“It’s about opportunities”, Rolle said of the turnover shortage. “You’re talking about a lot of experience there and a lot of success”. Generally middle of the road and bottom 1/3 no matter what stat you look at, the Bears have play makers, but haven’t provided consistent production. “I think we could have handled the situation a little better”. That is part of the equation too. When you’re in your first year, it’s not going to happen; we’re not going to be what we were in 2014.
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And the minefield confronting the Bears is not restricted to first-rounders.
In other injury news, linebacker Shea McClellin (knee) and defensive lineman Bruce Gaston (illness) did not practice Thursday, while safety Antrel Rolle (ankle) was limited.
Ball now ranks in the top six defensive backs, according to Fangio, but is still behind Sherrick McManis in the nickel.
Rolle believes the group needs to avoid gambling and continue playing disciplined coverage. The Vikings outgained the Lions 425-274, outrushed them 140-77 and won time of possession by a 36-24 margin, and that’s how you win games and cover spreads in the NFL.
Adrian Peterson should be salivating for a shot at the Chicago run defense. The same with linebackers, who have made all three of the team’s interceptions.
The Bears signed former Pittsburgh and Jacksonville lineman Ziggy Hood to fill the spot, but coach John Fox’s concern level keeps rising as his team searches for its first division win. “So you’ve got to be on point with him all the time”. I have confidence in them. His first three starts were the Vikings’ last three games and Kendricks and had at least one sack in all three games. This only compounds the problem for the Chicago secondary. “I’m sure it’s hard for him to make that decision because the University of Minnesota was a dream for him, and he’s got it going the right way”. “That’s our goal, to get a win and get back home”. The Jets offense can never be relied on to score 30 points a game, but if the defense can hold its own, then there’s no reason why the offense can’t help them squeak out a win this weekend. Two more passing touchdowns would make Cutler the franchise leader, passing Sid Luckman’s 137 from 1939-50. In 2013 they lost by only one and previous year they lost by only eight. The Vikings’ last win was when Adrian Peterson was a rookie and rushed for 224 yards on Soldier Field and Ryan Longwell won it with a 55-yard field in the final seconds.
How did they get this good? “There’ll be a lot of communication up front this week with the different looks that they show, with the Double A …”
After beating the Lions in Detroit, the Vikings maintained a two game deficit to the Packers in the NFC North standings. The Vikings will blitz. The only other time the Bears’ offense exceeded 400 yards was when Jeffery was active in Week 1. Pitches and hitches work against the Vikings’ gambling defense, anything to get the ball to the outside quickly, mixed with a few screen passes to Forte.
The Vikings operate out of a base 4-3 scheme but assault the “A” gaps on either side of opposing centers.
Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler thinks offensive coordinator Adam Gase’s history with Peyton Manning has contributed to his improved play. White said he is not giving up on a return this season, but Pro Football Talk reports that it’s unlikely that he will be able to come back in time. But he is an 11-year veteran who has had plenty of experience at it. Goldman’s strength is his power. That’s led by nose tackle Linval Joseph, who has impressed the coaching staff with his play, to go along with a personality that draws rave reviews from teammates as a selfless player.
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Sutton’s strength is his quickness and he’s undersized. At times, he has been effective moving up and down the line.
