By Brad BiggsVOTE: Are you willing to give Lovie Smith another chance?
The Bears are holding off on an announcement until a 2 p.m. news conference Tuesday at Halas Hall, but Lovie Smith is expected to return in 2010 for his seventh season as head coach of the team.
Smith met with team president Ted Phillips and general manager Jerry Angelo on Monday, and the sweeping changes that many fans have been hoping to see are not expected to happen. There may be changes, and Smith noted in his postgame news conference Sunday at Detroit that change comes every year, but it will be far from a housecleaning.
"It will all be covered tomorrow,'' team spokesman Scott Hagel said.
Speculation is rampant that there will be change on both sides of the ball. Offensive coordinator Ron Turner and quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton are in jeopardy based on how the team performed on offense for the first 14 games. Smith could be asked to turn over the reins to the defense after it struggled with him wearing two hats as head coach and defensive coordinator.
Photo: Lovie Smith may return as head coach but be asked to give up his defensive-coordinator duties. (Gregory Shamus/AP)
There hasn't been significant change to the offensive coaching staff
since Smith fired Terry Shea after the 2004 season and brought in
Turner and line coach Harry Hiestand. But he has been rolling through
position coaches on defense on a nearly annual basis. Smith is on his
fourth line coach and fourth secondary coach, and he has changed linebackers
coaches three times. Nearly all of the assistants, including Turner and
special-teams coordinator Dave Toub, are under contract through at
least 2010.
Smith could be given a win-or-else mandate from management. He is signed through 2011 and with $11 million remaining on his contract, the McCaskeys were thought to be unlikely to part with the coach who took them to Super Bowl XLI three years ago. It will be interesting to see what type of role Phillips has taken in what are football decisions.
Smith is 23-25 as head coach since the Super Bowl and the Bears have missed the playoffs the last three seasons. The team got off to a 3-1 start this season with newly acquired quarterback Jay Cutler before slumping badly in losing eight of 10. The Bears rallied with wins over Minnesota and Detroit the last two weeks to finish 7-9. The team lost four games by 20 points or more for the first time since 1997, and also lost leads in the fourth quarter in close games, a problem that plagued them during a 9-7 season in 2008.
Check back at chicagobreakingsports.com for more details as they happen.
Smith could be given a win-or-else mandate from management. He is signed through 2011 and with $11 million remaining on his contract, the McCaskeys were thought to be unlikely to part with the coach who took them to Super Bowl XLI three years ago. It will be interesting to see what type of role Phillips has taken in what are football decisions.
Smith is 23-25 as head coach since the Super Bowl and the Bears have missed the playoffs the last three seasons. The team got off to a 3-1 start this season with newly acquired quarterback Jay Cutler before slumping badly in losing eight of 10. The Bears rallied with wins over Minnesota and Detroit the last two weeks to finish 7-9. The team lost four games by 20 points or more for the first time since 1997, and also lost leads in the fourth quarter in close games, a problem that plagued them during a 9-7 season in 2008.
Check back at chicagobreakingsports.com for more details as they happen.
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The Boycott is on!!!!! For the first time in my 35 years of life(all as Bears fan) This is a very sad day for Bears Fans! Just the thought of bringing back Mr.Mummbles Lovie "dummy" Smith, The human statue himself, makes me SICK! Ive sat by and watch him repeatedly make bad coaching moves since the super bowl(loss), he has just gotten worse!All the good coaches out there that are available too, it really pisses me off! Well i spend hundreds of bucks everyyear on Bears merchandise, tickets, etc. Not one more red cent until Smith and Angelo are BOTH gone! Jerry Angelo is a straightup jackass! His draft picks (majority) have SUCKED! He gave our 2nd round pick for GAINES ADAMS?!?! WTF are you serious? Getting Jay cutler in here was the only good thing hes done, but its just not enough to keep him in my eyes. But LOvie SMITH MUST GO NOW!!!
Hey, "Hog butcher of the world," "City of big shoulders," why don't you do a comparative analysis of the Bears and the Packers, the mouse that roars.
Your Achilles heel is to be found in your management set-up. Little Green Bay may serve as a template. Why not have Chicago buy the Bears?
Anyone want any Bears mem and sports cards for their collection. I am done wasting money on this franchise. I will keep my Payton rookie card but everything else is history on ebay. And if we stop buying it who cares if bears still share in revenues. We are going to stop advertising for these losers. The only place they will be welcome is in the Obama administration.
Anyone want any Bears mem and sports cards for their collection. I am done wasting money on this franchise. I will keep my Payton rookie card but everything else is history on ebay.
If Smith stays, I am through with the bears after being a fan for 40 years. I am done. Cya.
Umm, FYI, for those of you calling for us to "boycott all Bears merchandise"...
You do realize that under the NFL's revenue sharing model, the sales of all NFL merchandise is split evenly among each NFL team, right? So if you boycott Bears merchandise and buy a bunch of Packers and Vikings jerseys, the Bears still get an even chunk of that money.
