Chicago Bears fans are used to getting kicked in the gut at this point. Playing games close but ultimately losing became a regular thing last year. The team just hasn’t figured out how to close the. A big issue is their inability to execute properly in the closing minutes of the game. Most remember how last week ended. Mike Glennon got sacked on fourth down just yards away from the end zone. Most blamed right tackle Bobby Massie for the snafu. Former Bears Pro Bowler Olin Kreutz has since debunked that theory.
While it was Massie’s man, Brooks Reed, who dropped Glennon for the sack the reality is that situation was created by something the quarterback did before the snap. Kreutz broke it down in a series of tweets.
Great example of how a blocking scheme is always changing. Reed did not beat Massie ! pic.twitter.com/rcjt4ol0gj
— Olin kreutz (@olin_kreutz) September 15, 2017
Glennon identifies 45 as " Mike " which then slides the C and LG to Leno. He then "repoints" 42 as Mike.
— Olin kreutz (@olin_kreutz) September 15, 2017
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This slides the line to the right. Leaving Leno in the dreaded 1 on 1 in this situation. Leno misses his punch.
— Olin kreutz (@olin_kreutz) September 15, 2017
Based on the way Leno sets up his feet and turns his body it does look like he was expecting help from left guard Tom Compton. By switching the “Mike” linebacker to #42 at the last second, Glennon left him on an island against the Falcons pass rusher. Given the noise in that stadium at the time there’s good reason to think Leno might’ve missed final adjustment.
Can't tell if Leno got the repoint and was expecting help. He misses with his punch and gets pushed into Glennon.
— Olin kreutz (@olin_kreutz) September 15, 2017
This pushes Glennon back and out of the pocket where Massie expects him to be.
— Olin kreutz (@olin_kreutz) September 15, 2017
So much more goes into it. Yes Leno can't get pushed back there. Did he get the new "point"? Is anyone open ? https://t.co/TNe1VBDlJT
— Olin kreutz (@olin_kreutz) September 15, 2017
Olin Kreutz clarifies Glennon and Leno both had a hand in outcome
Kreutz didn’t go so far as to blame Glennon for the play, however he did hint that he should’ve left the protection adjustment with #45 as the “Mike” linebacker. This would slide the left guard to Leno and only leave center Cody Whitehair in a one-on-one situation. Whitehair is far more reliable in his protection than Leno is. Last year proved that much.
It’s a window into how critical the communication can be between the quarterback and his blockers. People always talk about the passing and audibles. One of the most underrated but vital parts of playing the QB position is understand how to adjust protections to keep a clean pocket. That’s one of the reasons guys like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees have lasted so long.
It’s something even after several years that Glennon hasn’t mastered and that Mitch Trubisky must if he wants to be great.
