Chicago Bears: 3 Reasons to bring Lovie Smith back as DC
By Ryan Heckman
2. A flock mentality
Along with Smith’s Bears taking the football away on a ridiculous level, they also did another thing every single game: Flock to the football.
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As one who witnessed those training camps under Smith, and watched how he and Ron Rivera coached the defense, I can attest to the fact that this was a high priority. Smith took this aspect of the game just as seriously in camp as he did on Sundays.
If there weren’t 11 defensive jerseys around the football by the end of a play, there was a problem. Believe me, you didn’t want to be the odd man or two out after a play was over. If you’re in on defense, you will finish the play near the football — every single time.
The Bears have a guy who is very similar to that style of play already in Roquan Smith. This season, he’s proven that his mentality is just that — get to the football on every single play. It’s no wonder he’s playing at such a high level and very well could earn All-Pro honors for his 2020 performance.
Instilling that aggression and effort into this group should be at the top of any future defensive coordinator’s priority list, but if Smith were to come back, you could bet on that happening.