Stuff to take from '07

[MBM]

Here's a list of things I got from '07 that need correction in '08. Please add your thoughts. I'm sure I missed quite a few.

• Ron Turner needs to be saying "Do you want fries with that?" at work rather than "Hand the ball to Benson". That being said, I'll take a change in philosophy first, from running team to passing team. If he proves he can't make sound game plans and calls...I'm making the slitting motion with my right hand, index finger pointed, against my throat...
• Bob Babich didn't put 5 of 11 starters on IR. He earned a pass from me for '07, but he needs to know the leash is as short as it is for the rest of the guys. There's no honeymoon here.
• Alex Brown has earned the right to start for this and any other team that wants him. He put up with being demoted in favor of a 1st year sack specialist before training camp began. He waited his time on the bench, knew he was being paid to play and did what he was asked to do when called to do it. When he was asked to start for the team, he played for a team with nothing to play for at an All-Pro level. He defined the word "Professional" for me. I'm normally opposed to this, but if someone wants to throw him a bonus, I'd not be opposed at all.
• Lovie Smith took a giant leap down, in my estimation, on how a Head Coach should act. From talent evaluation to public relations, he appeared quite out of touch. I've met the man. I don't think he was that whacked then. I'll chalk it up to the fact that he may have read too many of his press clippings and enjoyed that extension too much. Again, 2008 is the acid test for him.
• The pass sets up the run, not the other way like I thought at the start of 2007.
• As I hinted in my last point, a QB with tangibles like mobility, accuracy, height, and a good release are golden. With good coaching, the rest can happen.
• Devin Hester's sh*t does not stink. Redo his contract ASAP so you can enjoy the benefit of seeing #23 jerseys sold everywhere, often.
• Related to the last point--and this came to me as I typed that point--redo Dave Toub's contract NOW! Show the world what you think of great coaching. His smarts are not diminishing unlike some other guys I've mentioned. Maybe some of these other guys will get the point, and you'll attract more bees with honey.
• Guys like Berrian, Briggs, Ayanbedejo...need to play for teams like New Orleans or KC even the NY Jets. They need to understand what it's like to play for a team that has no solid base in the history of the NFL and learn about tradition and show some respect for it. They'll play somewhere...get their paycheck...and retire. Even if they win a Super Bowl, earn their rights to the Hall of Fame, they still may not do it for the Chicago Bears. The Charter Franchise of the NFL. And that makes all the difference. If they are not getting that, then something's wrong...either with them or the people in charge.

[Connorbear]

"Alex Brown has earned the right to start for this and any other team that wants him. He put up with being demoted in favor of a 1st year sack specialist before training camp began. He waited his time on the bench, knew he was being paid to play and did what he was asked to do when called to do it. When he was asked to start for the team, he played for a team with nothing to play for at an All-Pro level. He defined the word "Professional" for me. I'm normally opposed to this, but if someone wants to throw him a bonus, I'd not be opposed at all."

 

I agree he played very well. I would like him to stop his whining now. I would not give him a bonus as it sets a bad precedent (sp?). I would tell Alex and Mark there will be open competition for the position this yr.

 

"Devin Hester's sh*t does not stink. Redo his contract ASAP so you can enjoy the benefit of seeing #23 jerseys sold everywhere, often."

 

Disagree. He has 2 yrs left on his contract and we have too many issues to address in the offseason to give him money now. Typically, you renegotiate with 1 yr left. He will get his money then.

 

"Related to the last point--and this came to me as I typed that point--redo Dave Toub's contract NOW! Show the world what you think of great coaching. His smarts are not diminishing unlike some other guys I've mentioned. Maybe some of these other guys will get the point, and you'll attract more bees with honey."

 

His contract was renegotiated last yr. I would simply make him an asst head coach (giving him a bump in pay) so another team cannot snag him unless they want him for head coach. He is, hands down, the best coach on our roster and he will be a head coach someday.

 

Peace

[BigDaddy]

Here's a list of things I got from '07 that need correction in '08. Please add your thoughts. I'm sure I missed quite a few.

