By Vaughn McClure
Several Bears are irked by a report saying high-level officials in the organization have started surveying options for replacing Lovie Smith and or general manager Jerry Angelo.
Hub Arkush, the publisher of Pro Football Weekly, made the claim during a radio interview Tuesday
"It bothers me because where's the information coming from?'' tight end Desmond Clark said. "If it was information that we were all privy to and it was true, we'd have to deal with it. But when it's just speculation, it kind of leads you to believe that certain people have certain agendas. I don't know if that's the case, but that's what I would tend to believe from the beginning when you have "sources."
Arkush specifically named former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, former Steelers coach Bill Cowher and former Buccaneers and Raiders coach Jon Gruden. All three have won Super Bowls, and Shanahan had a seven-hour interview with the Buffalo Bills for their head-coaching job.
Defensive co-captain Adewale Ogunleye was bugged by the report, too.
"It bothers me because the season's not over," Ogunleye said. "I probably don't believe that's true. If it is, it means that somebody is giving up. And we haven't given up. I really think we're about to make history.
"The good thing about it is we can control that. I think if we can go out there and win these next games, all of this talk will be squashed. The league is fueled by (speculation). All we can do is put the blinders on and go out there and just play football.''
Several Bears are irked by a report saying high-level officials in the organization have started surveying options for replacing Lovie Smith and or general manager Jerry Angelo.
Hub Arkush, the publisher of Pro Football Weekly, made the claim during a radio interview Tuesday
"It bothers me because where's the information coming from?'' tight end Desmond Clark said. "If it was information that we were all privy to and it was true, we'd have to deal with it. But when it's just speculation, it kind of leads you to believe that certain people have certain agendas. I don't know if that's the case, but that's what I would tend to believe from the beginning when you have "sources."
Arkush specifically named former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, former Steelers coach Bill Cowher and former Buccaneers and Raiders coach Jon Gruden. All three have won Super Bowls, and Shanahan had a seven-hour interview with the Buffalo Bills for their head-coaching job.
Defensive co-captain Adewale Ogunleye was bugged by the report, too.
"It bothers me because the season's not over," Ogunleye said. "I probably don't believe that's true. If it is, it means that somebody is giving up. And we haven't given up. I really think we're about to make history.
"The good thing about it is we can control that. I think if we can go out there and win these next games, all of this talk will be squashed. The league is fueled by (speculation). All we can do is put the blinders on and go out there and just play football.''
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Way ta go. That's what I call being a stand up guy. Good ol Lovie, keeps a calm demeanor and a cool head even when the whole team does it's "Bowling Pin" impression. And I really admire your undying loyalty to that Schmuck Hollyweird wannabe that you've got calling your plays. Matter of fact Hollyweird is about the ONLY place on earth the cheese that fool calls has even a REMOTE chance of succeeding.
Y'all better hope yer lazy asses don't get somebody in there like Cowher, cuz you "ladies" will find out what terms like "No Pain-no GAIN" and "120 for 60" REALLY MEAN! This old cr@p of constantly patting each other on the back is a buncha Horse Dung. You guys need that pat aimed about 18 inches lower and with considerably more velocity...
Maybe THAT will stir some grey matter activity the next time you're 3rd and the distance to Saturn, and Mr Wizard sez "Hey, I know lt's try a run up the gut!" No Ron let's NOT!
I totally agree with what Steve said yesterday. Of course these guys don't want a change in the coaching staff. Somebody might come in who will actually hold them accountable.
Ogunleye's final statements pretty much say it all. If these players don't like hearing the rumors and speculation, then do something about it. Start playing winning football and those rumors fade away.
Sure the players are upset. Getting rid of Lovie would mean a coach coming in would actually hold players accountable for playing bad. Ogunleye cracks us up with the players haven't given up speach. Really, what would you call getting run over by the Bengal & Cardinal buses.
who gives a flying f%#%k what the playing and coachs think thay are not getting the job DONE. we have a great young QB we need someone to coach him
Ogunleye, why don't you just shut your cake hole and take a seat? Contract year? Are you kidding me? you have disappeared after the Packers game . . . about to make history? c'mon man!!!
