2009 Chicago Bears offseason

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Lets not forget either that the year the Bears made the Super Bowl was one of the weakest years ever in the NFL.

 

I'm not sure how you measure that, but they dominated the NFC Championship game and won the NFC by three full games. That's dominating enough to make up for a weak conference.

[Banedon]

Look at the talent on your squad. How did you expect more than 9 wins with the offensive talent you have and an aging defense that is good but not great anymore?

 

I really don't get it.

 

Should've been at least 10 with that Atlanta game.

 

The GB win serves as a counter-balance to the Atlanta loss. Back to 9.

 

I see your GB, and raise you the week 2 Carolina game.

What, no Tampa game with the single most ridiculous penalty of the year in OT?

 

I was saving that for later in the exchange. :D

[Banedon]

Well if they're gonna start axing coordinators, they didn't feel like they needed to do it first thing this morning, huh?

[GoCubsGo1679625768]

Lets not forget either that the year the Bears made the Super Bowl was one of the weakest years ever in the NFL.

 

I'm not sure how you measure that, but they dominated the NFC Championship game and won the NFC by three full games. That's dominating enough to make up for a weak conference.

LOL, they most certainly did not. They were back in forth with the Saints for a good part of that game and would have probably lost in the dome. The week before that they just barely squeaked by the Seahawks.

[jersey cubs fan]

Look at the talent on your squad. How did you expect more than 9 wins with the offensive talent you have and an aging defense that is good but not great anymore?

 

I really don't get it.

 

Should've been at least 10 with that Atlanta game.

 

The GB win serves as a counter-balance to the Atlanta loss. Back to 9.

 

I see your GB, and raise you the week 2 Carolina game.

 

And I'll raise you a Smith suspension.

 

That Carolina game defined this season. They were lucky to play them without Smith, just as they were lucky to play a gimpy Manning and the Colts in week 1, instead of week 10, and they were lucky to get the Saints to come to Chicago in December again instead of having to go to the dome. They gave it their all from an effort standpoint, but the defense fell apart because the athletes back there can't do what they used to do. And the offense, while effective at times, shot themselves in the foot.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Lets not forget either that the year the Bears made the Super Bowl was one of the weakest years ever in the NFL.

 

I'm not sure how you measure that, but they dominated the NFC Championship game and won the NFC by three full games. That's dominating enough to make up for a weak conference.

LOL, they most certainly did not. They were back in forth with the Saints for a good part of that game and would have probably lost in the dome. The week before that they just barely squeaked by the Seahawks.

 

Same game I was watching? They dominated the first half, then the Saints broke one big play and had one good drive to make it seem closer than it was, then they dominated the rest of the way.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

There's really no point in axing coordinators. Either the coaching staff needs to go or it doesn't, but half-measures seem silly to me.

[jersey cubs fan]

Look at the talent on your squad. How did you expect more than 9 wins with the offensive talent you have and an aging defense that is good but not great anymore?

 

I really don't get it.

 

Should've been at least 10 with that Atlanta game.

 

The GB win serves as a counter-balance to the Atlanta loss. Back to 9.

 

I see your GB, and raise you the week 2 Carolina game.

What, no Tampa game with the single most ridiculous penalty of the year in OT?

 

Don't forget, the Bears emphasis on athleticism and turnovers, and emotion in general, often come with ridiculous unsportsmanline play penalties. We've seen it for years from Kreutz and others because that is the way they play.

[Soul]

Look at the talent on your squad. How did you expect more than 9 wins with the offensive talent you have and an aging defense that is good but not great anymore?

 

I really don't get it.

 

Should've been at least 10 with that Atlanta game.

 

The GB win serves as a counter-balance to the Atlanta loss. Back to 9.

 

I see your GB, and raise you the week 2 Carolina game.

 

And I'll raise you a Smith suspension.

 

That Carolina game defined this season. They were lucky to play them without Smith, just as they were lucky to play a gimpy Manning and the Colts in week 1, instead of week 10, and they were lucky to get the Saints to come to Chicago in December again instead of having to go to the dome. They gave it their all from an effort standpoint, but the defense fell apart because the athletes back there can't do what they used to do. And the offense, while effective at times, shot themselves in the foot.

