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Open Thread: Bears @ Bucs (11/27/2005)
Submitted by Brian C on Sun, 2005-11-27 13:09.
This is the first Bears game to be televised this season in Dallas. First-half snap judgments contained herein. Bookmark/Search this post with: |
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Snap judgments
Since this is the first time I've actually gotten to watch the Bears this season, here are some snap judgments during the first half, which I am foolishly extrapolating to apply to the season as a whole.
-- The big question mark for me has been Kyle Orton. The verdict: he's not bad, although still a liability. He's been pretty good when they've kept things short and simple, meaning he can do a lot more than Craig Krenzel or Chad Hutchinson ever could, but he's not able at this time to make tough throws downfield. In short, he's exactly what you would expect from a rookie thrown into the fire as he has been.
-- This defense is pretty good, but they're a bit short on team speed. Joey Galloway flat outran Charles Tillman for a long completion, leading to a Tampa Bay field goal, and Cadillac Williams has beat the defense to the outside a few times also. There's no question that they're monsters upfront, but if you can get out into the open field, you can beat them.
-- Adrian Peterson is a much better running back than Thomas Jones, and I'm not sure why he hasn't gotten more carries. He's just as strong, and much quicker.
-- Apparently, Nathan Vasher has quickly developed quite a reputation in this league, as I don't think that the Bucs threw his way the entire first half.
-- Brian Urlacher is a valuable linebacker, always around the ball, but I don't think he's a star in this league anymore.
-- Alex Brown, wow. He's a terror, forcing a fumble by Chris Simms on the one yard line, and batting down at least two, and maybe three, passes.
-- Fox color analyst Brian Baldinger has nothing to say, but is constantly saying it anyway.
Re: snap judgments
The big question mark for me has been Kyle Orton
I really don't get how a team can win seven in a row with a quarterback who cannot throw for more than 140 yards in a game (though he would have last week if Muhammad hadn't dropped so many balls).
Adrian Peterson is a much better running back than Thomas Jones
Might have seemed that way today, but Jones has been outstanding this year (especially given the lack of passing game).
Joey Galloway flat outran Charles Tillman
It seems like Tillman is regularly getting beat. There doesn't appear to be anyone to replace him, though.
Fox color analyst Brian Baldinger has nothing to say, but is constantly saying it anyway.
Something true for most color analysts.
Peterson v. Jones
Jones has been outstanding this year (especially given the lack of passing game).
I don't doubt it, but Peterson is averaging 6.0 yards per carry this year, against 4.2 for Jones. That's probably misleading in a way, as Jones bears (no pun intended) a much bigger load, but it does seem consistent with my observation.
In his limited time yesterday, it seemed like Peterson did a much better job of gaining yards when there wasn't any particular hole to run through. Based on the (albeit limited) stats, I'd say the same was true against Carolina last week. And against New Orleans. And he certainly held his own in Jones's absence against San Francisco. He just seems quicker and more creative than Jones.
Alex Brown
Alex Brown has started the second half right where he left off in the first, batting down a pass (leading to the rare QB self-completion by Simms) and recording a sack on Tampa's first series.
RE: Alex Brown
What a game from Brown. Since 2001, the D-line has been subpar. The D-line's performance this year is a gigantic reason the Bears have been so successful.
Bears Win!
Final score: Bears 13, Bucs 10
As I said earlier, the Bears' defense has a few weak spots, and the Bucs nearly exploited them enough to win. After making some adjustments to give Simms more time (mostly consisting of double-teaming Alex Brown), the Bucs were able to find open receivers in the fourth quarter. After marching down the field for a touchdown to make it 13-10, the Bucs marched right back down the field on their next possession to set up a 29-yard field goal, which thankfully went wide right, sealing the win for the Bears.
The close call does not detract from a big conference road win, however. Next up: the long-awaited first matchup with the Packers at Soldier Field.
Bobby Wade
Bobby Wade has to have lost the punt returner's job, and thus likely his roster spot, today.