Bears coach Lovie Smith was talking about defensive linemen Tuesday when he said something offensive coordinator Mike Martz ought to write down 50 times on a chalkboard, or better yet, cast in stone.
Smith was debunking the idea that a defensive end is more important than a three-technique tackle in any football system, including the Bears scheme where the inside guy always has been the signature position. The premise Smith frowned upon was the idea you would rather have a Julius Peppers than a Warren Sapp because when you double-team the outside guy it takes a route-runner out of the offense.
"I don't agree with that,"
Smith said. "I don't think that necessarily stops you from getting a guy into a route. When we use it, we are still getting a guy out, he's just getting out late. Most of the time when you chip a guy you use him as a checkdown so he is still a pass receiver. When are you ever going to the fifth receiver, the fourth receiver? How often do you get to the third receiver? So sending that many guys out is kind of over-rated a lot of the time."
That is the point, of course. If you aren't eliminating a route runner with a defensive end good enough to force a double team, you at least are delaying that route and with it a chance to get a guy downfield. Doesn't forcing a tight end into a two-yard route play perfectly into the entire concept of the Cover-2 where the main idea is to limit big plays? Smith loves pass rushers wherever he can find them and says they are all of extreme value.
Regardless, Smith's comment speaks directly to the main issue for the Bears in Philadelphia on Monday night. It speaks to protection, helping the offensive line hold up on the road against a great pass-rushing defensive line in a key game.
The last time the Bears were in such a position they false-started in Detroit.
You will hear a lot this week about how the Eagles' "wide-9"
technique ends, Jason Babin and Trent Cole, they line up in a sprinter's stance two yards outside the tackles. Cole has been to two Pro Bowls and Babin one, but another guy who gives the Bears fits is defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins, a former Packer and the younger brother of Kris Jenkins, one of Peppers' old linemates with the Panthers.
The offensive game plan against the Eagles should include plenty of six- and seven-man protections that feature two tight end sets and a healthy dose of Matt Forte runs, screen passes and short checkdowns.
The idea is to work the Eagles linebackers, the main deficiency of their defense, and try to hit the big-name secondary with some play-action. If the Bears think about getting to a fourth or fifth receiver it's going to be a very long night for Jay Cutler.
The Bears need a victory over the Eagles if they are going to make a playoff run. They are third in the NFC North, but have victories over the Bucs and Falcons in the NFC South. They need the Saints to hold up as a division champion. The NFC West isn't going to produce a playoff team beyond the likely division champion 49ers.
That leaves the East, where the Giants have some breathing space and the Eagles are suddenly on the rise after a blowout of the Cowboys. If Smith continues his recent run against Andy Reid — the Bears are 3-1 against the Eagles since 2007 — the Playoff Express is on time. A loss could mean missing out despite a potential 10-victory season.
As always, the game will come down to how well the Bears can play on defense and special teams. The Eagles want to score on big plays and make teams throw against their pass rush. The Bears need to counter by taking the ball away. Michael Vick has been a fumbling machine and stellar running back LeSean McCoy also keeps the ball away from his body.
"That is something we have noticed,"
cornerback Tim Jennings said. "That's the style they run and (McCoy) feels comfortable when he gets hit, he's tucking it. He's not fumbling, but it's out there. It's out there so we are going to take our shots."
Here's hoping they do more delivering shots than taking them.
