The Chicago Bears were one of the worst teams in the league last season in terms of getting pressure on the quarterback when just using a four-man rush, but next season, they will be looking to change that with some unconventional thinking.
That’s because the team has hired martial arts expert Joe Kim as a skill development coach for the 2014 season, according to various reports. According to Jeff Dickerson of ESPN Chicago, “Kim will work with all of the Bears’ position groups on enhancing their use of hands when blocking or escaping blocks.”
Kim has consulted with various teams, including the Chiefs, Giants, Bills, and Cowboys.
The Bears could really use a guy like Kim to help out players like Shea McClellin and Jordan Mills, who struggled at times last season with their adjustments at the line of scrimmage. McClellin especially would try his initial move at the line, and if he were stood up (which happened often), then he simply couldn’t figure out another way to get to the quarterback. Whether it was against a lineman or a tight end (or occasionally a running back), McClellin couldn’t use his hands properly to get through blocks, and Kim should be able to help him with that.
