[CBFF] ESPNi: Bears-Fins advanced scouting report (Scouts Inc.)

[Victor Waldron]

Why To Watch
The Chicago Bears are an elite NFC team that plays offensive-minded
defense, creating turnovers and attempting to score points even on
defense. This Bears team is exciting in all phases. They have big-play
ability in the return game with the dynamic rookie Devin Hester,
big-play ability on defense and big-play ability on offense with an
explosive group of playmakers led by Rex Grossman. Chicago is facing a
Miami team that still plays excellent defense but has struggled
offensively.


When the Dolphins have the ball
Rushing: Fresh off of the bye week expect a few changes in Miami's
offense. Look for veteran offensive line coach Hudson Houck to
continue to make some adjustments in his lineup as well as some
technique changes. Houck already moved left offensive tackle L.J.
Shelton to right guard, switching spots with Damion McIntosh, who now
gets to protect the quarterback's backside. Getting the line to fire
off the ball in the run game is critical to Miami's offensive success.
They need to establish some running lanes for the powerful and fast
Ronnie Brown. If the Dolphins don't come off the ball together they
will have serious issues against the Bears.

What a tremendous challenge for Joe Berger, who will be active for the
first time and probably starting at left guard. He'll be up against a
defense that features Tommie Harris, a Pro Bowler that is playing his
best football. Brown must hit the line of scrimmage downhill, taking
any small crease created up to generate positive rushing yardage. If
Brown attacks the run game aggressively he has the ability and speed
to pop a big run against the Bears. Running laterally against the
Bears defense doesn't work.

Passing: Joey Harrington threw for 414 yards in his last outing. That
sounds impressive yet it hides the fact that Harrington too often
throws into bad spots. Against the Bears that's a recipe for
turnovers. Chicago does an excellent job of changing up and disguising
coverage and defensive coordinator Ron Rivera does an excellent job
with various pressure packages. The Bears' pressure will magnify the
Dolphins protection problems and Harrington will have to get the ball
out quickly while avoiding poor throws.

Getting a run game going with Brown could open up some play-action
passes for Harrington to get the ball downfield. Look for Miami to
move Harrington around, giving him different launch points to slow
down the Chicago pass rush. One Miami offensive weapon that has
disappeared is WR Chris Chambers. Offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey
must find ways to get Chambers' speed back into the offensive mix
while continuing to utilize the skills of both WR Wes Welker and TE
Randy McMichael. McMichael offers one of the few mismatches in Miami's
favor in this game. He should have an edge against either linebacker
Hunter Hillenmeyer or new starting strong safety Todd Johnson in
coverage.

When the Bears have the ball
Rushing: Thomas Jones continues to produce and backup Cedric Benson is
also getting some touches. Chicago has been a run-oriented offense.
But this year they found defenses dropping extra defenders into the
box to stop the run and force Grossman to throw. Grossman responded
with a great start. But when Grossman struggles to get his rhythm
passing the ball, offensive coordinator Ron Turner must revert back to
the run.

Miami brings an impressive defensive roster to Chicago Sunday. Their
defense has talent, but is on the field too much. This Miami defense
will use big Keith Traylor and Vonnie Holliday inside to occupy the
center and guards, keeping MLB Zach Thomas free to flow to the
football. Young linebacker Channing Crowder also flies around and has
been very productive stopping the run and Miami will bring strong
safety Travares Tillman into the box to defend the run.

Passing: Chicago has been extremely explosive behind Grossman's strong
arm and a talented receiving corps. But the Bears must run the ball
against Miami to keep the Dolphins' excellent pass rush honest. Miami
has the NFL's fourth-ranked pass defense and brings great pressure
with the amazing speed of defensive end Jason Taylor off the edge.
Taylor's presence forces offenses to adjust protection schemes to
avoid leaving the left tackle in one-on-one matchups. LT John Tait
would prefer to fire out on the undersized Taylor in play-action pass
situations.

The key to Chicago's success in the pass game will be to establish the
run first and then let Grossman throw downfield. If the run game is
productive Miami will be tempted to drop the safety into the box,
giving the Bears explosive opportunities in the pass game. Grossman
continues to mature, reading his progressions and making great throws
to all his receivers. Muhsin Muhammad remains a steady force and
Bernard Berrian stretches secondaries with his great speed and
big-play ability. TE Desmond Clark is also a mismatch for most teams.