Greg Olsen on his way to scoring a first-quarter touchdown against Dallas. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/Tribune)
By Brad Biggs
Besides the new playbook, what's the big difference in the Bears' offense this season?
After two games, they've averaging 385.5 yards per game, fifth in the NFL and putting them in a class with juggernauts like Houston and Indianapolis.
It's pretty much the same personnel, with a few additions here and there for new coordinator Mike Martz. Is it as simple as the offensive players buying into the system more than they ever did with former play-caller Ron Turner?
"I think we did have trust last year," tight end Greg Olsen said. "I think a lot of factors went into why we weren't successful. Things kind of steamrolled on us a little bit and once that happens it just got kind of out of hands and we weren't able to get everything stopped, and I don't think it had to do with so much of our trust in what we were doing.
"I think we felt confident each week going out but this year I think everyone wholeheartedly, 100 percent has bought in months ago. I think when (Martz) got here and implemented this offense in the offseason, I think guys right away said, 'Wow, there's a lot going on here.' There's so many opportunities that he's going to put us in to be successful, and across the board, for all positions, everybody included.
"As we went through, there were stages, the offseason, the OTAs and stuff was kind of just a building block and then training camp and the preseason and now we're in the first part of the regular season so we have to continue to build each week. We got better from Week 1 to Week 2, now we have to get better and build upon Week 2 and that's kind of our process through the whole season is to continue to get better as the season progresses."
The Bears typically were in or near the bottom-third of the league under Turner. The challenge for Martz wasn't going to be to catapult the Bears into the top five, but get them near the top 10 with improvements expected on defense.
There is still work to do. The Bears are 28th in the NFL in rushing and are averaging 2.8 yards per carry. It's not about running the ball more, but running the ball more effectively.
"I think it makes the passing game that much better, more effective," running back Matt Forte said. "It's important to get it going. Short passes and things like that can be considered as a run also. But the running game is really important actually to get going so we can throw more down the field type balls."
Badger, just go back to Wisconsin and eat your
cheddar cheese hat. This is the CHICAGO TRIBUNE and not
wisconsin dells news. We'll see how the game is on Monday
Night Football. Talk is cheap cheddar brain!!!
ron Turner was horrible. Everyone freaked out when Cutler threw 5 interceptions against the 49ers last year, but Turner had him throwing 52 passes in a game they lost 10 - 6.
Why would you call 52 pass plays in such a low scoring game? Martz may or may not be a genius, but at least he's competent.
lets face it. the bears got lucky against detroit with that bad call which negated detroits game winning touchdown. beating dallas was a fluke against a team that is on a downward spiral. enjoy it while you can, bears fans.
You see the good things that happen to the Bears when Ron Turner got fired?
You see the good things that happen to the Bears when they get a REAL Offensive Coordinator in Mike Martz than staying with a total goof-up such as Ron Turner?
You see how quickly the Bears offense can adjust with Mike Martz as opposed to Ron Turner?
Basically, there was nothing wrong the the Bears as a team. All they needed was a new offensive coordinator and all the sudden the Bears are competitive again.
Getting a new offensive line coach being Mike Tice was a great idea too. Did anyone notice that the former offensive line coach under that inept Ron Turner, Harry Hiestand did not have any blocking sleds for the offensive linemen to pratice with? It is rumored that Mike Tice had to ask Jerry Angelo, Ted Phillips and the McCaskey's to get some blocking sleds so the offensive lineman can sharpen their skills? Guess what? The offensive line is getting better by the week thanks to a quality offensive line coach in Mike Tice and Offensive Coordinaor in Mike Martz.
There was nothing wrong with the Bear except Ron Turner. Now that Ron Turner is gone the Bears are a competitive team again.
You think Chicago fans and media are tough. The cover of the Philadelphia Daily News ran a photo of Michael Vick, with the caption "Top Dog". Now that is funny.