BearFan2000

I was thrilled that the Vikings lost as well, not that I have a lot of love for the Saints but on any given Sunday my fav team is the Bears and my second fav is anyone playing the Vikings. Can't stand the Vikings, there was a time when I respected Favre but I've outgrown that as well and over the past several years have grown to outright despise him.... you put two things that I despise together and I can root for any team against them even the friggin Pukers To me the highight of the game was Brett's last INT. That interception cost them the game and it was a mistake that they teach you at all levels not to ever do... throw back across your body to the middle of the field late in the play. You are asking for trouble. Favre has gotten away with things like that all through his career, but I laughed when it bit him in the arse. One thing I did not want to see this season was Brett Favre getting another ring, and I'm glad that won't happen. At the end of the day that small satisfaction I got from Favre's and the Viking's failure tonight. Doesn't make up for the fact that my Bears are in disarray, but only takes my mind off it for a moment. That said I see no way the Saints win against the Colts. When you have a 5-1 advantage in the turnover battle and have to win the game in over time.... 1. you didn't capitalize on the Vikings mistakes. 2. were it not for the turnovers you would have lost that game 3. you were dominated for most of the game but benefited from really bad ball security by your opponent. 4. you also benefited from some favorable calls and reviews. (the Brees fumbled exchange challenge was dumb you were never going to win that one) Now if your the Saints... ask yourself this what are the odds that the Colts self destruct 5 times, you get breaks from the officiating, and that the Colts will give you multiple opportunities to capitalize on mistakes. Don't expect the Colts to make a ton of mistakes. The Turnover ratio could have been even worse for the Vikings if they'd lost the ball every time the put it on the ground. You will face a much more disciplined and formidable opponent in Miami than you faced today. While it may not always be pretty the Colts simply get it done.

some interesting points if he were to take a job as OC with hopes to become HC and the Bears don't turn it around there's a chance that he along with Lovie would be swept out, if a turnaround happens and Lovie stays he would have to look else where for HC opportunities. Now that to me means the Bears would make no promises that he would be retained if the Bears have another bad season. Which to me doesn't make sense he's very good at what he does why not make it clear that even if there is a house cleaning that he could be one of the few survivors along with toub. If he has any interest in the Bears HC job he should stay put and wait for the inevitable to happen and then step in. Thought the comment about Chico was interesting, the thought hadn't really crossed my mind. But he is a guy who's looking for a HC spot, has proved his medal as DC, now again he isn't a guy who is an established HC or has any experience but neither would Chud. I still like the thought of Cower but I don't think there's enough Kool-aid left in the city of Chicago to make me believe that will happen. Now I didn't think we'd actually trade for Cutler either. To go along with his point about being thrown out with the garbage or stuck if Lovie is retained, that same thing likely hangs over anyone that interviews. Anyone who is looking at that spot as a stepping stone with HC aspirations in the near future may see it as a lose lose situation. That I think will play at least a slight role in the search. and why I feel we will settle for the first guy on our list that actually shows real interest or if we get desperate enough elevate Tice to OC. I'd like to be wrong but I just don't see us getting a top or even level two tier OC. I have a feeling we'll do what the bears have done for the last couple decades and settle for anyone with a pulse and some connection to Lovie.

What a classy guy and a damn good kicker. Without his leg our record would likely be more dismal than 7-9. It's hard to find kickers that are as consistent as Gould and he's not only great on the field but also off the field. It's awesome to see him step up and without hesitation pick up the tab for the kids and their families.

