Thread: Bears Coaches aren't idle during NFL lockout

Coaches aren't idle during NFL lockout

Bears' staff taking time without players to rethink operation top to bottom


Dan Pompei On the NFL June 4, 2011


Without players to coach, the Bears staff could be living the good life of golf, leisurely lunches, spins around the Internet and happy-hour frivolity.

But that's not what it has been like.

At all.

Coach Lovie Smith and his staff are using this unusual offseason to gain a better understanding of their team, their opponents and the NFL. They have undertaken projects they never would have had time for in a typical offseason.

Smith calls it "football enrichment."

"We would like to have the players out here, but it's not like we don't have anything to do," he said. "I can't say I'm getting bored. It's the opposite. There is learning every day. It has been awesome."

In the absence of players, the staff has been coaching each other in daily clinics. Sometimes offensive coaches mix with defensive coaches to share strategies, but usually coaches stay on their side of the ball.

For instance, offensive coordinator Mike Martz will show how he teaches quarterbacks to throw. Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli will conduct a pass-rushing seminar. And so it goes down the line.

On Monday, former Buccaneers and Colts coach Tony Dungy, whom Smith and Marinelli assisted in Tampa, will visit Halas Hall to share some ideas.

"We're just going to talk football for a day," Smith said. "There aren't a whole lot of us still in our system who believe in it the way we do. We're pumped up about him coming."

Extensive self-scouting has been a part of the offseason. Coaches have gone over every decision they made last year, critiquing how everything was done and searching for ways to improve.

Smith and his staff also have spent extra time planning for their early-season opponents. Last week, they simulated the week before the opener against the Falcons, going over what they would do each day.

Bears coaches also have examined thoroughly their NFC North opponents, especially their closest NFL neighbor.

"Everything has to be about beating our rival, as it is every year," Smith said of the Packers. "And there is a little bit of added emphasis on it this year. They are at the top of the hill."

Smith believes there is not a lot separating the Super Bowl champions and the Bears.

"We match up pretty good with them," he said. "Your gauge has to be the Super Bowl champion. We beat them here. They beat us there (and at Soldier Field in the playoffs). All three games could have gone either way. There should be some more classic matchups between the two of us. We can't wait."

Normally at this time of year, the Bears would be having daily organized team activities. In fact, minicamp had been scheduled for this weekend.

What players are missing is the installation of the offensive and defensive systems. Smith estimated 75 percent of the offense and defense might be installed in a typical offseason.

Player-led workouts, such as those Jay Cutler has taken part in, are a poor substitute for OTAs. Without a playbook to work on and coaches to instruct players on mechanics and technique, the potential for improvement is minimal.

It's a good thing whenever teammates can get together and work out, but as far as really getting ready for the season, it doesn't do it," Smith said. "Why would you go through OTAs if that was the case? When our players get here, we're saying we're starting from scratch."

Because of the lockout, all of the installation likely will have to be done during training camp. Smith is hopeful the Bears will be able to run a full camp after a labor agreement is reached. Because the Bears are scheduled to play in the Hall of Fame game, they and the Rams are allowed to open camp a week earlier than every other team. That could be a considerable advantage in this strange offseason.

Conditioning also could be a factor early in camp.

"No matter what guys say, it's one thing to have a personal trainer and be working out on your own; it's different when you are working out in this environment," Smith said. "You can't condition for football stuff without football."

Smith says he will be open to allowing extra conditioning time early in camp if need be. But he isn't interested in scheduling more two-a-days.

"I don't think that's the answer," he said. "You can't say, OK, we missed time, we have to make up for it. I don't think you get a lot out of two-a-days. You can get the same amount of work with one good practice and have walk-throughs, lifting, meetings. We'll be fine."

Smith believes the Bears will be better positioned than many teams because they haven't made major changes to their offensive or defensive systems and they are settled at most key positions.

So despite the labor turmoil, the Bears coaches have a vision for what could be in 2011, and they like what they see.

"When you have a group like this, to validate it you have to be able to hold up the Lombardi Trophy," Smith said. "We're close. If you're close, you're a pretty good football team. You need a couple of things to go your way, make a couple of changes, tighten up a few things. That's where we are."

It's a better place to be than in a sand trap.

dpompei@tribune.com