Big Blue dominates again, KO’s Cutler
EAST RUTHERFORD – There are some games when a team and a particular player are just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Enter the Chicago Bears offensive line and Jay Cutler.
The New Meadowlands Stadium was not the right place to be for them on Sunday night against the Giants defensive line that seemed to be coming in waves on every play.
With numerous legends that put on the blue uniform that played to the highest of levels for the franchise, its current edition would pay tribute to its trademark past.
“We need to have a Ring of Honor ceremony every week,” said Justin Tuck.
From the beginning of the game until the end, every Chicago quarterback dropping back to pass for found themselves under siege, unable to escape the onslaught.
As a result, Cutler had nowhere to go but down, time and time again.
The Giants sacked Cutler an NFL record nine times in the first half out of the Bears 27 offensive plays, an average of once every three plays.
“We were just in position tonight to rush the passer,” Umenyiora said. “We were able to rush the passer hard tonight. Sacks like that – sometimes they come in bunches.”
Chicago utilized five and seven step drops as a means to attempt to throw the ball downfield under Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz. This allowed the defensive line to focus on nothing more than going after the quarterback and with the secondary playing great in pass coverage Cutler had little place to go with the ball.
“They played very, very well,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin about the defense. “I know that it was very difficult for Chicago to get a first down (six) and we really did well against them on third down (0-for-13).”
The result was Cutler continuously finding himself on his back.
It took three plays into Chicago’s first drive for Osi Umenyiora to put him down for the first sack. Chris Canty would get the second on their next possession.
This was only the beginning of what was to come.
“That is the way we are capable of playing,” said Umenyiora.
Despite the improvement in the Giants defense under Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell, the continued issue was the lack of consistent pass rush from a defensive line that is large on bodies, talent and paychecks and short on performance. Their inability to generate pressure from their four-man line has had a trickledown effect not allowing the linebackers or the secondary to make plays.
Sunday night was a different story.
In the second quarter, it was an incredible display. The Bears would run 16 plays and the Giants would amass a record seven sacks and forcing three fumbles utilizing very few blitzes.
“We were jelling tonight,” said defensive back Terrell Thomas. “Our d-line wouldn’t let him throw the ball, and they did a great job of attacking the quarterback.”
This was as perfect of a defensive performance you could get. It brought back memories of their 12-sack performance on Donovan McNabb back in 2007 and then in the Super Bowl against Tom Brady and the Patriots.
For the most part, that rush has been missing in action since the middle of 2008. With the help of the atrocious Bears offensive line, the Giants enjoyed a blast from their past.
Every quarterback has an internal clock on when to get rid of the ball. Once that clock expires, he has three options: throw the ball away, check down for minimal yardage, or end up on the ground.
While several of the sacks came from the relentless pressure (Umenyiora and Tuck each had three sacks), there were several in which Cutler could have gotten rid of the ball and live to see another play.
Instead, Cutler waited for a receiver to get open. Problem was there was no one open. The result was the quarterback on his back.
It was a great team defensive effort.
“Our d-line did a great job,” said Thomas. “We were in a great position as a secondary, and were allowed to make great plays.”
The clock officially struck midnight late in the first half when Aaron Ross came on a blitz from his blindside and violently drove him down with his head bouncing off the ground.
It was a fitting way to end a half that saw them limit Chicago to only two first downs, 22 total yards of which due to sacks saw the passing yards at -13.
As Chicago came out on offense to begin the third quarter, backup Todd Collins entered the game as Cutler reportedly was diagnosed with a concussion.
Of course, there is a good chance had he stayed in the game, the results would have been worse.
In fact, it did get worse. With the game now out of reach late in the fourth, Michael Boley came from the front side to drill Collins, knocking him out of the game as well.
Ten sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, limiting the Bears to 0-for-13 on third down and 110 total yards.
“Tonight was perfect,” said safety Deon Grant, who had an interception and fumble recovery. “We’ll take 10 sacks any night.”
Giants fans have been waiting nearly two years for this effort. While the rest of the game was ugly until late in the third quarter, they can take solace in how the defense played and hope for more in the future.
Cutler would attest to that.