the more I read about Chud and the more he's talked about in these boards I really like the thought of him being here. When I first read Cleveland Browns I gaged a bit but realized that it was only 2 years ago that they were good and he was their Coordinator. I like that he's got experience with TE's and their success seems to follow him wherever he goes that bodes well. It would be nice to see the guy we envisioned when we drafted Gregg. Along with our other TE's Davis and Clarke (who is nearing the end of his career). I like that he has experience with more than one system and is very intelligent in how he calls plays and understands how to take advantage of mismatches. He seems like the guy who would tailor a system to the talent we have, rather than the square peg in a round hole. I would be very happy with him as OC and feel like on the offensive side of the ball we will have greatly improved the coaching. Like many here I too am concerned about the defense, both in coaching and talent. This unit has slipped a lot since it was last a dominant force. Lack of consistent pass rush, poor coverage, poorly timed play calling, and poor fundamentals. I could see the 2010 Bears become a team that will need to outscore it's opponents to win but will not with any consistency depend on it's defense to come through. The question becomes will we be able to do enough on D to help the offense...... did I just say that??? Now if we do happen to bring in coaching that can get the best out of the talent who can still walk on defense then we could be surprised but at this point put me in the wait and see/I'll believe it when I see it camp. As for contract lengths, stability and what not. We know this much it will be a weird couple seasons. I really hope that they get something worked out and we will have football in 2011. But the reality is that there is a shadow hanging over any decisions involving contracts over the next two seasons. It really muddies what would otherwise simply be a stability situation in Chicago, where you'd have to be living under a rock to believe that there is stability here in Chicago (implied or otherwise). The candidates aren't dumb they know this as well. So selling the impression of stability is a tough sell. The unknown that teams, players, coaches, etc are bracing for. Makes a bad situation an even worse one. But I think that the Bears are trying to make the best of it by focusing more short term (2010) and see where that goes. If there is no football in 2011, which would be Lovies final year of his contract, firing him following the 2010 season would change nothing. Either way he's be paid for 2011. I do have a question about 2011. If there is no football does that simply mean no games, or does that also include football related actives like contract negotiations, player signings, coaching interviews etc. Does the league effectively come to a halt other than CBA negotiations? Or would it be like an extended offseason. Lovie currently isn't under contract in 2012. If we do so so and the decision is to clean house can that process proceed between the end of 2010 and the start of 2011. Could we potentially be looking at filling a vacancy at HC in 2012 (should football return) after letting Lovies contract expire and in turn have to hire a coach in what would normally be the offseason between 2011/2012 or could that process begin at the end of the 2010 season. I can see this going one of two ways. If we have a good/great season in 2010 Lovie may (as illogical is it may seem) get an extension to say 2013 or 2014 or whatever. So when football returns in 2012 we'll have our staff in place. The other way is if we have another bad season they can fire him after 2010 but either way will still pay him in 2011 and the decision becomes do we fire him and then hire a new coach long term or bide our time and let his contract expire after 2011 and start the search for his replacement then. In a way our situation isn't as bleak as it may seem. On one hand a successful season could very well see a Smith extension (with the right staff I might be ok with this). On the other hand a lockout in 2011 would present the option after 2010 to see who could be potential candidates and can decide at that point to cut Lovie lose and pursue a new HC for for a long term contract and if no one excites us we simply stay put let Lovies contract expire and look at the HC between 2011 and 2012. However, at that point we would have to find someone, though another option would be to give a one year extension if the options don't look promising.

I feel that a big part of his "decision making" problems are rooted in the lack of protection, bad play calling, and lack of threat running the ball. No one feared the run so they played coverage and were getting pressure on Jay with little effort. I know the saying is cliche but you give Jay time to scan the field he can pick you apart. But when you get the ball and as soon as you drop back you are under duress makes it difficult to go through your reads and you rush the decision making. That isn't to say that some of his picks came at times when he had time but made a bad read. Find me a QB who never ever makes a bad read and I've got some ocean front property in Nevada I'd like to sell you. The last two games the play calling was much better, the line gave him time and he was able to get into a rhythm, and we had enough of a running game to stay balanced. In those two games Jay looked nothing like the turnover machine many were making him out to be, but, more like the QB we gave up so much to get. Jay will be fine once the line stabilizes. No way do we ship off Cutler but rather he's a talent to build around. Campbell isn't the worst QB but he's not that great either. I would not get the point in downgrading a position where it is so difficult to get a talent like Cutler. IMHO someone would have to offer what we offered Denver before I even think about it. Even what we gave up I still make that trade to get Jay. As it's been pointed out we've blown 2 first rounders on QB's, one of which isn't in the league anymore and the other is barely in the league. We've also shown a track record of wasting high draft picks. We've had an endless parade of QB's who are average to below average and have had a difficult time to find a franchise QB to say the least. We finally have one who can lead us to superbowls you don't give that up, you build around him.

sorry but, in an economy where many are jobless, many are taking pay cuts to keep their jobs and many are in a salary freeze barely making it paycheck to paycheck. You have pro athletes who will balk at salary decreases that will still make them vastly higher paid than most real world people. I've been working at the same place for 11 years and am well below average in salary partly because my employer is cheap and more recently due to the economy. I barely make enough to keep the bills and mortgage paid up and have a little to set aside for emergencies. If I had half the salary of the average player it would be a lot more than I make now. Yet these guys will refuse to take a pay cut when the fans that work hard to fork over their hard earned cash to support them are barely making ends meet. Doesn't seem right.

