By David Haugh
BALTIMORE -- Conventional wisdom has been that the Bears would be reluctant to part ways with coach Lovie Smith at the end of the season because Smith is owed $11 million on his contract.
But in a pregame talk today with reporters in the M&T Bank Stadium press box, Bears GM Jerry Angelo suggested finances won't factor into his postseason evaluation of Smith any more than football.
Asked about the assumption money would play a role in his decision-making process, Angelo evaded the issue before making a statement that only will encourage Smith's critics.
"I'm not going to get into that,'' Angelo said. "At the end of the year we'll talk. I know we're not in the playoffs and obviously didn't meet expectations. We did have some problems and I want to make sure I focus on that first and foremost.
"I don't look at money in those times. It's not about money. It's about doing what we need to do to be a good football team.''
Photo: Jerry Angelo says Lovie Smith will be evaluated at season's end. (Phil Velasquez/Tribune)
BALTIMORE -- Conventional wisdom has been that the Bears would be reluctant to part ways with coach Lovie Smith at the end of the season because Smith is owed $11 million on his contract.
But in a pregame talk today with reporters in the M&T Bank Stadium press box, Bears GM Jerry Angelo suggested finances won't factor into his postseason evaluation of Smith any more than football.
Asked about the assumption money would play a role in his decision-making process, Angelo evaded the issue before making a statement that only will encourage Smith's critics.
"I'm not going to get into that,'' Angelo said. "At the end of the year we'll talk. I know we're not in the playoffs and obviously didn't meet expectations. We did have some problems and I want to make sure I focus on that first and foremost.
"I don't look at money in those times. It's not about money. It's about doing what we need to do to be a good football team.''
Photo: Jerry Angelo says Lovie Smith will be evaluated at season's end. (Phil Velasquez/Tribune)
Expressing disappointment with the Bears' 5-8 record, Angelo made clear
that all aspects of the football operations will be evaluated at the
end of this season. He didn't spare himself in a calm, candid
assessment of the state of the organization.
Angelo only bristled once when asked to clarify Smith's job status.
"Well, he's here, he's our head football coach,'' Angelo said. "What else is there to clarify?''
A report Friday on CSNChicago.com stated Smith would return for 2010 regardless of what happens in the final three games. But Angelo didn't sound like a GM who was done evaluating his coach, the roster or the coaching staff.
"I don't know where the report came from, again, speculation,'' Angelo said. "At the end of the year we sit down and talk. I'm not going to talk about anything prematurely.... At the end of the year we'll sit down and talk about everything. The protocol won't change.''
Without question, Angelo stressed that the final three games will play a role in the evaluation of Smith after his sixth season.
"Very much so,'' he said. "We need to get a win. That's very important right now. I feel we've been competitive, we just haven't been able to win.''
Angelo only bristled once when asked to clarify Smith's job status.
"Well, he's here, he's our head football coach,'' Angelo said. "What else is there to clarify?''
A report Friday on CSNChicago.com stated Smith would return for 2010 regardless of what happens in the final three games. But Angelo didn't sound like a GM who was done evaluating his coach, the roster or the coaching staff.
"I don't know where the report came from, again, speculation,'' Angelo said. "At the end of the year we sit down and talk. I'm not going to talk about anything prematurely.... At the end of the year we'll sit down and talk about everything. The protocol won't change.''
Without question, Angelo stressed that the final three games will play a role in the evaluation of Smith after his sixth season.
"Very much so,'' he said. "We need to get a win. That's very important right now. I feel we've been competitive, we just haven't been able to win.''
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Here's another:
Fire
Angelo
Smith
Teddy
To mean Fire Angelo, Smith, Teddy FAST!
MONDAY MIGHT SIGN
Here's an idea...
Signs with the acronym FLAT meaning:
Fire
Lovie
Angelo
Teddy
Next Monday, Bears fans should treat Angelo the way fans of the Chicago Wolves treat opposing players:
JERRRRRRRRR-RYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
JERRRRRRRRR-RYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
JERRRRRRRRR-RYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
YOU SUCK!!!
Afterall, he is the enemy now.
MW your comment about comparing Jerry Angelos with Ozzie Osbourne is completely ridiculus and insulting - to Ozzie. What did Ozzie ever do to you to be placed in the same post with Jerry?
