Your Boy Roy's picture

Grading the Chicago Bears Blocking vs the Green Bay Packers

Submitted by Your Boy Roy on Wed, 09/28/2011 - 10:23am

Green Bay Packers outside linebacker Clay Matthews, right and inside linebacker A.J. Hawk tackle Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte for a loss during the first quarter in Chicago on September 25, 2011. UPI/Frank Polich

Each and every game is a learning experience for both fan and team alike. What started out as a calling for the head of Mike Martz after the Saints game, has started to turn into the calling for the head of Jerry Angelo after the Bears seemed to be playing short-handed versus the Packers in the wide receiver and offensive linemen department.

The learning experience for the fans this week seems to be the realization of the fact that the Bears poor run blocking has been what's helped Martz so eagerly abandon the running game as of late. Even though the run-to-pass numbers were pretty much the same, head coach Lovie Smith himself could not avoid pointing the finger at the lack of effectiveness of the running game. The offensive collapse became complete when receivers dropped catchable balls, linemen committed penalties, and the quarterback, Jay Cutler was not on the same page with his receivers. Offensively speaking, the Packers game was almost a carbon copy of last week's game versus the Saints. If it took two weeks of nearly identical pathetic play for the fans to see the real issue, then so be it. Again I quote Natural Born Killers, "A moment of realization is worth a thousand prayers."

The Bears actually did make some positive adjustments which did help their blocking overall. Specifically, they lined up fullback Tyler Clutts along with Matt Forte. This adjustment especially helped the pass blocking as it allowed Clutts to successfully chip block Matthews when called for. The Bears also never allowed Khalil Bell to become a pass blocking liability by not playing him on offense. That was likely caused by the lack of need to spell Matt Forte as the Bears had the ball for 15 minutes less than the Packers did. Finally, when the Bears did use Kellen Davis in pass protection, they gave him help which he frequently needed. Had he not had any help, he would've likely had another unforgettably bad performance. The most concerning aspect of the Bears blocking in this game (outside of the run blocking) was Chris Williams. He played very bad with a more difficult matchup this week. His run blocking was especially poor which makes me wonder if Tice is considering replacing him should the running game continue to struggle.

J'Marcus Webb
Gets a gold star for being the best lineman of the week. Had a near perfect first half. His only mistake of the first half came on a completion when he lost his guy to his outside shoulder though he was able to recover soon enough to allow Jay to complete the pass. His technique broke down a few times in the fourth quarter allowing a couple of throws to be altered and allowing an additional pile on hit of Jay. Overall though, Webb handled the physical and athletic Erik Walden pretty well for most of the game.
  Plays-Mistake Value, %age, Grade
  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Gm
Overall 10-0  100%  A+ 13-.5  96.15%  A 14-0  100%  A+ 16-3  81.25%  C+ 53-3.5  93.4%  A-
Running 4-0  100%  A+ 2-0  100%  A+ 3-0  100%  A+ NA 9-0  100%  A+
Passing 6-0  100%  A+ 11-.5  95.45%  A 11-0  100%  A+ 16-3  81.25%  C+ 44-3.5  92.05%  A-

 

Chris Spencer
Gets a silver star (or medal) for being the second best lineman of the day. Has been the better of the backup of linemen that have had to step up and play due to injuries especially considering right guard is not his natural position. Performed much more admirably in the passing game than in the running game. Still has some chemistry issues on some running plays as he was out of position on a couple of combo blocks. On a couple of other running plays he made mistakes which didn't affect the play, but they were mistakes none the less. Picked up his running game blocking on the few second half running plays that were called. Overall has performed well enough to give the Bears some options should they decide to bench lesser performing players.
  Plays-Mistake Value, %age, Grade
  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Gm
Overall 10-1.5  85%  B- 13-1.5  88.46%  B 14-.5  96.43%  A 16-2  87.5%  B 53-5.5  89.62%  B+
Running 4-1.5  62.5%  F 2-1.5  25%  F 3-0  100%  A+ NA 9-3  66.67%  D-
Passing 6-0  100%  A+ 11-0  100%  A+ 11-.5  95.45%  A 16-2  87.5%  B 44-2.5  94.32%  A-

 

Roberto Garza
Had arguably his worst game at center for the Bears including preseason. Even had a couple of bad snaps that killed a couple of plays. Lost his guy on a couple of running plays which helped slow the running game down. Also lost his block on a Forte screen in the third quarter which forced Forte to cut away from where the screen was setup. Allowed penetration on two of Cutler's interceptions though one of the interceptions was called back due to off-setting penalties.
  Plays-Mistake Value, %age, Grade
  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Gm
Overall 10-1.5  85%  B- 13-.5  96.15%  A 14-5  73.33%  D+ 16-3  81.25%  C+ 54-9  83.33%  B-
Running 4-.5  87.5%  B 2-0  100%  A+ 3-1.5  50%  F NA 9-2  77.78%  C
Passing 6-1  83.33%  B- 11-.5  95.45%  A 11-1.5  86.36%  B 16-3  81.25%  C+ 44-6  86.36%  B

 

