May 14, 2013; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman during organized team activities at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman doesn’t stand for horseplay or tomfoolery.  It’s a new era of Chicago Bears football and players are going to have to learn not only a new system but also a new way of doing things.  WSCR’s Adam Hoge got to observe OTA’s and made this observation:

As the Bears broke into groups for special teams drills at Tuesday’s OTA practice, safety Tom Zbikowski, a noted boxer, went over to the tackling dummy and gave it a few jabs and an uppercut. Linebacker Blake Costanzo then came over and playfully threw Zbikowski onto the padding that was placed on the ground.

Little did they know that they had caught the eye — and ire — of head coach Marc Trestman, who wasn’t pleased. Trestman delivered a scolding in front of the small group and made it clear that he didn’t want to see that stuff.

As Hoge points out, this sort of horsing around was commonplace under Lovie Smith, but players in Marc Trestman’s lightning paced practices have no time for messing around.

I think it’s great that Trestman is laying down the law.  It’s a pretty meaningless and stupid thing to get worked up about, but Trestman gets to make a point to on a pair of non-starters and let everyone on the team know his expectations.

May 10, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Matt Blanchard (4) runs a drill during the rookie minicamp on Friday. Mandatory Credit: Reid Compton-USA TODAY Sports

This really is a new era in Chicago Bears football.  Marc Trestman and the Bears are trying something totally new with their quarterback position or at least something I haven’t seen.  For their rookie minicamp the Bears’ AV Club mounted a camera to Matt Blanchard’s helmet, so that Marc Trestman and the Bears coaching staff can see what the quarterback sees when they’re evaluating practice tape.  Just call the Bears coaches the Geek Squad.  (more…)

Dec. 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) walks off the field after defeating the Detroit Lions 26-24 at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The waiting is the hardest part.  Waiting for rookie camp to open, OTAs, June cap casualties, training camp, preseason and finally the opening kick-off of the 2013 NFL season.  As Chicago Bears fans, our waiting is magnified, because we are eager to see what impact the Marc Trestman regime has on our Beloved.  Are we beginning a new Ditka-like era of dominance with an all too quick fall from grace?  Will it be a Wannstedt-like era of mediocrity and shame all too recognizable with comparisons of football players to puzzle pieces that “fly around the field” with too many “ah-ah-ah’s” thrown in?  Are we beginning another Lovie-like era with its slow southern drawl and teams just good enough to save coaching jobs?  Or, is this something new entirely?

Regardless of what form the new regime takes, one aspect is markedly different from all of the others.  This regime is starting with a franchise-caliber quarterback in Jay Cutler.  None of the previous regimes had that luxury and by all accounts, Emery and Trestman are betting big on Jay Cutler.  Betting big without a contract extension?  How can that be?

The Bears currently sit with Cutler as the only NFL quality starting quarterback on its roster.  Sure, Josh McCown is a nice back-up and Matt Blanchard has some tools, but he is not ready for the big stage.  The Bears have invested significantly in its O-line this offseason through free agency and the draft all in the spirit of keeping Cutler upright.  I won’t go into whether or not they have just added more chicken shit into the mix in the hopes of making a great chicken salad or not, but they have clearly made the O-line a point of emphasis.  It is almost to the point where I think the competition for those 8 or 9 roster spots can do nothing but ensure that we will have the best O-line Jay Cutler has ever taken a snap behind in his tenure as a Bear.  By my count there are 15 OL-men on the roster and 9 of them having starting NFL experience, so the competition will be fierce and under OL guru, Aaron Kromer, let’s hope the cream rises to the top.

By investing this much on the O-line and by not drafting or bringing in anyone who would compete with Cutler, Emery and Trestman are pushing all their chips into the middle of the table and come hell or high water, Jay Cutler is going to be their starting QB for the long-term.  What remains to be seen is how much money that costs the Bears after this season and Cutler’s contract is up.  I cannot see a scenario where Cutler plays himself out of a job or where this new regime after ONE season will “go in a different direction” at the most important position on the field.  No, I think that time has passed and the gauntlet has been laid down…this is Jay’s team, post the Urlach-a-lypto now and Emery and company are going to fix what’s broken around him.

