.jpg)
Wondering about a player, a past game or another issue involving the Bears? Senior writer Larry Mayer answers a variety of email questions from fans every day on ChicagoBears.com.
After watching another hideous effort Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, I have one simple question: What’s wrong with the Bears defense—is it the personnel, the coaching or the scheme?
Ryan T.
Oak Lawn, Illinois
You may think that’s a simple question. But unfortunately, there’s no simple answer. After a second absolutely horrendous performance in three weeks in Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals, I don’t know how you can absolve any of the three areas you mentioned of blame. In my opinion, all three aspects have been responsible for the embarrassing outings against the Bengals and Cardinals. The players couldn’t rush the passer, cover receivers or tackle consistently; and the defense as a unit seemed unprepared to play and unable to make the required adjustments. I think it’s too easy to blame one player, one coach or say it’s all because of the cover-two—a defense the Bears play only about a third of the time by the way. There’s certainly enough blame for the two debacles to be shared by everyone across the board.
There are so many things that disgusted me about Sunday’s loss that I turned the television off late in the third quarter. What was the most troubling aspect about the game in your eyes?
Wayne K.
Naperville, Illinois
The most disturbing thing to me wasn’t the fact that the Bears allowed touchdown passes on their opponent’s first four possessions for the second time in three weeks. It was the absolute ease with which Arizona moved the ball up and down the field, seemingly with no resistance from the Bears defense. The Cardinals marched 81, 74, 70 and 86 yards for touchdowns the first four times they touched the ball. In the process, they compiled 20 first downs on 33 plays. Think about that. They gained 320 total yards on 36 plays in the first half! It reminded me of one of those early-season college football games where a tiny directional school like South Northeastern State A&I gets slaughtered by a powerhouse like Florida or Texas 56-3 in exchange for a large pay day for their program. To me, that’s how overmatched the Bears looked against the Cardinals in the first half.
Even with Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals, I think the Bears can still rebound to make the playoffs. Some of the teams they will face—such as the Eagles, Packers and Ravens—that looked menacing at one point all lost on Sunday and no longer look so strong. What do you think?
Carl L.
Dayton, Ohio
I didn’t want to do it, but you forced me to: I’m going to channel some Jim Mora here. Playoffs? You’re asking about the playoffs? Are you kidding me? Playoffs? OK, I’m back. But my point is that while the Bears certainly can rebound and earn a post-season berth, I think they have to worry about fixing their defense before the “P” word even crosses their mind. Playoff contenders certainly don’t let opponents score 31 points in one half or allow eight straight third-down conversions to start a game.
Email your question to Larry
- 11/19/09Why haven't Bears completed more deep...
- 11/18/09How have Bears fared at home against...
- 11/17/09Could Cutler have run for a touchdown...
FULL CHALK TALK ARCHIVE
