http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/9315638/nfl-chicago-bears-offense-look-marc-trestman

How Bears' offense could run
What will Marc Trestman bring to the table in 2013?

One of the biggest mysteries heading into the 2013 season is what the Chicago Bears will look like under new head coach Marc Trestman. Spending his last five seasons as the head coach of the CFL's Montreal Alouettes, Trestman brings some intriguing questions with him to Chicago. And we know that the game we see north of the border does not always translate to the NFL.

Trestman and the Bears are not giving away a lot of secrets regarding their offensive schemes, so to best understand what we will likely see this fall we need to take a look at his coaching influences over the years and also see if there are any constant principles that affect his offensive philosophy. This is out best indication of what we'll see from the Bears this fall.

Re-introducing Marc Trestman
Even though he has not been in the NFL for several years Trestman has an impressive coaching résumé with a lot of varied stops and influences. He has 17 years of NFL experience -- eight as an offensive coordinator -- and he has also had success on the college and CFL level. The list of successful NFL QBs that have played under him and sing his praises is very impressive, led by Hall of Fame QB Steve Young. Trestman is a very cerebral guy and this will be a thinking man's offense with amazing attention to detail and meticulous preparation -- something he'll demand from his players and assistants as well. They will be challenged to outwork their opponents each week and their mental approach to the game will be a key to their success. He will call offensive plays -- one of his big strengths -- he will work very closely with offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer and QB coach Matt Cavanaugh, and he will sit in all of the QB meetings. But that's not simply to preside over the proceedings.

Trestman is also a head coach who wants input from his players and coaches. They will have the freedom to share plays they like and also plays they dislike and game plans will be a team effort ... but it will be one led by Trestman's creative mind. Players are going to have to work hard to stay on top of the scheme's he's likely to incorporate. Here's a glimpse at some of the offensive aspects he figures to implement early.

Protect the quarterback
Kromer worked with Trestman in Oakland years ago and he will be a big part of improving Jay Cutler's pass protection, which has been subpar for years. Whether it was slow-developing pass plays under former coordinator Mike Martz or ill-advised blocking schemes that were horrible against the blitz, Cutler became a punching bag for opposing defenses. It led to a barrage of sacks, hits and INTs, not to mention a QB who always seemed to be frustrated. That will change under Trestman and Kromer.

The Bears will pass block from "inside-out," which is somewhat unique as they try to eliminate inside pressure and blitzes by having strong play from their guards and centers and not always "fanning" outside to pick up the edge blitz. It is a scheme that served Kromer well with Drew Brees in New Orleans and, if successful, it will allow Cutler to step up into the pocket and stay inside his protection, rather than being flushed like he has so often in recent years.

Trestman will also likely shorten up the passing game with more three- and five-step drops, shotgun formations, some no huddle looks and a large volume of quick outs, slants and quick seam routes. These are all adjustments made to protect Cutler and cut down on his punishment. Trestman seems to be totally committed to keeping his signal caller healthy. He even used a helmet cam with his QB in rookie mini-camp so the coaches could see what the QB sees. Trestman is not afraid to be creative.

What this offense will mean to Jay Cutler
QBs who have played for Trestman in the past rave about how successful you can be in this offense if you don't fight it and instead accept his coaching. Cutler will be asked to watch more film and prepare harder than ever before and he will be challenged mentally on a daily basis. However, the positive tradeoff for him is that he will have significant input into the game plan, and he will have a nice role in play selection. As long as he doesn't make a lot of mental mistakes, he will have the freedom to call audibles at the line of scrimmage. Sight adjustment in the passing game between Cutler and his receivers could be a real positive part of this offense, but that requires everybody to be on the same page -- and that means study and preparation.

Trestman is a stickler for expecting his QB to be fundamentally sound and Cutler will have to be precise in his mechanics and do a lot of little things that have not always been his strength in the past. This will be an area to watch.

How will the rest of the offense operate?
Part of Trestman's improved pass protection will be to get RB Matt Forte more involved as a checkdown/outlet receiver if the big play is not there. Forte will be more prominent in the screen game, which can also protect Cutler and give him safe throws.

Coming in as a free agent from the Giants, TE Martellus Bennett should put up impressive numbers in this offense with a lot of quick slants, outs and seam routes. He could have a big impact in the red zone and on third down. And like Forte he will be a welcome safety net for the QB.

We know how often Cutler looks for WR Brandon Marshall, and while Marshall's production should stay very high we may see fewer deep routes and fewer targets. But he is still the go-to guy in this pass offense. If Trestman can develop a quality No. 2 WR -- hopefully young Alshon Jeffery -- this could be a dynamic offense.

While much remains to be seen once training camps and the preseason begins, what we do know is that this will be a smart and well-coached offense. Mental mistakes will not be tolerated and attention to detail will be demanded.

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Gary Horton
Scouts Inc.
Archive
Gary Horton spent 10 years in the NFL as a scout and another 10 years at the college level as an assistant coach and recruiter. He is the founder and most seasoned member of the Scouts Inc. staff, and his extensive experience at all levels of football make him an excellent talent evaluator.

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I wanna go to where the martyrs went
the brown figures on the walls of my apart-a-ment...