Alaskan Grizzly

I’m with you in that I’m not convinced letting Fox go is the answer. I’m too worried if they get rid of the whole coaching staff part and parcel then we’ll be going through at least 2-3 more years of mediocrity. I don’t think doing what LA did in ridding themselves of Fisher and bringing Mcvay is as common as we’d hope. Honestly I’d be apt to believe we’d be more like the Broncos and their lost season. And to answer the question about Fisher...absolutely not.

I was impressed. The same could be said about Cutler... occasionally. Sometimes he would be good and I’d love it...then all too often he’d be bad. I’m not saying I see the same traits but I believe in sustained and continued performance before I’ll buy in. That being said; the whole team came to play. The line, as patchwork as it was, Kyle Fuller (talk about sporadic play), the D overall even with all the holes it had, Shaheen, Kendall Wright and others all significantly contributed. To me this looked like a team that had finally met its potential. Whether or not that’s true is yet to be seen.

Cincinnati had a lot to lose in this and played at home. All factors that should not have played to the Bears favor.

I’m thinking Kendall Wright is making a case to come back next year. I’d say he’s worthy. This isn’t the only good game he’s had this year.

So now the question... did Fox ‘lose the team’ as many allege?

I think Trubisky should keep playing with that Michael Jackson glove. Seems to play to his favor.

Did I see Kevin White out there? *edit: never mind. It was Inman with that hoodie on.

Addressing the Gould point first and taking into account what Stinger says after you. Skeptics like me will question whether it was a good idea to keep Gould or not especially considering how well he’s doing now (and has been) and then, as Stinger says, keep a player like Barth as long as they did. I have the benefit of ‘hindsight’ to make my judgement; he allegedly is a talent scout and should be able to predict better what will or won’t happen. Too bad if it’s not fair but I don’t get paid millions for my ‘opinion’. So if I understand you correctly, you’re defending Pace on his picks as RBS? If that be the case; remember Fox is an RBC coach and would as soon draft RBs every year if he could. Pace usually pulls the trigger on those draft picks and personnel moves. He made a choice to draft Langford and let go Forte. He saw Langford struggle and realized he needed someone else and went with Howard the next year (a great pick in my book). But then, for whatever reason, reached into the shallow well of the D2 talent and found Cohen. (Im still not sold on him yet). Anyhow some will say he got Cohen because he thought of Sproles and the success he had at Nola. Others will insist he (Cohen) should be catching more passes as a wideout or slot receiver. Not sure that is the solution either (Hester). But yes you bring up the fact that Cunningham is still on the team and that’s a valid and concerning point. Why is that?

I don’t get the betting analogy but no matter. Sure, at the time it may have seemed reasonable (wouldn’t say wise) to cut Gould when they did. But many questioned it at the time and with many head-scratching moves since then (including bringing in and keeping Barth on the roster) we have to doubt Pace’s judgement. The fact that Gould has done pretty darn well since then only solidifies that doubt. Remember, Pace’s forte is supposed to be talent scouting right? (Speaking of Forte; Pace was the same one convinced Langford could replace Matt). I digress. That’s a mighty big IF that you and Pace are ‘betting’ on. And I have a hard time being convinced Glennon was perused by other NFL teams. Just like I don’t buy others were clamoring for Trubiisky. I’m curious who these ‘quite a few players are’. I’m with TD that Pace could be a liability to this team.

I’ll say he looked a lot better than I expected in that first game against Minnesota. They let him do some of the things we expected them to. The offense seemed balanced. But since then, for whatever reason things have gradually degraded. I’d agree with some analysts that it appeared they were opening the book up more but the more they did that, the more overwhelmed Trubisky looks. Seems it should be going the other way. One thing I know he’s damned not to do is TO the ball; especially from INTs. But because of that he’s taking too long in the pocket and watching his receivers too long. We see the result of that. Whether it be a sack (he’s started taking more of them) or him trying to force a scramble. The overall results are diminished pass attempts. I blame that on some play calling but probably more so play execution; or lack thereof.

Not being a fan may a bit harsh. I actually meant it more to reflect where he was picked. Which really isn’t his doing. I’m still stale to his play. Haven’t seen anything ... yet ... to make me feel warm and fuzzy to call him out ‘future’.

I don't have to be convinced ... any longer. He's in over his head, IMHO. The problem I have is the lack of talent he's provided Fox will be his (Fox's) demise and not his own. At least not this year... Good work on spotting it. I have two issues (although minor) to your post. One being I'm not a fan of Trubisky's. At least not yet. And I am a fan of Inman's. Dude seems to be a decent WR, maybe not #1 or #2 but he can hold his own.

If I’m nothing else I’m at least sentimental. Given the owners (in this case) are related to the founding father Papa Bear, I’ll always argue they have a right to ‘own’. But anything outside of that should be considered to be either replaced or re-assigned. If it’s a family member that is not where they belong, they get out (as you suggest) in a corner office; out of sight, out of mind. That is except for Virgina. She gets a pass. Anyone who is not genetically tied to the team can go. I’d think Ted Phillips is numero uno on that list. Perhaps Arcosi’s analysis should have looked at this rather than the GM / HC positions.

