Tommie Harris (center) says the Bears' travel difficulties contributed to their poor showing. (Brian Cassella/Tribune)
By Brad Biggs
BALTIMORE -- The Bears didn't have a chance to salvage their woeful 2009 season Sunday. Before them, though, was an opportunity to put a nice story together, battle the logistical nightmare the team faced in getting to M&T Bank Stadium and then deal a blow to the Ravens' playoff hopes.
So much for wishful thinking. Once again, they started slow, mounted a brief rally and then were blown out.
The 31-7 pummeling was more of a confirmation of what we've been seeing for months than anything new. The new was delivered by general manager Jerry Angelo before the game when he made it clear that nothing is guaranteed for coach Lovie Smith moving forward. In fact, one of the telling things from Angelo's chat that lasted more than 12 minutes was his inability to come up with anything positive to say about Smith.
Here are 10 other reactions from the day and the loss:
1. The most telling thing a player in the locker room told me came from center Olin Kreutz, who made it clear players, or at least Kreutz, believe significant changes are needed in the organization.
"There is a lot wrong with the
whole organization, but it is not Lovie,'' Kreutz said. "You can't
concern yourself with their job, but you can't help but think about it.
"It has to be fixed from top to bottom,'' Kreutz continued. "You can't just keep changing the same positions and then asking what's wrong. Hopefully, they figure it out. I've got an idea (where it starts), but it's not my place to say.''
Kreutz is very careful with what he says to media and is understanding of professional etiquette and the ways of the business. This was stepping out for him.
2. Tommie Harris must be kidding. My colleague Vaughn McClure asked him about the "Planes, Trains and Auomobiles" episode the Bears went through to get to Baltimore, starting with a flight that never happened Friday night, and ending with a flight that got in late Saturday night.
"We had a rough week. I'm going to use that as an excuse," Harris said. "I think that does have something to do with it. ... Dude, it threw my whole week off, my preparation. I was out of sync. I don't know what happened anymore."
It's not like the Bears took train to Baltimore. Harris had one assist to show for his day of work, according to press box statistics. Well, he had one lousy excuse, too.
3. The 69 yards rushing by Matt Forte made for his fourth-best game of the season, but it looks like 1,000 yards is out of the picture. Forte has 754 yards and will need 246 vs. Minnesota and Detroit to reach four figures. He combined for 148 in the previous meetings with the Vikings and Lions. It wasn't a good day for him, though, as he lost another fumble. The Bears have been without a 1,000-yard rusher three times already this decade. The last time their leading rusher averaged 3.4 yards per carry? Try 2007 with Cedric Benson.
4. Two of Jay Cutler's three interceptions came on balls he was trying to throw to Devin Aromashodu. He targeted the young receiver last week against Green Bay, and the Ravens surely saw that on film. In fact, Domonique Foxworth told reporters after the game he knew where Cutler was going with the first pick when he easily stepped in front of the play.
"I don't know about that,'' offensive coordinator Ron Turner said when asked if Cutler was targeting Aromashodu too much. "We just didn't execute very well. When we had opportunities to make some plays, and we did have some, we didn't make them, and then the turnovers.''
Press box statistics show Aromashodu was targeted with a team-high 10 passes, including Caleb Hanie's interception. He caught two balls for 10 yards.
5. Middle linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer almost looked bewildered after the game.
"It feels like Groundhog Day,'' he said. "Each week I manage to convince myself by Friday and Saturday that this is going to be the week that we finally play the way that I know we should, and it hasn't been the case. ''
6. As the season progresses and more opposing quarterbacks have huge games vs. the Bears -- Joe Flacco had a career-high four touchdown passes and a career best passer rating of 135.6 -- it becomes evident that the lack of playmakers in the secondary is a real issue. Rookie safety Al Afalava just isn't making impact plays. Ditto Kevin Payne. Danieal Manning is near the end of another lost season, one where he failed to make an impact. Corey Graham looked lost. Charles Tillman didn't play well. The defense badly needs some help back there, especially when the front four isn't getting to the passer.
7. It has been said before and it will be said again, special teams looked to be the only competent thing the Bears had going for them. Earl Bennett looked like a veteran returning punts and free-agent pickup Tim Shaw isn't just making tackles on special teams, he's making huge hits. He was a top-notch in-season find, and those are difficult to come by.
8. Just wondering ... Fox analyst Brian Billick compared Cutler to Jeff George during the broadcast. Who is going to be more offended by that: Cutler or George? Maybe we can get a third Hoosier quarterback, Rick Mirer, to debate that one for us.
9. It's not exactly handing out props, because the Bears stunk, but Chris Williams acquitted himself better at left tackle this time around. His outing last week against Green Bay probably should have gotten him pulled. The Bears didn't dress Orlando Pace for the game as they claimed he's not quite ready with his groin muscle injury. They can't sit him if they dress him, they know that will be awkward. Stay tuned.
