Eberflus FIRED; Brown interim HC

[adam]

What do you guys think about Mike McDaniels? He was all the hype and all of a sudden, after a 5-7 start, there are whispers that he is soft and the team is playing soft. This was also something mentioned late in the season last year and during the playoffs where they were 1 and done.

Do teams take on the persona of their HC over time?

[ChileBear]

10 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

an offensive Vrabel would be best. But who is that? I'm open because no one looks perfect to me (yet?).

We get the right guy and we are going to be solid for years.

[Mongo3451]

5 hours ago, adam said:

Do teams take on the persona of their HC over time?

The coach sets the overall personality of the team, until player leaders emerge.  That being said, coaches can kill teams by expecting personas that are against the nature of individuals. 

I remember Eberflus not wanting foul language on Hard Knocks.  Are you thinking about playing football or the camera?  I also remember Eberflus going the extra mile insisting his players not get into a fight during joint practices.  In their world, not fighting back makes you a punk ass bitch.(Verbatim) 

I can't remember how many times I've heard accomplished coaches say that a good camp fight is a good thing.  A recent example leads me to the Trevor Lawrence hit.  If his OL doesn't come to defend him, what does that say?  Damn the penalty.  Don't F with my quarterback!

[BearFan PHX]

3 hours ago, ChileBear said:

We get the right guy and we are going to be solid for years.

I agree. The window is open, but this is not an easy decision. In time I am sure i will have a strong opinion about it, but i sure am glad Im not the one making the choice.

 

 

1 hour ago, Mongo3451 said:

The coach sets the overall personality of the team, until player leaders emerge.  That being said, coaches can kill teams by expecting personas that are against the nature of individuals. 

I remember Eberflus not wanting foul language on Hard Knocks.  Are you thinking about playing football or the camera?  I also remember Eberflus going the extra mile insisting his players not get into a fight during joint practices.  In their world, not fighting back makes you a punk ass bitch.(Verbatim) 

I can't remember how many times I've heard accomplished coaches say that a good camp fight is a good thing.  A recent example leads me to the Trevor Lawrence hit.  If his OL doesn't come to defend him, what does that say?  Damn the penalty.  Don't F with my quarterback!

Right. We are not looking for a team that wants to play a gentlemanly game of football. I want a team that enjoys bullying their opponents, and stands for team pride.

[Bears4Ever_34]

Quote

Two team sources told ESPN that Brown will be considered among the candidates in January as Chicago begins its coaching search. Other names the Bears hope to interview include Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Washington Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury, the latter of whom interviewed for Chicago's offensive coordinator opening before the team hired Waldron.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/42737364/nfl-bears-matt-eberflus-fired-ryan-poles-thomas-brown

Via Courtney Cronin.

This makes me feel better about the search if this is the direction they are looking in. Those are the exact 3 names I had circled as part of my short list. Ian Rappaport essentially said the same thing yesterday, talking about how an offensive mind seems to be the direction the Bears are leaning.

[BearFan PHX]

4 hours ago, Bears4Ever_34 said:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/42737364/nfl-bears-matt-eberflus-fired-ryan-poles-thomas-brown

Via Courtney Cronin.

This makes me feel better about the search if this is the direction they are looking in. Those are the exact 3 names I had circled as part of my short list. Ian Rappaport essentially said the same thing yesterday, talking about how an offensive mind seems to be the direction the Bears are leaning.

I hope one of them is actually a legendary head coach in the making, and we pick the right one.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

8 hours ago, Bears4Ever_34 said:

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/42737364/nfl-bears-matt-eberflus-fired-ryan-poles-thomas-brown

Via Courtney Cronin.

This makes me feel better about the search if this is the direction they are looking in. Those are the exact 3 names I had circled as part of my short list. Ian Rappaport essentially said the same thing yesterday, talking about how an offensive mind seems to be the direction the Bears are leaning.

I don’t want some 10 person search. Due your diligenc3 over next few weeks and narrow it down to 4-5 candidates. No more than that. My no doubt four candidates are outlined below. Brown could fall off the list if the rest of this season is a total dumpster fire.
 

Brown - If he does well, by all means

Ben Johnson - Would think he is the front runner.

Kingsbury - Smart and great work with Daniel’s. Question is what did he learn from his first stint failures. Knows Caleb well. 

Vrabel - My personal choice. If Bears don’t interview him it will send off a signal to me that they aren’t taking it serious. He is a hard ass - but demands respect and did excellent with a meh qb in Tannehill. Had identified Arthur Smith and generally seems to know how to find good coordinators. He is my top choice, but he is the exact guy Bears wouldn’t hire in the past cause he is going to put up with no nonsense. 
 

