It is difficult to make any significant changes during a regular week. You can tweak this or that, but larger scale changes are difficult during a regular week, when you have to spend about 1/2 the week specifically game planning for the opponent, rather than focusing too much on internal changes.

 

So often teams look to the bye week as an opportunity to make larger scale changes. Also a time when many teams make coaching changes/adjustments, which also affect scheme.

 

Anyway, will we make any significant changes, or will we continue to say our scheme and game planning are fine, and that it is all on execution.

 

There is plenty of history with Lovie to suggest few changes will be made, but I think we may actually see some changes. In the past, when the D has struggled, you can say it was due to major injuries. Yes, we have some injuries now, but (1) was our D playing great when Tillman and Vasher were healthy and (2) our front 7 is healthy, and yet under-producing. So, while we have suffered injuries, I am not sure we can simply write off our problems so easily.

 

Few things that are possible:

 

(1) Is Babich in the booth or on the field. Where ever he is, maybe he switches (again).

(2) Could Lovie start taking over some/more of the in-game playcalling?

(3) Increased blitzes - We blitz a fair bit now, but I wonder if we won't see more blitzes from different angles.

(4) Stunts - This is something that has not been a part of our defense, but I did see a few stunts in the last game.

 

One thing I would really like to see, but do not believe we will, is our CBs playing closer to the LOS. I think that would really have a significant impact on the defense, but just do not think that is something we will see, whether due to coaching or players.

It is difficult to make any significant changes during a regular week. You can tweak this or that, but larger scale changes are difficult during a regular week, when you have to spend about 1/2 the week specifically game planning for the opponent, rather than focusing too much on internal changes.

 

So often teams look to the bye week as an opportunity to make larger scale changes. Also a time when many teams make coaching changes/adjustments, which also affect scheme.

 

Anyway, will we make any significant changes, or will we continue to say our scheme and game planning are fine, and that it is all on execution.

 

There is plenty of history with Lovie to suggest few changes will be made, but I think we may actually see some changes. In the past, when the D has struggled, you can say it was due to major injuries. Yes, we have some injuries now, but (1) was our D playing great when Tillman and Vasher were healthy and (2) our front 7 is healthy, and yet under-producing. So, while we have suffered injuries, I am not sure we can simply write off our problems so easily.

 

Few things that are possible:

 

(1) Is Babich in the booth or on the field. Where ever he is, maybe he switches (again).

(2) Could Lovie start taking over some/more of the in-game playcalling?

(3) Increased blitzes - We blitz a fair bit now, but I wonder if we won't see more blitzes from different angles.

(4) Stunts - This is something that has not been a part of our defense, but I did see a few stunts in the last game.

 

One thing I would really like to see, but do not believe we will, is our CBs playing closer to the LOS. I think that would really have a significant impact on the defense, but just do not think that is something we will see, whether due to coaching or players.

 

I'd like to see the following minor changes:

 

1. Nick Roach in for HH. Hillenmeyer has been good for us but his coverage skills suck and Roach is ready and will be better.

2. Move Harris to DE. He can't be ANY worse than Ogun is so we have nothing to lose. We certainly haven't lost anything with him not playing so the move might be best for all concerned. If Ogun couldn't get his hands up, you'd never know he was playing. We have plenty of time for Harris to learn it.

3. We need a better run blocking scheme. I'm not even sure there's an anbswer but I think teams have been stacking the box against us and now that they see orton can beat them, maybe that will ease up but we need to work on our running game.

4. Fix the blitz. Whatever we've been doing is either telegraphed or just plain obvious. We need to disguise it better.

5. Get Lloyd healthy. He's gonna be Orton's ticket to the pro bowl if we can get him and keep him on the field.

6. Find Politti and bring him back. Oh, and launch McKie. I don't know who he has compromising pics of but he needs to go.

