Dowell Loggains Faces Comfortable Transition As Bears Offensive Coordinator
By Chris Emma--
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (CBS) -- The obvious choice to be the new Bears offensive coordinator took the field Friday in a coach's visor and aviators, guiding his unit through rookie mini-camp.
Dowell Loggains wears the old-school look, but the 35-year-old is just getting started in his new role.
"He's a sharp coach," Bears coach John Fox said. "He's got a good rapport with the quarterbacks room as well as the rest of the players."
When Adam Gase departed for Miami this offseason, Loggains became the natural fit to become offensive coordinator. After all, he had helped Jay Cutler to his most efficient season in Chicago during their one year together, as Loggains was the hand-picked quarterbacks coach for Cutler.
For every game Cutler earned praise, he quickly deflected it to Loggains. The two work well at breaking down tape and preparing for each game.
As offensive coordinator, Loggains will still be ever present in the quarterbacks room -- alongside new quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone -- to help Cutler and the unit grow.
"I'm looking forward to coaching him every day, continuing the progress we made and building upon that," Loggains said of working with Cutler. "We definitely can be better."
Being offensive coordinator isn't new to Loggains, who served in the same role with the Titans in 2012 and 2013 but struggled with the young Tennessee core. In Chicago, he has a veteran group.
Loggains looked relaxed Friday. Bears training camp in Bourbonnais is still months away, and rookie mini-camp provides the platform to evaluate potential roster fits while developing key rookies. Cody Whitehair, the second-round guard out of Kansas State, projects to play a key role for Loggains' offense.
Early on, Loggains will have to ensure Whitehair's fit on the offensive line. The Bears were willing to cut Matt Slauson, who had a Pro Bowl-caliber season in 2015, to make room for Whitehair at left guard.
"I really didn't pay much attention to that," Whitehair said of Slauson's release. "Even though I got drafted, it's not a guaranteed spot. I could get cut in the next day, too. I'm just trying to earn my spot and give it my all every day."
Loggains will look to continue his relationship with Cutler and use backup Brian Hoyer as an asset. He will hope to instill the Fox trademark of backfield versatility, helping Jeremy Langford flourish as the feature back while mixing in Jordan Howard, Jacquizz Rodgers and Ka'Deem Carey.
Finding stability on the Bears' offensive line will be a key -- specifically in solidifying roles for center Hroniss Grasu and left tackle Charles Leno Jr.
However, Loggains has the tools to work with on the outside. Provided there's good health, Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White can create one of the NFL's premier receiving tandems. Cutler managed to thrive last season with his top three receivers (Eddie Royal included) missing a combined 30 games, with White not even taking the field.
"We're excited about those two," Loggains said of Jeffery and White. "I can't wait to get them both on the field at the same time, something we haven't seen in Chicago."
The Bears went through the 2015 season knowing Gase would be gone soon. Fox hired his Broncos offensive coordinator after Gase backed out of a bad situation during negotiations to become the 49ers' coach, surprisingly becoming a free asset.
Last season, Fox and Gase were able to groom Loggains for the job of offensive coordinator, knowing his time would be coming. He was the obvious choice and an ideal fit for the Bears.
"It all starts with coach Fox, a guy that's a known winner who has taken two teams to the Super Bowl," Loggains said. "It's an honor to be a Bear."
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
