Observations of the Bucs/Bears Tearjerker 10/23/11

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES!!!

Yeah, the offense should move the ball in the first half. Yeah, Freeman should hit WRs more than 5 yards downfield. I actually think the D-line has done a GREAT job, even if they aren’t tearing up the league in sacks. Cutler always had someone in his face unless he hit a quick pass. And yes, the secondary could do better. I think Biggers has done pretty well. Talib is ok, but compared to the expectations of Talib he sucks. Barber is still making plays in the pass game, in run support and in pass rush… I can’t complain about him.

What’s wrong is missed opportunities. Let’s look at just the most recent game. We just get a HUGE play by Tanard on the INT that puts us in scoring position. Momentum is on our side. What happens? Mike Williams has a pass hit him in the chest. Yep, right through his hands, into his chest, he bobbles it for a second and it’s eventually picked off. Missed opportunity. We should have had 7 points, not 2.

Later in the game… Ronde makes a perfect read on a slant pass and can’t pull off the INT. I think he saw too much green between himself and the endzone because if he makes that catch it’s a Pick 6. Instead, the Bears drive and score. Missed opportunity.

Before Talib makes his stupid penalty at the end of the game… we get good pressure on Cutler (who’s throwing the ball instead of running out the clock, but I’m not gonna argue with that). Corey Lynch has position and should make the INT. If he does, Talib never has the penalty, the Bears never kick the FG, we’re only down 3 with over 4 minutes left. Missed opportunity.

We’ve seen this all year long. DBs dropping INTs that are in their hands. DL getting penetration and having a bead on the RB 4 yards deep in the backfield, but not making the tackle, letting him cut back or cut outside and a big play follows. Freeman actually throwing an accurate pass and the WR dropping it… or the WR getting open and Freeman can’t get the ball to him (over-throw, under-throw, out of bounds throw, etc.)

Missed opportunities.

I don’t know how much of that can be coached up, or how much of that is just luck/skill/talent/whatever. But if we actually start taking advantage of the opportunities we’re getting in the games we have, the games won’t be close. We’ll be winning handily.

Just look at the Saints game. Blown coverage AND Freeman hits his target. Big play to Benn. And the Bears game… great move by Briscoe, Freeman hits him on time, TD.

Make more opportunities than we miss and we’ll be jumping up and down, screaming and hollering all the way to the playoffs.