Wildcard - Gruden / Shanny / McDaniel / Browns HC. 

[BearFan PHX]

3 hours ago, DABEARSDABOMB said:

I don’t want some 10 person search. Due your diligenc3 over next few weeks and narrow it down to 4-5 candidates. No more than that. My no doubt four candidates are outlined below. Brown could fall off the list if the rest of this season is a total dumpster fire.
 

Brown - If he does well, by all means

Ben Johnson - Would think he is the front runner.

Kingsbury - Smart and great work with Daniel’s. Question is what did he learn from his first stint failures. Knows Caleb well. 

Vrabel - My personal choice. If Bears don’t interview him it will send off a signal to me that they aren’t taking it serious. He is a hard ass - but demands respect and did excellent with a meh qb in Tannehill. Had identified Arthur Smith and generally seems to know how to find good coordinators. He is my top choice, but he is the exact guy Bears wouldn’t hire in the past cause he is going to put up with no nonsense. 
 

Wildcard - Gruden / Shanny / McDaniel / Browns HC. 

 

I think Halas would hire Vrabel. And if he cant do better, you can always keep Thomas Brown as OC, and groom someone under him as one option for continuity. If there's a better choice out there, then so much the better.

Shanny is a good name if he comes free.

I'm still scared of Johnson and Kingsbury. I see the talent at OC, but I have concerns.

I'm still keeping an open mind at this point, maybe as I learn more I'll get an opinion.

[BearFan PHX]

OK, so just look at a few minutes of this. he's not an offensive guy, but this is what we need isnt it?
 

 

[Stinger226]

20 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

The coach sets the overall personality of the team, until player leaders emerge.  That being said, coaches can kill teams by expecting personas that are against the nature of individuals. 

I remember Eberflus not wanting foul language on Hard Knocks.  Are you thinking about playing football or the camera?  I also remember Eberflus going the extra mile insisting his players not get into a fight during joint practices.  In their world, not fighting back makes you a punk ass bitch.(Verbatim) 

I can't remember how many times I've heard accomplished coaches say that a good camp fight is a good thing.  A recent example leads me to the Trevor Lawrence hit.  If his OL doesn't come to defend him, what does that say?  Damn the penalty.  Don't F with my quarterback!

When Dan Campbell got the job in Detroit he said ("We're gonna kick you in the teeth, and when you punch us back we're gonna smile at you, and when you knock us down we're going to get up, and on the way, we're going to bite a kneecap off. We're going to stand up, and it's going to take two more shots to knock us down. And on the way up, we're going to take your other kneecap, and we're going to get up, and it's gonna take three shots to get us down. And when we do, we're gonna take another hunk out of you.")

Media was laughing at him for his neanderthal comments. Now look at him. Toughness counts, part of the reason Flus got the job with the HITS principal but he didnt back it up.

What I see  ouythere that would do that is Vrabel and Bilicheck, Bills not coming here.

[Stinger226]

5 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

 

I think Halas would hire Vrabel. And if he cant do better, you can always keep Thomas Brown as OC, and groom someone under him as one option for continuity. If there's a better choice out there, then so much the better.

Shanny is a good name if he comes free.

I'm still scared of Johnson and Kingsbury. I see the talent at OC, but I have concerns.

I'm still keeping an open mind at this point, maybe as I learn more I'll get an opinion.

Agree ,questions with the OCs that have never been HC before. Vrabel will punch you in the mouth, experience and have had success, what he didnt have was the QB.

[Stinger226]

8 hours ago, DABEARSDABOMB said:

I don’t want some 10 person search. Due your diligenc3 over next few weeks and narrow it down to 4-5 candidates. No more than that. My no doubt four candidates are outlined below. Brown could fall off the list if the rest of this season is a total dumpster fire.
 

Brown - If he does well, by all means

Ben Johnson - Would think he is the front runner.

Kingsbury - Smart and great work with Daniel’s. Question is what did he learn from his first stint failures. Knows Caleb well. 

Vrabel - My personal choice. If Bears don’t interview him it will send off a signal to me that they aren’t taking it serious. He is a hard ass - but demands respect and did excellent with a meh qb in Tannehill. Had identified Arthur Smith and generally seems to know how to find good coordinators. He is my top choice, but he is the exact guy Bears wouldn’t hire in the past cause he is going to put up with no nonsense. 
 

Wildcard - Gruden / Shanny / McDaniel / Browns HC. 

