Blogging with the Enemy…My Turn to Be Questioned by a Panthers Blogger
I want to thank Slate Schwertner from Cat Crave for doing this week’s Q & A on the Carolina Panthers. You can hit this boy up on Twitter atCatCraveSlate. Yesterday you saw my questions to him, so here’s his questions to me…enjoy
Slate: Lovie Smith has proved to be an effective coach in the past, but do you truly believe he is the coach to lead the Bears to a SuperBowl win in the future?
CBJ: I go back and forth on this one. I think he’s a good coach but makes some poor decisions. But his players love him and play hard for him. You’ll never hear one of his players say anything bad about Smith. Your former warrior Julius Peppers sited Smith as his reason for choosing the Bears. I think his issues have more to do with the front office than anything. If you don’t have the talent, it is hard to lead a team to the Super Bowl. That is Smith’s biggest limitation.
Slate: Cutler has the chance to be a great QB in the NFL. Do you agree with what he said about not being able to do well without protection? If he had great protection would the Bears be better, or would he have a ridiculous amount of picks again? What do the Bears need to do to offer more protection?
CBJ: Cutler is a talented quarterback. But sometimes he holds onto the football too long and makes poor throws. The Chicago Bears have trouble protecting Cutler because of their offensive line and tight ends being poor blockers (that’s why Greg Olsen is a Panther). With the right pieces in place, Cutler would be a top quarterback. But with this team, he’s lucky to be alive after the game. It’s amazing that the Bears won as many games as they did last season considering how poor the offensive players are around Cutler minus Matt Forte.
Slate: How do you feel about the Panthers? Do you think they are another easy win, or will they present a tough home game?
CBJ: I’ve always liked Cam Newton and Steve Smith. I am really pulling for Ron Rivera. I cannot stand Greg Olsen. I think the Panthers have some talent, but I am not quite sure if they are going to have too much of a chance on Sunday. If the Chicago Bears hope to get back on track, it has to be done this Sunday. I think this will be the best defense the Panthers have seen all year and it will be very difficult for them to steal one in Chicago.
Slate: Who is the hidden talent on the Bears squad?
CBJ: Corey Graham is the best special teams player in football. I also really like Tim Jennings (cornerback). Henry Melton at defensive tackle has turned some heads as well. Offensively, he cannot block very well but Kellen Davis (tight end) may see the ball more this week.
Slate: What’s will be key for the Bears to walk away from this game 2-2?
CBJ: Establish some sort of running game, take care of the football, cause turnovers and win the field position battle.
Slate: Game Prediciton?
CBJ: Bears 31 Panthers 10
Happy New Year to my fellow members of the tribe. Follow me on Twitter at ChicagoBearJew.
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