Before the Bears made headlines on the first weekend of free agency with some big moves — headlined by Julius Peppers — there was talk about the possibility of trading TE Greg Olsen.
I had a hard time believing it since Martz is the type of coach who will adapt to his personnel to run his offense. The Bears do have depth at the wide receiver position right now, but is any of it proven — to the point that they can command safety help on every snap?
Not really, and that’s why the idea of moving Olsen never seemed to make sense from a football or offensive standpoint in Chicago. The Bears need his production, and it will be entertaining to watch Martz use him in a way Chicago fans haven’t seen before.
Sunday, in a story by Bob LeGere of the Daily Herald, Martz talked about using Olsen, saying, “When you can get a defense with normal personnel, and then move (Olsen) like you would a receiver in the slot and get him matched up on linebackers and safeties, it's going to be a mismatch. Then, with his ability to stand in there and slug it out, he's a complete player at that position, which is multi-dimensional.”
When Martz talks about normal personnel, he’s discussing how defenses will have to attack the Bears when they have their Pro (2 WR, 1 TE, 2 RB) or Ace personnel (2 WR, 2 TE, 1 RB) on the field. In response, defenses keep their base package on the field. But this is how Martz is different, and why his system should yield production in 2010.
Olsen becomes a WR in these packages in the route tree because Martz will align him away from the formation, matched up most likely on a strong safety with a two-way go and open field to work with. In reality, the Bears become a team that uses 3 WR personnel in their base packages because Olsen has the ability to run routes and create separation when he draws a matchup like this.
Call it creativity or using your productive players in a way to exploit and take advantage of defensive personnel. Aligned in the slot as Martz said, or as an “X” receiver on the backside of the formation, the No. 3 receiver in a bunch look, or as the No.2 in stack sets. The key, however, is that this is all done in offensive personnel groupings that keep defensive sub packages (nickel, dime) off the field.
A luxury, really, as a play caller in this league.
The Bears can utilize Olsen is a way where he’s in position to succeed on the field in both the running game and when Martz gets to move him in the passing game. And that’s why you don’t trade a player like Olsen — he’s too valuable to the success and game plan of the offense in Chicago.
I think we’ll all be surprised to see what Martz can come up with to get Olsen the football.
Follow me on Twitter: MattBowen41
Please.
Every year, we say the same thing. Surely Martz won't waste or squander _________ in this offense. He had the same physical specimen in San Francisco that caught nearly 80 balls for 1000 yards and 13 TDs (v.davis). Martz's production with him? 31 catches for 358 yards and 2 TDs.
Martz is talking up Olsen because he is trying to please everyone and keep his job. He also knows that if the offense elevates during his tenure and the Bears do something, no one but Olsen will care about his dip in production.
I agree with Racer-X....seriously Bowen, lame article.
You can speculate all you want on how Martz should use Olsen, but fact remains he has never had a tight end catch more than 38 passes in a season. Martz views TE's as blockers, plan and simple, and you can see that in the passing routes and block assignments he runs. He needs a solid blocking TE to support it. This is highlighted by the fact they signed TE Brandon Manumaleuna on a five-year, $15 million contract, including $6.1 million guaranteed. He wants a blocking TE, not a recieving TE. Look for Olsen to lose a lot of snaps this season if he doesn't get trade (which I think he does on draft day).
Sorry Mcgarnicle79,
I am going to take the word of the guy who played under Martz with Robinson, Williams, etc. You sound like the expert by the way, you know, looking at stats and just repeating what you hear from ESPN.
Thats why readers come to the NFP, to get away from that crap. Real football here. You don't have to agree with everything said, but have a argument of your own for once.
Olsen will be a Pro Bowler with Martz. He made plays with Ron Turner of all people.
The Packers treated Olson as a wide out in the first game and put Woodson on him. In the second game they ignored him because he can catch as well as he can block. They should trade him for a mid round pick and get a free agent slot reciever.
Scooter-
Won't be the same under Martz. The thing everyone is missing here is simple: Cutler. If Jay can play like the vale of his contract, this argument doesn't matter. Everyone, including the WRs will post good numbers.
