by Sean Kane
This Just In: The Bears’ offense is slightly better than as terrible as they thought we would be.
The Bears showed an offense with pieces in place to be competitive but it is surprising that Chicago offensive production, predicted to be worse than the defense, would be able to put up the numbers they have. They put up a surprising fight against a tough Carolina squad in the first half showing flashes of real potential that shocked the Colts last week but the let down in the second half revealed a more realistic flipside.
What’s the difference creating a plus side? We had the same QB last year, virtually the same offensive line, plus a rookie, a receiving corps that definitely didn’t improve with the loss of Muhammed and Berrian; the answer is number 22.
The addition of Matt Forte seems to be the gas that is making the Bears move down the field.
Picking up the Tulane grad has solidified the way that Lovie wants to win games and has allowed the Bears to be the team that they can be – a defensive minded squad that controls the line and the clock. At the half this week the Bears had virtually two times the offense that the Panthers did. With 148 yards passing, 73 on the ground and 9 first downs to Carolina’s 2, the Bears controlled the first half in a serious way.
The numbers coming out of senior year were impressive (2,127 yards and 23 TDs) but who knew that a back
out of CUSA would bring to the Bears what they needed so badly.
It seems logical though, any team that quickly realizes they can run the ball, allows everyone to do their job much better. While he helps the team dramatically there is a cloud to every silver lining, if you catch my drift.
With a back like Forte the offensive line starts to work downhill for a guy that won’t just throw himself at a pile, like Benson used to do. The confidence and stamina of the Hog Mollys spike, when Forte hits the hole but they still don’t have the talent to manhandle a defense for a whole game. The second half showed that an athletic Carolina front can adjust in the locker room and get big stops forcing five punts and a huge fourth down stop in the last two minutes.
A great running back always promotes capability in the quarterback. He knows he has the defense in check and is able to utilize all the routes he wants when he steps back to pass. Not just that but he can relax in short yardage third downs and the boys in the booth might open up the playbook for him every once in a while when it’s 2nd and 2.
Problem is Orton showed that he really can’t hit the broadside of a barn over 10 yards, going 1 for 9 on attempts deep in the secondary. The Panthers easily adjusted to that in the second half and shut down, allowing 1 passing yard in the second half. It was very clear the Panthers adjusted easily to Orton, reminding Bears’ fans and America that the Boilmaker Alum is not good at his job. (Something Jerry Angelo has ignored for a long time.)
Then there’s the defense, they finally get some wind and in the first half with that much possession. The Bears D got some deserved rest that showed by creating two turnovers and not allowing the Panthers into the end zone…till the second half. Then, it all falls down. The Carolina defense gets momentum and some takeaways and Carolina scores 17 points, while their defense makes rookie Jonathan Stewart look like he’s going to be the next best thing in Black and Blue, going for 77 yards on just 14 touches, over 5 yards a touch.
Forte is the missing piece for the Bears. We’ve seen the numbers and the talent on display. But Forte isn’t LT or Payton. He’s not a whole offense that makes the rest of the team look incredible. He won’t be, either. He’s a solid back that does his job well and sets up his team. The Bears have set up to be the about the best team they can be.
Half of that team is a very weak offense. The Bears can’t consistently go 70 -80 plus yards, they only did it once on Sunday in the first quarter and it still only ended in 3 points. Your line might give you a couple good series but an aggressive defense will get the better of them. Plainly, Orton sucks, thanks front office for sitting around all off-season.
The defense is great but if the opposition takes care of the ball and the Bears defense can’t force turnovers and create short field situations, (the only Bears’ touchdown came when Charles Tillman grabbed an interception and put the offense on the 23 yard line) the box score will show the offensive impotence, regardless of how many pro-bowlers are playing D.
With the addition of Forte the Bears are better, they have all the pieces in place. But realistically you put those personnel pieces together the Bears are a team that can’t win more than 6 games this year.