If Brown wins more than he loses, he may just be given the job. Look at salary, problably the cheapest option of which George will look at. 

MY CHOICES: Vrabel-Gruden- Brown          Does Johnson have the smack in the mouth persona? I dont know

[Bears4Ever_34]

21 hours ago, DABEARSDABOMB said:

I don’t want some 10 person search. Due your diligenc3 over next few weeks and narrow it down to 4-5 candidates. No more than that. My no doubt four candidates are outlined below. Brown could fall off the list if the rest of this season is a total dumpster fire.
 

Brown - If he does well, by all means

Ben Johnson - Would think he is the front runner.

Kingsbury - Smart and great work with Daniel’s. Question is what did he learn from his first stint failures. Knows Caleb well. 

Vrabel - My personal choice. If Bears don’t interview him it will send off a signal to me that they aren’t taking it serious. He is a hard ass - but demands respect and did excellent with a meh qb in Tannehill. Had identified Arthur Smith and generally seems to know how to find good coordinators. He is my top choice, but he is the exact guy Bears wouldn’t hire in the past cause he is going to put up with no nonsense. 
 

Wildcard - Gruden / Shanny / McDaniel / Browns HC. 

I appreciate Vrabel's no nonsense approach, but I'm out on any and all defensive head coaches. Caleb's already been through 2 coordinators in 1 year as a rookie. If they hire another defensive coach and put the kid through more of this constant coordinator shuffling, I will be livid. Now is not the time to outsmart conventional wisdom. Just hire the best offensive mind available with the highest leadership qualities.

[Bears4Ever_34]

 

 

Mike Florio apparently got a text from a coach asking why he wasn't included in his list of coaches the Bears should try to trade for.

Most are speculating it's Kevin Stefanski, because of his Minnesota connection. With Florio being a Vikings fan, It would make sense for them to have a relationship with each other.

I've been saying the 3 names the Bears should be targeting in trades are McVay, Shanahan, and Stefanski. 3 high level offensive minds.

Cleveland might not fire Stefanski after only being a year removed from a playoff appearance. Not to mention, the Deshaun Watson disaster that you can't really pin on him. However, CLE is kind of stuck with Watson and have virtually no way to improve until his dead cap money clears the table. You'd have to imagine they'd listen to offers for Stefanski if they'd be able to recoup some of their lost draft capital and jump right into a rebuild immediately. I'd be all over it if I'm the Bears.

[Mongo3451]

24 minutes ago, Bears4Ever_34 said:

 

 

Mike Florio apparently got a text from a coach asking why he wasn't included in his list of coaches the Bears should try to trade for.

Most are speculating it's Kevin Stefanski, because of his Minnesota connection. With Florio being a Vikings fan, It would make sense for them to have a relationship with each other.

I've been saying the 3 names the Bears should be targeting in trades are McVay, Shanahan, and Stefanski. 3 high level offensive minds.

Cleveland might not fire Stefanski after only being a year removed from a playoff appearance. Not to mention, the Deshaun Watson disaster that you can't really pin on him. However, CLE is kind of stuck with Watson and have virtually no way to improve until his dead cap money clears the table. You'd have to imagine they'd listen to offers for Stefanski if they'd be able to recoup some of their lost draft capital and jump right into a rebuild immediately. I'd be all over it if I'm the Bears.

Yes please.  I could see him bringing in Robert Saleh to run the defense.

[Mongo3451]

Something else.  I watched some film of Thomas Brown the player.  He ran around and through opponents with a fearless nature.  I hope he coaches with that determination and toughness...

[Lucky Luciano]

11 hours ago, Bears4Ever_34 said:

 

Mike Florio apparently got a text from a coach asking why he wasn't included in his list of coaches the Bears should try to trade for.

Most are speculating it's Kevin Stefanski, because of his Minnesota connection. With Florio being a Vikings fan, It would make sense for them to have a relationship with each other.

I've been saying the 3 names the Bears should be targeting in trades are McVay, Shanahan, and Stefanski. 3 high level offensive minds.

Cleveland might not fire Stefanski after only being a year removed from a playoff appearance. Not to mention, the Deshaun Watson disaster that you can't really pin on him. However, CLE is kind of stuck with Watson and have virtually no way to improve until his dead cap money clears the table. You'd have to imagine they'd listen to offers for Stefanski if they'd be able to recoup some of their lost draft capital and jump right into a rebuild immediately. I'd be all over it if I'm the Bears.

highly doubt this guy is in the running. he just signed an extension on his contract. they would have to give up the moon to get him.

https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/kevin-stefanski-contract-everything-know-browns-hc-s-extension

[Stinger226]

They are not trading for a coach when competant people are avaiable. they are building something and have QB of the future here now with lots of assets to win with. They dont need a miracle worker to change the path. 

