The Bears are talking like they know exactly what to expect from the nasty bump-and-run coverage Al Harris and Co. are preparing to blanket the Chicago receivers with.
But knowing what’s coming and actually dealing with what’s coming are two completely different things. Every team in the NFL knows some basics about how the Packers secondary plans to cover them, but despite knowing the type of coverage they’ll face, they just can’t get any work done vs. the Green Bay secondary.
Check the Green Bay defensive numbers:
- Opponent QB rating: 58.8 (1st in NFL)
- Opponent passing yards per game: 179.1 (3rd in NFL)
- Opponent completion percentage: 51.5 (1st in NFL)
How do Harris and the Packers secondary do it? Check Bears QB Kyle Orton’s assessment:
“They’re up in your face,” Orton said. “They hold you, grab you; you’ve got to play physical with them. You’ve got to get off the coverage. They’re going to be pulling and grabbing at you all the way down the field, so the receivers have to do a great job of beating man coverage and making plays, and I’ve got to do a great job of seeing it and throwing to the open guy.”
Orton, who has been sidelined since injuring his ankle on Nov. 2, is hoping to return to the field vs. Green Bay. He’s more accurate and careful with the ball than Rex Grossman, the No. 2 QB on the Bears depth chart.
Al’s been studying tape and knows what to expect no matter which QB takes the field:
“(Orton’s) not going to take a lot of chances,” cornerback Al Harris said. “He makes a lot of good decisions. That’s all the tape I’ve been watching so far. Tonight, I’ll watch Rex. Orton is going to manage it. That’s not meant to be offensive either. I think when you say a guy manages a game, that’s a good thing. He’s going to manage the game a little better.”
Either way, you know 3ity1 is going to make the Bears work for every inch they get:
“If you do complete a pass, like a big pass for an explosive gain, it’s going to have to be a perfect pass. They’re going to have to work (for it).”
Indeed, in the two games since his return from a ruptured spleen, Al has not allowed a completed pass.
Let me repeat that.
Al Harris has not allowed a completion in two full weeks since returning from a career-threatening spleen injury.
And we know 3irty1 typically gets the assignment of locking down the opponent’s top receiver. In the Bears’ case, that top receiver could either be Rashied Davis (28 rec, 338 yards, 2 TDs) or Devin Hester (25 rec, 311 yards, 2 TDs).
Whether it’s Kyle Orton or Rex Grossman under center, look for the Bears to try and establish their running game with Rookie Matt Forte, and to establish a passing game to their two tight ends Greg Olsen and Desmond Clark as well as with RB Forte, who actually leads the team in receptions (37).
Either way, all of the Chicago receivers are in for a long day Sunday in Green Bay.
