The Value of Not Huddling

Rich Campbell at the Chicago Tribune on the Bears new running back:

“Running back Jordan Howard, a fifth-rounder, is a bruiser who can wear out tacklers and help the Bears finish games. He could be even more effective as a fourth-quarter runner than he was at Indiana because the Bears huddle more than the Hoosiers did. He’ll actually have his wind.”

Not buying this reasoning.  The whole point behind a no huddle, spread offense is to keep the defense from getting its wind. Theoretically the offense, as the attacker, has less trouble. So if anything, Howard will have a tougher time not an easier time.

Bears Fail to Draft a Quarterback. Again.

Rich Campbell at the Chicago Tribune thinks the Bears were smart not to take a quarterback on Day 3:

“As we understand the Bears’ plan for developing [Leonard] Floyd and three Day 3 defensive backs under some well-regarded defensive coaches, remember that new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains and quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone are inexperienced by comparison.

“Considering Jay Cutler‘s contract is now a pay-as-you-go proposition, it was smart to continue building the supporting cast. That will better position a young quarterback to step in and succeed, whenever that finally happens.”

I pushed a lot less for a quarterback in this draft than I did in the last one. There are a number of reasons for that, not the least of which is Campbell’s point about Loggains and Ragone. Frankly, even if they drafted a quarterback, there’s some doubt in my mind about the current staff’s ability to develop one.

Having said that, though Cutler raised his level of play last year to league average, it’s hard to trust him. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if the very inexperience of the Loggains undermines his new found confidence and mental toughness. Yes, Loggains was promoted partly because of his relationship with Cutler. But we’ve heard about these good relationships before.

I would have thought the Bears might have taken a quarterback with potential to eventually start on Day 2 or early on Day 3. If Cutler falls apart again this year or sustains a serious injury, there isn’t going to be a developmental quarterback in the pipeline. Next season we could be saying the same old saw: If not Cutler, then who? That’s a question that needs to be answered with good planning in the draft. The Bears are neglecting the position at their own risk.