Marshall: “Offense Should Be Held Accountable, Even If That Means Jobs”
When the Chicago Bears traded for wide receiver Brandon Marshall in the off-season, there was mild concern that Marshall’s character issues would prove to be a liability for the Bears this season. That assessment has proven to be inaccurate. Both on and off the field, Marshall has been a team leader for the Bears. Not only is Marshall entering uncharted territories for any Bears’ wide receiver, but the receiver is also having a career year with a total of 107 catches for a total of 1,398 yards and 10 touchdowns with two games remaining on the season. Off the field, Marshall has always been very forthcoming with reporters and that includes participating weekly on NBC’s Sports Sunday with Laurence Holmes and Mike Adamle.
Dec 16, 2012; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Brandon Marshall (15) during the second half against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field. The Packers beat the Bears 21-13. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports
However, Marshall’s frustrations with the Bears’ free-fall came to a fruition on Sunday as Marshall was trying to reign in his emotions after Sunday’s loss to the Green Bay Packers. Marshall’s emotions clearly were getting the best of the wide receiver in his post-game press conference with reporters, but the receiver should be praised for his honesty.
"Brandon Marshall looked to suppress emotion but failed Sunday in the aftermath of a 21-13 loss to the Green Bay Packers, saying, “Everybody involved in the offense should be accountable, even if that means jobs.”“It’s been this way all year,” Marshall said. “There’s no excuse. We have two games left. There’s still hope. But at the same time, we need to be held accountable.” ESPN Chicago"
It was certainly refreshing to hear those comments from Marshall after the loss to the Packers on Sunday. Too many times this season we have heard head coach Lovie Smith spin optimism instead of answers. Offensive coordinator Mike Tice has struggled in play calling for the entire season and has provided now solutions to the Bears’ offensive struggles. There is no question that Marshall’s comments, specifically when the receiver said “even if it means jobs”, may have been directed towards Tice. There is no question that Tice likely will not remain the Bears’ offensive coordinator after the season, but, the Bears are not going to transfer play calling duties to quarterback’s coach Jeremy Bates.
Change is coming. But, change is not simply turning Tice into a scapegoat like Smith has done with his previous offensive coordinators. Change is finding a new offensive coordinator, though, one that fits the philosophy of a new head coach who has an offensive mind. Now, it is entirely possible if not likely that the Bears will win their final two games of the regular season and wiggle their way into the playoffs. But, that does not change anything. That would only mean that the Bears took advantage of their lucky fortune to play two inferior teams at the end of the season. The Bears are a team that lacks accountability. The time is now for the Bears’ front office to hold Smith accountable for failing to obtain the goals he set when he was introduced as the Bears’ head coach in 2004. Once that happens, then may be just may be Bears fans will have a change that they can believe in.
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