LOGGAINS’ SITUATION INTRIGUING
If Trubisky finishes season strong, continuity between OC, QB may trump all
Given the chance, Bears offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains didn’t publicly pat himself on the back for rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky’s breakout game last Sunday against the Bengals.
He also wouldn’t say he saw Trubisky’s big day coming after months of working together.
‘‘ I was proud of him,’’ Loggains said matter- of- factly.
Loggains, though, did say he anticipates Trubisky’s strong play will continue through the last three weeks of the Bears’ season.
And what if it does? What if Trubisky follows up his performance against the Bengals with an even more impressive showing against the Lions? And then what if he excels against the Browns and Vikings?
What would Trubisky’s late success say about Loggains? Would Loggains be worth keeping around, even if coach John Fox is dismissed after the season?
It’s an interesting scenario to consider because the value of continuity for quarterbacks never should be underestimated.
General manager Ryan Pace certainly knows that coming from the Saints. Coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees have been together since 2006.
And the Bears should know that after Jay Cutler had six offensive coordinators in eight seasons with the team.
Advocates for change point to the Rams’ success this season. Jared Goff, theNo. 1 overall pick in 2016, has excelled in his first season under coach SeanMcVay.
Still, it’s difficult to judge Loggains fairly because he has lacked continuity at quarterback, a benefit many of the NFL’s offensive minds had in earning their reputations and current jobs.
McVay is one example. Kirk Cousins started every game under him in 2015 and 2016, when he was the Redskins’ offensive coordinator.
Dolphins coach Adam Gase? Peyton Manning started every game under him in 2013 and 2014 with the Broncos, and the ofteninjured Cutler made 15 starts under him in 2015 with the Bears.
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan? Matt Ryan started every game under him during his two- year run as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator. Ryan improved considerably in his second season under Shanahan, throwing for more touchdowns ( 38 to 21) and yards ( 4,944 to 4,591) and posting a career- best 117.1 passer rating.
Eagles coach Doug Pederson? Alex Smith started every game but two in Pederson’s three seasons as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator ( 2013- 15).
Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is expected to be in demand for coaching vacancies again this offseason. But he obviously has benefitted from having a healthy Tom Brady in eight of his nine seasons as the Patriots’ play- caller.
In 2008, the Patriots and McDaniels turned to backup Matt Cassel for 15 games after Brady suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the season opener. Cassel played well, but it was also his fourth season with the team.
Continuity matters for quarterbacks and their coordinators. Trubisky is Loggains’ fifth starting quarterback in two seasons as the Bears’ coordinator. He has coached through a range of players and personalities. Take a look:
Cutler: Five starts, 1- 4 record, 81- for- 137, 1,059 yards, four touchdowns, five interceptions, 17 sacks, 78.1 passer rating.
Cutler didn’t flourish under Loggains as he did under Gase, but he suffered an injury to his right ( throwing) thumb in the season opener against the Texans. It got worse the next week against the Eagles. He then suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder inWeek 11 against the Giants. BrianHoyer: Five starts, 1- 4 record, 134- for- 200, 1,445 yards, six touchdowns, no interceptions, four sacks, 98.0 passer rating.
Loggains arguably was at his best with Hoyer, who surpassed 300 yards passing in four consecutive starts before suffering a broken arm. The Bears were so pleased with Hoyer’s play that they were considering sticking with him over Cutler when Cutler returned.
The 49ers signed Hoyer last offseason, but Shanahan didn’t come close to replicating Loggains’ success with him. In six starts with the 49ers, Hoyer completed 119 of 205 passes for 1,245 yards with four touchdowns, four interceptions and a 74.1 passer rating. He was released after the team acquired Jimmy Garoppolo.
Matt Barkley: Six starts, 1- 5 record, 129- for- 216, 1,611 yards, eight touchdowns, 14 interceptions, six sacks, 68.3 passer rating.
Barkley was a challenge because he had been signed to the practice squad a week before the season opener. He didn’t get second- team reps untilWeek 3.
Barkley, though, nearly won his first two games as a starter. Receivers Josh Bellamy and Deonte Thompson dropped potential winning touchdown passes against the Titans in Barkley’s first start. In his second start, Barkley had a careerbest 97.5 passer rating in a 26- 6 victory against the 49ers. His play unraveled in his last three starts.
Mike Glennon: Four starts, 1- 3 record, 93- for- 140, 833 yards, four touchdowns, five interceptions, eight sacks, 76.9 passer rating.
Glennon wasn’t the quarterback the Bears hoped he would be. He didn’t play well for Loggains; he played tentatively after the Bears drafted Trubisky.
The decision to sign Glennon and then bench him in favor of Trubisky reflects poorly on the organization.
Trubisky: Nine starts, 3- 6 record, 131- for- 225, 1,508 yards, six touchdowns, four interceptions, 23 sacks, 80.0 passer rating.
The Bears were impressed enough with Trubisky’s growth to promote him to Glennon’s backup after the preseason, but his development was muddled from the beginning because of the team’s decision not to have an open quarterback competition. He didn’t start taking first- team snaps untilWeek 5.
Loggains’ and quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone’s developmental plan for Trubisky accelerated after he was named the starter. But Fox restricted game plans and play- calls with the same conservative approach he had for Glennon.
Everything changed against the Bengals, though. In his ninth start, Trubisky finally resembled a franchise- changing quarterback.
The question now is, what does Pace do if that continues?