Take 2: Redskins vs. Bears
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Redskins and Bears. Now they're back with a second look.
• Chicago MLB Brian Urlacher, who's gone to the Pro Bowl
the past four seasons, is expected to start after missing two
games with a strained hamstring. With Urlacher back, the
Bears will shift their personnel around and put their three
best linebackers on the field. Lance Briggs will stay on the
weak side and Hunter Hillenmeyer, who filled in admirably
for Urlacher in the middle, will move over to the strong side to take over for Joe Odom.
This gives Chicago a linebacker corps with the speed and range to keep Washington RB Clinton Portis under wraps. However, Hillenmeyer will be making his first start on the outside and he must make sure to keep contain, as Portis is extremely dangerous when he's allowed to turn the corner.
• The Redskins may be forced to start 41-year-old Ray Brown at right tackle for the fourth time this year if Kenyatta Jones, who is nursing an ankle injury, pulls up lame. Jones missed practice on Wednesday and has been wearing a protective boot to prevent further injury, but he is still listed as probable heading into Sunday's game. Washington will have to regularly give the right tackle help regardless of who starts.
Neither Brown nor Jones is capable of handling LDE Adewale Ogunleye on an island. As a result Portis, TE Walter Rasby and H-back Chris Cooley will all have to step up in pass protection, as protecting left-handed QB Mark Brunell's blind side will be critical. Ogunleye has the explosive first step to turn the corner and does a good job of anticipating snap counts. However, he can be neutralized if Portis, Rasby and Cooley provide Brown and or/Jones with the support they need.
• Bears CB Jerry Azumah is expected to start easing his way back into the lineup and he will line up at nickel back. It will be his first live action since undergoing surgery for a herniated disc in his neck. With Azumah in the lineup, the Bears can keep Mike Green at strong safety instead of lining him up over the slot in passing situations. This isn't one of the best secondaries in the league, but having Azumah back will certainly help Chicago match up with the Redskins' talented receiving corps a little better.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o
></o>
safeties Ryan Clark and Todd Franz will also see increased playing time. All three will be targeted by the Bears in the vertical passing game. Lott has been a versatile backup for Washington, but he lacks ideal recognition skills and will get caught out of position at times. In addition, Lott doesn't have the second gear to recover once he's beaten and will have trouble providing support over the top since he lacks ideal range. In order to capitalize the Bears will need RB Thomas Jones to establish an effective running game that sets up the play-action pass and forces Lott to play closer to the line. The problem is Jones could struggle, and forcing Lott to play in the box may be easier said than done.<o></o>
Washington's run defense will get a boost with WLB LaVar Arrington expected to return to the starting lineup. Arrington has missed the last three games with a knee injury, but he should be available. With Arrington on the field, the Redskins won't have to rely on Lott filing in run support as much. Arrington is the team's best run defender and can make plays from sideline-to-sideline. As a result, Chicago may take some shots downfield in short-yardage situations when the Redskins are likely to crowd the line of scrimmage with eight-man fronts.<o></o>
• The Redskins have made an effort to get Portis involved as a receiver out of the backfield, but he has yet to make much of an impact in that role. Portis caught four balls last weekend and gained just four yards. Although Portis has never been an elite receiver, his contributions to Denver's passing game when he was with the Broncos were far more substantial. He is currently averaging a career low in yards per reception (7.5) and has yet to have a catch go for longer than 18 yards. The Bears have good matchup capabilities in their linebacker corps and should be able to keep Portis under wraps. That said, it will be interesting to see if Washington tries to target Hillenmeyer who, as mentioned above, will be making his first start on the outside.<o></o>
• One way to test Hillenmeyer's abilities in man coverage will be to release Portis on an "option" route. In an option route Portis will have a two-way read and will make his break depending on how Hillenmeyer initially reacts. If Hillenmeyer stays outside, Portis will gear down and make a 45-degree cutback to the middle. If Hillenmeyer shades his inside shoulder, Portis will simply stay on his path out of the backfield and release into the flat. Hillenmeyer has spent the majority of his career playing middle linebacker and has little experience defending this type of route so he may have some trouble staying with Portis.<o></o>