 

That's all I'd like to see.

the defense will automatically be changed when Vasher and Tillman are on the field

I'd like to see the following minor changes:

 

1. Nick Roach in for HH. Hillenmeyer has been good for us but his coverage skills suck and Roach is ready and will be better.

2. Move Harris to DE. He can't be ANY worse than Ogun is so we have nothing to lose. We certainly haven't lost anything with him not playing so the move might be best for all concerned. If Ogun couldn't get his hands up, you'd never know he was playing. We have plenty of time for Harris to learn it.

3. We need a better run blocking scheme. I'm not even sure there's an anbswer but I think teams have been stacking the box against us and now that they see orton can beat them, maybe that will ease up but we need to work on our running game.

4. Fix the blitz. Whatever we've been doing is either telegraphed or just plain obvious. We need to disguise it better.

5. Get Lloyd healthy. He's gonna be Orton's ticket to the pro bowl if we can get him and keep him on the field.

6. Find Politti and bring him back. Oh, and launch McKie. I don't know who he has compromising pics of but he needs to go.

 

That's all I'd like to see.

Roach had been getting reps before he got hurt.

Lloyd should be back after the break.

Agreed on McKie - he has to go.

 

Peace

the defense will automatically be changed when Vasher and Tillman are on the field

 

Vasher? Are you nuts? Hell, he's losing his job if he hasn't already to Graham.

Not just that...with the lack of pressure we're getting from our D line, you could have Mike Haynes and Darrell Green back there and they'd still get burned!

 

Vasher? Are you nuts? Hell, he's losing his job if he hasn't already to Graham.

I'd like to see the following minor changes:

 

1. Nick Roach in for HH. Hillenmeyer has been good for us but his coverage skills suck and Roach is ready and will be better.

2. Move Harris to DE. He can't be ANY worse than Ogun is so we have nothing to lose. We certainly haven't lost anything with him not playing so the move might be best for all concerned. If Ogun couldn't get his hands up, you'd never know he was playing. We have plenty of time for Harris to learn it.

3. We need a better run blocking scheme. I'm not even sure there's an anbswer but I think teams have been stacking the box against us and now that they see orton can beat them, maybe that will ease up but we need to work on our running game.

4. Fix the blitz. Whatever we've been doing is either telegraphed or just plain obvious. We need to disguise it better.

5. Get Lloyd healthy. He's gonna be Orton's ticket to the pro bowl if we can get him and keep him on the field.

6. Find Politti and bring him back. Oh, and launch McKie. I don't know who he has compromising pics of but he needs to go.

 

That's all I'd like to see.

 

 

Pollite got picked up by Miami. But I am with you on the McKie thing.

Our problems can be fixed with a couple simple solution...

 

1.) Get healthy. Our young corners made some good plays on Sunday, but to be honest, those were picks most corners should make. We need Tillman and Vasher back and both healthy. Also, Tommie Harris needs to find some spring in his leg.

 

2.) Find a pass rush with the front 4. In our D, it is vital for the front 4 to get to the QB, but if they don't offer any pressure, it's extremely easy for any schmuck QB to find the holes in our pass D. We need Ogunleye to not suck and hopefully Tommie gained some confidence from this past Sunday and returns to form.

 

Some line stunts might help this, but I'm not a fan of line stunts at all as if the offense has the right run play called, the D is hosed. Plus, any mediocre NFL Olineman can easily read and pickup a stunt.

Vasher? Are you nuts? Hell, he's losing his job if he hasn't already to Graham.

Sorry, they're not paying Vasher to sit on the bench bud.

Vasher? Are you nuts? Hell, he's losing his job if he hasn't already to Graham.

I know Graham has played great lately, but there is no doubt that a healthy Vasher will provide us with an upgrade. Plus, Graham is better vs. the more physical receivers, while Vasher is better vs. the quick receivers. Plus, as we have seen, we need Graham on our coverage units for special teams.

