When it was reported that Mike Martz is becoming the new offensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears, 2 things went through my mind, 1. This PR disaster is finally over and 2. The worst month in sports just got a little more worse this year. When the Bears announced that Ron Turner and numerous other offensive coaches were being shown the door 27 days ago, the logical thought would be the Bears have a plan in place and will hire new assistants shortly. Not quite. Offensive coaches were paraded in and out of Halas Hall and no one was being hired, and one coach even picked Oakland over Chicago. Besides the PR hit the Bears took in making this move, it's also a move that just doesn't make sense on a number of levels.
The first and most glaring is that Martz' system doesn't fit the personnel the Bears have now. Martz' system is pass oriented and that's fine from the outside but he likes to keep the TE in to block and send the RB out on passing routes. Greg Olsen can't block, there's just no getting around that which means that Jay Cutler will undoubtedly be running for his life next season to avoid being sacked. The system also relies heavily on timing and running correct routes, something these young receivers haven't learned yet, which could make this transition even more difficult to get down. The last strategic reason is one that'll have to be seen when the season starts, but Mike Tice's blocking scheme may be different than what is needed for Martz' system to be successful.
Mike Martz is one of Lovie Smith's friends and this hire is likely one Smith wanted to make 27 days ago but had to convince Jerry Angelo and Cutler that it was the right one. Smith is taking a huge gamble on this hire because if he doesn't get this right, next year he'll likely be fired as will all the other coaches and front office personnel. This staff now has 4 coaches who are or were a head coach at one point in the NFL, if they can put their coaching egos aside, the brains are clearly there for the team to be successful. If it doesn't work out, I beg the Bears to have a better plan that doesn't result in losing coaches to black hole that is Oakland.
Showing posts with label Lovie Smith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lovie Smith. Show all posts
Monday, February 1, 2010
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Reaction to Bears Win on MNF
A lot is going to be made out of the Bears victory tonight against the Minnesota Vikings, and I think this game did show a lot in all aspects of the Bears.
#1: Lovie Smith needs to go. I know the Bears just beat a very good Vikings team, but the defense that Lovie Smith has taken complete control of allowed 30 points in the second half and that is completely unacceptable. I've read some thoughts that Lovie should have used his timeouts once the Vikings got into the Red Zone on their last drive in regulation but I don't think that is a big deal. If you're hanging your hat on defense as a head coach and even calling the plays for the defense then there is no reason why your unit should be giving up 30 points in 30 minutes of football.
#2: Critics need to lay off of Jay Cutler. 30 points should have been plenty to earn a victory in regulation and yet Cutler had to be called upon to win the game. People are going to bitch about Cutler laughing on the sidelines after throwing the interception, but you know what, he obviously got over that throw and was ready to go back out there. A team full of 53 guys is bound to have some sort of camaraderie where jokes will be told and people will be laughing, it happens so there's no reason to get on Cutler for laughing. He's shown flashes of brilliance all season long and if he gets the protection he got tonight, he's going to be the quarterback most Bear fans thought they were getting when he was acquired.
#3: Chris Williams is the left tackle of the future. Williams was making his second career start at left tackle and his reward? Having to keep Jared Allen off of Jay Cutler. He did a tremendous job and really left a positive impact on the mind of many Bear fans heading into this offseason. If he keeps playing like this, the remodel that has to be done on the offensive line got a lot easier.
#4: Devin Aromashodu is something special. I'm not going to say that Aromashodu is a future #1 receiver but he can definitely be a reliable #2 in the future for this team. Cutler clearly loves throwing to him and trusts him more than the other receivers on this team. Earl Bennett and Johnny Knox behind DA gives the offense a lot of weapons and will hopefully allow a new coaching staff to move Hester back to Punt and Kickoff returns where he is truly the most dangerous.
This Bears win definitely had a lot of positives, but let's not get ahead of ourselves, we all saw where that led us this season. A lot of changes are still needed but there are definitely a few pieces in place.
#1: Lovie Smith needs to go. I know the Bears just beat a very good Vikings team, but the defense that Lovie Smith has taken complete control of allowed 30 points in the second half and that is completely unacceptable. I've read some thoughts that Lovie should have used his timeouts once the Vikings got into the Red Zone on their last drive in regulation but I don't think that is a big deal. If you're hanging your hat on defense as a head coach and even calling the plays for the defense then there is no reason why your unit should be giving up 30 points in 30 minutes of football.
#2: Critics need to lay off of Jay Cutler. 30 points should have been plenty to earn a victory in regulation and yet Cutler had to be called upon to win the game. People are going to bitch about Cutler laughing on the sidelines after throwing the interception, but you know what, he obviously got over that throw and was ready to go back out there. A team full of 53 guys is bound to have some sort of camaraderie where jokes will be told and people will be laughing, it happens so there's no reason to get on Cutler for laughing. He's shown flashes of brilliance all season long and if he gets the protection he got tonight, he's going to be the quarterback most Bear fans thought they were getting when he was acquired.
#3: Chris Williams is the left tackle of the future. Williams was making his second career start at left tackle and his reward? Having to keep Jared Allen off of Jay Cutler. He did a tremendous job and really left a positive impact on the mind of many Bear fans heading into this offseason. If he keeps playing like this, the remodel that has to be done on the offensive line got a lot easier.
#4: Devin Aromashodu is something special. I'm not going to say that Aromashodu is a future #1 receiver but he can definitely be a reliable #2 in the future for this team. Cutler clearly loves throwing to him and trusts him more than the other receivers on this team. Earl Bennett and Johnny Knox behind DA gives the offense a lot of weapons and will hopefully allow a new coaching staff to move Hester back to Punt and Kickoff returns where he is truly the most dangerous.
