Bears fans coveting Bill Cowher as a possible replacement for Lovie Smith, take a deep breath. This may cause your pulse to race.
An NFL Network report Monday night cited a source that said the idea of coaching the Bears or Texans "would excite,'' Cowher if the job becomes open.
That'll simply make the anti-Lovie contingent among Bears fans even more antsy. But the same report said Cowher would command in the range of $10 million per-season - a staggering price even for a head coach with a Super Bowl ring.
But realistically, Smith still has two years and $11 million remaining after this season on his contract. Can you see the Bears paying a coach $10 million per year? Didn't think so.
Jason La Canfora reported that the Bills are expected to speak with Mike Shanahan this week and contacted Cowher about the opening created when they fired Dick Jauron last week. Cowher responded that he isn't interested in talking to any teams about potential jobs until after the season.
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AS FAR AS BILL COWHER GOES, IF HE WISHES TO BE PAID $10 MILL. PER SEASON, I WOULDN'T BLINK AN EYE AS I WAS FOCUSING ON THAT DECISION. THEN I WOULD GET HIS "john henry" ON A PACT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND TURN THE REIGNS OVER TO HIM FOR THE COACH AND G.M. AS WELL, RIGHT AFTER I FIRED JERRY ANGELO FOR HIS CONTRACTION OF "stupid|disease" AND HIS ENTIRE COACHING STAFF AS WELL !!! COWHER KNOWS WHAT SORT OF STAFF HE WOULD WANT AND NEED FOR HIS CHICAGO BEAR DUTIES AND THE MCCASKEY FAMILY HAS NO SHORTAGE OF FINANCES IN ORDER FOR THE JOB TO GET DONE !!! WE ARE "not" AN UPSTART SMALL MARKET TEAM; WE ARE THE CHICAGO BEARS, AND THAT DISTINCTION HAS CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS WHICH HAVE TO BE ADHERED TO ON A FULL TIME BASIS. WE HAVE A TOP NOTCH STADIUM AND NO SHORTAGE OF SEASON TICKET HOLDERS; NOW ALL WE NEED IS TO FIELD A DECENT TEAM WITH A DECENT COACHING STAFF. HENCE, BILL COWHER !!!
AS FAR AS BILL COWHER GOES, IF HE WISHES TO BE PAID $10 MILL. PER SEASON, I WOULDN'T BLINK AN EYE AS I WAS FOCUSING ON THAT DECISION. THEN I WOULD GET HIS "john henry" ON A PACT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND TURN THE REIGNS OVER TO HIM FOR THE COACH AND G.M. AS WELL, RIGHT AFTER I FIRED JERRY ANGELO FOR HIS CONTRACTION OF "stupid|disease" AND HIS ENTIRE COACHING STAFF AS WELL !!! COWHER KNOWS WHAT SORT OF STAFF HE WOULD WANT AND NEED FOR HIS CHICAGO BEAR DUTIES AND THE MCCASKEY FAMILY HAS NO SHORTAGE OF FINANCES IN ORDER FOR THE JOB TO GET DONE !!! WE ARE "not" AN UPSTART SMALL MARKET TEAM; WE ARE THE CHICAGO BEARS, AND THAT DISTINCTION HAS CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS WHICH HAVE TO BE ADHERED TO ON A FULL TIME BASIS. WE HAVE A TOP NOTCH STADIUM AND NO SHORTAGE OF SEASON TICKET HOLDERS; NOW ALL WE NEED IS TO FIELD A DECENT TEAM WITH A DECENT COACHING STAFF. HENCE, BILL COWHER !!!
IF LOVIE SMITH HAS 2 MORE YEARS LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT AT $5.5 MILL. PER SEASON, THEN I WOULD ASSESS THAT $10 MILL. FOR BILL COWHER IS A FRIGGIN' BARGAIN !!! THAT LOVIE GOOF SHOULD HAVE BEEN SHOWN THE DOOR EARLIER THIS SEASON, AS I INDICATED IN PREVIOUS POSTS; BEFORE IT WAS TOO LATE. NOW IT IS TOO LATE !!! HE MIGHT AS WELL FINISH OUT THE 2009 SEASON AS AN AUDITION FOR HIS NEXT JOB, WHEREEVER THAT MIGHT BE, BUT IT "CAN'T" BE WITH THE BEARS, CAUSE "BEARFANNATION" DOES not DESERVE A GUY WHO SHOULD ONLY BE COACHING AT THE POP WARNER LEVEL !!!
