Thursday Night Football: New York Giants vs Chicago Bears

8:25 PM ET, October 10, 2013

Soldier Field, Chicago, IL

58^°Low

Partly Cloudy

Chance of rain: 0%

Wind: SSE at 5 mph

Humidity: 80%

 

 

 

 

Match Up to Watch:

 

Giants experience defensive line vs Bears young offensive line:

 

The Bears looked like the same old Bears. Jay Cutler got sacked 3 times and knocked down 6 more times against the New Orleans Saints last week. Is it a one week thing or is it becoming more of a trend? Thursday night will prove as test even with the Giants having a poor season but they still have a defensive line that will cause problems. Chicago has lost 2 in a row, can they stop the skid or keep going down hill on primetime?

Players to Watch:

 

New York:

Tackle- Justin Pugh

Defensive Tackle- Johnathan Hankins

 

Chicago:

Guard- Kyle Long

Tackle- Jordan Mills

 

 

#72 Justin Pugh: 6’4 301, Syracuse1^st round 19^th pick, Position- Tackle

Strength:

+  Keeps a good solid base. Never is off balance.

+  Fantastic in goal line plays. Stays low and drives the defender back.

+  Good football IQ. Understands blitzes and when to switch.

+  In the early part of the season, he has played very well even when the offense has been so poor.

Needs Improvement:

–          Very weak at the second level. Unable to square up the linebacker.

–          Hands tend to slip outside the defender so could be called for holding.

–          Not very athletic and has trouble going out for screen passes.

#74 Johnathan Hankins: 6’2 320, Ohio State

2^nd round 49^th pick, Position- Defensive Tackle

Strength:                 

+  Causes trouble for the double team. Does not allow them to push him back.

+  Uses leverage really well and causes problems for the lineman.

+  Punches his man right into the chest and puts them on their heels.

Needs Improvement:

–          On the ground too much, Must pick up his knees.

–          Slow off the snap. Got to get lower on his stance to explode out.

–          Too high sometimes. Will get on his tippy toes and can’t create any push.

 

 

 

#75 Kyle Long: 6’6 313, Oregon1^st round 20^th pick, Position – Guard

Strength:     

+  Always keeps inside leverage as guard so no one can get an easy pass rush.

+  Great pulling guard and unloads on the linebacker at the second level.

+  Athletic and can get to linebackers really quick off the snap.

+  Always keeps asking questions. Keeps learning about the game every day. Never settles

+  With only 4 starts in college, he has played like a pro in his first 4 starts in the NFL.

Needs Improvement:

–          Gets too wide of a base and can’t move his feet when he does that.

–          Hand placement has to be better if he wants to improve.

–          He is in the way of the running back on screen plays. Must understand where he needs to be on that play.

–          Gets all turned around when the defensive line runs a stunt play.

#67 Jordan Mills: 6’5 316, Louisiana Tech

5^th round 163^rd pick, Position – Tackle

Strength:                 

+  Blocks off the inside move well. Keeps inside leverage against a pass rusher.

+  His pass blocking is the biggest strength.  That’s all he did in college.

+  He has impressed his coaching staff that he started the season at RT for the Bears

Needs Improvement:

–          His down blocking needs some work. Not been able to collapse the defense.

–          Football IQ is lacking and does not understand blitz pick up.

–          Has to learn how to reload his hips and don’t get driven back.

–          Struggles in turning his hips and pulling out to the 2^nd level.

 

Old NFL Rivalry: Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions

1:00 PM ET, September 29, 2013

Ford Field, Detroit, MI

 

 

Match up to Watch:

Right side of the Bears offensive line vs Lions defensive line:

The biggest surprise of the season, is the right side of the Bears offensive line. Chicago has two rookies playing guard and tackle, Kyle Long, Jordan Mills. Jay Cutler has only been sacked 3 times in the first 3 games. Now, we know its early in the season but compared to last year, this is a major improvement but they will have a challange this week. Going against Suh, Fairly and Ansah. Who will win the match up?

Players to Watch:

Detroit:

Defensive End- Ziggy Ansah

Cornerback- Darius Slay

 

Chicago:

Guard- Kyle Long

Tackle- Jordan Mills

 

 

 

#75 Kyle Long: 6’6 313, Oregon

1^st round 20^th pick, Position – Guard

Strength:     

+  Always keeps inside leverage as guard so no one can get an easy pass rush.

+  Great pulling guard and unloads on the linebacker at the second level.

+  Athletic and can get to linebackers really quick off the snap.

+  Always keeps asking questions. Keeps learning about the game every day. Never settles

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Gets too wide of a base and can’t move his feet when he does that.

–          Hand placement has to be better if he wants to improve.

–          He is in the way of the running back on screen plays. Must understand where he needs to be on that play.

–          Gets all turned around when the defensive line runs a stunt play.

 

 

#67 Jordan Mills: 6’5 316, Louisiana Tech

5^th round 163^rd pick, Position – Tackle

Strength:                 

+  Blocks off the inside move well. Keeps inside leverage against a pass rusher.

+  His pass blocking is the biggest strength.  That’s all he did in college.

+  He has impressed his coaching staff that he started the season at RT for the Bears

Needs Improvement:

–          His down blocking needs some work. Not been able to collapse the defense.

–          Football IQ is lacking and does not understand blitz pick up.

–          Has to learn how to reload his hips and don’t get driven back.

–          Struggles in turning his hips and pulling out to the 2^nd level.

 

 

 

 

#94 Ziggy Ansah: 6’5 271, BYU

1^st round 5^th pick, Position- Defensive End

Strength:                             

+  Explodes off the snap and puts the lineman on their heels.

+  Does not get pushed back and holds strong against the run.

+  Will get his hands in the passing lane if he doesn’t get pressure on the QB.

+  Just good football awareness.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Too much ball watching instead of playing his man.

–          Gets worn out late in the game. Has to be in better condition.

–          Needs to stay low throughout the play.

–          Must use his hands more if he wants to get off blocks

 

 

 

 

#30 Darius Slay: 6’0 192, Mississippi State

2^nd round 36^th pick, Position- Cornerback

Strength:                                         

+  Has elite speed so he can stay with any receiver either flanked or slot.

+  Takes on cut blocks very well. Stays upright.

+ Shadows the receiver really well. Able to match them step for step.

 

Needs Improvement:

–          Has to be more physical in cover 2.

–          Must shed his block better if he wants to help out in the run.

–          Flies open his hips which cause him to be in bad position.