10. So, Minnesota looked beatable Sunday night in its loss at Carolina. The Bears have an extra day to get ready for them in a "Monday Night Football" appearance, when Jon Gruden will come to town and get questions about whether he would be interested in coaching the Bears. Could the Bears put a scare in the Vikings as they head toward the postseason? Stranger things have happened, but they're not competing right now, no matter what Angelo had to say about that.
"It has to be fixed from top to bottom,'' Kreutz continued. "You can't just keep changing the same positions and then asking what's wrong. Hopefully, they figure it out. I've got an idea (where it starts), but it's not my place to say.''
Kreutz is very careful with what he says to media and is understanding of professional etiquette and the ways of the business. This was stepping out for him.
2. Tommie Harris must be kidding. My colleague Vaughn McClure asked him about the "Planes, Trains and Auomobiles" episode the Bears went through to get to Baltimore, starting with a flight that never happened Friday night, and ending with a flight that got in late Saturday night.
"We had a rough week. I'm going to use that as an excuse," Harris said. "I think that does have something to do with it. ... Dude, it threw my whole week off, my preparation. I was out of sync. I don't know what happened anymore."
It's not like the Bears took train to Baltimore. Harris had one assist to show for his day of work, according to press box statistics. Well, he had one lousy excuse, too.
3. The 69 yards rushing by Matt Forte made for his fourth-best game of the season, but it looks like 1,000 yards is out of the picture. Forte has 754 yards and will need 246 vs. Minnesota and Detroit to reach four figures. He combined for 148 in the previous meetings with the Vikings and Lions. It wasn't a good day for him, though, as he lost another fumble. The Bears have been without a 1,000-yard rusher three times already this decade. The last time their leading rusher averaged 3.4 yards per carry? Try 2007 with Cedric Benson.
4. Two of Jay Cutler's three interceptions came on balls he was trying to throw to Devin Aromashodu. He targeted the young receiver last week against Green Bay, and the Ravens surely saw that on film. In fact, Domonique Foxworth told reporters after the game he knew where Cutler was going with the first pick when he easily stepped in front of the play.
"I don't know about that,'' offensive coordinator Ron Turner said when asked if Cutler was targeting Aromashodu too much. "We just didn't execute very well. When we had opportunities to make some plays, and we did have some, we didn't make them, and then the turnovers.''
Press box statistics show Aromashodu was targeted with a team-high 10 passes, including Caleb Hanie's interception. He caught two balls for 10 yards.
5. Middle linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer almost looked bewildered after the game.
"It feels like Groundhog Day,'' he said. "Each week I manage to convince myself by Friday and Saturday that this is going to be the week that we finally play the way that I know we should, and it hasn't been the case. ''
6. As the season progresses and more opposing quarterbacks have huge games vs. the Bears -- Joe Flacco had a career-high four touchdown passes and a career best passer rating of 135.6 -- it becomes evident that the lack of playmakers in the secondary is a real issue. Rookie safety Al Afalava just isn't making impact plays. Ditto Kevin Payne. Danieal Manning is near the end of another lost season, one where he failed to make an impact. Corey Graham looked lost. Charles Tillman didn't play well. The defense badly needs some help back there, especially when the front four isn't getting to the passer.
7. It has been said before and it will be said again, special teams looked to be the only competent thing the Bears had going for them. Earl Bennett looked like a veteran returning punts and free-agent pickup Tim Shaw isn't just making tackles on special teams, he's making huge hits. He was a top-notch in-season find, and those are difficult to come by.
8. Just wondering ... Fox analyst Brian Billick compared Cutler to Jeff George during the broadcast. Who is going to be more offended by that: Cutler or George? Maybe we can get a third Hoosier quarterback, Rick Mirer, to debate that one for us.
9. It's not exactly handing out props, because the Bears stunk, but Chris Williams acquitted himself better at left tackle this time around. His outing last week against Green Bay probably should have gotten him pulled. The Bears didn't dress Orlando Pace for the game as they claimed he's not quite ready with his groin muscle injury. They can't sit him if they dress him, they know that will be awkward. Stay tuned.
10. So, Minnesota looked beatable Sunday night in its loss at Carolina. The Bears have an extra day to get ready for them in a "Monday Night Football" appearance, when Jon Gruden will come to town and get questions about whether he would be interested in coaching the Bears. Could the Bears put a scare in the Vikings as they head toward the postseason? Stranger things have happened, but they're not competing right now, no matter what Angelo had to say about that.
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I found your site on bing. I couldn't agree more. Weight loss isn't rocket science like some people would have you believe. It just takes some dedication and discipline. I will definately be back to check your site.
