Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains has found himself in a tough spot. His offense is primarily responsible for the team not being able to win either of the first two games this season. They stalled in the red zone at the end of the Atlanta game and failed to show up at all against Tampa Bay last week. Of course most feel this is directly tied to the erratic play of starting quarterback Mike Glennon.
Loggains is well aware of the heat coming down on the team about him. Already the chants are growing louder for Mitch Trubisky. No doubt the coach has his own opinions on the subject but like a good soldier he keeps them to himself. Or at least he tries to. Loggains took questions from the media on Wednesday about the state of the offense and plans for week three against Pittsburgh.
When explaining where things were going wrong for them, he may have let slip exactly what the problem is. The quarterback.
Dowell Loggains hinted Glennon handcuffs the offense
Ironically the jab came when Loggains was explaining the issues with the Bears rushing attack, which disappeared against the Buccaneers. Jordan Howard had just seven yards on nine carries while Tarik Cohen was far less effective than against the Falcons.
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“The thing is, and I wish there was a better answer, the fact is it was one guy on each play,” Loggains said. “It wasn’t one guy playing poor. We’re going to face overpopulated boxes, we know that. There’s going to be seven, eight guys in the box every time and we have to execute better and it comes down to that.”
The interesting comment there is the “overpopulated boxes.” How is it that he knows the Bears will face them on a regular basis? Sure having two really good backs in Howard and Cohen could be a reason, but this also hints to a lack of faith in the quarterback being able to push the ball down the field. He tried to elaborate on what he meant, but only seemed to make it worse.
In other words defense have no fear of Glennon. They knows he’s not going to take a shot deep down the field. His constant throws short of the sticks on long down and distances proved that. Also there’s the “know exactly where the spot’s going to be” comment. This is an inadvertent jab at Glennon’s inability to scramble. He’s basically a sitting duck in the pocket.
Loggains no doubt expressing his frustration
Later on in the interview he was asked whether or not the Bears were trying to get Mitch Trubisky some snaps with the first team offense. His reply was short, simple and easy to read through. “Mike Glennon is the starter.” Note the language carefully. He didn’t say we believe in Glennon or that they expect him to figure things out. Just a simple declaration of fact. No hint of his own personal emotion in it.
That’s a company line if ever there was one. While he’s never intentionally throw a player under the bus, it’s clear enough that Loggains is frustrated. Everything he’s tried with Glennon isn’t working. Does he want a change? He’s probably willing to try anything at this point.
