I Lovie This Article...

[Mongo3451]

It's his show now

Take it from Madden: Smith calling defensive plays makes a lot of sense

 

February 7, 2009

BY BRAD BIGGS bbiggs@suntimes.com

When Bears coach Lovie Smith announced the day after the season ended that everything was going to be reviewed, he left little doubt change was coming.

 

Whether it's change you can believe in is too early to tell, but change has arrived. Smith has moved veteran minicamp up almost three months. The mandatory three-day session begins March 17 and will allow the new assistants to acquaint themselves with the players and enable free-agent pickups to get into the system before the voluntary offseason program begins.

Lovie Smith is taking on the additional role of play-caller for the Bears’ defense. ‘‘Every year I’ve missed some of that,’’ he said.

 

Above all else, this is about Smith putting his foot down and taking control. He is scheduling the minicamp first -- smack dab in the middle of what has been recreation time for players -- to set the tone for the year.

 

We already knew Smith was taking charge. He announced he was taking control of the defensive play-calling from coordinator Bob Babich after the coaching staff was assembled a few weeks after the season. A defensive coordinator by trade, Smith said he missed that part of the job, and after the unit stumbled again in 2008, something had to be done. It's one of the big decisions coaches must make, and a lot more goes into it than just X's and O's.

 

Smith got more hands-on last season when he took over the nickel position and coached Danieal Manning personally, meeting with him in his office every day. That was the first step in his return to play-calling, which he hasn't done since 2003 with the St. Louis Rams.

 

''I think all head coaches would tell you that they miss being able to have a position,'' Smith said. ''And of course some of the play-calling, you miss that. That's what you've done all your life. Every year I've missed some of that.''

 

Former San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions coach Steve Mariucci called offensive plays in his first season with the 49ers, then delegated for his next eight years in charge. The Niners went through a restructuring with the departure of owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. and front-office chiefs Carmen Policy and Dwight Clark, and Mariucci found himself being pulled in many directions when it came to personnel decisions.

 

''I prefer someone calling the plays,'' Mariucci said. ''Some head coaches are capable of doing it, some are well-equipped to do it, some prefer to do it. Mike Holmgren never wanted to give it up. He said, 'Steve, if you give it up, it's going to be hard to take it back if you feel like you need to.'

 

''I prefer to have a play-caller because I find myself getting too preoccupied by personnel, with officials, with the trainers, to be able to focus constantly on the plays. I got sidetracked too many times.''

 

In Smith's case, he will have Babich to lean on, as well as defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, who knows the scheme as well as anyone. Play-calling by head coaches usually has been reserved for coaches with offensive backgrounds, but Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips took over the defensive play-calling duties at midseason. New head coaches Rex Ryan of the New York Jets and Jim Mora Jr. of the Seattle Seahawks both are expected to call defensive signals.

 

''It's never made sense to me why these guys were great as defensive coordinators and great as defensive play-callers and become head coaches and don't call them anymore,'' said analyst and Hall of Fame coach John Madden. ''The offensive guys usually do. Defense doesn't. I'm not sure exactly why.

 

''If you say you [have too many responsibilities], why don't the offensive guys have too much on their plate? I think you can train yourself to do both, especially if you've done it. If that's what you do and who you are, you probably should do it because that was the reason you were hired. Maybe you have to get hit in the head a couple times with a baseball bat to figure out it's not a damn bad idea.''

[Pixote]

Whether it's change you can believe in is too early to tell, but change has arrived. Smith has moved veteran minicamp up almost three months. The mandatory three-day session begins March 17 and will allow the new assistants to acquaint themselves with the players and enable free-agent pickups to get into the system before the voluntary offseason program begins.

Lovie Smith is taking on the additional role of play-caller for the Bears' defense. ''Every year I've missed some of that,'' he said.

 

Above all else, this is about Smith putting his foot down and taking control. He is scheduling the minicamp first -- smack dab in the middle of what has been recreation time for players -- to set the tone for the year.

 

I agree, I also enjoyed the article. The fact that veteran minicamp is being moved up because they want to get free agent pickups accustomed to the system tells me they look to be active in free agency.

 

The fact that he is putting his foot down and interrupting the players R&R tells me that it will not be the same country club atmosphere this summer in camp.

 

Both are refreshing changes.

[bowlingtwig]

I agree, I also enjoyed the article. The fact that veteran minicamp is being moved up because they want to get free agent pickups accustomed to the system tells me they look to be active in free agency.

 

The fact that he is putting his foot down and interrupting the players R&R tells me that it will not be the same country club atmosphere this summer in camp.

 

Both are refreshing changes.

 

 

I am really looking forward to the mandatory minicamp and especially the training camps because of rod marinelli. Interested to see what he does with that line as we know he has a track record of working his players to the bone. Lets hope Smith lets Marinelli do this and the players respond. Should be an interesting year. God I can't wait until the draft.

[Pixote]

I am really looking forward to the mandatory minicamp and especially the training camps because of rod marinelli. Interested to see what he does with that line as we know he has a track record of working his players to the bone. Lets hope Smith lets Marinelli do this and the players respond. Should be an interesting year. God I can't wait until the draft.

 

 

I think this year I have HUGE interest in FA. I strongly believe we will be very active in search of WRs and possibly a DB. OL & DE are also not out of question. QB??? Who the hell knows, LOL.

 

So we go out and get TJH & either Devry Henderson or Nate Washington to beef up our WRs.

We sign a veteran OLman to shore up the OL.

Bring in a lock down cover 2 corner.

Bring in a DE to push AB & AO.

