Can the Bears spread the wealth on offense in 2013?

[DESERTDWELLER]

The NFL allows teams with new head coaches to begin offseason workouts on April 1, which is two weeks before teams with returning head coaches. Good news for Marc Trestman and company considering all the work that needs to be done.

Offensively, one of the first orders of business will be implementing the new system. Building a new offensive line will be a top priority, but when it comes to scheme, distributing the ball in the passing game better will be a key focus.

Brandon Marshall may have had a record-setting year, but a one man show typically doesn't work in the NFL when it comes to wins and losses. Marshall's 118 receptions dominated the Bears receiving corps. The next four among the wide receiver and tight end group combined for a total of 95 catches. Earl Bennett was second among the receivers with just 29 receptions. The tight ends as a group combined for just 33 even if you count Evan Rodriguez who is listed as a fullback. Certainly Alshon Jeffery would have had better numbers had it not been for injuries.

Compare those numbers to what the Packers' distribution was in 2012. Randall Cobb led the team with 80 catches, James jones had 64, Jordy Nelson had 49 and Greg Jennings tallied 36. Their top tight end Jermichael Finley hauled in 61 passes alone.

The Packers wide receiver group also combined for a whopping 34 TD receptions, compared with the Bears' 17, 11 of which came from Marshall.

If Marshall gets 85-90 receptions in 2013 -- which isn't a whole lot less -- and the rest of the group (including Matt Forte) gets more involved, it will benefit the offense. Let's remember the only way to accomplish that is to be more efficient on offense, by keeping drives alive and converting third downs and scoring touchdowns. Being more efficient can happen by using all the weapons on the field, something the Bears clearly did not do in 2012.

http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/bears...h-offense-2013

I know we all had issues with JC forcing the ball to Bmarsh last season. I have a feeling that Trestman will help out a lot with his scheme.

Thoughts?

[DESERTDWELLER]

Publicly, it's the quiet time for NFL teams. Privately, especially for the eight teams under new head coaches, it's as busy a time as ever, even with nothing notable on the so-called "calendar."

For those Bears fans wondering why there was a huge introductory party for Marc Trestman on January 17th, and not a peep out of him since, it's because his coaching staff's eyes are bloodshot from breaking down every play of every game last season. That makes this quiet time the most important time in determining how they move forward with their 2013 roster. They can't determine what to look for at the Combine in 10 days, the opening of free agency March 12th, and the draft April 25th through the 27th before knowing exactly what they have, don't have and what they can and can't fix.

The most important of those decision-makers is Aaron Kromer, Trestman's offensive coordinator and linemen coach. His predecessor - if not in title last season - Mike Tice, was generally regarded as one of the better ones in the league. But Kromer's left Tice in the dust the last few years. He had five different linemen in five years in New Orleans make the Pro Bowl (totaling nine berths). He's in the process of deciding who he can coach up, whom he can't, the best positions for those he wants to keep and targeting the draft or free agency for what's left.

The Bears of Trestman won't necessarily "get off the bus running." You won't hear him say that. Trestman's and Kromer's linemen - whoever they are - will fit in with the quick drops you'll see more frequently than runs into the center of the line, but must be capable of doing both. Does that include Gabe Carimi somewhere, and how much slack will the final pick of the Angelo regime be given since he truly has just one season of playing time under his belt? Is J'Marcus Webb his left tackle? Is J'Marcus Webb his...anything? Where does Roberto Garza play and will Lance Louis' knee be ready for one of the guard spots?

The same is going on with every other position coach. They're poring over, not speaking out. Unfortunately, we have to wait at least another month from Tuesday to begin to find out what they're thinking.

http://www.csnchicago.com/blog/bears...ly-hibernating

[DamnGoat]

One thing I really like about Trestman is that his RB's tend to have great receiving years and Forte was so underutilized by Tice.

[DESERTDWELLER]

One thing I really like about Trestman is that his RB's tend to have great receiving years and Forte was so underutilized by Tice.

Forte has great hands and it was a shame that Tice couldn't get him the ball more. I expect the opposite this upcoming season with Trestman.

Forte could be inline to have an outstanding year.

[CHI_Fan412]

Forte will have a great year

But the problem lies in that Jeffery wasn't healthy majority of the year and that Bennett and Hester just..aren't that good (flame away, but Bennett is a no.4 who was a no.2 half the year)

[Rndy]

Forte will have a great year

But the problem lies in that Jeffery wasn't healthy majority of the year and that Bennett and Hester just..aren't that good (flame away, but Bennett is a no.4 who was a no.2 half the year)

Bennett is a very solid number 3 guy for a football team. His problem is staying on the field and being utilized like Martz used him. He's a top slot man talent wise he just needs to do it on the field.

[WOwolfOL]

I honestly think Webb should take a huge step forward under Kromer. I imagine he will like a lot of what he sees on tape.

[Jordan Rules]

It will be very interesting to see what Trestman does. I do expect better years out of Cutler, Bennett, and Forte. I expect ERod to be more effective.

[South Sided]

As far as the passing game, Not with Cutler at QB.

[CubbyBlue2009]

Amazing how people come out of the woodwork when things are down.

Interesting.

[DESERTDWELLER]

As far as the passing game, Not with Cutler at QB.

Which past Bears QB was better then JC? Which one had more upside?

JC isn't the best in the NFL, but he is a good QB. I'll admit, I thought that we would have seen more improvement from him, but considering his weapons and protection, he turned out being average. He has his flaws, but I do hope that Trestman can get more out of him. JC has potential, and to say otherwise would be foolish.

I'm not saying that he'll become the next Brady, but I expect an improvement if he has a better Oline in 2013.

[ChiTownFan92]

Which past Bears QB was better then JC? Which one had more upside?

JC isn't the best in the NFL, but he is a good QB. I'll admit, I thought that we would have seen more improvement from him, but considering his weapons and protection, he turned out being average. He has his flaws, but I do hope that Trestman can get more out of him. JC has potential, and to say otherwise would be foolish.

I'm not saying that he'll become the next Brady, but I expect an improvement if he has a better Oline in 2013.

Besides Hanie's performance in the 2010 NFC Championship, anyone who has stepped in when Cutler was hurt has played like absolute garbage. Cutler means so much to this team, nobody can escape pressure quite like he can and the team seems to play at such a higher level with him out there. You put Campbell or Hanie or whomever has backed up Cutler since '09 in for a whole year...they probably wouldnt even survive. Sure, Cutler thinks hes god and can fit a football into a 2-inch gap in triple coverage sometimes, sure he pouts and acts like a baby on the sidelines..but put somebody else behind center for a whole year, we dont win half our games.

[blams1989]

Hanie truly did play terrible in that game as well. Some odd collapses by an otherwise dominant defense in coverage, and bad tackling.

He definitely took his suck to another level the next season.

[Stinkyoutsider]

Spreading things around offensively starts with Cutler and his decision making. The thing that he needs to do better is to dump the ball down every once in a while and use the entire field. I think he's always looking to do damage down the field but I would also like to see the value in using short passes too.

A guy like Forte could make a 4 yard throw into a 8 or 9 yard gain.

It's all about continuing to move the chains too. Teams will double Marshall so he's got to start trusting some other guys and get them the ball on a regular basis.

[Coach100]

^ Until Marshall got here Forte was CHI best receiver and had numbers to prove it. Cutty's job is to dump the ball off when necessary, but I want him looking down field first. It also helps when TE and RB don't have to stay and help block.