In studying the Bears’ defensive performance Sunday, lack of execution did not stand out as much as lack of intensity.
Bears defenders looked hesitant and cautious, and they lacked aggression. They did not fly to the ball, nor did they hit hard.
This unit failed miserably to uphold the Bears’ proud defensive tradition. The way the Bears played defense Sunday, it is difficult to envision the team staying in any game that features a dynamic offense.
The Bears routinely gave away yards after contact. In fact, Bears defenders completely missed seven tackles they should have made, resulting in 51 extra yards. Three of the missed tackles were by cornerback Charles Tillman. Two were by defensive end Alex Brown.
And it wasn’t just big Beanie Wells the tacklers were whiffing on. They missed two tackles on the rookie running back, another three on running back Tim Hightower, one on wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and another on wide receiver Steve Breaston.
But as you will read, the Bears did some good things that escaped attention in the aftermath of the ship hitting the iceberg.
Safeties
Grade: 0
Not much to be excited about here. Al Afalava was beaten for a touchdown by tight end Ben Patrick. Kevin Payne had poor coverage on a touchdown by tight end Anthony Becht. The two tight ends had caught one touchdown pass between them since the start of the 2008 season.
Payne also dropped a potential interception.
Danieal Manning looked like he was going for horseback rides on Wells all game.
Cornerbacks
Grade: 4
Though he has gotten beaten up for his coverage of Fitzgerald, Tillman actually did not play Fitzgerald badly overall. He could be accused of poor coverage on only one play — the 17-yard touchdown pass on which Tillman bit hard on an inside cut, only to see Fitzgerald catch the ball moving toward the far sideline.
Before leaving with a shoulder injury late in the second quarter, Tillman gave up five catches to Fitzgerald for 64 yards. The rest of Fitzgerald’s yards came against Zack Bowman (two for 35) and Manning (two for 24).
There is not a cornerback in the league who can cover Fitzgerald all over the field. The Bears erred in not giving Tillman more safety help. The game plan also should have called for more press coverage.
Bowman had a nice interception and return that gave the Bears hope in the fourth quarter. Corey Graham did not play badly in place of Tillman. He gave up the final touchdown to Breaston but was the victim of a Fitzgerald pick that was not called.
Linebackers
Grade: 1
The Cardinals came into the game averaging 64.8 rushing yards per game and 3.3 yards per carry. The Bears gave up 182 rushing yards and a 5.9 average.
The linebackers had a minimal impact. They were blocked too frequently and gave up too many yards after contact.
Defensive line
Grade: 1
Tommie Harris hasn’t been very effective this season, but it sure looked like the Bears missed him Sunday. Bears tackles didn’t get near Kurt Warner often and didn’t contribute much on run defense.
Bears defensive ends were ridden wide around Warner by Cardinals tackles on eight plays. Some counter moves would have been nice.
That said, Brown provided some healthy rush with a sack, a forced fumble and four pressures.
Quarterback
Grade: 8
This was one of Jay Cutler’s best performances of the season. Everyone in the stadium knew he was going to pass on almost every down, and he took some chances without making many stupid throws.
Cutler made some outstanding passes, including the 42-yard first-quarter completion to Devin Hester and the 33-yard touchdown pass to Greg Olsen.
He showed poor judgment by berating an official, drawing a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, and by failing to slide on a 4-yard run.
Running backs
Grade: 8
It’s a shame the circumstances took the run out of the equation because Matt Forte looked like he had undergone a Benson-ian transformation. He carried only five times but averaged 6.6 yards per carry and had six catches for 74 yards.
Wide receivers
Grade: 6
Hester and Earl Bennett were productive with a combined 13 catches for 187 yards. Hester made some nice catches but also dropped a couple he should have caught.
Tight ends
Grade: 8
It was a different world for Olsen with a safety covering him instead of cornerbacks. Olsen had his best game of the season with 71 yards and three touchdowns, mostly going against Adrian Wilson, an All-Pro who struggled to keep up with the Bears tight end.
Olsen ran nice routes, made pretty catches and held on to the ball even when he knew he was going to get clobbered.
Offensive line
Grade: 8
This was a very encouraging performance by the embattled unit. Could it be coming together?
Against a defense that knew it didn’t have to worry about the run, the Bears pass protected better than they have all season. It was not uncommon for Cutler to have close to four seconds in the pocket — which must have seemed like a calendar year to him.
The screen pass worked remarkably well with Olin Kreutz and Roberto Garza getting out and throwing downfield blocks.
The run blocking also was significantly better than it had been. The Bears easily converted a third-and-1 on a QB sneak in the fourth quarter and opened holes for backs in limited opportunities.
Not everything was perfect. Chris Williams and Garza were directly responsible for two of the sacks. There were consecutive false starts in the third quarter and a Kreutz holding penalty on the subsequent drive.
Special teams
Grade: 1.5
What a disappointment. The Bears had a field-goal attempt blocked and run back 59 yards, they nearly had a turnover on a kickoff return and they committed two holding penalties on returns.
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Play of the game in slo-mo
Situation: The Cardinals lead the Bears 28-7 with 40 seconds left in the first half. The Bears line up on the Arizona 30 to attempt a 48-yard field goal by Robbie Gould.
Result: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie partially blocks the kick, preventing the Bears from scoring and setting up a Cardinals field goal as the half expires.
The tape shows: Before the snap, the Bears, trying to find a smooth spot in the grass, move the placement spot slightly to their right — toward Rodgers-Cromartie. Between holder Brad Maynard and Gould, it takes too long to get the kick off. Rodgers-Cromartie buzzes by Desmond Clark, lays out and tips the ball.
The Cardinals, hoping for a block, position Antrel Rolle in the back of the end zone. Rolle fields the ball and takes a risk by running it out.
Several Bears, including guard Frank Omiyale, are in position to tackle Rolle but fail to do so. Cardinals cornerback Bryant McFadden blocks Bears guard Roberto Garza out of the play. Only a shoestring tackle by Gould at midfield prevents a touchdown.
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dpompei@tribune.com