This Bears win definitely had a lot of positives, but let's not get ahead of ourselves, we all saw where that led us this season. A lot of changes are still needed but there are definitely a few pieces in place.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Is Firing Vinny Del Negro and Lovie Smith Really the Answer?
With the Blackhawks being the only team in Chicago with a realistic chance of winning a championship this year, a lot of frustration has been directed at the jobs of Vinny Del Negro of the Bulls and Lovie Smith of the Bears. They do deserve most of the criticism that is being thrown at them, both with somewhat talented teams that so far have underachieved to this point. But Chicago is a city that likes to blame the coach first instead of taking a deeper look into the problem and discover who is more deserving of the blame. Well let's take a look at that now for both the Bulls and the Bears:
Bear fans have had a lot of time this season to figure out who to blame for this dismal season, and for the most part it is being shared equally amongst the coaches and Jerry Angelo, the General Manager. Some fans will point to Jay Cutler being a source of the problem but I'm sorry, you don't go from being a quarterback throwing for 4,000 yards to a guy leading the league in interceptions unless there is a significant problem with the coaching staff. That being said, Cutler also doesn't have the time nor the weapons necessary to make plays and that falls on the general manager. In this instance you can't fire one without firing the other, both Smith and Angelo have failed to get this team back to the Super Bowl and have fallen so far from that level that change is definitely needed. The need for change is even greater with coaches like, Bill Cowher and Mike Shanahan out there who are proven winners and can get this historic franchise back on its feet. If ownership wants to go cheap and hire another promising assistant then at least make sure you bring in an offensive coordinator like Charlie Weis who can help develop Jay Cutler and build a dynamic offense that many Bear fans imagined with the acquisition of Cutler.
As for the Bulls, it is easy to blame Del Negro for the poor job the Bulls have done to this point of the season, especially after that thrilling playoff series with the Boston Celtics last season. With that in mind, Bulls fans should realize that Del Negro has been playing a very short bench with injuries to Tyrus Thomas and Kirk Hinrich who has recently returned. A lot of fans are worried that if the team continues to struggle then none of the big free agents of next year's class will want to come to Chicago. The truth is, if one of those big name players like LeBron or Wade want to come to Chicago, you can guarantee that the front office won't let the coaching situation be the reason they don't come to play for the Bulls. Bulls fans need to give Del Negro more of an opportunity to prove himself as a coach with a healthy team. It's amazing what one or two superstar players can do for a coach's job security, look at Doc Rivers in Boston before they got Garnett and Allen, do you think all of sudden he became this great coach? Not a chance, he got incredible talent to work with and it made his job much easier. Del Negro has a team that is still relatively young and inexperienced without much size, many coaches would struggle in that scenario and add in the number of injuries this team has faced, not many coaches would survive. But give Del Negro a shot, his teams have shown flashes stemming from last year's playoff series to different points this season.
Both teams are in similar circumstances but both should be handled differently. It's frustrating for both teams, but a lot can change in a couple years if things are handled correctly. Just look at the Blackhawks, the reason for hope in Chicago sports.
Bear fans have had a lot of time this season to figure out who to blame for this dismal season, and for the most part it is being shared equally amongst the coaches and Jerry Angelo, the General Manager. Some fans will point to Jay Cutler being a source of the problem but I'm sorry, you don't go from being a quarterback throwing for 4,000 yards to a guy leading the league in interceptions unless there is a significant problem with the coaching staff. That being said, Cutler also doesn't have the time nor the weapons necessary to make plays and that falls on the general manager. In this instance you can't fire one without firing the other, both Smith and Angelo have failed to get this team back to the Super Bowl and have fallen so far from that level that change is definitely needed. The need for change is even greater with coaches like, Bill Cowher and Mike Shanahan out there who are proven winners and can get this historic franchise back on its feet. If ownership wants to go cheap and hire another promising assistant then at least make sure you bring in an offensive coordinator like Charlie Weis who can help develop Jay Cutler and build a dynamic offense that many Bear fans imagined with the acquisition of Cutler.
As for the Bulls, it is easy to blame Del Negro for the poor job the Bulls have done to this point of the season, especially after that thrilling playoff series with the Boston Celtics last season. With that in mind, Bulls fans should realize that Del Negro has been playing a very short bench with injuries to Tyrus Thomas and Kirk Hinrich who has recently returned. A lot of fans are worried that if the team continues to struggle then none of the big free agents of next year's class will want to come to Chicago. The truth is, if one of those big name players like LeBron or Wade want to come to Chicago, you can guarantee that the front office won't let the coaching situation be the reason they don't come to play for the Bulls. Bulls fans need to give Del Negro more of an opportunity to prove himself as a coach with a healthy team. It's amazing what one or two superstar players can do for a coach's job security, look at Doc Rivers in Boston before they got Garnett and Allen, do you think all of sudden he became this great coach? Not a chance, he got incredible talent to work with and it made his job much easier. Del Negro has a team that is still relatively young and inexperienced without much size, many coaches would struggle in that scenario and add in the number of injuries this team has faced, not many coaches would survive. But give Del Negro a shot, his teams have shown flashes stemming from last year's playoff series to different points this season.
Both teams are in similar circumstances but both should be handled differently. It's frustrating for both teams, but a lot can change in a couple years if things are handled correctly. Just look at the Blackhawks, the reason for hope in Chicago sports.
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