5 Bears with Most to Prove: No. 2 Mike Martz

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 19, 2011 8:46 PM CDT in Roster Analysis

Back on the offensive side of the ball, but the #2 Bear with the most to prove does his work from the sideline instead of the field as offensive coordinator Mike Martz makes his appearance on this list. One of the better offensive minds in the past 10 years that produced a Hall of Fame player in Marshall Faulk and future Hall of Famers in Kurt Warner and Orlando Pace, Martz was hired by the Bears after spending a year away from football.

There were questions on whether his style of offense would match a stadium like Soldier field that is known around the league for having the worst field conditions. There were also questions on whether the parts that were already in place in Chicago fit his system; specifically franchise Quarterback Jay Cutler who main strength is using his athleticism outside the pocket to make plays down the field. The week 1 game against the Lions showed what Martz was made of, but weeks 2 and 4 showed that he didn't have the offensive line to run his system in its entirety. The Giants defensive line put one of the worst beatings I have ever seen put on a QB; sacking Jay Cutler 9 times and making him leave the game with a concussion.

The Bye Week was the obvious turning point for Martz, who adjusted his scheme to where Cutler wasn't at too high of a risk. Gone was the consistent 7 step drop, which was substituted for quicker 3 to 5 step drops with short to intermediate routes and a heavy abundance of Matt Forte and Chester Taylor in the ground game. He also threw out the whole "throwing to a spot" to where Cutler was now picking and sticking the football to whoever was open. The adjustment played a big part in the Bears reaching the NFC Championship where they lost to division rival Green Bay Packers.

Going into year 2 of this offense, Martz will most likely be looking to get the Bears offense to that next step now that he has a complete familiarity with what his skill players can and can't do. He should expect a much improved Offensive Line this season, and another wide receiving target that can open things up for the existing skill players on the roster. Martz has much to prove this year, and that's whether he can stick to the identity of the offense that Coach Lovie Smith laid out to him in the bye week which is balance in the pass and ground game. Martz also has to prove he can call a successful game plan against Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers who pretty much have owned both Martz and Cutler since he arrived there. Martz should know that Green Bay stands in the way of any other NFC team trying to be a super bowl champion and in the meetings against Green Bay last year the defense wasn't the one holding the team back. Last but certainly not least, Mike needs to continue to get the best out of Cutler. He did a fine job last season adjusting his system to Cutler strengths, and now in year 2 he needs to have Cutler take that next step in his development. The Defense is expected to be a great unit again this year, but Martz can get this team over the top with a much improved offensive unit.

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I love the Martzfense as much as anyone

But I think Martz has a ton to prove before he wins over Bears fans. As much as I like what he does, he frustrates me and hesitate to fully trust him to make the right call.

Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.
Formerly GallopingGhost

by Sam Householder on Jul 19, 2011 10:17 PM CDT reply actions

I had a similar opinion for most of the season

However the Jets, Minnesota away game and the Seahawks game turned me into a believer. Granted, he still really needs to improve his record against the Packers D, but not having a consistently overwhelmed o-line should help with that.

Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent - Salvor Hardin

by badsamaritan on Jul 19, 2011 11:13 PM CDT reply actions

I don't why everyone gets down on him for the Packers

Granted, I don’t know what the 3rd down efficiency was in those games but each game we got over 200 yards of offense and each game was settled by 7 points or less so really we were in all those games, they came down to turnovers more so than anything else. I think with an improved o-line the sack numbers will go down (Bears QBs were sacked against the Packers 3 times in the first game, 6 in the second and 2 in the NFCCG)

Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.
Formerly GallopingGhost

by Sam Householder on Jul 20, 2011 9:47 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't want to put all the blame on Martz for his failures against Capers.

His offensive line is just no match for their defensive line and that’s clearly on Angelo for his poor job building that line. It always seems like Capers is one step ahead of Martz in playcalling.

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 20, 2011 5:57 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

The Mad Scientist's offense is from a guy named Don Coryell

Which became popular in San Diego in the early 80’s. A lot of pre-snap motions and no audibles, the thing that I’ve noticed is that he threw away a lot of the things that makes his offense what it is.

After Cutler got pounded early, he began to do less 7 step drops and deep bombs to a more conservative run oriented play calling. Misdirections, screens, 3 or 5 step drops, and a few gadget plays were used a lot more to mask the o-line woes that were crippling the offense. Basically out of necessity, he did what he had to do and made the best out of it.

I still think Martz’s best years will always be in St. Louis, but that is mainly because he had future HOF’s Kurt Warner, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Orlando Pace and Marshall Faulk. And even #3 reciever Az Hakim wasn’t too shabby either.

He has more to work with now so he should improve as an offensive coordinator for the Bears. He did a good job last year and I believe Cutler will get better as Martz does.

