I have gone back and watched most of the screen passing plays this season, and one glaring thing jumps out: OLIN KREUTZ NEVER BLOCKS ANYONE!

---

Players we needed to draft in 08' to have a dynasty:

- Chris Williams - LT Vanderbilt: Check!

- Matt Forte - RB Tulane: check!

- Earl Bennett - WR Vanderbilt: Check!
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Dynasty! Babe!.

I know what you are thinking: lun-a-tic...  But you're wrong.

Forte's highlights from the Minny game, 1 min 19 sec in, who does Olin block?
Link

Philly-Bears Highlights, 2 mins in, who does Olin block?
Link

I can't find anymore linkable proof right now, but trust, watch the games, he never lays a hand on anyone when he leading the screen pass or pulling on a run play.

We jump on Orton, the receivers, St. Clair, Beekman, Hester and everyone else, so why does Oline get a free pass?

---

Players we needed to draft in 08' to have a dynasty:

- Chris Williams - LT Vanderbilt: Check!

- Matt Forte - RB Tulane: check!

- Earl Bennett - WR Vanderbilt: Check!
--------
Dynasty! Babe!.

ok....fine....whatever......

My stance on Olin Kruetz is the same as my stance on Brian Urlacher -

They are HOF'ers and they get a pass for not being as good as they used too be.

Olin is one of top 10 greatest centers of all time and i hope he stays a bear his whole career . Olin @ 35 yrs old will be better than half the centers in the NFL

I am soooo sick an tired of people bashing him. He is the leader of our O-Line and perhaps our whole offense. He was great but now maybe he is just good. The average NFL Career is like 4 yrs. He has been  playing at at pro bowl level for at least 7 yrs.

Give the guys a break.
Im sick and tired of bears fans beating up on our LEGENDS.

I swear you guys would have hated butkus becasue he was too slow and sayers because he was to fragile and singletary be cause he was too small and payton because of his ball security and the wat he carried it.

I love the bears but i HATE  bear fans.

End Rant

I think he is one of the most overrated players we have. He's not a great blocker and most of the fumbled snaps are because of him.

But, he's not going anywhere. Get use to Kreutz.

smittybg:

ok....fine....whatever......

My stance on Olin Kruetz is the same as my stance on Brian Urlacher -

They are HOF'ers and they get a pass for not being as good as they used too be.

Olin is one of top 10 greatest centers of all time and i hope he stays a bear his whole career . Olin @ 35 yrs old will be better than half the centers in the NFL

I am soooo sick an tired of people bashing him. He is the leader of our O-Line and perhaps our whole offense. He was great but now maybe he is just good. The average NFL Career is like 4 yrs. He has been  playing at at pro bowl level for at least 7 yrs.

Give the guys a break.
Im sick and tired of bears fans beating up on our LEGENDS.

I swear you guys would have hated butkus becasue he was too slow and sayers because he was to fragile and singletary be cause he was too small and payton because of his ball security and the wat he carried it.

I love the bears but i HATE  bear fans.

End Rant

Really like Singltary.  Didn't see Butkus,  nor Sayers.  I love Walter, he was the whole reason I became a Bears fan a the early age of 3 living in Washington DC area and the son of a die-hard Skins' fan.  But even at the ripe old age of thee, I still wondered why he was caring the ball like a loaf of bread?  So, yeah, I agee, I think even the best need to never settle for being "good enough".

To quote Bill Parcells, " When a player starts letting 'good enough', be good enough...then this is the first step for them being out of the league".

And boy ain't it true!

---

Players we needed to draft in 08' to have a dynasty:

- Chris Williams - LT Vanderbilt: Check!

- Matt Forte - RB Tulane: check!

- Earl Bennett - WR Vanderbilt: Check!
--------
Dynasty! Babe!.

Vasher1:

I think he is one of the most overrated players we have. He's not a great blocker and most of the fumbled snaps are because of him.

But, he's not going anywhere. Get use to Kreutz.

I say we move St. Clair to center and then put Williams in at LT.  This would really solve a lot of issues.  St. Clair is great on the move.