My feelings about Jerry and Lovie can be best described by that great trade, Thomas Jones and the Bears 2nd round pick in 2007 for the right to select... Dan Bazuin. This trade shows
a. the Bears stubbornness to give draft picks (which were usually horrible) preferential treatment over other players. In this case, Benson the unproven high draft pick over proven veteran Thomas Jones. The Bears prefer to coddle draft picks rather than challenge them.
b. the Bears refusal to change strategy even when the strategy has failed. As a result of this trade, the Bears drafted Garrett Wolfe earlier than he was projected to be a complement to Benson. Whoops, Benson is not on the roster anymore, and Forte is a much different runner than Benson, which means Wolfe is not a complement to Forte. Yet the original plan this year was for the Bears to have Forte start, Jones as the back up, and Wolfe as the 3rd down back - to replace a guy who some may argue is really a 3rd down back.
c. how the Bears are now in a pattern of chasing bad money with more bad money. Benson ended up as a disaster, so the Bears had to spend a 2nd round pick last year on Forte. That ended up good last year (not so good this year) but if Jones was still on the team, what other position could have been addressed? Thanks to Bazuin being a complete flop, Angelos still needs a young DE and trades the 2nd round pick for Adams. Instead of trying to improve the team, Jerry is trying to fix his mistakes.
Jerry can fire Lovie, but that won't solve the majority of the Bears problems.
Allen Adcock, please actually read the emails before you make a complete fool of yourself. Good God, I hate when right wingers and left wingers believe that everyone wants to hear their propaganda.
Now everyone copy and paste what Q said until all the morons get it.
"It took three solid years of fan abandonment and sub-5000 crowds at the United Center for anyone in the Hawks' front office to care about winning. Bears "fans" simply need to stop attending the games. Very simple."
I agree and when you think about it... Lovie has it made....Why?
5mil+5mil with the option of getting fired.....Oh Yeah....
Hey, what a dream life eh? Forget about pride and getting let GO- Lovie doesn't know the meaning of pride...but with 10 Mil in his pocket and time off.....Yeah even I think I could handle that kinda life. Get rid of him and his DINO-cover-2.
So getting rid of lovie is a mute point..He will do ok(Hey maybe better with another team
like some other ex players we know so much about -but try to forget ...
Next
How about a new lesson in growing Balls.
You know the kind that could be heard around the NFL.
The BEARS owners fire the entire staff: Jerry and Lovie and just let the sound be heard that the BEARS are now in charge! How cool is that ! Think about it...
Other teams would take notice per our recent woes and (hopefully) we will have a great couch waiting in the wings. (If they don't screw this little detail up)...
No kidding..this is powerful msg to Virginia and her gang that they can do good and
save some face. It would send ripples of concern to other teams that we have HOPE!
OF course, to some this could be considered a pipe dream of sorts.. the reality I think is we will have to boycott next season to get the full fiscal msg across (Get them in the pocketbook) as they say ...
But It could work....and we could have the badly needed change we so deserve...
And the Nobel Peace Prize goes to .... Lovie Smith for fielding the softest team in the NFL.
Those calling for an Obama takeover as an improvement must not be looking around them. It already looks like an Urkle takeover. That fool believes in manmade global warming for gosh sakes. Even after the emails of its proponents reveal it to be a total hoax.
No one on this team has played worse than Jay Cutler. The WRs are the least of this team's problems when Cutler can't hit them when wide open.
Don't anyone be deluded into thinking Smith should stay he MUST go. No scapegoats like Turner are acceptable. Smith must go. He is a terrible coach and this team reflects that. Talent is wasted. Look at how well Bennett has played this year. He could have been their best receiver last yr had these idiots not tried to teach him three positions at once. It was clear from pre-season that he was a terrific punt returner and that alone would have been sufficient reason to dress him.
Maybe Obama can take over this team. What a horrible performance and an embarassement for Chicago fans. Lovie needs to go.
Yeah..........right.......their just telling us what we want to hear, lovie ain't going nowhere even when we lose to the Vikings and Lions. Ideally and i mean ideally which will not happen, would be for the McCOCKski's to sell the team and take their fortune and go live the good life wherever they may please since they have made 100's of millions over the years, fire Phillips,Angelo,lovie and re-sign Ron Turner...........JUST JOKING JUST JOKING and basically CLEAN HOUSE.
Now everyone copy and paste what Q said until all the morons get it.
"It took three solid years of fan abandonment and sub-5000 crowds at the United Center for anyone in the Hawks' front office to care about winning. Bears "fans" simply need to stop attending the games. Very simple."
I love how Angelo says "I feel we've been competitive, we just haven't been able to win.'' Are you kidding me Jer? Including today I can count 4 losses in which we were completely annihilated in all aspects of the game. Not to mention we would have more losses if opposing kickers could do their jobs. We want answers Jer.
Hey Lovie, you said you dont have an answer for us??? I can give you 5.5 million reasons a season you should have an answer.
Jerry Angelo arrogantly stated that a good quarterback makes his receivers better, and that there was no reason to improve the receivers on the team. Clearly, this season has proven this idea wrong. He has sacrificed the Bears future on a false premise, and should therefore be fired.
