The 10 Most Important Bears in 2010 - #7 Mike Martz

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 8, 2010 11:00 AM CDT in Notes

Putting coaches on this list is something I didn't want to do last year, and is something I didn't want to do this year. But with the coaching additions being so potentially impactful the last couple of years, I felt my hands were tied. Last year, Lovie Smith taking over as D.C. ended up being much ado about nothing, and even though Rod "the biggest off-season acquisition" Marinelli did help out the D-Line play, it was nowhere near as huge as we all hoped.

This year they have two new coaching faces on the team and a third with a new title, so I had three more coaches to seriously consider for my Top 10. With as much as Mike Martz can bring to the team, and considering the lack of imagination the offense has shown in years past, there was no way I could have left him off the list. And #7 just felt right, after all it's still on the players to execute the plays that are called.

The Martz effect will be felt throughout the entire offense. Even though the Bears have position coaches, they'll all be implementing the Martz system and everyone will be doing things the Martz way. Martz will obviously spend the majority of his time with the quarterbacks, but he's a very hands on coach that will have a word with any player on his O at any time. From the foot position of his receivers to the various protection schemes of his O-Line, Mike Martz will be micro managing every aspect of the offense. And that's a good thing.

He's very meticulous in his approach and he'll hold his players and the position coaches accountable. He knows that this may be his last shot in the NFL, because fair or not, his reputation around the league isn't the best. X's and O's wise there may be none better, but his ego maniacal approach to things has burned a few bridges. Even though, almost to a man, his former players do nothing except praise him as a coach.

Players want to be coached, they want to learn, you rarely make it to the NFL if you can't take criticism and some hard coaching. He'll work wonders with Jay Cutler, who did very well under another hard ass coach in Mike Shanahan. Cutler has a very real chance to set every single season passing record for the Bears in 2010 (his '09 season saw him set 2). Having four wide receivers with a realistic chance to have 60+ receptions, a couple running backs that have the kind of skill set Martz can really utilize, and even a tight end group with the kind of pass catching ability (and willing workers) that he isn't used to having, I can see Martz taking the Bears offense to a level of epic proportions.

The list so far:

#10 - Robbie Gould - Kicker
#9 - Matt Forte - Running back
#8 - Olin Kreutz - Center
#7 - Mike Martz - Offensive Coordinator

Tweet Comment 22 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I predict in the very 1st preseason game,

we’ll see Martz’s play calls and go “whoa!” (ala Neo in the Matrix), and realize how big an upgrade over Ron Turner he really is.

by Mike Mueller on Jul 8, 2010 11:32 AM CDT reply actions

I think because it'd be funny as hell,

he should call a fullback dive first play in the preseason. Now that would be good stuff.

by lindemrm on Jul 8, 2010 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

Agree, 100%

About a month back I watched the Rams vs. New England Super Bowl. The Rams lost of course (even after all these years!) but the play calling and some of the formation variance blew my mind after watching the Bears the last 25 years. We have NEVER done some of that stuff. Some things to watch for this season:

1 – The “H-Back” use of the tight ends
2 – 1 back offensive sets
3 – 5 (you heard me) wide sets
4 – The Left Tackle lined up outside of the Right Tackle for an offset “Strong” with a TE in the Left Tackle position for a “weak” side. This formation stacks the running game right and the passing game left and really throws off defenses

Check out his old playbook if you actually care that much:

(http://imgsrv.670thescore.com/image/wscr2/UserFiles/File/2000-Rams-Offense.pdf)

by Brendan Hess on Jul 9, 2010 8:21 AM CDT up reply actions

at least #7

You could make a strong case for Martz being #2 on this list (behind only Jay Cutler).

My list of top 10 would be:
1. Cutler
2. Martz
3. Peppers
4. Urlacher (can he return to form, or will he continue to decline?).
5. T. Harris (can he return to form, or will he continue to decline?).
6. C. Williams (who I have more confidence in than any of the top 5).
7. Major Wright (our only hope for a good/decent Free Safety).
8. Omiyale (hopefully he doesn’t suck at RT).
9. M. Anderson (who will underservingly be handed a starting job once again).
10. Beekman (our best interior lineman – hopefully he gets a chance to play).

I can’t support Forte being on the list when we have such a similar (and possibly better) RB on the roster now.

It’s painfully obvious that Kreutz will continue his decline.

by MakeHalasProud on Jul 8, 2010 12:09 PM CDT reply actions

Players make plays

It’s why I can’t put coaches too high on the list… but I like your thinking!

