Olin Kreutz Clarifies Who Really Caused Game-Ending Sack in Week 1

Chicago Bears fans are used to getting kicked in the gut at this point. Playing games close but ultimately losing became a regular thing last year. The team just hasn't figured out how to close the. A big issue is their inability to execute properly in the closing minutes of the game. Most remember how last week ended. Mike Glennon got sacked on fourth down just yards away from the end zone. Most blamed right tackle Bobby Massie for the snafu. Former Bears Pro Bowler Olin Kreutz has since debunked that theory. While it was Massie's man, Brooks Reed, who dropped Glennon for the sack the reality is that situation was created by something the quarterback did before the snap. Kreutz broke it down in a series of tweets.

Based on the way Leno sets up his feet and turns his body it does look like he was expecting help from left guard Tom Compton. By switching the "Mike" linebacker to #42 at the last second, Glennon left him on an island against the Falcons pass rusher. Given the noise in that stadium at the time there's good reason to think Leno might've missed final adjustment.

Olin Kreutz clarifies Glennon and Leno both had a hand in outcome

Kreutz didn't go so far as to blame Glennon for the play, however he did hint that he should've left the protection adjustment with #45 as the "Mike" linebacker. This would slide the left guard to Leno and only leave center Cody Whitehair in a one-on-one situation. Whitehair is far more reliable in his protection than Leno is. Last year proved that much. It's a window into how critical the communication can be between the quarterback and his blockers. People always talk about the passing and audibles. One of the most underrated but vital parts of playing the QB position is understand how to adjust protections to keep a clean pocket. That's one of the reasons guys like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees have lasted so long. It's something even after several years that Glennon hasn't mastered and that Mitch Trubisky must if he wants to be great.