All depends on the QB, and Cutler should be the No.1 guy who benefits the most from having a new offensive coordinator.
Cutler could be dangerous if the WR's develop and he will have some quality time with them to see that that happens. Olsen caused mismatch issues in coverage a year or so ago. So why not this year? Bears offense could be on a razor's edge here. Does Martz make them into a high flying team riding Cutler's strong arm, or exacerbate the problem of INT's?
Ok Paul
I come here to get good articles and facts too, however this article doesn't have any of them. I do have an opinion, and it's that Martz doesn't use TE's in a offensive role. I didn't get that from ESPN. I got that from the fact that no TE has ever had good production in Martz's offense. I didn't need to play under Martz to figure that one out, just to spend my Sunday's on a coach in front of the TV with a beer in hand.
This was the exact same talk when he was with the 49ers and saying how Davis was going to be a downfield threat. He sold it relentlessly that Davis was in store for big things. Didn't work. Maybe Davis wasn't ready and maybe Martz was too inpatient with it, who knows. You can believe what you want to believe, but the fact is Martz has never highlighted a TE in his offense, the Bears have just signed one of the better blocking TE's to their team, and Olsen is a better recieving TE than blocking.
Even if I did believe for a second that Martz wants to use Olsen in creative ways, the Bear's OL is still very weak. They will need Manumaleuna to help on the outside in passing downs and since they were terrible at running the ball they'll need him for run blocking too. That means for Olsen to do well he'll need to be in during two TE sets or split out in the slot or out wide. Ask Martz what his opinions on that is...I think the answer is "might as well just put a wide reciever out there".
And as a side note, I usually value and enjoy Bowen's articles, just not this one because it's pure speculation and contradicts everything we have seen Martz do historically. There's no evidence that he will try to use Olsen.
C'mon Matt! As a 49er fan that had to suffer through Martz's misuse of Vernon Davis, I can tell you Olsen will blocking on those 7 step drops 80% of the time. His offense is good for only one thing... leading the league in sacks allowed.
Is it me, or did Vernon Davis have some issues with Singletary during Martz's run in SF? Why isn't that brought up? Im am sure it had something to do with his numbers.
I think Olsen explodes in that offense.
I second all of what the Niner fans have said about Martz. That year was EXCRUCIATING watching MM totally ignore Davis as a playmaker. Even when he had 1 great game & it looked like Martz might have discovered a new weapon....nooooo, he immediately left VD behind to block 95% of the time in every game.
Look at Martz's history the TE always had LOW production. His Offense revolves around a RB who can do it all....run, block, & catch + speedy WR's. (+ the right QB of course)
Luckily Olsen is a poor blocker (from reading some of the comments above) so he won't be counted on as another OLineman. But if he can't block where's this guy going to play? Martz better buy into Olsen proving he can be THAT other WR otherwise he'll be riding the pine. Just a bad, bad combo.
IMO they should have brought in another top OC type who uses the TE equally as another playmaker. From what I hear Olsen is a stud. Blows for the Bears if they had to get rid of him....esp if Martz doesn't work out.
My understanding is that Davis is very good blocker and the niners O line was a pile of crap that year, necessitating his blocking. Sound anything like the truth?
@ BearM - sort of..... thing is Martz is in LOVE with the 7-step drop. He's totally capable of adjusting to using more 3 & 5 step drops (like he did when JTO was replaced by Sean Hill) but he won't with Cutler because he has the arm to get the ball downfield. When he went to this short passing game style VD was no longer needed as a blocker yet he still kept him there which really blowed bigtime.
Martz will force Cutler to hold the ball & try to hit the BIG play. I hope you have a decent OL. Ours was average but Martz never let up on challenging them & if I remember right we had one of, if not THE, highest sack totals that year.
I do give Martz credit for making us a MUCH IMPROVED & NFL caliber Offense. It was fun to watch someone who knew what the h*** they were doing after the Rookie OC we had the year prior was totally in over his head along with Nowin's meddling. IF you have the right personnel your team can thrive in his Offense.