I was wondering when you’d be back. As I’ve been pushing this anti-Pace discussion I couldn’t help but recall you’re not liking him from the get go. I’ll be the first to admit you were right.

“HIV and Penicillin?” Really?

Don’t think I buy that entirely. Pace admitted to being attracted to Barth perhaps from Fox’s endorsement but also on his being available and recently cut from New Orleans. We know how much Pace loves his NO roots. http://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/chicago-b...wo-step-process

If ridding our team of Fox is the key to our team turning around, they should at the very least consider having Fangio be interim through the end of the year. What has the team got to lose?

If the 'offensive play calling' is stunting Trubisky, then replace the offensive play caller. Why Fox hasn't done it yet is beyond me. Perhaps that should be enough to encourage me to jump on the bandwagon with you? Trubisky has now called out who(?) Fox? And asked for Cohen to play more? What have you seen from Cohen that convinces you he deserves more time to play? Especially with Howard as the projected #1 RB? Fox is known to be an RBC guy historically, so why is it he's not demanding it more? And yes, please explain to me why players like Shaheen, K. White, Hronis Grasu, Tayo Fabuluge, Deon Bush, Deondre Hall, Deondre Houston-Carson, Daniel Braverman and Jordan Morgan aren't playing? Those are all players that Pace has drafted and cultivated for Fox to use and are almost nowhere to be seen. So instead he brings in these no-name or near forgotten FA's to backfill. Why aren't these draft picks producing? Is it because Fox can't coach them? My simple reply to your last question would be; what are the players thinking? We know last week Hicks supported Fox staying. We even know that Urlacher endorsed him. I don't really care what Trubisky thinks, especially if its contrary; he hasn't yet proven he has any stake in this team's future. If Fox has truly LOST the team, and its convincing he has...then I'm good with him being gone.

To borrow a "Gone with the Wind" reference; "Frankly, I could give a damn" when you can't understand my logic. But I'm sure the same would be said in response from you. Yes the odds are that Fox will be gone but I have this unsettling belief he is not the root of our woes. You can blindly follow in faith to what Pace will do from here on out, but I won't be so easily won over. Again, I'm sure you could care none more. Be that as it may, we will move on to someone new and next year will be Pace's to own. I just hope that its not at the expense of our team.

I disagree. I think not ridding us of Pace sooner than later only delays the inevitable.

To some degree I agree with you. Im just not sure that ridding us of Fox will cure all our ills. I get it you don’t like Fox and the lack of production you perceive as his fault. But using your own words “...like the Giants just did” would involve ousting Pace as well. Which to me is more important.

I know you won't want me to repeat this but I'm going to anyway. I still have a hard time placing blame on Fox for what we're looking at. He has been to two (COUNT THEM 2) Super Bowls with not ONE but TWO different teams in TWO different eras. Sure what he has done is just that, been done. I get your perspective but I think that simply an excuse to get rid of him because for whatever reason, you don't like him or his style. I don't buy that the NFL has changed that much that his effectiveness has worn out. If that were true then Bill Belichick and the "Patriot Way" as well as John Harbaugh and the "Raven Way" would be obsolete. The unproven between Fox and Pace is clearly and unquestionably Pace. I almost hate for Fox's career to be sullied because of the situation he was put in to not be able to produce in Chicago. Is that completely Pace's fault? No. Part of the delay of Fox's ability to develop this team was due to the ridiculous (I'd say ludicrous) contract Cutler was given with which the Bears were not able to escape sooner. That delayed our team's development for sure by one year if not two. Many here thought with a new coaching staff and specifically a QB friendly OC, with the likes of Gase, Cutler would surely turn it around. He showed a glimmer of hope that one year with Gase but fell back to his old ways almost immediately once Gase was gone. Should and could Fox have sat Cutler's ass earlier than he did last year and had Hoyer or even Barkley play out last year? In retrospect; yes. But the very next question I would ask is whose idea was it to bring in Glennon for his own ridiculous contract (lf only for one year) only to draft a QB in the first round? Then not only that but, knowing our team had multiple holes to fill, squander present and future draft picks to get an unproven (and raw) QB talent like Trubisky. You think that was Fox's plan? I highly doubt it. No. I blame a lot (if not all) of this mess on Pace. Like I said before Fox will undoubtedly be the fall guy for what I see as Pace's inexperience and ineptitude. Pace will 'pick his own coach' and more than likely like Emery will foul things up even more in the personnel management continuing our limp through a few more years' worth of less than mediocre performances. Like DBDB points out in his reply, he'll have a hard time convincing any coach worth their weight to come to our team to take it on knowing the dysfunction that awaits.

Agreed totally. To me it makes more sense to clean house (GM down), at this point, than it doesn't.

Ok I’m throwing in the towel. Blow it up and start over with all Coaches. This team isn’t going anywhere until Pace is ousted. Enjoy a few more years of less than mediocrity. Maybe I’ll start watching the Bulls. Damn!

Ha!!! If only... Wouldn’t it be ‘funny’ if we lose to Gould kicking FGs for the SF win? Just want to point out that Pace was the one that got rid of Gould.