Of course, you already have the press kit laying this all out in advance of the 2 p.m. news conference, but were told not to release it before then. I guess that is why the press is so unanimous about it being expected that Lovie will be retained.
This is the THIRD straight year with no playoff appearance ,and yet they want bring him back to put us in detroit lion category.
NEWS FLASH:
This organization is like a dysfunctional family; CORRECTION, THEY ARE A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY.
The hiring of Shannahan has not been announced; which job would you take. impatient meddling owner, willing to spend money. Or, unorganized, in ineffective organization, unwilling to spend a dime on their scouting staff, or supporting cast.
NEWS FLASH:
This organization is like a dysfunctional family; CORRECTION, THEY ARE A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY.
The hiring of Shannahan has not been announced; which job would you take. impatient meddling owner, willing to spend money. Or, unorganized, in ineffectice organization, unwilling to spend a dime on their scouting staff, or supporting cast.
this season is a clear testament to the lack of developmental skills the coaching staff has, as well as recruiting/scouting. From the top down.
Case Study:
Aromashadou - picked up by Colts and Texans 2 years ago. Actually played for the Colts briefly. Learned in a fine tuned system with great leaders around him and great staff. Now, looks like he learned how to play WR in the NFL, but not as a Bear - and they didnt even realize it.
vs.
Hester - Bears staff tried to teach him to be a WR, along with other receivers on the roster...what happened in year 3 of "teaching/developing" Hester - proof that either A)Hester really wasnt a WR (bad scouting) or B) Bears dont have the staff to develop a top talent into a WR. plus they ruined his returning capabilities by losing concentration in that facet.
Johnny Knox, shows flashes of greatness, but also shows lack of discipline, missing routes and not making cuts correctly. His fault, or coaching fault?
Harvin is a very similar player...and look what happens in a great system and staff. They use him correctly. Look at Sidney Rice, year 3, amazing WR (also very gifted). Packers have a great system too..
Major overhaul is needed for this system to flourish. Not just Lovie. But start with Angelo and the Offensive coaching -
NFL is an OFFENSIVE game these days....no more running up the middle and hard-nose defense. Need to get creative.
I'm definitely boycotting Bears merchandise from now on. I'm sick of it. Fifteen years (time I've been watching) of crap football.
When do the McCaskeys die?
Lovie Smith couldn't inspire ice to melt on a skillet. End this nonsense!!
What exactly are the signs that he will return? Another fantastic article from the 6th grade class at the Chicago Tribune. Looks like we are shooting for 8-8 next year....again!!!!!!!
Please don't become a packer fan. I mean you still want to go to heaven some day! Go Bears!
Somewhere in the great beyond, Bill Wirtz is wondering how come he was considered the worst team owner in this city. It's too bad that tomorrow's press conference isn't to announce that the McCaskeys have put the team up for sale.
LOL, the Lovie haters are out in full force! Don't worry guys, you will be back on the bandwagon once the Bears head back to the playoffs! Go Bears!
To all the idiots out there calling for Lovie's head as if you know what goes on inside his head and what control he has regarding acquiring personell and players. Did you ever ask yourself how much he may be limited in these decisions. Do you think that maybe the problem might be say Angelo for instance?
All I know is that for many many years following Ditka the Bears truly sucked. Lovie came in promised to beat Green Bay, win the division and go to the Super Bowl. He has done that.
Do you "Lovie head hunters" realize that the Bears are one of the winningest teams in the last decade? You are the same idiots that called for Grossmans head, then Ortons and you get the guy that you want and for the most part his numbers are not any better than Grossmans.
Shows how much you idiots know! The problems are not the QB, not the head coach but the guy who makes most of the personell decisions! Tell Angelo to get us a big boy offensive line and some help in our defensive backfield!
Hey Bob in Zion, Packer fans are the most fair-weather bunch I've ever seen. Love Favre. Hate Favre. Hate Rodgers. Love Rodgers. Packer fans were calling for McCarthy's head mid-season. Now they want to buy some need pads and knock on his front door.
It's okay though, what else do people have to do in that Des Plaines-like town called Green Bay? It's a dump on the Fox River.
As a Packers fan there is no better news than Lovie's return.
Old players, hurt players, no draft picks and a mediocre coach and GM.
Wow, it's the Lions all over again.
I know this is an unpopular opinion but I for one am glad to see Lovie Smith coming back. My biggest fear is that the Bears would fire him and because he is owed so much that they would hire some fresh new coordinator and promote him. Dave Wannstedt anyone?!? No thanks but that was a nightmare coach who set the Bears back a decade.
Eric on January 4, 2010 8:49 PM
"I am Offically becoming a Packers Fan if the entire coaching staff is not gone. Go Pack:("
Has it come to this? I've seen some sad things in my lifetime, but not even in my most morbid thoughts would I think the Bears could ever be so that the fans would turn to the darkside.