 

And that Tampa game had nothing to do with luck or bad penalties either. They were sitting with a huge lead and simply couldn't hold it against Tampa's offense and Brian Griese. That was a mediocre defense being mediocre, which was a big part of why we missed the playoffs.

[Banedon]

Lets not forget either that the year the Bears made the Super Bowl was one of the weakest years ever in the NFL.

 

I'm not sure how you measure that, but they dominated the NFC Championship game and won the NFC by three full games. That's dominating enough to make up for a weak conference.

LOL, they most certainly did not. They were back in forth with the Saints for a good part of that game and would have probably lost in the dome. The week before that they just barely squeaked by the Seahawks.

 

 

39-14 isn't dominating?

[bukie]

Lets not forget either that the year the Bears made the Super Bowl was one of the weakest years ever in the NFL.

 

I'm not sure how you measure that, but they dominated the NFC Championship game and won the NFC by three full games. That's dominating enough to make up for a weak conference.

LOL, they most certainly did not. They were back in forth with the Saints for a good part of that game and would have probably lost in the dome. The week before that they just barely squeaked by the Seahawks.

 

Same game I was watching? They dominated the first half, then the Saints broke one big play and had one good drive to make it seem closer than it was, then they dominated the rest of the way.

Yeah, the Bears basically dominated all but five minutes of that NFC championship game. Even at 16-0 in the first half it wasn't as close as that score indicated.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

Don't forget, the Bears emphasis on athleticism and turnovers, and emotion in general, often come with ridiculous unsportsmanline play penalties. We've seen it for years from Kreutz and others because that is the way they play.

 

If you want to argue that Kreutz is incredibly overrated, we'll I've been on that one for years.

[Banedon]

Don't forget, the Bears emphasis on athleticism and turnovers, and emotion in general, often come with ridiculous unsportsmanline play penalties. We've seen it for years from Kreutz and others because that is the way they play.

 

If you want to argue that Kreutz is incredibly overrated, we'll I've been on that one for years.

 

I'll get on that bandwagon.

[bukie]

I'm of the opinion that the Bears need the most help on both lines. Specifically, pass-rushing and pass-blocking. And, unfortunately, I don't believe that's the kind of thing that can be fixed quickly in a draft with your earliest pick being #17/#18.

[jersey cubs fan]

There's really no point in axing coordinators. Either the coaching staff needs to go or it doesn't, but half-measures seem silly to me.

 

Axing coordinators does not equal a half-measure. But what are you for? You don't want Lovie fired, you don't want coordinators fired. Are you for anybody getting fired? Is your preference to keep Lovie and fire literally everybody else?

 

The coordinators are very important position. Combined, they are probably equal to, if not greater than the head coach in terms of importance to the team. Firing the coordinators is going to result in other changes in staff, as new guys are going to insist on bringing in some of their own. A coordinator purge would be a hell of a lot more than a half-measure. And it is far better than sticking with the status quo.

[dew1679666265]

Look at the talent on your squad. How did you expect more than 9 wins with the offensive talent you have and an aging defense that is good but not great anymore?

 

I really don't get it.

 

Should've been at least 10 with that Atlanta game.

 

The GB win serves as a counter-balance to the Atlanta loss. Back to 9.

 

I see your GB, and raise you the week 2 Carolina game.

 

And I'll raise you a Smith suspension.

 

That Carolina game defined this season. They were lucky to play them without Smith, just as they were lucky to play a gimpy Manning and the Colts in week 1, instead of week 10, and they were lucky to get the Saints to come to Chicago in December again instead of having to go to the dome. They gave it their all from an effort standpoint, but the defense fell apart because the athletes back there can't do what they used to do. And the offense, while effective at times, shot themselves in the foot.

 

And that Tampa game had nothing to do with luck or bad penalties either. They were sitting with a huge lead and simply couldn't hold it against Tampa's offense and Brian Griese. That was a mediocre defense being mediocre, which was a big part of why we missed the playoffs.

 

If a team is mediocre, there's very little a coach can do about it. Depending on the amount of say he has in personnel decisions, Lovie should take some heat for that. But his schemes have had players in position to make plays - that's all a coach can do.

