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Cowboys' offense poses numerous threats for Bears' defense
By Bob LeGere | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 9/21/2007 12:41 AM
The Bears' defense has contended with some of the NFL's most talented individuals in the first two weeks of the season, but Sunday night's prime showdown with the Cowboys at Soldier Field is a huge step up in class.
Dallas comes to town with a talented offensive team -- No. 1 in the NFL in points and average gain per pass play and No. 5 in rushing yards. And, while the Cowboys may be overpublicized (as they usually are), they're not overrated, according to Bears strong-side linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer.
"It's kind of like Notre Dame in (college) football," Hillenmeyer said. "If they do anything good, everybody's going to be on their side because they've been one of America's favorite teams over the years. But we're watching the film, and I don't think they're overrated.
"They've put up 41 points a game, and they've deserved every one of them. They're making great plays at a lot of different positions. They've got two great running backs. It's not where the scores overestimate how good they are. These guys are out there making plays."
Wide receiver Terrell Owens already has scored three times on 8 receptions for 184 yards, a 23.0-yard average. Tight end Jason Witten has 143 yards on 8 catches (17.9-yard average).
Julius Jones, younger brother of former Bears running back Thomas Jones, rushed for 1,084 yards last season. But he has been overshadowed by the guy he shares time with, Marion Barber, who's averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
Quarterback Tony Romo made the Pro Bowl last season, and his passer rating of 119.3 this season is second only to New England's Tom Brady.
So, even though the Cowboys will be without speedy wideout Terry Glenn (knee), who even at 33 is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, they have plenty of weapons besides Owens.
"It's not just about T.O.," cornerback Charles Tillman said, "because you've got Witten, you have (Patrick) Crayton and then you have (Sam) Hurd (from NIU). Those guys are good. They complement him well. You can't just focus on T.O. because it's those other guys who will beat you."
Romo is extremely mobile in the pocket and capable of buying time for his receivers by evading pass rushers. But he isn't much of a threat to run (he has averaged just 2.8 yards on 36 attempts in the NFL), especially against the Bears, according to middle linebacker Brian Urlacher.
"We can run also," Urlacher said. "We've got 11 guys on defense who can pretty much run with anyone in this league, especially a quarterback. We've got a lot of guys who are pretty athletic, take good angles and get to the football. We swarm. We get the second and third guys in with those big hits."
Urlacher and weak-side linebacker Lance Briggs each had 1 sack last week, but their responsibilities in run defense and pass coverage might preclude them from getting after Romo.
"I think we -- the front four -- have to get to the quarterback because the linebackers will be busy, and the cornerbacks will be busy with the receivers and the running backs and the tight ends," defensive end Adewale Ogunleye said. "We've got to find a way to get to Romo and rattle him without much help."
Statistically, the Bears' defense should be capable of trading blows with any offense in the league. Defensive coordinator Bob Babich's group is No. 1 in average gain allowed per running play, tied for fourth in points and fifth in total yards allowed.
"It's a bigger challenge (than the first two weeks), I know that," Urlacher said. "They're supposed to be the best team in the league offensively right now, so it's a challenge for us to see where we're at on defense."
The Bears' defense believes it's the best in the NFL, and Sunday night they'll have a chance to prove it on national TV.
By Bob LeGere | Daily Herald Staff
Published: 9/21/2007 12:41 AM
The Bears' defense has contended with some of the NFL's most talented individuals in the first two weeks of the season, but Sunday night's prime showdown with the Cowboys at Soldier Field is a huge step up in class.
Dallas comes to town with a talented offensive team -- No. 1 in the NFL in points and average gain per pass play and No. 5 in rushing yards. And, while the Cowboys may be overpublicized (as they usually are), they're not overrated, according to Bears strong-side linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer.
"It's kind of like Notre Dame in (college) football," Hillenmeyer said. "If they do anything good, everybody's going to be on their side because they've been one of America's favorite teams over the years. But we're watching the film, and I don't think they're overrated.
"They've put up 41 points a game, and they've deserved every one of them. They're making great plays at a lot of different positions. They've got two great running backs. It's not where the scores overestimate how good they are. These guys are out there making plays."
Wide receiver Terrell Owens already has scored three times on 8 receptions for 184 yards, a 23.0-yard average. Tight end Jason Witten has 143 yards on 8 catches (17.9-yard average).
Julius Jones, younger brother of former Bears running back Thomas Jones, rushed for 1,084 yards last season. But he has been overshadowed by the guy he shares time with, Marion Barber, who's averaging 6.2 yards per carry.
Quarterback Tony Romo made the Pro Bowl last season, and his passer rating of 119.3 this season is second only to New England's Tom Brady.
So, even though the Cowboys will be without speedy wideout Terry Glenn (knee), who even at 33 is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, they have plenty of weapons besides Owens.
"It's not just about T.O.," cornerback Charles Tillman said, "because you've got Witten, you have (Patrick) Crayton and then you have (Sam) Hurd (from NIU). Those guys are good. They complement him well. You can't just focus on T.O. because it's those other guys who will beat you."
Romo is extremely mobile in the pocket and capable of buying time for his receivers by evading pass rushers. But he isn't much of a threat to run (he has averaged just 2.8 yards on 36 attempts in the NFL), especially against the Bears, according to middle linebacker Brian Urlacher.
"We can run also," Urlacher said. "We've got 11 guys on defense who can pretty much run with anyone in this league, especially a quarterback. We've got a lot of guys who are pretty athletic, take good angles and get to the football. We swarm. We get the second and third guys in with those big hits."
Urlacher and weak-side linebacker Lance Briggs each had 1 sack last week, but their responsibilities in run defense and pass coverage might preclude them from getting after Romo.
"I think we -- the front four -- have to get to the quarterback because the linebackers will be busy, and the cornerbacks will be busy with the receivers and the running backs and the tight ends," defensive end Adewale Ogunleye said. "We've got to find a way to get to Romo and rattle him without much help."
Statistically, the Bears' defense should be capable of trading blows with any offense in the league. Defensive coordinator Bob Babich's group is No. 1 in average gain allowed per running play, tied for fourth in points and fifth in total yards allowed.
"It's a bigger challenge (than the first two weeks), I know that," Urlacher said. "They're supposed to be the best team in the league offensively right now, so it's a challenge for us to see where we're at on defense."
The Bears' defense believes it's the best in the NFL, and Sunday night they'll have a chance to prove it on national TV.
