Chicago Bears Clean House, Let Go Tice, Bates and Others
By Josh Hill
Marc Trestman is set to take the Bears into uncharted offensive waters, and he’ll be doing so without the help of Mike Tice. The Bears announced on Thursday that they’ll be letting Tice go after his offense failed to help the Bears make the playoffs in 2012.
As one of his first acts as head coach, Marc Trestman basically cleaned out his offensive and defensive staffs, letting quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, running backs coach Tim Spencer and offensive line coach Tim Holt, linebackers coach Bob Babich, tight ends coach Mike DeBord and receivers coach Darryl Drake go along with Tice.
The day was a cleansing one for the Bears, as earlier in the day defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli rejected a one year extension with the team and is more than likely heading to Dallas to join Monte Kiffin’s defensive staff with the Cowboys.
While Tice was expected to be fired, especially after the Bears hired offensive line coach and offensive coordinator Aaron Kromer, but the dismissal of Bates is a bit of a surprise. Bates’ relationship with quarterback Jay Cutler dates back to their days in Denver and solidifies the fact that Cutler will have to yet again learn an entirely new offense.
Trestman is expected to usher in a new offensively dominant era for a franchise that has been historically defensive. The Bears attempted to go offensive while still remaining defensive when they brought in rookie wide receiver Alshon Jeffery along with veteran Brandon Marshall this offeseason. Despite the additions of Marshall, Jeffery and running back Michael Bush, the Bears offense stumbled down the stretch in 2012 and never showed up when Chicago needed it to.
One thing is certain after Thursday in Chicago: Lovie Smith stain on the Bears has pretty much been removed, at least from the sidelines.