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#Bears announce Mike Furrey, the head coach at Limestone College and former NFL receiver, has been hired as wide receivers coach.
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Mike Furrey was a seven-year NFL veteran that most recently served as head coach at Limestone College. He will now coach the Bears’ receivers.
RobertZeglinski
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New Bears WR’ coach Mike Furrey played 8 NFL seasons with an AFL New York Dragons stop where he was a teammate of Matt Nagy in 2002.
In recent years, he’s been Marshall’s WR coach and the head coach at Limestone College.
Bears hire Mike Furrey as WR coach
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Interesting hire. No pro coaching experience but a former teammate of Nagy and college coaching experience. Nagy said he wanted to hire teachers, he got another one. Big step up from Limestone college though.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Furrey" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Quick read on the guy. He played FS and Nickle in the NFL also.
PS: sorry for the wiki link but ots a cool quick little read.
Quick read on the guy. He played FS and Nickle in the NFL also.
PS: sorry for the wiki link but ots a cool quick little read.
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I remember him, and not fondly. He was the leading receiver the first time the Bears lost to the Lions in '07.Richie wrote:He actually had a 98 catch 1,000+ yard season for the Lions. Had a nice little NFL career for himself.
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Maybe he can teach Kevin White how to not break any bones.
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Seriously, that's a thought. The Strength and Conditioning coaches don't seem to be doing the players any favors the last few years. Maybe some former players can pull that off (argues against having Miller coach TEs).DaSuperfan wrote:Maybe he can teach Kevin White how to not break any bones.
That game sucked.Middleguard wrote:I remember him, and not fondly. He was the leading receiver the first time the Bears lost to the Lions in '07.Richie wrote:He actually had a 98 catch 1,000+ yard season for the Lions. Had a nice little NFL career for himself.
It was the day I realized that the 07 team was not the 06 team... and that we were in trouble.
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I can see how he could bring a lot of value to a WR room, he knows how to play the position and how to defend against it (and how to attack those defenses).
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I'm skeptical, but then again I don't know jack crap about this. It just seems to me that we'd want a guy with pro experience or bigger program college experience at a minimum. This is one of things though where I love the Nagy hire and trust the new coach.Hiphopopotamos wrote:Interesting hire. No pro coaching experience but a former teammate of Nagy and college coaching experience. Nagy said he wanted to hire teachers, he got another one. Big step up from Limestone college though.
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It really depends on how naturally talented he was as a receiver. If he could do it with out thinking, then he will be a terrible coach. But I don't think that is who he is. I think that he probably had to work really hard to try and compete, which means he should be a good teacher.Magnum_Ursus wrote:I can see how he could bring a lot of value to a WR room, he knows how to play the position and how to defend against it (and how to attack those defenses).
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The Marshall Plan wrote:I'm skeptical, but then again I don't know jack crap about this. It just seems to me that we'd want a guy with pro experience or bigger program college experience at a minimum. This is one of things though where I love the Nagy hire and trust the new coach.Hiphopopotamos wrote:Interesting hire. No pro coaching experience but a former teammate of Nagy and college coaching experience. Nagy said he wanted to hire teachers, he got another one. Big step up from Limestone college though.
if the guy knows basic fundamentals of the position, which he clearly showed as a player, then that is applicable at any level ... and that's where the Bears WR corp is sorely lacking
watch some of the 2017 games again (if you have the stomach for it) and watch how the receivers display no clue as to how to run a good pattern and gain separation from the defender
if Furrey is a good teacher, he can't help but improve this bunch of dolts ... and those not capable of learning no longer need to be here (which is most of them I think ... so maybe Furrey will have a more capable bunch to work with after a revamp of the unit?)
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I'm kinda interested to see how Wheaton looks in this offense (assuming he's not cut). His skills seem to translate pretty well.
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I don't think Wheaton is on the roster next year.wab wrote:I'm kinda interested to see how Wheaton looks in this offense (assuming he's not cut). His skills seem to translate pretty well.
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^this^Bears Whiskey Nut wrote:It really depends on how naturally talented he was as a receiver. If he could do it with out thinking, then he will be a terrible coach. But I don't think that is who he is. I think that he probably had to work really hard to try and compete, which means he should be a good teacher.Magnum_Ursus wrote:I can see how he could bring a lot of value to a WR room, he knows how to play the position and how to defend against it (and how to attack those defenses).
The guy sounds like he shouldn't have been more than a great white hope preseason sensation. Instead he went around the block the hard way, made it back and turned that into an amazing single season and an average little NFL career after that. Gets good guy awards, nominated for Walter Payton award. Special teams ace. He was involved with player organizations, he was in on the concussion lawsuit.
This guy sounds like the definition of hustle as a player and someone who the players will relate with and love as a coach.
I guess it depends on how much stock you want to put in the idea that coaching is as much about motivation as it is about x's and o's, but the longer I go in life, the more I believe in motivation.
And, as far as x's and o's are concerned, the guy learned multiple positions at an NFL level... that's gotta count for something.
I wouldn't be surprised if this guy holds his own or even stands out a little.
Mike Furrey was notoriously void of talent as a WR, but worked his ass off from an undrafted/AFL guy. All the way to a 98 rec 1,000 yard season in 2006. It was a good story at the time.Bears Whiskey Nut wrote:It really depends on how naturally talented he was as a receiver. If he could do it with out thinking, then he will be a terrible coach. But I don't think that is who he is. I think that he probably had to work really hard to try and compete, which means he should be a good teacher.Magnum_Ursus wrote:I can see how he could bring a lot of value to a WR room, he knows how to play the position and how to defend against it (and how to attack those defenses).
