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T.Jones & the CHI running game (1 Viewer)

Nemesis

Footballguy
Game 1 @GB

-------ATT YDS TD LG

T. Jones 21 63 0 17

C. Benson 11 34 0 7

J. McKie 3 10 0 6

R. Grossman 1 2 0 2

Game 2 vs Det

T. Jones 21 64 0 15

C. Benson 10 25 0 6

A. Peterson 1 1 0 1

R. Grossman 1 0 0 0

B. Griese 1 -1 0 -1

Game 3 @MIN

T. Jones 18 54 0 17

R. Grossman 3 -3 0 -1

NOTE 1: Everyone is avg Less than 3.0 ypc?

NOTE 2: No Benson carries in game 3

NOTE 3: Longest run of the year is 17 yds.

I haven't been able to see the games.........what is going on?

No holes?........Bad OL play?

Opposing Def stacking the line?

I thought this was supposed to be "Runinng game and play defense"?

Anyone else concerned?

 
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No carries for Benson today? So much for my late round flier that was going to the SOD when he took over around week 6. :(

 
I was watching the Minn game off and on and all I could say is he did not have a lot of holes as the Minn defense looked good. He did a lot of dancing in the back field too.

 
The offensive line isn't opening the holes it opened last year. Jones is doing his thing but just looks a ton less effective. And very few touches near the red zone (Grossman has been getting it done from much further out this year).

I've thought all offseason than Jones could only lose his job if he got hurt or was ineffective. Even though we are seeing less and less of Benson, I would think he may get more chances if Jones doesn't become more productive.

Then again, if CHI continues to win, maybe they won't fix what ain't broke.

:shrug:

 
Lovie says they need to recommit to the running game and then Grossman puts up more than 40 passes in the game. Go figure. I think Lovie will realize he stole one despite crappy play calling. There were a couple of times on 3rd and 3 where they threw the ball and last year those would have been first downs running the ball. A big thumbs down to the Bears coaching staff despite the win. :thumbdown:

 
Nothing there. Zero holes. Can't figure out why...
There just aren't any holes and neither TJ nor Benson have had anywhere to go. TJ has done a good job with what he's had to work with. For now I'm going to attribute it to the defenses expecting run with the Bears playing with leads in first two games and the Vikings having a solid run defense.
 
Lovie says they need to recommit to the running game and then Grossman puts up more than 40 passes in the game. Go figure. I think Lovie will realize he stole one despite crappy play calling. There were a couple of times on 3rd and 3 where they threw the ball and last year those would have been first downs running the ball. A big thumbs down to the Bears coaching staff despite the win. :thumbdown:
This year's offense is blowing last years offense out of the water. We're averaging 26 pts/game this season. With the best defense in the league, the Bears are a force to be reckoned with now. I know we still have a lot of improving to do but our offense has came a long way in a very short period of time. I realize we've played poor defenses for the most part but we did last year too and it didn't matter then. With Rex actually being healthy and throwing the ball very well, I think it may take a little time for the offense to find itself. This is something new for the Bears. Personally, I couldn't be happier. :thumbup:
 
Lovie says they need to recommit to the running game and then Grossman puts up more than 40 passes in the game. Go figure. I think Lovie will realize he stole one despite crappy play calling. There were a couple of times on 3rd and 3 where they threw the ball and last year those would have been first downs running the ball. A big thumbs down to the Bears coaching staff despite the win. :thumbdown:
This year's offense is blowing last years offense out of the water. We're averaging 26 pts/game this season. With the best defense in the league, the Bears are a force to be reckoned with now. I know we still have a lot of improving to do but our offense has came a long way in a very short period of time. I realize we've played poor defenses for the most part but we did last year too and it didn't matter then. With Rex actually being healthy and throwing the ball very well, I think it may take a little time for the offense to find itself. This is something new for the Bears. Personally, I couldn't be happier. :thumbup:
:goodposting: You take what the defense is giving you.
 