I kinda doubt even Harry Heistad knew the details of what we were trying to do. Sure didn't look organized to me.. I like this hire and agree with BrianBear and others that if we'd have hired him as OC that would have been a bad move but I'm happy to have him as O-Line coach where he's been effective in the past. We need a guy who will bring some aggression to our line they have been soft and it's gotten old watching them get pushed around not giving Jay time or Forte running room. Definite upgrade. It is interesting that the OL coach is hired before the OC. Not sure if that means the have zero'd in on who they want for OC and this is a signing with him in mind or it is that they see the need for a significant upgrade at OL Coach and went after a guy that they feel is a significant upgrade. Usually the OC has in mind who he'd like to bring in. 1. Is this method going to limit or hinder our search for an OC if they don't get to pick their own position coaches? Will it help as Tice does have a good reputation and solid resume. That may show candidates that we are serious about improvement. 2. Not fully knowing how big a deal it is for the line coach to be brought in first since it's likely they have in mind the style of offense they would like to employ. Which I would think would still be run oriented but also be balanced in utilizing Cutler's mobility and arm. For that type of offense our line will need to be aggressive and that is more Tice's style. 3. Is this a recognition that the game starts and stops in the trenches, lose the line of scrimmage and you will have a tough time winning the game. Perhaps a sign that it was high on the priority list was to bring in someone who they feel can turn the line play around. To that end I think Tice is a good choice. I've said it before and I'll say it again, fix the line and you fix a lot of the issues. We saw what quality line play did for us in the Minny game and the Detroit game. When Jay has time to throw he's a dangerous QB, When Forte and Bell have had holes and room to run they have done well. Throughout much of the previous 14 games the lack of protection and lack of run blocking gave way to a stagnated offense that couldn't seem to get out of its own way. 4. Is this going to be the way the new look staff will be assembled each individual piece separately? If so can a patchwork staff like this work? Jerry knows he's on the hot seat and I have to think Lovie does too. It's in their best interest to piece together a staff that can turn the team around. While no one at Halas Hall will cop to it it's win or else. They've been given one more shot to make it work. Ok now, going out on a limb here but let's say for arguments sake that the Bears do put together a decent staff offensively and defensively and the Bears do turn things around in 2010... then what? Does that success have any long term potential ie the staff? Is there a possibility that given the right mix of position coaches that it would be acceptable to retain Jerry and Lovie beyond 2010? Could be the remnants of kool-aid dried to the bottom of my glass or the remaining evidence of a silver lining, but at this point this move is a good sign that they are looking to get quality coaching here. Even though Tice's head coaching stint wasn't that great it does give him a broader perspective. I like this hire.

Because Lovie has final say and only wants to surround himself with friends and yes men. I too am tired of perpetually hiring guys who for the most part are coaching positions they previously never held. Terry Shea is a good example he was well thought of coming in but once he got here it was clear he was in over his head in a parking lot puddle. I thought after the press conference that quality candidates were lined up around the building and beating down the door to get a chance to be a coordinator for this team. (sarcasm) Yet we will likely end up with the inexperienced and desperate while allowing the few qualified candidates to go elsewhere without even so much as a phone call. Do they honestly think anyone is actually fooled into thinking they are really looking for the best man for the job? Do they really think we're that stupid that we can't see through the BS? If I'm a qualified OC or DC and I'm looking for a job. I want stability, control of decision making, potential to work with, and freedom to do my job. With the Bears under a lame duck coach you have one of those things and it's not necessarily a tangible one... that's potential. There is no stability, Lovie will determine what decisions you are allowed to make in both play calling and personnel, and you will be a puppet. Yep, Chicago would be my #1 choice.

