Bears won't de-emphasize run game

Vintage · Oct 7, 2008

Bears won't de-emphasize running game

Running game still bread and butter

<dl class="byline">By Vaughn McClure |Tribune staff reporter<dd> October 6, 2008</dd></dl> Even Lovie Smith had to laugh at the suggestion that his Bears now come off the bus balanced instead of just running.

"No, we'll get off the bus still running the football," Smith said Monday. "But what we would like is to pass it a little bit too."

In Sunday's win over Detroit, the Bears scored 34 points, ran the ball 34 times and attempted 34 passes. It was the third straight game Kyle Orton had attempted 34 passes.

In Sunday's matchup at Atlanta (3-2), the Bears (3-2) will face a Falcons team that ranks in the bottom 10 in total defense. Atlanta gives up 347.4 yards per game, meaning the Bears could have success attacking either way.

"Since we're a running team, and we don't keep that a secret, we know that teams will have to come in thinking they have to stop that, which has made us throw the football a little bit more," Smith said.


"You want to be balanced. You can't just win games by only running the football. You have to have a balance with the pass, and we've had that."

Just for kicks: On paper, Brad Maynard's 29-yard net on five punts against the Lions didn't look so appealing. But Maynard actually had a remarkable day, considering four of his punts were from inside Lions territory and another was from midfield.

His first punt would have been downed at the Detroit 1-yard line had Danieal Manning kept his foot out of the end zone. And Maynard made the Lions start two possessions at their own 10.

"Brad Maynard kicked the ball, again, well, like he has for quite a while," Smith said. "It seems like each week he's doing that now."

Extra points: Three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Tommie Harris returned from his one-game suspension and is expected to play against Atlanta. … Smith said linebacker Nick Roach's left shoulder injury doesn't appear to be serious. Roach said he felt the shoulder pop after making a tackle Sunday. … After the coaches reviewed the film, cornerback Corey Graham, starting in place of the injured Nathan Vasher, led the team in tackles with 10, five solos. … The Bears terminated the contract of Tyler Reed, a guard on the team's practice squad.
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/chi-081006-chicago-bears-running-game,0,793684.story

Vintage · Oct 7, 2008

I suppose this is a little from the "well, duh" files...

But it bears a point. The coaching staff will stick to the run, because Orton is the QB... and your WRs are Booker, Lloyd, and Hester.

Bears defense is back to being opportunistic again. Combine that with a solid running game, and they are back in the mix of fighting for the division title.

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Bears won't de-emphasize run game

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