For my entire life, the Chicago Bears have relied on defense and a solid running game to win games.
However, this year all has changed with the hire of head coach Marc Trestman, who is an offensive-minded coach that has helped players such as quarterback Jay Cutler and running back Matt Forte improve.
His new system is something the NFL has not seen, as he brings a fast-tempo style from the Canadian Football League, in which passing not highly encouraged. For those not familiar with some of the unique rules of the CFL, let’s say that teams work with basically three downs, because of the field’s size and the way teams are built.
Being a lifelong Bears fan, I was not skeptical, but I had no idea what to expect, especially on defense, which has been the Bears’ calling card forever, as all the great Bears teams not only had a great defense but also a defensive-minded coach.
So far, Trestman has proven some skeptics wrong with a strong 4-2 start heading into Sunday’s game at the Redskins. The questions I have are: Will the start hold up with an aging defense? And how far can a gun-slinging Cutler take the Bears?
After an undefeated 3-0 start, I believed it was Super Bowl or bust. Then, they lost two consecutive games to the Lions and Saints, in which the Bears had to force their way back into each game after slow starts.
But last Thursday brought exactly what the Bears needed — a winless New York Giants. The Bears went to wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who caught nine passes, including two touchdowns. The defense also returned to form by forcing three turnovers, including Tim Jennings’ 48-yard return for a touchdown.
The surprise this season has been second-year wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who has provided another athletic body for Cutler to target. Jeffrey grabbed eyes after an incredible game against the Saints, where he pulled in ten balls for 218 yards and a touchdown. He is becoming one of the best number two wide receivers in the NFL.
Over the past few years, Chicago was built for a coach like Trestman, as the offense has gone from one that had to rely on the defense to win games to one that has to control its destiny in games.
This is good and bad, but I have never seen an offense this deadly and well-rounded.
I am never settled with the Bears, as there is always something that keeps me from totally believing in them, so despite the 4-2 start, I’m still in a wait-and-see mode.
ak840511@ohiou.edu
@Kovarandrew