Look at our schedule next year.. With Lovie.. I am calling it now.. 3-13. We are gonna get hammered next year.. NFC East (lose all 4), AFC East (lose all 4), NFC North (win both Lions games), Seahawks (win), and Carolina (loss).. can't wait to laugh at this team next year when Mr. Personality is coaching this team as its getting blown out in 10 games next year.. what a joke of a franchise.. If they had any cajones, they'd get rid of this bum and his entire staff, except for Dave Toub (ST coach), but the McSucks have no clue how to run a football team. Papa Bear has to be rolling in his grave knowing he married into this family and seeing what they have done to this once proud franchise.. Maybe we as fans can rise up and buy the McSucks out. Only way its gonna change!!
I am absolutely disgusted with this cheap and spineless franchise. Lovie Smith is an embarrassment to this city. If his contract ended today, there is not a chance on God's green earth that he would return next season. But he will be back and it will be only because of money and absolutely nothing else. His clock management is pathetic, his ability to make mid-game adjustments in non-existent, he is entirely not capable of preparing his players for Sunday, and his challenge-flag history is a joke. Lovie Smith SUCKS and will never ever have a head coaching job in the NFL ever again.
And now we turn our attention to an even bigger problem: Jerry Angelo. Jerry Angelo traded our 2nd round pick for Gaines Adams. Gaines Adams could not even make the active roster against the St. Louis Rams! Are you kidding me? Adams weighs about 150 pounds and is supposed to be a DE? He looks like a freaking shooting guard to me. And now let's talk about the lovely draft class of 2009. Melton, Gilbert, DJ Moore, and Inglesias never even saw the light of day. How can you miss on your top four selections and still have a job? You can't. At least not on any real franchise (of which we obviously aren't one).
The Chicago Bears franchise is a joke. They have humiliated this city in front of a national audience for three consecutive years. And yet we are going to be told tomorrow to sit idly by and watch yet another losing season in 2010.
I will not attend a single game or buy a single piece of apparel until real changes are made. F the Bears!
The Tribune has at least 5 people covering the Bears, and yet readers have no news. Please put some facts in your story.
Who called the press conference for the Bears tomorrow? (names of people)
"Smith could be given a win or else mandate from management" Who is management?
Who was in the meetings today?
Who is making decisions at Halas Hall?
Do Philips and Angelo have lifetime contracts?
This sucks. And the Chicago MEDIA sucks, all of you, Biggs, Haugh, everyone of you. The problem with this organization is pervasive, Extending all the way to Angelo and Virginia. Christ, why can't you guys points out that are team depth sucks ass. Oh, thats right, b/c you guys suck ass too.
Who Says I have to pay to see the Bears or buy their loser merchandise? I have free will. I Like Mike Shanahan. Mike is a winner. The Bears could have had him and a Super Bowl. Jay Needs a coach like Mike, not Lovie. Mike is the next Coach of the Washington Redskins with lots of money at his disposal. Hail to the Redskins!!!!!
Don't worry Bear's fans. The Sun will come up tomorrow because we got a lot of [bad] football left to play!!!
Chicago fans are a bunch of sheep, why would they fire and hire new staff when everything is working perfectly. Fans flock in like a bunch of sheep, buy tons of Bears merchandise and the McCaskey's laugh all the way to the bank. BOYCOTT this piece of shit organization until they get it!!! But we are surrounded by a bunch of MORONS, mostly cub fans and this is what we get, business as usual.
I can't wait to read the headline tomorrow, "Ron Turner Returns". It's gonna be a shit storm tomorrow!!! LOL
I cant honestly think of even one player that has thrived under Smith. Look at D.Aromashodu this year. I know he was hurt early on, but even then Cutler was asking for him, Lovie failed to see this as a potential solution to our WR woes. The negatives far outweigh the positives during his tenure. What really kills me is the lack of emotion during our worst losses. We need someone who will get into a players face and let them know its not ok to get blown out. I think its time for a new start with a new coach.
I listened with regret to the ultimatum given to the emotionless coach at the end of last season's disappointment. I can't believe management is so lame to overlook the pathetic team we watched play for our hearts this season. A coach that doesn't appear to practice his team to be prepared for games doesn't deserve a 3rd chance. Defense lining up offside, offense can't keep from procedure problems 5 & 6 times a game, at game deciding moments. A defense that can not wrap a runner up using proper tackling techniques is always a gamble. A receiver setting the bench for 14 weeks, when our pro QB needed someone to throw to is totally inexcusable. It doesn't appear to be enough for this entire team to have an urgency just to play football for millions, they seemingly need to have their jobs threatened, after the playoff chances are gone. We need to bring in Shanahan and his son for head coach and OC, and go beg Ron Rivera to run our defense again, like he did so well before Lovie fired him.
All signs point to me not going to any of the Bears games next season.
Did you catch the full-page ad in this morning's Trib? The Barez congratulated all you loyal fans for doing your part to make the season a success. That is, you paid your money, showed up, and shut up. Do you need any more evidence of what the McCaskeys think of you? Just see what happens in the next couple of days. Lovie stays. Jerry stays. Ted stays. The clan saves TONS OF BUCKS! And the Barez continue to lose. Thank you, Barez fans! Your loyalty and your stupidity are much appreciated!