Maybe the phrase "you take what the defense gives you" applies for 1 game.......but this is after 3 games! I'm not buying it.

If anyone hears anything from the post-game press conference, pls post it here.

 
Maybe the phrase "you take what the defense gives you" applies for 1 game.......but this is after 3 games! I'm not buying it.If anyone hears anything from the post-game press conference, pls post it here.
If I'm the opposing DC then I make Grossman beat me, not the RB's. So far that's what's been happening.
 
Lovie says they need to recommit to the running game and then Grossman puts up more than 40 passes in the game. Go figure. I think Lovie will realize he stole one despite crappy play calling. There were a couple of times on 3rd and 3 where they threw the ball and last year those would have been first downs running the ball. A big thumbs down to the Bears coaching staff despite the win. :thumbdown:
This year's offense is blowing last years offense out of the water. We're averaging 26 pts/game this season. With the best defense in the league, the Bears are a force to be reckoned with now. I know we still have a lot of improving to do but our offense has came a long way in a very short period of time. I realize we've played poor defenses for the most part but we did last year too and it didn't matter then. With Rex actually being healthy and throwing the ball very well, I think it may take a little time for the offense to find itself. This is something new for the Bears. Personally, I couldn't be happier. :thumbup:
second best(Ravens).
 
I'm glad somebody brought this up.

TJ isn't exactly lighting the world on fire, but it's clear to me that he's got a death grip on the job.

0 carries for Benson today after two ~10 touch efforts?

:confused: what gives?

 
I'm glad somebody brought this up.TJ isn't exactly lighting the world on fire, but it's clear to me that he's got a death grip on the job.0 carries for Benson today after two ~10 touch efforts? :confused: what gives?
What gives is what everyone has said over and over in this thread - the holes aren't there for Jones thus far. Last year, the Bears would be sure to get their RB 25 or so carries a game, as they knew that too much Orton would = a loss. Teams put 8 in the box, and the Bears often accepted their fate and punted all the time. It was a constant field position game. Eventually, Jones would break a 9, 16, 25 yard run on a key drive. Then, late in the game he would rack up the yards. This year, the coaches have confidence in Grossman. No longer will they run into a brick wall (8 in the box). For opposing teams, they still would rather watch Grossman try to beat them than the running game, and the Bears will oblige by letting Grossman loose.If I thought the problem was Jones, I would say so - I have both RBs. Unfortunately, it's not that simple.
 
1) The fact that Detroits Defense gave up 3 TD's to Favre today makes Grossmans 4 Td game last week a tad less impressive.

2) The last time I checked Chicago was called the Windy city, unless they put a roof on Soldier Field Lovie might be better off forgetting about his Air Grossman offense.

But then again I'm a TJ owner......so what do I know.....

 
Class Dismissed said:
2) The last time I checked Chicago was called the Windy city, unless they put a roof on Soldier Field Lovie might be better off forgetting about his Air Grossman offense.
It's called the Windy City because of its political waffling...
 
Here's my take from the bits ad pieces I caught today (against a very tough Minn def) and in other games this season: defenses are definitely trying to make Rex beat them. There was much more passing in this game than I expected...

I think in the long run that bodes well for the running game. Ok, GB defense is crappy, but Detroit is not. And Minn is quite tough. So eventually, teams are going to have to respect Grossman, and not stack the line - and that will open up the running game.

(And, just sort of commenting without hard stats, but I think most teams tend to run more in the colder weather anyway, so as the season goes on we'll see the running game more featured).

 
I watched this whole game, and while everyone in this thread seems convinced the OL is the problem, I think it is only part of the problem. That is not the same TJ out there on the field. No way. Jones is known for his burst and his power. He used to get criticized for lacking patience and vision and racing to the edges too much. He looked slow, even awkward at times. That lowered shoulders speed through traffic that has always been impressive isn't there. He absolutely missed a couple huge holes today. One was simple indecision. Big hole inside left, wide open around the right edge, he jukes one way, jukes the other, runs into his own blocker who has sealed the only guy who can tackle him and he gets tackled. That should have been a huge run and there were two huge holes. There were other plays like this. I'm a TJ owner, and if I was a Benson owner, I wouldn't be too upset about the lack of work today. TJ better start hitting those holes or Benson will.

