jive1 said:
You're talking like everyone else who says that Grossman can't air it out,
Those young guards don't seem to be opening up the running game.
I hope they go to 4 WR sets. They'll learn why a fullback or TE helps in keeping the QB off their back.
The Bears are deep in their secondary, and the whole D is fast.
I'm looking forward to this game.
First off, we all know I'm in the bag for the Steelers. Since they are thankfully off this week, I'll stand up for the hometown boys.
Grossman hasn't played against an NFL defense yet this year. Yes, Grossman is at the top of all the QB stats, and he did get the offensive player of the month award. Heck, this may be his big year where he proves himself to be an NFL QB. We'll see though. If he carves up the Seahawks, then he could very well be on his way to a breakout year.
The loss of Hutch has been huge, especially since no one stepped up to take over for him. A few nicks and bruises along that line, and it is looking rather normal so far this year. The Seattle offensive line has their work cut out for them. This is why you will see the four WR set a lot. You'll also notice that the West Coast offense does not use a shotgun, which makes it easier to run out of that four WR set. Morris will get the ball plenty of times, and so will Mack Strong.
Holmgren and Gil Haskell are not going to let Hasselbeck sit back there with no back in the backfield to block on those four WR sets. What you are going to see is Morris who can chip a LB or linemen, and then drift out of the backfield for quick dump off if the pressure gets to Hasselbeck. The Seahawk offense is based on timing, and speed so those RB's don't need to sit back there for five or six seconds blocking. The Bear defense will be in the backfield for sure. They will also get burned a few times for not paying attention to Morris and Strong on the quick dump offs.
Steve Smith carved up the vaunted Bears secondary last year, BIG TIME. The Bears play a cover two, which Holmgren loves to face. The Seahawks have the best four WR's in the NFL, easy. Someone out of those four is going to have a big game. Smith found the seams and exploited them all day last year. I smell trouble for Vasher, Tillman, Manning, and their buddies. I don't see the Bears secondary keeping all four of those guys in check all day. OK, drop a couple LB's back for help, and then you'll get Morris and Strong. Pick your poison.
Incidentally, Steve Smith leads me to my next point. How did Smith do against Seattle in the playoffs, after killing the Bears secondary? Five catches for a lousy 33 yards. Keep your eye on Lofa Tatupu. He is going to be HUGE in this game. He has the same impact on his defense as Urlacher does on his. Tatupu will be a defensive MVP one of these years soon. The guy is an all around stud. Julian Peterson is just amazing. He can speed rush on the outside, stunt up the middle, drop back into coverage, or spy the QB. With the addition of Peterson, Wistrom and Fisher are performing much better now. Seattle likes to cycle in a few guys for the big gap stopper defensive tackle position, so you'll get a taste of a few 300+ pounders gobbling up the middle fo the line. I think the Bears have a stronger D-line, after that the defenses are a wash. The Seattle defense is equally as fast as the Bears.
What I see is two stubborn coaches who are going to play the game the way they want to. Lovie Smith isn't going to change anything about his defense, and Holmgren won't change a thing about his offense.
I am totally looking forward to this game as well. If Seattle wins, yay for them. If the Bears win, yay for them. It will be a good game either way, which is what I like to see.
-Mike
Young didn't suck as bad as I thought he would though, he was playing against a good defence. GO BIG D!!!
Well, our Colts are a good team, maybe they are even great. We'll know for sure come January.
)If you can't get a running game started when you have a guy like Edge you really have a problem. :scowl: Heck, even when they pulled Warner and put in Leinart it didn't help one bit. Hmm, I see AZ drafting a few O lineman this next draft.