Guy was six-foot nothing and slow. Had a nice 8 year career in the NFL. You cannot do that without being near-perfect from a technical standpoint as a WR.
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If this is the case, he will make a tremendous WR coach.Richie wrote:Mike Furrey was notoriously void of talent as a WR, but worked his ass off from an undrafted/AFL guy. All the way to a 98 rec 1,000 yard season in 2006. It was a good story at the time.Bears Whiskey Nut wrote:It really depends on how naturally talented he was as a receiver. If he could do it with out thinking, then he will be a terrible coach. But I don't think that is who he is. I think that he probably had to work really hard to try and compete, which means he should be a good teacher.Magnum_Ursus wrote:I can see how he could bring a lot of value to a WR room, he knows how to play the position and how to defend against it (and how to attack those defenses).
Guy was six-foot nothing and slow. Had a nice 8 year career in the NFL. You cannot do that without being near-perfect from a technical standpoint as a WR.
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I think you're right. I hope you're right, because the Bears have been through a lot of these guys recently. Plus, it's always a good feeling when you can turn a former enemy to assist your cause.
I don't remember my exact thoughts about him at the time (other than displeasure over an opponent who made my team look foolish), but he was exactly the sort that I often think, "he should consider coaching."
Have no clue though to his people skills.
I don't remember my exact thoughts about him at the time (other than displeasure over an opponent who made my team look foolish), but he was exactly the sort that I often think, "he should consider coaching."
Have no clue though to his people skills.
I wanted a more experienced WR's coach given the need at the WR position, but I feel okay about it now that they got Kevin Gilbride as the TE coach who has coached WR's as well for the Giants. I would assume they will work closely together.
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Or perhaps even a pro routeDaSuperfan wrote:Maybe he can teach Kevin White how to not break any bones.
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Is White really that good of a fit for the KC style offense? I know they've always had smaller/quicker guys.
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I think he can be utilized in a Jeremy Maclin role, but really I am expecting a ton of bubble and tunnel screens for him. People will argue that we shouldn't because he'll get hit, but really that is how he made his money in college. He doesn't have to run crisp routes, all he has to do is run after the catch, which is an area where he is(was?) elite.wab wrote:Is White really that good of a fit for the KC style offense? I know they've always had smaller/quicker guys.
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wab wrote:Is White really that good of a fit for the KC style offense? I know they've always had smaller/quicker guys.
White is mostly a good fit for a league that involves bubble wrap
I can see the new guys wanting to give him his shot, but I have little hope he will be up to the challenge ... if he is even in the league by the time 2019 rolls around I will be shocked
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Not even sure of that! His first major injury was just from running! LOLBoris13c wrote:wab wrote:Is White really that good of a fit for the KC style offense? I know they've always had smaller/quicker guys.
White is mostly a good fit for a league that involves bubble wrap
I can see the new guys wanting to give him his shot, but I have little hope he will be up to the challenge ... if he is even in the league by the time 2019 rolls around I will be shocked
And as for Furrey's people skills. He won "good guy" awards (whatever that means) and was nominated for Walter Payton man of the year... guessing they don't give that stuff out to a-holes.
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Richie wrote:Mike Furrey was notoriously void of talent as a WR, but worked his ass off from an undrafted/AFL guy. All the way to a 98 rec 1,000 yard season in 2006. It was a good story at the time.Bears Whiskey Nut wrote:It really depends on how naturally talented he was as a receiver. If he could do it with out thinking, then he will be a terrible coach. But I don't think that is who he is. I think that he probably had to work really hard to try and compete, which means he should be a good teacher.Magnum_Ursus wrote:I can see how he could bring a lot of value to a WR room, he knows how to play the position and how to defend against it (and how to attack those defenses).
Guy was six-foot nothing and slow. Had a nice 8 year career in the NFL. You cannot do that without being near-perfect from a technical standpoint as a WR.
Furrey was the Lions version of Tom Waddle ... Waddle never had a 1,000 yard season but their career stats are comparable -
www.nfl.com/player/mikefurrey/2504036/profile
www.nfl.com/player/tomwaddle/2503482/careerstats
both were good character guys, lightly regarded, but hard working and made the most of their chances and limited abilities
Furrey went into coaching, and Waddle took the easier post player route to TV
but as you point out, a guy with limited skills putting up Pro Bowl numbers even for 1 season is a testament o his work ethic and technique
Last edited by Boris13c on Tue Jan 16, 2018 3:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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In the four verticals concept, which I expect to see some of next year, he's going to be great at the 'X' and running the fly with the comeback on the stem, or the seam route. Anything that forces him to change direction as little as possible, and to use his big body to shield a smaller defender. I could also see him running the drag under the play, when the LB's clear out.wab wrote:Is White really that good of a fit for the KC style offense? I know they've always had smaller/quicker guys.
I am somewhat amazed that people are talking about "next year" for Kevin White. As if it's a given he'll even have a "next year".Bears Whiskey Nut wrote:In the four verticals concept, which I expect to see some of next year, he's going to be great at the 'X' and running the fly with the comeback on the stem, or the seam route. Anything that forces him to change direction as little as possible, and to use his big body to shield a smaller defender. I could also see him running the drag under the play, when the LB's clear out.wab wrote:Is White really that good of a fit for the KC style offense? I know they've always had smaller/quicker guys.
Between getting hurt in camp, pre-season... not making the final roster. I am far from sold on him being around for regular season Bears football next year.