---

Players we needed to draft in 08' to have a dynasty:

- Chris Williams - LT Vanderbilt: Check!

- Matt Forte - RB Tulane: check!

- Earl Bennett - WR Vanderbilt: Check!
--------
Dynasty! Babe!.

| BearBones |:

Vasher1:

I think he is one of the most overrated players we have. He's not a great blocker and most of the fumbled snaps are because of him.

But, he's not going anywhere. Get use to Kreutz.

I say we move St. Clair to center and then put Williams in at LT.  This would really solve a lot of issues.  St. Clair is great on the move.

I think we should draft on day 1 this spring. I don't think St. Clair could play center to save his life.

St Clair wouldn't move to Center. Beekman would move to C. St. Clair would move to LG.

beckdawg:

St Clair wouldn't move to Center. Beekman would move to C. St. Clair would move to LG.

I heard somewhere St. Clair played center in college.  Plus he plays LT in the NFL, so I think he could play center. 

---

Players we needed to draft in 08' to have a dynasty:

- Chris Williams - LT Vanderbilt: Check!

- Matt Forte - RB Tulane: check!

- Earl Bennett - WR Vanderbilt: Check!
--------
Dynasty! Babe!.

beckdawg:

St Clair wouldn't move to Center. Beekman would move to C. St. Clair would move to LG.

In Garbage time against St. Louis I thought that I saw Buenning playing center.

Kruetz is a leader, but i think the offense will be fine if Kyle is the leader, he seems to have a little fire in his belly.

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Ron Turner's play calling: Let's do something Stupid and hope it catches them off guard.

| BearBones |:

beckdawg:

St Clair wouldn't move to Center. Beekman would move to C. St. Clair would move to LG.

I hear somewhere St. Clair played center in college.  Plus he plays LT in the NFL, so I think he could play center. 

Well Beekman was the one who filled in for Kruetz during the offseason. It stands to reason he'd get first crack at C.

| BearBones |:

I have gone back and watched most of the screen passing plays this season, and one glaring thing jumps out: OLIN KREUTZ NEVER BLOCKS ANYONE!

i couldnt agree more. there have been so many plays where Kreutz will get out in front of a screen and either trip over a guy that is already down or just completly whiff a block on a guy that will eventually make a tackle

Garza was drafted as a Center out of  TAMUK by Atlanta, and played Center for Atlanta till they moved hime to guard.  But I still don't think we should replace Kruetz, I agree that he is one of the better centers in the league.

I don't think there is any question that Olin's talent level has dropped. He's simply not as strong as he use to be, doesn't get as good push and doesn't do near as well in space as he use to.  However, there is a lot more to playing Center in the NFL.  A lot of the important part is the intangibles. And not just leadership for the team, but being the QB of the offensive line.  Being able to recognize the defense and call out the right protection scheme.  Having someone with so much experience is very helpful and often goes unappreciated until they are gone and you have guys standing around pointing at each other when someone can't pick up a stunt.

Our entire interior line actually does a real good job of keeping the pocket formed and most of the pressure and sacks this year has been from DE's and blitzers coming in off the edges. We've allowed only 3.5 sacks from DT's this year and very few blitzers up the middle.  That's allowing zero to the Williams wall in 2 games, none to Haynesworth.  In comparison, St.Clair alone has given up 4.5 sacks just to Jared Allen in 2 games. And in the running game, Forte's best YPC stat comes up the middle. He's averaging 4.8ypc up the middle.

I think some of this has to be attributed to Olin Kreutz calling the right protection and at least doing his job in his blocking assignments on most occassions.  So even though he's not as good in space and not just trucking NT"s, he might bring more to the table than what you can see as a fan.

Zombie:

I don't think there is any question that Olin's talent level has dropped. He's simply not as strong as he use to be, doesn't get as good push and doesn't do near as well in space as he use to.  However, there is a lot more to playing Center in the NFL.  A lot of the important part is the intangibles. And not just leadership for the team, but being the QB of the offensive line.  Being able to recognize the defense and call out the right protection scheme.  Having someone with so much experience is very helpful and often goes unappreciated until they are gone and you have guys standing around pointing at each other when someone can't pick up a stunt.

