Devin Hester runs after a catch against the Lions. (Jose M. Osorio)
By Dan Pompei
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Bears coach Lovie Smith addressed a variety of issues during a breakfast session Wednesday at the NFL meetings, including the roles of Devin Hester and Greg Olsen in the offense and the possibility of bringing in a veteran backup quarterback. Here are the highlights:
DEVIN HESTER
The plan is not for Hester to have a reduced or specialized role in the offense. Regardless of what new offensive coordinator Mike Martz previously has said, Smith said he wants Hester to get as many touches as a receiver on offense as possible and envisioned his role as similar to what it was in the past.
"I don't know whose plan that was," Smith said. "Mike had been here a few days, you kind of hit him with questions. He likes the potential of Devin as a full-time receiver. I don't see him (getting fewer snaps). Not right now. To me, if you have a player as exciting as Hester, you want to get him as many touches as you possibly can. We're not going in saying he's going to get more plays or less plays. We'll keep all our options open.
"We definitely will still use him as a wide receiver. It will probably be the same role as last year -- punt returner and full-time receiver. Mike is very comfortable with him being one of our lead receivers and it is unlimited what he can do."
GREG OLSEN
He will be used in an H-back role in addition to tight end.
"H-back is probably what Greg has been best suited for up to this point," Smith said. "Right now, that's been more Greg's role. We haven't talked a lot about him being an in-line tight end. That's the next step we have to take with Greg is getting him more comfortable to play in-line tight end."
"He's faster than most tight ends out there. He can block the way most other tight ends can, but in the passing game he is a step ahead. He can be successful in this offense -- not can, will. He will be successful in this offense. He's a competitor. He's going to find a way. His role has increased as far as us going to him every year. I don't see that changing."
BACKUP QUARTERBACK
The team is still considering adding a veteran backup quarterback.
"We'll keep that option open," Smith said. "It's something we discussed. Last year was the first year we went with two quarterbacks. It wouldn't be a bad thing if we end up with a veteran this year. That has nothing to do with Caleb Hanie. We think he is a heck of a quarterback. But when you go with two quarterbacks, it is a little scary each week.
"Whenever you can add another veteran to the group, especially a veteran quarterback because they are kind of like a second coach knowing the offense, that can be a good thing. Just having another voice to mentor all the situations is a good thing."
DEFENSIVE SECONDARY
Smith is concerned about the safety position and the depth at cornerback.
"I am concerned about depth at corner, no way to go around it," Smith said. "We haven't played as well as we needed to. Part of it is the defensive line, which we've helped by bringing in Julius (Peppers). But at the same time, we need to try to improve that. Peanut (Charles Tillman) has had the injuries, they've hurt him. I was pleased with how Zack Bowman played. First year as a starter. He has the size, the speed, getting six interceptions your first year. Pleased with him, concerned about the injuries."
Danieal Manning and Craig Steltz look like the starting safeties, though Smith was noncommittal about who would play strong and who would play free.
"He'll be a safety," Smith said of Manning. "A lot of that has to do with who we end up with. We want to get him in one position and keep him there. He's not going to be flipping back and forth. Strong safety is an option, free safety is still an option."
As for Manning possibly not showing up for offseason work due to his contract situation, Smith said, "We'd like to have everyone there every day. Every practice you can work out with your team is important, but it's voluntary."
Regarding Steltz' position, Smith said, "It could be at free safety. He'll be opposite Danieal. Josh Bullucks played well, too. Nobody is locked in."
As for nickel back, Smith said, "We have options. Corey Graham has played it, started for us. Tim Jennings has played it also. Those are the two guys who have the best opportunity of playing."
LINEBACKERS
The strong-side position will be up for grabs with Nick Roach, Hunter Hillenmeyer and Jamar Williams in the mix. If the Bears re-sign Pisa Tinoisamoa, as they want to, he would be in competition as well.
"We had three guys that started at strong-side linebacker, and I'll talk about them all," Smith said. "Nick Roach is a good football player. He can do it all. Nick did a great job where we put him, but his best position is probably (strong) linebacker because he can beat a running back one-on-one, he's a good rusher. We'll be comfortable with him there.