All that said, the OL does have some blame for the overall results, and the defensive schemes have been loading the box too, but TJ shares part of this, at least today he does.

 
I agree with the people who said in previous threads that it's hard to bench Jones while the Bears are undefeated. "Great game..... solid win..... you're benched!" It just doesn't work. But if Chicago loses a game or two, it will be easier for everyone to swallow if Lovie makes the switch then.

 
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Here's my take from the bits ad pieces I caught today (against a very tough Minn def) and in other games this season: defenses are definitely trying to make Rex beat them. There was much more passing in this game than I expected...I think in the long run that bodes well for the running game. Ok, GB defense is crappy, but Detroit is not. And Minn is quite tough. So eventually, teams are going to have to respect Grossman, and not stack the line - and that will open up the running game. (And, just sort of commenting without hard stats, but I think most teams tend to run more in the colder weather anyway, so as the season goes on we'll see the running game more featured).
so last year with Kyle Orton, a much lesser talent at QB, teams didn't try and load up against the run? Something has changed, and it's either TJ, the O-line, or a combination of the two.
 
I watched this whole game, and while everyone in this thread seems convinced the OL is the problem, I think it is only part of the problem. That is not the same TJ out there on the field. No way. Jones is known for his burst and his power. He used to get criticized for lacking patience and vision and racing to the edges too much. He looked slow, even awkward at times. That lowered shoulders speed through traffic that has always been impressive isn't there. He absolutely missed a couple huge holes today. One was simple indecision. Big hole inside left, wide open around the right edge, he jukes one way, jukes the other, runs into his own blocker who has sealed the only guy who can tackle him and he gets tackled. That should have been a huge run and there were two huge holes. There were other plays like this. I'm a TJ owner, and if I was a Benson owner, I wouldn't be too upset about the lack of work today. TJ better start hitting those holes or Benson will. All that said, the OL does have some blame for the overall results, and the defensive schemes have been loading the box too, but TJ shares part of this, at least today he does.
I've watched every game, and believe me, the "huge" holes you describe have been VERY infrequent. They seem to be pass protecting well, but not run blocking..
 
I knew it was all about the blitz pickup, and preserving Grossman's life. After all, this cat has never played more than three consecutive regular season games in his first three seasons:

The Chicago Tribune reports Bears RB Thomas Jones handled the entire load at running back Sunday, picking up 54 yards on 18 carries for a 3.0 average. His longest run was 17 yards. Jones also caught three passes for 11 yards. Jones has rushed for 181 yards on 60 carries this season. The Vikings' frenzy of blitzing QB Rex Grossman helped keep RB Cedric Benson on the bench in favor of Thomas' blocking prowess. So Benson spent the afternoon watching from the sideline, mostly with his helmet off. Benson appeared a bit down, even though he received words of encouragement from receivers coach Darryl Drake and team chaplain Harry Swayne, who hugged Benson and offered encouragement. HC Lovie Smith also found Benson and talked to him. "He just said we had a good game, and we did," Benson said. "You want to play, naturally, but I see the other side of this too." Said OC Ron Turner: "It was just the flow of the game and the way it turned out. I'm not worried about him."

Encouraging words from the team chaplain.... LOL - isn't that like a eulogy?