He doesn't have the Lovie connection.

Case in point of why we should have cleaned house. No one worth their salt is going to want to come in for a possible one year gig only to be flushed out the following season in favor of the next HC's guys. We have limited our options to the unqualified and/or desperate. Dedicated to winning my arse. my silver lining now looks like swiss cheese. This is playing out like typical Chicago Bears

Which is why in reality we could hire Pinocchio with delusions of being a real coach and it would be the same result. We will only bring in a guy who has ties to Lovie and will blindly run his crappy system. I'd like to be wrong but I have a feeling all we're doing is hiring a puppet. Now if Fewell is allowed to run a variation of the cover 0 like Ron did then we may see improvement. Otherwise same crap only the names are changed to protect those who are truly to blame.

Just wondering if there any people on this board who play Modern Warfare 2 on Xbox live. I would consider myself a casual gamer some of the people... ok most of the people on the multiplayer seem to take the game entirely too seriously and play it non stop. It might be fun to set up a clan or do some multiplayer matches with fellow Bear fans. This is going to be a long offseason for the Bears might be a fun way to pass the time.

The last one was great..... "I'll send my kid to that school" LOL

Thank God If they bring in Martz Jay better have his life insurance up to date, that or provide him with a riot shield. If we don't shore up the line Martz system would definitely get Jay killed. 35 sacks and countless crushing hits this year was bad enough. There's only so much abuse the human body can sustain. Jay should get the purple heart for continuing to get up and go again. If anyone ever doubted his toughness they need look at this past season

Very true, and his total yards 3,666 isn't too shabby came pretty close to Kramer's record yardage in a single season. If we'd have had decent offensive output in 2 or 3 of the games where we couldn't find the end zone he'd have broken that record as well as the completions. When the smoke cleared and I looked at his final stats for the year I had to do a double take as agonizingly horrible and difficult to watch as this season had been his stats pretty good considering he had no protection, no run game, a receiving corp with very little experience, and coming in to a new team with new system. When you step back and look at the bigger picture he got a lot out of the hand he was dealt. Then you stop and think if the line had played like they had the last two games of the season imagine what his stats could have looked like. Prior to the Monday night game I had thought that we may have completely ruined a perfectly good franchise QB but I'm pretty confident that Jay will bounce back once the line is shored up and we get decent play calling that capitalizes on his strengths.

Thanks, for some reason the picture I took Ted's face from made me instantly think of Man on the Moon "Here I come to save the day" Andy Kaufman. Threw the pic together as a coping mechanism.

nfo, you and I are on the same page, and summed up what I was thinking very well. I also like everyone else wanted Lovie gone and when that didn't happen coupled with the epic fail of a press conference and the rumors floating around that we would simply promote Rod and call it good and then bring in some chump to take over as OC. I was in such a bad mood yesterday even before the conference when it was leaked that Lovie would stay and Ron would be the obvious firing, and the likely addition of a DC to relieve Lovie of defensive play calling. I was sick to my stomach and the press conference...... words can't describe how infuriating it was to listen to. Now that the dust has settled I'm trying to take a fresh look at it. But like you when the Rod to DC rumor was squashed I breathed a big sigh of relief. I'd like to see Zimmer be the DC, and Bates the OC and if Love does let them do their thing. Zimmer brings experience beyond Lovie's box and can install a hybrid cover two with elements from various different schemes which is what Ron R. did and that is what worked in 05/06. When Ron was gone in 07 Babich basically did what lovie wanted which was primarily cover 2 with few wrinkles and was very predictable. It only got worse last year as Lovie himself took over play calling. Bringing in a DC who has a wider range of influences and if he's allowed to implement his system. Then the D could once again be decent. Also Zimmer has experience as a DC. If we get a guy like Bates who has a working relationship with Jay and knows him as good as anyone in the league you would already have a starting point. But, it's not just that he knows Jay and has that connection he helped develop Jay..... hello, a guy who can develop QB's.... have we ever had that? Jay is the present but we need to think future and his backups I think that both Hainie and Basenez would benefit under him. But he also has experience in coordinating an Offense. I think he'd be a good fit. If you have crappy assistants and coordinators it doesn't matter how much of a good coach you are. But if you have good assistants and coordinators you can be an average coach and succeed. The hands on people in the staff are the ones that make the biggest difference. If we bring in the right people the formula could work.

