Some truths to displace the myths about Ben and others.

I think they have to go to tight coverage on the WR's, jam them at the line and try to throw off the timing. The pressure is there but it doesn't quite get there. I think if they jam the WR's instead of the cushion they increase the likelihood of the pressure doing what it is designed to do, namely either sack the Qb or force the bad decision. I also think, and this might sound counter intuitive, the DB's need to be slightly less aggressive when the ball is in the air. Some have mentioned how the ball never seems to fall their way when it used to. I think they fly at the intended receiver and are hoping for a big hit, deflection or what have you and the next guy comes flying in to support that action and ends up too close to the play. They have had lots of deflections just too close to the receiver and aren't able to make a play on the errant pass or deflection. Slow down a bit and see what happens.

 

They were trying to keep him away and was still held to 52 yards. That last pass Marshall caught was a thing of beauty. Cutler put the ball where only Marshall could make a play in TIGHT coverage by Taylor and it still took an outstanding catch to complete.

 

I agree his blitz packages are very ordinary to say the least. That cross-dog blitz is ineffective. I see more ingenuity from the Rex Ryan. If the corners would play man-to-man the blitz will get there but Dick Lebeau likes to play the corners off in fear of them getting beat deep. But I say if the pressure gets close and you are playing man-to-man you have a better chance on getting that sack, interception or fumble. It's about timing the pressure with the coverage.

 

How many years have you played and coached NFL football? Transcript of your Hall of Fame induction speech?

 

Let's all show our credentials, then elect experts for all aspects of the game. All comments outside your area of elected expertise shall be ignored.

Jeesh, this is an internet message board, everyone expresses their thoughts.

 

Back to the pressure. It is interesting that he had a "clean pocket" for 27 of the 46 times that he dropped back. I wonder if this is an improvement. Sounds like if Adams can improve, experience and coaching, we will continue to make improvements. The line is so young that if they can continue to improve and reach their potential and Bell plays to his potential, NEXT YEAR may be a good one.

The article would have been better if they broke down all three games.

 

The point is you're questioning one of the truly great defensive minds in the NFL. And you can't compare his scheme to any other DC because you aren't comparing apples to apples. We don't have the same players, the situations are different, and frequently opposing offenses are different. Even when we are pitted against the same offense the first two points come into play.

 

Just don't give up the big play???? Instead let them move down field and chew up the clock with 7 minute drives and then score, that is better I guess? Actually I believe DL does the best he can with the players we have. The big run Forte had was due to having extra guys in coverage as the CBs aren't that good and the same thing in the run game, ever since Ziggy has become the starter they can't stop the run anymore. We got beat by Tebow as we had to sell out against the run with 9 guys in the box because the defensive line isn't any good, Keisel is too old, and Ziggy is usesless so DL has to try and figure out what the team is going to do and either send the LBers into coverage or stay in and try to defend against the run. I think the lack of depth is hurting more than the scheme, the DL doesn't get penetration so the backs don't have to decide who to block, they know they have to help against the edge rushers and the interior linemen handle the DL with zero problems except for the few times Keisel gets into the backfield but then nobody else is there so it doesn't make much difference.

 

And how much of that has to do with the offense killing the defense by coughing up the ball repeatedly. We're also giving significant amounts of playing time to 4or 5 rookies and that limits what we're able to do from a defensive standpoint. not to mention mistakes made by the rookies.

 

the original post was about Ben and how quick he gets rid of the ball when he has a pocket and isnt running for his life, yet almost every response to this thread is about the defense.

no matter what facts are put out there, people will still believe Ben is the problem.

2 seconds isnt long enough for a wr to run a route unless its a bubble screen or a slant. they can only run those plays so many times in a game. the other problem is their 2 top wrs are small and are easily pushed around. so combine the fact that Ben has no time in the pocket and his wr are usually getting pushed around, tells me that he is in a tough spot and the he was the reason they scored 23 points last week. yes he was part of the reason the offense gave up 23 points on turnovers also, but i attribute that to him trying to make plays and always having to try and be Superman.

if the oline could block than neither one of those fumbles happen and the 1st int doesnt happen.

 

Last I checked, the offense didn't put the defense in a bad place on the opening drive when they let the Bears march casually 50+ yards and chew 8 minutes off the clock for chippie FG. I mean where is the great defense setting the tone for the game.

The other thing is the offense along with a great 2nd and 3rd quarter performance by the defense had cut the lead to 27-23. It was a ball game and then as if on cue the defense allows a 80 yard march for a TD. The passes by Cutler were pinpoint and perfect so you really can't get on Ike or Thomas for their defense, but once again in that drive the Steelers gave up a 3rd and long - it was actually 3rd and 12 when Cutler laid out Golden. Those type of things happen repeatedly to this defense and have happened repeatedly over the past 3 years.

And as far as turnovers go, stripping and ball hawking can be taught and practiced, the Bears are one of the best in the business at it and their players have commented that it is practiced.

We can praise the defense all we want and glorify the #1 ranking for yards allowed, but a great defense makes stops when it has to and it creates chaos (i.e. turnovers). This defense has not done that for 3 years - they are a good/solid defense, but they aren't great and with the system they generally play they don't seem to aspire to be great either.

 

i agree with most of this, but i dont agree with the defense forcing turnovers. i just dont see this defense having that approach. stripping the ball and going after deflections is something that is practiced. maybe they spend to much time on "exotic blitzes" and not enough on forcing turnovers. oh, and those "exotic blitzes" arent working to well either. 3 sacks in 3 games isnt too good.

this has become a trend with this team. i love DL and everything he has brought to this team, but at some point change is needed. he just doesnt have the personnel on defense to get to the qb with his scheme. the 3 down lineman need to take up blockers while the 4 lbs rush the qb and get there. they just dont have those guys right now.

its a sound game plan, but if you dont have the personnel to exacute that plan than you need to change and just dont think DL is going to change anytime soon.

 

Logically, if the db's are jamming their man at the line then that in fact buys your d line and lb'ers another sec or two. all the dink and dunk carving up we've had to endure by playing 10 yards off your man, wouldn't be an issue and there would be more consistent pressure generated. When DL actually played man and bumped the receivers at the line against New England a couple seasons back, it was a thing of beauty! Had we done that against Green Bay, we have 7 lombardis easily! Yeah you might get beat some, everybody does. But if you want more disruption across the board, there ya go. Simple fix. So long as we don't play overly shallow at the safety position (when we got tebowed) we should be fine. But even in Denver, we weren't jamming em

 

If Ben had done his job and not thrown two interceptions we would be looking at Lombardi #7. That's an even simpler fix. People crucify O'donnell for throwing two interceptions and make death threats, but give ben a pass.