2010 NFL, Week 4: Chicago Bears Still Have Problems Despite 3-0 Start
Many football fans and analysts thought the Chicago Bears would be 1-2 or worse to start the 2010 NFL season.
Their reasoning was substantiated by a terrible preseason, a porous offensive line, a tough opening schedule, and three years of playoff-less football.
Despite these doubts, the Chicago Bears are 3-0 after big victories against the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers, and are one of three undefeated teams remaining in the league.
Before Chicago Bears fans start drinking Bears' Kool-Aid and division rivals begin sweating bullets, here are five reasons why the Bears are not the world beaters their record might suggest.
No. 5: Bears' Running Game at the Bottom of the League
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The Chicago Bears pride themselves on being a run-first team, having Hall of Fame running backs like Walter Payton, Gale Sayers, and Red Grange about which to boast.
Running has been a severe sore point for the Monsters of the Midway as they are averaging 72.0 yards a game, fourth worst in the NFL. The Bears have no rushing touchdowns (only the Jacksonville Jaguars have zero as well) and are dead last in rushing first downs with nine.
The Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, both 3-0, have 160.7 and 150.0 yards a game, respectively.
Running backs Matt Forte and Chestor Taylor have not busted out runs of 40-plus or even 20-plus yards yet. They are a combined 54 carries for 152 yards. That's only 2.8 yards a carry.
Even though offensive coordinator Mike Martz is giving the Bears a more aerial attack, some semblance of a ground game is needed to avoid becoming too one-dimensional, allowing a defense to put more pressure on QB Jay Culter and his receivers.
No. 4: Red Zone Drives Coming Up Empty
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The red-zone offense has not seen significant change yet, Martz or no Martz.
The Detroit Lions' game was abysmal. The Bears were on the 1-yard line twice in the game, but failed to convert both times. The fourth quarter had linebacker Lance Briggs get a fumble recovery on the Lions' 1-yard line. In four plays, three of which were running, the Bears could not punch it in.
Against Green Bay, the same situation came up when the Bears were down a field goal. Instead of kicking a field goal, head coach Lovie Smith elected to go for it on fourth down. Clark dropped the ball in the end zone.
No. 3: Offensive Line Not Doing Its Job
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A football team is only as good as its offensive line.
These five players provide the time and protection needed for the quarterback and the skill players to make something happen, to put points on the board.
If the line is porous and can't provide the protection, it will be a long season for the offense.
So far, the Bears' offensive line of Chris Williams, Roberto Garza, Olin Kreutz, Lance Louis, and Frank Omiyale are 28th in efficiency. They are not providing run or pass protection, even with tight ends Brandon Manumaleuna, Desmond Clark, and Greg Olsen backing up the offensive tackles in double-protection schemes.
Even with that help, the Bears have given up eight sacks, 18 QB hits, and four failed attempts at the goal line.
Martz's offense is designed for Cutler to take long drops and scan the field for down-field receivers. The ball is in the hands of the quarterback longer than the average of 2.8 seconds.
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No. 2: Maintaining Jay Cutler's Health Will Be Challenging
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Jay Cutler is a franchise quarterback, but one must be concerned with the punishment he is taking. During Monday's Green Bay game, Cutler was hit by Frank Zombo for a roughing the passer penalty. Culter was slow to get up, and looked like he could have been taken out of the game.
However, the Bears QB was durable and stayed in to finish strong.
But the question is, how long can he take hits like that?
If Cutler is lost for significant time, there is a huge talent drop off to backups Todd Collins and Caleb Hanie. That could hinder Chicago as the Bears try to make a playoff push.
No. 1: Coaching Decisions Have Been Questionable
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The coaching staff has chosen to go for it on 4th-and-goal on the 1-yard line and failed both times. That is not bad in and of itself, but these were decisions made when in the fourth quarter when the Bears were down a field goal each time.
Being aggressive at the wrong time.
The Bears' Cover-2 was soft against the Lions in Week 1. If not for a favorable call that negated a Calvin Johnson touchdown, the defense would have surrendered the go-ahead score with seconds remaining. And the Lions had backup Shaun Hill, who was ineffective the whole game, not being a threat.
Being conservative at the wrong time.
Besides that, personnel decisions such as keeping a struggling Omiyale in or insisting Devin Hester is still the No. 1 receiver are anything but sound.
This a make or break year for this coaching staff, and its members can't afford to shoot themselves in the foot, or they will be looking for a job soon.
What Do You Think
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The Bears are off to a solid start, but they need to address these valid concerns if they want to continue to excel.
What do you think?
Are the Bears fine and as strong as their record suggests?
Are they just lucky and their problems will eventually catch up to them?
Or are there any other concerns that were overlooked?
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