Alaskan Grizzly

Totally agree. The only reason a team would consider him is due to his "Johnny Football" stardom and the hope he'd bring people to games. Unfortunately he'll also have similar Johnny Football results in the NFL. If Carr wasn't in Oakland is see him going there. Maybe he'll end up in Washington or Dallas instead. Their owners like this type of player.

Suspect all you want. That isn't fact and doesn't get you a whole heck of a lot other than guess work. Sure TB had its problems last year, but to be fair it was Lovies first there. And now he's in line for Mariotta and possibly Trestman as his OC. Speculatively speaking, if I were a TB fan I'd be pretty excited.

What? Who is this guy? I'm finally settling on a guy like Ballard and they introduce another person? My hope and guess is to murky the water a bit for potential suitors to Ballard or to Ballard himself. To make him a little more open to negotiations when he comes in for his interview.

Couldn't agree more. As many here have pointed out their dissatisfaction with Bears ownership, at least they're not Snyder level bad. Similar to Jerry Jones or Al Davis. Ugh. That being said if this Ballard character gets the GM job I have a concern with potential toxicity between he and a coach like Shannahan. Shanny has had a taste of personnel management (above HC) and might prove difficult to manage for a newly minted GM like Ballard. Now I've been a fan of Shannys as head coach since this started but with what I'm hearing about Blallard I'm getting a sense it might be better to go with a less experienced HC. That be the case and IF Ballard gets the GM job I'd have to say either Bowles or Toub would be my two preferred choices before Shanny. Of course being a part of the interview process would alleviate some or most of that concern. That's why if Ballard is made GM he'll be entrusted to make the best choice. And from what I'm hearing that may not be so bad.

He's in my top two at the moment (after Shanny). I'd still like to see him as a DC first. Afraid he'd bring that circus astmosphere with him. But with Chicago being his dream job maybe he'd be a little tempered and respect the tradition better than in New Jersey.

Exactly. I have to agree with the risk/ reward factor of drafting a QB. There are potentially 234 chances for QBs to be drafted each year (32 teams x 7 rounds) and rarely do you see many pan out. Not to say that each team were to draft a QB every round but the point is even if all 32 do for one round, the odds of succeeding are slim. What needs be done is figure out who the new coach will be. See what style of game will we be looking at? Something tells me a lot of what is in place on offense will stay. The new coach will tune it to his liking then add as necessary. To speculate on a QB this early is silly. FWIW I think they should keep who they have (Clausen, Cutler and Fales) and add via FA/trade. Preferably someone who's at least seen the game firsthand. Like a Cousins, Bortles or even Ossweiler.

Yeah that's kinda what I thought. And didn't want to repeat past mistakes. Or give the impression that the potential GM might be discouraged because of it.

Looks like since 2012. 68-11 record with UCLA since. In comparison, Carroll stayed with USC for 9 years (2000-09) but was looked as a potential NFL HC again in 01-02. But chose to stick it out with USC. Kelley was HC for the Ducks for only three years before going to Philly. May work for some but not for others.

Not that he's probably in consideration but seeing Jim Mora (the younger one - currently UCLA HC) mentioned as a HC possibility for other teams. In keeping with the thought of second (or in his case third) chances, similar to Belichick or Carroll he could make a case for a decent comeback. Would he be someone the Bears should consider? He has clout, experience and a little edge. Although my #1 choice continues to be Shannahan. Then maybe Kubiak.

I'd have to echo what a few here have already said and ask why they are doing this without a GM selected? Shouldnt that he something they have some say in? Not sure many true GM candidates are going to want the job with a coach pre-loaded. Sends them the wrong message.

Jason, what happened to having to draft an OLman in one of the first two rounds? You're deafting like Lovie would. What are you softening up?

Thanks Uncle Buck for the kind words. And to all my friends here (yes even you Stinger) all my best in the New Year. I hope 2015 is better to you than 2014.

Then you my friend are on the same page. Everything you said i totally agree with. If Cutler can do it under Shannys tuteledge then great. Just don't wait until near the end of the season to decide that. Shannahan for coach: 2015... And beyond.

Yes as I've said before, I love me some Lovie. All I can say is that when he was let go the team was 10-6. Since then??? Well.

Was that 39 times with X amount of drops or 39 total throws? And interestingly enough Forte had a pretty good game against the #2 defense. Strange how that works when you have a balanced (and successful) attack. I think it was more in tund because Clausen and McCown actually are able to run the offense as opposed to Jay.

Aw cmon, aren't you going to give him credit for drafting Evans in round one and spending beaucoup bucks on Mankins?

Nope. Did you see the last game against Detroit? Clausen was throwing everything; crossing routes, screens mid and some long range shots. Seems most, not all, were clearly drops. And what's more, very few "misreads" from the receivers. Which seemed to plague Cutler...somehow.

I wouldn't want Shanny because of the Cutler connection. In fact not sure that Shannahan would keep Cutler if he didn't think it would work. Im convinced that keeping RG3 was more a Snyder thing than anything. Cousins just said the other day he wanted a trade of RG3 were chosen as the starter. Dont believe for a second that Gruden really believes RG is the answer. At any rate, one thing with Shannahan is I'd like to see him bring someone like his kid in as OC and Rex (or perhaps a Bowles) as DC and when Shannahan decides to hang it up (after multiple playoff appearances) they could have either coordinator take over HC duties. I'm not ready to give the keys to REx yet. Would need to be convinced he's not going to turn the team into a three ring circus again.

No.

Already making plans for the Seahawks game!!!

My money's (and hope) on Shanny. He is what the team needs right now.

FWIW I still think Allen should stay at least one more year. His leadership, we specially with all the changes, is an immeasurable intangible. And this year was a dud due to his having Tucker as DC and illness.

Harbaugh ain't coming to Chicago.

So how many drops by receivers were there again when Clausen was running the O? Jeffery had somethig like 8 himself. And the wicked bit late in the game on Clausen certainly didn't help. The lynchpin for what ills Chicago is/was Cutler. And Emerys signing off on the long term. One of the two has been remedied.

Agreed. Welcome back Jason. Happy New Year. Let the disagreements begin! ?