The 10 Most Important Bears for 2011 - #6 Mike Tice

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 12, 2011 11:00 AM CDT in Roster Analysis

It was never my intention to include coaches in these lists. The players are ultimately responsible for following through and executing the game plan, but as I started to give it some thought I ended up with a coach or two listed every year. The first year I started this series, I had Head Coach Lovie Smith, the then defensive coordinator at #6, and the then d-line coach Rod Marinelli at #8. Last year I had Mike Martz at #7 and Martz has already made an appearance in this years list at #9. Joining Martz this year is fellow offensive coach and o-line guru, Mike Tice.

Why is Tice so important? It's his job to refurbish last years weakest link (the offensive line) into something that won't get Jay Cutler killed. He has to get the best out of 2nd year tackle J'Marcus Webb and work in rookie Gabe Carimi. And possibly figure out a side swap with the two of them. He's charged with turning potential bust Chris Williams into a serviceable guard. He has to get the continuity where he needs it, so the line will let Mike Martz open his playbook up a little bit.

Last season the line gelled as the season wore on, but it still was what one would call... bad. Their run blocking and pass blocking improved from game 1 to game 16, but there is still a long way to go. I'd love it, and so would Tice I'm sure, if a free agent were signed. But even if someone is brought in, it's still on Tice to get him up to speed with the various protection schemes and terminology that Martz uses. The Bears can't win any titles if the line dosen't improve, and that's on Tice to figure out.

Tweet Comment 14 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I never liked Tice's goofy ass when he was in Minnesota

But, in all honesty, I couldn’t be happier to have him in this capacity as a Bear. I don’t care what anybody says, he did well to improve that line as the season wore on last year, he had probably the worst crop of players to work with in the league.

by DitkaStache on Jul 12, 2011 11:16 AM CDT reply actions

Exactly

"We can do it any way you want to. We can go right out back and get it on or you can shape your ass up," Da Coach

by droppopotamus on Jul 12, 2011 12:40 PM CDT up reply actions

lmao

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 12, 2011 1:45 PM CDT up reply actions

I’d say he is in my top 3 for most important, if we can get our line to be even a middle of the road line, our offense would be challenging to any defense

Pull my finger...

by touchdown bears on Jul 12, 2011 11:18 AM CDT reply actions

mike tice

with what we had and how far we went,i would like to say to him, thanks.

by stepeo on Jul 12, 2011 11:52 AM CDT reply actions

I thought for sure he would be higher on the list considering the work he has ahead of him as you mention in the post.

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 12, 2011 1:47 PM CDT reply actions

at the end of the day...

He’s coaching, the players have to do it…

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 12, 2011 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions

True True

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 12, 2011 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions

There's no doubt in my mind

He is the man to get it done.

Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.

by Sam Householder on Jul 12, 2011 2:44 PM CDT reply actions

mike tice

I’ll say he’s the most important assistant coach on this team right now. OL should be top priority, especially with a franchise QB. LG should be the 1st move made as there is no qualified LG on this roster as of now.

by walterfan34 on Jul 12, 2011 2:58 PM CDT reply actions

I'd love a LG brought in

but I don’t think they will… I think they are content to roll with Chris Williams. I hope I’m wrong.

If you go in the bathroom, turn off the lights, and say "Da Coach" 5 times while facing the mirror... Ditka will appear and slap the wussy right out of you.

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 12, 2011 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions

He also should be...

on the 5 Bears with something to prove list. While I believe he is a genuine guru of offensive line play, the fact remains that the Bear’s O-line was arguably the worst in football. Obviously the dearth of talent was a huge factor, but either his guru ability wasn’t enough or the talent was that awful. Adding Carimi is a step forward, but there remains a serious lack of talent/ability on that O-line that the Bears must address in FA. Tice definitely belongs on this list, but if Carimi is the only new piece, he (and most importantly the Bear offense) is not likely to succeed.

by LostInSTL on Jul 12, 2011 3:59 PM CDT reply actions

or the talent was that awful

Hard for us to tell for certain, really, but when you’re down to Omiyale, Edwin Williams and a 7th round pick as three of your starters…

Cosmis: JESUS LORD IN HEAVEN DANIEAL MANNING JUST KILLED A MAN

by Spongie on Jul 12, 2011 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Jerry should give Tice a break and

sign a decent LT and LG as well as bringing back Kreutz. Carimi may be the LT of the future but he’s a rookie this year and I’d like to see Jay Sizzle still around when assumes the mantle.

. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank

by ed_brown on Jul 12, 2011 7:34 PM CDT up reply actions