SB Nation User Blog: No It All

"Arc"

No It All — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:44:33 -0000

The point and the season are moot.... While I am not an expert on quarterback mechanics, the word stuck in my head after this loss that nobody has muttered is "arc":

In Jay's highlights from Denver and watching clips of deep passes around the league, it is obvious that arc is fundamental to the successful of deep pass plays. The potential TD passes Cutler "just missed on" had little to no arc. Due to pressure, Cutler was forced to lob his pass to Kellen Davis in the 3rd quarter and it was a TD. It is easy to understand Cutler's hesitance to put more air under the ball as it gives DBs more of a chance to make plays on the ball than his strong arm and laser passes usually allow. I think the main reason for this is a feeling (problem legitimate) that he needs to put the ball in the perfect spot on each throw. That can be translated another way to reflect the inability of our receivers to go up and make plays on the ball while in the air, forcing Jay to zip it in there. We have the QB for it and fast enough receivers to have an effective deep passing game. While Hester and Knox aren't likely to win fights for the ball in the air, with a little bit of arc on deep throws those 2 will get there.

There is little to salvage from this season other than developing chemistry on offense. Right now everybody knows the ball is going to Olsen in the crunchtime. Hopefully by season's end Cutler can feels comfortable with all his weapons. Personally I thought we would have at least attempted more deep pass plays during games so far, not only to stretch defenses, but also and now more importantly to get much needed in game experience/comfort.

Couple of things about a couple of things: That reverse play that the Eagles run every week with great success... um let's give Hester or Knox a try. Near the end, 3rd and short Eagles blitzed heavy on the right side, JC passed quick incompletion to Bennett, I thought Forte was open. I general I think maybe 1/3 of the run plays called on 1st down should have been screen plays. I'll like Khalil Bell more when he scores, but Knox was awesome on that long run play. Asante's block on Brown and Harris on his own TD play was impressive.

This has been the plan all along.

No It All — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:38:24 -0000

The worst thing about the Bears' current woes is that I am no longer able to feign surprise. Jerry Angelo was brought in specifically because of his success with Tampa Bay. He has done what he was paid to do. The Bears are now remarkably similar to Angelo's Buccaneers team(s). That success came in spite of possibly one of the worst offenses ever for a Super Bowl victor. Hiring him was a validation of the philosophy that success in the NFL can be had without investing in the offensive side of the ball. Angelo was so validated that he did not even bother to bring in an offensive mind as good as or better than Gruden this time around, no need to open the door to possible dissent from offensive minded coaches. The ineptitude of the offense in the wake of JC's arrival and the defenses' inability to stop anybody anymore illustrates how detrimental Angelo's master plan has been to the Bears.

So basically, Jerry Angelo is exactly who everybody knew him to be and the Bears are exactly what he designed them to be. [can also read : Congratulations! We are now the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.]

Remember a time before Jay?

No It All — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 13:51:39 -0000

Before the trade for Cutler the big debate was whether or not to draft a WR or OL with the #18 pick. Sure getting Jay was nice and all, but aside from Jay the organization has done nothing to improve itself. We are still in virtually the same position we were before the trade, only with more holes and less opportunities to improve (ie no draft picks).

I like Jay, but the notion that we don't need actual receivers (any receiver will do at this point) because Jay will make our crap ones into gold needs to be retired. A guy who can catch will help a bad QB more than a QB who can throw will help a guy who cannot catch. Brandon Marshall alone has made neckbeard look good.

For years management has focused on defense in the draft. Not only is it now becoming apparent they didn't even do that well as this D is turrible, but also the neglect and/or ineptitude the front office has shown in acquiring skill/position players continues to haunt. Maybe a healthy #54 would have made the D so good that the team could overcome the absence of a solid receiver and/or a lineman who can block... Jay or no Jay this team is basically the '05 squad with bad replacements for anybody who has left since then and no fresh talent to offset aging.