I vote for Bates as well, his experience in working with Jay and knowing how to structure an offense around the talents of his players is huge. I think not only for the aspect of Jay but our backups as well. having Haine and Basenez under his tutelage could be a very positive thing he knows how to develop QB's. Jay is in his prime but if we can bring in a guy who could develop guys under Jay then that to me is key. Having stepped back and let my blood pressure come back down a little. What's done is done, Lovie will be back next year. If we do bring in good OC and DC and the team can be successful. Which would mean Lovie would have to allow them to do what they do best. If that can happen would there be potential for long term success? Before I get flamed. Let me make it clear that I don't want Lovie here, and don't think the combination of Ted Phillips, Jerry Angelo, and Lovie is a good structure. But my last name isn't McCaskey so I have no say. Lovie needs to drop the stubborn arrogant attitude. Just because you didn't get canned doesn't mean it's a unanimous vote of confidence. If he learn to be flexible then there's a chance for long-term success, however, that is one big IF. Right now that's all we have as fans.

Zimmer gets my vote of the four. He is aware of the defensive world outside Lovies box. While Lovies guys have yet to discover other forms of defense than the cover 0, Zimmer seems to have the most well rounded knowledge. And he's actually held the position of Coordinator before. The reason Ron's D worked in 2005 & 2006 was because it was a variation of the Cover 2 that had root's in other systems and was a hybrid of sorts. Lovie didn't like that but if he's going to stand at a podium and talk about getting back to the defense of 05/06 then he's going to have to allow someone to do other things and interject new ideas. Lovie is so damn stubborn though. But if Zimmer would be given the reigns to taylor a Defensive scheme to the players we have that has elements of Lovies system but also has elements of other systems as well then I think it can work.

Does it really matter who we get there if they will be made to run Lovie's system.

What I got out of this.... other than a severe drop in IQ points. - Bears management's theme song is Walking Contradiction by Green Day. We need major changes..... we like the people we have. We need to bring in new ideas... we like our system whoever comes in will run out system on both sides of the ball..... It was like listening to someone playing themselves in table tennis each statement seemingly contradicted by the next. Status quo isn't good enough but we like our sturcture and we feel we can win with what we have. :banghead :banghead - We will bring in new OC and new DC but they will be puppets running our system and must agree to do so in order to be considered. So let me ask why bother changing the curtains when the window itself is shattered? - Brian is being snubbed by Mikey and Virginia and shame on them. - As usual no direct answers to any questions outside of vague generalities. - WE ARE SCREWED!!! - Money being an issue was brought up but questions dodged, translation.... you bet money was a big part of the decision. - Lovie is like that kid with the square peg frustrated at the round hole thinking it's gotta work, just need to trust me and I can make it happen. - did I mention we're screwed?

That's a good thought... pass the kool-aid

You're thinking something along the lines of trying to avoid the situation we had with DJ being HC when Angelo came in and being stuck with DJ. In Jerry's case it is kinda a wash because he brought in his own coach and look where that got us. But I can see us wanting to replace HC and GM at the same time. From that stand point is logical if that is the plan so when Angelo is replaced the new GM could bring in his coaching staff and have a real fresh start. But if if your in a "stay the course" mode with the thought of in a year or two completely cleaning house why bring in a new OC if you are considering bringing in a new GM who will inevitably bring in a new coach and new staff next year or the year after. It would explain the thought of elevating Rod so technically you are staying the course there. I think it's possible they felt they had to make some changes to appease the fans so they can say they made changes. But they may be prepping for a real house cleaning. But the question remains why wait to do it if it's likely to happen baring significant improvement of the product on the field?

This makes no sense either... The TE's have been fairly solid for us under Boras. So we dump what is working, retain and even promote what isn't working... Are they trying to make the Bears worse? What next fire Toub because he's too good at his job? Shouldn't the restructure of a staff have the goal of keeping what's good and looking to upgrade where possible? Seems we are doing the opposite.

Two words...... They're cheap