The Bears are not expected to re-sign unrestricted free agent Adrian Peterson.
Now 30 years old, Peterson has lost explosiveness as a runner and receiver. The Bears no longer trust him as a backup running back, so he's limited to special teams duties. Injury-prone Kevin Jones is entering the final year of his contract, but Khalil Bell enters the offseason as the No. 2 back behind Matt Forte.
Orlando Pace suggested that the hiring of Mike Martz could alter his plans for 2010.
Pace is considering retirement, but he seems to relish the thought of playing for Martz again after their time together in St. Louis earlier in the decade. Pace would have to take a paycut and return as a backup to Chris Williams.
ESPN's Jeff Dickerson speculates that the Bears could be looking at Colts secondary coach Alan Williams for their vacant defensive coordinator position.
Williams is part of the Tony Dungy tree and has spent the last eight seasons coaching the Colts' defensive backs. He's obviously well-versed in the Tampa 2 defense, having worked with Monte Kiffin during a season with the Bucs in addition to his run in Indy.
Newly hired Bears coordinator Mike Martz insists TE Greg Olsen will be an integral part of his offense.
Martz called Olsen "different" from his previous tight ends, pointing out that he's a down-field mismatch for linebackers and safeties. Consider us unswayed. Two years ago, Martz spent the offseason showing Vernon Davis films of Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce and insisting he would use the physical mismatch "down the field...like a wide receiver." The fact remains that no Martz TE has ever caught more than 38 passes.
Bears coach Lovie Smith insists that the team won't suddenly give up on the run despite hiring pass-heavy offensive coordinator Mike Martz.
"When I say get off the bus running the football, I mean that is a mind-set," Smith said. "The run will always be a part of what we're going to do. (We play in) Chicago, we play in the elements." Martz is terrific at getting running backs involved in the passing game. While Matt Forte may lose some carries, he will be a candidate for 60-70 catches going forward.
Bears hired Mike Martz as offensive coordinator.
Martz was low on GM Jerry Angelo's initial list of candidates, but rose to the forefront after Rob Chudzinski, Jeremy Bates, Hue Jackson, and a host of others bowed out. Martz, 59, was out of coaching last year but is still widely regarded as one of the game's brightest offensive minds. It will be interesting to see how the strong-minded coach meshes with Jay Cutler. Martz's offensive track record says the Bears are making a high-upside, if risky move as head coach Lovie Smith enters a win-or-else season.
Greg Olsen may have the most to lose following the Bears' hire of Mike Martz as offensive coordinator.
While Martz figures to make effective use of speedy outside wideouts Devin Aromashodu, Devin Hester, and Johnny Knox, he has no history of tight end usage in the passing game. 2009 Pro Bowler Vernon Davis saw just 49 targets all season under him in 2008, and no Martz TE has ever caught more than 38 passes. We'd guess that Earl Bennett will play in the slot for Martz and potentially be a major asset in PPR leagues.
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