"Hunter Hillenmeyer had a heck of a year. His best position is probably (middle) linebacker and he'll tell you that. Jamar Williams, the game he played he had over 20 tackles, played his butt off. He still plays better at the (weak) position. We feel comfortable with all of those guys there. The way it's looking now, Nick will probably be the first guy there and we're not done there, either. We'd like for (free agent) Pisa (Tinoisamoa) to be a part of the mix, too. If he comes back, we'll start reshuffling things."
ISRAEL IDONIJE
Idonije is being moved back to defensive end from defensive tackle.
"What we're thinking about for him this year is letting him lock into end more, letting him keep his weight down," Smith said. "It's amazing what the guy can do with his body. ... I'd like to see him lock in and be more of a defensive end and see how good he can become."
OVERTIME RULES
Smith and the Bears supported the new overtime rules.
He will be used in an H-back role in addition to tight end.
"H-back is probably what Greg has been best suited for up to this point," Smith said. "Right now, that's been more Greg's role. We haven't talked a lot about him being an in-line tight end. That's the next step we have to take with Greg is getting him more comfortable to play in-line tight end."
"He's faster than most tight ends out there. He can block the way most other tight ends can, but in the passing game he is a step ahead. He can be successful in this offense -- not can, will. He will be successful in this offense. He's a competitor. He's going to find a way. His role has increased as far as us going to him every year. I don't see that changing."
BACKUP QUARTERBACK
The team is still considering adding a veteran backup quarterback.
"We'll keep that option open," Smith said. "It's something we discussed. Last year was the first year we went with two quarterbacks. It wouldn't be a bad thing if we end up with a veteran this year. That has nothing to do with Caleb Hanie. We think he is a heck of a quarterback. But when you go with two quarterbacks, it is a little scary each week.
"Whenever you can add another veteran to the group, especially a veteran quarterback because they are kind of like a second coach knowing the offense, that can be a good thing. Just having another voice to mentor all the situations is a good thing."
DEFENSIVE SECONDARY
Smith is concerned about the safety position and the depth at cornerback.
"I am concerned about depth at corner, no way to go around it," Smith said. "We haven't played as well as we needed to. Part of it is the defensive line, which we've helped by bringing in Julius (Peppers). But at the same time, we need to try to improve that. Peanut (Charles Tillman) has had the injuries, they've hurt him. I was pleased with how Zack Bowman played. First year as a starter. He has the size, the speed, getting six interceptions your first year. Pleased with him, concerned about the injuries."
Danieal Manning and Craig Steltz look like the starting safeties, though Smith was noncommittal about who would play strong and who would play free.
"He'll be a safety," Smith said of Manning. "A lot of that has to do with who we end up with. We want to get him in one position and keep him there. He's not going to be flipping back and forth. Strong safety is an option, free safety is still an option."
As for Manning possibly not showing up for offseason work due to his contract situation, Smith said, "We'd like to have everyone there every day. Every practice you can work out with your team is important, but it's voluntary."
Regarding Steltz' position, Smith said, "It could be at free safety. He'll be opposite Danieal. Josh Bullucks played well, too. Nobody is locked in."
As for nickel back, Smith said, "We have options. Corey Graham has played it, started for us. Tim Jennings has played it also. Those are the two guys who have the best opportunity of playing."
LINEBACKERS
The strong-side position will be up for grabs with Nick Roach, Hunter Hillenmeyer and Jamar Williams in the mix. If the Bears re-sign Pisa Tinoisamoa, as they want to, he would be in competition as well.
"We had three guys that started at strong-side linebacker, and I'll talk about them all," Smith said. "Nick Roach is a good football player. He can do it all. Nick did a great job where we put him, but his best position is probably (strong) linebacker because he can beat a running back one-on-one, he's a good rusher. We'll be comfortable with him there.
"Hunter Hillenmeyer had a heck of a year. His best position is probably (middle) linebacker and he'll tell you that. Jamar Williams, the game he played he had over 20 tackles, played his butt off. He still plays better at the (weak) position. We feel comfortable with all of those guys there. The way it's looking now, Nick will probably be the first guy there and we're not done there, either. We'd like for (free agent) Pisa (Tinoisamoa) to be a part of the mix, too. If he comes back, we'll start reshuffling things."
