Behind Enemy Lines: An Interview with Bears Expert Jeff Hughes

Good morning and welcome to the regular season! After failing to corral the Saints and Panthers bloggers in the two weeks just past, I finally managed to track down a regular-season blogger to interview. Jeff Hughes of Da Bears Blog was kind enough to answer a few questions for me about the rapidly approaching Packers-Bears showdown on Sunday.

Andy Tisdel: The buzz in Chicago papers this week has been about Mike Martz calling ten thousand pass plays for every run, and getting Jay Cutler railroaded as a result. Who is to blame for Cutler's 52 pass plays and six sacks? And is that offensive imbalance likely to recur against the Packers? 

Jeff Hughes: First, there is zero chance of that kind of offensive imbalance against the Packers. It has been the focal point of the organization, media and fans this week and they simply would not survive losing in the same manner. Who is to blame? It's a combination of things. The Bears have a young offensive line that was put in terrible positions by the coaching staff, if you ask me. The sacks came, for the most part, when Gregg Williams brought more players than the Bears could block and the Bears did not adapt.

AT: The Bears have had a Packers-like avalanche of injuries, particularly at WR, safety and on the offensive line. How have the Bears, and their fans, reacted to the injuries to Earl Bennett, Gabe Carimi, Roy Williams et al? 

JH: Well they aren't serious injuries so I think the response has been measured. Williams is already back at practice. Major Wright will be a week or two. Bennett and Carimi are expected back in a month or so. We will see how the team responds over the next few weeks. Starting Frank Omiyale at right tackle is never a good idea.  

AT: What's your take on the contract demands of Matt Forte and Lance Briggs?

JH: I think Forte deserves a contract, of course, but not necessarily at top five running back money. I think Briggs needs to stop complaining about his contract every couple years. It's getting redundant. 

AT: In the Saints game, Forte had ten catches. No other Bear had more than three. Will Johnny Knox and Devin Hester be more involved versus the Packers?

JH: We hope so. There will be a lot of pressure on those guys to line up one-on-one with very good Packers corners and beat them off the ball. They really haven't shown the ability to beat premier corners. And with Hester it seems the Bears have more interest in getting him the ball behind the line of scrimmage than down field.

AT: How do you think the Bears can exploit the loss of Nick Collins in the Packers' secondary?

JH: We have speed in abundance at the wide receiver positions, specifically with Knox and Hester. If the Bears can block the Packers off the edge, I expect Jay Cutler to let a few fly to see if Charlie Peprah is ready.

AT: Finish this sentence (and then some). To beat the Packers on Sunday, the Bears need to...

JH: Block the blitz. If this team gives their quarterback time to make plays, he is poised to have a big season. But they can't afford to let him take a dozen hits a game. The Bears defense has had more success than any team in football against this Packers offense so I think the defense will put them in position to win. If they can block the blitz, they can score points and they'll need to score points.

AT: What will you be watching on Sunday? 

• Clay Matthews coming off the right side against Bears RT Frank Omiyale. Will the Bears slide protection help his way?
• The ability of Knox, Hester and Roy Williams to get off the line of scrimmage and get into their routes against terrific Packers corners.
• If the Bears front four, without blitzing help, can keep Aaron Rodgers under duress all game.
• Bears special teams.  They are due for a big play.

AT: What's your predicted final score?

JH: Bears 27, Packers 26. But if the Bears can't block the Packers, it could go drastically the other way. We just have to wait and see how the Bears coaches respond to last week's second half disaster.

For more Bears news and analysis, and to read more of Jeff's writing, check out DaBearsBlog.com.