It would be easy to look at the 30-6 final score in the Bears' victory over the hapless Cleveland Browns and think everything went well for the home team. It would be easy to see Matt Forte's 90 yards and two touchdowns rushing and think the running game is back. Let's not do things the easy way and fool ourselves into thinking there wasn't something problematic on display Sunday in the Windy City, because the offensive line is flat-out horrible. The pass protection was porous. Jay Cutler was sacked four times. He was hurried all day and had to scramble five additional times. The Browns entered the game with just 12 sacks in seven games.
They also couldn't open up any holes. Forte averaged just 3.5 yards per carry against a team that entered the game allowing 170.6 yards per game and 4.9 yards per carry on the ground. He did get two touchdowns, but failed on two tries to punch the ball in from the one-yard line late in the game. The line push was nonexistent on both of those attempts.
So, yes, the Bears got a win Sunday. What they also got was an illustration of how badly the front five-some needs to be fixed. Orlando Pace used to be a good player and is likely headed to the Hall of Fame when he's eventually eligible. Unfortunately, he's terrible now. He's not overly old, as he turns 34 this week, but he's certainly broken down and washed up. Olin Kreutz is also a shell of his former self and Frank Omiyale isn't doing much to earn the contract he was given in the offseason. Meanwhile, Josh Beekman -- who was serviceable last season -- was sitting on the bench and finally regained his starting job this past Sunday over Omiyale. It didn't seem to make much difference.
While the Bears should definitely enjoy the win -- which was mostly due to the offensive ineptitude of the bumbling Browns -- they need to continue to work on finding a way to fix the offensive line. At 4-3, they're in the playoff mix, but that offensive line isn't getting them more than three more wins playing like this.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
11-01-2009 @ 10:01PM
pbgough said...
It's not Orlando's fault, he just got old...oh wait a minute...he was old when Lovey picked him up...hmmmm. Hey didn't he retire from the Rams...or did they let him go this year? OMG, I hope not as I'd hate to think Lovey is looking to the god awful Rams for players.
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11-02-2009 @ 1:24AM
Jim said...
I love Da Bears! The bar in my basement gets crammed with something new every year. Got my Bear tattoo 10 years ago when they were stinking up the league. I live in Michigan where most of my friends are Lion fans(snicker). But we got to face facts, their O-line sucks and Lovie is stuck in the past with his dumb-ass cover2 defense. You can't blame Cutler for his play when he gets no protection and very little help. We don't get a first round draft next year and now we don't even get a second pick. We miss Urlacher in the defense badly. But I'll still talk smack every week because I believe they have the heart and guts to pull it out. Go Bears!!!
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11-02-2009 @ 7:34AM
Leon said...
I watched the Bears and Browns play. I got the impression that both teams were fighting for the better draft pick after the season.
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11-02-2009 @ 10:30AM
shyguy151 said...
Get Vick and use him. Cutler was worthless in Denver and it is pretty clear the Eagles are not planning to put him in play. Also get some more offensive line protection.
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11-02-2009 @ 10:46AM
Hello Bob said...
Get Vick! You must have a pack of wild dogs running around your house.
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11-02-2009 @ 11:07AM
Sekinu2 said...
Shyguy....Get Vick? Are you serious? The Bears should never think about that piece of garbage as we have plenty of garbage already and Vick doesnt deserve to be in the league.Orlando Pace is done he gets pushed back 3 yards by the time the ball is put into Cutlers hand. I love Kruetz but something isnt right there and the rest of the Oline we can just replace them with those inflatable punching blow up we had as kids since they would stop the dline better. If we do not do something to the oline quick Cutler will be dead and if Lovie doesnt stop that cover 2 he can go and please take Turner with him.
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11-02-2009 @ 12:04PM
ronman189 said...
Sekinu2 has got it exactly right. The entire O line is a sieve and that includes the now, very over-rated Kreutz. The started going downhill in the Super Bowl year and GM Angelo has just been slapping bandaids on them since. It doesn't help that the O Coordinator, Turner, is the least imaginative offensive mind in the league. Anyone can predict his play calling. Lovie, if you want to keep your job, you had better make some changes, if you can. Angelo has traded away all your draft picks so I don't know how you are going to rebuild the O line without spending a ton of money of free agents and the team already has a ton of money tied up in the contracts of unproductive players, like Harris and Vasher. I think my Bears are screwed!
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11-02-2009 @ 5:51PM
tjstieg said...
Da Bears are like the Cubs--they will beat the easy teams and fold against any team with substance. Another long season for Lovey and crew.
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11-03-2009 @ 11:14PM
29536 said...
Okay so the superbowl champs is not a team with substance??? Are you serious. Can you please leave the bears side and join the packers fans.
PS critic the last name is spelled Lovie.. I dont care what you think about the man, he is still a good coach. Aim your dislikes higher up. Keep rebuild and we will be good no great again.
11-02-2009 @ 6:53PM
ewells28560 said...
Where is Rex G man?
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11-03-2009 @ 9:46AM
loudo195 said...
Bye bye Lovie and your cover2. Ron Turner is unreal bad. I could call a better game and have not played football since seventh grade. Cutler's former play in Denver surely has told Bear ownership that Turner is not up to par in this game. Please go away Turner. Just quit and give us something to look forward to.
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