To start, I’ve compiled a list of quarterbacks that Dowell Loggains has worked with in his time being a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for Tennessee from 2010-13, as well as the quarterbacks he coached in Cleveland in 2014.
- Vince Young
- Rusty Smith
- Kerry Collins
- Matt Hasselbeck
- Jake Locker
- Ryan Fitzpatrick
- Connor Shaw
- Johnny Manziel
- Brian Hoyer
What a list.
Two of those guys are on the Bears roster for 2016: Connor Shaw and Brian Hoyer.
His Coaching History
His second stint as Quarterbacks Coach was two years ago in Cleveland. His primary quarterback? Brian Hoyer, the current Bears backup for Jay Cutler. In 2014 the Browns went 7-9.
In 2013, Loggains was the offensive coordinator in Tennessee. The team was 7-9 that year, one win better than the 6-10 campaign in 2012. The quarterback in both 2013 and 2012 was Jake Locker. In 2011 with the Titans, Loggains was quarterbacks coach and Matt Hasselbeck was the man under center that year and they went 9-7. In 2010, the first year that Loggains was quarterbacks coach, the team went 6-10 with Vince Young under center.
So Why Give a Damn?
Look at the teams’ records with him as a coach. Including last season with the Bears, Loggains’ overall record is 41-55. Granted, I know he only has control of one side of the ball. But, look at that record with Matt Hasselbeck at quarterback (9-7). That season, Hasselbeck threw 18 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and 3,571 passing yards.
If history repeats itself, Loggains and the Bears will have a good year to build on (hopefully a year to celebrate as well!).
For those of you who don’t know, I am not the biggest Cutler fan. I will admit that he improved last year, and I will also acknowledge that he is the best option the Bears have a quarterback right now. Under Loggains, Cutler can have a better year than Hasselbeck had in 2011.
If you watched or listened to our Quarterback Preview Show, you’ll notice I only have Jay playing 11 games and throwing for around 2,700 yards, 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. If Cutler can play all 16 games and exceed the numbers I have predicted for him, perfect!
From the sounds of things, Loggains is keeping a similar offense as the man before him, Adam Gase. Naturally, like any good coach, Loggains will incorporate his own flavors into the playbook. From watching a little Jake Locker tape, I’m under the assumption that will include some more down the field passes. With Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White as the two outside weapons at receiver, the new offensive coordinator needs to be able to utilize them in a variety of ways, including home run passes.
From watching and reading interviews with Jay about Loggains and vice versa, it really sounds like the two are on the same page. That’s great news. It means that the transition from Gase to Loggains will be smooth, which in turn will allow the offense to function as a whole from the get-go since the plays won’t change very much.
I will be interested to see how Loggains handles the three young running backs, how he prepares this new-look offensive line, and who he plans on using in the 3-5 spots on the depth chart at wide receiver. Maybe like Da Bears Brothers, he likes how Mariani and Cutler click together. Maybe he allows the veteran Ted Larsen and the rookie Cody Whitehair swap out in different situations to play to their strengths and keep each other fresh.
How the new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains handles the offense in 2016 is most definitely a reason to give a damn!
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