College Football vs NFL

In the US, football rules.  Ratings wise nothing comes close.  Football is not just a sport, it's a way of life.  Non-blood related fans come together as one big family to celebrate the fall season.  

More and more football games in local communities whether it be local high school games or colleges have become family events and activities for all to enjoy.  I am raising two daughters of which are 10 and 7 years of age.  Our favorite time together is to go our local High School, Mountain View HS in Virginia and watch our beloved Wildcats play underneath the Friday night lights. 

There's a purity in HS and college football and passion that goes far beyond pro sports.  We witnessed one of the greatest scenes in Mississippi when Ole Miss defeated Alabama.  Oxford, MS was on the main stage.  The tailgating scene was absolutely impressive underneath the oak trees known as "The Grove" 

This was not just a college football game.  It was pride, pride for their school, pride for the State of Mississippi. 

Years later you'll most likely not remember who made the game winning catch, or remember QB Bo Wallace led Ole Miss to victory, but people will remember the school Ole Miss.. They.. They meaning everyone there beat Alabama. 

So what does this mean for NFL?  The NFL is a jugernaut.  A corporation that is rules driven, image conscience, and players all driven to "protect the shield".

In my opinion, I would not want to spend my hard earned money to go an overpriced ball game to where drinks are $30 for the family, food is another $30 and tickets run in the hundreds. 

There's a price point of entertainment that does get excessive.  NFL I believe has reached that, at a premium level.  The in-home experience far exceeds the at the stadium experience. 

In the college ranks it's not only about the "game" it's the whole weekend.  Until the NFL gathers the purity of the game, the community togetherness like local HS and college football and the lack of corporate "protecting the shield" mentality, my guess would be families will flock to HS level and college level games and NFL will start to regress. 

Bears mirror image of last year

Technology today certainly makes the NFL game experience a lot more fun and interactive. If you are a Bears fan and on Twitter, a must do is watch your Twitter feed while watching the game..Bears fans comments are hilarious yet are passionate expressions of what you are thinking but won't say out loud because your kids are in the house.

Ever heard of a broken record?  That is what the Chicago Bears have been so far.  A mirror image of last year. Poor defense, turnovers and poor special teams. The definintion of insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result. 

Bears Phil Emery brings in very impressive talent to anchor our D-Line. Additions of Lamarr Houston, Willie Young, Jason Ratliff, and Jared Allen would help bring pressure on QB's. 

Overall def ranking is 22nd and total offense is 17th. Mediocre at best. 

What stats will not tell you is momentum killing plays.  It may seem like just a missed FG on the stat sheet, but Sure-Footed Robbie Gould missed a 35 yd FG, right before the half which Carolina quickly turned into a last min end of half TD. 

Seems like this year has been plagued by momentum and rhythm killer plays.  There is no good time for turnovers, but it's turning the ball over in the opponents territory and having it returned deep into Chicago's zone has put huge pressure on the already shaky Mel Tucker schemed defense. 

Injuries as well has bitten the Chicago Bears once again.  Matt Slauson, Roberto Garza, Jermod Bushrod, Jason Ratliff, Shea McClellin, Peanut Tillman, Chris Conte, and Ryan Mundy are some of the anchors of the team have suffered injuries. 

Zip up the seam.  Big plays on 3rd down have killed the Bears.  Green Bay and Carolina have exposed the sub par LB core of the Bears.  Pass catching TE's have shredded the middle of the defense. I can't count how many times the defense has given up more than 15 ydd via TE right down the seam.  Aging Lance Briggs and DJ Williams cannot cover one on one these quick basketball like power forwards. Once you move up a safety to help then you risk over the top receptions by quick WR like Cobb and Nelson.

What to do?  It all starts in the trench.  Mel Tucker needs to quit playing a bend and don't break defense and start to release Hell and Fury on these QB's.  Jennings and Fuller are All-Star CB's. Use them.. Trust them.  4-3 scheme not working.. 3-4 with A gap blitzes need to be the norm not the exception. The NFC North is not the black and blue division it once was. It's turned into a West Coast offensive division.. How do you tackle a finesse style offense?  You punch them in the mouth. Bring the heat and rattle the QB's cage. Time for the Bears to get back to the black and blue.  Run the ball, bring some heat and maintain and not kill momentum.