Kathee Meade, Bears Super Fan



Kenneth:

It goes like this. . . . . . . . First, allow me to give you a bit of my background. Perhaps then, you might understand.

I was brought up with 4 brothers (no sisters). All we ever did was play sports (and if I might add, we were all pretty darn good at it). My brother’s were teaching me the correct way to catch and hold a football since I was 2 year’s old, when they weren’t showing me how to kick a soccer ball, throw/hit a baseball or dribbling a basketball. In other words, sports are not a new thing for me. Now that I have 3 sons of my own, I am once again very involved in sports. I can, once again, determine (pretty much off the get-go) who has it and who doesn’t.

Throughout my growing-up years, I’ve not only seen all different kinds of ball players in the sports I have played, but went to every game that my brothers had and watched them and their teammates as they progressed year after year. When watching someone play any sport, it’s very easy for me to determine if they are “iffy” or if they are someone that can be counted on, playing with a fire that they themselves have lit under their own behind to impress anyone taking the time to watch. This applies with all ages, be it 10 year olds, high schoolers, college-age young adults or professionals. It’s the same across the board. When you see it, you know it. (Does Urlacher or Gould ring a bell?)

Believe me, I love it when Grossman is accurate, but every time that happens, I also breathe a sigh of relief. The same happens when he throws the ball and hits a defensive player’s back or feet (or throws the ball in a hole somewhere). It’s just one big, “WHEW!!!” Then I cross my fingers and hope for the best on his next play. Confidence in Grossman comes hard and infrequent for me. I don’t see that dominance. I don’t see that fire. I don’t see him making good decisions when things start to break down. I never see him scramble when blitzed, where he might run 5-10 yards. It doesn’t happen. When under pressure, he seems to panic. When a play breaks down, make with play work for you and get something positive out of it.

A question I have is, why doesn’t Grossman ever pump-fake one way, then throw the other? Or pump-fake one way, then lateral or handoff? How about pump-fake on a slant to the left and throw long on the right? I’m a huge believer in taking advantage of the opponent and faking them out. I, myself, have had a positive experience in sports, taking this approach and I try to instill it in my children, as well. They are noticing that it proves to be a wonderful tool. If you keep the other guys guessing, you’re making yourself unpredictable. Predictability can make the difference between winning and losing. The opponent never knows what you’re going to do, when you’re going to do it or which way you’re going to go.

A prime example of a successful fake is when Devin Hester took on an acting role in the Giants game after catching a short field goal. We all saw what happened there! It was awesome! My kids came running into the room, yelling, “Hey Mom! Did you see that fake? Half of the Giants’ team was walking off of the field with their heads down, not even realizing that the play was still alive!” I replied, “See, I told you! Good things come from unpredictability.”

A good quarterback can’t look directly at who he is going to throw to while waiting for the hike, when he is backing up after the hike or when he has to move out of the pocket. He is telling too much on himself. He needs to use his peripheral vision to keep his target in sight, yet without zeroing in until right before the throw. Now, this isn’t something that is done on every play – only every once in a while. Believe me; it keeps the other guys off-guard. I believe that one of the best attributes of an athlete is found upstairs where the mental game is going on. Of course, one has to have athletic ability first and foremost before the mental game comes into play, but add the two together and you have the makings of a great player.

I would love nothing more than to see the Bears go all the way. If they do, I’ll be cheering right along. I’m just not 100% confident that our QB’s leadership and athleticism will carry the Bears to that destination. Things can change, but I’ll tell you, I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed!

Sorry this was lengthy, but since you asked my opinion, I had to go the “Full Monty”!

Kathee Meade
Bears Super Fan