Hub Arkush.....He's on the Score so whatever he says is probably wrong All the score does is preach negative B.S.They are the Enquirer of Sports and life for that matter
Isn't Hub Arkush the insufferable nerd whose primary contribution to Beardom was yelling BALL...BALL...in the back of the broadcast booth whenver there was a fumble?
A source close to the situation who wishes to remain nameless because he doesn't exist provided the above scoop to Flub and also related an anecdote to this reporter that the last time Arkush yelled BALL, Tom Thayer threw him out the window of the booth screaming "What...do you think they can hear you on the field you moron!!! And who designed those ugly sweaters you wear, Blind leamon Chitlin?!!!".
Forget about it!
"It bothers me because the season's not over," Ogunleye said. "I probably don't believe that's true. If it is, it means that somebody is giving up. And we haven't given up. I really think we're about to make history.
Hahahaha!! So what type of "history" are you about to make, Goon? 6-10? Not exactly unprecedented.
I promised after the Cubs blew their 2nd straight 3 and out that I would not watch them in 2009. I didn't. If the Bears keep Lovie and crew after this year, I plan on doing the same as there will be nothing to look forward to. Isn't the goal to WIN the Superbowl? That is not happening with Lovie.
I said when Da Bears got Rod MORONelli, they were all done!!! They ARE!!! Lovies friend IS the worse coach ever witnessed in Motown!!! Wait til Da Bears and Da MORON return to Ford Field....LOL...Moron IS still trying to pound that "imaginary" rock?????? Da Bears have ALWAYS had great DEFENSES....Not any more...
Bob- What Bear team have you been watching? This is a terrific team. Jerry Angelo has been spot-on with all of his moves. We have a star RB in Forte and a fantastic OL highlighted by two Hall of Famers in Pace and Kruetz. A tiny bit of adversity occurs and you carpers are crying instead of supporting Lovie and our boys. Lovie says we are close to the playoffs and I, for one, totally believe him. Lovie would NEVER engage in double-talk. Indeed, I and the true Bear fans are hoping that contract extensions are forthcoming. You whiners- go support the Packers.
In a related story, a 7-year old boy was at the center of a Cook County courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody law and regulations.
The boy surprised the court when he said that his aunt beat him more than his parents and refused to live with her. The judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, but the boy cried and said that they also beat him. After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of granting temporary custody to the Chicago Bears, whom the judge firmly believed are not capable of beating anyone.
Rich...what are you talking about? This is a BAD team that caught a couple lucky breaks....they should be 2 and 8 but got lucky that a couple of kickers missed some kicks. Time to clean house.
Nothing wrong with hating the media! The media preaches hate at them. The media has to place blame. Not one sports columnists ever uses the thought that "it's a game - a winner and loser." So when your kids start beating up the quarterback on their losing team, just remember it's your fault for letting them see the sports page!
Guys, lay off these guys. I believe Lovie, they really are playoff bound. He's the best! Be positive. This is a GREAT team that has caught a few unlucky breaks. Cutler is just as good as Tom Brady- Just believe him in. I do!
might as well put lovie in an open coffin for the games,and pipe in the tunes in his head phones,have tommie harris pull him around,so he can get in shape by the last game of the season
"All we can do is put the blinders on and go out there and just play football." - Ogunleye
Yes, please try playing football for a change!!
How about this? Try getting half as angry when you lose as you do chasing every story in the press?
Maybe you should get angry the next time you get blown out? Or the next time you give up the lead and lose another game?
SHUT UP AND HIT SOMEONE!!!
Send Lovie off on the same train with Oprah.
fire lovie now,he is to tired from working 2 jobs[bears imposter coach,and the cleveland show].team loses games evry yr to poor conditionig and clock management.cant develop players,at least cutler was trying to coach himself last week[looking at photos on sideline].never see lovie doing that.belichek up 48-0 on tenn at half still trying to coach team on sideline.never seen lovie do it once.cause he doesnt know what to do.i dont blame mackaskys,they have spent,just on dummies though.WORST COACHING STAFF IN FOOTBALL.the buddy system doesnt work
Both of these guys can go with Lovie. They won't be missed.
What agenda Des, winning?