 
Assani Fisher said:
Lovie says they need to recommit to the running game and then Grossman puts up more than 40 passes in the game. Go figure. I think Lovie will realize he stole one despite crappy play calling. There were a couple of times on 3rd and 3 where they threw the ball and last year those would have been first downs running the ball. A big thumbs down to the Bears coaching staff despite the win. :thumbdown:
This year's offense is blowing last years offense out of the water. We're averaging 26 pts/game this season. With the best defense in the league, the Bears are a force to be reckoned with now. I know we still have a lot of improving to do but our offense has came a long way in a very short period of time. I realize we've played poor defenses for the most part but we did last year too and it didn't matter then. With Rex actually being healthy and throwing the ball very well, I think it may take a little time for the offense to find itself. This is something new for the Bears. Personally, I couldn't be happier. :thumbup:
second best(Ravens).
Didnt the ravens just almost lose to the Browns without their starting RB? Charlie friggin Frye threw all over that team.
 
Class Dismissed said:
1) The fact that Detroits Defense gave up 3 TD's to Favre today makes Grossmans 4 Td game last week a tad less impressive.
I don't tihnk so, I actually think it makes it very impressive that Grossman had a better game than Favre.
 
Benson appeared a bit down, even though he received words of encouragement from receivers coach Darryl Drake and team chaplain Harry Swayne, who hugged Benson and offered encouragement.
Great. As a Benson owner, stuff like this concerns me. Ced certainly seems to lack a basic maturity....that could be helpful in securing greater playing time. It almost sounds like he was crying on the sideline because he didn't get any PT.....
 
I knew it was all about the blitz pickup, and preserving Grossman's life. After all, this cat has never played more than three consecutive regular season games in his first three seasons:

The Chicago Tribune reports Bears RB Thomas Jones handled the entire load at running back Sunday, picking up 54 yards on 18 carries for a 3.0 average. His longest run was 17 yards. Jones also caught three passes for 11 yards. Jones has rushed for 181 yards on 60 carries this season. The Vikings' frenzy of blitzing QB Rex Grossman helped keep RB Cedric Benson on the bench in favor of Thomas' blocking prowess. So Benson spent the afternoon watching from the sideline, mostly with his helmet off. Benson appeared a bit down, even though he received words of encouragement from receivers coach Darryl Drake and team chaplain Harry Swayne, who hugged Benson and offered encouragement. HC Lovie Smith also found Benson and talked to him. "He just said we had a good game, and we did," Benson said. "You want to play, naturally, but I see the other side of this too." Said OC Ron Turner: "It was just the flow of the game and the way it turned out. I'm not worried about him."

Encouraging words from the team chaplain.... LOL - isn't that like a eulogy?
The key part that sticks out to me is the fact that Lovie sought him out to explain the circumstances. how many NFL coaches would pull aside their backup RB and give them an explanation as to why they didn't get any carries.To me the writing is on the wall....this will be Benson's team and he will get a change to show it very soon if TJ keeps playing the way he is now.

PS-I don't own either.

 
They had one good running drive yesterday, where it looked like the O-Line was starting to take control, it was the one where they had their third field goal. That drive they started opening holes and Jones looked like he did last year, putting up some yards. Unfortunately they couldn’t get the TD, but it was a good solid drive with good OL play.

I think they shot themselves in the foot on the next series by not continuing to do that, and ended up with an int for a touchdown. I love Turner as an OC, but after a good drive where your OL started to push people around, I don't see how you can kill that momentum by dropping your QB back into the end zone instead of trying to keep that running momentum going. I will say if they ran that series, I don't think the game would have ended close.

 
That's what I'm trying to do in my league. I'm a little concerned that Jones has not looked very good so far but at some point this team will run the ball well in my opinion. I can't see them struggling with the running game for the entire season.
 
