motife
09-08-2006, 05:22 PM
Green Bay QB Brett Favre vs. Chicago Defense
Favre has had an uneven preseason. At times he has forced the ball into coverage like he did in 2005. He faces a Bears' defense that can rush the QB, usually with only its front four, and is also able to force opposing quarterbacks to throw into tight windows in a potential Cover 2 scheme.
The biggest problem for Favre might be his protection and the most vulnerable spot in the offensive line is right up the middle. OC Scott Wells has starting experience, but most of it has been at offensive guard. He is not very powerful, but he is competitive and will battle. The same can be said for new starters Jason Spitz (LOG) and Tony Moll (ROG). These guys are high effort players, but have limited experience and lack the ability to hold up at the point of attack versus big defensive tackles.
The Bears get a great inside push with LOT Tommie Harris and NT Ian Scott, and they will collapse the middle and flush Favre out of the pocket, where he has to deal with Adewale Ogunleye (LDE) and Alex Brown (RDE), who combined for 16 sacks a year ago. If Favre can avoid the inside and outside rush, he still has to make throws on the move into a tight Cover 2 coverage, but the good news is he won't see a lot of blitzes.
The Bears' defensive backs are excellent ball hawks and close on the ball well, and if Favre hangs it up or throws into coverage, they will create turnovers. He can make some throws on the intermediate perimeter and over the deep middle versus this defense, but it takes good touch and timing -- which is tough when Favre is throwing on the run.
The key for him to be successful in this game is to be patient and dump the ball off or throw it away if the play is not there -- something the coaches have been emphasizing all offseason. He also needs the Packers to avoid getting behind early. Of his 29 interceptions a year ago, 23 came when the Packers were behind and 13 came in the fourth quarter. This is a great test for a hall of fame QB versus one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Favre has had an uneven preseason. At times he has forced the ball into coverage like he did in 2005. He faces a Bears' defense that can rush the QB, usually with only its front four, and is also able to force opposing quarterbacks to throw into tight windows in a potential Cover 2 scheme.
The biggest problem for Favre might be his protection and the most vulnerable spot in the offensive line is right up the middle. OC Scott Wells has starting experience, but most of it has been at offensive guard. He is not very powerful, but he is competitive and will battle. The same can be said for new starters Jason Spitz (LOG) and Tony Moll (ROG). These guys are high effort players, but have limited experience and lack the ability to hold up at the point of attack versus big defensive tackles.
The Bears get a great inside push with LOT Tommie Harris and NT Ian Scott, and they will collapse the middle and flush Favre out of the pocket, where he has to deal with Adewale Ogunleye (LDE) and Alex Brown (RDE), who combined for 16 sacks a year ago. If Favre can avoid the inside and outside rush, he still has to make throws on the move into a tight Cover 2 coverage, but the good news is he won't see a lot of blitzes.
The Bears' defensive backs are excellent ball hawks and close on the ball well, and if Favre hangs it up or throws into coverage, they will create turnovers. He can make some throws on the intermediate perimeter and over the deep middle versus this defense, but it takes good touch and timing -- which is tough when Favre is throwing on the run.
The key for him to be successful in this game is to be patient and dump the ball off or throw it away if the play is not there -- something the coaches have been emphasizing all offseason. He also needs the Packers to avoid getting behind early. Of his 29 interceptions a year ago, 23 came when the Packers were behind and 13 came in the fourth quarter. This is a great test for a hall of fame QB versus one of the best defenses in the NFL.