Chicago Bears: Martz Tries To Develop Cutler, Forte, Hester & Knox NFC North

Martz Breeds Optimism

By Derek Crouse

  Sometimes when a student seems that he can’t figure out complex problems and struggles for a solution, the student is not at fault.  The teacher should take some blame by his philosophy on how he develops his student’s problem solving skills. This is a direct parallel to the Bears new offensive coordinator Mike Martz.  Many point the finger at the Bear’s past offensive woes to former coordinator Ron Turner who ran an offense that didn’t exploit the skills of the players he had at his disposal.

   Martz’s past history shows that he has the vision to incorporate his complicated offense to the skill positions in Chicago.  The Martz offense focuses on a pass heavy spread offense system with deep crossing routes to try to throw off the safeties zone coverage.  These routes have to be timed correctly with pinpoint execution for the reason that the quarterback is not throwing to the receiver but to the spot on the field.  This offense requires two fast wide receivers on each side.

   The Bears have Johnny Knox and Devin Hester who are known around the league for their speed. Also, the offense needs a pass catching running back that can block during a blitz, which Matt Forte has developed skills towards.  The basis to have the deep threats is for the defensive coverage. If the defense keeps playing deep, then the offense adapts to throw screens to the backs and short routes to the flat.  With the exotic defenses in the league now, it is becoming more and more challenging to keep them guessing.

   When Martz became the coordinator for the Rams in 1999 he had an astounding effect on the receivers.  Isaac Bruce, who is considered one the best pure route runners ever saw his numbers increase dramatically. In 1998, Bruce averaged 14.3 yards per catch, 32 receptions, 457 yards and 1 touchdown. Then in 1999 Bruce averaged 15.1 yards per catch, 77 receptions, 1,165 yards and 12 touchdowns!  This increase can also be linked to the acquisition of Marshall Faulk.  That year he had a historic season for a running back. Faulk accumulated a whopping 1,381 yards rushing and 1,048 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns.  The explosive offense makes for exciting plays looking to  gamble against the looks that the defense gives pre-snap.

   NFL training camp and the first few games of the regular season always bleeds optimism.  All teams collectively possess the feeling that they have a chance to make a run at the division title or even a Super Bowl.  In Johnny Knox’s rookie season he averaged 11.7 yards per catch, 45 receptions, 527 yards and 5 touchdowns. Will the new exotic sets of Martz’s offense increase his productivity?  Recently retired, Isaac Bruce is going to be coaching the receivers on their route running.  Will his experience in Martz’s offense advance the receiving corps skill set? Will Matt Forte be utilized like Marshall Faulk and become a star in the league? 

   Does the Bears offensive line have the players to protect Jay Cutler?  They will have less blockers on the line in this spread system than in years past. Many questions will arise during the season, but they can’t be answered until the Bears get some games under their belt.  Like Cutler, Martz’s offense gambles on the big play, which can be a risk reward type of scheme.  The 2010 season looks to be a learning experience for players and fans alike. Will this new scheme be the evolution of the Bears offense or will it backfire due to the lack of talent on the interior line and players not suited for Martz's exotic sets?