Posted June 26, 2009 @ 2:25 p.m.
As expected, the imposing presence of Rod Marinelli — who is back doing what he does best as the Bears’ new defensive line coach — was hard to ignore at the team’s minicamps and OTAs. “It’s obvious that he was teaching more than anybody else,” a daily team observer said of the former Vietnam vet, whose 24/7 passion for coaching D-linemen has become an endearing trademark. “All the players say the same thing: He is a real stickler when it comes to the smallest details. You always see him harping on hand placement and getting into the right stance.” We hear there’s also no denying the instant impact of another well-regarded position coach, Jon Hoke , the new man in charge of defensive backs after spending the past seven seasons in the same capacity with the Texans. “You know he’s there,” the observer said of Hoke. “He’s got a booming voice, and he won’t hesitate to rip into guys in front of everybody if they screw up.”