Chicago Bears vs. Buccaneers Talking Smack with The Pewter Plank
By Mike Praser
Oct 5, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) reacts after an interception during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Bears 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Cutler needs to stop turning the ball over. Once he does that, I think that the offense will be able to perform at its optimal level. Just keep giving Matt Forte the ball when other teams cover downfield. It works. As for the defense, I don’t know what they can do. They are going to need to decide to do something because what they are currently doing is not working. They brought in Mel Tucker to essentially run Lovie Smith’s defense. That would have worked just fine last year, but the injuries kept piling up and there was no depth on the defensive line. The Bears signed and drafted a whole bunch of defensive lineman to try and fix that area, yet there are gaping holes still at the safety and linebacker position. When Brian Urlacher “retired” the Bears defense started to fall apart. They need to rebuild, and they need to do it fast. Why do you think that the Bucs are 2-8 this year after the hype machine kept predicting that they would win the NFC South?
"I was part of the hype machine. But doesn’t that come with the territory of being a fan of the team? Look, I hate to dip into this well, but I’m going to say injuries, coupled with a learning curve for pretty much all parties. They have been without Mike Jenkins, who may have been their best cornerback, for most of the season. The defensive line and linebacker corps have had their share of injuries. Then there was McCown’s thumb injury. Doug Martin is working his way back. The list goes on and on. Also, with the coaching change came the much talked about Tampa 2 scheme which has taken the defense longer than usual to master. That’s where the learning curve comes in. Mike Evans has come on strong lately but he needed to grow into the player he is right now. Oh, and then there’s the offensive line. In a nutshell, it’s absolutely terrible and that’s putting it lightly. But enough of the negativity, what player on the Bucs’ roster impresses you the most/wish you had on your team?"
I wish we had Josh McCown back on the Bears. He thrived in Marc Trestman’s west coast offense and I am sure he would have made less mistakes than Jay Cutler has this year. Jay also would have had a proven started sitting behind him which I think would have made him fear for his starting job just a little bit. Yeah right. Jay Cutler just got paid. But I do think that Josh McCown is a great player to have in the locker room.
So what do you think about Sundays matchup?
"As much as I would like to see the Buccaneers lose and work their way towards a high pick in next year’s NFL Draft, I believe the Bucs want to win this game for Lovie. Josh McCown should know what to expect from the Bears’ porous defense and attack it accordingly. For all the turnover struggles of Jay Cutler, Tampa’s defense should allow him the opportunity to put up solid numbers from a fantasy standpoint. However, all that being said, the Buccan-ears — see what I did there? — with McCown, Smith, Major Wright, Isaiah Frey, C.J. Wilson (am I missing anyone else?) will come out on top. Bucs 27 – Bears 20"
The Bears are going to find a way to lose this game at home on Sunday. Lovie Smith is going to have his guys all sit back in their comfy zones and just wait for Jay Cutler to make a mistake. That bend and don’t break defense is all too familiar here in Chicago. The only thing is ever since Lovie left, we have a bend and break type of defense. Josh McCown will play mistake free football and the Bucs are going to squeeze out a victory so that Lovie Smith can have is revenge. His revenge for sitting at home last year getting paid three millions dollars. I think that Lovie should be sending the Bears a gift basket.
Bucs 17 Bears 14
There you have it. We both think that the Bucs are going to come out on top. I want to thank Jose for taking the time out of his busy schedule to discuss the matchup. Can the Bears please win this one so I can start talking smack again? Please? Prove me wrong?