I appreciate that JABF. I'm not sure I got anything concrete out of that though. I don't like or not like him. I'm trying to understand more about him. He is the DC, so I am behind him, but don't really have a feel for how capable he is at this point.
I just read that he has had some play calling experience as a defensive coordinator (LINK). Eberflus has recently said that he hasn't made up his mind about calling D plays in 2024. But regardless, I think we need to understand that the Bears are not bringing in a coach to install a new defense here. This is Matt Eberflus' defense. I figure that isn't going to change any more than you would bring in a coordinator on a team with an offensive minded head coach and expect the new guy to install an offense. Eric Washington has coached under some great D coaches for many years now. He has good experience in the type of D the Bears are running here. I really value that. I don't know of another D candidate who fit the Bears present situation as well as this guy does. He is highly respected as a coach and is supposed to be a really solid person as well. I love this hire.
I agree that is a positive. I just hope he is good. So both OC and DC are done. Hopefully we can flush out the rest of the staff soon. Tomorrow two more teams will have staff available to hire.
I just read that he has had some play calling experience as a defensive coordinator (LINK). Eberflus has recently said that he hasn't made up his mind about calling D plays in 2024. But regardless, I think we need to understand that the Bears are not bringing in a coach to install a new defense here. This is Matt Eberflus' defense. I figure that isn't going to change any more than you would bring in a coordinator on a team with an offensive minded head coach and expect the new guy to install an offense. Eric Washington has coached under some great D coaches for many years now. He has good experience in the type of D the Bears are running here. I really value that. I don't know of another D candidate who fit the Bears present situation as well as this guy does. He is highly respected as a coach and is supposed to be a really solid person as well. I love this hire.
I agree that is a positive. I just hope he is good. So both OC and DC are done. Hopefully we can flush out the rest of the staff soon. Tomorrow two more teams will have staff available to hire.
That is exactly where I'm at on it too. We won't know until the season begins if they are a good fit here in Chicago. I think this season, and the next few seasons, are at this huge pivot-point now. A lot depends upon how Poles plays his draft and FA $$$ cards as he adds pieces this team desperately needs right now. And a lot will depend upon the 2 coordinators who are being hired. Even if Washington doesn't call plays (and he might end up calling them) that D unit needs a rock solid coaching staff that can develop the young players and also be a great teacher. On offense Waldron's skills are HUGE in importance. I know this sounds crazy but I believe the two coordinators are as important to this team now, as the head coach is. And of course Poles needs to get the personnel decisions right. I feel like this season could be really good, or a huge disappointment... could go either way.
I agree that is a positive. I just hope he is good. So both OC and DC are done. Hopefully we can flush out the rest of the staff soon. Tomorrow two more teams will have staff available to hire.
That is exactly where I'm at on it too. We won't know until the season begins if they are a good fit here in Chicago. I think this season, and the next few seasons, are at this huge pivot-point now. A lot depends upon how Poles plays his draft and FA $$$ cards as he adds pieces this team desperately needs right now. And a lot will depend upon the 2 coordinators who are being hired. Even if Washington doesn't call plays (and he might end up calling them) that D unit needs a rock solid coaching staff that can develop the young players and also be a great teacher. On offense Waldron's skills are HUGE in importance. I know this sounds crazy but I believe the two coordinators are as important to this team now, as the head coach is. And of course Poles needs to get the personnel decisions right. I feel like this season could be really good, or a huge disappointment... could go either way.
My point on a DC being able to call plays was more directed at speaking to the capability of a DC when he is a successful play caller. You can't be good at it unless you understand defense (offense too for that matter), can make successful adjustments and can play to the strengths of your players. The only way I know how to measure that is to actually see successful play calling. If he can do those things (although, again how do you verify if he doesn't), then that means I am comfortable with him as DC even if he doesn't call the plays. However, for the team to run best, I still say the the OC should OC, the DC should DC and the HC should HC. Everyone has enough to do with what's on their own plate and things run best when everyone stays in their lane. Assuming you have good people in the jobs
I thought this was a fantastic intro to Eric Washington by Corey Wootton... this will get you pumped up for 2024's defense. Woot loves this hire and he outlines what Washington brings to the table - a top-5 defense for the Bears in 2024. Good stuff for sure:
Why do you like him so much? Don't know much about him. Has he ever called plays? I really like the idea of a DC being able to call plays. It makes me know that he understands D, how to match up plays to what the other team is doing, etc. In general, a guy that can call effective plays understands defense.
I like him for a number of reasons. He knows this defense going back to his days coaching under Lovie Smith. Lovie had great success with this D (sucked on offense but Lovie's defenses were good). I like both the Waldron and Washington hires because they are not youngsters but guys who have a wealth of experience coaching under some great coaching minds in the NFL. I just feel like this guy is a really great fit for the Eberflus defense. I also like the fact that Waldron and Washington both have coordinator-level experience. I'm just not too keen on rookie coordinators. As far as him calling plays, I don't know about that because he has played under some fantastic D coaches who did the play calling... and to be honest I don't know if Eberflus will or will not call the plays this year. I hope he doesn't. But I have to admit the defense was much better when he did take it over last year. The bottom line for me is that I believe Waldron/Washington is a huge upgrade over Luke Getsy & Alan Williams. Both the O and the D rosters should be significantly stronger this year too. There is a lot to like about the moves the Bears are making - and we still have stellar draft resources and a lot of cap $$$ that have yet to be invested in this year's team. I think it is a great time to be a Bears fan. Arrow is definitely pointing up.
He doesn't have to call plays right out of the gate either. He just needs to implement Flus's defense and if Flus thinks he's not ready, he can develop him into the role.
That was my point though. If you are not capable of calling plays (and I'm not saying he's not), how do you really implement a defense? You can do what someone tells you they want, but the real test in knowing a defense (IMO) is calling it, countering the opposition, making adjustments, etc. Can you really make adjustments if you don't know how to call plays to begin with? Maybe I am off in the weeds. Wouldn't be the first time
I agree with your earlier post. Anyone CAN call defensive plays. Mel Tucker ran the defense and called the game while he was here. He just did not do it well.
Flus needs someone with experience to teach and implement the defense he is chasing here. New plays, creativity, long hours, bounce ideas off each other, evaluate players, move players, all that.
Calling the plays in a cohesive manner is just one of the many tasks that have to get done. I'm sure Washington can pick plays off a laminated card. I want him to learn how to do it well. If he's not up to it now, he can learn from Flus. Waldron doesn't have that luxury, and I'm glad he is coming with experience.