How the Bears got to the Super Bowl with Smith is a mystery. Don't forget that it was the season that Hester either ran back the kickoff for a touchdown or gave the bears offense the ball at the 50 yard line. This team lacks discipline, heart and passion. I'm sorry, but I don't care how nice Smith is, the coach MUST be accountable for these areas, especially the discipline part. Teams that respect their coaches don't make the same stupid mistakes over and over. Of course the players are standing up for him now. If you were paid $6 million a year for your job, would you rather have a pushover boss like Smith or a hardass who would come in hear and clear the deck??? It's sad to say, but I think if most of the bears players were 100% honest, they would admit that they are fine collecting their paychecks and not going to the playoffs. Smith and his staff have created that kind of pathetic environment. This team now needs a coach who cannot tolerate losing or mediocre effort from his team. And a little emotion on the sidelines wouldn't hurt either!! We are the fricking Bears!!!! Where is the pride!!!
40-year bear fan
wow quite a lot of passion from these blogs and every one fo them have merit.. chi town fans are too loyal and unless someone takes charge and leads a revolution of boycotting games merchandise etc then there will be no change..
second largest market in the nation and the 5th highest payroll and 3 years of not making the playoffs guess that pinched c on their helmets make sense stands for CLUELESS CHEAP CRAP.. up to us fans!!!!
What a joke!
I mean really, if they simply fire the Offensive staff without addressing the defense, then you really have to hand it to Lovie and his Jedi Master-like mind control.
This is not the DEFENSIVE DEBACLE that you are looking for. At the end of the day, this is a Defensive Head Coach without a clue on Defense. . .he has only made the playoffs TWICE. Sure we somehow beat the odds and got to SBXLI, but should that give the guy carte blanche to suck and suck the life out of Bears Football for the rest of time?
If the Bears were a progressive, well-run organization, they would do everything they could to get Bill Cowher here this week and start over. . .INSTEAD, they'll bring Lovie and his crew back. . run COVER-2 again next year--and hope that their 3rd Place Schedule helps prop them up. . .the problem is that other 3rd Place teams will get better and the Bears will still be going backward. . .and they will be under .500 once again. . .and then the Bears will have to clean house anyway. . .unless of course Lovie wins the last two games. . .because in Lake Forest, that somehow means that all is well, even though the stink of bad is all over the place. . .
Smith isn't a very good coach and probably deserves to be fired. With $11 million on the table and a strike looming in 2011, it simply doesn't make sense for management to do it right now. For the McCaskeys, this is business-they don't have the money other owners have, simple as that. They have no outside investments, so the majority of their decisions are going to be economically influenced. Sorry-that's just the way it is.
Get over it, people.
1. You're not going to give up your season tickets.
2. You're not going to become Packers fans.
3. You're not going to protest the team in any meaningful way.
Just go on whining about the team, talking in hyperbole, and relying on those time-tested cliches that all true meatballs know: (a) "Dem owners are CHEEP I tells ya!" and (b) "Fire all dem coaches! Bring back Ditka! We needs the FIRE and PASSION!"
This is the team and the ownership Chicago is left with. If you don't like it, feel free to find another team. Its not changing any time soon.
The NFL passed George Halas by around the time Paul Brown came along in 1950. Any sane organization would have sent the old man packing, but because Halas was the owner, the fans were subjected to many years of Papa Bear's incompetence. He capped off his dotage by hiring Mike Ditka as coach. Ditka underachieved with one of the all time great rosters.
Halas managed to leave his franchise to his haples, inept surviving decedents, who continue the family tradition of getting rich off of their mediocre stewardship in their share of a cartel. The Lovie Smith/Jerry Angelo fiasco, which apparently will drag into yet another season, is the latest chapter of the sorry, miserable Bear tradition.
If the wins vs the Vikings and the Lions are what keeps Lovie Smith from being fired, they were NOT WORTH IT! Seriously, fire this bum and Ron Turner. Bring in a carrot to do the coaching, it'll be an upgrade!
This is for mark n. I agree with some of what you say. Wanting Lovie gone has nothing to do with being a true Bears fan. The players need to be held accountable and Lovie is not the guy to do that. The reason guys like Steltz and D A are playing good football, they are capitalizing on the chance to show not only the Bears but every other team they belong in the league. With out the injuries Lovie would never give a guy a chance and more than likely would look for sign a player he knew 10-15 years ago that was good then, but way past their prime (Pace, Archueletta). Lovie needs to be gone so the franchise can once again become the envy of the league and not a punch line.
I've watched and followed the Bears for over 40 years. I've seen some pretty bad teams. However, I don't remember seeing such apathy as displayed by the 2009 Bears. This team truly did not seem to mind getting their butts kicked and laughed at by opposing players and coaches. I often wondered ... "what do those guys do during practice each week?" The team always looked the same, week after week. No emotion, loads of penalties, no half-time adjustments and the losses piling up. ... but the players did get their pay-check and that's ALL they seem to play for.
