Cutler and Bates United at Last

[AC1]

I wouldn't say that Bates was 'amazing' in 2008. I agree that we had some amazing offensive games that year (the game against the Jets in particular), but there were certainly some very ordinary games too - the game against JAX, MIA and the second Raiders game in particular where Cutler was just throwing bombs all game (and missing).

Also, the problems in the redzone were pretty obvious - true, the discontinuity at RB didn't help, but some of that has to fall on the playcaller (i.e. the failure to convert on 1st-and-goal against the Titans this year). I always thought our best drives in 08 were early on in the game (the scripted plays - Shanny would've had his hand in those) and our two-minute offence.

In the end, I didn't agree with his firing as the guy obviously has potential, but - like so many - he seems to be another guy who some people remember more fondly as he was done away with by McDingles.

You have to remember that 2008 was his first year calling plays. Add to that, 8 out of 11 day 1 offensive starters had less than three years of experience. On top of it, we had 8 RBs on IR. Combining all those things, I'd say Bates did a tremendous job.

The hiring of McDaniels was stupid on many levels, but simply considering that we had a version of him already in place in Bates made it enormously stupid. Bates also had an established working relationship with Dennison and Bobby Turner and keeping those three intact should have been a priority.

Regardless, Bates did a very good job. The red-zone issues seemed to disappear when Pittman or Hillis were running the ball, suggesting that it wasn't on the playcaller. Converting on third-and-short and third-and-goal are on the personnel, the OL and the RB (the latter moreso in the ZBS) IMO. Regardless of whether that's Bates, McDaniels or McCoy, it's not on the playcaller.

8 RBs going on IR is a rare condition. That our offense was functioning at a high level despite that says a lot about everyone involved with it.

[AC1]

Not that I don't disagree with you on the Bears offensive line, but I don't think much will be done this year. I think the new OC Mike Tice is happy with the five guys he had to start the 2011 season, Webb, C. Williams, Garza, Louis, Carimi. I think what the Bears are doing is looking inside the numbers a bit. In the 10 games Cutler started he was sacked 23 times, but 14 of those came in the first 3 games, only twice in his last 3 games. You also have to remember this was in a Martz scheme, and if you run that scheme your QB is going to get hit and sacked.

The three things that are going to help this line in protection. 1) Scheme change, get the ball out of Cutler's hand quickly, fewer 5 and seven step drops, move Cutler around, allow him to use his legs. 2) More of a run based attack. This line may of had problems in protection, but they sure could run block. In the run game it did not matter who was in there, Forte, Bell or Barber, they all got their yards, every one of them had at least one 100 yard game. 3) Cutler himself. He is a great athlete who has the ability to make a line look better than it is.

Fair post. I just think that the Bears/Tice need to value blindside protection a little more. Webb might be a good player, but to run a top-flight offense in this league you typically need a top-flight LT. Drafting Ryan Clady made a huge difference to the Broncos in 2008. I expected Chris Williams to have a similar career for you guys, but he doesn't seem to have been given the opportunity (or been healthy enough to take advantage of it). He seems to be set at guard now though (the other knock on him coming out besides being injury-prone, was having a wingspan more suited to guard than tackle).

I've had these arguments in the draft and FA forum about positional value since 2008. I think it goes QB, LT, pass-rusher. You guys have two of the three locked up, but the third is a question mark. Pretty much every other position can be upgraded via free-agency. But the best left tackles are either first-rounders (Jake Long, Ryan Clady, Joe Thomas, D'Brickshaw Ferguson, Jordan Gross) or high second-rounders (Roos, McNeill).

Just my opinion.

[muse]

I agree. Bates was amazing in 2008 as a first-year playcaller. He seemed to be bringing along Barkley quite well the year after. Not sure what happened in Seattle. Seems to have been an issue with Hasselbeck being too set in his ways in the Holmgren-style WCO.

I wouldn't say that Bates was 'amazing' in 2008. I agree that we had some amazing offensive games that year (the game against the Jets in particular), but there were certainly some very ordinary games too - the game against JAX, MIA and the second Raiders game in particular where Cutler was just throwing bombs all game (and missing).

Also, the problems in the redzone were pretty obvious - true, the discontinuity at RB didn't help, but some of that has to fall on the playcaller (i.e. the failure to convert on 1st-and-goal against the Titans this year). I always thought our best drives in 08 were early on in the game (the scripted plays - Shanny would've had his hand in those) and our two-minute offence.

In the end, I didn't agree with his firing as the guy obviously has potential, but - like so many - he seems to be another guy who some people remember more fondly as he was done away with by McDingles.

[HavoK471]

I like seeing Cutler do well and this should help a ton

The Bears can get real scary

[*Atwater*]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZOhm7qS-AI

[ebsoria]

You are right about Hester.........The best returner in the history of the NFL, and a very good spot receiver, but you are wrong about the defense. Think about the guys who are "old" on this defense, Urlacher who will be 34 next season, but is coming off two of the best seasons in his career, or Peppers 32, an 11 sack season on one leg. These are freakish athletes where age just seems to be a number. Then you have Briggs, and Tillman both 31, not exactly old and coming off probowl seasons. Fact is these players have been so good that people overlook the good young players that the Bears are developing on defense like Melton 24, Okoye 25, Paea 23, Conte 23, and Moore 24. This defense is actually younger than the Steelers defense that won a Super Bowl in 2008, and got there in 2010.

