A Gameplan For The Bears

[The Shadow]

After watching both teams throughout the preseason, these are my humble observations on the best way to approach the season opener :

Offense : Our running game is a true work in progress on the interior & 1 & 2 yard runs will only lead to 2nd & longs & 3rd & longs, which invite turnovers.
I would go with a very unorthodox approach.
I would have the Packers TRULY using the pass to set up the run, and basically abandon the run through the first quarter in lieu of slants, quick outs, and screens. I would keep at least one back in at all times to protect Favre in the middle (I think Clifton & Tausch can handle the Bears ends very well - plus Alex Brown is hurting). The Bears will focus blitzes through the interior of our line, so even steady max-protection might be in order.
In effect, I would pit Driver, Jennings, Franks, Ferguson, & Green against the Bears secondary. Giving Favre a little time to throw, for me, represents our best chance to win the game.
Only once the Bear linebackers were at least a bit tentative about charging the gaps in run defense, would I start mixing in the run.
Slants, screens, & shallow crossing patterns - with 3 step drops to nullify the pass rush - would be the steady diet I would feed the Bears defense.
They are used to stopping the run on first down and then pinning their ears back, so why not avoid playing into their hands?
The Bear secondary is not nearly as good as the front seven, so let's attack there. Mike Brown has lost even more than a step - more than he can afford. The corners can be beaten (anyone remember the Carolina game?

Defense : I would jam the Bears receivers hard at the line. I wouldn't be so concerned about blitzes, and when I did, I would bring a cornerback, to keep Grossman anxious.
I would be more concerned with stopping the run & making Grossman have to beat us. In that setup, I like our chances a lot! Our linebackers should patiently troll the short/medium areas & wait for Grossman's inevitable mistakes.
The Bears never have adapted well to anything out of the ordinary. They simply don't seem, under Lovie, to adjust to things they are not expecting.

Go Packers!

[gbpackfan]

I do like the idea of giving Favre max protection a lot. Double TE sets and keeping a RB back there will help. If Favre gets some time, DD will get open. But we can't abandon the running game, we have to run the ball in order to set up the pass. It is that simple. I can't wait until Sunday!!!

[Packnut]

Defense

Best shot at keeping the Bear offense in check is to roll coverage to where-ever MM lines up. On running situations bring a saftey into the box. You must make the Bears beat you with their #2 Wr and TE. The bears like to go with max protection a lot so blitzing is not effective and we suck at it anyway.

I agree with your plan on offense. We need to face the reality that if Favre takes 5 or 7 step drops, the Bears D will kill him. They are an aggresive defense so it is imperative we load up the playbook with screens, especially some WR screens. It's impossible to run at the middle cause that's the Bears strength so we must be able to get outside. In the end turnovers will decide this one. We can't fumble and Brett need's to be especially carefull. One last thing, with the home crowd we must win the 1st quarter.

[ahaha]

I like it. It seemed like Holgrem loved this approach, although he didn't completely ignore the run game.

[Willard]

One slight mod to the emerging plan:

Homerun pass on 1st play from scrimmage to get into the heads of the bears secondary. After that, the West Coast short pass attack. Passes to Green, Franks, and short crossing slants to DD. If this works Green and Franks will have the most catches, and hopefully DD and Jennings will have some long catches and end up with a lot of yards. Get the lead early then lets see what Green has left in the tank. Most importantly: No turnovers or dropped passes.

Defense: Stop the run first. Jones ran for 200 yds last year (well over 4 yd avg). WIth Benson & Peterson they have a formidable running game. Lets put the ball in Grossman's hands. He will take chances (just like our guy), and the Pack MUST take advantage of his mistakes and take the ball away! Pack's LBs must also watch the TEs on 3rd down or we will get beat in the middle.

Deciding Stat: Turnover margin. The Pack shredded the bears' heralded D last year. Unfortunately the Pack gave up the rock way too much to win either game. Win the turnover battle, and this game is ours!!

[RashanGary]

We're not going to beat the Bears. I just hope Favre comes out alive.