Hmmm…fixing what’s broken around a franchise quarterback seems like such a novel concept and I wonder why it took so long for management to figure that out…

CAN I GET AN AMEN?!?!?!?!?!?

The DeCon has spoken, so let it be written, so let it be done…

Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears coach Marc Trestman speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

History tells us that first year head coaches don’t always do all that well.  In recent Chicago Bears history, that is definitely the case, as the Chicago Tribune’s Fred Mitchell recounted including these guys who have coached over the last 30 years:

Lovie Smith 5-11

Dick Jauron 6-10

Dave Wannstedt 7-9

Mike Ditka 3-6

Yes, even Da Beloved Coach Ditka started off with a losing record.  In fact, the last winning Chicago Bears first year head coach was Paddy Driscoll, who finished 9-2-1 way back in 1956.

History be damned, suggest at least of couple of NFL.com experts, who set out to predict which first year head coach would have the most success in their first year with their team. (more…)

Before I get into the bulk of my post, let me take a moment to give a quick nod to the people of Boston.  My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by this senseless tragedy.  When will these terrorists learn that despite their efforts to strike fear into us, they cannot break our spirit and in fact, they unify us even more?  The acts of bravery and selflessness of the first responders, race participants and spectators were truly inspiring.  If you want to help the people of Boston, contact the Red Cross.

The Marc Trestman Era is officially kicking off today at Halas Hall as the Chicago Bears will open a voluntary three day minicamp at Halas Hall.   The Bears get an extra minicamp since they’re breaking in a new head coach, who is very eager to work with his new team:  (more…)

Oct 13, 2012; Ames, Iowa, USA; Kansas State Wildcats linebacker Arthur Brown (4) moves in to make a tackle against the Iowa State Cyclones during the second half at Jack Trice Stadium. Kansas State defeated Iowa State 27-21. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

For the next week and a half, the million dollar question for Chicago Bears fans will be, “Who will be the Bears first round pick?” With the Bears defensive leader, Brian Urlacher, out it leaves room for a new sheriff in the Windy City. If Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree is taken by the Chicago Bears first pick, Kansas State linebacker Arthur Brown might just be the next best new face for the Bears defense.

Stats of Kansas State linebacker Arthur Brown from NFLDraftScout.com and Sports-Reference.com:

Height: 6-1

Weight: 241 lbs.

40-yard dash: 4.67

Bench Reps (225 lbs): 21

20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.31

Stats from KSU:

2011:  57 solo tackles       44 assisted tackles          101 total tackles       2.0 sacks          1 interception

2012:  65 solo tackles       35 assisted tackles          100 total tackles      1.o sack             2 interceptions       1 touchdown

Outsides of his stats, Arthur Brown first committed and attended Miami (FL) before arriving at Kansas State. Brown struggled his first two years at Miami recording only 17 tackles before transferring closer to home to KSU. Brown sat out for the 2010 season due to transfer rules, then flourished at Kansas State. Also key to note is his height, 6’1″, which seems to be holding him back from being part of the top tier prospects club. Good news for him, he sure doesn’t play like he’s just over 6-feet.

There’s no doubt that the Chicago Bears are interested in Brown, seeing as Brown did have a private workout with the Bears already. He played in a 4-3 traditional defense with superior run, chase, and coverage skills. What’s most impressive is his sideline-to-sideline range, which is outstanding. For an aging Bears defense, Brown would be an amazing fit at linebacker, where Lance Briggs is probably getting old of being the guy chasing down men from across the field.

Out of all the linebackers to choose in the 2013 NFL Draft, Brown might be the most instinctive. Something that the Bears will prize, and hopefully it will mean that he can make an impact during his rookie year. His speediness combined with his ability to read the play make him quite an intriguing first round pick and an explosive linebacker. Scouts have him posted at an outside linebacker, but played two years at middle linebacker and seemed to be able to hold up the job.

