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11/11 Its Forte's fault
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Author:  conns7901 [ Sun Nov 10, 2013 8:52 pm ]
Post subject:  11/11 Its Forte's fault
Well not just him, the running game in general.

Bernstein: Bad Run Game Costs Bears

By Dan Bernstein

A little help, guys?

Anybody involved in the Bears’ efforts to run the ball can wear this one.

38 yards rushing on 20 carries. One first down via the run, and too many second-and-longs that put the playcalling behind schedule and kneecapped any chance to sustain tempo. Glaringly, handoffs on critical plays were only spectacular in their failure.

Our usual quarterback fixation will continue, sure, as we wonder where groin injuries end and ankle pain begins, and what gave the Bears both the best chance to win this game and others to come. Jay Cutler gimped and flopped around while grabbing alternately at wounded body parts and doing that habitual spasmodic tic, but his arm was still needed to make some high-difficulty throws that kept the Bears viable. Folk hero Josh McCown was ready enough when finally called.

Matt Forte was not. 33 yards on 17 attempts, though he did rip off a long scamper for seven yards. Something looked weird all day with him, as he was unable to make the first defender miss and went down uncharacteristically easily on first contact. Even his vision and decision-making were off, with several holes missed on the kind of draw plays well conceived against the aggressive Lions front.

The one time Forte appeared to matter for a good reason, Matt Slauson made a play-side hold so egregious he could have been flagged twice. Martellus Bennett had something less than his best day as an in-line blocker too.

Alshon Jeffery’s end-around stuff didn’t fool anybody. Not only is it on tape now, but the Bears have apparently decided to add backfield wrinkles that cause it to develop slower and let defenders get upfield. He did hit the corner one with some speed, but running it to the short side left him out of room to make the turn off the edge.

Fourth and one from the 27 with the game tied 7-7, and Marc Trestman called for a power formation and a Michael Bush dive. Bush minced into where the hole was supposed to be before the blocks could even be set, and three points went poof. That’s the 245-pound banger, too, ostensibly with help.

That second try for the tying, two-point conversion was too perfect. Allowed new life after a failed rollout pass ended with yet another idiotic penalty from a reckless Lions lineman, McCown surveys the defense, and checks to another Forte run. Roberto Garza blocks Nick Fairley with all the effectiveness of a driveway recycling bin, and Forte ends up in his familiar position of on the ground and behind the line of scrimmage. Ballgame.

They tried fake tosses and other misdirections, and the usual array of traps to either side of the formation. They couldn’t block any of it. While the pass protection held its own, such success in one-on-one physical battles in the rushing game was nonexistent.

The quarterbacks are in focus because they had to be, is the point.

Down-and-distance dictates what Trestman’s looking at on that laminated play-card that looks like a Waffle House menu, and he would have been just as well off ordering hash browns. All game the Bears lacked pace and rhythm, due to repeated failures to move the ball via any way other than Cutler hanging in long enough to chuck it toward a mostly-covered receiver, hoping whichever 6-plus-footer could make a contested catch.

Especially if Cutler misses any time with whatever his injury/re-injury actually is, there must be the multi-dimensional performance of games past. The whole idea this year was to get away from exactly this reliance on the throws Cutler was forced to make.

Nobody wants an anemic running game to conjure up Marc Martz.
Author:  Dr. Kenneth Noisewater [ Sun Nov 10, 2013 8:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
Where's the ridiculous, obscure reference for the sake of a ridiculous, obscure reference?
Author:  Darkside [ Sun Nov 10, 2013 9:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater wrote:
Where's the ridiculous, obscure reference for the sake of a ridiculous, obscure reference?

Now, now, he did work in an "ostensibly".
Author:  SpiralStairs [ Sun Nov 10, 2013 9:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater wrote:
Where's the ridiculous, obscure reference for the sake of a ridiculous, obscure reference?


Bill on Capitol Hill used them all.
Author:  Peoria Matt [ Sun Nov 10, 2013 10:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
Interesting.