Agreed, it is strange how, the players, the coaches, all say the same thing, "don't know what it is".
Thanks to a TV contract, faithful fans, McC's are saying it as well, "We Don't know, and we don't care ... cha-ching" !!!
Get us a second NFL team in Chicago....this will never be fixed by the McCaskey family. It's their toy and they have no idea how to run that part of an NFL team.
I was just wondering if Cutlers problem is from his diabetes? I have diabetes and I know that I can go high and low at different times of the day. I know that he checks his blood sugars during the game, but what does he do before the game? The Bears need to sit down with Cutler and go through his routine and see if and when his sugars are going low or high.
Joe, that may be the best post I've read. Perfect!
trade everybody
players, coaches, gm and owner
Harris has been out of sync for several years, ever since he got an exxtension. Targeting Aromashodu; Turner said, "I don't know about that". That sums up his whole approach to play designing and calling, he just doesn't know.
So the strong suit of Cutler's game is delivering the ball down the field, and we have an offensive line that can barely protect on a 3 step drop, and receivers that don't understand how to run a route. Cutler is not Michael Vick or Vince Young, and we do not want him running 15 times per game when the pass play is not there, but in all honesty, he could probably have run on 20 of his 27 attempts because of the lack of separation. Aromashodu on the first pick, moved behind the CB on a QUICK SLANT!!! The one place you cannot go as a WR, and that was his "move" on the route.
We ran too many screens to the WRs and RBs. That sucks the safeties and LBs up into the box, and ensures that none of these plays can be successful without an amazing individual effort by the receiver.
We are right back where we were last year, where defenses do not have to defend more than 25 yards downfield, because there is not enough time for Cutler to wait on deeper routes. The same thing happened to Orton. The entire failure of this offense can be traced to offensive line play. Cutler has made bad decisions, Turner has called crappy plays, and all of it traces back to the offensive line not being able to block anybody. Other teams have managed to at least be passable with worse talent on the line (Steelers last year were barely even above semi-pro, and managed to win the Super Bowl). So is it Harry Hiestand and Ron Turner who have not been able to get the most out of this line? I would say the lion's share of the blame goes there.
Blame Jerry all you want for not drafting Offensive Linemen in his time here, and he deserves every bit of it, but coaches have the responsibility to develop and maximize the talent of their players, regardless of how good they are.
The Cutler trade may be one of the worst we have ever made, but not because of Cutler. It is because we are old and slow on the offensive line, and we passed on chances to draft offensive line help in 2009 and in 2010 early. Part of that belongs on Jerry too. We could have taken Max Unger at 49, but instead we traded back to get Gilbert and Iglesias, who have done nothing so far. Unger is starting for the Seahawks, and even though they are a bad team, he is starting all 16 games for them. Right now, our pick in 2010 looks like a top 10, which could mean Trent Williams at RT, or Anthony Davis, Bryan Bulaga, or maybe Dez Bryant in the 2010 draft.
If we had kept our #18 pick in this year's draft, Alex Mack, Jeremy Maclin, Michael Oher, and either Nicks or Britt could have been our choice. Oher just handed it to Ogunleye and Brown all game long yesterday, and Mack could have played guard this year, and stepped in for Kreutz next year.
Then you take into account that we gave up our second round pick for Gaines Adams, who has as many impact plays for us as I do, and we are hamstrung going into the offseason. The only saving grace is that we might have an uncapped season, which means we can spend all we want this year, and not suffer cap penalties. Would we be any better off with Orton than Cutler? We might be worse, because Orton is not as mobile, and Cutler has been on the move since opening night to protect himself.
Can Jerry turn this team around in one offseason? I highly doubt that Ron Wolf could make this team a contender in one offseason. But with this coaching staff, there is no chance of improvement for next year. If they stay on, we will be looking at a top 5 pick in 2011....
I loved the Cutler move this offseason, because like an idiot, I believed that our 3 new starters on the offensive line would be the difference in getting better vs. last year. I thought play action would be effective, and Forte would be average to good, instead of abysmal. I thought the improvement of Hester, the emergence of Olsen, and the arrival of Bennett would be good enough to keep defenses honest. Instead, I got over-the-hill and not even able to climb the hill on the offensive line, receivers who can't run routes, and Olsen becoming an average receiver who can't get down the field. I got a Forte who isn't hitting holes (not that there are a lot of them), and isn't breaking tackles. I got poor ball security by the entire offense, and a defense that forgot how to tackle, because of the "country club" camp and practice regime that the players love...
