Well, that certainly wasn’t the outcome we all had hoped for leaving London. Not only did the Bears drop one to the Raiders 24-21, they lost Akiem Hicks for likely the rest of the year. He has a chance to come back for the last few games of the season, so lets hope that can happen but for now, its time to find out who has what it takes to fill the huge void that Hicks will leave on the defense.
Well, at least the seats were good.
Let’s break down the rest of the team as we head into a matchup at Soldier Field against the New Orleans Saints.
Offensively, this team is lost. There is absolutely no run game. The O-line up front gets zero push, instead they get stood up or pushed back. I think that can be a problem in a RPO style of offense. Are we running? Do I go full boar and block like crazy? Is the QB going to hold it, run with it himself or pass it? If he passes, can’t be too far downfield or everything comes back. I’d like to the Bears get into more run heavy sets. Show their hand, make em stop you.
The rookie Montgomery out of Iowa State has been OK, but I think a lot of that falls on the offensive line which simply can not run block right now. That has to change. Maybe Kyle Long going on the IR (for the 4th year in a row) will help. The rookie from Notre Dame Bars could see some playing time but whatever happens and whoever is in there, they have to run block. Plain and simple. Without a respectable run game, the passing game will suffer and we’ll all end up talking about the Pro Bowl year our punter is having. Gross. From a personnel standpoint, its becoming obvious what is going to happen when certain guys are in.
Cohen in there? Look for a pitch/pass/screen.
Monty? Run between the tackles.
Patterson? Definitely a sweep.
Mike Davis? If he’s in the game, someone is hurt. Not really surprised that experiment didn’t work out, wish it did but here lies RUN DMC.
The passing game certainly leaves something to be desired. I’m not seeing our guys get open down the field, or in the middle of the field. Lots of short outs and ins/screens that literally get us nowhere. Do I hope Mitch is back and can play on Sunday? Absolutely. Am I sold on him as “THE GUY”? No, not at all because I need to see more of the play we saw last year. Thus far, barring the injury, its been a total regression into year 2 within this system. When you have a window in this league, you have to capitalize.
Defensively, with Hicks out, we need guys to step up. It’ll be great to have Bilal Nichols back, even if he’s wearing a club on that hand. We need to create more turnovers and you do that when you are making your opponents uncomfortable. While they’ve had a lot of great plays, we’re not seeing the same type of ball-hawking defense we’ve grown accustomed to in recent years. Is it dead? Is the magic gone? Hell no! Teams are doing a better job of game planning around the defense and attacking the right parts at the right time.
So, coming out of the bye, am I frustrated? Of course – the Bears are a more talented group than their 3-2 record shows. Just have to show up on Sunday, strap up and Bear Down. Simple as that.
Bear Down.
GO BEARS! 