Chicago Bears: 3 Offensive Keys to Making the Playoffs
By Kyle Brutman
Dec 22, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Chicago Bears guard Eben Britton (62) and offensive tackle Jordan Mills (67) look to block during the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Bears 54-11. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
1. Health in the Trenches
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The amount of sacks the Bears gave up in 2014 was atrocious. After allowing the fourth-lowest amount of sacks in 2013, Chicago surrendered 41 sacks last year, landing them in the middle of the NFL in the category.
The main reason for the increase was injuries on the line. Every starter missed a game during the season, and the team came out with nine different starting offensive units during the season.
Talent alone can’t win a battle in the trenches. There needs to be consistency in the personnel that make up the unit almost all of the time, because that’s the only way to create chemistry.
The offensive line is the most important part of the offense; it is the roots of the entire system. Everything stems from offensive line play, and if everybody is not on the same page because the same lineup is only used less than half of time, then that’s a problem.
Obviously, you can’t prevent injuries. But there are ways to help reduce the risk, whether it be a different approach to strength and conditioning or a less frequent amount of workload during practice.
But for the sake of Jay Cutler and the rest of the offense, there needs to be far less injuries on the offensive line in 2015.
Next: Play Distribution