The Senior Bowl is less than a week away. It will mark the first time the
Chicago Bears coaching staff has had a chance to represent at the event since 1996. One would imagine they'd prefer to have a full compliment of assistants on hand for the action. For a time that looked like it might not happen.
Two of them, Stan Drayton and Clint Hurtt left for other opportunities. Two others in Dave Magazu and Sam Garnes were terminated. That left the team with four openings to fill ahead of the trip down to Mobile. It took long than expected, but now the positions have begun to fill. Three of them were officially announced.
https://twitter.com/patrickfinley/status/822235402228695044
While they may not hold the same celebrity level as the head coach or coordinators, these men are valuable to the success of the Bears in 2017 and beyond. Each also has their own story to tell. Fans might be surprised by some of the interesting tidbits that surfaced with a little bit of digging.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUorvXz_KDU
Roy Anderson had some outstanding teachers
Improving the safeties is top priority for the Bears going into 2017 after one of the worst overall performances from the group in recent memory. The hiring of Roy Anderson might not be a headline-grabber, but this is a man who knows his business. Vic Fangio worked with him in Baltimore between 2006 and 2009 when they were on the Ravens defensive staff. Anderson then went on to have some success with Colts where he helped turn 33-year old journeyman Mike Adams into a Pro Bowler.
It shouldn't be a coincidence that Anderson is building a reputation as a solid football coach. He's had some outstanding teachers. In 2003 he was a student assistant at Florida State during the legendary reign of head coach Bobby Bowden. A year later he jumped over to LSU where he helped their young, ascending coach Nick Saban. Then in 2006 he latched on in Baltimore where he stayed for five years watching Brian Billick and John Harbaugh work.
Both of those men have a Super Bowl ring. Not bad role models to have.
[video width="1280" height="720" mp4="https://www.sportsmockery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Buffalo-Bills-running-back-CJ-Spiller-68-yard-TD-NFL-Videos.mp4"][/video]
Curtis Modkins' first three NFL seasons were on three different teams
Part of succeeding in the NFL isn't just about being smart or resourceful. It also takes a great deal of resilience. Curtis Modkins learned that the hard way. His first job opportunity at the pro level came in 2008 with the Kansas City Chiefs. Unfortunately the entire staff was fired at the end of the season. Undaunted, Modkins latched on in Arizona with the Cardinals. Yet despite helping the team make the playoffs, he was again released after one year.
It wasn't until 2010 that he finally found some stability. The Buffalo Bills hired him as offensive coordinator, marking the third team he'd worked for in just three seasons. That doesn't happen very often. A testament to his ability and his knack for being able to adjust. During that run he had some impact too. He helped Kansas City draft Jamaal Charles and then developed C.J. Spiller into a Pro Bowler with Buffalo.
It will be fun to see what he can do with
Jordan Howard.
Jeremiah Washburn went to Arkansas with Dowell Loggains
Most people jumped for possible connections between new offensive line coach and the Bears. Immediately they honed in on his time with the Carolina Panthers back in 2002. That was the same year John Fox took over as head coach. One would think this was among the primary reasons the Bears brought him in, besides his obvious prowess for teach linemen. However, it turns out the connections run deeper.
Before Carolina, Washburn got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant with the Arkansas Razorbacks in 2000. That was the same year a tiny 5'6" kid walked on as a quarterback to join their program. His name was Dowell Loggains. That's right. The Bears offensive coordinator shared two years on a sideline with Washburn back then. This familiarity no doubt assisted the team in their decision to hand him the job as offensive line coach.
Time will tell if that Razorback connection can work some magic.
