Sunday, November 1
Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner, came away from today's victory over the Browns with a chip on his shoulder. Jay Cutler came away with more bumps and bruises than just an ego.
Frustration is starting to set in on why this offense is cannot execute in key areas of the field like Short Yardage and the Red Zone. Today was a little bit of both that affected the Bears ability to score.
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On the Bears first three trips into the red zone, three plays forced the Bears to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns.
1. 7:47 on the clock, first quarter, 2nd-and-9 situation. The Bears elect to go "Wildcat" offense with RB Matt Forte taking the direct snap and WR Devin Hester coming in motion to receive a handoff. The timing of the play was off and the Bears lost 5 yards. Matt Forte who is not used to putting players in motion did not time up the snap of the ball to coordinate with the handoff. Blame the playcaller on this one. These intricacies on offense should have been worked on in the offseason. That is what the Miami Dolphins have done with their running backs. Also, Cleveland runs the "Wildcat" themselves. They have been defending WR Josh Cribbs all offseason and know how to defend it. Bears settle for 3 points.
2. 2:02 on the clock, first quarter, 3rd-and-8 situation on the Cleveland 11 yd line. Bears can get to the 3 for a first and elect to run a slow developing screen to Garrett Wolfe. Another bad call by Ron who I know would like this call back. Cleveland was Blitzing a lot, but this is not the area of the field to hit a slow developing screen. The back of the goal line essentially becomes the defender. There is no where for the defense to drop in coverage because the field has shrunk. Cleveland was there for an easy stop. Bears then take the 3 points.
3. 8:48 on the clock, second quarter, 3rd-and-3 at the Cleveland 3. Jay Cutler is sacked by OLB Kameron Wimbley back at the 14 yd line. Bears again settle for three points. Jay has to know who the "Hot" receiver is on the play. I do believe it was Greg Olsen who was wide open in the flat for an easy TD.
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Jay is going to be very sore tomorrow and Tuesday. He took some tremendous hits. As a QB, you have to be able to sort it out at the line of scrimmage. Know your protections and your hots to avoid the big hits he took today. You get hit enough from guys up front just getting beaten off the ball, but don't compound it by not knowing your responsibilities and good situational play like throwing the ball away.
The Bears do have a couple more hybrid defenses upcoming such as the Cardinals next week. Let's see if Jay and Ron can make some corrections.