Our entire interior line actually does a real good job of keeping the pocket formed and most of the pressure and sacks this year has been from DE's and blitzers coming in off the edges. We've allowed only 3.5 sacks from DT's this year and very few blitzers up the middle.  That's allowing zero to the Williams wall in 2 games, none to Haynesworth.  In comparison, St.Clair alone has given up 4.5 sacks just to Jared Allen in 2 games. And in the running game, Forte's best YPC stat comes up the middle. He's averaging 4.8ypc up the middle.

I think some of this has to be attributed to Olin Kreutz calling the right protection and at least doing his job in his blocking assignments on most occassions.  So even though he's not as good in space and not just trucking NT"s, he might bring more to the table than what you can see as a fan.

 

Excellent Post!  Obviously you know your football!

Could not agree more that OKs play level has dropped, and i don't see him improving much next year, he won't be back after next year either. 

 So anyone who thinks we don't need one of the top 3 centers from this years excellent draft class to learn from him and then replace him, are deluding themselves big time!

And those of you advocating Beekman replacing him are fools,  he's holding his own at G just about and you want to move him to a position he's never played full time!! and if that happens who replaces him at G, Buenning, a rookie, free agent?

No, keep him at G and draft a real center preferably a really good one to replace a really good one.

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Just another example of something.

Zombie:

I don't think there is any question that Olin's talent level has dropped. He's simply not as strong as he use to be, doesn't get as good push and doesn't do near as well in space as he use to.  However, there is a lot more to playing Center in the NFL.  A lot of the important part is the intangibles. And not just leadership for the team, but being the QB of the offensive line.  Being able to recognize the defense and call out the right protection scheme.  Having someone with so much experience is very helpful and often goes unappreciated until they are gone and you have guys standing around pointing at each other when someone can't pick up a stunt.

Our entire interior line actually does a real good job of keeping the pocket formed and most of the pressure and sacks this year has been from DE's and blitzers coming in off the edges. We've allowed only 3.5 sacks from DT's this year and very few blitzers up the middle.  That's allowing zero to the Williams wall in 2 games, none to Haynesworth.  In comparison, St.Clair alone has given up 4.5 sacks just to Jared Allen in 2 games. And in the running game, Forte's best YPC stat comes up the middle. He's averaging 4.8ypc up the middle.

I think some of this has to be attributed to Olin Kreutz calling the right protection and at least doing his job in his blocking assignments on most occassions.  So even though he's not as good in space and not just trucking NT"s, he might bring more to the table than what you can see as a fan.

That YPC stat is skewed.

A lot of Forte's longer runs come from the draw plays when St. Clair and Tait come from outside in and make key interior blocks to spring Forte. (check the highlight run for Forte on the Indy run, Atlanta run, and the Sl Louis run)

---

Players we needed to draft in 08' to have a dynasty:

- Chris Williams - LT Vanderbilt: Check!

- Matt Forte - RB Tulane: check!

- Earl Bennett - WR Vanderbilt: Check!
--------
Dynasty! Babe!.

Bottom line..we need new guys.

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GO BEARS!

| BearBones |:

Zombie:

I don't think there is any question that Olin's talent level has dropped. He's simply not as strong as he use to be, doesn't get as good push and doesn't do near as well in space as he use to.  However, there is a lot more to playing Center in the NFL.  A lot of the important part is the intangibles. And not just leadership for the team, but being the QB of the offensive line.  Being able to recognize the defense and call out the right protection scheme.  Having someone with so much experience is very helpful and often goes unappreciated until they are gone and you have guys standing around pointing at each other when someone can't pick up a stunt.

Our entire interior line actually does a real good job of keeping the pocket formed and most of the pressure and sacks this year has been from DE's and blitzers coming in off the edges. We've allowed only 3.5 sacks from DT's this year and very few blitzers up the middle.  That's allowing zero to the Williams wall in 2 games, none to Haynesworth.  In comparison, St.Clair alone has given up 4.5 sacks just to Jared Allen in 2 games. And in the running game, Forte's best YPC stat comes up the middle. He's averaging 4.8ypc up the middle.