After losing the face of the franchise, the Chicago Bears are looking for a face to replace Urlacher with. A young, level-headed guy that has the durability to last just like Urlacher. With Ogletree having some off-the-field issues, Marc Trestman should be vouching for Brown as their first round pick. With a new collection of talent at the linebacker position this year in the Windy City, it could be a time for Brown to establish his position among the many one-year signees this year. With the Bears offense constantly on a roller coaster, we pride ourselves in the defensive game. Brown might just be able to give the Bears a fresh start, in conjunction with Trestman, to a new era of the Chicago Bears.

Chicago Bears fan, what do you think? Do you think Arthur Brown will be THAT guy for the Bears? Make sure to comment!

Jan 4, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Kenny Stills (4) during the Cotton Bowl.

Phil Emery is realizing that the key to winning in the NFL is now piecing together a compatible offense. In the 2012 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears picked up South Carolina wide receiver Alshon Jeffery in the second round at pick number 45. After acquiring Brandon Marshall and drafting Alshon Jeffery, you would think that the Bears would be done at the wideout position…but they shouldn’t. Devin Hester shouldn’t be put back as a wide receiver, and be strictly used on special teams. That and Earl Bennett has proved to be a decent wide receiver but with little production.

I believe that the Chicago Bears should be using one of their draft picks on a wide receiver later on in the draft. My projection: Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Kenny Stills. It’s a stretch seeing that Stills would be a perfect fit IF the Bears had a 3rd round draft pick…so I’m assuming that if the Bears pick a WR it would be with their 4th round draft selection. Take a look at some stats about Sooners wideout Kenny Stills from CBSSports.com:

Height: 6-1

Weight: 194 lbs.

Position Rank: 16

40 yard dash: 4.32

Bench Press: 16

Vertical Jump: 33.50

2012 Statistics

82 receptions                    959 receiving yards                11.7 avg                   11 touchdowns

The team of Marshall, Jeffery, and (Earl) Bennett wasn’t enough. Adding Martellus Bennett is going to help tremendously, but I think that the Bears still need one more wide receiver. With Alshon Jeffery getting injured last year, I question if he will end up being an injury-prone guy or if he will produce more than the 367 receiving yards with three touchdowns from last season. And can Earl Bennett be a wide receiver worthy of even 500 receiving yards a season? Personally, I don’t think so. The more offensive guns, the merrier.

Enough about the Bears wide receivers, let’s talk about Kenny Stills. He’s an incredible athlete with speed and good hands. Well, I’m sold. But really, Stills is great when it comes to beating out fast corners while tracking the ball. Meaning that Cutler would have another deep threat target. Stills has excellent footwork, and in combination with his knowledge of routes, he could make an impact from day one. My favorite parts about watching Stills plays is that he seems to enjoy blocking, which I think is a great quality to get in wide receivers. Not only that, but his ability to get physical after the catch is outstanding.

Some critics have said he needs to learn how to play all four quarters. If he plays for the Bears, Trestman won’t be playing him the entire game, and he will have to learn to make the most out of the time that he plays. Stills has had some run-ins with the law, but maybe having a “brotherhood” atmosphere with Brandon Marshall and Martellus Bennett around, he might get his act together.

Will Phil Emery choose to pick a wide receiver in the 2013 NFL Draft after picking one in the 2012 NFL Draft? Is Kenny Stills the guy the Bears need to help win more games? What do you guys think?

Aug. 8-11: Chicago Bears @ Carolina Panthers

Thursday, Aug. 15: San Diego Chargers vs. Chicago Bears – televised on ESPN

Aug. 22-25: Chicago Bears @ Oakland Raiders

Thursday, Aug. 29: Cleveland Browns vs. Chicago Bears

All Chicago Bears games will be televised on the Chicago Bears Network in high definition and on WLFD-TV in the Chicagoland area. Also, all four preseason games will be live broadcasted on WBBM radio.

Key things to note in the preseason schedule: The Chicago Bears new facelift. How will they look without Lovie Smith? I know that’s what I will be looking for.

Bears head coach Marc Trestman did coach in Oakland from 2001-03, taking the Raiders to the Super Bowl in 2002. Will it be a bittersweet return? It will be the week that we see what the Chicago Bears offense will most likely look like.

Get excited! As a Bears fan, I can say that all these games should be downright winnable. But that’s really not the point of preseason right?