These issues are screaming that Chicago needs a better football organization then what the Bears can now offer. The Bears will probably wait for 2 more years before they start trying to rebuild. I just don't think anyone in this organization knows how to build and manage a football team.
The Bears organization is a sad joke which should be ignored, not supported.
Anyone who jumps on the thought to fire lovie has no heart and is truly not a real bears fan. Lovie is a good coach and after taking command of the bears and promising we would beat the packers and farve(which we did) he took us to the superbowl. Let's face it, a bad coach never reaches the playoffs let alone the superbowl. Now, on the other hand lovie has made some horrible calls. Number one being sticking with Ron turner. Okay he may have been above average in the 90's but this is 2010. You can't run a playaction offense when your coming out the gate throwing, it just doesn't work. He gave up on the run too early and never gave it a chance with the o-line he pieced together. Fire Ron turner ond hire someone who knows offense!
Number two is Devin Hester. He's not a number 1 receiver. He's a number 2 at best and that's stretching it. You really want the truth, he should' ve remained onspecial teams wheee teams feared him and then play him onthe slot on offense.
Numbered three is why are players like amaroshadu and steltz sitting on the bench, unused talent maybe the biggest mistake. My opinion amaroshadu is an elite player, a miles Austin, a player no team ever realized they had, it's about time the bears do.
Bottom line lovie should stay, turner should go.
I am Offically becoming a Packers Fan if the entire coaching staff is not gone. Go Pack:(
I was hoping for Angelo and Lovie both to be fired this week; however, I am not surprised the Bears will bring these idiots back for the 2010 season. The offensive line is in desperate need of new talent, and a new offensive coordinator. However, I believe the Bears' defense has many more problems to address in the off-season i.e. the inability to generate a pass rush, stop the run and stop 3rd down conversions. Additionally, the secondary needs talent at CB, FS and SS. Bringing Lovie back only prolongs the inevitable, and the Bears will have another mediocre seasons of 7, 8 or 9 wiins.
Just fire Offensivie Coordinator Ron Turner.
How difficult is that? I don't think the Bears organization needs an entire process to do that.
Just fire Offensive Coordinator Ron Turner, QB cocah Pep Hamilton, OL coach Harry Hiestand, WR Coach Daryl Drake, TE Coach Rob Boras, and RB coach Tim Spencer.
Everybody else can stay. Just fire these people and the majority of the Bears problems minus a player or two will be solved.
Just get rid of the negative cog Ron Turner. It is not physics. It is common sense.
Bears went to Superbowl under Lovie, with Rex Grossman. Shanahan had three straight losing seasons, and had Cutler. The sky is not falling.
Bear down.
It's interesting to read the Denver newspapers and comments by Marshall and Scheffler. Players in Denver felt that the locker room was divided between Shanahan guys and the new coach's recruits-Josh McDaniels men. No wonder the present team wants Lovie to stay. A new coach would put the old players on the hot seat. Lovie has always been a players coach who is very loyal to his guys.
ESPN is reporting Ron Turner has been fired as Offensive Coordinator and John Shoop has taken over the position.
Hey Dahli, Joe, I just got a email from the Times. Inside is back up and running. Just thought you may want to know, I know its not with Brad but its still a better format. I myself will continue to post on both. The new guy over their is off to a slow start though and yes I hammered him for it.
Last I checked, it was the defense giving up touchdowns on every possession during those blowouts. Between that, the poor personnel moves where we didn't figure out the best players to play on our O Line or receivers to have out there for Cutler - I think at the very least Angelo should be shown the door. I'll give Lovie the benefit of the doubt and assume Angelo's poor choices on signings and contracts forced Lovie's hand in some personnel decisions.
Hold on for a few seconds I am just finishing puking up blood when I read this news.
The McCheeps,Phillips and cover the ARS Angelo should be ashamed and certainly are spineless, nimrods. Chicago deserves a top NFL team. Virginia should be embarrassed, even though George Halas was a cheapskate, he didn't accept mediocre crap from anyone, including the coaches, if they did not produce they were gone. The Chicago Bears were known to be mean and tough, any team that played the Bears felt it for weeks, the Bears were plain and simple, tough. Now their defense is soft and worse than mediocre, weak, out of shape, not disciplined and soft. Defense used to be what the Bears and the city stood for, tough aggressive defense. The NFL is laughing at the Bears defense. The offense has always been a joke, so what is new. Virginia fire Lovie!!! Do it for the city of Chicago, they deserve a tough, proud winner, which your family has not given the city.
Lovie Dovie is simply not a good head coach. The team consistently is under prepared, they do not bring their A game every week, this team is not disciplined with way too many penalties. Lovie surrounds himself with friends and weak coaches, not a sign of a strong leader. No halftimme adjustments ever, losing playoff games because of this issue alone, his challenges are noted as one of the worst, talent evaluation is simply non existent, take the free safety revolving door as an example for the last three years, it goes on and on and on, truly pathetic.
Please lets hope this news is wrong and that Lovie will be gone very soon, this week!!!