ISRAEL IDONIJE
Idonije is being moved back to defensive end from defensive tackle.
"What we're thinking about for him this year is letting him lock into end more, letting him keep his weight down," Smith said. "It's amazing what the guy can do with his body. ... I'd like to see him lock in and be more of a defensive end and see how good he can become."
OVERTIME RULES
Smith and the Bears supported the new overtime rules.
Register with Chicago Tribune and receive Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks newsletters for free. 
When sports news breaks, be the first to know. (To get alerts on a mobile device, text CHISPORTS to 31286.). 
@ DabearsDabullsDabears
The reason people are so ticked is because Lovie's saying the same old garbage he's been saying for a couple years now, even though everyone knows it's garbage. Steltz at FS is downright frightening. Manning is bad @ FS & he, as well as 2 other players beat out Steltz for that position last season.
We need a "Veteran Backup" @ QB like we need a hole in the head, because the guy won't see the light of day all season now that Cutler's here & he'll waste a roster spot we could use for a Lineman (O or D), Safety or Corner.
This was the 1st season Knox & Aromashodu have seen an NFL snap in the regular season. By the end of the year they were both as good as Hester, even though this is Devin's 3rd year at wideout. Now most players make their biggest improvments between their 1st & 2nd seasons and personally I think Hester realizes they'll probably surpass him this year, which is why he didn't have a problem being a slot guy & focusing on getting back to being the best return man in the game.
And the 1 position that needs to be addressed the most is Guard. Offensive. Freaking. Guard. We need a big, mean, road-grading Guard to offset Olin Kruetz flying in the backfield on running plays. And did All-Knowing Lovie say a stinking word about this God-Awful O-Line? Of course not. So typical.
Whoa Whoa. Everyone take a deep breath. I appreciate the passion, but lets slow down with the hating. Being this negative this early in the off season is a bit pessimistic for me. The past few seasons have been rough, but the potential was there. Sure a lot of the knocks on the cover 2 are valid, but this defense does work when the team plays well. There are ways to exploit the cover 2, but there are adjustments that can be made with in the defense as well (having a freakishly athletic MLB also helps). The most important part of ANY SCHEME is execution. It got the Colts to the super bowl last year. I'd say the by far the biggest problem the bears had last year was the execution and not the coaching or scheme. Safety and offensive line are both clearly concerns, but they're no reason to give up on this season yet. It's funny I don't here people calling for Cutler's head after a very questionable season from him. Everyone assumes if the rest of the team plays well, then he will to, but He better start playing within the team or else the Bears will surely disappoint.
The Bears have improved through free agency and, by default, through injury rehabilitation. Lovie's record and reputation clearly show that he is a high caliber NFL coach. I'd much rather watch him give it a good shot this year then watch a rebuilding team go 4-12. Barring major injuries this can be a very formidable team, and I promise that opposing NFL coaching staffs will not take the 2010-11 Chicago Bears as lightly as many of those who commented on this article are.
Who would expect anything to change about this team with the same old stubborn & stupid coach? He's learned nothing from last season, and of course, the managment hasn't either because they should have fired him long ago.
Toby44, .... You HAVE to be a Cubs fan!
No one asked Lovie to keep his hands off the offense when they went to the Super Bowl and led the league in scoring. What has changed since then? Talent. Downgrades in QB, RB, OL and arguably no improvement in WR.
Give him the talent and he will lead the team to success. Good start with Cutler and the young receiving core--now improve the line.
Lovie is a stubborn idiot who should keep him mouth shut cause the insane dribble called Loviespeak is annoying. Hester has said himself he knows what he's good at & that is returing punts & KO. Olsen would b better served as a slot receiver H back really? Why do the Bears continue to not use their players strengths? Why did you hire Martz then if Lovie had all the answers on Offense. I can't wait til this fool is out of Chicago
Just like JustSteve said Lovie,"Let the OC and DC do their jobs!!!" For this year Lovie, make like a STATUE and let the pigeons crap on you...that's not far off from what you do now anyway! Just be like the rest of the fans and be a spectator like you've been in the past and let Mike and Rod see if they can SAVE your job this year. Just act like you're the coach and stop talking stooooo-pid Droopy!