• Ron Turner needs to be saying "Do you want fries with that?" at work rather than "Hand the ball to Benson". That being said, I'll take a change in philosophy first, from running team to passing team. If he proves he can't make sound game plans and calls...I'm making the slitting motion with my right hand, index finger pointed, against my throat...
• Bob Babich didn't put 5 of 11 starters on IR. He earned a pass from me for '07, but he needs to know the leash is as short as it is for the rest of the guys. There's no honeymoon here.
• Alex Brown has earned the right to start for this and any other team that wants him. He put up with being demoted in favor of a 1st year sack specialist before training camp began. He waited his time on the bench, knew he was being paid to play and did what he was asked to do when called to do it. When he was asked to start for the team, he played for a team with nothing to play for at an All-Pro level. He defined the word "Professional" for me. I'm normally opposed to this, but if someone wants to throw him a bonus, I'd not be opposed at all.
• Lovie Smith took a giant leap down, in my estimation, on how a Head Coach should act. From talent evaluation to public relations, he appeared quite out of touch. I've met the man. I don't think he was that whacked then. I'll chalk it up to the fact that he may have read too many of his press clippings and enjoyed that extension too much. Again, 2008 is the acid test for him.
• The pass sets up the run, not the other way like I thought at the start of 2007.
• As I hinted in my last point, a QB with tangibles like mobility, accuracy, height, and a good release are golden. With good coaching, the rest can happen.
• Devin Hester's sh*t does not stink. Redo his contract ASAP so you can enjoy the benefit of seeing #23 jerseys sold everywhere, often.
• Related to the last point--and this came to me as I typed that point--redo Dave Toub's contract NOW! Show the world what you think of great coaching. His smarts are not diminishing unlike some other guys I've mentioned. Maybe some of these other guys will get the point, and you'll attract more bees with honey.
• Guys like Berrian, Briggs, Ayanbedejo...need to play for teams like New Orleans or KC even the NY Jets. They need to understand what it's like to play for a team that has no solid base in the history of the NFL and learn about tradition and show some respect for it. They'll play somewhere...get their paycheck...and retire. Even if they win a Super Bowl, earn their rights to the Hall of Fame, they still may not do it for the Chicago Bears. The Charter Franchise of the NFL. And that makes all the difference. If they are not getting that, then something's wrong...either with them or the people in charge.

 

Alex Brown really should have NEVER lost his job. Personally, I think that he might've pissed off Lovie/Angelo with his comments before the season started about exploring a trade. He obviously handled his discontent in the wrong way but you are right, he should be starting hands down come next year. Shame on Lovie for taking his angst against Brown to the point he did. He only looks like more of an idiot for doing it. Just another bad decision.

 

Speaking of Lovie, one more season like this one and maybe it's him asking, "do you want fires with that?"

 

I agree with the QB assessment. I wonder what Orton or Rex might have become had we had a coaching staff capable of developing young players. I still hold out hope for Orton but don't know if Rex will be back. I hope they go after him but that's another position where teams will overpay him even as a backup. I do think though that he knows his best chance to start is in Chicago. Like it or not, Lovie has wood for the guy and would probably give him the starting job wether he won it or not.

 

Amen re: Hester. Right now, he's the golden child. I know his deal is good for 2 more years but we should try to do something along the lines of acknowledgment that we appreciate his effort. I know we have alot of guys that we need to redo deals and we have alot of holes to fill but if we went to he and his agent and said, hey, here is a bonus for x amount, I know you want a LT deal and so do we, right now we gotta lock up some pretty high priced guys and as soon as we can, we will revisit your deal.

 

We need to pay Ayanbedejo, franchise Berrian so nobody else can sign him without compensating us, even if it costs us more for a year, if we get our o line fixed and a stable QB situation, we can make that decision next year. If he has the drops again, we simply let him go. Briggs is good as gone, too many teams will break the bank to get him and contrary to what he might be saying, he won't be offering any hometown discount.

[madlithuanian]

Kudos MilwBearMan! I love the post!

 

I'm 100% in agreement!

 

However, I'm conffused on your comments just on Ayanbedejo. What did he do? I missed it apparently... I always thought he wa a hard working guy,etc...

 

Here's a list of things I got from '07 that need correction in '08. Please add your thoughts. I'm sure I missed quite a few.