So they are going to announce changes huh? You can put perfume on poop, but it is still poop. However, the owners of the Bears are well aware that they have 60,000 lemmings that will plunk their cash year after year to support this sham of an organization. Until YOU say I've had enough, I'm not financing this clueless joke of an NFL team anymore, they will continue to do so. Me? I've had enough of this accountability lacking nonsense. See ya.
Firing Ron Turner is like changing the Activities Director on the Titanic. You might have more fun, but you're still gonna sink.
Cheap Owners Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
Egads,
You all don't know how badly I was hoping for a Lions victory Sunday, then maybe all this speculation would be a moot point. If Smith comes back I will not watch the Bears next year except to laugh at them every time they loose a game.
Tomorrow will be a sad day in the city of Chicago unless Smith gets the boot.
Like Dan Pompei said the other day, the Bears goal is to be competitive. Sounds like the Cubs!
get rid of turner - get someone who's good and genuinely likes and cares about Cutler so he gives his best.
keep Lovie - he's better than losing 11 million dollars - not exactly a ringing endorsement but maybe from experience he'll let someone else pick the new players
more money for PLAYERS ??
Maybe McCaskey will spend it so he and his family can enjoy a Super Bowl season in Chicago while he's still alive.
Otherwise he'll be in the heavenly hall of legendary no fun for the kids cheapo owners with Bill Wirtz.
All you people crying are not going to do NOTHING.You will renew your season tickets and tune in every week you feeble blind Bufoons.I told you that FLUKE vikings win was false hope.It was not the bears winning it WAS THE VIKINGS LOSS.Bears won against browns,seahawks,lions twice LOOOL.In chicago that gets the coach back in for another sub par season in new york city you get fired.Bears will go 4-12 next year I'll bet my life on it.
Bill Cowher figures that he won't coach in 2010. He probably knows he's a shoe in for the Bears next year and they'll pay any price after this next seasons debacle.
There is NO case to keep Lovie other than the Bears are too cheap to buy him out.
Well the fact that Bill Cowher will not coach this up coming season makes me even better that the Bears will get him if and when Lovie Smith fails this upcoming season. With Cowher as the Bears head coach he (Cowher) will bring respectability to Da' Bears.
I'd say i'd love to have Ted Phillips job, but sounds boring.
"Ted's To-Do"
1. Screw IL taxpayers for new stadium.
2. ........
Gee what a surprise it looks like Lovie will stay.
This is the worst thing possible.
Lovie makes you lose your will to live!
Here are some upcoming 2010 quotes that Lovie will make:
- We are 1 and 3 right now in the first quarter of our season but we have three more quarters in our season.
- All we are focusing on is next weeks game against the Eagles and if we win we will be undefeated in the second quarter of our season.
- The sun will rise tomorrow unless you live in Alaska.
-Even though we are 4 and 10 right now we still like our playoff chances.
- Gaines Adams was worth a second round pick because if we had a pick we would have picked a holder for field goals.
The botton line is ANGELO is a disaster and LOVIE if he had Walter Payton would have turned him into Curtis Ennis!
Of course the players want Lovie back. If they get a new coach they might have to actually play like their jobs depended upon it. The players are to comfortable w/Lovie and his coaching style. If you don't feel pressure in your job to perform well, then you preform average and don't strive to improve. If Lovie stays, management better hold him accountable and if he starts 0-3 or 1-4, they need to fire him immediately w/out question and not wait til after the season. Hopefully, they hire some OC and DC that are strong leaders and can develop players. The less responsibility Lovie is given, the better the Bears will be...
Can the McCaskeys be objective about their business? If they keep the current management in place--people who can't find their backside with both hands--it's clear they don't have a clue how to run the business their dad/grandpa founded. Shame on them--and shame on ALL OF US if we continue to support the Bears.
If Lovie comes back, it's back to camp Easy Training. Even with more new asst.'s. Lovie the trust-me experiment goes on, the captain of this ship has no clue or direction where he's going. The man can't develop players, talks about small problems we need to fix from week to week, talks about 1st quarter of a season being 3 and 1.This man can't do game time management to save his life. Starting to think him and Devin Hester are alike, devin is ethier football stupid or has real bad A.D.D.No matter what comes from the upper management to keep Lovie and sell us on their decision you can bet another losing season is a for gone conclusion.Come on Chicago Bears quit looking at the past that's over and done. What have you done lately for the chicago fans here and elsewhere.This team suck's,and will suck until we get people who know how to coach and manage a professional football team. Sorry Virginia thats the truth, your dad wouldn't stand for product being put on the field now.
this isn't the worst thing ever. the minn game proved this team has the talent to be competitive every week. especially with a healthly Urlacher and Forte next year. As my parents always say give them some rope and see if they hang themselves. The mandate shouldn't be just to make the playoffs next year. It should b win a playoff game or else. Making the playoffs shouldn't be the goal. Winning it all is. Bad teams "make" the playoffs. It takes a "good" team to win a playoff game. I am one of millions who want change but I also want whats best for the team. If the players feel the team can be better than I say "you have next year to prove it." if they cant there isn't anything to discuss.
