McManis likens new Bears culture to one in place back in 2012

[soulman]

Sherrick McManis likens new Bears culture to one in place back in 2012 by Alyssa Barbieri https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2019/05/22/sherrick-mcmanis-likens-new-bears-culture-to-one-in-place-back-in-2012/

While it’s sometimes hard to believe, there was a time before 2018 where the Chicago Bears had a winning culture in place. It’s just that the near decade of disappointment and could’ve-beens stretched far longer than anyone would’ve liked.

Through it all, there was one Bears player that experienced every part of it. From the fall of Lovie Smith to Brian Urlacher’s retirement to the controversy of Jay Cutler to the mess of Marc Trestman right on down to the excitement of Matt Nagy, Sherrick McManis has seen it all.

In an interview with The Athletic’s Adam Jahns, McManis unloaded on a number of issues, and it’s been his longevity that’s been the source of some intriguing stories.

But given the importance that continues to be the winning culture implemented by Nagy, it was interesting to hear how last season and the present compared to 2012, when the Bears were winning -- and having fun doing it.

“I feel like in 2012, the culture was established already,” said McManis, who joined the Bears in 2012. “When we won, they were excited and we were celebrating. When coach Nagy came, I felt like he helped establish that culture again.”

Nagy’s arrival brought a breath of fresh air to the Bears, where he encouraged his players to “Be You” and enjoy winning -- because it’s not something that’s a given in the NFL. But there was also a sense of accountability, where players were expected to prepare and play like the winning organization that Ryan Pace and Nagy were building.

Obviously when you’re winning, it’s fun. When you’re losing, that’s when it gets hard. How do you maintain that winning mentality and the expectation that -- even despite the hiccups -- this is a winning organization that’s going to strive for that? Nagy hasn’t had to face that mountain just yet, but when you listen to him, there’s a belief that if that should happen, he'd handle it the right way.

In contrast, the Phil Emery/Marc Trestman Era is surely one that Bears contingent would like to forget. While there were Super Bowl expectations in 2014, the Bears ultimately fell victim to internal conflict as they continued to lose game after game. They finished 5-11 that season.

“You saw a little chaos at times,” McManis said. “You don’t expect it, but that happens with a football team. It’s all about how you react and what happens come game day. Are you guys together? Are you guys playing to win? Are you focused? Obviously that year, we weren’t as good as we hoped to have been.”

As the Bears head into their second season with Nagy as commander, there’s a confidence that stems from the success of last season. While the Bears certainly have the talent in place, talent isn’t always enough to generate success. Don’t underestimate the power of a good locker room culture.

“(Nagy) understands players and his job,” McManis said. “He’s straight to the point. We’re going to do this and this is going to happen and we’re going to have fun doing it. We’re going to learn to have fun and when to focus in.

“That was one of the points I felt was similar when I first came to Chicago. I feel like every winning team — most likely — they have fun doing it. That was something that he helped establish.”

[dll2000]

Speaking of McManis.  They moved him to safety.  😳😮😯😧😐🤔🤔🤔

[HuskieBear]

3 hours ago, dll2000 said:

Speaking of McManis.  They moved him to safety.  😳😮😯😧😐🤔🤔🤔

Called it. McMannis is a baller ST player, but he's 32 and going into the last year of his contract. If some of the younger guys show they are competent enough to play ST, he might get cut.

Alternatively, him playing safety might drop a guy like DHC off the roster.

[dll2000]

I think he makes it due to versatility.  

Also means they like what they see from Duke Shelley so far. 

 

[soulman]

19 hours ago, dll2000 said:

I think he makes it due to versatility.  

Also means they like what they see from Duke Shelley so far. 

 

That's my thinking too.  They want Shelley getting his reps.