DABEARSDABOMB

You can cross Ron Turner off the list. He took a job to be the head coach of Florida Atlantic. Was working with Josh Freeman in Tampa previously.

I think the plan for Shea is to be a DE. I don't think there is any trick up the sleeve but all of that could change. Ultimately it comes down to whomever the new DC is (if any). If it is a new DC maybe they will see Shea differently. I also don't believe that lovie/Shea disagreed on Shea. If that was the case, something would have came out. Lovie loves speed rushers and he got that. I would be stunned if he had major issues with the drafting of Shea (and that Emery would have forced it on him). I do agree that it could make sense to resign Urlacher (if the Bears think he can be at least average to slightly above average). This assumes the price is right but it allows the Bears to address other more important needs and lets you wait another year on MLB. That said, it could all be a moot point as everything is very dependent on whom our coach is (and then in turn, who the DC is). If Marinelli stays (and I think its 50/50) then it is more likely that Urlacher would stick around, imo.

I'm thinking we probably won't hear about whether the Bears consider Toub or not. My guess is they'd want to stay quiet regarding such. I expect the same for any candidate who is not under contract (e.g., Reid or Holmgren) or any college coaches. I say that because any of these assistants, there is a formal process in place, which means it will definitely be leaked. That said, you probably don't call a Holmgren unless you legitimately think you are willing to hire him and pay him if you like what you hear.

I agree, however, I will say that there is something about O'Brien that is different. He isn't a smug, arrogant jackass, which is something I can't say about some of the other Belliceck guys (specifically Weiss, Pioli, and McDaniels). However, I don't necessarily have a problem looking at the failures and deciding you want no part with O'Brien(e.g., Crennell, the other Jets coach whose name escapes me that is now an ESPN commentator, Weiss, and McDaniels), however, you should at least have the conversation. He seems like such a great candidate. Classy face of an organization (potential for at least) with a brilliant offensive mind and the ability to handle adversity (did a great job despite all of the stuff swirling around PSU).

Pioli will be fired, which makes sense. He is/was a disaster as a GM.

His defenses tend to be elite. I'm very interested in O'Brien. Well respected, knows offenses, and showed a hell of a lot in how he handled and coached the PSU team this past year. I think he would be an exceptional get. Albeit I think he'd be a very difficult guy to hire.

Fair points. I can't disagree with any of the above.

Fewell was the one guy the Bears looked at for a DC (a couple years back) outside of Marinelli that I would have been excited about. He did a nice job for the Bills in the interim role and I'd be on board with bringing him. The key to me is if you interview him, what/whom is he looking at in terms of offensive assistants.

Not sure how he's producing at this stage of his career, but he'd be a nice pick-up.

Doesn't take away from the job he's done, however, one damning stat was how they were the most penalized team in the SEC. That said, they might also be one of the youngest teams in the SEC for all I know (which could explain the higher penalties).

Urlacher was a special athlete and it would have been interesting to see him in a more attacking offense, however, this defense is not fast anymore. Dline has some speed but Urlacher isn't fast anymore and I don't know that i'd ever characterize Briggs as a speedster (hell of a LB though). But I also have a hard time arguing against the cover 2, especially given the successes of this defense under Marinelli. Really the only time the Cover 2 struggled was when Babich was calling the shots. Under Marinelli and Rivera, it was quite good. Probably because it wasn't a vanilla cover 2 under either of them (they ran it with wrinkles where Babich was very very vanilla).

I thought Brees and Carmichael worked together at San Diego as well. Regarding Arians, he clearly did a good job and changed the perception. I guess entering this year he was looked at as a career assistant and that his personality didn't fit a head coach. He clearly knows offenses though. Regarding McCoy, he's worked under Fox (who is a really good coach) and really has understood quite a bit. He made Delhomme look good and did a lot with Orton. Very personable, willing to change and adapt, has been quoted about how it is important to understand what your players do well and to adjust to that. Seems like a good fit but I definitely can see your arguments. I really wonder though if Thomas was more talking about the fact that in the offense with Tebow he couldn't really figure out what the hell was going on so there weren't really routes.