The things I don't like about Martz & his Offense are.....
1) the constant 7 step drops even when the QB was taking a helluva beating..here I think he can adjust better & take care of his QB better if he wanted or had to. Martz was damned impressive in his West Coast Offense style playcalling. It was EFFECTIVE.
2) practically totally ignoring the TE as a playmaker (which has ALWAYS been true in a MM Offense)
3) not giving the QB the option to call audibles...supposedly the play has options where the QB & WR have to be on the same page when reading the Defense as to what route the WR runs
4) For as much as Martz has command of his Offense & knows how to create mismatches he is a HORRIBLE clock manager
5) Martz often struggles with his Red Zone playcalling
6) sometimes he needs a HC who can reel him in & control him. Even with a lead all you need to do is run the ball & kill some clock late in games but Martz can still heavily favor passing the ball & not burn enough time off the clock which can allow the other team to make a come back.
Yeah, that's what he said about Vernon Davis 2 years ago...
Yeah, that's what he said about Vernon Davis 2 years ago...
BTW @BearMarket, The Bears O line is a pile of crap also...
For the most part, Roy, it was. But it got better when they switched Chris Williams to LT. Good enough to shut down Jared Allen and beat the Vikes in a game the Vikes had to have for homefield. I am praying that line shows up and with some help in the draft improves. That huge TE Martz brought over should help too.
I know Martz doesn't want his QB to audible out of a play, but every play has options depending on who gets open. I also saw Martz in a training video at the Senior Bowl where he was telling the QBs (one of them was Colt Brennan) "listen if you see your guy beat the CB then just take 5, not 7."
It's a big gamble, but I'm not buying all the Martz hatred that's out there. I know Dick Vermeil said this guy is special and when you can get an OC like him you jump at it.
Don't forget Tice BearMarket. Good coaching makes a huge difference. He's one of the best O-line evaluators & teachers in the league. being an Ex-TE he knows a little about those too I would gather.
Don't forget Tice BearMarket. Good coaching makes a huge difference. He's one of the best O-line evaluators & teachers in the league. being an Ex-TE he knows a little about those too I would gather.
To all you 49er fans who are bashing Martz Remember the offense was being very productive before Nolan got Axed! Heres an excerpt from an article by John Clayton after Nolan got fired.
(Nolan, 49, was 18-37 as coach of the 49ers. Though the offense improved its scoring under the play calling of offensive coordinator Mike Martz, the defense -- which is Nolan's specialty -- has been inconsistent all season.) Also lets not forget that offense & especially that line was awful!
And Mike in MD all your points are wrong. I'll break it down one by one.
5/7 step drops are a staple of the West Coast too. The only reason Walsh didn't do it is because he had to adjust to a weak,but accurate armed QB(Montana). When they got a strong armed QB,(Young),they incorporated more 5/7 step drops for big plays down the field.
TE's aren't ignored. Davis had to be held in to block because he was willing & really good at it. Not like Olsen who is unwilling & sucks at it. Also Davis had a hard time picking up the offense. If he didn't he'd have gotten the ball more. This offense is derived from Coryells offense. He had a HOF TE. Kellen Winslow SR. He didn't get there by blocking. He didn't use the TE because he had better weapons to throw to like Faulk,Bruce,Holt,Hakim,&Proehl. Who would you throw to? Them or a TE?
The offense has audibles. It has check w/me's too. What you're referring to is called sight adjustments. WR's have specific ones per play called. But before that the QB has audibles to use based on defensive alignments.
as an assistant clock management is not his area of expertise. Thats commonly known as the Head coaches department.
Red zone I have no clue on w/the 49ers,but I do know that an offensive coordinator that holds NFL records in points had to find some ways of getting in the End Zone in the Red Zone.
And w/a big lead the Martz offense is built to run out the clock w/a power running game. Its exactly the same concept the Walsh 49ers did. Pass to set up the run,get a big lead,& run it out in the 4th quarter when the defense has its tongues hanging out of their mouths.