Chicago offensive coordinator Terry Shea has done a great job of getting FB Bryan Johnson involved in the red-zone passing game. Johnson already has two touchdown receptions and they're the first two of his five-year career. The Bears have used a bunch set when they've gotten in scoring range with David Terrell, Bobby Wade and Johnson filling the three-receiver spots. Terrell and Wade have acted as decoys. They release up the field leaving Johnson with room to run a hook or curl route just inside the 5-yard line. Shea has a history with the Chiefs and there has been much said about his desire to turn Jones into a Priest Holmes-type back. What's gone unnoticed is he has used Johnson in much the same way Kansas City uses FB Tony Richardson.<o></o>
• After dominating Tampa Bay in his Redskin debut, Portis has been largely ineffective. There are many reasons why Portis is struggling, including injuries along the offensive line and an inconsistent passing game. However, it seems as though he's pressing to make things happen. Portis needs to show more patience when attacking the line and let his blocks develop because the counter-trey, Washington's patented running play, takes some time materialize.<o></o>
With both the backside offensive guard and tackle pulling around the play-side corner to serve as lead blockers, Portis must employ a slow-to-fast approach. In other words, he must let things develop and accelerate through the hole once they do. While this type of running requires patience, it has to be somewhat frustrating for Washington because Portis was a patient runner with the Broncos. He may get a chance to break out of his funk this week, as Chicago's penetrating one-gap scheme should create some good blocking angles for the Redskins' counter-oriented running game.<o></o>
<o></o>
Special Teams<o></o>
• The Redskins thought they were getting one of the league's best place kickers when they stole John Hall away from the Jets prior to last season. While Hall has been adequate, his lack of range is becoming a concern. He has connected on all seven of his field goal attempts from inside 35 yards, but he has missed both of his attempts from beyond that mark. With the offense continuing to struggle, Hall must take advantage of any opportunities he gets to points on the board.<o></o>
Matchups<o></o>
• Washington RB Clinton Portis vs Chicago MLB Brian Urlacher<o></o>
• Washington ROT Ray Brown vs. Chicago IDE Adewale Ogunleye<o></o>
• Chicago RB Thomas Jones vs. Washington WLB LaVar Arrington<o></o>
• Washington WR Laveranues Coles vs. Chicago LCB Nathan Vasher<o></o>
• Chicago OC Olin Kreutz vs. Washington LOT Joe Salave'a<o></o>
Prediction: Redskins 20, Bears 16
Scouts Inc.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Redskins and Bears. Now they're back with a second look.
• Chicago MLB Brian Urlacher, who's gone to the Pro Bowl
the past four seasons, is expected to start after missing two
games with a strained hamstring. With Urlacher back, the
Bears will shift their personnel around and put their three
best linebackers on the field. Lance Briggs will stay on the
weak side and Hunter Hillenmeyer, who filled in admirably
for Urlacher in the middle, will move over to the strong side to take over for Joe Odom.
This gives Chicago a linebacker corps with the speed and range to keep Washington RB Clinton Portis under wraps. However, Hillenmeyer will be making his first start on the outside and he must make sure to keep contain, as Portis is extremely dangerous when he's allowed to turn the corner.
• The Redskins may be forced to start 41-year-old Ray Brown at right tackle for the fourth time this year if Kenyatta Jones, who is nursing an ankle injury, pulls up lame. Jones missed practice on Wednesday and has been wearing a protective boot to prevent further injury, but he is still listed as probable heading into Sunday's game. Washington will have to regularly give the right tackle help regardless of who starts.
Neither Brown nor Jones is capable of handling LDE Adewale Ogunleye on an island. As a result Portis, TE Walter Rasby and H-back Chris Cooley will all have to step up in pass protection, as protecting left-handed QB Mark Brunell's blind side will be critical. Ogunleye has the explosive first step to turn the corner and does a good job of anticipating snap counts. However, he can be neutralized if Portis, Rasby and Cooley provide Brown and or/Jones with the support they need.