Normally if you hire an offensive head coach, he's going to hire a guy he is comfortable and let that guy run the system. They might have a preference to one system or another but in many instances they may have worked with teams that have ran both types of defenses and thus have contacts that have ran both. I'd have a hard time seeing an offensive coach completely change the teams defensive structure given how the defense has performed. That said, they very well might not want to keep Marinelli around and it is their right to bring in their guys but if the Bears hire an offensive coach I'd put the odds as pretty good that they would be comfortable running a similar system to what Lovie did.

Guys that if you were the GM, you'd have to interview (and would be disappointed if Emery didn't). For me it is as follows: Mike Holmgren (my top choice) Andy Reid Bill O'Brien Mike McCoy Shanny Gruden Note: I'd have to at least put in a couple calls to Cowher's agent as well to see if there was any interest.

That stat probably has more to do with the fact that A) It is really really hard to win a superbowl and not too many superbowl coaches go on to coach many other places so the odds are extremely against it. I do know Holmgren has made the superbowl with 2 different teams.

Why is everyone ready to move away from the 4-3 cover 2 defense. I don't get it. This defense is good. If we are hiring an offensive coach and have the right personell for the 4-3 and run it well (and for all I know Marinelli will stick around and he's proven to be a very very good DC), then what is the hurry in switching to the 3-4. There are plenty of 3-4 defenses that totally suck. This defense is good...I see why we want to fix the offense but see no reason to fix the D (other then continuing to try and find new talent so that the D can get younger).

I'd be curious. Brees is so exceptional at reading the defense and making quick decisions (great job at the intermediate reads). I'd be curious how Cutler would do in such an offense. I guess the key is having a strong enough personality (and proven enough guy) who can drill it into Cutler. That is why I'd love Holmgren. I'm a huge believer in the west coast offense and Holmgren has made a lot of QB's better (including the gunslinger Favre) and there is zero way Cutler could ignore the coaching from a guy like Holmgren. It is no surprise that Cutler has been at his best when he's worked with well proven guys (Shanny and to a lesser extent Martz). Never thought I'd say it, but fundamentally Cutler made strides under Martz that he hasn't made under the other Bears coordinators (Turner/Tice). No denying Carmichael's success with Brees (in San Diego and New Orleans) and he did a great job calling plays for the Saints this year. The thing i love is how the Saints use the running backs in the passing game (which goes into something Tice just totally screwed up (e.g., the total misuse of Forte, who imo, is the best receiving back in the league).

I don't see how you can cast a wide net and not interview 3 of the top candidates out their. I also think the Bears have to be very careful not to interview the whole world as there are a ton of teams looking at coaches and next thing you know we could be reacting and hiring the 4th or 5th or even worse 7th or 8th best guy. I saw where Peyton Manning gave McCoy major props.

Keller has produced and Rodriguez hasn't (and I'm not writing Rodriguez off here but he was just a 4th rounder). Unless your point is that they Keller isn't a good blocker, which is the case. Supposedly he made strides the past year or two, but no one would call his blocking good. He's very similar to Greg Olsen.

I like him. I think there are quite a few good TE candidates that are out there whom the Bears could sign that would be significant upgrades. We don't need an elite TE, just a good one would be great. Keller, Bennett, Finley, etc.

I'm officially on board with Holmgren being my top candidate. Followed by Reid and Gruden. Holmgren has done so much and succeeded in so many areas. He'd be an excellent grab for the offense and he's a total QB guru. Probably would be fine sticking with the cover 2 D and Marinelli (which I personally think is a good thing). Also has a very good eye for talent and could be helpful to Emery. What a coup hiring Holmgren would be. I wonder if Emery will do it though. You hire Gruden, Reid or Holmgren and you are no longer going to be the "face" so to speak. Hire an assistant and provide him with that opportunity and you still really control the power. Just my 2 cents.

Kyle Shannahan really intrigues me. Did a great job with Schaub and done good things with RG III. Heck, even Rex was decent at times in Washington. Seems really bright and talented, not sure what his personality is like. I'd also think he has quite a few connections through his pops.

Clement's issue is his limited experience running an O combined with the fact that he's older for an assistant (59 IIRC) to be hired as a HC. I really would have loved (and have always been high on) getting him a year or two years ago as our OC (too bad we couldn't get him).

I must be having a major brain fart. Who is Anderson?

Want to say your posts today have been spot on.