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Did Rivera Fail His Cowboys Audition?

Jean-Jacques Taylor echoes an unfair thought I had during last night’s game: “If this was Rivera’s audition for Cowboys, the job is Turner’s.”

Unfair because Turner’s Bears defense has been solid two years running and they were up against Peyton Manning and the Colts without the services two of their biggest stars, safety Mike Brown and defensive tackle Tommie Harris.

Still, as the kids say, “it is what it is.” Rick Gosselin’s report card for the Bears’ D is not so hot:

Run defense: The Bears brought a top-5 run defense into the game but allowed a season-worst 191 rushing yards. Dominic Rhodes gained 113 yards – only the fifth 100-yard rushing game allowed by the Bears all season. Grade: F

Pass defense: The Bears let the Colts strike early as blown coverage allowed Peyton Manning to complete a 53-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Reggie Wayne. Chicago’s vaunted pass rush sacked Manning once. Grade: D

The Cowboys defense which needs so much revamping that they let Mike Zimmer run off to Atlanta this offseason contained those same Colts in November. I’d still interview Rivera were I Jones and welcome him as the next defensive coordinator if hired. It’s a somewhat less obvious choice than it would have been Sunday morning, though.

 
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