When they fired Da Coach I sent a letter to Mikey asking him if we were going to have to suffer through decades of poor coaching and management.
His answer was that the Bears were going to continue to be a quality team.
Guess I was right.
Please McC's sell the dam team
Eventually the bears will have to win now or replace there coach.they will have no choice, for the power of the chicago bear fan base and the chicago media will force virginia to sell the team.the bears were feeling the pressure to sell right before there recent super bowl and they will feel the pressure even more again if they dont win and soon!
Cowher won ONE Super Bowl and cost the Steeler the oppertunity to play in at least five over 15 YEARS. Keep him, he's a tool, I'll take him over Lovie but I would not pay for the guy.
Every response i read here was great. As a devoted Bears fan I gt tired of watching us loose when we should really be winning. we are or have to be one of the cheapest organizations out there. We let Thomas Jones go, Ron Rivera, almost Briggs just to name a few. How do they expect to win...With mircale walk ons that with league minum there happy....or draft pics that become superstar....you need a supporting cast look at what Brees has done in NO, or Farve in Minny not to mention he has former Bear as a reciever. I like Cutler alot but we need to givem some help. We shouldve gone after Chambers....GM needs to be sent packing after that if Lovie messes up one tim after that then he should be sent packing...But one guy that needs to not be allowed back on the plane aftert we beat minesota this sunday should be RON "CRAPPY CALLS" TURNER...FORTE up the gut dont work an the quick out to Hester well we have all seen it run it ten times in a game an we will recieve negative yard everytime we run it.....
Could 10 million be justified if Cowher were made GM and coach. Colts didn't change until Polian arrived.
The problem is Jerry Angelo and the fact that the Bears have done an abysmal job at evaluating, developing and retaining talent over the last ten years.
The core of the Super Bowl defense was here before Angelo. LOvie Smith is no Lombardi, but he is not the main problem with this team. A lack of talented players from their top eight players down to special teams and back ups.
The problem is Jerry Angelo and the fact that the Bears have done an abysmal job at evaluating, developing and retaining talent over the last ten years.
The core of the Super Bowl defense was here before Angelo. LOvie Smith is no Lombardi, but he is not the main problem with this team. A lack of talented players from their top eight players down to special teams and back ups.
Dudes,
Check out Shannhan's record after Elway left. Not inspired. Also, reports are that he doesn't want to leave CO no matter what Chicago roots he has. The last thing the Bears need is someone who is not sure if he wants to be here. Would much prefer Cowher or Holmgren. Cowher saying the Bears job would be "exciting" just makes my heart race after this current misery.
Virginia, the past twenty years have ben painful. Please sell the team.
Dave Toub is probably a cheaper option for the Bears. He's the most intense coach they have on their staff, and when the Special Teams has a bad series, they never have another one in a game. They're ridiculously organized, intense, and flatout one of the best in the NFL. Lovie's defense and Turner's offense? Hah, they're lucky if they're ever ranked as "below average".
Lovie Dovie should do the right thing and just resign, but he won't. He's so arrogant and so stubborn that he will continue to jam this scheme on both sides of the ball down his players throats and the throats of the greatest football fans in America.
I rather have Mike Shanahan.
This is such a worthless article. The 'source' is some internet blogger. For $10 mil a year, Cowher would coach the Lions or Raiders as well.
I am the biggest chicago anything fan, born on the southside, now on the westcoast close to the bay area, and after spending good money on some of the best seats in SanFran's piece of crap stadium i got to see this bull up close and personal, if you thought it was ugly from the couch dam, it's bad when gay couples are callin da bears soft.I'm jumping off Lovies bandwagon the O-line sucks, management sucks, coaching and development sucks i'm out for the season. Cowher would fit chicago's style , balance the offence, and fix the D.. Wishful thinking.