In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 8, 2010 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm with you.

We already know Martz is going to change up the offense. We pretty much know what to expect from it too. The real deal is if the players can pick it up and do something with it.

-------
Stupid babies need the most attention!

by David Taylor on Jul 8, 2010 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

Very true... and the play calling is vital

but even the greatest play will be destroyed if the execution isn’t there. Good thing you didn’t put a kicker at #7.

If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.

by Ditkavsworld on Jul 8, 2010 2:27 PM CDT up reply actions

True!

But, I do understand your concern with “pass-first” Martz. In Chicago winters, I hope he sees how that ideology will have to give way some to the elements. If not, that could make or break a few games which the Bears will need in order to be in wild card contention.

Semper Fi

by ChicagoMarine on Jul 12, 2010 12:03 PM CDT up reply actions

Yes but

Players make plays but how many run up the middle plays can players execute effectively?

It is a ying-yang, chicken/egg thing. If the calls suck, it does not matter how they are executed. Of course, if they are not executed, does it matter how good of call it was? I put a lot of emphasis into play calling, cough…cough… Ron Turner.

by TheMan1 on Jul 16, 2010 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions

If a QB

see’s a defensive front that isn’t good for the up the middle run, he can audible… that being said, Turner was not very good the last few years

In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 16, 2010 4:11 PM CDT up reply actions

I think Kreutz will make a comeback this year.

Based on recovering from what sounds like a pretty painful injury to play with.

Also, if Beekman is the best interior lineman then Tice has got problems. I’ll be interested to see if he ends up getting the nod or if Asiata or Louis starts instead. There must be a reason that Beekman keeps getting tried and then replaced, right?

by oripunk3485 on Jul 8, 2010 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions

I think all 3 have potential to be solid at LG

I’m not really concerned with the position

In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 8, 2010 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Kreutz and Beekman

I’m sure that Kreutz’s injury was painful to play thru last season. Unfortunately, he has regressed for at least 3 years in a row. I would like to see Beekman start at Center, but we all know that Kreutz will be our Center once again.

Have you noticed how all of Forte’s longest runs have come on Beekman blocks? In fact, they usually involve 2 or 3 downfield blocks from Beekman.

There is no denying that we are weak in the interior of our O-line. However, I think Beekman is our 2nd best O-lineman (after C. Williams). Upgrading our interior O-line should be a top priority next offseason (or sooner, if possible).

by MakeHalasProud on Jul 8, 2010 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe Tice just needs a new sign on the O-line meeting room door...

“Block men.”

by oripunk3485 on Jul 8, 2010 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs

OL the Key!

All these great predictions fall apart if the OL does not give the playcall enough time to develope.
Oh God, have Virginia shit enough money one more time to get disgrunteled Logan Mankins.
Go Bears!

by pbanachi on Jul 8, 2010 4:05 PM CDT up reply actions

i'm honestly not that worried about the interior line compared to Right Tackle.

If Louis or Asista are not ready to takeover at LG, we still have a solid lineman in beekman who can fill in at LG.

Omiyale at RT worries me a bit because we know tackle is his natural position, but its a good possibility he’s not a good lineman. Plus If we are transforming to a more passing team, then I can’t see Kevin Shaffer holding up that much in pass protection.

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 11, 2010 2:46 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

In Carolina he looked good at tackle

Many Panther fans were actually unhappy they lost his via free agency… I think he’ll be OK at RT

In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 12, 2010 9:14 AM CDT up reply actions

#7 most important

I agree with putting Martz on the list, though I think by the end of the season he will be more important than #7. To what degree, I can’t say right now, but I’m really looking forward to watching his playcalls and the offense, especially in the pre-season.

by walterfan34 on Jul 8, 2010 1:32 PM CDT reply actions

Martz does has something to prove...

let’s face it, the believers in Martz point to the improvements he’s made in DET and SF. They also point to the “greatest show on turf” in STL. But since the SB loss in STL, his effect on his teams has been measured in small increments of improvement, not wins and losses. While it’s hard to detract from his status as an offensive guru, he will have little excuse if he does not have success with this Bears offense. He does belong on this list. All the signs are pointing to him having his best offense since STL. If Tice’s tutelage can solidify the line and the WRs and RBs continue to improve, he can regain a measure of respect and possibly redemption.
His defensive counterparts have even that much more to prove. If the season goes as I perceive it now, Martz may be the only coach left standing next season.

IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FIRE LOVIE!

by LostInSTL on Jul 9, 2010 7:00 AM CDT reply actions