I think some of this has to be attributed to Olin Kreutz calling the right protection and at least doing his job in his blocking assignments on most occassions.  So even though he's not as good in space and not just trucking NT"s, he might bring more to the table than what you can see as a fan.

That YPC stat is skewed.

A lot of Forte's longer runs come from the draw plays when St. Clair and Tait come from outside in and make key interior blocks to spring Forte. (check the highlight run for Forte on the Indy run, Atlanta run, and the Sl Louis run)

Against Indy, he cut blocks who I think is Raheem Brock the NT.
Against ATL, he's got the DT lined up wide edge of B gap and has to get a piece of him to keep him out of the backfield. 

Against STL, him and Garza just walled off the inside, so it was actually credited as a B gap run outside of of RG Garza. It was nothing special on Olin's part and indeed that 47 yard run is credited as being run to the right side and not part of his 4.8 ypc average up the middle.

Vasher1:

I think he is one of the most overrated players we have. He's not a great blocker and most of the fumbled snaps are because of him.

But, he's not going anywhere. Get use to Kreutz.

Garza sucks by the way, I notice he and Olin repeatedly run upfield to block as a missed block brings down the ball carrier.

Zombie:

| BearBones |:

Zombie:

I don't think there is any question that Olin's talent level has dropped. He's simply not as strong as he use to be, doesn't get as good push and doesn't do near as well in space as he use to.  However, there is a lot more to playing Center in the NFL.  A lot of the important part is the intangibles. And not just leadership for the team, but being the QB of the offensive line.  Being able to recognize the defense and call out the right protection scheme.  Having someone with so much experience is very helpful and often goes unappreciated until they are gone and you have guys standing around pointing at each other when someone can't pick up a stunt.

Our entire interior line actually does a real good job of keeping the pocket formed and most of the pressure and sacks this year has been from DE's and blitzers coming in off the edges. We've allowed only 3.5 sacks from DT's this year and very few blitzers up the middle.  That's allowing zero to the Williams wall in 2 games, none to Haynesworth.  In comparison, St.Clair alone has given up 4.5 sacks just to Jared Allen in 2 games. And in the running game, Forte's best YPC stat comes up the middle. He's averaging 4.8ypc up the middle.

I think some of this has to be attributed to Olin Kreutz calling the right protection and at least doing his job in his blocking assignments on most occassions.  So even though he's not as good in space and not just trucking NT"s, he might bring more to the table than what you can see as a fan.

That YPC stat is skewed.

A lot of Forte's longer runs come from the draw plays when St. Clair and Tait come from outside in and make key interior blocks to spring Forte. (check the highlight run for Forte on the Indy run, Atlanta run, and the Sl Louis run)

Against Indy, he cut blocks who I think is Raheem Brock the NT.
Against ATL, he's got the DT lined up wide edge of B gap and has to get a piece of him to keep him out of the backfield. 

Against STL, him and Garza just walled off the inside, so it was actually credited as a B gap run outside of of RG Garza. It was nothing special on Olin's part and indeed that 47 yard run is credited as being run to the right side and not part of his 4.8 ypc average up the middle.

Perfect example of may point: Video 

Who pulled and lead the play, versus where would this run be credited?

---

Players we needed to draft in 08' to have a dynasty:

- Chris Williams - LT Vanderbilt: Check!

- Matt Forte - RB Tulane: check!

- Earl Bennett - WR Vanderbilt: Check!
--------
Dynasty! Babe!.

Kreutz is one of the most overrated players in Bears history. No way is a HOF player, the guy was in serious decline before he even hit his thirties. Now, he's just bad.

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Conference of One: The USC Trojans were well represented on the first day of the 2008 NFL Draft, with seven overall selections in the first 2 rounds. In comparison, the twelve teams from the SEC combined had just eight players drafted on day 1.