Frank Omiyale
Started off with a terrible first quarter eventually bouncing back to finish up with a decent performance considering he's a backup. False starts continue to be his unshakeable weakness which makes me question his focus. Significantly contributed to the poor start of the running game committing mistakes on three of the first four running plays of the game, all in the first quarter. Performed much better in the passing game with the tough matchup of having to guard Clays Matthews. Of all of the mistakes he made, only one had a direct effect on the passing game when his guy hit the arm of Cutler on one of his throws. Almost all of the remaining mistakes he had came when he would eventually lose his guy at the end of those plays. Was incorrectly called for a holding penalty during the Cutler interception that was called back for off-setting penalties. Garza was the guilty party who pulled down his defender while he was being bull-rushed.
  Plays-Mistake Value, %age, Grade
  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Gm
Overall 11-4  63.64%  F 13-1.5  88.46%  B 14-3  78.57%  C 17-1.5  91.18%  B+ 55-10  81.82%  C+
Running 4-2  50%  F 2-0  100%  A+ 3-.5  83.33%  B- NA 9-2.5  72.22%  D+
Passing 6-1  83.33%  B- 11-1.5  86.36%  B 11-2.5  77.27%  C 17-1.5  91.18%  B+ 44-5.5  87.5%  B

 

Chris Williams
I was very curious to see how he would grade out versus a more difficult matchup this week. Graded out as the worst blocker among all linemen including backup linemen Spencer and Omiyale. Of the Bears paltry nine rushes he made a mistake on seven of those plays. In the passing game, which is his clear strength, he struggled with poor pad level and technique allowing his defender to easily free himself from several of Williams' block attempts. His performance in the running game might start to get Tice thinking about finding a replacement for him or should he lose his job to injury, it might not be there waiting for him on his return.
  Plays-Mistake Value, %age, Grade
  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Gm
Overall 10-3.5  65%  D- 13-2.5  80.77%  C+ 14-4  71.43%  D+ 16-0  100%  A+ 53-10  81.13%  C+
Running 4-3.5  12%  F 2-.5  75%  C- 3-1  66.67%  D- NA 9-5  44.44%  F
Passing 6-0  100%  A+ 11-2  81.82%  C+ 11-3  72.73%  D+ 16-0  100%  A+ 44-5  88.64%  B

 

Matt Spaeth
Though he was used sparingly he performed well when called upon. His only mistake came on a running play when he whiffed at a linebacker on a second level, open-field block though it did not affect the play. Even though Kellen Davis is a beast after the catch, I would still use Spaeth over Kellen Davis in my humble opinion. That being said, it's hard for me to blame the Bears for not wanting to take Kellen Davis away from Cutler, whose arsenal of weapons is already pretty thin to say the least.
  Plays-Mistake Value, %age, Grade
  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Gm
Overall 3-.5  83.33%  B- NA 1-0  100%  A+ NA 4-.5  87.5%  B
Running 1-.5  50%  F NA 1-0  100%  A+ NA 2-.5  75%  C-
Passing 2-0  100%  A+ NA NA NA 2-0  100%  A+

 

Kellen Davis
The Bears were much smarter in using Davis on pass blocking plays by giving him help which he needed on several passing plays. If not for having help, Davis would have probably had a much higher mistake value grade as he lost his guy regularly, forcing others to clean up his mistakes. In the running game, he was also responsible for it's poor start committing mistakes on three of the first four running plays of the game. They would be wise to use more two tight end sets so that they can run to Spaeth's side though that's not necessarily a concession that Martz wants to make. Unfortunately, it' more likely that the Bears will keep trying to get by with giving help to Kellen Davis which is not what the Bears originally had in mind.
  Plays-Mistake Value, %age, Grade
  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Gm
Overall 7-3.5  50%  F 2-0  100%  A+ 6-2.5  58.33%  F NA 15-6  60%  F
Running 3-2.5  16.67%  F 1-0  100%  A+ 3-1  66.67%  D- NA 7-3.5  50%  F
Passing 4-1  75%  C- 1-0  100%  A+ 3-1.5  50%  F NA 8-2.5  68.75%  D

 

Tyler Clutts
Played well overall considering how little he was used. It was noticeable that he was used in the backfield with Forte more than usual which allowed him to chip block on Matthews successfully. His only mistake came on a running play when his lack of decisiveness while hitting the hole forced Forte to run ahead of him. Clutts ended up blocking no one on the play though it appeared he may have been confused with his blocking assignment. Bears would be wise to continue to use Clutts more in the backfield with Forte, but he's going to have to hold onto the ball when it's thrown to him.
  Plays-Mistake Value, %age, Grade
  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Gm
Overall 1-0  100%  A+ 1-1  0%  F 2-0  100%  A+ NA 4-1  75%  C-
Running 1-0  100%  A+ 1-1  0%  F NA NA 2-1  50%  F
Passing NA NA 2-0  100%  A+ NA 2-0  100%  A+

 

Matt Forte
Blocked better than the grade suggests though it is earned. Needs to hold onto his blocks for longer as they occasionally got away from him, forcing others to help him out. Though he wasn't graded negatively for it, he seems a little too eager to leave the pocket on some blocks. It could be the lack of touches that has him anxious to leak out of the pocket possibly sooner than he should. Who could blame him?
  Plays-Mistake Value, %age, Grade
  Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Gm
Overall 3-.5  83.33%  B- 2-.5  75%  C- 1-.5  50%  F 3-1  66.67%  D- 9-2.5  72.22%  D+
Running NA NA NA NA NA
Passing 3-.5  83.33%  B- 2-.5  75%  C- 1-.5  50%  F 3-1  66.67%  D- 9-2.5  72.22%  D+