To all you 49er fans who are bashing Martz Remember the offense was being very productive before Nolan got Axed! Heres an excerpt from an article by John Clayton after Nolan got fired.
(Nolan, 49, was 18-37 as coach of the 49ers. Though the offense improved its scoring under the play calling of offensive coordinator Mike Martz, the defense -- which is Nolan's specialty -- has been inconsistent all season.) Also lets not forget that offense & especially that line was awful!
And Mike in MD all your points are wrong. I'll break it down one by one.
5/7 step drops are a staple of the West Coast too. The only reason Walsh didn't do it is because he had to adjust to a weak,but accurate armed QB(Montana). When they got a strong armed QB,(Young),they incorporated more 5/7 step drops for big plays down the field.
TE's aren't ignored. Davis had to be held in to block because he was willing & really good at it. Not like Olsen who is unwilling & sucks at it. Also Davis had a hard time picking up the offense. If he didn't he'd have gotten the ball more. This offense is derived from Coryells offense. He had a HOF TE. Kellen Winslow SR. He didn't get there by blocking. He didn't use the TE because he had better weapons to throw to like Faulk,Bruce,Holt,Hakim,&Proehl. Who would you throw to? Them or a TE?
The offense has audibles. It has check w/me's too. What you're referring to is called sight adjustments. WR's have specific ones per play called. But before that the QB has audibles to use based on defensive alignments.
as an assistant clock management is not his area of expertise. Thats commonly known as the Head coaches department.
Red zone I have no clue on w/the 49ers,but I do know that an offensive coordinator that holds NFL records in points had to find some ways of getting in the End Zone in the Red Zone.
And w/a big lead the Martz offense is built to run out the clock w/a power running game. Its exactly the same concept the Walsh 49ers did. Pass to set up the run,get a big lead,& run it out in the 4th quarter when the defense has its tongues hanging out of their mouths.
Not only was Tice an NFL TE, but that's the position Martz played in college. The fact is, he's never had a TE like Olsen. And don't believe the hype, Olsen can block - at least as well as Dallsa Clark or Jason Witten of those other "beastly" blockers. He brought in a DE/TE that he worked with before. I heard the interview. Brandon M. said, "my job is to seal the edge and protect the QB. In two TE sets, Olsen should have a lot of room to run good routes, his specialty.
I look forward to this season putting an end to the myth that the Martz system is the burial ground for TEs. I see a huge season for Olsen. He'll get over it once he realized what Martz wants and expects.
I gotta disagree w/you on this one BearMarket. As far as Olsens blocking is concerned anyway. The man has no heart for it. The minute he found out Martz was the coordinator he started to plot his weaselly ass out of town. I just saw him play H-back on the Bears Steelers game replay on NFL network & it was laugh out loud comical to see him attempt a block. He's brutal & has no intention on blocking. But that being said the same could be said for Winslow & Gonzales. The only difference between those guys & Olsen is they were & in Gonzos case are physical against CB's. I remember Winslow just physically destroying DB's that dared even consider cover him. Olsen does not. You put a DB who can run w/him & he's done. The kid got talnet but he's low on testosterone. That being said you're damn right Martz will use him. Martz is a great offensive mind he's no dummy. And Yes you're right Martz was a TE in college for 4 different teams. He knows the in's & outs of the position & what can be done w/it.
@jackhammerebm - Not a 49ers fan, just a realist. I'm up and down on Tice as a coach. His time as an assistance coach for Minny was very good, but his time as a head coach and an assistant in Jacksonville wasn't pretty. The Bears line needs a lot of work, not just in coaching but in talent as well. It's by far one of the weakest positions on the team (along with the secondary)
@Bearmarket - Please don't compare Olsen to Clark or Witten in any compacity. Olsen has a high potential to develop as a recieving TE, but blocks like crap. Witten especially, is one of the most complete players at the positon.
