by Joe Tichy

After throwing twenty-six interceptions last year in Ron Turner’s ball-control offense, quarterback Jay Cutler and the Bears needed an answer for this season and they needed it rather quickly.  The man they needed and were looking for was Mike Martz.  Martz was brought in this year to replace the aforementioned Ron Turner.  It’s not that Turner’s offense was predictable and traditional; it’s more the fact that Martz’s offense is unpredictable and non-traditional.  Martz has more of a high-risk, high-reward approach to the game.  Martz says, “We want to play fast and keep the defense on their heels.”  According to breakout receiver Devin Aromashodu, Mike likes to keep the offense on their heels as well, “There’s a lot of flexibility in the offense.  He puts a lot of pressure on us giving us a lot of plays so we’re prepared during the season.”

Mike Martz is best known for his days in St. Louis, where he turned Kurt Warner, Torry Holt, Marshall Faulk, and Isaac Bruce into the “Greatest Show on Turf.”  He coached the Rams to four playoff appearances and a Super Bowl.  He was also the offensive coordinator in 1999 when the Rams won the Super Bowl.  The Bears organization hopes he can do the same with Cutler, the two-headed backfield of Matt Forte and Chester Taylor, along with receiversJohnny Knox, and Devin Aromashodu.  The Jay Cutler Bears fans saw last year looked uncomfortable and far more inaccurate than he has ever looked in his five year career.  With Martz holding high standards and demanding fundamental excellence, this may be where Cutler and Martz butt heads.  Tight end Dez Clark knows of the offensive coordinator’s expectations.  Clark said, “He has high standards and he’s going to push you.  He leaves it up to you to get it done.”  Clark, however, calls Martz “the best teacher I’ve ever had.”    

Jay Cutler has had a tough task with Martz being the third offensive coordinator he has had in the last three years.  He claims to have a very good grasp on Martz’s system.  Cutler sums it up this way, “You can see that Mike’s system works.  If we do what we’re supposed to do, the ball’s going to be moved down the field efficiently.”  That seems easier said than done though with what appears to be a very shaky offensive line in the first two games of the preseason.  Martz isn’t worried about the offensive line though.  He says, “From what we see out of these guys in practice everyday, I think they’ll be just fine.”  The offensive line as a whole has high praises as well for their newly acquired coordinator.  Locker-room leader and thirteen year veteran Olin Kreutz says, “He’s as good as it gets.  He’s the best I’ve been around at teaching his system.  He coaches every position, knows what he’s talking about.”

Mike Martz appears to be looked at as so much more than an offensive coordinator.  He takes on the role of coach, mentor, and teacher as well.  The praise for him as those titles and as a person could not be higher.  With praise however, there comes expectations.  Hopefully, the Bears can turn it around with an offensive mastermind at the helm and Cutler can be molded into the quarterback Martz saw prior to coming here.  If he throws twenty-six interceptions again, though, the offense won’t be the only ones on their heels.  Martz isn’t worried saying Cutler “has such a good grasp on what’s going on with us on offense” even going as far to call him “brilliant.”  Since Martz has been in control of the offense, you can see the excitement in the locker room and on the sidelines.  What a difference a year makes and what a difference a coordinator makes.