I read where last year Harbaugh wanted to meet wth the Bears, Poles was interested and Warren nixed it. He had a riff with Jim while he was Big 10 Comish. I think a lot is coming to light about Poles wanted to make positive changes and was getting slammed upstairs. 

I dont know how good Brown is as a coach but i like the way he handles himself. We shouldnt overlook a gift in our house already if he wins. 5-0 or 4-1, he becomes the leader of the pack. If 3-2, a long look. 

[Alaskan Grizzly]

9 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

I dont know how good Brown is as a coach but i like the way he handles himself. We shouldnt overlook a gift in our house already if he wins. 5-0 or 4-1, he becomes the leader of the pack. If 3-2, a long look. 

For now I like Brown as the front runner.  I was skeptical when he was chosen to be OC as last year he did the same job in Carolina and they were crap.  But since he became OC here, there's no denying how more effective the Offense has become.  So far as the interim HC he's said the right things and like Mongo pointed out, played with a tenacity that I hope translates to tough and gritty football.  Question is, is it more 'talk than walk'?  I get Mike Tomlin vibes from the guy and I really believe (or want to anyhow) had  he been the HC the last three games, the Bears would've probably won all three, or at least gone 2-1.  

Long story short, I'm more in the boat of seeing what we have before we start looking for solutions outside the house.  

[BearFan PHX]

9 minutes ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

For now I like Brown as the front runner.  I was skeptical when he was chosen to be OC as last year he did the same job in Carolina and they were crap.  But since he became OC here, there's no denying how more effective the Offense has become.  So far as the interim HC he's said the right things and like Mongo pointed out, played with a tenacity that I hope translates to tough and gritty football.  Question is, is it more 'talk than walk'?  I get Mike Tomlin vibes from the guy and I really believe (or want to anyhow) had  he been the HC the last three games, the Bears would've probably won all three, or at least gone 2-1.  

Long story short, I'm more in the boat of seeing what we have before we start looking for solutions outside the house.  

I think that Waldron was so bad, so stupid, that Brown running the offense competently is a breath of fresh air.

He's making sense, he's mixing in the run game, he's matching up protections to routes, hes using personnel correctly.

I am not sure whether he has that thing, that Ben Johnson has, to reinvent things and put people on their heels. he looks like a professional, and competent to me, but im not sure hes a superstar, and if we can get a superstar, we should.

That said, I think brown has some leadership skills that Ben Johnson doesnt have.

I am way early in this, but I'm liking the idea of Vrabel or Belichick right now, but if i could find one who was an offensive coach, Id do that. Maybe Kyle Shanahan. maybe the guy in Cleveland Stefanski (sp?)

I can see why Brown looks to be a good blend of all the things Im looking for, but i want him to show me something in the passing game that I havent seen yet. ANd it feels like it might be a couple years early for him.

Then again, in the NFL by the time something is certain, it's already too late. That's why teams draft QBs like Trubisky and Fields - because by the time they prove it, they are no longer available. But some do prove it, and if you can get them when they are available, thats not a bad thing either.

Eh, Im still thinking this through.

[Stinger226]

13 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

I think that Waldron was so bad, so stupid, that Brown running the offense competently is a breath of fresh air.

He's making sense, he's mixing in the run game, he's matching up protections to routes, hes using personnel correctly.

I am not sure whether he has that thing, that Ben Johnson has, to reinvent things and put people on their heels. he looks like a professional, and competent to me, but im not sure hes a superstar, and if we can get a superstar, we should.

That said, I think brown has some leadership skills that Ben Johnson doesnt have.

I am way early in this, but I'm liking the idea of Vrabel or Belichick right now, but if i could find one who was an offensive coach, Id do that. Maybe Kyle Shanahan. maybe the guy in Cleveland Stefanski (sp?)

I can see why Brown looks to be a good blend of all the things Im looking for, but i want him to show me something in the passing game that I havent seen yet. ANd it feels like it might be a couple years early for him.

Then again, in the NFL by the time something is certain, it's already too late. That's why teams draft QBs like Trubisky and Fields - because by the time they prove it, they are no longer available. But some do prove it, and if you can get them when they are available, thats not a bad thing either.

Eh, Im still thinking this through.

We get to watch in real time, him audition for the job.

[Alaskan Grizzly]

11 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

We get to watch in real time, him audition for the job.