Now that you point all that out, this team does look a little scary all around.

[bears6385]

I agree. Bates was amazing in 2008 as a first-year playcaller. He seemed to be bringing along Barkley quite well the year after. Not sure what happened in Seattle. Seems to have been an issue with Hasselbeck being too set in his ways in the Holmgren-style WCO.

The main issue with the Bears offense as I see it is pass-protection. If I were the Bears GM, I'd make Chris Myers my number 1 priority in free-agency. Then try and get the best LT in the draft, maybe trade up to get one of Reiff or Martin.

I think they need receivers too but they can address that in FA and the second and third rounds of the NFL draft.

Not that I don't disagree with you on the Bears offensive line, but I don't think much will be done this year. I think the new OC Mike Tice is happy with the five guys he had to start the 2011 season, Webb, C. Williams, Garza, Louis, Carimi. I think what the Bears are doing is looking inside the numbers a bit. In the 10 games Cutler started he was sacked 23 times, but 14 of those came in the first 3 games, only twice in his last 3 games. You also have to remember this was in a Martz scheme, and if you run that scheme your QB is going to get hit and sacked.

The three things that are going to help this line in protection. 1) Scheme change, get the ball out of Cutler's hand quickly, fewer 5 and seven step drops, move Cutler around, allow him to use his legs. 2) More of a run based attack. This line may of had problems in protection, but they sure could run block. In the run game it did not matter who was in there, Forte, Bell or Barber, they all got their yards, every one of them had at least one 100 yard game. 3) Cutler himself. He is a great athlete who has the ability to make a line look better than it is.

[bears6385]

And if they did that then they could focus Devon back on ST. If their D wasn't so old I'd be a wee scared of that team.

You are right about Hester.........The best returner in the history of the NFL, and a very good spot receiver, but you are wrong about the defense. Think about the guys who are "old" on this defense, Urlacher who will be 34 next season, but is coming off two of the best seasons in his career, or Peppers 32, an 11 sack season on one leg. These are freakish athletes where age just seems to be a number. Then you have Briggs, and Tillman both 31, not exactly old and coming off probowl seasons. Fact is these players have been so good that people overlook the good young players that the Bears are developing on defense like Melton 24, Okoye 25, Paea 23, Conte 23, and Moore 24. This defense is actually younger than the Steelers defense that won a Super Bowl in 2008, and got there in 2010.

[AC1]

I agree. Bates was amazing in 2008 as a first-year playcaller. He seemed to be bringing along Barkley quite well the year after. Not sure what happened in Seattle. Seems to have been an issue with Hasselbeck being too set in his ways in the Holmgren-style WCO.

The main issue with the Bears offense as I see it is pass-protection. If I were the Bears GM, I'd make Chris Myers my number 1 priority in free-agency. Then try and get the best LT in the draft, maybe trade up to get one of Reiff or Martin.

I think they need receivers too but they can address that in FA and the second and third rounds of the NFL draft.

[ebsoria]

Exactly, this draft/offseason can make or break the Bears. They were my Super Bowl pick before Cutler got hurt. During that win streak they were playing amazing

Yeah they were. Had Cutler not gone down methinks the NFL would have shaken out different. Maybe the Bears don't go to the SB, but maybe the Giants don't get as far... lotsa things coulda happened.

[MorenoFan27]

And if they did that then they could focus Devon back on ST. If their D wasn't so old I'd be a wee scared of that team.

Exactly, this draft/offseason can make or break the Bears. They were my Super Bowl pick before Cutler got hurt. During that win streak they were playing amazing

[ebsoria]

Bears draft Alshon, Sign Eddie Royal, and they now have a really good group. I don't want to lose Royal, but we don't use him how Cutler/Shanny offense did.

And if they did that then they could focus Devon back on ST. If their D wasn't so old I'd be a wee scared of that team.

[MorenoFan27]

Bears draft Alshon, Sign Eddie Royal, and they now have a really good group. I don't want to lose Royal, but we don't use him how Cutler/Shanny offense did.

[ebsoria]

I think this is a brilliant move by the Bear's.

With Martz they were hoping for the Greatest Show Part 2, but they didn't have the all around talent for Cutler that those Ram's had.

In Denver, with Bates, Cutler didn't have a gaggle of talent around him either. He had some good some good players, but again, not like those Rams' teams. Now? He has about the talent(maybe a wee better) and his QB coach back.

Methinks this is very good for Cutler.

[bears6385]

alshon or bust for the bears

Could very well be and would be a very good pick for the Bears. You know for sure that the Bears will draft a WR in one of the first two rounds and sign another in free agency. They need at least two since it is doubtful that Knox will even play next season.