Jan 5th 2009 7:32PM by Michael David Smith (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Buccaneers, Colts, Lions
The phrase “Tampa 2 Defense” is one of those phrases that has been used, re-used and mis-used in football so often that it’s almost lost its meaning. Much like the “West Coast Offense,” the “Tampa 2 Defense” has elements that are used by every team and isn’t used exclusively by any team.
But one of the aspects of the Tampa 2 that is supposed to be a fairly hard and fast rule is that Tampa 2 teams generate their pass rush almost exclusively from the four down linemen, and not from blitzing with linebackers or defensive backs. So it’s a little surprising to look at the numbers and see that in reality, one of those Tampa 2 teams, the Chicago Bears, actually blitz a whole lot.Continue Reading
Jan 3rd 2009 3:30PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Lions, NFC North, NFL Coaching
Fresh off a historic season in Detroit, Rod Marinelli is being wooed by the Chicago Bears as a possible defensive line or assistant head coach. Marinelli was on the same staff as Lovie Smith in Tampa Bay, and the two are great friends.
Look, it’s easy to snicker and point to the record as a head coach, but some people are better suited as assistants, and I believe Marinelli would be a very solid defensive coach. Look at Cam Cameron as a good example. He was 1-15 in his one year Miami stint, but he can do wonders in just one season for an offense — just ask the Baltimore Ravens. I’m not saying Marinelli is as talented on the defensive side of the ball, but he certainly can’t hurt anything.
Of course, Marinelli may not even want a job with the Bears, according to his agent, Frank Bauer. Bauer said Marinelli wants to continue as a head coach but understands the circumstances.
“I think anybody would love to be a head coach, but he would become an assistant and then come back through,” Bauer said.Continue Reading
Dec 31st 2008 2:00PM by Stephanie Stradley (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Texans, AFC South, NFC North, NFL FansThis season, FanHouse writers take their cameras to NFL stadiums to document what happens when you stop being polite and start getting real. Or something. We’ve cleverly titled it “FanHouse in the Stands.”
The Bears didn’t get into the playoffs after their road loss to the Texans, but their fans deserve to be. Bears fans traveled to Reliant Stadium in visiting team numbers not seen since the Steelers came to town in 2005. They were very loud.
Da Bears Super Fans
Before the game, I got to chat with Da Bears Superfans who made their funny yet wrong predictions about the game:
Continue Reading
Dec 31st 2008 3:45PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Browns, Dolphins, Jets, Lions, Packers, Steelers, Texans, AFC East, AFC North, AFC South, NFC North, NFL Referees
Before I go getting all sentimental, we have a few plays to check out for this week.
1. The Bears got jobbed on a spot in their game on a third down. It appeared it should have been about a yard and a half or even two yards to gain for a first down. The spot ended up being about a half yard short of the line to gain. I have no problem with the officials, because in fast motion it appeared the receiver wasn’t touched before rolling forward for just over a yard. Plus, due to positioning circumstances, they’d be in a huge hurry to get the exact line. Those are tough. My problem, however, lies in the replay rules. The Bears were not allowed to challenge the spot because the Texans didn’t gain a first down.Continue Reading
Dec 29th 2008 12:40PM by Stephanie Stradley (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Eagles, Texans
Really, there is not much to say about this game. The Cowboys and Bucs lost, but the Bears spit the bit too. The Texans ended up finishing the season 8-8, same as last year. With the Bears’ and Bucs’ losses, the Eagles made the playoffs after their destruction of the Cowboys.
Bears started the game with a lot of energy and got an early 10-0 lead. But FanHouse’s resident Bears fan, Matt Snyder, pegged the problem for the Bears before the game. (And for emphasis, he said it here too).
He had concerns that the Bears wouldn’t be able to handle Texans standout wide receiver, Andre Johnson. Johnson got two touchdowns for the day, and ended the season as the top receiver for receptions and yards (just beaten out for yards per game by Steve Smith).
Texans running back Steve Slaton struggled early with dropping balls and quarterback protection, but ended up finishing the game strong. He ended up getting 1,282 yards for the season to have the most for rookie running backs in a class with some amazing ones.Continue Reading
Dec 28th 2008 4:02PM by Sportz Assassin (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Eagles
Coming into the day, the Dallas Cowboys knew if they beat the Eagles this afternoon they would be in the playoffs. Philadelphia knew that they needed a lot of help during the early games to know if they had anything to play for.
They do.
Thanks to Tampa Bay’s monumental meltdown and Chicago losing in Houston, the Philadelphia Eagles are a win away from the playoffs. Heck, this makes the Cowboys-Eagles a de-facto postseason game.
Now things are really looking up for Philly. Dallas has lost their last eight season finales and has lost eight of eleven in the City of Brotherly Love. There is also this little thing about Tony Romo and the Cowboys coming up short in playoff games. Since this is a win-or-go-home atmosphere for both teams, it will be interesting to see how Romo performs.
