'TD'

Mike Tomlin has been a pretty good HC and has taken a very similar route to Austin. They were both defensive back coaches, with one year as a DC before being considered for a HC gig. He's not my top option, but I'd be very open to him being the HC if he impresses.

The new head coach is offensive and the offense regressed, while the defense improved. You'd think if it was the head coach motivating people, the offense would have grown or stayed as good as before.

I really like what he's done with their team. A guy that can change a defense like theirs that is under achieving to a top defense could possibly be a great motivator for a roster.

Gabrielle was really disappointed his buddy didn't get the job, and speculating in his favor. Atleast that was my take. I am sure others that went to bat, because they are friends with Ballard, will do similar in days to come. Edit: I just wanted to add, Gabrielle did call Ballard like his son he never had. He's kind of biased and painting a picture in Ballard's favor.

https://twitter.com/dan_bernstein/status/553307142225408001

On the score, they said he had a better plan for building over multiple seasons. That's completely what I have wanted for the Bears, to not rush in and try to win it this season and build.

It's the guy I like the best of their choices, due to experience. I'm just not big on the Saints roster.

Pace was formerly on the wonder years

I wouldn't think so. Emery seemed to have all the control he wanted. I just think he seemed like a better candidate then Ballard.

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/article-1...e3-b9bf90f30277

I'm curious about him. I'm glad they looked outside of our organization at the very least.

I propose looking at experienced people from well built teams. I was just using them as an example due to having what I am looking for, and to show that I wouldn't just hate anyone. With out researching teams, I would look at the Patriots, Ravens, Packers, 9ers, seahawks, and so on. Teams that have built through the draft, lose players every year, but still a playoff team almost every year. I'd even look at the Bengals front office, as they have been built pretty competitively recently. I would want someone who has been involved more than a scout for a while. Pace would be an awesome candidate if the Saints ever had better than good players. Their defense is always bad to average, they have a lot of good running backs but not great and a revolving WR group. I don't want to see ex Bears, Saints, or Titans personnel, as it just hasn't been done right on these teams.

If your going to stick with them for 4 or 5 years, no matter what, then they need to get some more qualified candidates. I'm not trying to be negative, just realistic. I would have been all on board with Decosta or McGloughan. The Saints have never been known for their talent and neither has the Bears. Ballard has basically only this year on his resume with KC plus 2012+13 with the Bears in a front office position. The year before, he left here in May after the draft and free agency so 2013 is mostly Bears stuff. Pace has had a decent amount of experience, which I like. I just don't think Saints and see outstanding players outside of Graham and Brees.

They can't force you, but here in Ohio they basically make you. If you refuse to blow here, your suspension, jail time, and fines are doubled if you refuse. Also, they go back 20 years on your record, instead of 6 i think if you do blow on whether it will be your second or third.

If he was charged for dui, they really should have made him take a breathalyzer. He may have got special treatment because he was an athlete, but it's also likely that drugs was suspected for the dui or he just refused it.

@ESPNChiBears & I reporting Tim Jennings arrested on speeding, DUI, reckless driving charges in Gwinnett County, Ga. $2,705 in total bonds https://twitter.com/mikecwright/status/552916020361691137

The Redskins ended up hiring him. I really was hoping he would end up part of the Bears organization. http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap300000045...t-mccloughan-gm

I'd really like to see the Bears move away from the cover 2, but Fewell was a HC candidate for a while. If they go with his style of defense, he's definitely a guy I would like to see out there.

It's going to be impossible to sell me on Ballard. He worked with the 2 failed Bears GM's, has little experience in the front office, and the Bears had him pegged before even interviewing anyone. On a different not, Perry Fewell was released today. If Ballard is hired, I could see him suggesting Fewell to the new coach as DC.

I'm honestly ignorant when it comes to college. I just don't watch it enough to know much on the players. Most of my opinions on it will come based of what I read leading up to the draft, highlights I watch and so on. You hit on most all of the the team needs, but I just can't comment on the players in the slots.

I wouldn't take that, because it's 20 turn overs. Plus, my criticism of Cutler isn't just based on int's or turn overs. It's a nonstat based opinion, but the stats back it up the further you delve into them. On the first Packers INT, I just don't see what you see. I can't figure out the words to describe it, but I can't see how Marshall arrives at the ball given where he was, where the ball ended up, and the distance Marshall traveled from the release. Even if it was a miss communication on the route, the pass was under thrown and thrown late imho, and the CB had it all the way. I think if you added Watt, Suh, or Kuechky on the Bears team that they would have won at best one more game. The defense just didn't have the talent. I do think even a Wilson level upgrade, that the Bears could have won 3 more as you said. I don't think they were a play off team either. I also don't think they will be next year, no matter who the quarterback is. That's part of the reason I want to see the transition done now. Part of the D's problem, was the lack of offense. It obviously isn't their biggest problem, but when your offense isn't moving the ball or worse turn it over, it doesn't help a poorly talented and coached defense.

It may be because the signs point towards the Jets are going to hire Marrone. It's possible he is asking for personnel decisions, especially after the supposed disapproval of the Watkins trade. Ballard turned down Lovie last year, because Lovie wanted the last say in personnel.

I am sure there's a lot more. There's just a few major ones we don't.

Buffalo's: I already mentioned. Packers: there's no route Marshall could have ran to make it a good throw. Dolphins: I actually think Cutler was throwing to Bennett that was slowed down double covered and third guy got the ball Patriots: that's fine, a hail mary is a hail mary, nothing wrong with that Packers: it does suck it hit off Long's helmet, but he look at how Cutler threw it Vikings: the one I could see, he was jumping backwards and forced it when he threw Lions: May have been meaningless but Carey was wide open Cowboys: Still had a chance to win, it was 1st down and a bad play by Cutler Saints: First one is thrown behind Bennett, and should have just been uncatchable and an unpredictable INT. I have a link that actually below covering the play prior from Cosell, and gives a good critique of my Cutler and Trestman's offense wouldn't work. Cosell article I don't think that 5 int's over all being iffy or "not mattering" is nearly the same as the point you were trying to make. You were trying to take off 10 INTs of 18, plus ignoring the 6 fumbles. So yes, I think your arguement is a reach. The one's I agree with that are no big deal, are also in the other QB's in the league stats too. They don't get subtracted.

I brought him up, I'd love to have him on the team in some fashion. If he's truly beat his demons, I'd like to see him as GM. If not I'd like to see him as a number 2 guy to the GM. The guy is supposed to be one of the best when it comes to recognising and grading talent. Teams have been paying him 75k each just to get his insight on the draft since he's been out of the NFL. He was a huge part of the 49er's and Seahawks turn around.