[Packnut]

Bears

We're not going to beat the Bears. I just hope Favre comes out alive.

I would agree that the odds are stacked against us. Most likely, our O line will get dominated but there's always that 1 in a million chance for an upset.

[OS PA]

Dream

We'll win the turn over margin because Woodson will have 3 picks in the game to start off his record breaking year of 22 interceptions and 6 touchdowns.


Reality
We'll watch Grossman torch Woodson for both of the Bears touchdowns.

Defenses will win this game, just how the Bears like it. Hopefully we can prove that our boys can tackle.

[Ballboy]

I like the pass first idea.....I don't think we need max protect if Brett can get the ball out fast....3-5 step drops. I think we go single back, one TE and three WR to spread the field. Change up keeping RB and TE in on differ plays as an extra blocker.

On D, I really think Harris and Woodson can handle the Bears WR one on one. Don't get me wrong, Mushin has talent, but Grossman has been a mess this preseason and not precise at all. Keep 8 in the box and stuff the run.

[ahaha]

Re: Bears

We're not going to beat the Bears. I just hope Favre comes out alive.

I would agree that the odds are stacked against us. Most likely, our O line will get dominated but there's always that 1 in a million chance for an upset.

C'mon, these aren't the Bears of the late 80's. If Forrest Gregg's team, with Randy Write at quarterback, could almost win, then I think it's reasonable to think a Brett Favre team, playing at home, has a legitimate chance.

[Willard]

Re: Bears

We're not going to beat the Bears. I just hope Favre comes out alive.

I would agree that the odds are stacked against us. Most likely, our O line will get dominated but there's always that 1 in a million chance for an upset.

C'mon, these aren't the Bears of the late 80's. If Forrest Gregg's team, with Randy Write at quarterback, could almost win, then I think it's reasonable to think a Brett Favre team, playing at home, has a legitimate chance.

Hear, hear.......

[Bretsky]

We're not running on the Bears. So a lot of quck hitting slants on first down followed by occasional runs on second down. A couple home run bombs in between. And stress to Favre to throw the ball away if it's not there. Low scoring game with no turnovers.

Green Bay 13
Chicago 9

OMG I'm drinking the Kook Aide today. Must be still on a high after FC wished my grailistic fantasies come true.

B

[OKC PackerFan]

One slight mod to the emerging plan:

Homerun pass on 1st play from scrimmage to get into the heads of the bears secondary. After that, the West Coast short pass attack. Passes to Green, Franks, and short crossing slants to DD. If this works Green and Franks will have the most catches, and hopefully DD and Jennings will have some long catches and end up with a lot of yards. Get the lead early then lets see what Green has left in the tank. Most importantly: No turnovers or dropped passes.

Defense: Stop the run first. Jones ran for 200 yds last year (well over 4 yd avg). WIth Benson & Peterson they have a formidable running game. Lets put the ball in Grossman's hands. He will take chances (just like our guy), and the Pack MUST take advantage of his mistakes and take the ball away! Pack's LBs must also watch the TEs on 3rd down or we will get beat in the middle.

Deciding Stat: Turnover margin. The Pack shredded the bears' heralded D last year. Unfortunately the Pack gave up the rock way too much to win either game. Win the turnover battle, and this game is ours!!

Exactly, win the turnover battle, we win the game. Also A. Green is in the backfield with Favre for the blitz pickup on 3rd downs. I think Favre will have a little more confidence knowing AG is there on blitz pickups and can catch the ball on HB options and screens.

[Tarlam!]

What a fantastic thread, but I have so many questions!

What is roll coverage?

Why should we play two TE's and not keep one of two HB's back?

I am such a sports idiot!!! Please drip feed me this stuff guys!!!

[packrulz]

They have 4 TE's so I like the sound of 2 TE sets, throw to the TE's & FB's more, and use a lot off roll out plays. I sure don't want to see Brett take a beating like last year. If Jones tries to run the ball like last year I'd love to see Hodge lay the wood to him.