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I am a multimedia nut, journalism, photography, videography, radio broadcasting and production. I’ve done it all, but I love to write and have a lot to say. I live in the Chicagoland area now and have always had an extreme love and passion for the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears Rushing Game Analysis
Written by Brett Solesky   
Friday, 20 November 2009 10:20
Lovie Smith caused a minor buzz in the media when he proclaimed that the 2009 Chicago Bears still get off the bus running.  The phrase that Smith uses on an annual basis to describe the Bears' offensive strategy.  That is to run the ball and run it continually to set up the passing game, this year the goal is to set it up for Jay Cutler.  Bears fans and media talking heads alike immediately berated Smith and said with Cutler in the fold the strategy should no longer be to get off the bus running.

I think more than one prognosticator stated the Bears shouldn't continue to run into a brick wall over and over again.  Yet another said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result.  

I'd like to say that the definition of insanity is not doing any analysis and then forming an opinion based on what a coach says about his team.  

The basic facts are simple, the Bears aren't a running team anymore and haven't been since the start of the season.  The Bears are last or nearly last in just about every rushing  category in the NFL in 2009.  This includes rushing attempts on the season, and rushing attempts on first down.  

Cutler has been throwing Matt Fortethe ball all over the field throughout the entire season, getting multiple receivers involved and having more success and problems than any other QB in franchise history.  

There has been times this season that it's fair to say that the Bears haven't run the ball enough on first down to start the game and have abandoned the run too early.  Arguably the Bears haven't even tried to run the ball with any sort of focus except in one game, the opening game against the Packers.  

On the season the Bears have two games in which they have over 30 rushing attempts a game, the Packers game and the Browns game in which they ran for over 170-yards and led throughout, thus putting themselves in position to eat up time on the clock.  

To put it simply the Bears do not trust their offensive line in run blocking.  Orlando Pace is too old and too weak at the point of attack, Chris Williams isn't tough enough to be a run blocker yet and Olin Kreutz as well is long in the tooth and about ready for the cow pasture.  Add in the struggles from six game starter  Frank Omiyale and the Bears abandoned their run game long ago.  

The Bears put the ball and the fate of the franchise into the hands of their best play maker from day one.  Any insinuation to the contrary is either blowing smoke (typical Lovie Smith fashion) or just plain stupidity in not doing the research.  

When you can't even trust your offensive line to run block, one simple fact becomes apparent, it's time to change the line up.  The question now becomes are Jerry Angelo and his scouting department competent enough in scouting offensive line talent?  The verdict on that question to this point, is a resounding no.  
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