madlithuanian

Like his players...he should be fighting for his job!

LOVIE TAKES OVER THE BEARS’ DEFENSE Posted by Mike Florio on January 14, 2009, 11:45 a.m. When former Lions coach Rod Marinelli was sniffing around Halas Hall a couple of weeks ago, some folks thought that Bears defensive coordinator Bob Babich might be in trouble. In the end, Marinelli signed on to coach the defensive line, and Babich kept his job. But Babich is losing his juice. On Tuesday, coach Lovie Smith said that he’ll take over the team’s play-calling duties. “There are a lot of offensive coaches in the league that call plays and do a little bit more on their side of the ball where their expertise is,” Smith said, via the Chicago Tribune. “For some reason, a lot of defensive coaches haven’t done it. But I think it’s time to change some of that.” It’s a demotion for Babich, who’ll now focus on coaching the linebackers. And, in a roundabout way, it’s an increase in the responsibilities of offensive coordinator Ron Turner, since Lovie will be devoting more time and attention to the defensive side of the ball. “I’m excited about taking a more hands-on approach to helping our defense get back to where it [was],” Smith said. We like his attitude, since this typically is the kind of move that a guy makes when he starts feeling the flames of a firing flickering against his fanny. Remember Ravens coach Brian Billick in 2006? He fired offensive coordinator Jim Fassel at the bye week and assumed full control of the offense, presumably because Billick feared that a bad season would be his last one. (As it turned out, Billick turned things around for 2006. But he was fired after a dramatic backslide the following season.) So Lovie Smith fairly can be included on the early list of coaches who might not get the chance to continue in their jobs in 2010, absent a significant improvement in 2009.

No worries! I actually think I'm deserving of the blame to some extent! I have been very harsh on Smith over the past 2 seasons. I believe justly. I have hoped for better and have not really seen it. Granted, I thought we'd be 8-8 or worse and were one better. But I think that was due to the unexpected performances of Forte and Orton. I never expected Smith to be fired this season due to contract, and now obviously since we were close to the playoffs. But I do think all bets are off next season. I do think it's do or die for him. I hope he "does". His overall record is pretty good. But this is a "what have you done for me lately league", and for the last 2 seasons, I've been watching other teams in the playoffs. To me, it's unacceptable epspecially given how bad our division is. If he misses it one more time, I think it's truly a time for a change....regardless if you're one that been harping on himn or one that's been supporting him staunchly. I guess my position is why not just be honest with everyone and demote the guy? For many, Smith has seemed to be not very upfront with fans and this is yet another example of feeling like we're treated like 3 year olds by him. We know the reality, why portray a fantasy? What's the real benefit? Does he take us for idiots? I personally think the Marinelli hire is good. Heck, if even by default, he can't be much worse than what we had! I just fear the overall scheme is not working and that even improved DL play will only gain so much overall improvement. I also think the overall environment he fosters has turned some playes into shells of themselves... Urlacher, Harris, etc...all seem to now be extras in a George Romero flick more than the blood & guts of a ferocious D. For me personally, I'm glad Smith is finally doing something to take control. He should have done so earlier. Why does he wait after the season to make a change? That is what I find frustrating. If someone keeps punching me in the face, at some point, I'm going to lift up my hands to block a punch. Yet Smith seems content to be bludgoened until the fight is over. Then in the next fight, he thinks raising ones hands is a good idea now. It's just frustrating is all. It's honestly like a VERY delayed reaction. It's not proactive in the least. The best teams are proactive, not reactive. Overall, I just want to restore some glory back to this franchise. This staff is telling me they are close. I trusted them before. I basically don't now. I will still hope though...

I sure hope he can do similar. Becaue it's basically the same as then. The only difference is our horrid ranking this past season came under his watch. Im irritated by the lack of holding Babich responsible. He should be demoted in title too. This is just complete BS cronyism. Smith is putting everything on his shoulders for the most part. I hope he succeeds. I am weary, and feel as though if he does not, that should be his one way ticket out of town.

