Now is the time to replace the shoddy Soldier Field turf with an infill surface. (Brian Cassella/Tribune)
By David Haugh
In the Wake of the News
A big reason hiring Mike Martz as offensive coordinator resonated so loudly around the league revolved around the idea that it was the kind of move the Bears don't typically make.
Unorthodox. Bold. Daring.
Don't stop now, Halas Hall.
Colleague Dan Pompei posed the natural question Tuesday about the Bears' logical next step now that they have the director of "The Greatest Show on Turf'' on the payroll: Install FieldTurf or another infill surface for an estimated $1.5 million?
Indeed, the Bears will be sensitive to any suggestion that they would consider making a long-term change to the surface of Soldier Field based on a potential one-year tenure of an assistant coach. But instead of resisting that idea, embrace it.
The presence of Martz finally gives the Bears a reason to force the
Chicago Park District's hand. If he isn't around for 2011, by then the
new surface will be a hit with players, coaches and fans alike. Its
usefulness would outlive any coach.
It wouldn't matter if the Bears hired Mike Martz or Fred Mertz as their next offensive coordinator. Anybody who has seen the steady deterioration of the surface throughout the course of the season the past few years can attest it's a problem that needs as much attention this off-season as the Bears' offensive line.
Opposing players have complained about it being unsafe. Bears players have privately and publicly called it an embarrassment. Without consulting reams of data or commissioned studies, it's hard to argue either point.
Martz doesn't have to be the reason the Bears and Park District make a change that has been needed for years. But it sure gives them a tantalizing reason to put the issue on the top line of the agenda. Now.
It wouldn't matter if the Bears hired Mike Martz or Fred Mertz as their next offensive coordinator. Anybody who has seen the steady deterioration of the surface throughout the course of the season the past few years can attest it's a problem that needs as much attention this off-season as the Bears' offensive line.
Opposing players have complained about it being unsafe. Bears players have privately and publicly called it an embarrassment. Without consulting reams of data or commissioned studies, it's hard to argue either point.
Martz doesn't have to be the reason the Bears and Park District make a change that has been needed for years. But it sure gives them a tantalizing reason to put the issue on the top line of the agenda. Now.
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This is obviously a no-brainer, but it's doubtful the city will cave in to the temptation. Hell, Hester might finally get his ever elusive 12th return TD.
they should use the turf the Ravens use Hester Knox guys like that will be much faster hard to stay with think about that.
If the Bears conside going with turf they should consider going 'Green' by using Geo Turf USA! They have an 100% lead free turf and organic infill made up of coconut and cork making it a safer and more eco-friendly alternative than crumb rubber turf fields!
toomuch - well said.
THe new fake stuff is WORLDS away from the 80s stuff. Softer, no seams,etc... And "Bear Weather" is the biggest joke. A bad team gets owned whether it's sunny, rainy, or snowy. Look at the Baltimore game which was a snowy blizzard (aka Bear weather). What happened?
The new offense is built on speed. But the defensive has been built around speed for years.
At very least it'll take away another excuse for poor performance... You Fire Lovie/Angelo/Phillips people should love that.
And since we're talking about going retro with the turf, how about bringing back the Honey BEars?
Less injuries on field turf, considering the elements, and the FACT the Bears have the worst field in the NFL because of the field used for multiple venues (soccer, HS football, concerts)
FIELD TURF IS A MUST if you do not understand that you are a casual fan.
The Bears played on artificial turf for 20 years at Soldier Field and when the Bears were good nobody complained then. The new Field Turf stuff is great and the way Soldier Field is used it makes perfect sense. The only thing holding this up is the personnell that the Park District pays to maintain the grass field that is a joke. Also the city should have put a retratable dome on Soldier Field...Bear weather is overrated and the place is useless for 5 months out of the year. If we had a dome like Indy or Detroit we could get th eSuper Bowl, Final Four, huge trade shos, concerts all year long, etc. Another short sighted example of the City that at one time works
No way do I want artificial turf. Football was meant to be played outdoors on grass. I've heard more people say that artificial turf causes more injuries than grass. I was so happy when the bears got rid of their artificial turf I would be very disappointed if they went back. The only thing worst than installing artificial turf would be putting a dome on Soldier Field.