John Fox On Not Going To Matt Forte At The 2-Yard Line: 'Didn't Dislike Any Play'
By Chris Emma--
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- A veteran football coach often carries countless regrets from games of the past. It's only natural in a sport where margins are so slim and decisions can prove to be catastrophic for the outcome.
Bears coach John Fox has been in the coaching profession for more than three decades, so there are plenty of decisions he'd surely like to have back. But any coach will try not to overthink such mistakes. After all, the benefit of hindsight can't be included in calling plays.
In Sunday's 31-23 loss to the Packers, the Bears had first-and-goal at the 6-yard line with four chances to cut into an eight-point deficit with about eight minutes remaining. Chicago running back Matt Forte had more than 100 rushing yards at the time. On first down, quarterback Jay Cutler threw a pass in the flat to Forte for a four-yard gain. On the ensuing three plays from the 2-yard line, Cutler threw incompletions for a turnover on downs, as Forte didn't touch the ball once in the run game.
It led to some questions. So how does Fox reflect on this sequence?
"It is easier right after the play or after the series to make calls," Fox said on Monday, reflecting on his first game as Bears coach. "Really, at the end of the day, it's about executing. Whether you're running the ball or passing the ball, you got 11 guys that need to do their job. That's what we refer to as execution."
A touchdown from the Bears would've dramatically changed the game and given them a chance to tie with a two-point conversion. Chicago forced Green Bay into three-and-out immediately after but couldn't cash in next time down, with Cutler throwing an interception to Clay Matthews. A big opportunity went away with nothing to show.
The Bears' offense posted 402 yards as a whole but went just 1-for-3 in converting touchdowns in the red zone. Its chance with four goal-to-go plays became an important question mark from the loss, namely in how Forte didn't get a rushing attempt.
Looking back, Fox doesn't count the decision as a regret. Instead, he pointed to how the offense couldn't pull out a touchdown.
"I didn't dislike any play," Fox said. "I didn't disike what we were in, what we tried to do, we just didn't do it well enough."
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