Haha,,When was the last time the Bears have hired a proven head coach with good credentials. NEVER. They will keep doing what they have always done. Hire a promising but unproven assistant who doesn't cost much. It's laughable to even suggest guys like Shanahan or Cowher for the Bears. By the way, the same comment can be made for both of Reinsdorf's teams.
Having lived in Pittsburgh throughout the Cowher reign I can say he is a definite upgrade. But Cowher always had excellent Team Management in Pittsburgh. The Bears would need to clean house in the front office. And I believe this is highly unlikely. They seem intent upon selling a marginal product for top dollar. But who knows maybe pigs can fly.
Come on you big bunch of cry babies!!! The Bears want to win!!! They just won't spend beyond the league minimum to do it. Hey, they love money more than they love winning...and much more than they love you. You haven't figured that out by now??? This is a bottom line business and you are at the bottom of their list of concerns...if you are on it at all.
Pick a different team to root for, one that actually cares. If you make that your criteria for supporting a team, that they actually care and are willing to spend and try, you'll be a lot happier. It's fairer, more honest, and shows respect for you as a fan. It's not that hard to do once you realize only some teams actually try. Look around, find an owner that cares, root for that team.
OK, here's a plea to all the wealthy Bears fans with influence on Alumni boards at major universities.
Please - please - get some major university to make Lovie an offer he can't refuse - so he will leave the Bears at the end of this season.
Problem solved with Lovie's remaining salary if that happens.
Even if it takes a while, I'd love to see Cowher here on some type of program like Ditka had when he started. And, for the Bears Management, they should study Cowher's Super Bowl and playoff teams. If memory serves, they were able to do it and be very frugal with the payroll. When guys got to the point where they were making the big bucks, the Steelers would let them go and find a lower priced replacement.
Getting Cowher would require such a huge overhaul, it would take a long time to get the Bears back on track IMO. He'd probably want to bring in the 3-4, and we would have to totally change our personnel. Of course, based on what we have, that might not be such a bad thing. I feel like we need to bring in an offensive mind for the next coach, rather than more of the same.
screw cowher. i'd rather have shanahan. he already knows how to use cutler and has two superbowls on his resume. im sure with the meltdown in denver (both reality and kyle orton have settled in), brandon marshall would be thrilled to reunite in chicago.
Lets face it; its not going to happen. The Bears are way too cheap to pay a head coach that much. Why do you think they have Lovie Smith? He came to the Bears as the lowest paid coach in the NFL. The Bears are cheap cheap cheap; and dont give a rats a** about a winning team; all they care about is lining their pockets.
The Bears need to clean out the entire management structure starting with Ted Phillips, then Jerry Angelo and his (I like this 5th rounder!) scouts and THEN start over with winning aligned management.
Or better yet, Virginia McCaskey SELL THE TEAM!!
I like Cowher and think he's a good coach.
But remember, he coached the Steelers for 15 years and won one Super Bowl. Not worth $10 million a year.
Cowher coaching the Bears is like Stroger and Daley lowering tax rates.
LOL.
I always liked Cowher so the obvious is I'd want him here however this organization will ruin him. It starts at the top with ownership. George Halas was cheap and thats how his daughter has things and will remain. Oh, and when she clocks out we get good ole Mikey McCaskey running the show. If they (as in Angelo) fire Lovie which I very much doubt they'd probably bring back Dick Jauron along with John poop Schoop. As proven, this organization can't have a QB. Look at Cutler's numbers in Denver. Yeah I know his red zone picks were a lil' high but he's a great talent. I was excited (and shocked, Virginia probably put Angelo in the dog house for it lol) when they traded for him but I in the back of mind is this organization will ruin him. Also I'm so tired of hearing about "Bears football". Run the ball and play defense. Yes, lets run the ball, play defense, AND PASS THE DAMN BALL!!!! "Bears football" is an excuse for no QB. Sure the Steelers play similar but they had a QB who can make plays like Bradshaw, Neil O'Donnell, Roethlisberger, even Kordell Stewart was decent for them but oh wait, he came to the Bears and.....well you all know. Bottom line is you can have a Cutler or a Peyton Manning, or a Tom Brady with a Cowher, or a Mike Shannahan, or even a Tony Dungy and the result will be the same. MCCASKY'S: SELL THE CHICAGO BEARS PLEASE!!!!! IT ALL STARTS WITH YOU!!!!
