Chicago Bears Offseason 2012

[rawaction]

You guys think we're keeping Martz?

 

I don't know what's going to happen. I do know that Martz didn't want Hanie, that Angelo essentially forced Hanie on Martz, and that the 2011 season was lost the second Hanie stepped foot on the field. On the surface it looks to me that Jerry lost a power struggle and that Lovie will get one more chance. It makes plenty of sense to bring back Martz in that situation.

 

But that assumes Lovie and Martz got along. There were reports each of the last 2 years that Lovie was not OK with the run/pass ratio early in the seasons. Playcalling has been an issue. Getting play calls in from him up in the booth has been an issue.

 

It took Lovie half a decade to wake up to the fact that this is a passing league, but I think he finally did, even if he doesn't like it. You don't win running the ball. But the Bears actually did run the ball. There are issues, but if the situation is that Jerry is out but Lovie is staying, I'm guessing it has a lot to do with Caleb Hanie, and Lovie will only have one year to make things right. It doesn't make sense to have Lovie find a new offensive coordinator in that situation.

 

I'm figuring the "new" coordinator would be Tice anyway, with Shane Day calling the plays. Doesn't make sense to change the offense, but there's no reason he can't change to Tice as OC.

[JonJayCutler]

Are there any 1st round quality WRs coming out this year besides Blackmon and Floyd?

[RynoRules]

Let's not forget Jerry had 3 QBs who he acquired running teams this year. He also had two drafted RBs as franchise backs in Benson and Forte, plus Thomas Jones was somebody who he acquired for the right price at the right time in his career. Jerry wasn't incompetent in the least. He got guys, but Lovie's coaching staff struggled to get the most out of a few of them. He did a very bad job identifying the need to draft offensive linemen between the Columbo and Williams picks, which was something the Bucs struggled with as well during his tenure there.

 

I agree that he's not incompetenent, but he's not good either.

[SpongeWorthy]

You guys think we're keeping Martz?

 

I don't know what's going to happen. I do know that Martz didn't want Hanie, that Angelo essentially forced Hanie on Martz, and that the 2011 season was lost the second Hanie stepped foot on the field. On the surface it looks to me that Jerry lost a power struggle and that Lovie will get one more chance. It makes plenty of sense to bring back Martz in that situation.

 

But that assumes Lovie and Martz got along. There were reports each of the last 2 years that Lovie was not OK with the run/pass ratio early in the seasons. Playcalling has been an issue. Getting play calls in from him up in the booth has been an issue.

 

It took Lovie half a decade to wake up to the fact that this is a passing league, but I think he finally did, even if he doesn't like it. You don't win running the ball. But the Bears actually did run the ball. There are issues, but if the situation is that Jerry is out but Lovie is staying, I'm guessing it has a lot to do with Caleb Hanie, and Lovie will only have one year to make things right. It doesn't make sense to have Lovie find a new offensive coordinator in that situation.

 

I'm figuring the "new" coordinator would be Tice anyway, with Shane Day calling the plays. Doesn't make sense to change the offense, but there's no reason he can't change to Tice as OC.

 

Why doesn't it make sense to change the offense?

[SpongeWorthy]

Are there any 1st round quality WRs coming out this year besides Blackmon and Floyd?

 

Alshon Jeffery. He's big but he kinda lumbers and rounds off his routes. Not sure about his separation ability at the next level.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm figuring the "new" coordinator would be Tice anyway, with Shane Day calling the plays. Doesn't make sense to change the offense, but there's no reason he can't change to Tice as OC.

 

That's certainly another option under this scenario, but I think there's a lot to the "Jerry forced Martz to use Hanie" part of the storyline. Plus, Martz was never given a line or receiver group to work with. My guess is that is why Angelo is gone. If the internal feeling was that Martz failed to get the most out of what he had, my guess is he'd have been shown the door before Angelo.

[rawaction]

You guys think we're keeping Martz?

 

I don't know what's going to happen. I do know that Martz didn't want Hanie, that Angelo essentially forced Hanie on Martz, and that the 2011 season was lost the second Hanie stepped foot on the field. On the surface it looks to me that Jerry lost a power struggle and that Lovie will get one more chance. It makes plenty of sense to bring back Martz in that situation.

 

But that assumes Lovie and Martz got along. There were reports each of the last 2 years that Lovie was not OK with the run/pass ratio early in the seasons. Playcalling has been an issue. Getting play calls in from him up in the booth has been an issue.

 

who is in the quarterback's ear? i always thought martz was talking to him. i don't understand why there has to be a middle man between martz and cutler.

 

Martz sends the play to Day (QB Coach) who sends it in to Cutler. Martz can't send directly to Cutler from the booth, I don't believe.

