Chicago Bears: Big Changes Looming for Disappointing Team?
Published by Joshua Edwards on December 28, 2011
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
Matt Forte. Kahlil Bell. Marion Barber. Caleb Hanie. Josh McCown. Roy Williams.
All could be staying put. Some could be shuffled on the depth chart. All could be on the move.
And don’t forget Lance Briggs—he’s always a threat to leave/holdout/cry for a trade or millions more.
But this year, big questions loom over coaches, too. Because the Bears‘ biggest problem wasn’t injuries. They happen to everybody.
It was injury to the quarterback without a capable backup in place. And Hanie’s not a bad kid, but apparently Mike Martz‘s system requires a PhD that Hanie ain’t got.
What was Hanie doing in practice these past two years? Learning not to handoff, and how to throw interceptions?
I blame Martz.
For not preparing Hanie and for demanding a scheme too complex for the offense.
If a grown man, and a world-class professional in his sport, cannot understand the plays well enough to complete a pass to his own teammates, something’s wrong.
The same way it was wrong for Lovie Smith to snap at a reporter who asked if Martz was coming back next year.
Smith said, “What kind of question is that at this time? What kind of question is that? Why would you ask a question like that anyway?”
Feel free to improv your own answers to those softballs. But here are some of mine.
Because…
…the offense can’t avoid turnovers.
…the offense can’t score.
…the best player on offense is the punter.
…the defense is more likely to put points on the board.
…fans ask in all seriousness, “Can Julius Peppers play offense?”
…if someone else was calling plays there’d be fewer delay of game penalties.
…Martz’s contract is up and there’s been no word on an extension.
And because if he fired Martz now, the Bears would still have a chance to beat the Vikings.
But not Lovie Smith.
No, he’d rather watch the third-string offense play against Minnesota in the “Don’t Get Hurt Bowl” before deciding what to do.
That’s Lovie. Always playing defense.
And up at the podium saying, “Mike Martz is our quarterback.”
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