When the Tennessee Titans came calling to the Chicago Bears and asked to interview offensive line coach Mike Tice, the Bears declined. So what does that have to do with Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz?
Maybe nothing, but Steve Rosenbloom of the Chicago Tribune makes the case that the Bears wouldn't allow Tice to take a promotion to offensive coordinator in Tennessee because they think Tice serves as a counterbalance to Martz on their coaching staff -- and potentially a replacement for Martz:
"So, why deny Tice the chance to move up to Tennessee offensive coordinator?" Rosenbloom writes. "Here's why: If Mike Martz still thinks the Bears can run his offense with a 4-1 pass-run ratio and in fact he insists on calling it that way, then the Bears might all of a sudden need Tice as their own offensive coordinator after, say, Game 3, if not before."
It's an interesting theory, but I don't buy it. Smith absolutely loves Martz. Martz is the one who gave Smith his big break in the coaching business by hiring Smith as the Rams' defensive coordinator 10 years ago. Smith isn't going to fire Martz.
It's also silly for Rosenbloom to say Martz wants a 4-1 pass-run ratio. In reality, the Bears had close to an equal number of passes and runs (466 passes and 414 runs) during the 2010 season.
So the Bears telling Tice he can't leave probably says the Bears like Tice as their offensive line coach and want to keep him there. And it probably doesn't say anything about Martz.
Bears Held On to Mike Tice; Does That Mean They Don't Trust Mike Martz?
Feb 17, 2011 – 12:17 PM
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