To the arguement that Olsen is the best TE that Martx will have to work with, thats just plan wrong. Vernon Davis is the best TE that Martz had to work with. Davis is a physical freak, mean blocker, and excellent reciever.
I'm not saying that Martz can not enjoy sucess with Cutler and the Bears (even though I do think it's not going to work out), I just think from the style of offense that we have seen Martz run historically the TE is used as mostly a blocker. If the Bears can get a second round pick for Olsen, I think they should make the trade. With the pick they would be in a good position to address the OL, safety position, or WR.
mcgarnicle79 Not sure what happened at Jacksonville,but Tice has this rep around the league as one of the best at his current position. A lot of times its not on the coach. Like last years Bears team w/Rod Marinelli. I can't blame him for what happened there. I think a lot of that was relying on some older ineffective players,(Ogunleye,Harris). I'm hoping Tice is the real deal. Now as far as the line is concerned there are some things you're not too familiar w/. First they had 3 new linemen in there & two of them were playing different positions. This on top of working w/a total of 6 new starters & 4 of them starting in the NFL for a full season for the first time. Continuity was an issue. If you look at offenses performance in the second half of the season especially on the line you'll see improvement by leaps & bounds. Moving Williams to his natural position paid immediate dividens. Getting Pace out of there really helped. He was draedful & should've been yanked much much sooner. Even Omiyale improved tremendously when Williams moved over in week 13. I don't think that was a coincidence. Also Kruetz's production improved because he was covering for the new guy learning the ropes to his left in Omiyale early in the season. Garza actually graded out well at RT being his usual effective non-conspicuous self.
That leaves RT for this year. I think the Bears will move Omiyale to RT his natural position & get a LG. Beekman actually graded out good in the run,but gets over powered in the pass game because he's light in the pants. They have to get a guy there or perhaps they have one. They're high on Lance Louis who got drafted last year in the 7th,but he's got a real mean streak in him I like for a guard. Its why he fell so far. He got into some trouble punching out a teammate & breaking his jaw. He's a converted TE but big in stature. So we'll see. I think w/another year under their belt it'll be better to judge what the Bears have on the line. To judge last season I think isn't fair. You also have to consider the defensive drop off. It put the offense in bad positions. I think the offense only played w/a lead like 40 snaps last year. Its some ridiculous stat like that. So it really made them predictable & one dimensional. not to mention they had a zone scheme that I think our personnel isn't fit for. Theres a man scheme this year which I feel suits our linemen much better.
To confirm all the improvements you should go to profootballfocus.com. Its an excellent site if you're not familiar w/it. Its based on the NFL scouting grading system. basically a snap by snap evaluation of overall performance in all aspects of football for every position. I usually just post the links but for some reason you can't do it on this format. I tried & it wouldn't allow me to post until I deleted the links.
Lets get our head on straight here! Olsen CANNOT BLOCK ANYONE! TRADE HIM! NOW! OH WAIT it is the Chicago Bears they they won`t do that, it might be right!
How about this for a concept: a coach, Mike Tice, comes in and, rather than sit back, take a paycheck and does nothing, coaches up a promising TE, Greg Olsen. OMG, he might actually teach him how to block.
Who cares if Olsen likes it or not? Martz will be breaking down and pushing hard at every position on the O. The whole O can suffer together and then succeed together.
Martz is not going to give up on Olsen, so you can just forget about your second round pick. He's going to make him a complete TE. In two TE sets he can bring in that beast he got in FA to protect the edge and play around with Olsen to get mismatches.
Only time will tell. We'll see how it's going by the third game of the year.
So let's just put all the crap about whether Olsen can or can't block on hold. The only opiniion that counts is Martz's, and so far he's saying the kid will do it all.
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Mar 22, 2010
07:28 AM
The problem is that Olsen doesn't force the defense to use base personnel. All things being equal, they treat him as a WR in those personnel groupings because he doesn't block well. This was the Bears fundamental problem using Olsen last year and, Martz or not, its going to continue to be a problem unless Olsen improves as a blocker and makes defenses pay. Martz as much as said that shortly after he arrived in Chicago.