Bears hire Mike Furrey as WR coach

sturf · Tue Jan 16, 2018 10:43 am

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.

staleystarch · Tue Jan 16, 2018 10:46 am

DaSuperfan wrote:Maybe he can teach Kevin White how to not break any bones.

Or perhaps even a pro route

G08 · Tue Jan 16, 2018 10:50 am

If he can teach Kevin White how to run routes like an NFL WR, I'll do backflips.

Tue Jan 16, 2018 11:05 am

Is White really that good of a fit for the KC style offense? I know they've always had smaller/quicker guys.

G08 · Tue Jan 16, 2018 11:29 am

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 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.

Boris13c · Tue Jan 16, 2018 12:26 pm

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

Bad Flanders · Tue Jan 16, 2018 12:56 pm

Boris13c 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

Not even sure of that! His first major injury was just from running! LOL

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.

Boris13c · Tue Jan 16, 2018 2:05 pm

Richie wrote:
Bears Whiskey Nut wrote:
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).
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.
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.

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

Bears Whiskey Nut · Tue Jan 16, 2018 3:28 pm

wab wrote:Is White really that good of a fit for the KC style offense? I know they've always had smaller/quicker guys.

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.

Richie · Tue Jan 16, 2018 4:14 pm

Bears Whiskey Nut 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.
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.

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".

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.

Tue Jan 16, 2018 4:27 pm

He's owed too much money to not be on the roster. Beyond that, I'm not counting on him.

malk · Tue Jan 16, 2018 6:04 pm

I'm pulling for the kid. It's easy, frankly boring, to be all super pragmatic, he'll just get injured. Yawn.

If someone is telling me he's a good fit for the scheme, I'm interested, tell me more.

G08 · Tue Jan 16, 2018 6:57 pm

malk wrote:I'm pulling for the kid. It's easy, frankly boring, to be all super pragmatic, he'll just get injured. Yawn.

If someone is telling me he's a good fit for the scheme, I'm interested, tell me more.

I'm with ya... I'm shifting gears this season and I'm going to root for him to succeed. Which is not to say I didn't want him to do well in the past, I just hated the pick and through today it's proven to be warranted.

BR0D1E86 · Tue Jan 16, 2018 7:48 pm

Richie wrote:
Bears Whiskey Nut 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.
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.
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".

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.

I’d say he’s pretty close to a lock to make the roster if he survives camp physically. His contract is 100% guaranteed. After that though, I think he’s done.

Hematite · Tue Jan 16, 2018 8:03 pm

With all the hopium going around with this franchise currently, why can't we assume he'll break out next year for a pro bowl season? I'm kidding...

Bears Whiskey Nut · Tue Jan 16, 2018 8:26 pm

Look. The kid has been through a rash of injuries. Many players have come back and had productive careers after shaking the injury bug. My one concern has always been, that he got stress fractures from running too much. Last time I checked...that's what receivers do. Stress fractures can also be a systemic bone density issue, or a lack of calcium issue. Which means that, he may never shake this. He was a raw product to begin with, and needed the last couple of years to polish his craft, and never really got it. So even if he can stay healthy this year, he's only 6-8 games into his professional career, after three seasons.

I'm pulling for the kid, but I would hang my hope elsewhere.