Chicago Bears Week 4 Report Card

The Bears come away from their Week 4 contest with the Carolina Panthers with a 35-29 win and some much needed direction.

Viewing the game was an odd experience. When the defense and the special teams units were on the field, the feeling that this was what you expected from Chicago was front and center. Solid bend-don't-break defense and spectacular special teams play marked the game early.

However, when the offense was on the field, the feeling was like watching a photo negative. The Bears recorded all of 93 net yards by way of the pass on only 18 drop-backs and allowed just one sack.

Meanwhile, Matt Forte dropped 205 yards and a touchdown in 20 attempts on the ground, and Marion Barber added another 17 yards and a touchdown as the Bears rumbled for 224 yards rushing.

The offensive line did an outstanding job in run-blocking assignments, but continued to struggle in pass protection, with the absence of rookie right tackle Gabe Carimi forcing the Bears to shuffle the right time of the line through the game in an attempt to give quarterback Jay Cutler time in the pocket.

Defensively. the Bears defense wasn't great, but did enough to win the game when it mattered most. The secondary was hurt yet again by the absence of safety Chris Harris, as Major Wright struggled mightily and Brandon Meriweather continued to struggle as well.

The defensive line walked away without a sack, but got great penetration throughout the game and hurried rookie quarterback sensation Cam Newton regularly.

Following the game, we take time to grade the starters at every position, as well as  a few situational players of note. So without further ado, let's get straight to evaluating the individual players who contributed to the Bears win over the Panthers.

Quarterback

Only one player here to evaluate: Jay Cutler.

Cutler had a relatively easy day. He spent most of his time pushing the ball into Matt Forte's hands and watching Forte work his magic.

Cutler dropped back 18 times, resulting in one sack and nine completions on 17 attempts for 102 yards and an interception that was all Jay. It wasn't a fantastic performance, but the Bears did convert five first downs off the pass, so Cutler did contribute to the win.

Grade: C

Running Backs

Matt Forte: Forte continues to make his case for a new contract, providing 228 total yards and a touchdown with 205 yards on the ground. He also added four receptions to his total after entering the game ranked second in the league in that statistic. Forte also blocked well in the game, including a fantastic pickup on the edge on Cutler's INT throw.  Grade: A+

Marion Barber: Barber saw limited action, but provided the Bears with solid play in his opportunities, recording 17 yards on five attempts, including a nice power rush for a touchdown. Grade: A

Tyler Clutts: The 260-pound fullback may not have touched the ball, but he was key to today's ground success, providing solid lead blocking and blocked his man out of the play on several of Forte's big runs, including the big play on the final scoring drive. Grade: A

Wide Receivers

Devin Hester:  Hester's grade is, of course, going to include his special teams play. None of the receivers had an opportunity to do much in the passing game. Hester had a target that he was covered well on, but his special teams contributions, including two huge returns in the first half—one for his record-breaking 11th punt return touchdown—set the tone for the game and allowed the Bears to dictate the pace of the game. Grade: A

Johnny Knox: Knox was the only receiver on the team with multiple receptions, posting three catches for 48 yards. Knox also contributed a 32 yard kickoff return.  Overall, Knox had a good, but not spectacular, day. Grade: B

Roy Williams: Williams made the most of his one target, bringing it in for a 15-yard reception and a first down. Nothing great, but nothing to ding him with this week. Grade: C

Dane Sanzenbacher:  Dane caught the only other reception by a Bears for 16 yards and a first down, but also had a drop on a crucial third down in the game. Grade: C-

Sam Hurd: Targeted once, Hurd was the victim of a great defensive play rather than a mistake.  Hurd also had a nice down-field block on one of Forte's late game runs. Grade: C-

Tight End

Kellen Davis:  Davis was targeted a couple of times, but failed to bring in a catch, though neither was entirely his fault. The first was a low throw that he still probably should have brought in, but the second resulted in an interception after Cutler overthrew the 6'7" tight end, who fully extended trying to bring the ball down. Davis did a fine job run-blocking today, though, sealing the edge well on Forte's outside runs. Grade: C+

Kyle Adams: Adams was never targeted in the passing game and saw limited action as a blocker. As a blocker, Kyle did a decent but not spectacular job. Grade: C

Writer's edit:  A helmet tip goes out to Eric G.  I mistook No. 86 for No. 89 and originally credited Matt Spaeth, who was inactive for the game, with Kyle Adams work on this slide.  But Eric came to the rescue and gave me the heads up.  Thanks for the catch, Eric!

