A Scout's View of Skins/Bears

[SmootSmack]

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune....ck=1&cset=true

[mooby]

apparantly i have to register. perhaps you could post the article here, tafkas?

[SmootSmack]

Sorry about that, I didn't realize you had to register. Anyway, here it is:


An in-depth look at the Bears-Redskins game

This is an interesting matchup of teams facing tough divisional races and an early victory would help team momentum and foster some chemistry.

Lovie Smith enters his second season with his second offensive coordinator and once again with controversy surrounding the quarterback position and running back Cedric Benson's holdout.

Joe Gibbs' has heard lots of criticism and is looking to improve on a 6-10 record in his first season back.

These teams have a lot of the same traits, including instability at quarterback. But the Redskins have an edge on offense and a defensive coordinator who will attempt to overwhelm the Bears' rookie QB.

The Bears injury list includes only corner and kick returner Jerry Azumah, who is nursing a hip injury and is listed as probable.

Redskins linebacker Chris Clemons is out with a hamstring injury while safety Ryan Clark (knee) and receiver Taylor Jacobs (toe) missed all four preseason games and are questionable for the opener. Outstanding right tackle Jon Jansen (thumb) and defensive tackle Brandon Noble (knee) are probable for this game. Running back Ladell Betts practiced this week and safety Matt Bowen is doing better and should play. Running back Manuel White is gone for the year with a broken leg.

Let's take a look at the key matchups on each side of the ball:

BEARS OFFENSE VS. REDSKINS DEFENSE

Bears rookie quarterback Kyle Orton will look to get comfortable early in the passing game by finding receiver Mushin Muhammad on the skinny post and slant routes. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner will look to keep the pressure off of Orton by establishing the power rushing attack and then attacking the Redskins vertically once they load the box.

Thomas Jones remains the No. 1 back because of Benson's holdout, and, unfortunately, the power game is not his forte. If the Redskins can negate Jones' effectiveness, Orton will be forced into throwing against a tough nickel defense.

Benson was drafted to be the featured back in a power running game. That plan was sidetracked when Benson held out throughout training camp. He won't be ready for the opener, so the load will fall on Jones.

Turner has better personnel than his predecessor Terry Shea had last season but they still are short of playmakers. Youth at quarterback will limit how much of their package they can put in.

Signing Muhammad to be a go-to receiver was the team's best offseason move. He is living up to his billing on and off the field. He is a leader in the locker room and will use his size and outstanding hands to be a force in the passing game. He helps Orton in both capacities. Orton will look for him on slants and crossing patterns in a conservative scheme designed to prevent critical mistakes and turnovers.

To succeed Orton must remain poised, be quick to recognize the location of blitzes that defensive coordinator Gregg Williams will throw at him from every which way and get rid of the ball quickly without turning it over. It's not an overly complicated plan, but it must be carried out by a rookie who spent four seasons in college operating out of the shotgun. The offense must establish a running game and control the clock against a defense whose forte is in stopping the run. Holding backs to short gains will force Orton into third-and-long situations. Orton will work with a short play list and likely will throw to his first reads -- running backs, the slot receiver and tight end. If those targets aren't open, he will be told to throw the ball away.

If the offense struggles on third down, special teams play will be especially critical. The Bears will try to attack the right side of the defense, where outside linebacker LaVar Arrington is coming off knee surgery and remains limited in coverage. Arrington tends to get himself out of position by trying to make plays in the backfield. When he abandons his coverage responsibilities, left corner Walt Harris will be left alone. Harris played well for the Vikings last season, but he has lost a step in coverage because of leg injuries.

One key individual matchup to watch is Orton and his reads on free safety Sean Taylor. A ball-hawk like Taylor can create plenty of trouble for a Pro Bowl quarterback, much less a rookie. Taylor will challenge Orton all over the field, walking down into the box and daring him to throw the play-action pass his way.

The Redskins' secondary is fast enough to cover Taylor's gambles, which spells trouble for Orton. The Bears will be forced to rein in their offense to try and limit the rookie's mistakes. Orton has a strong arm, puts good touch on passes and his recognition skills will continue to improve. He tends to be streaky; and will fall into a habit of forcing throws. His delivery also needs polish and is adjusting to being under center after playing in a shotgun spread offense at Purdue.

Taylor has exceptional athletic ability and good body control. He runs smoothly and displays exceptional range as a free safety, can run with most receivers, has good physical strength and can handle most receivers one-on-one. He also plays well when matched up with tight ends in man coverage and has good recognition skills against the pass and run. He does lack consistency and plays too high, takes poor angles to the ball and isn't a sure tackler. He looks confused at times. He essentially is a free safety with a weakside linebacker's body and skills. He has all the tools to develop into one of the best free safeties in the league and will get better with experience provided he straightens himself out off the field.


