Chudzinski a good pick for Chicago Bears

As part of Rob Chudzinski's interview process, let me help prepare the potential Bears offensive coordinator by exposing him to the first of what would be regular second-guessing in this city.

Chudzinski is willing to leave the Chargers for this?

As decisions go, this seems like calling a draw to a backup running back on third-and-9 when you have a Pro Bowl quarterback to throw it.

Chudzinski does know Antonio Gates can't come too if he leaves the Chargers for the Bears, right? He does realize his current head coach, Norv Turner, just signed a three-year contract extension while his possible future boss, Lovie Smith, faces a playoffs-or-bust 2010 season?

His judgment alone, even to consider working here, makes Chudzinski seem like the kind of guy who takes stairs instead of the elevator and never valet parks. His favorite spring break destination is probably Minooka.

But talk to people around the league and the rationale for Chudzinski spending Thursday at Halas Hall becomes clearer. The man they call "Chud'' apparently likes a challenge, so in that way the sorry state of the Bears' offense suits him perfectly.

"Sure there's a lot of pressure in Chicago but he is cut out for it, I can guarantee you that, and knowing 'Chud,' I'm sure that's what excites him about it,'' said Cam Cameron, the Ravens' offensive coordinator who worked with Chudzinski in San Diego. "He's one of the best assistants I ever have been around.''

Cameron formed that impression when he was the Chargers' offensive coordinator and Chudzinski, 41, coached tight ends during the 2005-06 seasons on the staff of Marty Schottenheimer. Appearing Thursday on WMVP-AM 1000, Schottenheimer similarly gushed about Chudzinski's coaching ability.

"I would imagine that given the opportunity with the background he has and involvement with the San Diego offense, he would be terrific in that role [of Bears offensive coordinator],'' Schottenheimer said. "I would say if they sign him as offensive coordinator, you need to look toward the sky because the sun is now rising.''

The sun still will come up over Lake Michigan if the Bears don't hire Chudzinski, but just in case, they should make him an offer by nightfall.

Interviewing Chudzinski, the Chargers' assistant head coach/tight ends whose contract is expiring, represents the best development so far for a Bears coaching search that has struggled finding a clue. Finally, the Bears have targeted someone who offers experience, exuberance and execution. He served as offensive coordinator for the University of Miami, where the scrutiny resembles an NFL team, and for two seasons for the Browns (2007-08) — stints that surely prepared him for this challenge.

That makes Chudzinski more qualified than former candidate, Jeremy Bates, or current possibility Ken Zampese. And while his resume falls short of Mike Martz's, if the Bears were interested in Martz, they still wouldn't be interviewing candidates.

If Martz was your favorite for the job — as he was mine — relax. If Chudzinski brings "Ski Ball,'' to Soldier Field, it will bring the Bears' offseason back on course.

"He understands the running game and his strength is pass-protection and route concepts,'' Cameron said. "He has a knack for play-calling and a feel for the game.''

It's always going to be Norv Turner's offense in San Diego, a factor that may make the Bears more appealing to Chudzinski despite Smith's shaky status. Smith allowed Ron Turner the autonomy to be the de facto head coach in charge of offense, and that setup is unlikely to change. Even though Smith relinquished defensive play-calling duties, he still figures to be more involved on that side of the ball, his specialty.

The situation likely would resemble Chudzinski's working environment in Cleveland, where former Browns coach Romeo Crennel, now the defensive coordinator for the Chiefs, gave him free reign. Chudzinski once described his approach with the Browns as "a run-first, attack style.''

Bears fans could get used to an offense that gets off the bus attacking.

"The ideal situation for a play-caller is to work for a proven defensive guy like Lovie Smith as head coach because of that [independence],'' Cameron said. "Rob understands how offensive football factors into winning with defense and special teams. He's not just a guy who's going to help build stats.''

Hiring Chudzinski would only build confidence in an organization lacking it after a prolonged coaching search.

When Chudzinski interviewed with the Browns in 2007, former general manager Phil Savage noted Chudzinski's presentation didn't include a single misspelling even though he took an overnight flight to make the morning meeting.

That's the type of attention to detail the Bears' offense needs.

Hard to see how hiring Chudzinski wouldn't spell success.



(chicagotribune.com)