ESPN.com - NFL - Take 2: Bears vs. Buccaneers Friday, October 22, 2004
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Bears and Buccaneers. Now they're back with a
second look.
The emergence of Chicago RB Thomas Jones has surprised a lot of people
around the league and his strong play may have taken some defenses
off-guard but Tampa Bay has a unique advantage. Jones played for the
Buccaneers last year and their defense is familiar with his running style
as well as his tendencies. The hope is that familiarity will allow the
linebackers get into better position and prevent Jones from breaking any
long runs.
Tampa Bay LDT Ellis Wyms will miss this game with a shoulder injury and NT
Damian Gregory will miss the remainder of the season with a torn patellar
ligament. Their absence means the Buccaneers will have very little depth
along the defensive line and that's a significant concern with the Bears
coming to town. Chicago offensive coordinator Terry Shea could give Jones
30+ carries in a effort to wear down Tampa Bay's front four. In addition,
backup Thomas Jones shows good power between the tackles and he should get
five-to-ten carries in relief.
Chicago DC Jerry Azumah lined up at Nickel back in his first action of the
season last week. The Bears were easing Azumah, who underwent neck surgery
during the off-season, back into the lineup but he played so well that
there is an excellent chance he starts this game. Azumah's return couldn't
come at a better time, as he will frequently line up opposite rookie WR
Michael Clayton. Azumah has the speed to run with Clayton downfield and
the quickness to stay with him underneath. Buccaneers QB Brian Griese must
be careful not to throw to Clayton, who is the Buccaneers' leading
receiver, too much because Azumah is a playmaker with good ball skills.
Azumah will still slide inside in the Nickel package and rookie Nathan
Vasher will replace him on the outside. Expect Tampa Bay head coach Jon
Gruden to move Clayton around in an effort to get him matched up against
Vasher when the Buccaneers go to their multiple-receiver sets. Although
Vasher is also fast enough to run with Clayton, he gets caught out of
position at times and he lacks the size to compete for jump balls
downfield.
Chicago LDE Adewale Ogunleye is expected to miss this game with a lower
leg injury and he will be sorely missed. With the injury-riddled secondary
lacking the personnel to consistently play man coverage on the outside,
Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera will be hesitant to blitz. As a
result, the defensive line will have to apply consistent pressure. One of
the ways Rivera can compensate for Ogunleye's absence and put pressure on
Tampa Bay's inconsistent offensive line without bringing additional
pressure is running line stunts. If the Buccaneers' front-five doesn't
communicate and keep their heads up Chicago could have some success
getting to Griese without Ogunleye in the lineup.
The Bears have played a No. 3 quarterback in seven of the last eight
seasons and they could make it eight of the last nine if QB Jonathan Quinn
gets off to a slow start. Chicago continues to give Craig Krenzel, who
moved into a backup role after Rex Grossman sustained a season-ending knee
injury, plenty of snaps with the first-team offense during practice.
However, don't expect to see current No. 3 Chad Hutchinson any time soon.
Hutchinson, who signed with the Bears in late September, is still learning
the playbook and it's unknown when he'll be comfortable enough with the
offense to push for playing time. It's also important to note that
Hutchinson's stint with baseball has hindered his overall development as a
quarterback.
WR Joe Jurevicius, who has been recovering from knee and back surgeries,
is expected to be active for the first time this year. There is a good
chance he starts in place of Charles Lee who is doubtful with a knee
sprain. It's unknown how effective Jurevicius will be in his first game
but he should play a role in the red zone. While Chicago's run defense
gives up a lot of yards, it has allowed just one rushing touchdown and it
will tighten when Tampa Bay gets inside the 20. Jurevicius has outstanding
height and bulk making him an excellent target in the red zone. He is
capable of shielding defenders from the ball when settling underneath and
he can win the jump ball when running a fade.
One of the reasons the Bears have had some problems stopping the run is
they have been hesitant to play a safety in the box because of the
injuries at corner. The return of Azumah will allow Chicago to play more
eight-man fronts but Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden will try to keep the
Bears' safeties off the line with some multiple-receiver sets. If the
Bears don't back their safeties off when Tampa Bay goes to this alignment
they will be vulnerable to the vertical passing game.
Gruden's version of the West Coast offense is predicated on quick-hitting
passes and Tampa Bay runs a lot of crossing routes. It's critical that
Chicago's linebackers get good depth when dropping into coverage as a
result. Keeping any receivers coming across the middle in front of the
linebackers will do two things. It will allow the linebackers to tackle
the receiver immediately after the catch, reducing the chances giving up a
big play, and it will allow them to deliver some big hits. Punishing the
Buccaneers' receivers will make them a little more hesitant to go over the
middle.
There is some bad blood between these two teams. Bears head coach Lovie
Smith coached the Buccaneers' linebackers from 1996 until 2000. Smith is
upset that Tampa Bay didn't allow him to hire defensive line coach Rod
Marinelli, who Smith wanted to make his defensive coordinator in Chicago.
Special Teams
Tampa Bay PK Martin Gramatica has missed his last three field goal
attempts including two on Monday night. With the Bears' defense playing
well in the red zone, Gramatica needs to bounce back and take advantage of
any opportunities he gets to put points on the board.
