Bills vs. Bears: Chicago Still Has Faith In Mike Martz
by Brian Galliford on Nov 4, 2010 2:15 PM EDT
in Buffalo Bills News
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Aside from star defensive end Julius Peppers, the most significant addition the Chicago Bears made this past offseason was bringing Mike Martz aboard as the team's offensive coordinator. Considered by many to be one of the league's most innovative offensive minds, Martz's star has fallen in recent seasons, as he's bounced from job to job after being fired as head coach of the Rams following the 2006 season. Regardless, pairing Martz with talented quarterback Jay Cutler was going to be a fascinating experience no matter the outcome.
Things started out well for the Bears and Martz; during a 3-0 run to start the season, the Bears averaged 19.7 points and 362 offensive yards per game. Cutler was sacked 2.7 times per game in those three victories.
Since then, however, the Bears are 1-3, and to say things have worsened for Chicago's offense would be an understatement. Their per-game averages have dropped significantly; in those four games, the Bears have scored 11.5 points and gained 285 yards per game. Bears quarterbacks - they've played three in those four games - have been sacked a whopping 5.8 times per game.
Folks over at SB Nation's Bears affiliate, Windy City Gridiron, already mostly disapprove of what Martz has accomplished to date. That didn't stop Dane Noble, one of the site's managers, from telling me that there's still a large swell of support for their offensive coordinator extraordinaire.
"We've run a few approval ratings on Martz on WCG, and despite dropping a few points from earlier in the season, the fan base still seems to be reasonably supportive of him," Noble told me. "I think we've seen what can happen when the Martzfense is firing on all cylinders (see: 3-0 start), and also what can happen when it fails miserably (see: 1-3 in last four games). I don't think it's reasonable to think that Martz can come to a new team and immediately plug his offense in and see fireworks, especially when our OL is as terrible as it is."
We'll get to Chicago's offensive line tomorrow; let's just say that there's a very good opportunity for the Bills to add significant numbers to their meager sack total this weekend. For now, here's what Noble had to say about the sense of urgency surrounding the Bears, who have an aged regime desperate to save their jobs.
"There is very much a sense of urgency in Chicago - a 'win now' mentality - and I'm not certain that is realistic with a system as complex as his," Noble said. "Martz has been pass-heavy in the last few games (no surprise there), and even Lovie Smith has mentioned the need to run the ball more. We made it to the bye week with a winning record, and now we've had two weeks to re-focus and get everyone on the same page. We'll see what Martz has up his sleeve for the second half of the season."
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sucks that we’re getting them after their bye week….
on a side note – even without Lovie saying they want to run more I fully expected it – although I coudl be wrong. But i’ve been a fan of Martz since the greatest show on turf and have watched him a lot throughout his career. one thing that i’ve noticed is he goes overboard on a lot of things – but one of those things is exploiting a defenses obvious weaknesses. i’ve seen him run the ball until you’d think he’d stop but then keep running and running – i expect us to have to load the box this week and man up on the outside
Don't worry, Lovie Smith is not for having his teams prepared after the Bye.
I still can’t get the taste of that Atlanta game out of my mouth…
Some other numbers regarding Martz's approval rating:
Round 1: 70% (we were 3-1, but had just gotten smashed by the Giants)
Round two: 39% (two weeks later after the Carolina nightmare and the loss to Seattle)
Week three (linked in the article): 32% (a week after losing to Seattle, we lost to Washington)
When I answered this question, I actually didn’t realize the numbers had fallen off so much. We’re still optimistic, but a loss to Buffalo might really make us lose our shi*t.
I can't downplay the Bills
In both of their heartbreaking OT losses these past two weeks they looked frightening on offense at times. Stevie Johnson is a beast and Jackson knows when and where to burst when they need some yardage. Not to mention Fitzy at center who can read defenses well and can run when he has to.
By all means, this will not be like the last time Chicago played Buffalo which I believe ended in a score of 47-7 at Soldier Field in 2006.
Buffalo is going to bring it. They’re not only hungry for their first win, they’re also hungry to win in Canada and prove to Toronto they’re legit. Martz is definitely going to have to come up with some great playcalling and Tice will have to make sure adjustments are made on the OL to prevent the inevitable sackfest.
Bear down Chicago!
Give it up for the boys in blue, USAF
by Jonathan Thompson on Nov 4, 2010 2:44 PM EDT reply actions
We appreciate the comments. It’s true that their offense has looked formidable the past few weeks, but their defense is still porous. I fully expect Forte and Cutler to have big days against them, especially since they can’t rush the passer at all.
It’s true that their offense has looked formidable the past few weeks
It did against the Ravens, not against the Chiefs.
It was pathetic, the Chiefs gave us every opportunity to win that game, and the O choked. That pick by Fitz at the end of regulation was especially pathetic. Not hitting CJ in the end zone was pathetic, no trying that play again was poor play calling. Gaiey needs to split CJ out wide more often and start using him more like the Saints use Bush. Spiller is not gonna be Chris Johnson 2.0.
There's not a wide receiver who is fast enough, that J.P. Losman can't overthrow him on a fly pattern.
by The Buffalo Kid on Nov 5, 2010 2:28 AM EDT up reply actions
There’s no doubt that Martz’s offensive style puts tremendous pressure on the QB to make plays, and the O-line to pass-protect longer than for a different system (i.e. – West Coast).
Good thing for the Bears that Buffalo isn’t exactly a pass-rushing powerhouse.
Show me the D, Buffalo!
The problem with Martz’s system is that it takes multiple years to take hold. If left to fruition it is near unstoppable. It’s not that it’s an all passing system, it’s that it’s all timing passes. It takes a long time to get everyone on the same page. My guess is the first few weeks Martz included more traditional type pass plays and has added more timing (“throw to a spot on a 4 count”) type plays. Cutler doesn’t seem to have a good clock in his head and hasn’t fully bought into Martz’s plays yet. At least I hope not for Buffalo’s sake.
Some day the Bills won't suck anymore. Or they'll be in someone else's city.
Sounds like Fitzy would be a good fit for QB there, smart enough to run those kinds of plays
Why I'm a optimistic Bills fan:
The road that is built in hope is more pleasant to the traveler than the road built in despair, even though they both lead to the same destination.
- Marion Zimmer Bradley
Apparently last offseason martz said he was intrigued by Fitz and edwards. But that might have just been a ploy to vie for the head coaching job.
by Xaviermw on Nov 4, 2010 5:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Agreed.
"Ability without character will lose. The Bills are going to be a team of high character. That stamp I will push very hard. I hope we can convey that to our fans and project something very special to the rest of the nation." - Marv Levy
by BuffaloBlueBlood on Nov 5, 2010 12:23 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
We need to attack this O-line
they have some young guys
I feel if we want to win this game we should play the run all game
Show me the Baby!
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