Lovie...keep your hands off the offense please.
BaDa on March 24, 2010 3:17 PM
Does anyone really believe the Bears are good enough to finish next season above .500?
.....
I think most people would expect them to be around 7 wins in 2010 and a lucky bounce or two could get them to 9. You never know.
Does anyone really believe the Bears are good enough to finish next season above .500?
Without several plane crashes involving the other teams from the division, I can't find a way to justify that expectation.
The Bears have an offense?
Hahahaha, Steltz and Manning at Safety, and Olsen as an H-Back so the Bears spent a first round pick on an H-Back. Hahahaha most teams find those guys is the 7th round. Nice. As for the Hester comments, he has hasn't actually said anything different from Martz. Martz said he wanted Hester in the slot and Lovie said he didn't want him fewer touches. Martz most common set is a 3 reciever single back set with a blocking TE. Thats 70-80 percent of the offensive formations. He just won't be the first guy in a read anymore or the primary reciever most of the time. But last year he wasn't really the number 1 target on the team, Olsen was. You want funny Pompei said in an interview that the Bears where not giving Lovie the amount of money he needs to be succesful this comming year. The Bears currently stand as one of the top 3 highest paid teams in the league. Yet Pompei feels they are not spending enough. Cause Lovie still needs a couple of pro bowl O-Linemen, a pro bowl DT, a pro bowl safety, and a pro bowl reciever. If Lovie gets those he will have a shot at making the playoffs. Hahahahaha, really so if the Bears spend like 250 million on their roster for next year he has shot, and yet you still claim he is a great coach, all he needs is the all pro bowl team and the most expensive team in nfl history and he will get it done. Hahahahaha, all free agents by the way cause Angelo is doing such a great job as he points out so often. Please go out and sign everyone elses great players because we can't develop anyone and we can't draft anyone. Boy Angelo and Smith are great. All they need are like 10 to 15 pro bowl players from other teams and they will show you.
Can't stand this clown (Lovie) anymore...starts every sentence with "Of course..." and ends every sentence with "...a little bit" in his red-neck accent.For example, 'Of course, we want to get Devin involved in the passing game a little biiiit' and he's always 'excited' about a player, coach or the fact that he's still the coach of the bears. When Lovie get's fired, I'll be 'excited'!!!
Egads, people! Haven't you yet learned the fundamental principle of coaches and front-office people in the NFL? They don't always tell the truth! When they speak to the media, their goal is to confuse other teams about what their plans are for the upcoming season, not make them more clear.
It may be that Lovie wants Hester to return kickoffs and not do any receiving, but he's not going to say that. He thinks that if other teams have a clear idea of what the Bears are going to do, those teams will have an advantage in game prep. So Lovie (along with every other coach in the league) intentionally tries to keep things vague and confusing.
So relax. We won't know what the Bears are going to do until they do it. Because that's how they want it to be.
Yeah, why in the world would you take your best receiver off of offense? I mean he's only 46th in the league in receiving, so that helps you maintain your mediocrity.
Can we use Julius at the goal line like Ditka used the Fridge ?
oh well... he has no place on offense but looks like things will never change
Surest sign that things are not going well??? Manning and Steltz look like the starting safeties right now. Afalava and Payne are both better than Steltz, although I think playing strong safety is where all 4 guys should be (counting Manning and Steltz). Bullocks is the only free safety on the roster. I think Manning could be the best option at strong safety, because he is physical enough to tackle TEs and play in the box, and fast enough to retreat into deep coverage when needed.
I think we need a free safety more urgently than any other position outside of offensive line. Bullocks needs some competition, and we can't go into the season with 4 out of 5 safeties as strong safety. Any injury at all, and we are hosed. A free safety has to be able to diagnose the play quickly, be rangy enough in coverage to beat the offensive player to the ball on the sideline, and smart enough to make his read based on the QBs eyes. That disqualifies Steltz, Afalava, Payne, and Manning, albeit on different factors.