BEARS DEFENSE VS. REDSKINS OFFENSE

Defensively, the Bears must get penetration on Washington's offensive line. The defense depends on the front four making plays in the backfield -- or at least stretching out the running game for the linebackers to come up and make plays. Without penetration, the defense stalls. The Redskins' offensive line is strong, but it's more powerful than quick. Defensive tackle Tommie Harris will match up against right guard Randy Thomas and that will be a battle. Defensive end Adewale Ogunleye is in midseason form and will test right tackle Jansen, who is returning from a thumb injury.

The Redskins want to establish running back Clinton Portis early. They have changed their protection schemes and running game to better suit Portis' strengths. He now has more freedom to make decisions and cuts in the backfield and pick his hole, as opposed to forcing him to hit the assigned hole even when there was no opening.

Athletic guards will pull and lead Portis off the edge at aggressive pass rushers, looking to catch them upfield. Linemen will have an advantage in size and experience, but they will have trouble with the defense's speed. Tackle Harris and middle linebacker Brian Urlacher will try to penetrate, but the offensive line will trap, counter and use their aggressiveness against them.

Defending the Redskins running game will start upfront with their ability to handle their zone-blocking scheme. Containing Portis is imperative as he can flash into the secondary and look for daylight. H-back Chris Cooley is stronger and a better blocker than last season, and the team added fullback Nehemiah Broughton as a blocker.

Cooley created huge expectations with an outstanding rookie season. He is a threat in the red zone. Playing on the move from his H-back position, his blocking, speed and toughness will provide room on the perimeter for the running game. Those assets also allow Cooley to slip the point of attack and get downfield, where he is a dangerous runner after the catch. Cooley has outstanding size and is physical enough to beat most defensive ends and outside linebackers. He will punish defensive backs at the point of attack, and linebackers have trouble covering him when he releases.

All these players fit well into a Joe Gibbs' scheme that demands a strong running game to dominate ball possession. Portis is most productive when he gets at least 20 touches. This week he should get 30 or more.

Much of the responsibility for stopping Portis with fall to Urlacher. The Bears' new blocking scheme, which favors Portis' hard-running, cutback style and quickness, could be to their disadvantage.

But the Redskins' interior of the offensive line is a liability. They allow too many rushers in the backfield by being out-quicked and by not picking up blitzes. Urlacher should be able to run down Portis, if he is stretched out and forced to run east-west.

Urlacher has great size and athleticism. He's a smooth runner with very good quickness who attacks the line and moves well laterally. He uses his hands well, is explosive, and rarely gets tied up in traffic. He is aggressive going to the ball and excels at diagnosing plays and getting in position. He has good awareness in zone coverage and adequate speed to run with backs and tight ends in man coverage. He is a very good tackler who has solid agility and acceleration. He is tall and rangy, so blockers can get into his legs, though he is able to use his excellent lower-body strength to foil most of those blocks. He, however, will take false steps toward the line of scrimmage and sometimes is too eager to make plays and gets out of position on play-actions. When healthy, he has few peers. He is an elite linebacker and one of the league's best players overall.

Portis has excellent athletic ability, body control and agility, judges blocks and makes the right cuts. He wastes little time getting to the hole, has good balance and does not go down after an arm tackle. He runs a lot bigger than his size and will lower his shoulder upon contact. He has good lower-body strength and leg drive, and always gains yards. He has big-play ability as a receiver, but lacks soft hands and drops passes. Does not run great routes, but can create separation. He has the speed to go outside and is effective between the tackles with his cutback ability and vision. He can carry the load and capable of the big play at any time.

Look for a conservative passing attack from the Redskins. Quarterback Patrick Ramsey will be told not to force plays against a ball-hawking defense. He must establish timing with his smallish receivers as they will run crossing patterns and quick slants into and out of soft spots in the Bears' cover-2 scheme. Santana Moss will be a big factor and probably the team's most productive receiver. Going against hard-hitting safeties, Moss must be tougher than he was with the Jets to survive over the deep middle, because that is where he will see a lot of passes. Wideout David Patten will make his living in traffic over the middle. But Ramsey needs better touch and accuracy to take advantage of him. The Bears' speed and ability to put pressure on Ramsey will give them an edge if Portis isn't productive.

The Bears have one of the league's best threesome of pass rushing defensive linemen in Ogunleye, Harris and defensive end Alex Brown. Ramsey will be under constant pressure and must recognize coverages quickly and release the ball in the proper progression -- and not get baited by cornerbacks Charles Tillman and Azumah.

