Studs & Duds in Chicago

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'm thinking that in addition to the traditional Turkey leg that Madden and FOX have given out to the MVP(s) of the T-Day game, they cook some of these bad boys up and give them out to the worst players of the game!

Tastes just like chicken!

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[OldSchool101]

I'm thinking that in addition to the traditional Turkey leg that Madden and FOX have given out to the MVP(s) of the T-Day game, they cook some of these bad boys up and give them out to the worst players of the game!

Tastes just like chicken!

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Holy Gobbling Go nads Batman!

 

[DoURant]

I'm thinking that in addition to the traditional Turkey leg that Madden and FOX have given out to the MVP(s) of the T-Day game, they cook some of these bad boys up and give them out to the worst players of the game!

Tastes just like chicken!

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

 

[swhitset]

LOL....

Show us the NFL rule about pushing, not leverage...pushing.

While you are at it, show us where Van Ness said he lifted Brooks.

BTW....Eberflus is upset about the contact with the LS, from what I have read, he said nothing about LVN's contact with Brooks.

I think it’s time to stop engaging with this guy lol…

 

[Thirteen Below]

Anyway, this season I've gone from being concerned about Love (I feel better now that he's healthy) to being concerned that our defense has taken a huge step backwards.

I, too, had higher expectations of Hafley's D. But the fact is, in most areas we're statistically better than we were last year - and in some areas, much better. Here are some breakdowns...

Total Defense (yards per game)

2023 - #17 (335.1)

2024 - #12 (327.1)


Passing Defense

2023 - #9 (206.8)

2024 - #13 (207.5)


Rushing Defense

2023 - #28 (128.3)

2024 - #14 (119.6)


Scoring Defense

2023 - #10 (20.6)

2024 - #10 (21.3)


Third Down Defense

2023 - #25 (41.1)

2024 - #13 (36.1)



And here's a key one... says a lot about who shows up when it matters.

4th Quarter Points Allowed

2023 - #16 (6.1 points allowed)

2024 - #1 (3.2 points allowed)

On that last stat... by comparison, the Detroit defense that everyone is so scared of is #4 at 4.8, and the Bears are #7 with 4.8.

Source: Fox Sports

I'll admit, I had higher hopes for our D this year, and there are certainly some games where they don't seem to pass the eye test. But 11 games into the season, I think it's safe to say this defense has definitely improved in a number of key areas, and should continue to make gains as the players adjust to the new system. Year Two is when we should be better able to evaluate where we are at.

We've slipped in pass defense, but then again our secondary is possibly the weakest link in our chain this season. We're getting pretty good safety play, but the main line of pass defense (cornerbacks) is a significant vulnerability. It may prove to be our deathblow in the postseason, as we start to face the true premium quarterbacks.

And as far as the "eye test" is concerned... how many times this season have we sat helplessly in our living rooms watching the other team march steadily down the field at the end of the 4th quarter (lopping off 12 yards per play while our DBs played 15 yards off the line), until they eventually punched in the winning touchdown? Have we forgotten how that felt seemingly every week?

 

[Heyjoe4]

I'm thinking that in addition to the traditional Turkey leg that Madden and FOX have given out to the MVP(s) of the T-Day game, they cook some of these bad boys up and give them out to the worst players of the game!

Tastes just like chicken!

You must be logged in to see this image or video!

How did I live this long and not know that this was/is/could possibly be a real product? OK maybe only in China. Damn those Trump China tariffs are really gonna hurt.......

Love the idea of giving them to the losing team on Thanksgiving. Something tells me Madden would approve.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I, too, had higher expectations of Hafley's D. But the fact is, in most areas we're statistically better than we were last year - and in some areas, much better. Here are some breakdowns...

Total Defense (yards per game)

2023 - #17 (335.1)

2024 - #12 (327.1)


Passing Defense

2023 - #9 (206.8)

2024 - #13 (207.5)


Rushing Defense

2023 - #28 (128.3)

2024 - #14 (119.6)


Scoring Defense

2023 - #10 (20.6)

2024 - #10 (21.3)


Third Down Defense

2023 - #25 (41.1)

2024 - #13 (36.1)



And here's a key one... says a lot about who shows up when it matters.

4th Quarter Points Allowed

2023 - #16 (6.1 points allowed)

2024 - #1 (3.2 points allowed)

On that last stat... by comparison, the Detroit defense that everyone is so scared of is #4 at 4.8, and the Bears are #7 with 4.8.

Source: Fox Sports

I'll admit, I had higher hopes for our D this year, and there are certainly some games where they don't seem to pass the eye test. But 11 games into the season, I think it's safe to say this defense has definitely improved in a number of key areas, and should continue to make gains as the players adjust to the new system. Year Two is when we should be better able to evaluate where we are at.

We've slipped in pass defense, but then again our secondary is possibly the weakest link in our chain this season. We're getting pretty good safety play, but the main line of pass defense (cornerbacks) is a significant vulnerability. It may prove to be our deathblow in the postseason, as we start to face the true premium quarterbacks.

And as far as the "eye test" is concerned... how many times this season have we sat helplessly in our living rooms watching the other team march steadily down the field at the end of the 4th quarter (lopping off 12 yards per play while our DBs played 15 yards off the line), until they eventually punched in the winning touchdown? Have we forgotten how that felt seemingly every week?

