The Bears finally got the approval of Jay Cutler to hire an Offensive Coordinator. Despite claims that Mike Martz and Jay Cutler became instant BFFs and soul mates, one has to wonder how two Alpha Males are going to coincide under bland leadership of Lovie Gump (TM). If, as a friend of mine contends, the Bears are hiring people to purposely remove Lovie from any duties other than press conferences and the occasional charity function, then I am all for it. One thing is for certain, the offense the Bears trot out next year is going to be wildly different from anything ever seen in Chicago.

Now, as to whether or not the vaunted Martz’ offense will work with the players he inherited is something we will all discover together. NEIL HAYES at the Sun Times takes a look at the Nashville meeting between the Bears mecurial QB and the high voltage Martz.

The two had dinner together Saturday night in Nashville, Tenn., and Martz said there was an ‘’instant connection.’’

‘’He asked a question about a wide receiver’s splits that stopped me dead in my tracks,’’ Martz said. ‘’It just showed that he is so far ahead. Quarterbacks don’t generally ask that.’’

Martz also said he was intrigued about what he has seen from the Bears’ receiving corps.

‘’There’s plenty of talent there,’’ he said. ‘’I’m real excited about the speed.’’

Martz’s offense led the league in points, yards and passing yards three times during the seven years he was either the Rams’ offensive coordinator or head coach.

He continued to make an immediate impact in each of his last two coaching stops. The 49ers, for example, ranked 32nd in the NFL in both scoring and yards gained in 2007 before Martz arrived. The next season, despite mediocre quarterback play from Shaun Hill and J.T. O’Sullivan, those rankings rose to 22nd and 23rd. It was the same with the Lions, who ranked 28th and 27th in those categories in 2005. Those numbers improved to 21st and 22nd in Martz’s first season, and 16th and 19th the next.

The Bears finished 19th and 23rd in points and yards last season while Cutler threw a league-high 26 interceptions.

‘’[Martz is] tough,’’ Vermeil said. ‘’The quarterback has to have some substance to him. But he’ll make him the best he has ever been.’’

For all the flak Smith has taken during this drawn-out process, it’s difficult to argue with the credentials of the two assistants he has hired. He landed Mike Tice, one of the most respected offensive line coaches in the NFL, and Martz, whose resume may be unmatched.

That means the Bears now have four current or former NFL head coaches on their staff. If all these egos and personalities come together, and if general manager Jerry Angelo can fit the right personnel in the right spots, the Bears’ could be new and improved next season.

‘’We wanted to be something different than what we were,’’ Angelo said, ‘’and we just felt after going through the process that Mike really presented what we considered the best plan for us.’’

Angelo and Smith emphasized they were both in favor of hiring Martz despite sources indicating that Martz might not have been Angelo’s first choice.

‘’I was 100 percent on-board with Lovie’s decision and for the right reasons,’’ Angelo said. ‘’We wanted to make a change, and Mike Martz brings change to our coaching style.’’

Although his offense hasn’t usually emphasized receptions from the tight end, Martz said he will use Greg Olsen to create mismatches against safeties and linebackers.

And Smith stressed the Bears won’t ditch the run under Martz.

‘’When I say get off the bus running the football, I mean that is a mind-set,’’ Smith said. ‘’The run will always be a part of what we’re going to do. [We play in] Chicago, we play in the elements. That won’t change. But there’s nothing wrong with being able to run the football well and having balance to be able to pass the football. That’s what I’m excited about.’’

Ah yes, the legendary Bears’ running game that we have heard so much about. Haven’t seen it very much over the last couple of years, but boy oh boy do we hear about it.  There is one element that kind of scares me, however. Martz’ offense requires smart players. There have long been rumors that some, such as Devin Hester, couldn’t get out of a paper bag with a machete. I can just imagine the fun Martz will have as some players wander through routes as though they were rats in a cheese-less maze.

To be blunt though, at this point, I don’t think Bears’ fans would care if the entire offense was predicated on paisley clad polka dancers as long as it scored points and kept the defense on the bench.

Which brings up round 2 of the ongoing saga that continues to emanate from Halas Hall. Who will lead that sitting defense?

There isn’t really a long list of available Defensive Coordinators who inspire awe. Or confidence.

But, that is a drama for later. For now, the Bears have clearly switched directions which, as any fan will tell you, is an automatic upgrade. More simply, since anyone other than Ron Turner would have been an upgrade, the fact that Martz brings some tangible skills to the position is just icing on the cake.

Yes, I am living in the land of mixed metaphors today. Just go with it.

Our very own UncleLar has already started a thread, so CLICK HERE TO COUNT DOWN TO VICTORY!