I'm done with the Bears. I can only handle so much losing. If the Bears can't realize that Lovie Smith won't lead them to the promised land, there's nothing us fans can do to help them.
I'll become a Colts fan!!
If next season's staff is essentially status quo and you want to make a statement of protest simply ignore the team. Don't attend games. Don't buy team logo garbage. Don't watch the games on tv. Just ignore them. As earlier commenters noted, where is the motivation for serious change when the owners rake in enormous revenues, win or lose?
If you're not prepared to do this, just shut up.
Honestly I'm willing to give Lovie the benefit of da doubt but Ron Turner must GO!!! With that said the players will be very happy to see Lovie returning cause it'll be business as usual, easy training camps and no accountability. As long as Ron Turner is gone than I'm satisfied.
Its really sickening to hear that there might not be sweeping changes to the coaching staff. Again ownership has proved that the bottom line is money and as long as fans fill the stadium-why make any drastic changes. I mean the Bears have a bean counter in Ted Philips as CEO and that alone speaks volumes. Prepare for another dismal season in 2010 when the Bears stay status quo and the Vikings, Packers and even Lions get stronger during the offseason. We may be bottom dwellers for the next couple of years with the current management and coaching staff and players....what a train wreck!
If Lovie comes back, the players will have a huge sigh of relief. They won't have to workout in the off season, or worry about getting kicked off the team, or worrying about being held accountable for sleep walking through the season.
Ask the players to payback 50% of their salary if they keep Lovie and miss the playoffs again. Let's see if the players will put their money where their mouths are.
Trust the players, they know best? So between the players and the clueless coaches they've had three pretty bad seasons. The coach is The Leader; he's not a pal and buddy to the players. He should be respected for being smart and hard nosed and knowing what is best for the team and the direction it should be going. The players are there to play for a LEADER and if they don't (which this group HAS NOT), they are benched or chewed out or whatever. I'm sick of this new trend of 'touchy, feely' coaching. I'm sick of hearing that if a few games went the right way, the season would have been positive... you know what; they DIDN'T. A freakin' loss is a loss no matter how close. We've seen too many blown games, bad time outs, horrible red zone offense, clueless playing and coaching.... I guess you expect nothing more after these three years Sweetness34.. Mr Payton and the rest of the old gang would disagree with you I bet
What is going on here??? How can a guy who lost by 35, 20, and 24 to lower tier playoff teams (Bengals, Cardinals, and Ravens) be brought back? Losing by 8-10 points shows that there is a talent gap. 35 means that the coaching staff could not have been LESS prepared for a football game. As a season ticket holder I am sickened by the thought of wasting thousands of dollars on another year of this.......I will look to sell most of my tickets again this year and hope I can remove some of the demand for single game tickets........
I haven't felt this sick to my stomach since the doctor told me I had the clap!
This is the THIRD straight year with no playoff appearance ,and yet they want bring him back to put us in detroit lion category.
If this happens, scratch my DirecTV Sunday Ticket for next year! Waste of time and money!
Lovie coming back is a good thing. The players obviously respect him. Just because he doesn't scowl or scream doesn't mean he's passive - it just means he's composed. Take away a couple of games last year decided by only one or two plays, and a couple of games this year that the team could have won despite multi-pick games from Cutler, and things would be looking much different to all the fans screaming for Lovie's head now. It's certainly not all Cutler's fault, but it's certainly not all Lovie's either. Trust the players - they know what's up.
I think the clincher for McCaskey was probably that after the Bears were so terrible, after the Ravens and several other blow outs, clearly out of the playoffs, on a cold uncomfortable Monday night against the Vikings, SOLIDER FIELD WAS FULL OF FANS.
As a businessman, I'd think he probably made his decision right there.
Bears fans are fiercely loyal, to a fault. This time it will probably cost them at least one more lost year under Lovie and Angelo. Ashame that their loyalty is taken advantage of and rewarded with inaction. And, McCaskey's dividend checks can now be about $5 million greater next year guaranteed.
PS: I don't buy into the theory that a lock out has anything to do with this. For the reasons I cited, even if there is a lock out in 2011 for half a season, a full season, etc. , the minute that it's "game on" again, the Bear fans will come storming back faster than almost anybody in the league.
Our defense sucks...Small linebackers... Hunter H. get praised in the media and he is so overmatched on almost every play. Biggs is a player but I think he may be in decline...the other LB's aren't even worth a mention.
Defensive secondary is below average... D-line is also mediocre at best.
This is Lovie Dovie D and they suck.
Cutler and the young WR's look very good in the last 2 games; prior to that they were terrible. O-Line is below the mean. Tight ends are OK...Running game below average.
7-9 next year as well; unless they make some very good moves.
Should concentrate on Defense!!