I knew it was all about the blitz pickup, and preserving Grossman's life. After all, this cat has never played more than three consecutive regular season games in his first three seasons:

The Chicago Tribune reports Bears RB Thomas Jones handled the entire load at running back Sunday, picking up 54 yards on 18 carries for a 3.0 average. His longest run was 17 yards. Jones also caught three passes for 11 yards. Jones has rushed for 181 yards on 60 carries this season. The Vikings' frenzy of blitzing QB Rex Grossman helped keep RB Cedric Benson on the bench in favor of Thomas' blocking prowess. So Benson spent the afternoon watching from the sideline, mostly with his helmet off. Benson appeared a bit down, even though he received words of encouragement from receivers coach Darryl Drake and team chaplain Harry Swayne, who hugged Benson and offered encouragement. HC Lovie Smith also found Benson and talked to him. "He just said we had a good game, and we did," Benson said. "You want to play, naturally, but I see the other side of this too." Said OC Ron Turner: "It was just the flow of the game and the way it turned out. I'm not worried about him."

Encouraging words from the team chaplain.... LOL - isn't that like a eulogy?
The key part that sticks out to me is the fact that Lovie sought him out to explain the circumstances. how many NFL coaches would pull aside their backup RB and give them an explanation as to why they didn't get any carries.To me the writing is on the wall....this will be Benson's team and he will get a change to show it very soon if TJ keeps playing the way he is now.

PS-I don't own either.
Not many - it seems more of a sign that Lovie knows Benson is immature and unprofessional and needs constant reassurance.
 
I'm throwing out a bold one here and calling it now:

I say TJ has his best week of the season so far, next week on Sunday Night - even against what might be the NFC's best team.

They've played three defenses that overall are not very good and dont play great base defense. They know their best chance of victory (or thought so going in) was to stack the line against the run and make Rex Grossman beat 'em. They are sitting on the run nearly every down and both Benson and TJ have been hit for no gain/negative yardage several times.

The Seahawks have a better overall defense than any of the teams the Bears have faced so far. Decent linebacking, but nothing particularly frightening in the front. They probably wont get fancy and will feel they are able to play the Bears straight up rather than throwing everything at stopping the run. Might be even a little overconfident after handing the Giants their butts for 3 quarters and are now going on the road.

Result: TJ has a few more holes to run through and ends up with 80+ and a score.

Oh yeah, baby - I'm callin' it. :yes:

 
I agree. With Grossman actually putting up some decent numbers, the opposing defense will have to start respecting the passing game a lot more. Jones has proven to better in the blitz pick up area and is a team favorite.I just traded Coles and Jordan for TO and Jones.
 
I watched the entire game yesterday. While the middle of the Minn. D is very tough it did strike me that TJones was dancing a little more. I wonder if the holdout has cost him some conditioning or comfort.

That said, even though GB and the Lions are not great D's it stricks me they have done OK against the run and awful against the pass. (Det 8th vs run, GB 12th vs run)

As a T Jones Owner if have to figure having the other guy not get carry has to be encouraging. It can't be bad.

Also watching Grossman bounce several balls off of DB's hands yesterday in addition to the two pick (one for a big TD), it makes me think they will go back to ball control a little more soon.

An despite Politics being the reason for Chicago's nickname, Soldier Field is a tough place to pass.

So I guess my conclusion on TJones is I am holding, because I figure his value is likely to go up.

 
I agree. With Grossman actually putting up some decent numbers, the opposing defense will have to start respecting the passing game a lot more. Jones has proven to better in the blitz pick up area and is a team favorite.I just traded Coles and Jordan for TO and Jones.
I also have to question the reasoning for Ced Benson not seeing a lick of game time. Tight matchup, TJ going nowhere, and Benson doesnt see the field at all? It cant just be the blocking ability of Jones. There's a confidence factor at play there. If anything, I think TJ continued cementing himself as the starter - ugly as it may have been.
 