Bernsie's REALLY.SMART.GUY has the worst game of his coaching career and Bernsie chooses to focus on how inept the running game was.

"Our usual quarterback fixation will continue". Spot on there, Dan. Nothing to talk about regarding the QB. It's got to be some sort of weird tunnel vision regarding this certain position.
Author:  No Clever Moniker [ Sun Nov 10, 2013 10:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
Ridiculous. Obscure. References?

Thank you good Dr. Ken, because you sum it up perfectly for an entertaining game that had too many fans seeing the obvious. But leave it to Bernstein who (pick one) is smoking some rare sativa/watches on a cell phone while antiquing with his wife/has his son break down the game and give an opinion. Reading the stat sheet is a lie that only a fool or the football ignorant would grasp and recite.

As Jerry Glanville once prophetically spoke, "the NFL stands for Not For Long." And with Marc Trestman's reckless disregard for 4th down play calling he can't keep avoiding points on the board (or protecting field position) and expect to win. If the running game isn't gelling because there are 8 in the box? Well, in the NFL you don't keep running the same plays run from last week's game. The end around? The inside draw? Those plays come from the sideline.

But most importantly, a gimp for a QB is easy enough to game plan against or game adjust against. It was clear with 20 minutes left in the game that Jay Cutler wasn't going to do anything but make difficult throws more difficult by throwing on one leg. Those sundry late hits at the risk of ruffing the QB penalties? Yeah, if the shoe were on the other foot and it meant a win for our team, we'd take them. So why should we expect different from an opponent?

Its up to Trestman to go into a game and to know whether his best weapons are effective. More importantly, to not invest in short term gains over long term health. Cutler's groin will be an issue every week from here on out. If the Bears are to contend, they need the coach to believe enough in his system to sit Cutler and let the rest of the team give the opponent a notion of defending a balanced attack. Cutler's groin means no scrambles, no roll outs, and minimal ability to buy time. He's just a statue, and for us Bears fans who've over the years drooled at the opposing prospect, we can't pretend that the opponent sees Cutler as anything different.

Josh McCown gives the added dimension of mobility, which makes 9 man fronts and defensive lines over committing to kill the quarterback pay the price of not respecting athleticism. McCown should have come in when Cutler couldn't make the wide open throws, let alone those under pressure.

The North division is now a two-team race and today's lost just put Detroit in the lead. Trestman has to understand that he has to play the healthiest 53 players. Playoffs are still within sight, and a healthier Cutler when it matters is more important than a gimpy one now.
Author:  Brick [ Sun Nov 10, 2013 10:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
Peoria Matt wrote:
"Our usual quarterback fixation will continue". Spot on there, Dan. Nothing to talk about regarding the QB. It's got to be some sort of weird tunnel vision regarding this certain position.
I believe they once referred to it as the "most important position in team sports".

Also, they laughed at people who wanted to be a good running team.
Author:  Zizou [ Sun Nov 10, 2013 10:10 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
Show rundown:

Narratives.

Stawmen.

Stuff.

Dan crawling up Matt Bowen's anus.

"Dey oughta started dat McClown guy."

Zaidman/Hoge/ritualistic maiming.

Terry sighs, wheezes, and stammers.
Author:  Peoria Matt [ Sun Nov 10, 2013 10:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
Great post, Moniker.

BRick, Bernsie kind of reminds me of a well paid troller.
Author:  Mr. Reason [ Sun Nov 10, 2013 10:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater wrote:
Where's the ridiculous, obscure reference for the sake of a ridiculous, obscure reference?

He's waiting for Scott in Davenport to scour the social media sites to craft the proper narrative.
Author:  Curious Hair [ Sun Nov 10, 2013 10:34 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
I really like the Jay Cutler Recovery Method.