Another interesting matchup is Ogunleye versus the right tackle Jansen. Ogunleye will challenge him on every play, trying to get a shot at the quarterback and giving the defense a chance to take advantage of Ramsey's poor decisions. Ogunleye is tenacious and could wear down Jansen with outside moves and will rip across Jansen's face when he cheats and drops too deep.

Ogunleye gets good penetration and disrupts plays in the backfield. He has long arms and plays with good extension. He runs well, shows good acceleration to the corner as a pass rusher and has a nice club move. He can explode into pass protectors, push the pocket with his momentum and frequently will drop off the line in zone-blitz packages. He lacks ideal bulk, strength and quickness, and does not maintain leverage. Has problems with double-team blocks, is bad at disengaging and probably should develop more pass-rush moves.

Jansen, on the other hand, plays with a mean streak, delivers a powerful punch, gets good pop at the point of attack and excels at drive blocking. He provides the movement needed in the running game and does not lose when locked on, playing under control in space and does not get pushed back into the pocket. But he can get beat by pass rushers, though he has potential to become one of the best protectors in the league. Right now he makes up for his pass-protection deficiencies with a solid work ethic and good overall technique.

As for special teams, every 10 yards they gain is a first down Orton won't have to get. Chicago was in the top five in the NFC in punt-return average, but the Bears cut returner R.W. McQuarters in favor of reserve wide receiver Bernard Berrian. Azumah, who made the Pro Bowl two years ago as a kick returner, is battling health issues and Berrian and Nathan Vasher will take his place.

Special teams will provide the best chance for the Bears to win this game. The Redskins have strong kick- and punt-protection units, but Berrian and Vasher show potential to be good return men. Returns and Brad Maynard's punting must determine field position. It will be vital for the return teams to put the offense is position to get kicker Doug Brien into field-goal range. The offense must get points whenever possible, especially if the Redskins' offense stalls -- which is possible against the speedy defense.

Brien is a steady veteran newcomer and comes off a perfect preseason after struggling in the playoffs with the Jets.

[mooby]

that was a great article. either way, i can't wait for the game tomorrow. i look at it as a real test.

[That Guy]

seems too much like a laundry list of combine scouting reports...

also, walt harris played for US last year, not the vikings, and before that he was a colt (wasn't he?) someone did bad research there...

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by That Guy

seems too much like a laundry list of combine scouting reports...

also, walt harris played for US last year, not the vikings, and before that he was a colt (wasn't he?) someone did bad research there...

I'll admit, I never actually read the full article. I just skimmed it and figured it was worth posting

[Wanga Skins]

still a good read but much longer when it came to talking about bears d vs our o. did give portis, cooley and our D some props though.

[diehardskin2982]

From what it said in the report we have more talent on the field, whether we r able to use it will be the question

[STPainmaker]

Great, in depth analysis.

[EternalEnigma21]

The guy lost alot of credibility when he said that taylor wasn't a sure tackler. If anything I more question his coverage skills than his tackling skills. The guy picked up moe williams off the ground on his own and planted his ass backwards on the goal line. He kills people when he hits them and can pull of an arm tackle with authority on McNabb. There are D-linemen who cant arm-tackle mcnabb.

Other than that, it was a good article. I hope to god we dominate this year. I can't sleep I'm so excited. 12.5 hours from now I'll be drinking and grinning ear to ear, and my daughter (who's 2) is gonna remember why she spent every sunday last autumn/winter crying wondering what the hell daddy was screaming about.

WOOOHOOOOO

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by canthetuna

The guy lost alot of credibility when he said that taylor wasn't a sure tackler. If anything I more question his coverage skills than his tackling skills. The guy picked up moe williams off the ground on his own and planted his ass backwards on the goal line. He kills people when he hits them and can pull of an arm tackle with authority on McNabb. There are D-linemen who cant arm-tackle mcnabb.

Other than that, it was a good article. I hope to god we dominate this year. I can't sleep I'm so excited. 12.5 hours from now I'll be drinking and grinning ear to ear, and my daughter (who's 2) is gonna remember why she spent every sunday last autumn/winter crying wondering what the hell daddy was screaming about.

WOOOHOOOOO

I thinkt he ST isn't a sure tackler debate has some merit, I mean, he goes for arm tackles way too much... and while he's been good at grounding guys with them, its not exactly the best technique for taking people down.

[Daseal]

ST is a somewhat poor tackler. He, like Lavar, goes for the big hit and sometimes misses. I don't think it's that bad because he's strong enough to help a lot, but as I'm sure SC would be happy to point out he's missed quite a few important tackles.

That said, he was just a rookie and I expect a whirling dervish of a player tomorrow!