The winner of the Cowboys-Eagles game will travel to play Minnesota next weekend.
Continue Reading
Dec 29th 2008 11:05AM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, NFC North
As we near a full day since the Chicago Bears season came to end, it’s becoming easier to think rationally about the season as a whole instead of wanting to — as Limp Bizkit once sang — break stuff.
Really, yesterday was a microcosm for the entire Bears’ 2008 season.
The early 10-0 lead was the unexpected win in Indianapolis. Giving the lead away was the three blown games early in the season by the Bears. The late surge was the three game winning streak where us fans were given hope, and the awful onside kick by Robbie Gould teamed with Tommie Harris’ off-sides penalty and the allowed first down were losing a game when a win would have placed the Bears in the playoffs. Yep, the Cowboys and Bucs lost, so a Bears victory would have placed them in the playoffs.
Alas, it was not to be. If we can take a few steps back and be honest fans, we need to realize that this team didn’t deserve to make the playoffs. There are too many weaknesses to justify a 10-6 record and playoff appearance.Continue Reading
Dec 28th 2008 10:00AM by Ryan Wilson (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Bills, Patriots, Texans, AFC East, NFC North, NFL Fans, NFL Playoffs
The Patriots need to beat the Bills today if they’re to have any chance to make the playoffs. Originally scheduled for a 1PM EST kickoff, 50-mph wind gusts could push back the start, and when the game eventually gets underway, the conditions will almost certainly wreak havoc on the players, strategy, Bill Belichick’s wig, etc.
NFL Network’s Scott Hanson drew the short straw and is currently on location in Buffalo, and he reports — between the 50-mph wind-aided punches to the face — that the goal posts have been blown sideways. And while the grounds crew can fix the problem (with a little rope and a level), it could be an ongoing issue all afternoon.
Hanson also explains that the team benches have been moved against the stadium walls because they had previously been rolling through the playing field like tumbleweeds. Hanson’s colleague, Adam Schefter says that commissioner Roger Goodell, currently in Baltimore, “is being apprised of this situation. … The league will decide whether or not action will be taken.”Continue Reading
Dec 26th 2008 3:30PM by Matt Snyder (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Giants, Vikings, NFC East, NFC North
C’mon, Tom Coughlin. We — Bears fans — need you to do the right thing. You’ve even written a book in which it was stated that NFL teams should all play hard for all 16 games. Now, today, I see that you are starting David Carr over Eli Manning, and I’m perplexed.
It would be easy for me to sit here and discuss the virtues of playing hard all 16 games and how that overtime win at home last weekend still wasn’t enough momentum for the playoffs — not to mention the fact that the Giants will have a bye next week anyway and that everyone keeps discussing how hard they played in Week 17 last year.
I’m not gonna do that. Instead, I’m going to tell you that the Chicago Bears are not near the playoff team the Minnesota Vikings are at this point. The Giants should be wanting a victory this weekend over the Vikings — and hoping for a Bears win as well — because the Vikings could be a scary NFC Championship game foe. That third week in January is one game for the chance to go to the Super Bowl.
In that game, do you wanna see:Continue Reading
Dec 26th 2008 4:00PM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Bears, Buccaneers, Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins, Vikings, NFL Fans, NFL Eliminated Teams, NFL Media Watch, NFL Rumors
Had Philadelphia taken care of business last Sunday and beaten the Redskins, the Cowboys-Eagles game was set for primetime, Sunday night, must-see, WIN OR GO HOME football. Instead, the ‘Guls lost and the game suddenly became “Cowboys win = in” as far as the playoffs go.
Naturally, the game would be bumped back to 1:00 EST because it’s in Philadelphia. Only it wasn’t — now it kicks off at 4:15 EST … which is what happened, and also which makes little sense. Or, if you’re Tim Cowlishaw and/or freaking love conspiracy theories, a whole lot of sense.
Tampa Bay, Chicago and Minnesota all play noon games. If the Bucs win, or if the Bears and Vikings both win, the Eagles are eliminated from playoff contention.
[…] But the Eagles are going to prepare all week in hopes that a victory will get them into the playoffs. To learn after you have warmed up and just before kickoff that you have been eliminated can be devastating.
Fiction can be funny … but seriously, this is kind of a stretch, no? Sure, that could potentially be an advantage for Dallas, but the Eagles hate the Cowboys, and people are still going to be screaming for Tony Romo’s head. Additionally, as Cowlishaw notes, the 4:15 slot with an NFC rivalry game and the Cowboys’ playoff hopes on the line for huge ratings.
Besides, why would Roger Goodell bother “pulling a Stern” and landing the Cowboys in the playoffs when they’re only going to play one game anyway? Just seems like a little too much effort.
