The Chicago Bears finished the 2013 season with just 31 sacks, tied for the fewest in the NFL. They’re pulling out all the stops to help change that.
The Bears hired martial arts expert Joe Kim on Tuesday, according to ESPN. Kim will be tasked with teaching Bears players hand technique and skill development, especially in blocking on offense and escaping blocks along the defensive line.
Kim has worked for nine NFL teams over the past 20 years, with Bill Belichick initiating the trend by bringing him in to teach the Cleveland Browns during the 1992 season. The well-renowned martial arts coach also has worked with the Dallas Cowboys (1998), Miami Dolphins (2001 to 2006), Green Bay Packers (2005), Denver Broncos (2007), Buffalo Bills (2009) and New York Giants (2010). Kim most recently worked with the Kansas City Chiefs (2010 to 2012), for whom current Bears general manager Phil Emery was the director of college scouting from 2009 to 2011.
Kim has been labeled something of a “pass rush specialist” during his prior stops around the league, with Chiefs linebacker Tamba Hali even tweeting his praises last offseason and openly wondering why the coach hadn’t been hired.
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Photo via Facebook/Chicago Bears