I will keep reminding everyone of the game at Minnesota last season when the game was given away on the drive in which the Bears coughed up the ball at the ViQueens one and on the next play Bernard Berrian went 99 yards for a TD. Looking on the sidelines it was overly evident that Smith lost this team. It is still the same even with the start of the first four games being decent. The last six games have proven without a doubt how bad this team really is. Angelo is not the player evaluator that everyone was lead to believe. Both Angelo and Smith need to be fired on January 4, 2010 and at that point and time we need to hire Cowher to straighten things out. Ideally I would also like to get rid of Philips as well and bring in a true football person to run this team, not a freakin C.P.A.
Lovie makes it too easy for these guys. Why wouldn't they want to protect Lovie whi does not push or challenge them at all. No tackle practices in preseason? "You reap what you sow", wasn't that Ditka's favorite saying?
I would love to play for Lovie!! Has anyone seen him get upset with someone??? You could cost your team the game, and he would pat you on the back!!
Kevin there are more then 3 superbowl winning coaches available for hire:
1. holmgren
2. cowher
3. shanahan
4. gruden
5.Dungy
6.Vermeil
7.Parcells
These players should channel their anger into playing NFL football like real men. Instead of worrying about Lovie's job, they should concentrate on playing to save their own jobs.
YA, I would tend to agree that the time has come. Players might like Lovie and who can blame them. You can give up 350 passing yards, 200 yards rushing and 5 TD's and never incurr wrath. I'd love to see Cowher in that job.
Face it, the season IS over...
bring on Cowher! At least he has some fire and passion on the sidelines. Sometimes i think Lovie is in a coma. Its time to make a change! All the way around.
Why not go out & save your guy Lovie's a$$ by winning.
As it's Thanksgiving I am thankful I don"t have to watch your lousy team play tommorrow. In the meantime go watch the Bengals & Cardinals game tapes & shut the hell up!!!
"Several Bears are irked by a report saying high-level officials in the organization have started surveying options for replacing Lovie Smith and or general manager Jerry Angelo."
Who cares? If you can't buy a win nobody gives a nose hair if you're "irked".
Get rid of Lovie...Mike Shanahan come on home! Yes
All I can say is after a defensive play, all those big boys should be on the ground, not standing around like "duh what happened." put some effort into it. the last game was good for hard work, every game should be like that. too bad You Know Who blew it at the end. other games, lots of standing around at the end of a play.
Easy to understand why these Bears players could be "irked" by Hub's report: they may end up with coaches who demand performance. Wow, there's a concept.
Let's face it: they get their paycheck whether they've earned it or not. If you also happen to be lazy, where's your incentive to knock yourself out?
The reason the Piston suck is by the one and only...Ben Gordon. Yup, Yup!
This exemplifies the problem with Lovie Smith's teams: arrogance, lack of urgency and complacency.
These guys are always whining about something (the fans, the media, etc.).
Here's a clue: YOU STINK AND NO ONE CARES WHAT YOU THINK!
In the words of the immortal Mike Ditka: "Get your mouth shut!"
Hey Adelwale, talk to me after the a**kickin you guys get this Sunday.
I agree with Bandito. Who cares what the players think?
My RX for the Bears:
1. Fire Lovie, Angelo and Staff
2. Hire one of the 3 Super Bowl Winning Coaches who are available,
3. use the "no salary floor" next year to dump dead weight - Harris, Vasher, Pace, Kruetz, and maybe a couple others - to begin the rebuilding process. Overall, even after Lovie & Angelo firings, get a cost savings
4. Get Cutler a big time wide receiver and QB coach- proven and with good resumes. And, leverage what Cutler does best. Play to his strengths.
5. Ask the Bears fans for patience and commit to a "NO MORE BS" policy, because we've heard too much of that from Lovie AND the players over the past few years
6. Practice Hard in Bourbonnais. Change the Culture.
Hopefully, Hub was right, but he just spoke a little soon, and the Bears have to deny it so everybody doesn't just totally pack it in for the last 6 games. Fingers crossed.
oh god, prince wally, you are smarter than to say something as ridiculous as that
QUOTE: Ogunleye said. "I probably don't believe that's true. If it is, it means that somebody is giving up. And we haven't given up. I really think we're about to make history.
Boy, I dunno about you, but I wouldn't try boasting about being the WORST Bears team in history.
All of these players should stop complaining about these reports and start playing the game at a higher level than one would expect from a high school team.
Yeah.. Bothers them that they may have a coach get into a locker room that will kick their lazy a$$es into shape and critique them when they stink...