[Banedon]

There's really no point in axing coordinators. Either the coaching staff needs to go or it doesn't, but half-measures seem silly to me.

 

Axing coordinators does not equal a half-measure. But what are you for? You don't want Lovie fired, you don't want coordinators fired. Are you for anybody getting fired? Is your preference to keep Lovie and fire literally everybody else?

 

The coordinators are very important position. Combined, they are probably equal to, if not greater than the head coach in terms of importance to the team. Firing the coordinators is going to result in other changes in staff, as new guys are going to insist on bringing in some of their own. A coordinator purge would be a hell of a lot more than a half-measure. And it is far better than sticking with the status quo.

 

He said earlier that he thinks a good draft gets the division title next year.

[dew1679666265]

There's really no point in axing coordinators. Either the coaching staff needs to go or it doesn't, but half-measures seem silly to me.

 

Axing coordinators does not equal a half-measure. But what are you for? You don't want Lovie fired, you don't want coordinators fired. Are you for anybody getting fired? Is your preference to keep Lovie and fire literally everybody else?

 

The coordinators are very important position. Combined, they are probably equal to, if not greater than the head coach in terms of importance to the team. Firing the coordinators is going to result in other changes in staff, as new guys are going to insist on bringing in some of their own. A coordinator purge would be a hell of a lot more than a half-measure. And it is far better than sticking with the status quo.

 

I'd argue that Mike Heimerdinger replacing Norm Chow as OC of the Titans was one of the biggest things this team did to improve from where they were last year to where they are this year. That and the defensive talent taking the next step from very good to awesome.

[Hairyducked Idiot]

There's really no point in axing coordinators. Either the coaching staff needs to go or it doesn't, but half-measures seem silly to me.

 

Axing coordinators does not equal a half-measure. But what are you for? You don't want Lovie fired, you don't want coordinators fired. Are you for anybody getting fired? Is your preference to keep Lovie and fire literally everybody else?

 

The coordinators are very important position. Combined, they are probably equal to, if not greater than the head coach in terms of importance to the team. Firing the coordinators is going to result in other changes in staff, as new guys are going to insist on bringing in some of their own. A coordinator purge would be a hell of a lot more than a half-measure. And it is far better than sticking with the status quo.

 

My preference is to keep the management team intact. I like it, I believe it is capable of winning championships, and I believe any replacements are likely to be worse.

 

If you don't agree with the direction or philosophy of the team, then Smith should be fired. If you do, leave them be, because this wasn't a bad season.

[Banedon]

There's really no point in axing coordinators. Either the coaching staff needs to go or it doesn't, but half-measures seem silly to me.

 

Axing coordinators does not equal a half-measure. But what are you for? You don't want Lovie fired, you don't want coordinators fired. Are you for anybody getting fired? Is your preference to keep Lovie and fire literally everybody else?

 

The coordinators are very important position. Combined, they are probably equal to, if not greater than the head coach in terms of importance to the team. Firing the coordinators is going to result in other changes in staff, as new guys are going to insist on bringing in some of their own. A coordinator purge would be a hell of a lot more than a half-measure. And it is far better than sticking with the status quo.

 

My preference is to keep the management team intact. I like it, I believe it is capable of winning championships, and I believe any replacements are likely to be worse.

 

If you don't agree with the direction or philosophy of the team, then Smith should be fired. If you do, leave them be, because this wasn't a bad season.

 

The defense has sucked for 2 years in a row now. Since Bob Babich took over the DC role. Is that a coincidence? Do you think that will magically change?

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm of the opinion that the Bears need the most help on both lines. Specifically, pass-rushing and pass-blocking. And, unfortunately, I don't believe that's the kind of thing that can be fixed quickly in a draft with your earliest pick being #17/#18.

 

I believe both of those things can be significantly improved in one offseason. Mark Anderson types come out of every draft. Pass rushers and running backs are probably the easiest guys to plug into any team and rely on ability over practice and familiarity with a system. Likewise, upgrades at guard can be found fairly quickly, often on the free agent market and also through the draft. The Bears got a fairly large upgrade at RT the year they signed John Tait as a free agent. They can do something like that again. They aren't paying a lot to their QB or RB right now, there's no reason they can't find cap room for line help on both sides.