• Bears CB Jerry Azumah is expected to start easing his way back into the lineup and he will line up at nickel back. It will be his first live action since undergoing surgery for a herniated disc in his neck. With Azumah in the lineup, the Bears can keep Mike Green at strong safety instead of lining him up over the slot in passing situations. This isn't one of the best secondaries in the league, but having Azumah back will certainly help Chicago match up with the Redskins' talented receiving corps a little better.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
fficeffice" /><o></o>safeties Ryan Clark and Todd Franz will also see increased playing time. All three will be targeted by the Bears in the vertical passing game. Lott has been a versatile backup for Washington, but he lacks ideal recognition skills and will get caught out of position at times. In addition, Lott doesn't have the second gear to recover once he's beaten and will have trouble providing support over the top since he lacks ideal range. In order to capitalize the Bears will need RB Thomas Jones to establish an effective running game that sets up the play-action pass and forces Lott to play closer to the line. The problem is Jones could struggle, and forcing Lott to play in the box may be easier said than done.<o
></o>Washington's run defense will get a boost with WLB LaVar Arrington expected to return to the starting lineup. Arrington has missed the last three games with a knee injury, but he should be available. With Arrington on the field, the Redskins won't have to rely on Lott filing in run support as much. Arrington is the team's best run defender and can make plays from sideline-to-sideline. As a result, Chicago may take some shots downfield in short-yardage situations when the Redskins are likely to crowd the line of scrimmage with eight-man fronts.<o
></o>• The Redskins have made an effort to get Portis involved as a receiver out of the backfield, but he has yet to make much of an impact in that role. Portis caught four balls last weekend and gained just four yards. Although Portis has never been an elite receiver, his contributions to Denver's passing game when he was with the Broncos were far more substantial. He is currently averaging a career low in yards per reception (7.5) and has yet to have a catch go for longer than 18 yards. The Bears have good matchup capabilities in their linebacker corps and should be able to keep Portis under wraps. That said, it will be interesting to see if Washington tries to target Hillenmeyer who, as mentioned above, will be making his first start on the outside.<o
></o>• One way to test Hillenmeyer's abilities in man coverage will be to release Portis on an "option" route. In an option route Portis will have a two-way read and will make his break depending on how Hillenmeyer initially reacts. If Hillenmeyer stays outside, Portis will gear down and make a 45-degree cutback to the middle. If Hillenmeyer shades his inside shoulder, Portis will simply stay on his path out of the backfield and release into the flat. Hillenmeyer has spent the majority of his career playing middle linebacker and has little experience defending this type of route so he may have some trouble staying with Portis.<o
></o>Chicago offensive coordinator Terry Shea has done a great job of getting FB Bryan Johnson involved in the red-zone passing game. Johnson already has two touchdown receptions and they're the first two of his five-year career. The Bears have used a bunch set when they've gotten in scoring range with David Terrell, Bobby Wade and Johnson filling the three-receiver spots. Terrell and Wade have acted as decoys. They release up the field leaving Johnson with room to run a hook or curl route just inside the 5-yard line. Shea has a history with the Chiefs and there has been much said about his desire to turn Jones into a Priest Holmes-type back. What's gone unnoticed is he has used Johnson in much the same way Kansas City uses FB Tony Richardson.<o
></o>• After dominating Tampa Bay in his Redskin debut, Portis has been largely ineffective. There are many reasons why Portis is struggling, including injuries along the offensive line and an inconsistent passing game. However, it seems as though he's pressing to make things happen. Portis needs to show more patience when attacking the line and let his blocks develop because the counter-trey, Washington's patented running play, takes some time materialize.<o
></o>With both the backside offensive guard and tackle pulling around the play-side corner to serve as lead blockers, Portis must employ a slow-to-fast approach. In other words, he must let things develop and accelerate through the hole once they do. While this type of running requires patience, it has to be somewhat frustrating for Washington because Portis was a patient runner with the Broncos. He may get a chance to break out of his funk this week, as Chicago's penetrating one-gap scheme should create some good blocking angles for the Redskins' counter-oriented running game.<o
></o><o
></o>Special Teams<o
></o>• The Redskins thought they were getting one of the league's best place kickers when they stole John Hall away from the Jets prior to last season. While Hall has been adequate, his lack of range is becoming a concern. He has connected on all seven of his field goal attempts from inside 35 yards, but he has missed both of his attempts from beyond that mark. With the offense continuing to struggle, Hall must take advantage of any opportunities he gets to points on the board.<o
></o>Matchups<o
></o>• Washington RB Clinton Portis vs Chicago MLB Brian Urlacher<o
></o>• Washington ROT Ray Brown vs. Chicago IDE Adewale Ogunleye<o
></o>• Chicago RB Thomas Jones vs. Washington WLB LaVar Arrington<o
></o>• Washington WR Laveranues Coles vs. Chicago LCB Nathan Vasher<o
></o>• Chicago OC Olin Kreutz vs. Washington LOT Joe Salave'a<o
></o>Prediction: Redskins 20, Bears 16