Cowher is the perfect fit,to a T, of what Bear football is and is all about. Mean,intense,hard nosed. All of which Cowher is....and because he's a perfect fit,they won't hire him.....sadly. Mrs. McCaskey wants someone she can enjoy tea with. Cowher would eat the cup....Lovie drinks every drop....
10 million , Lol !
Coaches salaries are not like player salaries....the team that signs a coach to a contract and fires him in the middle of said contract is on the hook for that contract no matter where that coach is employed the following seasons..
Why does everyone assume the Bears would have to eat Lovie's salary? He'd get another job and then the Bears wouldn't have to pay him, his new team would. Or at least most of what he would be due to make. That's how I've always understood these coaching salaries to work. A new hiring team assumes the liability of the original contract. Even Wanny and Jauron got new jobs without any trouble. Some lame-brain is sure to pick up Lovie and his stooges.
im a bears fan so i know better than to get excited over this....
Cowher has been my choice for a long time...he understands "BEAR Football" because he coached it in Pittsburgh! Pittsburgh plays 'Bear Football", only they do it better because they have strong ownership! Unless the "Old Crow" Virginia and her minions decide they REALLY want to win (and they won't), we can ALL expect more of the same for years to come. I've stopped watching their games because this is a joke, and I won't support this product anymore. What a stain on such a legendary organization...for SHAME! Oh...and for you fools that trashed me all off-season for having grave concerns about the team this year...I told you so! Ownership and upper management MUST go!!! Get a REAL VP/GM and a coach that understands BEAR Football once and for all! Haters...learn some football before you respond...losers! GO BEARS...Go to hell, Virginia and Jerry.
You want to fix this - every BEAR fan should go to there closet and send in the jerseys they own .....
This is like -
1. when we get a QB: mcknown, grossman, cutler
2. a RB
3. A WR = mushin
then things will be different....
Its the entire organization thats diseased - b/c they don't think they need to win. Its not just a fix hear or there - its the entire thing - its diseased
Having Bill Cowher as coach would be the best thing since Ditka. Why? Because of the energy and intensity he brings. That's what Bears football is all about. We want to see hard-nosed, smashmouth football. We want to see fiery determination in our players. We want to see passion from our coach. Please Bears, make it so. You would have even more fans than ever!
Dream on. McCaskeys are in no way going to chew $11 million worth of contract AND THEN pay Cowher $10 million a year. They suck up all their TV revenue and put nothing back in. Look at their pitch for chrissakes.
A Superbowl winning coach leading the Bears would be awesome. If Cowher can't lead the Bears to another championship then absolutely no one can. Bears need to make this happen because this would be too good to pass up. Lovie's time should be over, do whatever it takes to bring Bill Cowher to the Windy City.
OH yeah, Virginia if you've ever listened to ANYBODIES advice in your LIFE listen to your fans NOW! Bill Cowher is EXACTLY what will fix your team. Think of Papa Bear, If he were alive today this would KILL him. To think what this franchise has become.
Do the right thing, do the SMART thing. Hire a football man to run your team. Send babich, and Lovie, and Turner, aand yes even Angelo and Phillips packing. Call coach Cowher and ask him if it's possible to get the smash mouth mentality back. I bet he'll tell you that you can. And could he really cost more than the buncha bums you'd be dumping? I doubt it. But for sure you'll be getting a better bang for your management buck.
Oh man I've got my panties in a bunch just thinking of Cowher on the Bears' sidelines. Please Lovie and step down and take only half of your salary...you've been stealing the last 3 years and not to mention the next 2...do the right thing!
They should if they want to win....but they probably won't, because it really seems the Bears administration, or the team for that matter, really doesn't care about winning and losing.