Everyone is going to hammer the Chicago Bears after last nights embarrassing performance while losing to the San Francisco 49ers, 32-7. There really wasnt much to cheer about in terms of effort, execution, and heart.
Not all Bears players lack the want to in the heart department, but the few that do forget its all broadcasted for everyone to see. As disappointing as last night was, there are some very painful realizations of who the Bears are and where they need to go. Here would be the three most glaring realizations:
Jay Cutler
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No one can question his toughness, drive, or demeanor moving forward. Without Cutler, the Bears lacked the edginess of accountability this offense apparently desperately needs. Cutlers methods may be unorthodox and at times not professional or pleasing, but his desire to win, ownership in his team, and his emotions was sorely missed.
Offensive Line
I think it's clear that the Bears cannot play from behind, and its ironic losing to the 49ers because they cant pass protect either. Here are the offensive lines who have given up the most sacks in 2012, including the six sacks the Bears gave up last night:
Arizona Cardinals: 44
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Chicago Bears: 34
Philadelphia Eagles: 33
Green Bay Packers: 32
San Francisco 49ers: 31
San Francisco head coach Jim Harbaugh may elect to start Colin Kaepernick moving forward because of his athleticism to avoid sacks, but their formula to win is no different than the Bears'. They want to get a lead, play good defense, and run the football.
As embarrassing as last night was from a pass protection standpoint, right tackle Gabe Carimi was drafted to run the football. Its what he did in college at Wisconsin where he played left tackle, but almost every scout had him moving to right tackle in the NFL because he could run blocks and know his assignments.
Just looking at the Bears' most recent history of where the offensive line has struggled most, reflects when they play a dominant front four defensive line. They have a difficult time when other players like tight ends or backs cannot always be committed to giving every guy help upfront who is outmanned.
Everyone remembers the 10-sack performance against the Giants in Metlife Stadium two years ago, but outings against the Packers this year (seven sacks), and when Jay Cutler worked magic against the Lions front four at Ford Field under former offensive coordinator Mike Martz stick out the most. This is Lovie Smiths chosen path philosophically and why the Bears currently have who they have on the roster.
The key to this is that the Bears must play with a lead or keep games close for this philosophy to be utilized.
Heavy sets give Bears' defense problems
Unless the Bears play with a lead to take an opponent out of these sets, they will continue to see heavy sets.
Heavy sets are two tight end sets, or in last night's case, the 49ers used 350 pound tackle Leonard Davis as a third tight end to run the football. Ive said it numerous times; heavy sets are the blue print to beating the Tampa-2 defense. Its how the Bears beat Tony Dungy, Monte Kiffen, and defensive line coach Rod Marinelli twice in one season in 2001.
Some consider those defenses with defensive tackle Warren Sapp, linebacker Derrick Brooks, defensive end Simeon Rice, safety John Lynch, and cornerback Ronde Barbert. Heavy sets destroyed them; much like the Bears got destroyed with it last night.