"Wow! Jay Cutler is coming back from an injury three weeks early! Jay, what's your secret to such a speedy recovery?"
"It's quite simple. All you have to do is try to play while you're still too injured to play."
Author:  BD [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 7:33 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
Boilermaker Rick wrote:
Peoria Matt wrote:
"Our usual quarterback fixation will continue". Spot on there, Dan. Nothing to talk about regarding the QB. It's got to be some sort of weird tunnel vision regarding this certain position.
I believe they once referred to it as the "most important position in team sports".

Also, they laughed at people who wanted to be a good running team.


Great points, they have constantly minimized the importance of a running game.
Author:  rogers park bryan [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 8:26 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
The Bears lost because the Lions are a better team.
Author:  hnd [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 8:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
it was interesting and not unexpected to see danny dig his heals in on the incognito stance on twitter. i assume it will be talked about today with terry nodding his head in agreement. its crazy how he laps up everything deadspin puts out.
Author:  Chus [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 9:11 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
Terry wrote:
I'm not worried about the Lions.
Author:  Dave In Champaign [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 9:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
I feel bad for Trestman. It must be frustrating for such an intellect to be foiled by his players' incompetence.
Author:  City of Fools [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:45 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
rogers park bryan wrote:
The Bears lost because the Lions are a better team.

agreed completely.
Author:  BD [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
City of Fools wrote:
rogers park bryan wrote:
The Bears lost because the Lions are a better team.

agreed completely.


The Lions may be the better team, but by that logic, the better team never loses.
Author:  City of Fools [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 10:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
BD wrote:
City of Fools wrote:
rogers park bryan wrote:
The Bears lost because the Lions are a better team.

agreed completely.


The Lions may be the better team, but by that logic, the better team never loses.

true, but this time the Bears lost because the Lions are the better team. Disagree?
Author:  Dr. Kenneth Noisewater [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 2:54 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
Didn't think I'd get a glass drinking boot ala Essen Haus reference from Bernsie today.
Author:  City of Fools [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 2:57 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
they've kinda backtracked and got critical on Trestman. Little surprised by that.
Author:  IkeSouth [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 3:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
did tressman just talk himself out of people paying attention to him?
Author:  Dr. Kenneth Noisewater [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 4:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
That was a great call from a guy that seemed to know what he was talking about.
Author:  jimmypasta [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 4:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
rogers park bryan wrote:
The Bears lost because the Lions are a better team.


The Bears lost because the Lions have 2 great DT's that can change a football game. Bears don't.
Author:  Hank Scorpio [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 5:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
The Lions might be a better team than the Bears. I think that's up for discussion.

Even if they are, the Bears lost due to their flaws, not anything that the Lions specifically did.

PLayed an injured QB
Bad 4th down calls
Bad 2pt conversion calls
Author:  Walt Williams Neck [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 6:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
Bernstein agreed with going for it on 4th down.Well Dan wrong...simple.They kick the field goal they WIN. Also Duh Coach said he wanted to control the ball? In the 1st quarter? Then why in the fuck did they defer?
Author:  pittmike [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 6:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
Hank Scorpio wrote:
The Lions might be a better team than the Bears. I think that's up for discussion.

Even if they are, the Bears lost due to their flaws, not anything that the Lions specifically did.

PLayed an injured QB
Bad 4th down calls
Bad 2pt conversion calls



The Bears lost because the Lions defensive line is great. They could not run anywhere tackle to tackle. It is like when the Bears had Washington and the other tackle clogging the middle. Damn forgot his name lol. He had that goofy look in his eyes running back an INT. :lol:
Author:  Nas [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 6:27 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater wrote:
That was a great call from a guy that seemed to know what he was talking about.


What did he say?
Author:  pittmike [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 6:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
Was it the former pathologist that alluded to Jay's diabetes? If it weren't a smart doc he would have been summarily dismissed.
Author:  Walt Williams Neck [ Mon Nov 11, 2013 6:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: 11/11 Its Forte's fault
Danny we don't talk trash....unless it's to our callers
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