Maybe last year’s Bears-Falcons thriller would have had a different outcome had Bears coach Lovie Smith called the defensive plays.
Or maybe it wouldn’t have.
Visions of Falcons wide receiver Michael Jenkins hauling in a pass between Bears defensive backs Marcus Hamilton and Mike Brown, setting up Atlanta’s winning field goal, haunted the Bears the rest of the 2008 season. The play might have been the same with Smith calling the shots, considering Smith’s hands-on approach to the defense.
The biggest difference likely would have been Smith using the red dot to single out Hamilton, Brown and former defensive backs coach Steven Wilks in the film room the next day.
“I’ve never tried to be the special teams coordinator or the offensive coordinator on game day, but I’ve always been involved on defense,” Smith said. “Just now instead of saying, ‘Hey, you do this, do this,’ to my coaches, I’m saying, ‘Do this.’ Instead of coming from somebody, it’s coming directly from me, with a lot of input from everybody else through the week. I haven’t seen it as a big adjustment.”
It’s funny Smith would use the word adjustment. The most noticeable difference in the defense as the 3-1 Bears prepare for Sunday’s revenge game against the Falcons has been the ability to make adjustments and close out games.
In the last two games against the Lions and Seahawks, the Bears surrendered 453 total yards in the first half compared with 291 in the second. For the season, the Bears have given up 51 first-half points compared with 27 in the second half.
The Bears stood 14th in total defense entering the off week as opposed to 21st at the end of last season. They have 14 sacks compared with eight through four games last season.
Smith, who assumed the play-calling duties to hold himself accountable and take the pressure off defensive coordinator Bob Babich, has had plenty to do with the resurgence.
“Coach is doing a pretty good job with the defensive play-calling because this is what he does, this is his baby,” end Adewale Ogunleye said. “This is natural for him.
“He’s holding us accountable, and that’s why we’re showing up on Sundays. You never want to be called out, but it’s more embarrassing when the head man’s the one calling you out.”
Smith downplayed the significance of transitioning to play-calling based on his experience as the Rams’ defensive coordinator.
“I’ve been comfortable with it,” he said. “I assume Rex is comfortable with it. And Wade, I assume he is.”
Smith meant Jets head coach Rex Ryan and Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips, the defensive play-callers for their respective teams. Ryan, in his first year, won his first three games thanks to a defense that ranked fourth in the league entering Sunday’s games.
“I don’t see it as a huge challenge because I have so many good people around me,” said Ryan, formerly the Ravens’ defensive coordinator. “If I am involved making adjustments with the defense and something else comes up, my (assistant coaches) are quick to come and get me and explain the situation.
“I feel much more comfortable calling the defense because it is something I’ve done all my life. I do respect Lovie Smith because he’s being true to himself. The reason he got that position is because he was a tremendous coach and always did a great job as a defensive coordinator.”
Phillips’ Cowboys have struggled defensively (26th in the league going into Sunday), yet his comfort zone remains as the defense’s play-caller. He was the defensive coordinator for six NFL franchises in the past.
“It’s something I’ve always gone through as a head coach,” Phillips said. “I wasn’t calling every defense but either listening to every call, advising on some calls or even making some calls. It’s not a big change for me.”
Phillips assumed the role last season after firing Brian Stewart, and the Cowboys do not have a defensive coordinator, by title, on staff. Ryan consults with his defensive coordinator, Mike Pettine. And Smith allowed Babich to keep the coordinator title, although Babich works with the linebackers.
The addition of Rod Marinelli to the staff helps alleviate some of Smith’s daily head-coaching duties. Babich’s input helps. And new defensive backs coach Jon Hoke provides another set of veteran eyes to what was a rather inexperienced defensive staff.
But it all comes back to Smith, who immediately put his signature on the defense with relentless blitzing, although the Bears have not generated a great amount of turnovers. Smith made an intelligent move against the Lions by having cornerback Charles Tillman shadow star receiver Calvin Johnson in the second half. Smith even had no problem with the defense called on Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ game-winning, 50-yard touchdown pass to Greg Jennings in the season opener. But there are other plays he wanted to have back.
“Every game you say that,” Smith said. “All of our defenses are sound. Every play that doesn’t work though … it’s not like I would change a whole lot that we’ve done.
“We’ve got a long way to go, but I like where we’re at right now.”
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vxmcclure@tribune.com