I knew it was all about the blitz pickup, and preserving Grossman's life. After all, this cat has never played more than three consecutive regular season games in his first three seasons:

The Chicago Tribune reports Bears RB Thomas Jones handled the entire load at running back Sunday, picking up 54 yards on 18 carries for a 3.0 average. His longest run was 17 yards. Jones also caught three passes for 11 yards. Jones has rushed for 181 yards on 60 carries this season. The Vikings' frenzy of blitzing QB Rex Grossman helped keep RB Cedric Benson on the bench in favor of Thomas' blocking prowess. So Benson spent the afternoon watching from the sideline, mostly with his helmet off. Benson appeared a bit down, even though he received words of encouragement from receivers coach Darryl Drake and team chaplain Harry Swayne, who hugged Benson and offered encouragement. HC Lovie Smith also found Benson and talked to him. "He just said we had a good game, and we did," Benson said. "You want to play, naturally, but I see the other side of this too." Said OC Ron Turner: "It was just the flow of the game and the way it turned out. I'm not worried about him."

Encouraging words from the team chaplain.... LOL - isn't that like a eulogy?
The key part that sticks out to me is the fact that Lovie sought him out to explain the circumstances. how many NFL coaches would pull aside their backup RB and give them an explanation as to why they didn't get any carries.To me the writing is on the wall....this will be Benson's team and he will get a change to show it very soon if TJ keeps playing the way he is now.

PS-I don't own either.
:lmao:
 
Lovie says they need to recommit to the running game and then Grossman puts up more than 40 passes in the game. Go figure. I think Lovie will realize he stole one despite crappy play calling. There were a couple of times on 3rd and 3 where they threw the ball and last year those would have been first downs running the ball. A big thumbs down to the Bears coaching staff despite the win. :thumbdown:
It's funny that you want to run the ball on 3rd and 3 when your club is averaging fewer than 3 yards per carry. *AVERAGING* that- which means, even with the long outlier runs you still aren't breaking 3 ypc.In my opinion, if there are no holes for the running game, a good way to fix that is to rely heavily on a deep passing game to keep the safeties honest until some holes open. So far this season, there have been no holes for the running game. So far this season, Chicago has been using a deep passing game to great success. That, to me, sounds like pretty GOOD coaching. If Lovie started running on 3rd and 3, we'd all be sitting here lambasting him for refusing to acknowledge that the run wasn't working and killing his 3rd-down-conversion percentage.
 
It's funny that you want to run the ball on 3rd and 3 when your club is averaging fewer than 3 yards per carry. *AVERAGING* that- which means, even with the long outlier runs you still aren't breaking 3 ypc.In my opinion, if there are no holes for the running game, a good way to fix that is to rely heavily on a deep passing game to keep the safeties honest until some holes open. So far this season, there have been no holes for the running game. So far this season, Chicago has been using a deep passing game to great success. That, to me, sounds like pretty GOOD coaching. If Lovie started running on 3rd and 3, we'd all be sitting here lambasting him for refusing to acknowledge that the run wasn't working and killing his 3rd-down-conversion percentage.
:goodposting:
 
I agree. With Grossman actually putting up some decent numbers, the opposing defense will have to start respecting the passing game a lot more. Jones has proven to better in the blitz pick up area and is a team favorite.I just traded Coles and Jordan for TO and Jones.
I also have to question the reasoning for Ced Benson not seeing a lick of game time. Tight matchup, TJ going nowhere, and Benson doesnt see the field at all? It cant just be the blocking ability of Jones. There's a confidence factor at play there. If anything, I think TJ continued cementing himself as the starter - ugly as it may have been.
Yep, that's exactly what it is. Minny was blitzing all day and TJ is a MUCH better blocker than Benson. Lovie knows he needs to keep Grossman upright to give his team the best chance to go deep into the playoffs. If Benson ever decides to learn to block he will get his chances. Until then he will have to pout on the sideline.
 
Grossman is proving he is a bonfide starter in this league each and every week. Teams will start paying more attention. But last season they had no passing game and TJ still went off, so the line needs to improve their run blocking as well. Either way the Bears look like a team that is going to the Super Bowl. When the weather get's bad that will help them big time in the post season where I expect them to have home field advantage. They have looked great thus far despite the medicore running game. Grossman is a natural. He just had some aweful luck in the broken bone department.

 
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