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The need for a good o-line
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 6:43 am
by NZB2323
Going into the season, I thought that the Bears were a Superbowl contender. We went 9-7 last year, our defense was improved, and we got Jay Cutler. However, after watching the Seahawks game I realize that the Bears have a 0% chance at winning the Superbowl this year. Why? Because our o-line is atrocious at run-blocking.
I thought that it would be vastly improved this year. The additions of Orlando Pace, Chris Williams, Kevin Shaffer and Frank Omiyale were supposed to give the Bears depth and talent. All I heard all offseason was how good these guys are at run-blocking. I even heard a lot about how we got Kellen Davis, who was a good run-blocker.
Our run-blocking is pathetic. Forte gets the ball and he has nowhere to run. There were multiple plays against the Seahawks where the defense would push a blocker into Forte causing Forte to fall. There were multiple plays where he was tackled behind the line of scrimmage. He's averaging less than 3 yards per carry. He is a better running back than that.
Well, Couldn't the Bears still win the Superbowl if the defense steps it up and Jay Cutler plays like a god in 3 games? No. In the playoffs, you have to play at least 3 good defensive teams. If you are unable to run the ball, then good defensive teams will play you from the pass. No QB is good enough to have 3 good games against good defensive teams that are playing the pass. Dan Marino couldn't do it. John Elway wasn't able to do it without Terrell Davis.
Also, the o-line is hurting our passing game. They were terrible against the Packers, but they looked okay against a Steelers defense missing its best defender and a Seattle defense missing a bunch of defenders. For the first half of the season last year, Kyle Orton had a better QB rating than Peyton Manning, and then Manning's o-line got healthy and he was so good in the second half of the season that he was able to win MVP despite his poor start.
This offseason, getting a better o-line should be the number one priority. When it comes to the draft, free agency, and trades the first thing that Angelo should think about is o-line. If we had an o-line that could block, then we would have a deadly balanced offensive attack, and the defense would be better because it would get more rest.
Re: The need for a good o-line
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:37 am
by CjayC
I don't even think they looked okay today.
We're lucky to have Cutler because he's epic at scrambling and feeling pressure in the pocket. If we had one of our usual game managing statue of a QB back there like Kyle Orton, the sacks would be piling up. I think they've only given up a couple sacks this year. The sack count should be much higher than that
Re: The need for a good o-line
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 3:27 pm
by transplant
CjayC wrote:We're lucky to have Cutler because he's epic at scrambling and feeling pressure in the pocket. If we had one of our usual game managing statue of a QB back there like Kyle Orton, the sacks would be piling up. I think they've only given up a couple sacks this year. The sack count should be much higher than that
Actually, before Orton got hurt last season I thought his ability to make those little moves in the pocket to extend plays was his main improvement. He was OK at it.
This said, Cutler is terrific at extending plays...as good as it gets.
Re: The need for a good o-line
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 5:54 pm
by kozelkid
Honestly, if we just sub Beekman in for Omiyale, we will see a world of difference. That's how much of a turd Omiyale is. And that's how much of a bigger turd Turner is for not realizing it yet.
Steelers also proved you don't need a great Oline to win. It certainly needs improvement, but I think our secondary needs more improvement. We are one injury at CB from being royally screwed and we desperately need a ballhawking free safety. Which fortunately for us, is a position that should be easily fixed in this upcoming draft.
Re: The need for a good o-line
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 6:07 pm
by Chewie
NZB2323 wrote:I thought that it would be vastly improved this year. The additions of Orlando Pace, Chris Williams, Kevin Shaffer and Frank Omiyale were supposed to give the Bears depth and talent. All I heard all offseason was how good these guys are at run-blocking. I even heard a lot about how we got Kellen Davis, who was a good run-blocker.
I believe Pace and Chris Williams came with the label of being better in pass protection. Gaines was supposed to be the good run-blocking TE (not K Davis) but he never gets in the game. I really thought o-line was going to be a strength as well, though, after those acquisitions. Either they need time to form some chemistry or this just isn't going to work as currently constructed.
Our run-blocking is pathetic. Forte gets the ball and he has nowhere to run. There were multiple plays against the Seahawks where the defense would push a blocker into Forte causing Forte to fall. There were multiple plays where he was tackled behind the line of scrimmage. He's averaging less than 3 yards per carry. He is a better running back than that.
AGREED. Based on what I've seen, I can't lay any of this on Forte.
This offseason, getting a better o-line should be the number one priority. When it comes to the draft, free agency, and trades the first thing that Angelo should think about is o-line. If we had an o-line that could block, then we would have a deadly balanced offensive attack, and the defense would be better because it would get more rest.
Agreed again. Good post.
Re: The need for a good o-line
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 6:42 pm
by sdeezy
Cutler is going to get killed if this line doesnt improve quick. To be honest, it boggles my mind how he has put together 10 brilliant quarters of football behind that line. He's getting flushed out and harrassed a lot. Angelo needs to get on this quick. Are there some good FA OL coming out next year?
Re: The need for a good o-line
Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:24 pm
by Balance-a-Bull
Lovie was quick to make changes on the defensive side of the ball..... but nothing on the O-line where blocking has been non-existent. Some changes in personnel replacements and blocking scheme packages must be addressed immediately.
