Bears must learn to go off script
Everything is going as scripted for the Bears offense.
Scratch that. Everything scripted is going as scripted for the Bears offense.
If they ever figure out howto finish like they start, this will be one dangerous team. But for now, fast starts are a big story for a franchise that has been on slow footing for far too long.
The Bears have scored openingdrive touchdowns in the first two games, and while that might not sound like a major feat, it’s something they accomplished only five times during the three previous seasons. It’s the first time they’ve scored touchdowns out of the gate in consecutive games sinceWeeks 9 and 10 in 2013. According to Pro Football Reference, which tracks opening-drive statistics back to 1999, it’s the first time in that 20year stretch the Bears have scored opening-drive touchdowns in the first two games.
“Really?” right tackle Bobby Massie said. “I never knew that.”
Offensive coordinatorMark Helfrichwas similarly surprised, and the challenge nowis running the streak to three games Sunday in Arizona. The Bears have never accomplished that feat in the last two decades.
The Bears script the first 15 plays, like nearly every other team and no different from what they did the past two seasons under Dowell Loggains. Coach MattNagy’s call sheet has clicked from the start. The Bears went 96 yards in 10 plays to open Monday’s 24-17 victory over the Seahawks. In the opener in Green Bay, the offensewent 86 yards in 10 plays.
Taking it a step further, in the first 15 snaps against the Packers, the offense produced 140 yards. In the first 15 against the Seahawks, the Bearsmoved the ball 82 yards (and benefited froman additional 23 yards in penalties). Those 30 plays totaled 222 yards (7.4 per snap), while the Bears gained 343 yards in the other 99 snaps (3.5).
“It’s wherewe’re at in this offense right now,” Nagy said. “When you have a first 15, these guys have these plays the night before and so they’re able to really hammer through and study them and see wherewe’re at, and to me that’s exciting. Because the fact that they’re able to study this stuff and really understand what they’re supposed to do when it’s given to them, it’s kind of the answers before the test and then they’re producing.
“The next step is they’ve got to be able to do it without (being) given. They need to understand the whole process, andwe’re going to slowly get there. We want this to happen as fast aswe can, but this is not something that happens day by day orweek by week.”
Scripting plays is a strategy credited toHall of Fame coach BillWalsh, whowould design 15 to 25 plays for the start of each game. Mike Shanahan, who coached the Broncos to two Super Bowl titles, told theNew York Times in a 1996 article that he learned of the preparation listening toWalsh speak at a coaches clinic in Chicago in the late 1970s.
A script ensures the game plan developed during theweek is put to the test immediately. An offense can see howthe defense responds to personnel groupings or motions. A perceivedweak defensive player can be challenged immediately. It can be used to get a key skill-position player involved right away. Some early calls can be used to set up a play from an identical formation later in the game.
“People look at it for all those reasons,” Helfrich said. “Whether it is the quarterback, tailback or a particular skill guy, you can say, ‘Hey, we need to get so-and-so going early, and here’s howwe can have a 90 percent chance to get him the ball.’ So it’s really all those things.”
Chiefs coach Andy Reid has long scripted plays to begin the game. The Eagles’ Doug Pederson does it too. In the 30 plays combined to open the two games, the Bears have had only two negative plays. Quarterback Mitch Trubiskywas sacked for no loss in Green Bay, and running back JordanHoward had no gain on a third-and-1 carry versus the Seahawks.
Howard has either carried or been targeted with a pass on eight of the 30 plays. Allen Robinson has been the target for six passes, and running back Tarik Cohen has carried or been targeted five times as the Bears spread the ball around. The only number that jumps out is tight end Trey Burton has only two targets— a 15yard catch on third down in the red zone in Green Bay and the 3-yard touchdown on a shovel pass against the Seahawks.
Helfrich said the Bears try to go in order fromone to 15 but go off script when down-and-distance dictates.
The process begins early in the week with a group of 45 to 50 plays, and the script is whittled, with calls left on the cutting board inserted elsewhere in the game plan. Quarterbacks have an idea of what will be used during theweek, and the plan is presented to the offense the day before the game.
Fromthere, play calling is an art and a feel, like playing chess withmoving pieces— something the Bears areworking to master with Trubisky.
According to Football Outsiders, the Bears rank 22nd in yards per drive at 29.35. The Rams are first at 46.37. The Bears are 20th in points per drive at 1.65— half of what the top-ranked Chiefs are producing at 3.32. It’s a process.
“Whatwe need to do … is after that (first 15), do a heck of a lot better,” Helfrich said.
You can’t argue with the start, though.