Offensive Line

Roberto Garza: Roberto held up well in pass protection and opened lanes in the running game up the middle. Other than an illegal man downfield penalty, Garza had a great day. Grade: B

Chris Williams: Chris had an excellent day run-blocking. He pulled well and opened holes inside. He was also solid in pass protection.  Grade: B

J'Marcus Webb: We didn't hear much of Webb's name today, and that is a relief after the last few weeks. Webb did a decent job in pass protection and in run-blocking. Any time we can go an entire game without hearing Webb's number called is a good day. Grade: C

Chris Spencer: Spencer struggled today in pass protection but made some key blocks in Forte's 205 yard rushing effort. He was temporarily spelled in the second half due to a hand injury. Grade: C-

Frank Omiyale: Gate 68 lived up to his billing. He did a decent job in run-blocking assignments, but looked like a turnstile in pass protection, eventually being replaced by Lance Louis. Omiyale allowed the game's only sack. Grade: F

Lance Louis: Louis made his return in relief of Chris Spencer after Spencer injured his hand, but really shined once Spencer returned and Louis replaced Omiyale at right tackle. Louis played well in pass protection and made some huge blocks in the running game. Late in the game, on Forte's 40-yard romp that set up the game-clinching touchdown, two Panthers were credited with running into each other to open the hole Forte darted through.  

In truth, Lance Louis blocked them into each other. Louis looked great in his return. You won't likely see this very often from the offensive line, but...Grade: A

Defensive Line

Anthony Adams: Spice Adams didn't look himself today, and the Panthers were able to run up the middle on the Bears because of it. AA's biggest contribution is usually in run defense, and it just wasn't there today, especially early. He and the line did tighten up towards the end of the game, but for a guy whose primary job is to clog the middle, it looked like Carolina brought a lot of decongestant to deal with this booger. Grade: D-

Henry Melton: Melton wasn't great against the run, either. But as the Bears' 3-tech, his primary focus is penetration, and he delivered.  Melton was in the Panthers' backfield all night. And though it didn't culminate in a sack, Newton was hurried all day. Grade: C+

Julius Peppers: Pep spent a lot of time chasing Newton, but never got there. Newton, to his credit, should have been sacked a dozen or so times, but was slippery as an eel. Pep did block a kick that turned out to be crucial to the game. Grade: C+

Israel Idonije: Izzy was a non-factor in this game. He got into the backfield a couple of times, but usually too late to be a factor. And runs in his direction ended up in the secondary to frequently.  Grade: D

Matt Toeaina: Toe was surprising today in his ability to get into the backfield and force Newton to get rid of the ball or leave the pocket.  Generally not known for his penetration, Matt did a good job of shedding his blockers.  Grade: B-

Linebackers

Brian Urlacher: Urlacher posted eight solo tackles and seemed to be around the action constantly, but he seemed just a touch off today, and rushers got way too many yards before Brian and the LB corps rounded them up and forced them down.

Brian was his typical self in coverage, though. He and fellow linebacker Lance Briggs were instrumental in the interception returned for touchdown early int he game. Grade: B

Lance Briggs: No. 55 logged eight total tackles and played well in coverage, tipping the interception DJ Moore returned for a TD and making a crucial stop after allowing an underneath reception on a crucial 3rd down with less than six minutes left in the game.  Grade: A-

Nick Roach: Roach was almost non-existent. He seemed out of position regularly and was beaten in coverage repeatedly. This was not a good game for Nick. Grade: F

Secondary

Charles Tillman: Peanut had a decent day. He was pretty good in coverage, but was beaten a few times. He also had an uncharacteristic whiff in the backfield that could have resulted in a loss. He also had a face mask penalty that helped set of a field goal for the Panthers. Grade: C-

Tim Jennings: Jennings did well in coverage against the Panthers and was decent in run support as well. Grade: B-

DJ Moore: Moore had his ups and downs in coverage and in run support. But he also provided the team with a heads-up interception that he weaved through the offense-turned-defense to score his second career touchdown with. Grade: B-

Major Wright: I cannot see how Major Wright maintains a starting spot after Chris Harris finally returns. Yet another display from Wright of poor tackling, poorer angles and poor coverage. The bears should have started Craig Steltz, for god's sake. Cam Newton and Steve Smith picked on Wight all night. Grade: F

Brandon Meriweather: The only reason I think Brandon Meriweather should start when Chris Harris returns is that the alternatives are either Major Wright or Craig Steltz. Meriweather was out of position, failed to take over his assignments from the corners and placed more emphasis on the hit than the tackle. The only reason he wasn't the worst defender on the field was Maior Wright. How did this guy ever see two Pro Bowls?  Grade: F

And now it's your turn, ladies and gentlemen. Take a step up on the soapbox below and let us know what you think.