Chicago Bears: 5 Reasons Mike Tice Will Have Success with Offense in 2012

The Chicago Bears offense has plenty to be optimistic about heading into the 2012 NFL season, even with a new offensive coordinator in Mike Tice and with the possibility of running back Matt Forte holding out.

The Bears have added more weapons to their offense, including All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Marshall and up-and-coming running back Michael Bush. Chicago has also added speedsters in Eric Weems and Devin Thomas, who are expected to contribute on special teams and could bring some versatility to help quarterback Jay Cutler in the passing game.

Tice inherits an offense with one of the most talented arms in the NFL in Cutler. However, his best weapon, Forte, is holding out during the Bears' voluntary workouts and will probably threaten to hold out all the way until training camp.

Can Tice handle an offense that might not have Forte? Will he utilize the new players on the roster in an efficient manner?

Here are five reasons why Tice will run a successful offensive unit for Chicago in 2012.

5. Versatility

In the last two years under Mike Martz, Chicago has failed to adjust its offense according to its personnel or to opposing defenses. Martz stuck to his guns, and that might be why the Bears are more optimistic with Tice at the helm.

While most believe that Tice will feature a run-first offense, that may not necessarily be the case. Tice said that the team's talent and how opposing defenses line up will dictate the offensive's game plan each week, according to an interview with ChicagoBears.com. 

That means that Cutler will not be taking only seven-step drops every week, and it also means that the Bears will not be running the ball 40 times every week. Based on the matchups, Tice will devise a game plan that will favor the Bears offense each week—whether they are primarily running or passing the football.

The good thing for Chicago? The Bears can win by either running or passing.

4. Jay Cutler

During the Bears' five-game winning streak in 2011 in which they jumped from 2-3 to 7-3, Cutler was playing some of the best football of his career. He only committed three turnovers and tossed for seven touchdowns.

Not many offensive coordinators have a quarterback that is as talented as Cutler. Tice has to keep Cutler happy by catering the offense to his strengths and not limiting him to pocket passing, as Martz did during the last two seasons. 

Ever since his Denver Broncos days, Cutler has been a strong passer outside of the pocket. He has shown the ability to make better decisions on the run.

If Tice can design an offense that allows Cutler to roll out and if the line can still protect him, then the Bears offense will become that much more explosive.

3. Brandon Marshall

Is it possible to talk about the Bears offense's potential success without talking about Brandon Marshall? 

That's like bringing up the 2003 Chicago Cubs demise without mentioning Steve Bartman.

For years, Chicago has lacked a No. 1, big-time target. The team tried to fill the void last season with Roy Williams, but that move backfired. With Marshall, the Bears add a wide receiver who is one of the best in the business.

All Tice has to do is figure out how to get Marshall the ball. The benchmark should be set at 80 catches for the former Pro Bowl MVP, and by reconnecting with Cutler, that number should be easily attainable.

Marshall has five straight seasons with at least 80 receptions and 1,000 yards. If Tice can devise a game plan to get Marshall to post those numbers in 2012, then Lovie Smith will be one happy head coach.

2. No-Huddle Offense

In an interview with Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Tice said this about the Bears offense heading into the 2012 season:

"...You have to have the ability to check at the line of scrimmage, you have to have the ability to have a short passing game. And then I'm a no-huddle guy, and we don't have no huddle...I want to be able to go no huddle and change the rhythm offensively."

Cutler has struggled with decision making and checking blitzes at the line of scrimmage. So why not speed the game up and make him think less? Going no huddle for Cutler follows the same philosophy as letting him make throws outside of the pocket—he reacts to the game instead of over-thinking it.

If Tice decides to go no huddle on offense, then defenses will not have time to dial up obscure blitzes and linemen stunts. No huddle forces the opposing defense to execute a more basic game plan, and Cutler could be more successful in this scenario.

1. Talent

What is the main reason why Tice will be successful in the 2012 NFL season? The Bears have the talent to be one the top 10 offenses in the league.

Assuming that the Bears' front office and Matt Forte figure out contract negotiations before the start of the season, Forte, Marshall and Cutler give Chicago a three-headed monster that is arguably the best QB-RB-WR combo in the NFL.

Not even Tice can screw up an offense that features players as talented as these. However, Forte suiting up is no guarantee.

Even if Forte does not play this season, Michael Bush is a solid replacement. He's not as talented as Forte, but the Bears could do just as well with Bush and Khalil Bell handling the load in the backfield. 

Chicago has numerous weapons to become an effective offense in 2012, and it will be up to Tice to sort out the pieces to the puzzle. Even if Tice pushes a few wrong buttons, the Bears' talent and depth at the skill positions should keep them competitive with Cutler under center.