Steltz is slow in coverage, and not especially quick on diagnosing the play. Afalava and Payne are much better moving forward than backwards, and both can be outrun by quicker TEs, which is why Olsen was lighting it up in practice all season long, and didn't get the same separation in games. Manning has all the athleticism, but has not been able to read the QB so far.
If we manage to get lucky, and Burnett falls to us in round 3, we could solve the problem. A tandem of Burnett and Manning would be formidable, both from a physical standpoint, and a versatility standpoint. We might not have to go into dime coverage very often, because both safeties would have the speed to run with receivers. That keeps Briggs and Urlacher on the field more, which is always going to help in coverage.
I just don't see Olsen as an H-back. He is better suited to a Dallas Clark-type role, where he is more a slot receiver that sometimes motions down into the box to block. But then again, Lovie is apparently smarter than all of us, because he is getting paid $5m per year to do this, and is not held accountable for lack of success. The offense needs 2 things for the Martz system to have a chance: 1) way better line play, and 2) a legimitate commitment to the running game. If we get both, we have a chance to be in most games. If we don't, we may not even get to 6 wins.
Why would Devin be taken out of the offense? He is the best receiver on the team. What is the point of the story?
I agree with BearJim. How do you know its time to leave, when no one wants to hear you open your mouth. Just keep it closed Lovie, like you do when you stare at the other team scoring replays on the jumbotron.
Moving guys out of position. Stubborn refusal to be innovative with change. Won't admit that he has a problem. Over ruling assistant coaches.
More of the same.
I've been a Bears fan for 40 years and I hate to see them lose, but if losing will get rid of this bum..........
The GREAT coaches know how to adjust their philosophies based on what league trends are.
But we have 2 coahces (Martz and Lovie) who stubbornly or arrogantly want to continue their philosophies (Spread Offense/Cover-2 defense) while the rest of the NFL has figured them out.
Should be a fun year.....NOT!!
Don't care summer is here soon!
Just when I was starting to feel good about the upcoming season, Smith had to open his mouth & ruin it!
Moving Hester to WR has done nothing but reduce him from perhaps the greatest kick returner ever, to...meh. Yeah, keep him out there as much as you can. Brilliant.
I am sick of hearing Lovie Smith's illogical rants. I used to like the guy but he's wearing out his welcome.
It seems everyone in the football universe outside of Halas Hall knows Devin Hester is not a #1 recevier.
So here comes Lovie reiterating Hester is a #1 receiver.
Ugggh, if Lovie can't figure it out, the Bears are doomed next season.
2010 Chicago Bears- -5-11.
None of this really matters.
Did I miss something? Since when did Lovie became the O.C? Shut the hell up and let Martz do his job.
Lovie, the more you open your mouth, the harder Cowher is laughing his way to Chicago, keep it up.
The only way this is going to work is if Lovie turns around and walks away and Lets Martz do his job, I don't like Martz's system, but bickering and a game of tug a war and we might win 4 games! And Manning and Steltz! This has all ready been tried! Been there choked on that! This better be a smoke screen Lovie!
Lovie already stepping in and throwing any sort of new idea right out the window. Sounds like the Bears halftime of a close game with playoff implications.
Lovie spends the off-season trying to replace these under-producing turkeys, ..... NOW he has to soothe their fragile egos and kiss their boo-boos.
Olsen at H-Back?? ... What a joke! .... THAT sure won't cause the opponents to lose any sleep.
Agreed with Steve let Martz decide who plays what and how much. Limiting Hester's snaps will allow him to concentrate more on special teams. He will be a slot reciever which is a much different role than last year. He won't be a starter on the outside which is good cause the guy can't run block at all. In the slot he can use his speed to create mismatches and get the ball in space and run after the catch. Why would you have Olsen play H Back when you signed a 300 pound tight end who is mainly a blocker? Olsen is not a good blocker but may be our best pass catcher so let him do what he does. We all know Martz is gonna have Manumaluena play H Back when we get down on the goaline. Lets draft a free safety to compete with Manning. We all know Manning is better at nickel back anyways. Then you let Steltz Afalava and Payne all compete for strong safety. Don't F%$# this up Lovie!
Lovie, you hired an offensive coordinator because you know nothing about running an offense. Let him do his job -- please.