If they keep Lovie than the bears will suffer through another horrible season. between Lovie and Angelo the team has been on a downward sipral for 3 years. They put together an offensive line that couldn't stop me and a defensive scheme that every team in the NFL picks apart (only Chicago anff Tampa bay run that "Tampa 2" defense.... how did both defenses work out this year?). The defense has been horrible since the bears dumped Ron Rivera. How many players have been "busts" under the Chicago machine yet flourish on other teams? Time to boycott Soldier Field until the McCaskeys get the message!
Waht alse do you expect?
Why should the bears spend any more money sucking up salary as long as the fans are willing to fill Soldier Field week after week? Much the same as the Cubs, winning is not of paramount importance to ownership. Puttin' butts in seats and making money is of primary importance, not putting championship trophies on the mantle.
So the offensive staff will probably be gone for their performance but Lovie whos defense has been bad for 3 years will be back even though his performance has been bad. Its all about the money.
The stuff I have heard being reported are that either Marinelli will be the new DC or Perry Fewell out of Buffalo who was just fired will be the new DC.
I don't think Harris will ever be a Pro Bowl player again, no player I have ever heard of has recovered from that hamstring injury. Newberry had the same injury and went from being a pro bowl center to a third string player in two years. He will never have the explosion in his legs he once had and while he has a strong upper body he does not use it very well.
It looks like Martz and Farwell will be the new guys. Thats a totally new offense for the Bears and all the players will have to adjust to it.
Lovie has been nothing short of stubborn about his scheme and players. He is such a great coach that he coached Manning up into a guy who has been benched twice. He doesn't know where or who should start, DA not playing(not saying he is great but he could have been solid), Hester a number 1, Manning moved from nickle to FS, trying to play Steltz at FS, letting Harrison be the starter over Adams and doing the same with Dusty and Adams, Anderson over Brown at RDE, Pace over Williams at LT and Williams over Shaffer at RT, not wanting Cutler to move or role out and trying to limit him to a pocket passer on a team that can't make a decent pocket. Just horrible at clock managment and no ingenuity in play calling or scheme modification at all. Poor choices in his coaching staff and being a general homer when it comes to giving his friends jobs and firing qualified coaches.
Basically they want to take all play calling ability away from Smith and all personel choices away from him. So the Bears will pay Lovie a lot of money to do nothing. Its the same thing Washington did this year. They are keeping him because they don't want to pay a new coach and staff to come in here and make the team a legit contender, end of story.
Its an even bigger joke that Angelo will retain his job.
Well, I can already see season ticket holders cancelling their order of tickets for this season. The McCheapskeys wont care as long as the stadium is packed and the beer is flowing. Let's look forward to 2011. FIRE THE ENTIRE COACHING STAFF or else it will be another sub 500 season.
Lovie's gameplan and team speech: "ok cornerbacks, I want you to play 10 yards off the receiver. Let the receivers catch every ball in sight right down the middle of the field. As long as you prevent the huge play, I can live with a QB completing 70% of his passes and a 120 Rating. Trust me, it will work out great and be fine. Now when you see me on the sideline looking like I am in a coma, don't panic. Things will be ok as this is not how our defense can really play. But the truth is I wouldn't know how to change a thing to correct these mistakes even if I had to, that;s for damn sure"
Sad but true.
I cancelled my Sunday ticket THIS year knowing those mopes would stink it up. What a sad team..
I wouldn't mind keeping lovie for one more season as long as they fire Ron Turner and hire a offensive guru coach that will fit Cutler's playing style. Also hire a defensive guru coach please!
Had it not been for two misses, by the opposing team's field goal kickers, the Bears would be 5-11 this year.
The fifth highest payroll in professional football and this is what we get?
Shameful.....Simply Shameful. Poorly managed...no real game plan...no mid-game adjustments......NOTHING.
The higher ups in the Bears organization seem to think that we will continue to fill Soldier Field.
Could they be in for a surprise come next season?
Stay tuned!
The Bears will suck as long as Lovie is HC. I can't express how sick it makes me to know that my beloved Bears will stink it up again in 2010.
If Lovie is still around, I will definitely not purchase the Sunday NFL Ticket package. Why bother, as 7-9 or 8-8 is inevitable. Way to settle for mediocrity McCashkeys.
"Signs point to Lovie Smith returning for Bears"
Signs point to Bears still suckin' next year.
Too bad. Getting rid of Turner will have a difference on the O but the D will continue to struggle under Lovie's cover 2 system. It is extremly out dated and every single NFL team knows how to attack it. So if Lovie is robbed of his play calling ability what exactly does he bring to the table? You can only go through so many coordinators and postion coaches until it is time to look into the mirror. 2010 will be a waist.
If this report is true, then this is a sad start to 2010. We know in advance how the 2010 season will end. The Teddy bears will begin the season poorly, averaging 2.4 yards a carry, interceptions galore, and a bottom ranked defense. Then when word comes of Lovie"s possible firing, the run game will miraculously pick up, Cutler will kick into pro bowl form, and Tommie Harris and the defense will wake up for two games in order to save Lovie, and give a gleam to another losing season. We already know how this scene will play out in 2010.