This is interesting stuff 13, thanks. And I think the CB group is due for an offseason overhaul much like what Gluten did with the S group before this season.

It might also explain why the front four isn't getting enough pressure on the QB. If the opposing QB can get the ball out in around 2.5 seconds because guys are open, well there aren't going to be many pressures or sacks. Although the rushing defense has dramatically improved based on these stats.

Anyway, and especially after such a poor performance against the Bears, this is a good, semi-quantitative look at the D under Hafley so far. And it's fair to say they should only improve next year.

 

[Heyjoe4]

What the Bears need to do is get the "family" out of Halas Hall. The culture is totally messed up. I'm a White Sox fan, and I know how messed up their culture is, and unlikely to change, and it's no different with the Bears. Just because you're blood kin to Halas, or married into the family, doesn't make you in the slightest bit knowledgeable of football.

Then, there's listening to the fans, and throwing coaching personnel under the bus because of fan reaction. Simply idiotic. We went through this in GB during the 70s and 80s, running one coach after another out there with the same culture, and the same internal problems in the organization, and we were the laughing stock of football. Now, for Bears fans. Suck it up. You're now the doormat because of the inept culture that never changes. Halas would be rolling over in his grave.

Good point. The culture in GB didn't change until Bob Harlan arrived and said "Enough!" - then he hired Ron Wolf. And we've been on a roll since. 30 years and counting.

I never put a lot of faith in genetics when it comes to following in Dad's or Mom's footsteps. There are exceptions, but the Halas family would be better off hiring a guy like Bob Harlan with the mandate of building a competitive team without any family interference.

 

[Heyjoe4]

I wouldn't be shocked to hear Poles say the same thing.

What good is it to hire a guy like Poles if he isn't allowed to do his job? I don't know if Poles is any good but I like the personnel moves. Now get the president out of the kitchen and maybe things can change.

A losing culture just hangs in the air like old cigarette smoke and stale beer at closing time. OK it's 2024 so maybe just the stale beer.

 

[rmontro]

I, too, had higher expectations of Hafley's D. But the fact is, in most areas we're statistically better than we were last year - and in some areas, much better. Here are some breakdowns...

I don't doubt we are better off than last year statistically. It was just that the way they looked against Chicago - and especially that 3rd and 19 - brought back unpleasant memories of past bad defenses.

Interesting that our secondary is such a weak spot also, considering that Hafley is a secondary specialist.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I, too, had higher expectations of Hafley's D. But the fact is, in most areas we're statistically better than we were last year - and in some areas, much better. Here are some breakdowns...

Total Defense (yards per game)

2023 - #17 (335.1)

2024 - #12 (327.1)


Passing Defense

2023 - #9 (206.8)

2024 - #13 (207.5)


Rushing Defense

2023 - #28 (128.3)

2024 - #14 (119.6)


Scoring Defense

2023 - #10 (20.6)

2024 - #10 (21.3)


Third Down Defense

2023 - #25 (41.1)

2024 - #13 (36.1)



And here's a key one... says a lot about who shows up when it matters.

4th Quarter Points Allowed

2023 - #16 (6.1 points allowed)

2024 - #1 (3.2 points allowed)

On that last stat... by comparison, the Detroit defense that everyone is so scared of is #4 at 4.8, and the Bears are #7 with 4.8.

Source: Fox Sports

I'll admit, I had higher hopes for our D this year, and there are certainly some games where they don't seem to pass the eye test. But 11 games into the season, I think it's safe to say this defense has definitely improved in a number of key areas, and should continue to make gains as the players adjust to the new system. Year Two is when we should be better able to evaluate where we are at.

We've slipped in pass defense, but then again our secondary is possibly the weakest link in our chain this season. We're getting pretty good safety play, but the main line of pass defense (cornerbacks) is a significant vulnerability. It may prove to be our deathblow in the postseason, as we start to face the true premium quarterbacks.

And as far as the "eye test" is concerned... how many times this season have we sat helplessly in our living rooms watching the other team march steadily down the field at the end of the 4th quarter (lopping off 12 yards per play while our DBs played 15 yards off the line), until they eventually punched in the winning touchdown? Have we forgotten how that felt seemingly every week?

Good post.

I too think our defense is improved. However, I think there is still plenty of room for improvement. Most of that improvement will come from personnel. The DL needs at least 1 if not 2 more solid starters. LB's are the same and CB, same.

With those new pieces, whether developed, acquired through a trade, Free agency or the draft, they should allow Hafley to have more success with this defense.

I know I have been critical of not putting enough pressure on the QB via blitzes and more stunts. However, if you don't have the right personnel to do that consistently, its probably asking to much of your coach to create a gourmet meal, with less then high quality ingredients to cook with.

 

[gopkrs]

I know I have been critical of not putting enough pressure on the QB via blitzes and more stunts. However, if you don't have the right personnel to do that consistently, its probably asking to much of your coach to create a gourmet meal, with less then high quality ingredients to cook with.

Yes, but he can get creative imho. Every time Q blitzes, everyone in the stadium knows he's coming. And it is always just to the side of the center. Much of the time that whole area just gets clogged up. It most likely causes the QB to think about getting the ball out fast and with tight coverage; can work to a point. But I think a bit of a delayed blitz from a few yards off the line would be more effective. Or have him back up at the snap and send someone else. Probably one of the other linebackers running in from off the line. Try and confuse the blocking scheme.