Big plays create questions about Bears' defense
There were a number of disappointing developments in Monday night's 24-13 loss at Detroit.
But the biggest downer is a defense that no longer appears capable of carrying the team, as it often has since Lovie Smith became head coach in 2004.
In every one of their five games this season, the Bears have allowed at least 382 yards of total offense. That only happened four times all of last season.
Eliminating the big play used to be something the Bears' defense hung its hat on. This season the Bears have been hung out to dry by big plays.
Even before Calvin Johnson's 73-yard touchdown reception and Jahvid Best's 88-yard TD run Monday, there was the 79-yard TD grab by the Saints' Devery Henderson, the 53-yard grab by the Panthers' Steve Smith and the 53-yard run by the Falcons' Michael Turner.
The Bears did not allow a single run of longer than 45 yards all of last season, when they allowed just one run of more than 29 yards.
Is it possible that a Bears defense that relies heavily on five starters in their 30s has gotten old overnight? It's beginning to look that way.
The Bears entered this season believing that their defensive line was one of the better fronts in the NFL and a team strength.
It has been neither. After getting 5 sacks in the season opener, the Bears have just 4 sacks in their last four games.
In back-to-back games the Bears have been gouged for 169 and 181 rushing yards.
Before the Lions piled up 181 yards on the ground on just 20 carries, for a 9.1-yard average, they were 29th in the NFL in rushing yards and 31st in average gain per run.
The Bears are allowing 136 rushing yards per game; they allowed that many rushing yards in just one game all of last season.
The idea that the Bears have a dominant defensive front is an absolute fallacy.
Not one player on the defensive line has even flashed Pro Bowl ability, and that includes Julius Peppers, who was nothing short of spectacular last season.
Peppers has 2 sacks and a total of 10 tackles this season. Ten teammates have more tackles than Peppers.
“I think (opponents) are really going in there and (saying), ‘You've got to take away Peppers, he's the difference maker,'” general manager Jerry Angelo said.
“So teams are treating him that way. We have to have other players step up. (Israel Idonije) has got to step up. (Henry) Melton's got to step up. Other players have got to step up to help him.
“It isn't about one guy. But I know he's in a fishbowl each week to have to play great. And we're expecting him to. But nobody does it alone.”
So far this season, no one has done it, period.
With the same scheme, the same coaches and the same players as last season, the only thing different is the production.
In 2011, the Bears' defense was No. 9 in total yards, No. 2 in rushing yards and No. 4 in points allowed. They are currently 29th in total yards, 28th in rushing yards and tied for 17th in points allowed.
“I respect Coach (Lovie) Smith and Coach (Rod) Marinelli,” cornerback Charles Tillman said. “They will be men and blame themselves, but it really falls on the players. They're doing everything in their power and I think we, as players, can definitely man up and make the plays.
“It's time to do some soul searching and see what each of us is really made of. We can either tuck our tails between our legs and go run away, or we can man up and fight and get this thing turned around.”
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