Page 1 of 1

Nice surprises this year

Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 8:00 pm
by Cliff Levingston
We obviously wouldn't be 3-0 without a lot of nice surprises. Perhaps the best surprise is how effective we've been offensively under Martz, but Cliff Levingston would like to focus on the players; guys you've seen a lot more out of than expected.

1. Greg Olsen. Cliff Levingston basically gave up on him, especially considering Martz's offense and the tight end. Thing is, they've used him like a slot receiver for the most part, not a tight end, and that's made the difference. Olsen has made some really big, tough catches and will go over the middle and get hit even though he's not the most elusive guy.

2. Frank Omiyale. He's not spectacular, but he's been worlds better than last year at guard. He's held his own on both sides of the line, and it says a lot for him that he could switch sides mid-game and not get killed every play. And after the false start concerns in training camp, Cliff Levingston doesn't think he has even one through 3 games.

3. Brian Urlacher. You knew he'd be good, but he looks like the Urlacher of old. That wrist injury was a blessing in disguise. It gave him another year to heal up all his nagging injuries and come back fresh. He's making plays all over the field and resuming as the leader of a pretty fierce defense.

4. Julius Peppers. You expect stellar play from a guy making $20 million, but maybe it's just that we haven't had a dominant defensive end in Cliff Levingston's Bears football watching lifetime. This dude is an absolute nightmare for opposing offenses against both the run and the pass, and he's the single biggest difference on this defense this year.

Thoughts? Yours?

Re: Nice surprises this year

Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 11:23 pm
by BIGGIEsmalls 23
I am pleasantly surprised that our Offensive skill players have picked up Martz's playbook as quickly as they have. Sure, there have been some mis-reads by our recievers but I was not expecting this type of progress so soon. I didn't feel that they would come close to grasping the scheme until week 5 or 6. Although not completely there, we are closer. I believe that what Cliff said in another thread is true; The arrow is pointing up. When we finally jell on Offense, they will be damn near unstoppable. The passing game will eventually open up our running game.

Our O-Line is still a concern but I have faith that Tice will get the correct combination in there & turn things around.

Our Defense is not surprising me, especially with us adding Peppers, because I have felt that we have fallen off the last few years because of injuries. If we can avoid injuries, we can remain a force. I am no fan of the bend but don't break "Cover 2", but I have to admit that it got us to a Superbowl a few years ago & was actually working against the Colts. Take away Daniel Manning's blown coverage & Grossman's INT, & we would have been victorious.