Black Monday has come and gone and as expected a
litany of NFL coaches have been dismissed from their teams, and organizations
begin down a new path. At the beginning of the 2014 season, if someone were to
have said that Rex Ryan and Michael Smith would be coaching their last years at
their respected clubs, most people would have agreed. The writing was even on
the wall in San Francisco at the beginning of the season in regards to Jim
Harbaugh with his departure from the Bay Area. Many of the coaches you
typically see “let go” on Black Monday is a result of a gradual decline in
performance of the team or trust by the fan base or front office. However what
took place in Chicago was anything but typical.
Today,
the Bears let go of their head coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil
Emery after an abysmal season in the Windy City,that resulted in a 5-11 record.
But this was not expected; this was not part of the plan. Just last season, it
had seemed that Emery’s bold plan to hire Trestman to completely change the
culture of Chicago had paid off when the Bears finished the 2013 season 8-8,
just missing the playoffs. But Jay Cutler had an injury-plagued season, and the
Bears had outplayed expectations; the pendulum seemed to be swinging up for the
Bears. Going into the 2014 season, the Bears boasted one of the most explosive
offenses in the league, and had one of the most innovated offensive minds in
Marc Trestman to orchestrate the attack. In short, this was supposed to be the
Bears season in the NFC North. But it was anything but, and now the Bears have
to start anew. But in the case of the Bears, going forward should result in the
front office taking a look back in the past to find success.
The Bears Mind-Set: Be the Bears
Its
really simple for the Bears, they just have to turn back the clock. The Bears
have been one of the most successful football organizations in history because
they have stuck with what has worked. Play great defense, run the ball, don’t
make mistakes at the quarterback position. Why did the Bears stink this year?
Their defense was awful, for whatever reason they did not want to run the ball,
and the Jay Cutler made way too many mistakes. While the gamble never paid off
with Emery and Trestman, it is not as if the Bears have never tasted success
before nor not know how to build it. The blueprint should be framed in gold in
any downtown bar in Chicago.
What the Bears need to build around: The Bear
Philosophy
The
Bears are going to need to reconstruct the defense quick, fast and in a hurry
if they are going to try and climb up the NFC ladder again. Unfortunately there
are no Mike Singletarys or Brian Urlachers to build around so the Bears will
need to be diligent in the draft and free agency this season (stay tuned!). But
they do have one of the best running backs in football, and instead of throwing
him the ball, they can just hand it off to him instead. Matt Forte still has
the juice in his legs to be more than dependable in the running game, much like
how DeMarco Murray has been utilized in Dallas. And while rumors will twirl
around about Jay Cutler leaving Chicago, his contract makes it virtually
impossible. Instead, perhaps the Bears can corral the wild Cutler, much like
Tony Romo in Dallas. Now based on this logic, one would presume that Dallas
offensive coordinator Scott Linehan would make a perfect candidate in Chicago.
But you still need someone to rebuild the defense, someone who knows Chicago
football, its lineage, and its reputation…
Head Coach: Rex Ryan
And
how perfect would this job be for Rex Ryan? Rex’s father, Buddy Ryan, created
and perfected the vaunted 46 defense in Chicago which fostered one of the
greatest defenses of all-time, the vintage 85’ Bears defense. Ryan could easily
step in and continue to fulfill the legacy that his father established nearly
30 years ago. All initial reports are suggesting that Rex Ryan could end up in
Atlanta, based on he interviewed back with Arthur Blank four years ago prior to
taking the Jets job. This could prove to be tempting with Rex, with a steady
offense already in place (especially at the quarterback position). However the
Bears have very intriguing pieces on offense for Rex Ryan, and while Jay Cutler
maybe less desirable quarterbacks in the league right now, he is still
significantly better than anything he has worked with in New York. Ryan could
lean on Matt Forte, who would also prove to be the best running back Rex has
ever used in his “ground and pound” approach as well.
If
it were to come down to Atlanta and Chicago for Rex Ryan, one must consider the
personality that Ryan is handcuffed with. Ryan doesn’t want to just win, he
wants to win on a big stage with as much fanfare as possible. Going to Chicago,
and bringing a Super Bowl trophy back to the Windy City would make Rex Ryan
legendary, and as popular as the likes of Mike Ditka. Restaurants, streets, and
other landmarks would be renamed after him. “Da Bears” would resonate once
again on SNL and Bill Swerski would ponder the question “Who would win in a
matchup between Ditka and Semi-Truck driven by Rex Ryan?”
Free Agents: Ndamukong Suh DT, Joe Barkensdale OT,
Rahim Moore S
Now
if you are a Bears fan and your fantasizing about Rex Ryan bringing Bears
football back to Chicago, imagine having Ndamukong Suh anchoring the defense.
After the recent stomping incident/suspension this past week, nobody could
blame the Lions if they chose not to pay a ‘kings ransom’ to bring Suh back to
Detroit. Suh in all likelihood would test free agency anyway and his brand of
football would suit the history of Chicago football very well. This signing
would work twofold for the Ryan and Suh. Rex Ryan may be one of the only
coaches whom Suh would respect enough not to consider doing the acts he has so infamously
committed, and signing Suh would instantly transform the Bears defense.
Barkensdale
and Moore would sure up large holes on both sides of the ball. And both players
are have strong personalities, the kind of personalities that Ryan likes to have
around. These are three excellent fits.
Draft Pick: Leonard Williams, DE, USC
Right
now McShay ranks Williams as the number one prospect entering the draft this
season, but that is hardly a unanimous choice. With the top five to seven teams
desperately looking for a new identity on offense, there is a strong
possibility a player of Williams caliber slides down in the first round. With
the Bears picking at number 7, Leonard Williams makes a lot of sense. He’s
athletic, a pass rusher, but serves well in the run game. He may never be Bruce
Smith, but he is a good well-rounded defensive end, which is something the
Bears are in great need of.
Trades: CHI trades Brandon Marshall to the Seattle
Seahawks for a 3rd Round Draft Pick
The
ultimate message that can be made to Jay Cutler that his cavalier way of doing
things is over, is by trading away his ‘safety blanket’ Brandon Marshall. While
it may not make sense on the surface to get rid of a weapon of Marshall’s
caliber, Marshall has been a virus that needs to be removed. Marshall has come
out too often to criticize players, coaches, the front office, and just the
other day Marshall went off on a Chicago Sports talk host (http://thebiglead.com/2014/12/29/brandon-marshall-to-chicago-sports-talk-host-youre-a-clown-you-shouldnt-be-on-the-radio/).
Marshall, has played and acted his way out of Chicago, and the change of
scenery could prove to be beneficial for both he and Jay Cutler. With the
absence of Marshall, Chicago can refocus back on their run game, and Jay Cutler
could learn to spread the ball around more, while playing a safer brand of
football. Alshon Jeffery and Martellius Bennett is more than enough in the
passing game to be effective, and Chicago needs to harness Jay Cutler. Trading
Marshall would be the backbone of that message.
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