ANGELO talks to the media like he's not even a remote part of the problem with this team! I don't get that. He says, "we'll evaluate this team in the offseason" WHAT? Where does Angelo come off thinking he's even qualified to do any evaluating anymore? This org. is on the verge of firing the second head coach on Angelo's watch. When does Angelo come under fire for not doing his job? Here's how we find out if he made a poor choice with Lovie Smith...... fire Angelo, hire a new "football" GM, and let him evaluate the problems with this team and the solutions. If he thinks Lovie needs to go, we've killed two birds with one stone! Again, McCaskey INC. is continuing to rear it's ugly head in the city of Chicago in the form of the Chicago Bears. Enough is ENOUGH!
PLEASE...SELL THE TEAM !!!
There was a post that "the Bears were the meanest team 50 yrs ago". It was not that long ago.
I am only 53 and remember the real Monsters of the Midway.
The down fall started when Mikey took over the team and it has been a steady downward spiral ever since.
The Super bowel that Luvie the idiot hangs his hat on was a result of a weak NFC and some lucky breaks.
The fans would love to have a champion but would settle for just some good old fashion smash mouth Bears football.
Virgina, please clean house, you owe the fans better than this load of crap that call themselves the Chicago Bears.
Frank Wilson says it all
If I may add to his thunder worth mentioning.......
Virginia WAKEUP!
Stop Taking your sedatives ...Get a hot cup cooffee in you.
Tell Micheal to take a Thompsom vacation,,,,good thats right TELL HIM!
NOW, MAKE THE CALL- AND BACK UP THE TRUCK!
CLOWNS-BE-GONE!!!!!!!
Frank Wilson on December 20, 2009 6:36 PM
The only touchdown came from special teams. How sad. The offense could not get a TD from goal line? Wow!!!
Lovie does not need to be fired.
OFFEENSIVE COORDINATOR RON TURNER NEEDS TO BE FIRED.
RB COACH TIM SPENCER NEEDS TO BE FIRED
QB COACH PEP HAMILTON NEEDS TO BE FIRED
OL COACH HARRY HIESTAND NEEDS TO BE FIRED
The defense stopped playing because the Bears have an offense that is just downright terrible.
Look, fire the entire Bears offensive staff. If Lovie Smith does not want to fire the entire Bears offensive staff than fire Head Coach Smith. Simple as that.
we've been competitive,that statement itself should set alarms off
If Jerry Angelo has carte blanche to make decisions like trading a Number 2 for Gaines Adams, he has to go. If Ted Phillips gives Angelo permission to make these ingenious trades, then Phillips has to go. If McCaskey gives Phillips permission to give Angelo permission to make these ingenious trades, then McCaskey has to go. Oh wait...I forgot...he's the owner. Then Obama and company have to take over the Bears and cut McCaskey's bonus.
Dan Hampton must be horrified with the demise of uniform #99.
Comments are delusional
Post SuperBowl, we all wanted Lovie to be paid
for what he did.
He was.
Now what do you think?
Anegelo and Lovie took this the same place GW Bush took this country right into the TOILET
Teddy, Jerry, and Lovie have taken our Bears to the same place Obama, Reid, and Pelosi are trying to take America... THE TOILET!
It's time for all true Bears fans and true Americans to stand up and fight back.
Let's GO!
STOP GOING to the games and BUY"IN BEARS STUFF!!! show the Mccaskeys they are the worst oweners in the NFL> When will all us Bears fans get it? McCaskey's don't give a S__T about wining or have any pride in Chicago Football! discraseful
The only touchdown came from special teams. How sad. The offense could not get a TD from goal line? Wow!!!
Lovie does not need to be fired.
OFFEENSIVE COORDINATOR RON TURNER NEEDS TO BE FIRED.
RB COACH TIM SPENCER NEEDS TO BE FIRED
QB COACH PEP HAMILTON NEEDS TO BE FIRED
OL COACH HARRY HIESTAND NEEDS TO BE FIRED
The defense stopped playing because the Bears have an offense that is just downright terrible.
Look, fire the entire Bears offensive staff. If Lovie Smith does not want to fire the entire Bears offensive staff than fire Head Coach Smith. Simple as that.
Jerry! Jerry look here!! Hey!
Here's what you need to do if you really care about the Bears...
FIRE LOVIE AND THEN RESIGN!
Then your replacement can hire a coach that is competent.
That's all you need to do. Think of all the time and effort you'll save evaluating and coming to the wrong conclusion.
You're welcome!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!
