had it one. Oh, and one more thing...the stadium is unreal!
September 9, 2008
#34 Phil from SATX said . . .I am confused. If the Vikings are the more dangerous team to challenge for the division, should I be happy they are losing, even to the Pack. I know I hate the Pack more but AP is so dangerous. I hate these moral, what is best for our team, dilemnas. I know I should be happy that 1 of them will be beneath us after tonight but can't they just both go down in flames.
September 9, 2008
#35 mikebdot said . . .Mikeb, I was going to ask during my long-ass post, where the f you were, and you showed up as I was writing. Maybe I need to watch the game again, cause I thought that was an incredibly DISCIPLINED team I was watching out there, contrary to your comments. Did we really have that many penalties? Ur's was bullshit, Pnut's was bullshit, and while Wale's was dumbass at least it was in the moment, that moment being Bears kickin yo ass up and down the field. Stupid but PASSION-FILLED. Kind of goes in the Hester category.
I also have to go with Jeff on Garza - not that I saw him being that great, but the numbers on the game speak for themselves - you can't really call out anyone on that line given the rushing yards, lack of sacks, lack of negative plays, so many 3rd and shorts. Everybody did great.
September 9, 2008
#36 jeff said . . .jeff: I never listen to Madden. He makes me sick. Not as bad as Michaels though. Or Korn-hole. God. I usually mute the TV watching sporting events. Announcers make the game suck and they are almost always wrong.
I've watched the game a few times as well. I honestly thought the left side was the best side. Putting a body on a body should be an occurrence that happens often. I know we're impressed due to the piss-poor nature of our line play the past few seasons (including '06) with very simple things and all, but every play should have a body on a body, not some plays. I don't know, when the perfect play call just happens to work against a given D when a lineman actually executes it doesn't mean the linemen is particular good, it means he executed the play as called.
Kreutz was especially terrible on a number of occasions. He was pushed backwards far too frequently. And the first play of the game was just sickening. I almost lost my dinner. Good thing Forte is actually good.
Regardless, I'm glad we having a discussion about who is better Garza or Beekman, not who is worse, Miller or a hurt Ruben Brown. St. Clair and Tait played well. Mathis and Freeney were limited to two impact plays. That is a feat.
September 9, 2008
#37 Crown said . . .mike, are u listening to this game? this mike and mike shit is sickening. this company employs brent musburger and i have to get this
September 9, 2008
#38 Crown said . . .Most relevant and eloquent 20 points on the game. Respect Jeff.
September 9, 2008
#39 KidronJesse said . . .Pissed Off,
Based on one of your prior comments, it seems as if you would rather lose and have KO throw 2 TDs and 250 yards than win a game. What kind of Bears fan is that? You need to stop hanging on to your Rex dream for your own psychological well-being. Stop tormenting yourself over Rex not playing and root for the Bears to win. Also, lets just keep this a site where we talk Bears and not get into professionalism.
September 9, 2008
#40 mikebdot said . . .Jeff, So glad you caught this:
(1) "If you don't get there to intercept or knock down the ball, get there shortly thereafter." -John Madden on playing cornerback. Really, John?
HAHAHAHA, I actually put the game on pause and brought my girlfriend in the room, then played that quote for her so I could make of Madden to another person. It's clearly the most obvious sportscaster quote since Bill Walton described Dennis Rodman in the play-offs by saying something like, "The thing about Rodman is, he rebounds the ball excellent, and rebounds help your team, so Rodman really helps the Bulls with his rebounding..."
The rest of your analysis is spot on, which kind of sucks. I was hoping to be the first to point out somethings... and you always steal the thunder. Nice job.
I'll describe this win as a pleasant surprise, I knew it was possible, but I also thought a blowout loss was possible, so I'm very pleased to have this outcome. If we play well against the Panthers next week, I'll officially be expecting the play-offs...
September 9, 2008
#41 Jimmy said . . .Jeff,
Yes, that mike/mike/mike announcing was awful. I turned it off very quickly.
What was worse though was korn-hole. He exaggerates when there is no need for it. "The Packers had 45 penalties..." Come on, just say the actual number. It would be reason enough to gasp at the suckage.
Incidentally, Garza's block to "spring" Forte was on Brackett, once again, quite possibly the worse middle linebacker in all of football. The Colts suckage at the position is what has caused them to not win football games in the clutch. It's why we would have run the Super Bowl with a play selection of 20 passes and 39 runs. Or whatever it was on Sunday...
Phil: I've been busy starting a new job and running a lot. I'm doing a half-marathon in October, so I have to train and such...
I guess we weren't as undisciplined as last year, but 7 penalties is a big deal. I just want to go a game with 1 or 2. Just occasionally. Even if those two penalties were BS.
I'm just glad we weren't called for illegal procedure with all the different packages we had in there. I really liked that goal line run with McKie with Forte on the left side, for no apparent reason. I also dig the fake reverse angle, especially to keep the receivers from actually having to block anyone, just to keep the other side honest, especially if Hester is involved. Fakes to him keep him from getting hit and prevent defenders from cheating, especially when 8 men are in the box.
September 9, 2008
#42 Doug Plank Daze said . . .You could really tell that Manning missed camp. He looked slow and slugish the entire game. I agree that the defense looked awesome and that they definitely carried the team. Manning may have had an off game , but I think Mike Lombardi's comment on NFpost.com that he didnt think that the Bears had a chance to beat the Colts was pretty harsh.
September 9, 2008
Over-the-shoulder, it was intensity and focus that whupped the Colts in their new backyard. The press woke up Monday morning next to the wrong woman, and all she had on was a ripped Manning jersey - arm-gnawing began in earnest. Hangover began to subside when the Brady injury report was slipped under their door...any distraction was better than trying to explain their abohrent behavior from the weeks before.
6 days out: I think if Carolina was an NFC North team, they would be considered a "bitter rival"...and off we go to Charlotte and BOA Stadium. I see an all-out brawl coming.
September 10, 2008
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.