Thread: Tice Outlines His Plans for the Offense................

January 11, 2012 Tice reveals his vision of Bears offense

By: Larry Mayer | Last Updated: 1/11/2012 11:31 AM


The perception some have that new Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice will employ a run-first mentality isn’t necessarily true.


In an exclusive video interview with former guard Tom Thayer on ChicagoBears.com, Tice revealed he envisions an offense that will look to exploit favorable match-ups and run or pass based on how opposing defenses line up.

Tice said the offense will “first of all utilize the talents of our players and define match-ups each week, whether that’s for or against. Sometimes we’re going to have match-ups [where] we have to protect certain players. But I think there are going to be some match-ups each week that we have to make sure we take advantage of.

Mike Tice wants to run an offense that features both a power running game and a big-play passing attack.

“Secondly, it’s going to be what [defenses] give us. I was able to run that style of offense in Minnesota. I learned a lot of it from coach Joe Gibbs. With a good number count, let’s run it. With a bad number count, we’ve got to be able to throw it.”

Protecting the quarterback is very important to Tice. “We’re going to make sure that Jay Cutler is comfortable in the pocket,” Tice said. “We’re going to make sure that he’s able to set his feet. We’re going to make sure that we use a different variety of launch points for him and not always have him right behind the center.

"We’re going to look back at some of the things he was successful with at Denver and the things that he really embraced and liked and also the things that he and I talked about, maybe some of the things we did with Daunte Culpepper in Minnesota and even David Garrard in Jacksonville.


“We’re going to be an explosive run team, but that doesn’t mean we’re going to run it more than we’re going to throw it every week. Again, we’re going to count the box and we’re going to look at what the defense dictates to us number count-wise and we’re going to be able to execute on either side of it, pass or run.



"At the same time, this quarterback can make all the throws, and you’re very blessed when you’re able to be an offensive coach with a quarterback who can make all the throws. We have to give him the opportunity to make all the throws, and we will."