WR Jonathan Baldwin is a sophomore at PITT. An upincoming star, you can youtube his highlights. He prolly wont be in the draft this year but 2011 us Bears fans need to make some noise and get this guy drafted. He will be a 1st round pick in 2011. JONATHAN BALDWIN. DO YOUR HOMEWORK JERRY I HAVE.
Folks everytime you make a post at the end of the post please put "DRAFT BALDWIN JERRY"
Folks its time as bear fans we stand up and demand what we want and what we need.
BALDWIN BALDWIN BALDWIN BALDWIN........
Not even sure this team can beat Lions at this point. Fire Jerry now so the new guy can fire Lovie.
How much does Angelo make?
"New Packer Fan on December 20, 2009 5:08 PM
Jerry won't be around to do the firing because they are cleaning out his office as I type (Don't we wish). I'm done watching those pathetic losers. I'm going to change and be a packer fan since they care about winning."
Good! Don't let the door hit you where the sun don't shine. Thank you lord!
Angelo needs to go more than Lovie.
Angelo cannot make the decision on Smith. It will come from the McCaskeys.
This game is the end of the Lovie era and a good chance that Angelo goes as well. Now is the time to make the change so we can go into next year knowing exactly what we have as a staff and get prepped for off season moves and draft moves. What a disappointment.
Angelo, 4 days ago: "Wide receiver is a position of strength for us"
Angelo today: " I feel we've been competitive; we just can't win" (right now they're losing 31-7 in the 4th quarter)
What team is he referring to?
Angelo tomorrow: "A couple breaks here and there and who knows what might have happened?"
This guy is more delusional than Ozzie Osbourne.
My Grandfather told me 50 years ago that the Bears were the toughest team in football. Thanks to Angelo, Lovie and Turner they have been turned into the biggest bunch of woosies in the league. Move over Detroit and the Lambs.These losers have quit.
Phillips did what he was brought in for -- to get the renovations of Soldier Field. If he can't fix things, he has to go. Angelo has been an unmitigated disaster, and should go right now, before anyone else. Lovie had his chance and failed.
Jerry won't be around to do the firing because they are cleaning out his office as I type (Don't we wish). I'm done watching those pathetic losers. I'm going to change and be a packer fan since they care about winning.
What others have suggested. Time to CLEAN HOUSE, from Angelo on down. Really. This is not even close to being a competitive professional football team.
Virginia McCaskey, please give Phillips and Angelo the heave ho
Jerry Angelo, it is time (actually way overdue) to do the right thing. FIRE Lovie Smith and RESIGN yourself from GM. The city of Chicago and Bears fans everywhere deserve new leaders.
Everything I wanted to say has already been said, except that Anjelo makes me sick.
Jerry Angelo is the FIRST one to be evaluated. Dear Santa, please make this incompetent man go away!!
Angelo is an idiot! His team is a disaster! Virginia, Please clean house! Get a Football person in charge.
A Trib sports writer said that Culter would be a draw for a name coach last week. Two more interceptions! I think that prospective coaches will avoid Chicago because the tackling dummies at Lake Forest are more intelligent that the sports writers in this town!
Here is part of the Bears problem.
1. Did Lovie Smith trade down from the first round every year?
2. The year when the Bears did not trade down, did they draft a serviceable player?
3. Why trade for a Franchise Quaterbaack and not sign:
a. A legitmate #1 Wide Receiver
b. Left Tackle and Right Tackle
c. A great pass rushing lineman
d. A good running back
Jerry Angelo says that money is not an issue in judging Lovie Smith. If that is the truth, then should money be an issue in signing good productive players.
Jerry and his entire bumbling crew need to go. He has done nothing but spit in the face of former Bear players. He fired Ron Rivera. He refused to give Mike Singletary a coaching job.
This is not the way to run an organization. Look at the Blackhawks. It took the death of Bill Wirtz. I don't think we should have to wait for an owner to die in order to improve the team.
This is freak'n Chicago, Illinois. The third largest city in this country. Stop running this team as though they are the freak'n Rockford Bears!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We need to get a win. That's very important right now. I feel we've been competitive, we just haven't been able to win.
What this translates to is, "We're going to beat the Lions in the last game of this season, and call it a success." He's just grasping at straws to bring back the same ol' gang (maybe minus Turner) next year.
Seriously, can we find a way to get rid of the biggest problem, Jerry Angelo?? Terrible drafting, terrible development, terrible free agent signings, terrible everything. Get rid of the entire problem.
LOL
Angelo is a bigger problem than Smith
Together they both equal a team that has made the playoffs twice in 6 seasons....not good enough
If finances weren't a factor in this decision Lovie would've been fired by now. It is and will always be about money with the Bears' organization.
Lovie should've been fired a month ago.