From 0-16 to the Superbowl baby!

by DLions4Eva on Jul 19, 2011 11:45 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

thanks for the history lesson my Detroit friend

I remember Don Coryell from the 60’s when he was HC for SD State and developed his offense. Few people seem to remember that he brought it to the NFL in the mid-70’s as HC of the St.Louis Cardinals winning a couple of division titles and revitalizing a franchise that had been in trouble for a long time. Martz spent a long time as a coach with Arizona State before landing a job with the L.A. Rams in 1992 as QB coach Ernie Zampese was OC then Chick Harris in 1994 a long time Chuck Knox asst. became OC in 1997 he went to Washington as QB coach for Norv Turner before going back to the Rams. Everyone thinks “Mad Martz” and the greatest show on Turf but he would have learned something about the running game from Chuck Know and Norv Turner has always believed in a balanced attack. It always strikes me as funny to read posters here go on and on about Lovie Smith and Mike Tice schooling Martz on how to run the offense. Mike Tice hasn’t endeared himself to me, his offensive line was the worst I’ve seen in Chicago since the late 60’s. The Bears have a lot of room under the Cap. they really need to pick up a couple of Offensive linemen if they do that Martz will be fine.

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

by ed_brown on Jul 20, 2011 2:15 AM CDT up reply actions

Mike Tice hasn’t endeared himself to me, his offensive line was the worst I’ve seen in Chicago since the late 60’s.

He has a proven track record; I dread to think what they would’ve been like without him.

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

by Spongie on Jul 20, 2011 9:21 AM CDT up reply actions

your right! there isn't another coach in the world that could have produced such a wonderful offensive line.

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

by ed_brown on Jul 20, 2011 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions

I know you're being sarcastic,

but Tice is well regarded around the league as a top offensive line coach. If a “lesser” coach was working with the line, would they have done as well (or as poorly, if not worse) as Tice did?

Weekend contributor at Windy City Gridiron

by Steven Schweickert on Jul 20, 2011 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions

someone told me that if they ever make "Grumpy Old Men 3" I would be perfect for one of the leads

Tice has the credentials but I was not stretching the truth when I said that was the worst Bears offensive line I have seen in a very long time. The Bear faithful are quick to jump on Mad Martz and blame him for our offensive woe’s. I mean wanting to stretch the field and pass the ball and score points, who ever heard of such a crazy thing! Seven step drops! How DARE him! Only Peyton Manning is allowed to do that! Forget all that stuff and lets pay multi-millions of dollars for a cornerback!!!

I may be old and set in my ways, but even I see that the NFL has changed You don’t win championships with a top rated D and a bottom rated O. Fixe the freaking offensive line! One rookie LT isn’t going to get that done the Bears are far enough under the cap to be able to buy a couple of legitimate o-linemen to go with that rookie and allow Martz to open up his playbook.

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

by ed_brown on Jul 20, 2011 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions

I don’t have the extensive background in following the game that you do, so do excuse me when I admit to having missed out on the part where Tice actively selected the bunch of low-calibre journeymen, bottom-end draftees/UFA, veterans past their prime and one huge 1st round bust that he had to work with.

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

by Spongie on Jul 20, 2011 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah your right the 2010 rejects were so much worse than the 2009 rejects

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

by ed_brown on Jul 20, 2011 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions

They were probably very similar.

The difference was the offensive philosophies. Notice that the sacks dropped significantly after the Bye week when Martz discovered that Matt Forte existed on this team.

by Doshi on Jul 20, 2011 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions

actually they didn't drop signicantly

just fewer passing plays means fewer sacks. there were still 24 sacks the last 8 games

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

by ed_brown on Jul 20, 2011 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions

And that's down from 30+ in the first 8.

Baby steps, bro. Baby steps.

by Doshi on Jul 20, 2011 6:49 PM CDT up reply actions

let's see 24 is better that 32 but 24X2 is 48 per year that's not cool unless you like your QB concussed.

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

by ed_brown on Jul 21, 2011 11:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Baby steps, bro.

With how talentless this team was at the OL position last year, I’ll take any improvement that I can get.

by Doshi on Jul 22, 2011 11:02 AM CDT up reply actions

I think for what Tice was given last year he did an admirable job

Now he just needs more talent specifically on the interior line. There’s not a NFL starting caliber OG currently on this team.

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 20, 2011 3:35 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I have a hard time trying to marry the word admirable to the job the offensive line did last year.

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

by ed_brown on Jul 20, 2011 3:52 PM CDT up reply actions

The second half they did much better

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 20, 2011 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions

I think the O-line acquitted itself very poorly the second half of the season

24 sacks, 43 running plays for zero or negative yards the inability to run up the middle or off RG or RT. But the Bears went 6-2 the second half, they are so bad they must be good.

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

by ed_brown on Jul 20, 2011 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions

What was the yards per carry?