We already had enough games to evaluate the O-line and we need to conclude that we must go in another direction to attempt to achieve more positive results. I would start by replacing Omiyale with Beekman and on some running downs bring in Gaines ( who came over from Detroit and was highly touted for his blocking ability) at TE or FB to see if we can create some holes.
Lovie's mantra that we "get of the bus running" must mean that Cutler will get off the bus running for his life and Forte will just run in mud.
Whoever is claiming to run the O-line needs to be ran out of here.. unless they change things in a hurry.
Re: The need for a good o-line
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 2:49 am
by NoahISmyNinja
O-line didn't seem to have a problem blocking for Adrian Peterson so much. I think Forte is anticipating Omiyale not holding his blocks and doing to much dancing. Omiyale is not losing as much as being made out. I think you guys are right that Gaines should be getting more time. to help on that left side. I've never been a big fan of 2 TE with 2 recieving TE's. I'd rather see the Bears run more 3 wide against all these 3-4's we've been seeing. Teams would be more honest with Knox AND Hester on the outside with Bennett in the slot. Gaines has OK hands. He should see snaps as the only TE sometimes.
Make some of these teams pay for that not having an extra down lineman or a DB in there instead of that 4th Linebacker.
Re: The need for a good o-line
Posted: Tue Sep 29, 2009 6:05 pm
by chitownsports4ever
transplant wrote:CjayC wrote:We're lucky to have Cutler because he's epic at scrambling and feeling pressure in the pocket. If we had one of our usual game managing statue of a QB back there like Kyle Orton, the sacks would be piling up. I think they've only given up a couple sacks this year. The sack count should be much higher than that
Actually, before Orton got hurt last season I thought his ability to make those little moves in the pocket to extend plays was his main improvement. He was OK at it.
This said, Cutler is terrific at extending plays...as good as it gets.
I agree Cutlers been saving our butts by extending the plays and Orton was doing it last year by changing the plays at the line and calling out the blocking assignments . Everyone said Orton was being conservative but cmon if you couldnt scramble like Cutler then screens and dumps offs would be the order of the day too.
We may have to fire the Line coach ,bring in someone with some fresh ideas maybe some zone blocking and start this line over from scratch . This offensive scheme is horrible because we have nothing to hang our hat on . Im glad we are holding on and pulling things out but Im expecting major changes after this season.
Re: The need for a good o-line
Posted: Wed Sep 30, 2009 5:51 pm
by Balance-a-Bull
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/fo ... 0543.story
Chicago Bears look for answers for dormant running game
Is new mix on offensive line hindering Matt Forte?
By Vaughn McClure Tribune reporter
September 30, 2009
A confident Matt Forte believes the Bears should have success running the ball against the Lions on Sunday even if statistics say the Bears are the fifth-worst rushing team in the league.
"When we put our mind to it, we can run against any team," Forte said. "It's difficult running in the NFL. We know that. But if we get bodies on people and stay strong, we can run the ball."
Forte was by no means assessing blame. In fact, he put the onus on himself to run harder and break more tackles.
The bottom line is the Bears essentially are running in place. They enter Sunday's game averaging a dismal 2.8 yards per carry, second to last in the league behind the Chargers.
Forte is 29th in the league in rushing with 150 yards on 59 carries through three games. He is the only back among the top 30 averaging less than 3.0 yards per carry with a 2.6 average. And this is the same player who compiled 304 yards over his first three games as a rookie last season.
So what has changed? Not Forte. He still runs hard, still hits defenders with the occasional ankle-breaking cutback. And injury is not an issue, although some wonder if the hamstring injury Forte suffered during the offseason lingers.
"No, my hamstring does not hurt at all," he said.
What has changed is the offensive line, with three new starters and two players -- right tackle Chris Williams and left guard Frank Omiyale -- playing positions they were not initially projected to play. As natural left tackles, both gained more notice for their pass protection than run blocking.
The addition of future Hall of Famer Orlando Pace was supposed to give the Bears an added boost, but even Pace has had some difficulties.
"You just have to keep building, keep trying to get better," Pace said. "Every week, we're just going to try to get this thing going. We just have to work harder this week."
Most figured the Bears would have success running the ball against the banged-up Seahawks regardless. Instead the Bears managed just 85 yards on 28 carries.
"We obviously didn't run the ball like we wanted to," center Olin Kreutz said. "I wouldn't say we were happy with it at all. It just wasn't enough."
If the Bears can establish a running game, they won't have to rely on passes in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Sunday's game against the Lions would appear to provide the ideal opponent to jump-start Forte, considering he ran for 126 yards on 22 carries the last time the teams met. But that was the same Lions team that finished 0-16 and did not put up much of fight.
This year's version of the Lions broke a 19-game skid last week against the Redskins and held running back Clinton Portis to 42 yards on 12 attempts. The Lions somewhat limited Vikings star Adrian Peterson to 92 yards in Week 2. New Lions coach Jim Schwartz's defense ranks 16th against the run, a big jump from last season under now-Bears defensive line coach Rod Marinelli.
"I know they're running a new defense," Kreutz said of the Lions. "We want to run the ball on everybody. We say coming into the game that we can run the ball on everybody, but that hasn't happened yet. We have to get it going. We just have to."