 

However, with Tillman and Vasher getting banged up so much this season, it would be very wise to rotate Graham and McBride in.

 

Manning has been fine at nickle back, hopefully he will return after the bye as well.

i hope the D gets their mind right cuz im going to the game the week after.

Sorry, they're not paying Vasher to sit on the bench bud.

 

Keep telling yourself that BUD. You might be the only one who believes Vasher is a starter on this team. His poor play and injury have taken care of that. Write it down, Graham will be the starter and Vasher will be a benchwarmer.

Keep telling yourself that BUD. You might be the only one who believes Vasher is a starter on this team. His poor play and injury have taken care of that. Write it down, Graham will be the starter and Vasher will be a benchwarmer.

 

No way will he go to the bench, He will be the Nickle for sure. he played it before and did it well. Graham, Tillmann amd Vasher. That would be awsome defensive backfield. If M Brown gets it together to become a little more of old self we have a monster defense rise outa the ashes for sure.

Nate might have the better skills for playing in the slot as he seems to be able to cut quicker than Graham. The biggest problem Nate would have is that you can't play back 10 yards off a guy in the slot.

No way will he go to the bench, He will be the Nickle for sure. he played it before and did it well. Graham, Tillmann amd Vasher. That would be awsome defensive backfield. If M Brown gets it together to become a little more of old self we have a monster defense rise outa the ashes for sure.

The nickel? I don't think so. They want somebody bigger and more physical and it AIN'T Vasher.

The nickel? I don't think so. They want somebody bigger and more physical and it AIN'T Vasher.

 

I don't know about that. Vasher was our nickel before he earned a starting job, and he was pretty dang solid in that role. In fact, I also thought he would be a better nickel than starter, but then he simply did better as a starter than I expected. Still, his skills work well for nickel too.

 

Your nickel will usually line up against a slot receiver, and that receiver is usually a smaller but quicker WR. IMHO, quickness and agility are far more important than size or pure speed for a nickel DB.

I agree. Vasher was his most successful in the nickel...

 

I don't know about that. Vasher was our nickel before he earned a starting job, and he was pretty dang solid in that role. In fact, I also thought he would be a better nickel than starter, but then he simply did better as a starter than I expected. Still, his skills work well for nickel too.

 

Your nickel will usually line up against a slot receiver, and that receiver is usually a smaller but quicker WR. IMHO, quickness and agility are far more important than size or pure speed for a nickel DB.

BY BRAD BIGGS bbiggs@suntimes.com

Nathan Vasher passed the final hurdle toward healing when he had the pins in his right wrist removed Wednesday.

 

Whether he is the Bears' starting right cornerback when he returns remains to be seen, and it wasn't a question the team wanted to entertain after a short practice Thursday as players scattered from Halas Hall heading into the bye weekend.

 

''There are enough reps for all good players,'' coach Lovie Smith said. ''We have a lot of different positions to be able to play our cornerbacks, and we'll use them.''

 

Vasher, who did not practice, has not played since injuring his hand against Philadelphia on Sept. 28. He returned to finish that game but had surgery that was expected to keep him out of one game. While he has been on the practice field some, one game became three as he missed the Minnesota game last week after battling a minor infection.

 

In the meantime, Corey Graham may have wrested the job from him. Whether the team wants to admit it, you can be sure it has been dissected in meeting rooms.

 

''You've got to talk to Lovie about personnel questions,'' defensive coordinator Bob Babich said. ''We feel good about the number of corners we have. Young guys getting playing time while the starters are out, that does nothing but help your depth.''

 

Graham, who already was taking time from Vasher, had a team-high 33 tackles (25 solos) in the three games as a starter with an interception, a forced fumble, a tackle for loss and two pass breakups. As hard as it might be to imagine a playmaker such as Vasher -- whom Smith dubbed ''The Interceptor'' when he led the NFL with eight picks in 2005 -- being pushed aside, it's apparent Graham isn't going away.