[dew1679666265]

I'm of the opinion that the Bears need the most help on both lines. Specifically, pass-rushing and pass-blocking. And, unfortunately, I don't believe that's the kind of thing that can be fixed quickly in a draft with your earliest pick being #17/#18.

 

Using the same defensive scheme, the Colts have Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis at DE and the Bucs have Gaines Adams. They're ability to rush the passer is a big reason they've got good defenses.

[Soul]

Look at the talent on your squad. How did you expect more than 9 wins with the offensive talent you have and an aging defense that is good but not great anymore?

 

I really don't get it.

 

Should've been at least 10 with that Atlanta game.

 

The GB win serves as a counter-balance to the Atlanta loss. Back to 9.

 

I see your GB, and raise you the week 2 Carolina game.

 

And I'll raise you a Smith suspension.

 

That Carolina game defined this season. They were lucky to play them without Smith, just as they were lucky to play a gimpy Manning and the Colts in week 1, instead of week 10, and they were lucky to get the Saints to come to Chicago in December again instead of having to go to the dome. They gave it their all from an effort standpoint, but the defense fell apart because the athletes back there can't do what they used to do. And the offense, while effective at times, shot themselves in the foot.

 

And that Tampa game had nothing to do with luck or bad penalties either. They were sitting with a huge lead and simply couldn't hold it against Tampa's offense and Brian Griese. That was a mediocre defense being mediocre, which was a big part of why we missed the playoffs.

 

If a team is mediocre, there's very little a coach can do about it. Depending on the amount of say he has in personnel decisions, Lovie should take some heat for that. But his schemes have had players in position to make plays - that's all a coach can do.

 

I'm not blaming everything on Lovie though. I'm just saying this was a mediocre ballclub and that was bourne out in the final results. Arguing a lucky bounce here & there really isn't going to change my opinion that this wasn't a real good Bears football team. They had some good things going, certainly. But that doesn't make them a good team. Like I said, the final results bear it out.

[bukie]

There's really no point in axing coordinators. Either the coaching staff needs to go or it doesn't, but half-measures seem silly to me.

 

Axing coordinators does not equal a half-measure. But what are you for? You don't want Lovie fired, you don't want coordinators fired. Are you for anybody getting fired? Is your preference to keep Lovie and fire literally everybody else?

 

The coordinators are very important position. Combined, they are probably equal to, if not greater than the head coach in terms of importance to the team. Firing the coordinators is going to result in other changes in staff, as new guys are going to insist on bringing in some of their own. A coordinator purge would be a hell of a lot more than a half-measure. And it is far better than sticking with the status quo.

 

My preference is to keep the management team intact. I like it, I believe it is capable of winning championships, and I believe any replacements are likely to be worse.

 

If you don't agree with the direction or philosophy of the team, then Smith should be fired. If you do, leave them be, because this wasn't a bad season.

 

The defense has sucked for 2 years in a row now. Since Bob Babich took over the DC role. Is that a coincidence? Do you think that will magically change?

I think if they can get a good pass-rusher DE and above average DT for the rotation, and are in some way able to get pressure with just the front 4, I do think the defense will improve drastically in passing situations. They're already a dominant run-stopping D when they don't have to focus so much on creatively applying pressure to stop the pass.

[dew1679666265]

If a team is mediocre, there's very little a coach can do about it. Depending on the amount of say he has in personnel decisions, Lovie should take some heat for that. But his schemes have had players in position to make plays - that's all a coach can do.

 

I'm not blaming everything on Lovie though. I'm just saying this was a mediocre ballclub and that was bourne out in the final results. Arguing a lucky bounce here & there really isn't going to change my opinion that this wasn't a real good Bears football team. They had some good things going, certainly. But that doesn't make them a good team. Like I said, the final results bear it out.

 

Yeah, I was more agreeing with you than anything. The scheme is not the problem in Chicago, it's the personnel running that scheme.

 

And the bolded is terrible, you should be ashamed. :wink: