Tony Gonzalez had 5 catches for 72 yards and was the lone bright spot for a dismal Atlanta Falcons team on opening day.  Jimmy Graham had 6 catches for 79 yards and it seemed every ball he caught was on a big spot third-and-long.  Jermichael Finley had 7 catches for 85 yards.  3 touchdowns.  While it is difficult to reach conclusions from the first three weeks of any NFL season, one thing is abundantly clear: the Bears are being dominated by opposing tight ends.

Why?

We know all the reasons.  The Tampa 2 leaves a giant hole in the middle of the field, patrolled only by Brian Urlacher it seems.  (He has done a brilliant job of that thus far in 2011.)  The Bears have been down to their third and fourth safeties at times as they face this crop so they’ve been unable to put a capable player in a man coverage situation.  And if you’re thinking they should line third corner D.J. Moore on Graham or Finley, think about how Moore’s 5’9″ would stack up against their 6’6″ and 6’5″ respectively.  You also need an accurate QB to make the tight end work against this system and Rodgers, Brees are two of the most accurate in the sport.

Enter Greg Olsen.  The Jersey-born, “U”-bred, first round draft pick of the Chicago Bears was unceremoniously shipped to Charlotte this offseason under the guise of “not fitting the Martz system.”  (One might wonder why the remainder of the skill players sans Matt Forte weren’t also shipped out.)  This won’t be Olsen’s first time contributing for the Panthers against the Bears, however.  In 2008 he fumbled the ball twice in a desperate attempt to help the Bears abandon their 17-3 lead.  They did so after a huge catch by tight end Jeff King in the fourth quarter put the Panthers in position for a one-yard TD run.  You could argue Olsen’s tenure with the Panthers started that afternoon.  His love affair with many Bears fans certainly ended.

Does Olsen have an axe to grind?  Who knows.  Will he be attempting to prove a point at Soldier Field?  Absolutely.  And head coach Ron Rivera will be pleased as punch to shove the Olsen decision down the throats of former bosses Jerry Angelo and Lovie Smith.  With Peanut spending a majority of the afternoon (hopefully) tracking Steve Smith’s wherabouts, I’d expect the Panthers to use Olsen as Cam Newton’s primary target.  They’ll want the ball out of their rookie QB’s hands as quickly as possible.

The Bears should approach Olsen as what they know he is: a wide receiver.  If he is on the field he should be attended to by whichever of the starting corners is not on #89.  Failure to recognize Olsen as the second most viable receiving threat for the Panthers will only lead to another 5-10 catch, 75-100 yard, multiple TD effort from an opposing tight end.  Treating him like a starting wide receiving, like an elite receiving talent, wil force Cam and the Panthers to beat them by throwing the ball to Brandon LaFell and Legedu Naanee.

I’m much more comfortable with that.  Aren’t you?

Brad Biggs Slaughters Jerry Angelo’s Record on Offense

In his “Ten Thoughts” column this week Brad Biggs, normally not one to aggressively venture into column land, takes JA to task on the offense’s record during his tenure with the organization.  He writes:

So, I did a little research over the last 10 seasons of the Jerry Angelo era (four offensive coordinators) to see where the Bears stacked up. The No. 1 team from 2010 (San Diego) was assigned 1 point and the 32nd team from 2010 (Carolina) was assigned 32 points and so on. Every team in each of the past 10 seasons was assigned a point value dependent upon where it ranked in total yardage that season. The Bears finished 30th last season, their worst finish since ranking 32nd during the Terry Shea Experiment of 2004.

Then, I added up the point totals for each club. The team with the least number of points (Indianapolis 55) tops the list with the best offense. What did I find out? Since 2001, the Bears are tied with the Cleveland Browns for the worst offense in the NFL in terms of yardage based on assigning a point value for the finish of all clubs every season. They each totaled 265 points. Buffalo was next worst with 247.

Nothing shocking.  A million quarterbacks, a million coordinators, several years without quality linemen…etc.  It has been a poor offensive era in Chicago.  But I find it rather alarming that Lovie Smith has chosen three offensive coordinators during his tenure with the club and all three run entirely different offensive systems.  Clearly we have a head coach who doesn’t know what he wants to do on the offensive side of the ball outside of running the ball after exiting the bus.

Matt Bowen Attempts to “Fix” the Bears Offense

There is nothing groundbreaking in Bowen’s analysis of the broken offense but you won’t be surprised to find all five of his keys involve coaching decisions.  Here are the two I’m most in agreement with:

1. Change the run game: Martz wants to use his O-Line to pull on the Stretch G (front-side guard pull strong), the Counter OF (front-side guard pull weak), etc. Why not get back to basics, run the Lead Open, Lead Strong or the quick inside trap out of the one-back look? Matt Forte can hit the hole, get up field and produce. Win up front, put a body on the linebackers and play some physical football. Quick, downhill plays.

3. Align Hester inside of the numbers: This has been talked about since Martz arrived in Chicago, but why aren’t we seeing more of it? Think about this: Hester vs. a No.3 CB from the slot. With his lateral quickness, a two-way go (work both inside and outside release) and open field ability, there is no question I would have him working inside. Runthe option route, the seam and the 3-step game. That’s where he belongs in this system.

These are both no-brainers.  And yet they’re not being done.

Why You Should Sign Up For Twitter and Follow Me

So I was reluctant to join this Twitter thing but I have to admit I like it.  It is the only way to get up-to-the-minute Bears information from the writers covering the team and also commentary from myself, Bears players and Bears fans around the world.  Sign up and follow me by CLICKING HERE.

Picks Contest Update

Only FQD1911 registered a perfect Week Three.  A majority of you lost out with the Lions only managing a push.

Even while the kickoff return game has been negated significantly by moronic NFL rule changes, Dave Toub and Chicago Bears special teams continue to provide the fan base with excited on-field moments.

The “fake” punt return was a stroke of football genius.  A veritable Brazzers clip for football x’s and o’s nerds like myself.  The Packers agreed, with Aaron Rodgers calling it the greatest football play call he’d ever seen.

Listening to the B.S. Report podcast with Cousin Sal (a weekly must for the gambling sort), an interesting point was raised: Why run that play down ten points with a minute remaining in a game you’re going to lose?  There are two modes of thought on this:

1. You can never run this play again so why not use when it has the chance to truly influence the outcome of a contest without the need to subsequently execute an onside kick.
2. By running this play, the Bears have put it on film and now teams will have to spend time during the week preparing for it.  This will then make Devin Hester more lethal on returns.

After passing the the exhilaration of the experience, I think the play was completed wasted in a game that was over.  Where do you stand?

Step off the ledge, Bears fans.  Open the window, crawl back inside, go to the fridge, get yourself an adult beverage and sit down in your favorite comfy chair.  Take a sip.  Breathe.

After spending much of late yesterday afternoon and last night swelling with disappointment and Budweiser, something occurred to me this morning.  The Bears did not lose to the Saints and Packers because of the run/pass balance established by Mike Martz.  They did not lose those two games because of their failure to establish a short passing game or because of field position losses caused by the new kickoff rules or because they do not field a viable #1 receiver on the outside.  They lost to the Saints and Packers for the simplest of reasons: they’re not as good as the Saints or the Packers.

That doesn’t mean they’re not good.  It just means they’re not elite…in September.  Very few teams can create the defensive mismatches for the Bears the Saints and Pack created with Jimmy Graham and Jermichael Finley – both players torching linebackers and second-string safeties in space.  Very few opponents have coordinators as creative as Gregg Williams and Dom Capers – two defensive staples in the league for two decades.  There are many reasons a majority of preseason prognosticators had these two clubs as the odds on favorites to win the conference.  They’re terrific teams. Talented.  Seasoned.  Well-coached.

Forget Finley’s afternoon Sunday.  Craig Steltz can’t cover him under any circumstances ever.  Neither can Lance Briggs and the Reverend will tell you I called Finley’s touchdown catch against Briggs before the play was snapped.  (I’m sure some of you did as well.)  The frustrating thing about the Bears defense yesterday was they allowed the Packers to push them around in the run game, giving Aaron Rodgers manageable second and third downs all afternoon.  It is the perfect blue print to win on the road against the LoveRod and a great offense executed it like Super Bowl champions should.

But the Bears defense was heroic in the fourth quarter, creating two masterful turnovers and giving the Bears offense an opportunity to make a game of things.  (Anybody else think Urlacher is playing far better in pass coverage than as a run stopped through three games?)  Dave Toub pulled a rabbit from the special teams hat and showcased one of the great football plays of all time, a brilliant punt return deception that Greg Jennings called “the best play I’ve ever seen.” Unfortunately it was called back for a moronic Corey Graham hold nowhere near the play.  (Side note: Toub better get interviewed for the HC position when Lovie’s tenure is up.)  The Bears have the defense and specials to make the postseason.

The offense is the story and it’s a messy, messy tale.  If the Bears were an elite team they would have been able to match the Packers point-for-point for the entirety of the afternoon and the defense’s turnovers late would have been the difference.  That is how the Saints managed to beat the Texans in New Orleans, battling back from deficits in the first and fourth quarters, riding atop the shoulders have their elite QB.  But the Bears are not an elite team and this, the most difficult stretch of their season, laid the issues in black ink on the front page.  What must the Bears do to establish a run game?  What happened to the short passing game that embarrassed the Falcons defense?  How can they continue to get the ball into Kellen Davis’ hands?  Will the improvements shown yesterday on the offensive line continue?  Can the quarterback stop allowing his mechanics to falter as the pocket collapses around him?  I think it’s safe to say the Bears have no idea what they want to be on that side of the ball and it’s time the head coach make that decision.

The team is 1-2 while the Packers and Lions have jumped out to 3-0 starts.  Nervousness is rampant in the city of Chicago.  But now the schedule lightens.  Before they face a difficult stretch in November, the Bears are home to the stop-Steve Smith-and-win Panthers, at exciting-but-overrated Detroit on Monday night, home to the awful Vikings on Sunday night and in London to face Tampa.  They will have every opportunity over these next four games to get things right on the offensive side of the ball.  If they win all four, we know they’ll be contenders down the stretch.  If they win three, we’ll find ourselves scoreboard watching throughout the month of December.  If they split or worse, we’ll all start wondering who the next head coach of the Chicago Bears will be.

The first three games were a barometer for the 2011 season.  The Bears know they’re not among the NFL elite and they know why.  There are no mysteries surrounding this club as we enter the month of October, only questions.  Now we’ll see if this coaching staff has the answers.

Most of you will consider Sunday a doomsday scenario for the Chicago Bears.  You’re wrong.  Yes the Bears lost to the better team and the far better coaching staff but here’s the simple fact: the better group in September is rarely the better group in late December.  The Bears aren’t a bad team.  They are a flawed, mistake-riddled group.  Here are my quick hit thoughts:

• Don’t blame the “balance”.  The Bears could not run the ball against the Packers Sunday.  The passing game had plays to be made by the quarterback missed far too many open receivers and the receivers dropped far too many balls.  (I’d love to hear Coach Drake explain this one.)
• The Bears have to stop the run.  Giving a team as good as the Packers second-and-four every drive is a one way ticket to the loss column.
• On that note, stop complaining Johnny Knox.  If you want to be the #1…catch the ball.
• Nice job, Kellen Davis.
• Nice job overall, offensive line.  I can’t blame these guys if the Bears are going to live on the seven-step drops.
• And I was surprised Frank Omiyale played such a solid game.
• As for Mike Martz, I think it’s a lost cause.  The Bears are not going to be able to change coordinators mid-season and be productive enough to make a playoff push.  But how can this team not run any screen and quick tosses for three and a half quarters?  How can you not use Forte in the passing game until you’re desperate?
• Oh is Jermichael Finley good, Lovie?  Guess you don’t read this site but you can’t cover him at the fucking goal line with Lance Briggs.
• Jay Cutler needs to be smarter with the football.  I know what he expects his receivers to do but they are NOT going to do that so stop.
• Brian Urlacher, Lance Briggs, Henry Melton, Julius Pepper…well done.
• I think the Roy Williams experiment is almost complete.
• Devin Hester used to catch deep balls from Kyle Orton.  Pretty regularly.  Why doesn’t he catch them from a QB with a far better arm?
• Someone has to step up opposite Peppers.
• Adam Podlesh has more leg, right?
• I don’t blame Mike Martz anymore.  You can’t expect a hungry lion to give a weak gazelle a blow job.  I can still get mad.  And Martz’ offense does not work with the skill players on this roster.  There is, however, a perfectly fine offense capable of being run and Martz must adapt to it by next Sunday or be unemployed.  And if Lovie Smith is not capable of making that change, he’ll be the defensive coordinator at Texas A&M next year.

All hope is not lost.  Far from it.  The Bears will beat Carolina next week and be 2-2.  But we need this team to improve in all facets before they face their next elite opponent.  The goal is winning a title.  Not winning a division.

A win today and you stabilize the entirety of the 2011 campaign.  A loss and the pressure continues to mount as you stare down a date with Cam Newton next week.

Win.  Bear down.

The tradition failed us a week ago.  We try something  a little new.

YOUR LINES FOR THE WEEK:

BENGALS -2.5 49ers / Pats -8.5 BILLS / SAINTS -4 Texans / BROWNS  -2.5 Dolphins / TITANS -7 Broncos / Lions -3 VIKINGS / PANTHERS -3.5 Jags / CHARGERS -14.5 Chiefs / Jets -3 RAIDERS / Ravens -4 RAMS / BUCS -1.5 Falcons / CARDINALS -3.5 Seahawks / Packers -3.5 BEARS / Steelers -10 COLTS / COWBOYS -4.5 Redskins / EAGLES -9 Giants

CURRENTLY ON THE BOARD:

The Brothers:  Jon (4-1-1), Jeff (3-3), Chris (3-3)

The Commenter Perfect Weeks: Big Daddy (1), DYLbears23 (1), New Bear in Town (1), BossBear90 (1)

I don’t believe in litmus test or turning point games this early in the season but I’m starting to sense that’s exactly what faces the Chicago Bears this week at Soldier Field.  The Super Bowl champions are coming to town having been handed a blueprint for scrambling the Mind of Martz by Gregg Williams and the defensive coaches down on the bayou.  I can see this game going two ways: (1) The Bears stabilize their issues and deliver an inspired effort on the lakefront or (2) Injuries, flaws, coaching issues compound and the Bears are watching Matt Flynn throw passes in the fourth quarter.

WHY DO I LIKE THE CHICAGO BEARS THIS WEEK?

• I always like the Chicago Bears.
• I have to believe the Bears are going to play angry this week because if they don’t play angry this week there isn’t much to them.  Their coaches looked like fools in New Orleans.  Their offensive linemen looked like amateurs.  Their quarterback looked like he was ready to shoot someone in the face with a gun.  What better remedy than your oldest rivals in front of your fans?
• This rivalry of late is as balanced as it gets.  Including the postseason, Lovie Smith is 8-7 against the Packers.  Mike McCarthy is 6-5 against the Bears.  Throw the records out.
• Three things scare me about the Packers: (1) Their ability to bring linebacker pressure off the edges. (2)  The ability of their corners to muscle the Bears wide receivers off their routes at the line of scrimmage.  (3) Jermichael Finley.
• (1) The Bears have to design protection schemes that border on max-protect.  Two tights on occasion.  Use the fullback Clutts as a blocker.  But perhaps most importantly, the Bears need to be less willing to release Matt Forte over the middle and keep him at home to protect the quarterback.
• (2) The Bears HAVE TO take shots deep.  The absence of Nick Collins for the Pack leaves them more vulnerable to the deep ball and the only way you can get corner to play off receivers is by threatening them with long-range passes.  With the amount of speed at the position for Chicago, it will only require a three second pocket.
• (3) Jimmy Graham had 6 catches for 79 yards but more important than the stats were the situations wherein he made the catches: big third downs late.  Tony Gonzalez had 5 catches for 72 and the same can be said.  At this stage in all their respective careers, Jermichael Finley is the best of the three and he’s capable of taking over Sunday afternoon.  The Bears need to hit him off the line of scrimmage and defend him with anything but a linebacker (and preferably a cover corner).  To be fair, I don’t think this will happen.
• I’m starting to think Matt Forte might be a great player and I expect the Bears to rely heavily on him Sunday.  Both the Saints and Panthers had success running the ball against the Packers but both decided to put the game on the arm of their star quarterback.  (Yes it’s fair to call Cam Newton a star.)  24 carries, 121 yards and 2 touchdowns.
• Robbie Gould has been consistently knocking the ball through the end zone.  Mason Crosby has not.  Devin Hester has been a shoestring tackle away from breaking a touchdown in both of the first two games.  I think he makes a big play on specials.
• Chris Harris will stabilize the safety position.  Roy Williams will stabilize the wideouts and win a big one-on-one battle on a crucial third down.
• I like the Bears of this era when they’re angry and feeling unloved.

Bears 27, Packers 26 

Late this Sunday afternoon the Super Bowl champions will come to the Lakefront and take on the Chicago Bears.  It is Packer Week and those are only guaranteed twice a year.  Listening to Chicagoland radio Monday morning it became more than apparent the Bears faithful were not only willing but downright giddy to trash everything (and I mean everything) involving the organization.  Suddenly 30-12 was the dream and 30-13 was the reality.  The fans I listened to seemed more excited to say “I told you so” than they would have been to say “Yeehaw!  We’re 2-0!”  It is the most consistently disappointing component of doing what I do: having to deal with the inherent negativity of those supposedly pulling for the same club and those reporting on the club for the city’s dailies.

Enough.

Sunday has the opportunity to be a pivotal moment of the 2011 Chicago Bears season and a true home field advantage must be created at Soldier Field.  Chicago. Rome. Soldier. Coliseum.  Force Aaron Rodgers to burn timeouts when he can’t communicate audibles at the line of scrimmage. Get on the refs when you don’t agree with a bullshit pass interference call on Tim Jennings.  When Roy Williams makes the formerly obnoxious first down gesture after a big third down catch, shake the damn building.

But don’t boo.  Especially not early in the game.  I understand the cost of ticket prices for the ballpark.  But if J’Marcus Webb lets a rusher around him on the left side early, don’t turn on him.  If Cutler throws a pick in a bad spot, calm down.  If they lose, if they get embarrassed at home, you’ll have six more games to unleash your wrath on all things Bears.  Sunday all that fourth phase bullshit matters.  Don’t disappoint.