EAST RUTHERFORD – There are some games when a team and a particular player are just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Enter the Chicago Bears offensive line and Jay Cutler.
The New Meadowlands Stadium was not the right place to be for them on Sunday night against the Giants defensive line that seemed to be coming in waves on every play.
With numerous legends that put on the blue uniform that played to the highest of levels for the franchise, its current edition would pay tribute to its trademark past.
“We need to have a Ring of Honor ceremony every week,” said Justin Tuck.
From the beginning of the game until the end, every Chicago quarterback dropping back to pass for found themselves under siege, unable to escape the onslaught.
As a result, Cutler had nowhere to go but down, time and time again.
The Giants sacked Cutler an NFL record nine times in the first half out of the Bears 27 offensive plays, an average of once every three plays.
“We were just in position tonight to rush the passer,” Umenyiora said. “We were able to rush the passer hard tonight. Sacks like that – sometimes they come in bunches.”
Chicago utilized five and seven step drops as a means to attempt to throw the ball downfield under Offensive Coordinator Mike Martz. This allowed the defensive line to focus on nothing more than going after the quarterback and with the secondary playing great in pass coverage Cutler had little place to go with the ball.
“They played very, very well,” said Head Coach Tom Coughlin about the defense. “I know that it was very difficult for Chicago to get a first down (six) and we really did well against them on third down (0-for-13).”
The result was Cutler continuously finding himself on his back.
It took three plays into Chicago’s first drive for Osi Umenyiora to put him down for the first sack. Chris Canty would get the second on their next possession.
This was only the beginning of what was to come.
“That is the way we are capable of playing,” said Umenyiora.
Despite the improvement in the Giants defense under Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell, the continued issue was the lack of consistent pass rush from a defensive line that is large on bodies, talent and paychecks and short on performance. Their inability to generate pressure from their four-man line has had a trickledown effect not allowing the linebackers or the secondary to make plays.
Sunday night was a different story.
In the second quarter, it was an incredible display. The Bears would run 16 plays and the Giants would amass a record seven sacks and forcing three fumbles utilizing very few blitzes.
“We were jelling tonight,” said defensive back Terrell Thomas. “Our d-line wouldn’t let him throw the ball, and they did a great job of attacking the quarterback.”
This was as perfect of a defensive performance you could get. It brought back memories of their 12-sack performance on Donovan McNabb back in 2007 and then in the Super Bowl against Tom Brady and the Patriots.
For the most part, that rush has been missing in action since the middle of 2008. With the help of the atrocious Bears offensive line, the Giants enjoyed a blast from their past.
Every quarterback has an internal clock on when to get rid of the ball. Once that clock expires, he has three options: throw the ball away, check down for minimal yardage, or end up on the ground.
While several of the sacks came from the relentless pressure (Umenyiora and Tuck each had three sacks), there were several in which Cutler could have gotten rid of the ball and live to see another play.
Instead, Cutler waited for a receiver to get open. Problem was there was no one open. The result was the quarterback on his back.
It was a great team defensive effort.
“Our d-line did a great job,” said Thomas. “We were in a great position as a secondary, and were allowed to make great plays.”
The clock officially struck midnight late in the first half when Aaron Ross came on a blitz from his blindside and violently drove him down with his head bouncing off the ground.
It was a fitting way to end a half that saw them limit Chicago to only two first downs, 22 total yards of which due to sacks saw the passing yards at -13.
As Chicago came out on offense to begin the third quarter, backup Todd Collins entered the game as Cutler reportedly was diagnosed with a concussion.
Of course, there is a good chance had he stayed in the game, the results would have been worse.
In fact, it did get worse. With the game now out of reach late in the fourth, Michael Boley came from the front side to drill Collins, knocking him out of the game as well.
Ten sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, limiting the Bears to 0-for-13 on third down and 110 total yards.
“Tonight was perfect,” said safety Deon Grant, who had an interception and fumble recovery. “We’ll take 10 sacks any night.”
Giants fans have been waiting nearly two years for this effort. While the rest of the game was ugly until late in the third quarter, they can take solace in how the defense played and hope for more in the future.
Cutler would attest to that.
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