[jersey cubs fan]

Let's not forget Jerry had 3 QBs who he acquired running teams this year. He also had two drafted RBs as franchise backs in Benson and Forte, plus Thomas Jones was somebody who he acquired for the right price at the right time in his career. Jerry wasn't incompetent in the least. He got guys, but Lovie's coaching staff struggled to get the most out of a few of them. He did a very bad job identifying the need to draft offensive linemen between the Columbo and Williams picks, which was something the Bucs struggled with as well during his tenure there.

 

I agree that he's not incompetenent, but he's not good either.

 

He built a good team.

[Brian]

He may have done some good things, but his treatment of the offensive line and WR positions was reason enough to fire him.

[jersey cubs fan]

Why doesn't it make sense to change the offense?

 

Well, for one, it worked fine with Cutler and garbage linemen/receivers. But if Lovie is getting one year to make things right without a real outside replacement for Angelo, he doesn't have time to institute a new system. They'd be much better off improving the linemen and getting a wide receiver and trying to make another go with what they have.

[rawaction]

Why doesn't it make sense to change the offense?

 

Because it would be Cutler's 5th offense in the last 6 years (Shanahan to McDaniels, to Turner to Martz). Plus, if the Bears don't make the playoffs next year, there's a possibility that the whole staff gets fired. That would mean a 6th OC in 7 years for Cutler.

[SpongeWorthy]

Why doesn't it make sense to change the offense?

 

Well, for one, it worked fine with Cutler and garbage linemen/receivers. But if Lovie is getting one year to make things right without a real outside replacement for Angelo, he doesn't have time to institute a new system. They'd be much better off improving the linemen and getting a wide receiver and trying to make another go with what they have.

 

It was more bad than good. 2010 the offense was largely terrible. There was a decent stretch this season but it wasn't an elite unit by any means.

 

If we're bringing in some new offensive talent, as we should, we might as well get a new OC if he'll be a better fit for Cutler. There will be a transition period but I don't see it as being tougher than Cutler continuing to play with incompetent boobs under the same system.

 

I also don't see this as a one year stay of execution on Lovie. I think he's the guy unless we fall into multiple 5-11 type seasons.

[CubColtPacer]

You guys think we're keeping Martz?

 

I don't know what's going to happen. I do know that Martz didn't want Hanie, that Angelo essentially forced Hanie on Martz, and that the 2011 season was lost the second Hanie stepped foot on the field. On the surface it looks to me that Jerry lost a power struggle and that Lovie will get one more chance. It makes plenty of sense to bring back Martz in that situation.

 

But that assumes Lovie and Martz got along. There were reports each of the last 2 years that Lovie was not OK with the run/pass ratio early in the seasons. Playcalling has been an issue. Getting play calls in from him up in the booth has been an issue.

 

who is in the quarterback's ear? i always thought martz was talking to him. i don't understand why there has to be a middle man between martz and cutler.

 

Martz sends the play to Day (QB Coach) who sends it in to Cutler. Martz can't send directly to Cutler from the booth, I don't believe.

 

That's correct. It's against NFL rules for coaches in the booth to talk with the players through the helmet ear pieces.

[SpongeWorthy]

Why doesn't it make sense to change the offense?

 

Because it would be Cutler's 5th offense in the last 6 years (Shanahan to McDaniels, to Turner to Martz). Plus, if the Bears don't make the playoffs next year, there's a possibility that the whole staff gets fired. That would mean a 6th OC in 7 years for Cutler.

 

Cutler didn't play under McDaniels.

[Magnetic Curses]

Why doesn't it make sense to change the offense?

 

Because it would be Cutler's 5th offense in the last 6 years (Shanahan to McDaniels, to Turner to Martz). Plus, if the Bears don't make the playoffs next year, there's a possibility that the whole staff gets fired. That would mean a 6th OC in 7 years for Cutler.

 

i don't think offenses are as tough to pick up as people think. i think martz's is difficult, but not all of them are like that.

[Magnetic Curses]

That's correct. It's against NFL rules for coaches in the booth to talk with the players through the helmet ear pieces.

 

interesting.

[jersey cubs fan]

Why doesn't it make sense to change the offense?

 

Well, for one, it worked fine with Cutler and garbage linemen/receivers. But if Lovie is getting one year to make things right without a real outside replacement for Angelo, he doesn't have time to institute a new system. They'd be much better off improving the linemen and getting a wide receiver and trying to make another go with what they have.

 

It was more bad than good. 2010 the offense was largely terrible. There was a decent stretch this season but it wasn't an elite unit by any means.

 

If we're bringing in some new offensive talent, as we should, we might as well get a new OC if he'll be a better fit for Cutler. There will be a transition period but I don't see it as being tougher than Cutler continuing to play with incompetent boobs under the same system.