Get an aging Vet QB as an insurance policy.

 

Yep, as you get older your ability to dream improves.

[BearSox]

Like I said a while ago, it's about time Lovie put his money where his mouth is. However, I don't trust Turner basically having full reigns over the offense now.

[bowlingtwig]

I think this year I have HUGE interest in FA. I strongly believe we will be very active in search of WRs and possibly a DB. OL & DE are also not out of question. QB??? Who the hell knows, LOL.

 

So we go out and get TJH & either Devry Henderson or Nate Washington to beef up our WRs.

We sign a veteran OLman to shore up the OL.

Bring in a lock down cover 2 corner.

Bring in a DE to push AB & AO.

Get an aging Vet QB as an insurance policy.

 

Yep, as you get older your ability to dream improves.

 

 

"Yep, as you get older your ability to dream improves."

 

Hey grandpa just one problem you said as you get "older" how much older can you get lmao.

[madlithuanian]

It's a good sign, but why did it have to take so long? It's a macro-element of his lack of adjustments in-game...

 

It's his show now

Take it from Madden: Smith calling defensive plays makes a lot of sense

 

February 7, 2009

BY BRAD BIGGS bbiggs@suntimes.com

When Bears coach Lovie Smith announced the day after the season ended that everything was going to be reviewed, he left little doubt change was coming.

 

Whether it's change you can believe in is too early to tell, but change has arrived. Smith has moved veteran minicamp up almost three months. The mandatory three-day session begins March 17 and will allow the new assistants to acquaint themselves with the players and enable free-agent pickups to get into the system before the voluntary offseason program begins.

Lovie Smith is taking on the additional role of play-caller for the Bears’ defense. ‘‘Every year I’ve missed some of that,’’ he said.

 

Above all else, this is about Smith putting his foot down and taking control. He is scheduling the minicamp first -- smack dab in the middle of what has been recreation time for players -- to set the tone for the year.

 

We already knew Smith was taking charge. He announced he was taking control of the defensive play-calling from coordinator Bob Babich after the coaching staff was assembled a few weeks after the season. A defensive coordinator by trade, Smith said he missed that part of the job, and after the unit stumbled again in 2008, something had to be done. It's one of the big decisions coaches must make, and a lot more goes into it than just X's and O's.

 

Smith got more hands-on last season when he took over the nickel position and coached Danieal Manning personally, meeting with him in his office every day. That was the first step in his return to play-calling, which he hasn't done since 2003 with the St. Louis Rams.

 

''I think all head coaches would tell you that they miss being able to have a position,'' Smith said. ''And of course some of the play-calling, you miss that. That's what you've done all your life. Every year I've missed some of that.''

 

Former San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions coach Steve Mariucci called offensive plays in his first season with the 49ers, then delegated for his next eight years in charge. The Niners went through a restructuring with the departure of owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. and front-office chiefs Carmen Policy and Dwight Clark, and Mariucci found himself being pulled in many directions when it came to personnel decisions.

 

''I prefer someone calling the plays,'' Mariucci said. ''Some head coaches are capable of doing it, some are well-equipped to do it, some prefer to do it. Mike Holmgren never wanted to give it up. He said, 'Steve, if you give it up, it's going to be hard to take it back if you feel like you need to.'

 

''I prefer to have a play-caller because I find myself getting too preoccupied by personnel, with officials, with the trainers, to be able to focus constantly on the plays. I got sidetracked too many times.''

 

In Smith's case, he will have Babich to lean on, as well as defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, who knows the scheme as well as anyone. Play-calling by head coaches usually has been reserved for coaches with offensive backgrounds, but Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips took over the defensive play-calling duties at midseason. New head coaches Rex Ryan of the New York Jets and Jim Mora Jr. of the Seattle Seahawks both are expected to call defensive signals.

 

''It's never made sense to me why these guys were great as defensive coordinators and great as defensive play-callers and become head coaches and don't call them anymore,'' said analyst and Hall of Fame coach John Madden. ''The offensive guys usually do. Defense doesn't. I'm not sure exactly why.

 

''If you say you [have too many responsibilities], why don't the offensive guys have too much on their plate? I think you can train yourself to do both, especially if you've done it. If that's what you do and who you are, you probably should do it because that was the reason you were hired. Maybe you have to get hit in the head a couple times with a baseball bat to figure out it's not a damn bad idea.''

[Mongo3451]

It's a good sign, but why did it have to take so long? It's a macro-element of his lack of adjustments in-game...

IMO - Lovie probably felt the year after the Superbowl was "the hangover", combined with the rash of injuries, Rex sucking and Benson's turd-itis. I really think he thought his D was going to be back with a vengeance last season. Now, he feels burned by those he trusted to step up and carry the team as the professionals they are supposed to be. I can really see that mentality. Kinda like your kids when they take advantage of your generosity. Time to take the keys to the car away. So, the gloves are off and hopefully Mr. Nice Guy has hit the road.

[bowlingtwig]

IMO - Lovie probably felt the year after the Superbowl was "the hangover", combined with the rash of injuries, Rex sucking and Benson's turd-itis. I really think he thought his D was going to be back with a vengeance last season. Now, he feels burned by those he trusted to step up and carry the team as the professionals they are supposed to be. I can really see that mentality. Kinda like your kids when they take advantage of your generosity. Time to take the keys to the car away. So, the gloves are off and hopefully Mr. Nice Guy has hit the road.

 

 

To me it seems like Mr. Nice Guy took the gloves off and slapped Babich in the face. Hopefully Babich can learn from the teacher and how he become so well known as a DC.