You cruise control comment is spot on! It's like whatever's set up in camp is what we run no matter the consequences! Heaven forbid we change or adjust!

Well, maybe this will all set the wheels in motion for getting Cowher in next year.

Truly baffling indeed... It's sad when a message board community is far ahead of the game than the actual folks that get paid to do it. Then again, there is more passion in one post on this board than I've seen in Zombie Smith for about half a decade...

Hopefully it's a set-up for demotion...

Good thoughts nfo... I know it is easy to sluff it off as sour grapes, but I'm not so sure there is such sourness per se. It just sounds like the guy is shooting from the hip. If I were his agent, I'd tell him to be a bit more ambiguous...but I get no real sense that he is just taking shots at the bears because of ill will.

Yet why say anything and take the total high road? Like, "I liked coach Smith and he had a very different style. Both are successful, but obviously I'm excited to be where I am now."

That's how I read into it!

As a #2, I say get him! If he outperforms Kyle, then make him #1...

...I think he just says, "Brains..." a lot. (ie. Zombie Smith)

http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/be...-011209.article "He's a former special teams coach and is used to dealing with every single guy," Ayanbadejo said of Harbaugh. "He's a lot more hands-on than Lovie. His coaching approach is a lot more personal, a lot different than Lovie's."

Well, at this point, it's certainly better than a kick in the shins...

Great read Mongo! Overall, I like your ideas.

Agreed. I'm done flogging a dead horse. Please see nfo's comments if you choose to continue not to see logic.

Thank you nfo! You've said, more eloquently, what I've been trying to say bluntly!

Apparently you aren't done arguing with me... But regardless, feel free not to listen to reason and logic. The point is seriously moot anyway. Brees isn't with us. But to answer you questions... 1. I stand by my opinion that that Bears could have had him...if they wanted him. I have stated this over and over, yet you don't seem to understand how business works. If you throw enough money at something, odds are it will be taken. Again, I have stated before that NO was the team that really wanted him, and he acted accordingly. It's not like he was waiting for the Bears to call. Miami did, and he liked what NO offered more. 2. You can believe anything you want. Brees is telling half truths I believe. Sure, NO wowed him and he signed immediately. But, I don't for one minute, think that Miami had made some semblance of an offer to his agent before his visit to NO. Brees isn't lying. He's just moitting to say that he also heard Miami's paltry offer and liked what NO had. You are speculating that it was all NO or bust, and no other team on earth had a chance. I don't buy that for one bit. Any team that was (again...) TRULY interested would have had a legit shot at him. Applying for a job is applying for a job. The dollar amount is different, but not the basics...

Count me in on that line of thinking!

Thanks! Knowing is half the battle!

It's called PR... Makes him and his current team look good regardless of what actually went down. You believe everything a player says? Also, cancelling visits does not mean talks didn't happen. I've contacted many an interested employer and after getting a better vibe on what their salary, benefits, environment was over the phone, I've cancelled interviews. Sometimes you don't need to hear it in person...

Thank you GakMan!

It usually does. It's called reality. $ talks. BS walks. Throw enough moeny at any player, and odds are they'll play for the Lions. Again, if we really wanted Brees, hints and winks would have been given to his agent prior to his non-refundable flight to New Orleans... And the Bears would have picked up the tab. Bottom line, the Bears weren't interested because we had the Wonder Boy, Rex... If any team really wanted Brees, they would have gotten him, just like NO did. Miami had interest, but apparently not as much as NO. You think his agent didn't get some vibe from conversations from Miami's and NO's offices on what their desires were? Sure, he did jump on it, but it was also probably that his agent had some knowledge of what other teams' interests in him were. It's not like he went in with blinders only listening to NO. how do you know no other tema had a chance? Did you speak to all 31 other GM's? Look, I'm not saying it's some fantasy situation. I'm talking reality. If management REALLy wanted him, they would have gotten him. NO wanted him more than anyone else. The only thing I am hanging on the Bears is their apparent lack of interest while pampering Rex...

true enough...