I actually graded a lot of their games last year. My grades, along with the grades that Mike Tice talked about, and the grades given from Pro Football Focus, all paint a picture of an improving line.

So in your opinion did the line get worse or better in the second half? And please don’t say they stayed the same. There’s no such thing.

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 20, 2011 8:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Pffff, you and your insistence on facts…

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

by Spongie on Jul 20, 2011 9:28 PM CDT up reply actions

haha

You’re working that line tonight

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 20, 2011 9:46 PM CDT up reply actions

just looking at Forte & Taylor

they ran for an average or 3.46 YPC the first half and
3.94 YPC the second half league average YPC was 4.2

they gave up 32 sacks the first half and 24 the second half
league average for the year was 35 I believe

so you can say they were much better and I can say they still stank. The two points of view are not mutually exclusive.

The first half of the year they struggled rushing the ball over LG,the middle,RG and RT and the second half rushing over LG improved but they continued to struggle rushing up the middle, off RG and RT.

at the end of the season the bears were a below average rushing team and still a horrible pass protection team.

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

by ed_brown on Jul 21, 2011 6:13 PM CDT up reply actions

we do know our history over at Windy City Gridiron...

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 20, 2011 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions

Speaking of history...

Going through “Blood, Sweat and Chalk” in my spare time when I get some. Riveting read about the evolution of offenses.

Weekend contributor at Windy City Gridiron

by Steven Schweickert on Jul 20, 2011 9:33 AM CDT up reply actions

nice

you should do a review on here

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 20, 2011 9:39 AM CDT up reply actions

I may well do so.

On the Air Coryell chapter with Norv Turner at the moment, so it’s especially relevant.

Weekend contributor at Windy City Gridiron

by Steven Schweickert on Jul 20, 2011 9:42 AM CDT up reply actions

One of my favorite things about the offense

is all the motions. You can really see it throws the D off and that was another thing that played into the Bears’ advantage to help o-line last season. He would do it too with the run game to help bolster that too, I can remember him motioning Forte and a TE from the I-formation out in pass patterns and see the D scrambling out of the box as the ball is snapped or visa-versa.

Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.
Formerly GallopingGhost

by Sam Householder on Jul 20, 2011 9:51 AM CDT up reply actions

I share that play calling school of thought

I believe in giving the defense multiple looks, and using shifts and motion.

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 20, 2011 10:56 AM CDT up reply actions

I Am No Fan Of Martz

especially after he got in the Manatee and made Todd Collins the backup instead of Hanie. And let’s not mention that he nearly killed Jay Cutler when he kept calling 7 step drop plays during the Giants game.

If the offense doesn’t improve this year I say drop the bum.

by Gaak on Jul 20, 2011 2:41 AM CDT reply actions

I cant disagree with ya buddy

That’s what get him ousted in Detroit and San Fransisco. He sticks to his formula, but problem is that opposing defensive coordinators have long figured out how to beat the Martzfense (i.e.Belichik outcoaching Martz in that Superbowl win against the heavily favored Rams) and that Giants game was a big reminder of how the Air Coryell type offense can’t be used extensively.

Martz figured out how to win with what he had last year, which all great coordinators do. He tried to fit a square peg through a round hole in Detroit and San Fran and it ended badly. I think Martz changed his philosophy from pass every down to do whatever works with whoever you got.

I think Martz grew as a coordinator last season and with another season and better personnel there’s no reason to think the Bears offense won’t improve this season.

From 0-16 to the Superbowl baby!

by DLions4Eva on Jul 20, 2011 11:14 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I'm a fan of Martz and his version of the Coryell offense.

If you give him a decent offensive line and receivers who are very well discipline in their route running, his offense looks great.

I want to see what Martz can do with a much improve offensive line.

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 20, 2011 3:50 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I was not a fan of bringing in Martz...

to be the OC in the first place. Whether by historic ethos or by simple dumb luck the Bears had built an offense that was not designed to fit the Martz style. The Bears “got off the bus running” as a way to control the clock and gain field position advantage in the manner of the Tampa teams of the late 90s of which Lovie was familiar. I believe Lovie has wanted to have more of a Martzian style offense since he arrived (and who wouldn’t if you DCed on the STL teams from the early 2000s), but has not put those puzzle pieces together. I just think the distance between what the Bears have and what Martz has had the most success running is still too great to overcome even with one new O-lineman. I see the Bears as being about 3-4 players short right now depending on how the O-line shapes up. My hope for the offense to make significant strides would lie in getting 3-4 quality starters out of FA (2-o-linemen, 1 WR and 1 big angry RB). That’s as much on JA and Lovie as it is on Martz. If the Bears go into this season with the current offense, Martz will have a ton to prove.

by LostInSTL on Jul 21, 2011 5:33 AM CDT reply actions