Joniak's Journal: Bears Better Than Average At Protecting Their QB
By Jeff Joniak–
(CBS) The Bears (5-7) host the Redskins (5-7) on Sunday at noon at Soldier Field. Here are my observations heading into the game.
First impression
Despite so many lineup changes and starters in new positions up front, there's one impressive Bears pass protection stat that's worth noting.
The Bears have permitted their quarterbacks to be knocked down only 59 times in 12 games, according to Stats Inc., which is tied for eighth-best in the NFL. It's still five times a game, and 20 of those resulted in sacks. By comparison, the league average for quarterback hits allowed is 69, and the league-worst is Cleveland with 106. Cincinnati has permitted the fewest quarterback hits with 34.
Jay Cutler deserves a lot of credit as well, given his movement skills and ability to reset the pocket and create multiple throwing lanes.
Second thought
One of the Bears' five starting offensive linemen at present is Patrick Omameh, who will start his seventh consecutive game at right guard against the Redskins. He's been called for three holding penalties but has allowed only one sack in a spot that Kyle Long manned at a Pro Bowl level the last two years.
Omameh loves it here in Chicago.
"Oh yeah," he said. "Great teammates, great coaches, great organization; born and raised in the Midwest, you know. Don't mind the weather or anything, love the Midwest people. I've had no problem transitioning in."
Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by San Francisco, Omameh started all 16 games for Tampa Bay last season.
"I'd like to think adversity builds some character," he said. "I know how things work. I'd like to think I'm constantly finding ways to better myself as a player, mentally, physically. I feel like I am still on the rise. I just want to keep trending upward and really establish something for myself in this league."
I will have more about Omameh's journey to the NFL in Sunday's WBBM "Countdown to Kickoff" in the second hour of the Bears radio pregame show.
Third degree
Chicago linebacker Shea McClellin is having the most fun he's ever had playing in the NFL.
"That's 100 percent true," McClellin said. "The position I'm in now, I feel more comfortable than I have ever before. Just playing with these guys, and the team that we have, it's more fun, that's for sure."
What's resonating with McClellin and the rest of the defensive unit is the fact they are playing as one at critical moments in games. There are still mistakes, obviously, and the bears haven't been perfect, but the overall sense I get is that this group loves playing together. Many of these players have overcome some adversity in their careers or have been forced to reinvent themselves.
There are no apparent Pro Bowlers, but they are playing together.
"We play together, kind of like 'The Replacements' -- that movie, that's what I would refer to us as," McClellin said.
Everyone's hungry on that defense, and they play like it, despite lacking a lot of star quality.
Fourth-and-short
One area to watch that could determine the outcome of this matchup of 5-7 teams is their production and play success inside the 30-yard line, or the high red zone as it is often described.
The Bears have 11 touchdowns and three interceptions in that regard, throwing it with an 83.4 rating in the passing game, which ranks 29th in the league. It's an area coordinator Adam Gase discussed this week as needing to improve.
Washington's quarterback rating inside the 30-yard line is 110.0, which is second in the league, with 14 touchdowns and only one interception. In terms of scoring in this area, the Bears rank 25th with a 40.7 percent touchdown efficiency, while the Redskins are 28th at 38.8 percent.
The bottom line is the Redskins are moving the ball and threatening to score without great success, while the Bears are feeling the effects of a unit that has dealt with multiple injuries at the skill positions, resulting in a lack of continuity and consistency.
Jeff Joniak is the play-by-play announcer for the Bears broadcasts on WBBM Newsradio 780. Follow him on Twitter @JeffJoniak.