Another thought to my wanting him to be the front runner is IF he's able to competently lead the team during the heat of the battle and IF they continue to show improvement I'd think for the sake of consistency you'd be crazy to not let him try to continue next year.  In my opinion the jury's still out on Williams but if he is to keep making the strides we've seen these last few weeks, there would be no better way to break that streak of confidence if you suddenly shift direction with a whole new scheme.  

I'm not necessarily a fan for a coach like Vrabel or Belichick simply because we've 'been there, done that' with a guy like John Fox.  Belichick proved he didn't have IT as much as he once did when Brady left and Vrabel doesn't overwhelm me with his past coaching history.  Why after three winning seasons in 2019-21 did he suddenly fall off and go 13-21 before being fired last year?  

I'm also not overly excited about Ben Johnson either.  Lately the Bears are often too eager to jump on the next greatest whiz kid in Offense before being made to look foolish a year or two later (see Trestman, see Nagy).   And not all that long ago everyone was excited for the next great Andy Reid prodigy,  Eric Bieniemy.   I had to look to see where he was these days; after being shown the door last year as Washington's OC he just got fired as UCLA's OC after they were ranked 126th in the FBS for scoring.  

[Stinger226]

2 hours ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

Another thought to my wanting him to be the front runner is IF he's able to competently lead the team during the heat of the battle and IF they continue to show improvement I'd think for the sake of consistency you'd be crazy to not let him try to continue next year.  In my opinion the jury's still out on Williams but if he is to keep making the strides we've seen these last few weeks, there would be no better way to break that streak of confidence if you suddenly shift direction with a whole new scheme.  

I'm not necessarily a fan for a coach like Vrabel or Belichick simply because we've 'been there, done that' with a guy like John Fox.  Belichick proved he didn't have IT as much as he once did when Brady left and Vrabel doesn't overwhelm me with his past coaching history.  Why after three winning seasons in 2019-21 did he suddenly fall off and go 13-21 before being fired last year?  

I'm also not overly excited about Ben Johnson either.  Lately the Bears are often too eager to jump on the next greatest whiz kid in Offense before being made to look foolish a year or two later (see Trestman, see Nagy).   And not all that long ago everyone was excited for the next great Andy Reid prodigy,  Eric Bieniemy.   I had to look to see where he was these days; after being shown the door last year as Washington's OC he just got fired as UCLA's OC after they were ranked 126th in the FBS for scoring.  

I think we can find reasons to hire someone or reasons not to according whether you like him or not. Belicheck has been fired twice but everyone knows he's a major talented coach. I think , like you, if will be a smooth transisition to keep a coach that has helped Caleb play better, shows play calling ability and can keep the same offensive system for next yr. If Brown goes at least 3-2 and the offense is much better its a no brainer. A new coach may want a different roster, may like a 3-4 defense, add a new offense that will have a learning curve for a young QB. Stability is not over rated, quicker to get to the promise land.

[BearFan PHX]

Stability = keep losing the same way. Stability is only a good idea when what you're preserving is GOOD.

More and more I'm setting my sights on Mike Vrabel. I'm not 100% yet. I wish he was an offensive guy, but I think he might be the man we need, and have the balls to tell Warren and the rest when they are over their heads.

Vrabel knows football, he knows players, hes a proven commodity, hes young enough, hes tough and physical and has the rings to back it all up.

We will need an excellent OC for Caleb, and someone in the pipeline behind him for stability IF THEY HAVE SUCCESS and lose the OC to be someones head coach for that reason in the future.

But this team needs a real culture, and Vrabel is a proven commodity who can can do that.

 

[Stinger226]

6 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

Stability = keep losing the same way. Stability is only a good idea when what you're preserving is GOOD.

More and more I'm setting my sights on Mike Vrabel. I'm not 100% yet. I wish he was an offensive guy, but I think he might be the man we need, and have the balls to tell Warren and the rest when they are over their heads.

Vrabel knows football, he knows players, hes a proven commodity, hes young enough, hes tough and physical and has the rings to back it all up.

We will need an excellent OC for Caleb, and someone in the pipeline behind him for stability IF THEY HAVE SUCCESS and lose the OC to be someones head coach for that reason in the future.

But this team needs a real culture, and Vrabel is a proven commodity who can can do that.

 

Brown is auditioning for the job. first game -F

I like Vabrel and dont think hiring an offensive coach for sake of being a offensive coach shouldnt be the main theme. Vrabel reminds me of Dan Campbell. He's experienced and has had succeess. His problem was at QB, we dont have that problem.