The Bears' hiring of Mike Martz as their offensive coordinator has been greeted with enthusiasm from the likes of Dick Vermeil, Kurt Warner and Jeff Fisher. But amid that chorus of praise comes skepticism from NBC analyst Cris Collinsworth."It hasn't computed with me just yet," Collinsworth said Tuesday on "The Danny Mac Show" on WSCR-AM 670. "Lovie tells me they're a running football team. And then they hire Mike Martz as the offensive coordinator. So are they still a running football team? Are they now a passing football team: Are they the old St. Louis Rams with Kurt Warner? I don't know who they are."
Asked if he thought Martz would adjust to the talent that the Bears have, Collinsworth said, "No. He's going to throw the ball. That's what he does, that's what he believes in."
Photo: Running Matt Forte could be a key figure in Mike Martz's passing offense. (Charles Rex Arbogast/AP)
Running back Matt Forte will be a big key to Martz's success, Collinswroth said.
"The one thing that (Martz) hasn't had in other places is a Marshall Faulk," he said, referring to the former Rams' star running back. "Can Matt Forte be Marshall Faulk? He's certainly proven to be smart enough. That's what Marshall Faulk set himself apart with. He could read the coverages, he could run routes with anybody, he could do the pass protections, he understood the game. And Matt is as smart as Marshall Faulk is. If he can create that, he can maybe create a little bit more of what they did with the Rams.
"But you have to decide. You've got a tight end in Greg Olsen who works hard blocking, but he's not a blocking tight end, he's a receiving tight end. You've got (Devin) Hester on the outside, you've got the (Devin) Aromashadu's, you've got all the kids out there -- (Johnny) Knox -- that can make some plays, and you'll probably need to add one more if you're going to open it up and throw the football.
"But what are you going to be? Probably in the draft and free agency we're going to figure out a lot more about this direction, because it is hard to figure it out right now."
"The one thing that (Martz) hasn't had in other places is a Marshall Faulk," he said, referring to the former Rams' star running back. "Can Matt Forte be Marshall Faulk? He's certainly proven to be smart enough. That's what Marshall Faulk set himself apart with. He could read the coverages, he could run routes with anybody, he could do the pass protections, he understood the game. And Matt is as smart as Marshall Faulk is. If he can create that, he can maybe create a little bit more of what they did with the Rams.
"But you have to decide. You've got a tight end in Greg Olsen who works hard blocking, but he's not a blocking tight end, he's a receiving tight end. You've got (Devin) Hester on the outside, you've got the (Devin) Aromashadu's, you've got all the kids out there -- (Johnny) Knox -- that can make some plays, and you'll probably need to add one more if you're going to open it up and throw the football.
"But what are you going to be? Probably in the draft and free agency we're going to figure out a lot more about this direction, because it is hard to figure it out right now."
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For all of you who so easly forget the "greatest show on turf" was more than a passing offense, Marshall Faulk had three 1300+ yard rushing season with Martz as his coach.
We need to make a STRONG push to sign Chester Taylor if the Vikes don't place the Franchise Tag on him. He would fit perfect with Martz's style of football and could be that "Faulk" the problem is everyone thinks Forte is a #1 back and he's not. I like Forte but not as our starting back he would be a great #2 behind Taylor
Every local writer,talking head ,etc. realizes that the Bears have limited talent,and mention it often.However when a national voice like Collinsworth expresses the same fact, "he's always bashing the Bears".
Where has Collinsworth been? Did you think the Bears gave up so much to get Cutler so they could run the ball? The decision to go to a passing offense was made with the acquisition of Cutler. Just need to upgrade the receiving corps.
The receivers aren't the problem - they are starting to look good. Great speed, good hands. Running back is a problem. They played an injured Forte when he probably shouldn't because their only options were Wolfe (too small), Peterson (too slow), and Bell - a guy from the Vikes practice squad who had one good run and everyone thinks is All Pro.
It's time to blow-up this fantasy that all Bears teams have to be running teams because of Bear weather and Soldier Field. Other teams seem to be able to run on us in cold weather on the sod. And I believe Brady showed earlier this year you can pass in the snow. What was it, 20 touchdowns in one quarter?
Let's get pass blockers for the line and air it out until Cutler's arm falls off. And bring back the Honey Bears!
I say: Good. The Bears personnel clearly favors a passing game. Why is this a bad thing? Unless Lovie can't accept the fact. Our WRs are fine for it, and more suited to a Martz system. Forte can be the RB Martz likes. The biggest question is the O-line.
Cris is not bashing the bears, he is simply stating this opinion. What's the positive behind this hiring? Jay Cutler is going to get killed with those 7 step drops. Let's face it, the Bears receivers are too stupid to pick up Martz scheme. You have people going on record stating that it's a difficult system to pick up. And all of the Bears wide receivers had problems picking up a vanilla system by Turner. How is this a good hire for the Bears?
It's Chris Swollowingworth talking here
what does Collinsworth have against the Bears - He is forever bashing them. I have yet to hear anything positive come out of his mouth.