Everything being said about Cutler and the line is accurate.
But for the love of God those Bears WRs either cant get open or are running far too complex a route. They shouldnt be that deep and running complex routes every play. When your QB is that flaky under pressure and your Oline cant protect your job is to shorten the field and develop quick outlets for your QB. I saw none of that and frankly I havent seen it in years from Chicago.
This is what I've been saying for quite some time now. Yes, passing is easier than it has ever been because of the rule changes but defenses have also gotten so much better.
No sir they have not.
Look at the amount of freakishly elite pass rushers 20 years ago and look at them today.
Think of what guys like Demarcus Ware, JPP, James Harrisson, Aldon Smith, Clay Matthews, Suggs, Von Miller, Julius Peppers, etc. would have done if they played 20 years ago when the Left Tackle position wasn't as coveted as it is today and DB's were allowed to rape wide receivers.
Not to mention teams seem to have more depth and top to bottom talent than in years past, also.
[/QUOTE]
I think Ware , Peppers , Suggs , and Harrison would excel anytime...the rest are undersized or under developed. Greatly benefiting from the extra opportunities a game and never really having to worry about being run at or dealing with a FB or Hback.
I think Reggie White , Bruce Smith , Charles Haley , Derrick Thomas , Tim Harris , Chris Doleman , Kevin Greene ,Clyde Simmons and Simon Fletcher stack up favorably to todays crop. If you give remove the backfield blocking , fear of the run , and put them one on one for an extra 5-6 downs a game I think theyd do just fine.
Between 2011-2012 8 Tackles were taken in the first round. Between 1991-1992 9 tackles were taken in the first round. Between 1981-1982 6 Tackles were taken.
Even before sack became an official stat Tackles were highly coveted.
Virtually no team has more depth today than they did 20 years ago.
To be straight forward only 1-2 teams a year truly put forth really good defense. S.F is the only real standout IMO because they are so balanced and so sound fundamentally. All there guys tackle well (relative to todays game) , and can cover. Most teams like GB/NYJ/Pitt /NYG etc are essentially throwing there entire load on getting to the QB. You end up with players like Polumalu who are impatient , and undisciplined leaving guys wide open giving up chunks but saving there reputation by leaping over a pile like superman to force a fumble every 3 weeks. The league has too many Lavar Arringtons not enough Harry Carsons.