It’s a Make or Break Year for Lovie Smith
Published by Bryan Dietzler on July 25, 2010
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
After seeing much success early on in his time with the Chicago Bears, head coach Lovie Smith hasn’t seen anything resembling stability or consistency since going to the Super Bowl in 2006. He has basically been given an ultimatum for 2010; win or else.
So Smith and general manager Jerry Angelo set out to do some work this offseason.
The work that they did would hopefully make the Bears better and more competitive in the short term (2010). They started out by signing free agents including former Carolina Panther’s defensive end Julius Peppers, Minnesota Vikings running back Chester Taylor, and San Diego Chargers tight end Brandon Manumaleuna.
Peppers gave them an instant upgrade in the pass rushing game and should help out their defense immensely. Taylor will help spell current Bears starter Matt Forte and allow them to have a solid one-two punch in the running game. Taylor can also block and catch passes out of the backfield.
Speaking of blocking, Manumaleuna, who has played in this kind of system before, is being brought in as a blocking tight end to help out with the offense, and he’s been solid blocking in the past.
Chicago’s draft, although devoid of much needed playmakers on the offensive line, did bear some fruit on defense, where draft picks Major Wright, Corey Wootton, and Joshua Moore should develop into fine players in the very near future.
Wootton, thought to be a first or early second round pick by some, may end up being the steal of the draft of the Bears and every other team in the NFC North.
The most important thing that Chicago had to do going into the offseason but didn’t do was rebuild and rework their offensive line. As fans, we hoped that Chicago would spend some time in both free agency and in the draft helping out their offensive line but it wasn’t meant to be. They added just one player in the draft (J’Marcus Webb) and a couple other undrafted free agents. This could spell trouble for their offensive line in 2010.
Another area of concern that the Bears had going into the offseason and still have heading into training camp is in the secondary. Both the cornerback and safety position remain unsettled, and with the cornerback position, one injury could make this unit a liability to the Bears. Health will be key in 2010.
The safety position (both free and strong) could end up being one of the most competitive in training camp this summer. These positions have no starter heading into training camp (as of this writing), so look for there to be a lot of good competition at both safety positions. This should only serve to make both positions strong.
With a new offensive scheme along with new players on both sides of the ball, the Bears have a lot to learn in a short amount of time. Can they do it? Yes they can, but there will be some bumps and bruises a long the way.
Smith came into the 2010 season knowing that he had to do whatever it took to win games and reach the playoffs. The upper management of the team gave him the tools needed to help make the Bears better in 2010. Smith himself took strides (with the team) to make things better by hiring some of the better offensive coaching talent in league (Mike Martz and Mike Tice). Knowing that their offense needed help, Smith recognized the problem and did something about it.
He also realized that he couldn’t do it “all” so he made Rod Marinelli the defensive coordinator, taking the pressure that he had on him off for the next season. Having more freedom to pay attention to both sides of the ball should help Smith out in 2010.
The Bears are predicted to either sit in third place in the NFC North or take the top of the division next season. It depends on who you listen to or what you read. Either it’s possible, but for Smith’s sake, the Bears need to make the playoffs this year or he could be gone at the end of it.
Look for improvement out of the Bears this coming season, and it should be enough that Smith will get one more year (another year) in Chicago. The Bears should be better (I emphasize should) and should be able to earn a playoff spot.
If things get ugly and the Bears have a repeat of last season or worse, then it can be assured that Lovie and his crew will be on the road out of Chicago. Let’s hope that it doesn’t come to that.
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