Changes The Chicago Bears Can Expect From Ryan Pace
By Erik Lambert
Forget a curveball. The Chicago Bears threw a knuckler when they opted for 37-year old Saints pro personnel director Ryan Pace as their next GM. It represents a significant shift in culture that this franchise is unlikely to fully comprehend. So just for a small idea, here are some things Pace will likely have implemented as he begins the process of turning things around in the Windy City.
Offensive Head Coach
Having seen the success of Sean Payton alone should draw Pace to the idea of implementing an offensive-based head coach. Naturally Bears fans will be hesitant about that after the Marc Trestman debacle but Pace has more experience with proven offensive coaches. Not just Payton either. He also got to know Mike McCarthy as well, who was offensive coordinator in New Orleans from 2000 to 2004. Those two remains among the most successful coaches in the NFL year after year. Pace understands that if he can find a similar personality and link him with a good quarterback, the Bears are off and running.
The 3-4 Defense
No franchise has found more creative uses of the 4-3 defense than Chicago has from Buddy Ryan and his famed “46” to Lovie Smith and his takeaway machine Tampa-2. However, if an offensive coach is to be hired then logic dictates that Pace configure a defense that is most apt to forcing turnovers and history suggest that comes via the 3-4. The advantages of that scheme are in its flexibility, allowing a defensive coordinator to mask where pressure is coming from and thus create confusion. With confusion comes mistakes and with mistakes come turnovers.
Pace saw the 3-4 in action at its best in New Orleans, first under former head coach Jim Haslett and then with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. That is what he will be shooting for.
Closer Ties Between Coaches And Scouts
One of the most overlooked aspects that leads to poor drafting and player development is when a disconnect exists between team scouts and the coaching staff. Pace is a big believer is bringing the two sides closer together in a collaborative effort to not only find talented players but also the “right” players. He’s seen it in action for years between Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton in New Orleans and it’s a fair assumption that’s what he’ll employ with whomever he hires as the next head coach.