Now we are getting a bunch of talk from Briggs, Urlacher, Kreutz, Hester, and Tommie Harris about what this organization needs to do. Maybe instead of playing armchair GMs (isn't that our job?), they should focus on not getting their a@@es handed to them on a weekly basis. They should focus on doing the jobs that they are being overpaid to do. They should focus on the idea that they are employees, who can be fired just like the rest of us. There is an Uncapped year coming, which means we can cut everybody if we want, and take the cap hit in a year where it doesn't matter. All this team does is talk. They used to back it up....Now they just backpedal while the other team rolls right over them.
Has anyone isolated on Hillenmeyer lately. Both Big Runs, yesterday and the one the previous week against GB, old #92 gets sucked in to the misdirection with a RB running right through the hole he should have plugged. Hunter may be one of the most intellegent players on the field, but unfortunately one of the least gifted athletically. Sorry for the Bash, but we need Brian back!
Can't we get rid of Kruetz? He is the single most over-rated lineman in football and ahs been for the past five years.
I get the impression Tommie Harris is pretty dumb. I have never seen a person who plays with the football right in front of his face get so many offsides/neutral zone infractions. I think we should trade Devin Hester for a goliath in the middle.
To: Hman on December 21, 2009 11:24 AM
You nailed it!
I'm also tired of everyone blaming Cutler.
Just watching him before and during the Bears' first play told us everything. --- He comes up to the line KNOWING that he'll only have 1 second, to a second and a half to get rid of the ball!
That's why the majority of the Bears' first plays were quick screens or runs. I was beginning to wonder if they were going to try anything other than a quick screen.
They couldn't go for the long ball after they got behind, because Cutler never had time to set his feet. He can't do ANYTHING without having to throw off-balance, or forcing it.
No wonder his attitude, face, and demeanor conveys the feeling of --- Screw It!
Does Kreutz realize that an organizational overhaul would include HIM?
Kreutz has been the most overrated offensive lineman for several years now. People really should not be listening to his opinion of what changes need to be made. But a new center that can run block could be a great start.
Kruetz... what are you seeing from your coach that would ever lead you to believe that it's not Lovie that's the problem? He hired Ron Turner. He hired Babich. He hired the receivers and line coach and he hired the running backs coach. He also let Riviera go. Tell me Olin...where do you think he's doing a good enough job to save his job. Could it be his game management skills. Tell ya what go back and look at all the mistakes he's made in the usage of time-outs alone over the past 5 years. Could it be how enthusiastic and energetic your coach is? Tell ya what...look at his face when things go wrong and how many players he's coaching up or getting when they screw up the simplest of things. Check out how excited he is when the players do something good or make a great play...oh sorry about that Olin you probably missed that like I did because Lovies passive demeanor puts us to sleep before half time.
Olin...dig your head out of your arse. This team is in shambles and it starts with your coach. BTW you've been letting Cutler run for his life all season as well. So you should look at yourself first
Okay Tommie…you were out of sync for this game because of the snow. I will give you that one.
But what about the other 14 games you played like crap in this year?? There isn’t an excuse for them other than you don’t care. I’ve never seen a poorer effort from an “elite” defensive tackle than you have shown this year.
Hell, give me Ian Scott back, at least he tried.
Cutler had a 7.9 passer rating - maybe Dan Grossman's comments about the organization are right. These guys put QBs in terrible situations, asking them to bail out an ineffective offense, and when it goes bad they cut 'em loose. The only difference between Jay and Rex is that Angelo's jewels are in a jam after trading 2 drafts away for Cutler, so there's no benching him like there was with Rex.
I think, with this coaching staff, a franchise-type QB will end up with his confidence decimated. There are no big-body receivers on the squad (other than DA, who sat for 10 weeks), and even if there were, we don't call any long passes, despite being down 24 points for the entire 4th quarter. Cutler is not without blame, but with this scheme, and these coaches, it's hard for a guy not to "press", and when that goes bad (as it has for Rex, Brian, and now Jay), the QB's confidence gets shaken. That leads to Turner calling 6-yard outs on 3rd and 10 (mind you, they're 3rd and 10 because the running game hasn't worked effectively since 2006).
Time for a change, folks. Time for a change.
Re Devin Aromashodu
The League makes adjustments, the Bears don't. That has been Lovie's downfall throughout his tenure with the Bears.
This is one of the least creative offensive- and defensive-schemes in football. Only trumped by the teams with 1 or 2 wins.
According to some of the post-game reporting, the Ravens players were laughing -- LAUGHING -- at the Bears.
While I am not surprised that other teams are laughing, one might think the Bears players and coaches would find that offensive.
Yet, we laid down for the Raven anyway.
The boo-birds will be out in full throat on Monday, along with a "national" audience to see first hand the joke that is Chicago Bears football.
Nonetheless, I am in hopes that Jeff George... oops, I mean Jay Cutler goes for the record -- 31 picks in one season (although Luckman did it in fewer games).