Prediction: Buccaneers 24, Bears 13
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this
week's matchup between the Bears and Buccaneers. Now they're back with a
second look.
The emergence of Chicago RB Thomas Jones has surprised a lot of people
around the league and his strong play may have taken some defenses
off-guard but Tampa Bay has a unique advantage. Jones played for the
Buccaneers last year and their defense is familiar with his running style
as well as his tendencies. The hope is that familiarity will allow the
linebackers get into better position and prevent Jones from breaking any
long runs.
Tampa Bay LDT Ellis Wyms will miss this game with a shoulder injury and NT
Damian Gregory will miss the remainder of the season with a torn patellar
ligament. Their absence means the Buccaneers will have very little depth
along the defensive line and that's a significant concern with the Bears
coming to town. Chicago offensive coordinator Terry Shea could give Jones
30+ carries in a effort to wear down Tampa Bay's front four. In addition,
backup Thomas Jones shows good power between the tackles and he should get
five-to-ten carries in relief.
Chicago DC Jerry Azumah lined up at Nickel back in his first action of the
season last week. The Bears were easing Azumah, who underwent neck surgery
during the off-season, back into the lineup but he played so well that
there is an excellent chance he starts this game. Azumah's return couldn't
come at a better time, as he will frequently line up opposite rookie WR
Michael Clayton. Azumah has the speed to run with Clayton downfield and
the quickness to stay with him underneath. Buccaneers QB Brian Griese must
be careful not to throw to Clayton, who is the Buccaneers' leading
receiver, too much because Azumah is a playmaker with good ball skills.
Azumah will still slide inside in the Nickel package and rookie Nathan
Vasher will replace him on the outside. Expect Tampa Bay head coach Jon
Gruden to move Clayton around in an effort to get him matched up against
Vasher when the Buccaneers go to their multiple-receiver sets. Although
Vasher is also fast enough to run with Clayton, he gets caught out of
position at times and he lacks the size to compete for jump balls
downfield.
Chicago LDE Adewale Ogunleye is expected to miss this game with a lower
leg injury and he will be sorely missed. With the injury-riddled secondary
lacking the personnel to consistently play man coverage on the outside,
Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera will be hesitant to blitz. As a
result, the defensive line will have to apply consistent pressure. One of
the ways Rivera can compensate for Ogunleye's absence and put pressure on
Tampa Bay's inconsistent offensive line without bringing additional
pressure is running line stunts. If the Buccaneers' front-five doesn't
communicate and keep their heads up Chicago could have some success
getting to Griese without Ogunleye in the lineup.
The Bears have played a No. 3 quarterback in seven of the last eight
seasons and they could make it eight of the last nine if QB Jonathan Quinn
gets off to a slow start. Chicago continues to give Craig Krenzel, who
moved into a backup role after Rex Grossman sustained a season-ending knee
injury, plenty of snaps with the first-team offense during practice.
However, don't expect to see current No. 3 Chad Hutchinson any time soon.
Hutchinson, who signed with the Bears in late September, is still learning
the playbook and it's unknown when he'll be comfortable enough with the
offense to push for playing time. It's also important to note that
Hutchinson's stint with baseball has hindered his overall development as a
quarterback.
WR Joe Jurevicius, who has been recovering from knee and back surgeries,
is expected to be active for the first time this year. There is a good
chance he starts in place of Charles Lee who is doubtful with a knee
sprain. It's unknown how effective Jurevicius will be in his first game
but he should play a role in the red zone. While Chicago's run defense
gives up a lot of yards, it has allowed just one rushing touchdown and it
will tighten when Tampa Bay gets inside the 20. Jurevicius has outstanding
height and bulk making him an excellent target in the red zone. He is
capable of shielding defenders from the ball when settling underneath and
he can win the jump ball when running a fade.
One of the reasons the Bears have had some problems stopping the run is
they have been hesitant to play a safety in the box because of the
injuries at corner. The return of Azumah will allow Chicago to play more
eight-man fronts but Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden will try to keep the
Bears' safeties off the line with some multiple-receiver sets. If the
Bears don't back their safeties off when Tampa Bay goes to this alignment
they will be vulnerable to the vertical passing game.
Gruden's version of the West Coast offense is predicated on quick-hitting
passes and Tampa Bay runs a lot of crossing routes. It's critical that
Chicago's linebackers get good depth when dropping into coverage as a
result. Keeping any receivers coming across the middle in front of the
linebackers will do two things. It will allow the linebackers to tackle
the receiver immediately after the catch, reducing the chances giving up a
big play, and it will allow them to deliver some big hits. Punishing the
Buccaneers' receivers will make them a little more hesitant to go over the
middle.
There is some bad blood between these two teams. Bears head coach Lovie
Smith coached the Buccaneers' linebackers from 1996 until 2000. Smith is
upset that Tampa Bay didn't allow him to hire defensive line coach Rod
Marinelli, who Smith wanted to make his defensive coordinator in Chicago.
Special Teams
Tampa Bay PK Martin Gramatica has missed his last three field goal
attempts including two on Monday night. With the Bears' defense playing
well in the red zone, Gramatica needs to bounce back and take advantage of
any opportunities he gets to put points on the board.
Prediction: Buccaneers 24, Bears 13