• Ron Turner needs to be saying "Do you want fries with that?" at work rather than "Hand the ball to Benson". That being said, I'll take a change in philosophy first, from running team to passing team. If he proves he can't make sound game plans and calls...I'm making the slitting motion with my right hand, index finger pointed, against my throat...
• Bob Babich didn't put 5 of 11 starters on IR. He earned a pass from me for '07, but he needs to know the leash is as short as it is for the rest of the guys. There's no honeymoon here.
• Alex Brown has earned the right to start for this and any other team that wants him. He put up with being demoted in favor of a 1st year sack specialist before training camp began. He waited his time on the bench, knew he was being paid to play and did what he was asked to do when called to do it. When he was asked to start for the team, he played for a team with nothing to play for at an All-Pro level. He defined the word "Professional" for me. I'm normally opposed to this, but if someone wants to throw him a bonus, I'd not be opposed at all.
• Lovie Smith took a giant leap down, in my estimation, on how a Head Coach should act. From talent evaluation to public relations, he appeared quite out of touch. I've met the man. I don't think he was that whacked then. I'll chalk it up to the fact that he may have read too many of his press clippings and enjoyed that extension too much. Again, 2008 is the acid test for him.
• The pass sets up the run, not the other way like I thought at the start of 2007.
• As I hinted in my last point, a QB with tangibles like mobility, accuracy, height, and a good release are golden. With good coaching, the rest can happen.
• Devin Hester's sh*t does not stink. Redo his contract ASAP so you can enjoy the benefit of seeing #23 jerseys sold everywhere, often.
• Related to the last point--and this came to me as I typed that point--redo Dave Toub's contract NOW! Show the world what you think of great coaching. His smarts are not diminishing unlike some other guys I've mentioned. Maybe some of these other guys will get the point, and you'll attract more bees with honey.
• Guys like Berrian, Briggs, Ayanbedejo...need to play for teams like New Orleans or KC even the NY Jets. They need to understand what it's like to play for a team that has no solid base in the history of the NFL and learn about tradition and show some respect for it. They'll play somewhere...get their paycheck...and retire. Even if they win a Super Bowl, earn their rights to the Hall of Fame, they still may not do it for the Chicago Bears. The Charter Franchise of the NFL. And that makes all the difference. If they are not getting that, then something's wrong...either with them or the people in charge.

[azbearsfan]

Good posts but some things I disagree with.

 

 

"Alex Brown has earned the right to start for this and any other team that wants him. He put up with being demoted in favor of a 1st year sack specialist before training camp began. He waited his time on the bench, knew he was being paid to play and did what he was asked to do when called to do it. When he was asked to start for the team, he played for a team with nothing to play for at an All-Pro level. He defined the word "Professional" for me. I'm normally opposed to this, but if someone wants to throw him a bonus, I'd not be opposed at all."

 

Agree that A. Brown is a solid starting DE and played well down the stretch, but he has never been close to an All Pro. He has always been a streaky guy, and you could argue that the demotion motivated him to play better. He is the third best pass rushing DE on the team behind Anderson and Wale. For me he is like a Phillip Daniels. And demanding a trade before the season was not very "professional" in my eyes.

 

"Ron Turner needs to be saying "Do you want fries with that?" at work rather than "Hand the ball to Benson". That being said, I'll take a change in philosophy first, from running team to passing team. If he proves he can't make sound game plans and calls...I'm making the slitting motion with my right hand, index finger pointed, against my throat..."

 

I really think that we still should be a run first team, like the Steelers. With alot of play action. I do not want to see the Bears in a spread attack. The thing I think needs to happen is to take the savings on Berrian and Briggs and put it straight into the O-Line. To me, that gets us back into contention in the Super Bowl hunt.

 

"Lovie Smith took a giant leap down, in my estimation, on how a Head Coach should act. From talent evaluation to public relations, he appeared quite out of touch. I've met the man. I don't think he was that whacked then. I'll chalk it up to the fact that he may have read too many of his press clippings and enjoyed that extension too much. Again, 2008 is the acid test for him."

 

I actually agree with this. The thing I always liked was that Lovie would make a firm decision and support it until it was tried and truly was a bad choice. This year I think he was way too wishy washy/flip floppy and that does not give me confidence in the direction of the team. if we are a ball control, defensive, special team type deal then stick to your guns in spite of the media and message board wanna bees

 

 

And Hester is a beast.

[Pattymac]

I with MBM on Babich, the defenses problems were largely due to injuries. If you look at all the games missed by defensive starters (Mike Brown, Dvoracek, Vasher, Tillman, Briggs, Anderson, Adams, Walker) and the fact guys like Urlacher & Harris were banged up most of he year, our defensive performance is more understandable. kepp most of thsoe guys relatively healthy all year, I think they're still a top 10 defense.

 

I'm torn on Turner. While I feel a lack of talent at O-line & WR are our offense's main problems, there were plenty of times when turner made decisions (both play-calling & personnel) that didn't put the Bears in the best position to be successful. I don't think he should be fired unless there is a replacement who is clearly better, and I'm not sure there's anyone out there who fits the bill. Eitehr way, an infusion of young talent at OL & WR is a must, and the QB position will need to be addressed, as I doubt all 3 of our current QBs will be back.