Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2016 10:37:07 GMT -6
How Bears can get their ground game running against Eagles
Rich Campbell Contact Reporter Chicago Tribune
Jeremy Langford would be the first to admit it. His longest run in Week 1 against the Texans should have been longer.
He sensed it as soon as safety Quintin Demps corralled him to the turf. Watching video of the play later only reinforced his lament. Langford's 15-yard scamper around left end in the third quarter could've been a bigger play that helped the Bears hold on to their one-point lead.
Instead, they emerged from their season-opening loss without re-establishing the ground game commitment or effectiveness that anchored the offense in coach John Fox's first season a year ago.
Monday night's game against the Eagles, though, is a prime opportunity to do so. The Eagles front is not as formidable as the ultra-athletic Texans group that wreaked havoc on the Bears offense. And the Bears also have a clearer sense of what they need to do better, starting with Langford.
"I have to make the plays bigger," he said. "Not (only) get what they block, but get past that safety, make more yards beyond what the offensive line gives me."
That was only one part of a bigger letdown, though. The running game faltered in Week 1 for a variety of reasons that went well beyond Langford's ability to juke a safety or break a tackle.
Start with how ferocious the Texans line was at times. Nose tackle Vince Wilfork, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, defensive end J.J. Watt and others pushed Bears blockers backward with some consistency.
Wilfork, in particular, was a beast. It was ambitious of the Bears to ask Cody Whitehair to block him, not only because it was Whitehair's first NFL game but also because he played center for only 10 snaps in exhibition games.
At least Whitehair's job should be a bit easier Monday in front of a friendly home crowd. The silent count quarterback Jay Cutler had to use in Houston caused timing hiccups across the line.
"It'll be nice to hear Jay and his checks and not have to kill time worrying about what his call was," Whitehair said Saturday.
His matchup, though, is another difficult one. Although the Eagles surrendered 120 rushing yards on 21 attempts in their Week 1 win over the Browns, the strength of their 4-3 defense is up the middle.
Up front, that includes defensive tackles Fletcher Cox and Bennie Logan. Cox was second-team All Pro in each of the last two seasons.
"Tough guys, strong guys," Whitehair said. "Really stout, so we're going to have to get four hands on those guys to really be able to push them."
Improved synchronization will be critical. On a loss of 1 in the second half against the Texans, right guard Kyle Long stepped on the foot of right tackle Bobby Massie, sending blockers tumbling to the ground.
But even when the Bears offensive line did its job, other errors were stifling.
Like when Langford tripped over new fullback Paul Lasike's feet on the first carry of the game. He also tripped over his own feet trying to change direction on a 1-yard run in the first quarter.
Or when receiver Eddie Royal didn't block cornerback Kareem Jackson in time to prevent Jackson from making a tackle in the backfield.
From the coaches' perspective, the disappointing result stemmed from a lack of opportunities. In a game the Bears led into the fourth quarter, Langford had only 17 carries for 57 yards. Backup Ka'Deem Carey ran it only once.
"When you start the second half the way we did and we don't execute — we drop a ball on third down, we're not protecting the way we should — it cuts about seven or eight runs," coordinator Dowell Loggains said. "Then all of a sudden the rotation of the running backs gets cut because now Langford's playing more because he is the best in pass protection. You don't get into a rhythm."
Langford didn't concern himself as much with the Bears' 4-of-13 third-down conversion rate as he did his ability to gain yards after contact. He averaged only 1.6 yards after contact in Week 1 by the Tribune's count.
No missed opportunity stood out to him more than his 15-yard run. The offensive line, Royal and receiver Kevin White blocked it like they drew it up. But when Langford came face-to-face with the safety, his juke left room for improvement Monday night.
"I feel like I've got to do something better to make that big play an extra 5 yards," Langford said. "Do something to get the offense hyped."
rcampbell@chicagotribune.com
Rich Campbell Contact Reporter Chicago Tribune
Jeremy Langford would be the first to admit it. His longest run in Week 1 against the Texans should have been longer.
He sensed it as soon as safety Quintin Demps corralled him to the turf. Watching video of the play later only reinforced his lament. Langford's 15-yard scamper around left end in the third quarter could've been a bigger play that helped the Bears hold on to their one-point lead.
Instead, they emerged from their season-opening loss without re-establishing the ground game commitment or effectiveness that anchored the offense in coach John Fox's first season a year ago.
Monday night's game against the Eagles, though, is a prime opportunity to do so. The Eagles front is not as formidable as the ultra-athletic Texans group that wreaked havoc on the Bears offense. And the Bears also have a clearer sense of what they need to do better, starting with Langford.
"I have to make the plays bigger," he said. "Not (only) get what they block, but get past that safety, make more yards beyond what the offensive line gives me."
That was only one part of a bigger letdown, though. The running game faltered in Week 1 for a variety of reasons that went well beyond Langford's ability to juke a safety or break a tackle.
Start with how ferocious the Texans line was at times. Nose tackle Vince Wilfork, outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, defensive end J.J. Watt and others pushed Bears blockers backward with some consistency.
Wilfork, in particular, was a beast. It was ambitious of the Bears to ask Cody Whitehair to block him, not only because it was Whitehair's first NFL game but also because he played center for only 10 snaps in exhibition games.
At least Whitehair's job should be a bit easier Monday in front of a friendly home crowd. The silent count quarterback Jay Cutler had to use in Houston caused timing hiccups across the line.
"It'll be nice to hear Jay and his checks and not have to kill time worrying about what his call was," Whitehair said Saturday.
His matchup, though, is another difficult one. Although the Eagles surrendered 120 rushing yards on 21 attempts in their Week 1 win over the Browns, the strength of their 4-3 defense is up the middle.
Up front, that includes defensive tackles Fletcher Cox and Bennie Logan. Cox was second-team All Pro in each of the last two seasons.
"Tough guys, strong guys," Whitehair said. "Really stout, so we're going to have to get four hands on those guys to really be able to push them."
Improved synchronization will be critical. On a loss of 1 in the second half against the Texans, right guard Kyle Long stepped on the foot of right tackle Bobby Massie, sending blockers tumbling to the ground.
But even when the Bears offensive line did its job, other errors were stifling.
Like when Langford tripped over new fullback Paul Lasike's feet on the first carry of the game. He also tripped over his own feet trying to change direction on a 1-yard run in the first quarter.
Or when receiver Eddie Royal didn't block cornerback Kareem Jackson in time to prevent Jackson from making a tackle in the backfield.
From the coaches' perspective, the disappointing result stemmed from a lack of opportunities. In a game the Bears led into the fourth quarter, Langford had only 17 carries for 57 yards. Backup Ka'Deem Carey ran it only once.
"When you start the second half the way we did and we don't execute — we drop a ball on third down, we're not protecting the way we should — it cuts about seven or eight runs," coordinator Dowell Loggains said. "Then all of a sudden the rotation of the running backs gets cut because now Langford's playing more because he is the best in pass protection. You don't get into a rhythm."
Langford didn't concern himself as much with the Bears' 4-of-13 third-down conversion rate as he did his ability to gain yards after contact. He averaged only 1.6 yards after contact in Week 1 by the Tribune's count.
No missed opportunity stood out to him more than his 15-yard run. The offensive line, Royal and receiver Kevin White blocked it like they drew it up. But when Langford came face-to-face with the safety, his juke left room for improvement Monday night.
"I feel like I've got to do something better to make that big play an extra 5 yards," Langford said. "Do something to get the offense hyped."
rcampbell@chicagotribune.com