 

I also don't see this as a one year stay of execution on Lovie. I think he's the guy unless we fall into multiple 5-11 type seasons.

 

Not being elite doesn't mean they weren't good. They were good despite a garbage line and no receivers until Cutler got hurt and Martz had to use the incompetent piece of crap that Angelo forced into the system.

 

As of now, there is no real GM. But the minute they hire one, Lovie's job is on the line. That would mean it is vital for Lovie to win in 2012, or else the pressure to hire a real GM will be huge.

Edited January 3, 2012 by jersey cubs fan

[Guest]

I thought McCown did a good enough job to get an invite to camp next year.

 

Can someone shed light on who this Davis cat was on the defensive line Sunday? I didn't have sound where I watched the game. Someone brought up from the practice squad? He made a nice backfield tackle and showed some pretty amazing speed for a guy I didn't even know was on the team.

[SpongeWorthy]

Why doesn't it make sense to change the offense?

 

Well, for one, it worked fine with Cutler and garbage linemen/receivers. But if Lovie is getting one year to make things right without a real outside replacement for Angelo, he doesn't have time to institute a new system. They'd be much better off improving the linemen and getting a wide receiver and trying to make another go with what they have.

 

It was more bad than good. 2010 the offense was largely terrible. There was a decent stretch this season but it wasn't an elite unit by any means.

 

If we're bringing in some new offensive talent, as we should, we might as well get a new OC if he'll be a better fit for Cutler. There will be a transition period but I don't see it as being tougher than Cutler continuing to play with incompetent boobs under the same system.

 

I also don't see this as a one year stay of execution on Lovie. I think he's the guy unless we fall into multiple 5-11 type seasons.

 

Not being elite doesn't mean they weren't good. They were good until Cutler got hurt and Martz had to use the incompetent piece of crap that Angelo forced into the system.

 

As of now, there is no real GM. But the minute they hire one, Lovie's job is on the line. That would mean it is vital for Lovie to win in 2012, or else the pressure to hire a real GM will be huge.

 

I view the offense being decent more as Cutler being super man back there rather than what Martz did. Look at the Detroit MNF game--Cutler had to be in god mode just to put up decent numbers and for us to put 13 points on the board. Between his refusal to look at the tight ends (there's a big correlation between high powered offenses and use of TE in today's NFL), constant calls for deep drops with linemen that can't hold blocks and receivers who can get open, and no-audibles he's a bad fit for Cutler and the makeup of the league.

 

As for the GM, I could see them hiring some personnel figure head that can't give Lovie an ultimatum. I don't think he's really on the hot seat next year unless it's a complete disaster of a season.

[Old Style]

Let's not forget Jerry had 3 QBs who he acquired running teams this year. He also had two drafted RBs as franchise backs in Benson and Forte, plus Thomas Jones was somebody who he acquired for the right price at the right time in his career. Jerry wasn't incompetent in the least. He got guys, but Lovie's coaching staff struggled to get the most out of a few of them. He did a very bad job identifying the need to draft offensive linemen between the Columbo and Williams picks, which was something the Bucs struggled with as well during his tenure there.

 

I agree that he's not incompetenent, but he's not good either.

 

He built a good team.

I'd like someone who can build a great team.

[jersey cubs fan]

Can someone shed light on who this Davis cat was on the defensive line Sunday? I didn't have sound where I watched the game. Someone brought up from the practice squad? He made a nice backfield tackle and showed some pretty amazing speed for a guy I didn't even know was on the team.

 

Chauncey Davis was selected in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons and after spending six seasons with them, he was released on September 2, 2011.

 

The Chicago Bears signed Davis on November 14, 2011.

[Magnetic Curses]

Damn, I had no idea Clements had been Green Bay's QB coach since 2006. He has to be itching for a promotion.

 

i can't believe that they'd deny him the opportunity again. that's just evil.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'd like someone who can build a great team.

 

As would I. Unfortunately most people out there available for hire are worse than Angelo. It's not the no-brainer that hiring Hendry's replacement was.

[rawaction]

1st round WRs.

 

Justin Blackmon- top 10 pick (probably goes to wherever the Rams trade down to)

Michael Floyd- top 20

Alshon Jeffrey- top 25

Kendall Wright- 1st round

[jersey cubs fan]

As for the GM, I could see them hiring some personnel figure head that can't give Lovie an ultimatum. I don't think he's really on the hot seat next year unless it's a complete disaster of a season.

 

If they let Lovie come back with some personel figure head at the helm this season, it's going to be a make or break year. He is only signed through 2013. I doubt they give him an extension if they aren't back in the playoffs, and teams generally fire coaches with one year left on the deal if they are making a move. They won't have him lame duck his way through 2013 and it would be stupid to let him completely off the hook and give him an extension today. He makes way too much money at this point to let him just mediocre his way into another extension.