[CBFF] Game Comments - Minnesota Vikings 12/3/06

[Tom Shannon]

By Tom Shannon

Offense

1. The first thing I noticed was that the Vikings were not getting pressure
up the middle that they probably wanted.  That could be partly because Pat
Williams wasn't healthy.
2. As was suggested by a blog reader last week, the Bears started a series
in the first half running Benson, then brought Jones in.  The change up led
to the Minnesota defense over running the play with Jones cutting back for a
big gain.  It also may have thrown the Viking defense because you might
reasonably have thought that the Bears brought  Jones in for a pass.  Jones
is better in protection (supposedly).  In any case, I like the idea of
mixing those two up like that, even within the same possession.  
3. Patience really should have been a watch word today.  It's evident that
throwing deep with the windy weather was a mistake.  I also thought a much
maligned Minnesota secondary did a nice job today.
4. Personally, I just don't think Grossman's head was right, again.
Sometimes he gives the impression that he's sleep walking.  The best way to
describe it might be "shell shocked".    Though I've been heavily criticized
in some quarters for suggesting it, I'll do it again.  It might do Grossman
a lot of good to come out for at least a series and watch when this happens.
It might go a long way toward allowing him to collect himself a little.
5. It was so nice to see such a good game from Cedric Benson.  I'm not the
guy's biggest fan but there's no denying his talent on the field.  You want
him to be happy and he really needed this right now.  You were really
beginning to feel his discontent.
6. I sat and just shook my head when Smith decided to go for it on fourth
and one late in the third quarter.  I'd have kicked the field goal.  Looking
back on it, the weather may have been a factor there.  I don't think Gould's
kicks were going very deep it might be that he was having trouble.  In and
case, Benson scored instead.  I guess that's why I'm a fan and Smith's the
coach.  

Defense

1. Minnesota came out passing and did not run on the opening possession.  It
was evident that this was a mistake.  The Bears were getting good pressure
from the front four, possibly because they were challenged so directly in
the media last week.
2. It might help Grossman to see that even savvy veterans like Brad Johnson
can have some rough days.
3. The Vikings adjusted by trying to slow pass rush with run and of course,
it's safer in the cold weather.
4. Minnesota had a lot of false starts.  I'm guessing that was largely due
to the ferocious rush the Bears defensive line was generating.
5. I have to say that I didn't think the roughing the passer call on
Urlacher was as bad as Moose Johnston and Tony Siragusa thought it was.  I
thought Urlacher probably could have held up.
6. Having said that, Urlacher was everywhere today.  He needed to be.  Nice
work.
7. I understand why they did it.  But the minute they told the defense to
hang back, it took their aggressiveness away.  They were panicking Bollinger
with pressure.  But by hanging back in what amounts to a prevent defense,
they let him get his legs and basically gave them a TD to let them back into
the game.

Miscellaneous

1. Both teams came out sleeveless.  It was pretty evident the Vikings
weren't going to be like Atlanta was last year.  This one wasn't over before
it started because of the weather.  Nevertheless I wonder if the cold did
play a role in some of the injuries.  At minimum you certainly do feel some
of those hits a little more in that kind of weather.
2. Rashied Davis fumble on the opening kickoff was just inexcusable.  That
can't happen, especially at that point in the game.
3. Some terrible tackling on special teams on Bears' first punt.  Justin
Gage missed, in particular, when didn't wrap up on the first tackle.  I'm
starting to wonder more and more if this isn't going to be Gage's last year
with the team.
4. Though I wasn't vocal about it, I freely admit that I was not thrilled
with the drafting of Devin Hester in the second round.  It was evident even
then that he was  essentially going to be only a return guy, at least his
first year.  But I have to hand it to Jerry Angelo.  In terms of points put
on the board, Devon Hester was probably worth the pick.
5. Even with Hester's return, it was a pretty a poor special teams game (on
both sides of the ball).
6. The Bears cannot have these turnovers.  I don't care who it is or what
they have to do to end it.  If it doesn't stop, it will be one and done in
the playoffs, again.

Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent.
            -- Isaac Asimov, Salvor Hardin in "Foundation"