Re: Week 7: Bears at Bengals (4:15 ET on Fox)

[Wilson A2000]

Perhaps that was some players' way of saying they didn't totally agree with how he was being treated when he was in Chicago -- even if they didn't want to speak up at the time.

 

If I remember correctly, the defense was the group that hated him the most.

[DivineBovine]

4. How has this staff done anything to warrant keeping it in place as is?

 

I think today's loss was just a bump in the road. They will be a .500 team at the end of the year and they are right there now. Lovie and his staff have had one of the best records since he started as head coach. And they have had far worse talent than the other teams around them. Is Lovie a great coach? No. But he has had one of the best records with just barely above average talent. I would like to see what he can do with good talent.

 

 

 

He had two good years in 05 and 06. Since then the team has been mediocre, going 7-9, 9-7, and now 3-3. He is a mediocre coach.

 

 

Now, I highly doubt he will be gone before his contract is up in 2011, but don't act like he is anything more then what he is, and don't get all high and mighty just because fans want a great coach, especially when Shanahan and company are available.

 

The talent Lovie is given is worse than Lovie's coaching ability.

 

 

I don't understand how you can make such strong statements about this teams lack of talent. Coaching is everything in football. It is by far more important in football than any other sport. Great coaching and a great system can make players look great, and vice versa.

 

Not even a professional scout can accurately comment on a given player's "talent", because once they go to other teams, they can look like different players. Orton and Benson sure do.

 

At some point, the coach has to be accountable. Superbowl winning coaches have recently been fired, so a coach who just went to the Superbowl is certainly fair game too. I don't think its crazy for people to start calling for Lovie's head. And it was always crazy to think Ron Turner deserves a job. How that guy has a job, given his horrific resume, is absolutely beyond me.

[gflore34]

4. How has this staff done anything to warrant keeping it in place as is?

 

I think today's loss was just a bump in the road. They will be a .500 team at the end of the year and they are right there now. Lovie and his staff have had one of the best records since he started as head coach. And they have had far worse talent than the other teams around them. Is Lovie a great coach? No. But he has had one of the best records with just barely above average talent. I would like to see what he can do with good talent.

 

 

 

He had two good years in 05 and 06. Since then the team has been mediocre, going 7-9, 9-7, and now 3-3. He is a mediocre coach.

 

 

Now, I highly doubt he will be gone before his contract is up in 2011, but don't act like he is anything more then what he is, and don't get all high and mighty just because fans want a great coach, especially when Shanahan and company are available.

 

The talent Lovie is given is worse than Lovie's coaching ability.

 

 

I don't understand how you can make such strong statements about this teams lack of talent. Coaching is everything in football. It is by far more important in football than any other sport. Great coaching and a great system can make players look great, and vice versa.

 

Not even a professional scout can accurately comment on a given player's "talent", because once they go to other teams, they can look like different players. Orton and Benson sure do.

 

At some point, the coach has to be accountable. Superbowl winning coaches have recently been fired, so a coach who just went to the Superbowl is certainly fair game too. I don't think its crazy for people to start calling for Lovie's head. And it was always crazy to think Ron Turner deserves a job. How that guy has a job, given his horrific resume, is absolutely beyond me.

Exhibit A - Matt Cassel

[Careless]

Perhaps that was some players' way of saying they didn't totally agree with how he was being treated when he was in Chicago -- even if they didn't want to speak up at the time.

Could be but, can't that come before and after the game?

Probably not a good idea when you're under the same manager, head coach, and star players that all wanted to get rid of him

[YearofDaCubs]

One of the things that really bothered me is seeing the corners not press or push the WR's off the line. When you give Ocho that much room to run he will cut you up.

[Soul]

One of the things that really bothered me is seeing the corners not press or push the WR's off the line. When you give Ocho that much room to run he will cut you up.

They're afraid of getting torched deep. They'd rather take death by a thousand paper cuts than with one big blow.

[gflore34]

One of the things that really bothered me is seeing the corners not press or push the WR's off the line. When you give Ocho that much room to run he will cut you up.

They're afraid of getting torched deep. They'd rather take death by a thousand paper cuts than with one big blow.

 

 

Which is insanely stupid, the DL's not getting to the QB so, why give him wide open WR's? Why not get in the WR's face perhaps, giving the pathetic joke that is the Bears DL more time to get to possibly get to the QB.

 

When you're down three scores in a blink that conservative [expletive] has got to go, it's a time to get aggressive and maybe change the course of the game.

[gflore34]

It's going to be interesting to hear Lovie minimize they're lack of adjustments or attemps to play more aggressively.

[Banedon]

The only guy that I can think of that played well yesterday was Hester, and even he had a fumble. Just a disaster game in every possible way. Brad Biggs says there's no chance that Lovie's job is in jeopardy after the season. Not even a shot.

[CubmanPi]

And it was always crazy to think Ron Turner deserves a job. How that guy has a job, given his horrific resume, is absolutely beyond me.

Once management finally gets around to making changes on the coaching front, this is the only logical first step IMO.

[Soul]

Best they can hope for after 8 games is 4-4, IMO.

 

They've got very little shot at the Vikings, so that's 2 more losses. They'll likely lose to the Pack, that's 1 more. If you add in a loss to the Ravens in Baltimore -- we're talking 8-8, best case.

[Soul]

Also, this is the 2nd straight game now that they've failed to record a single sack.

 

What started out as a promising campaign for Marinelli and his DLine has turned into a nightmare of getting blown off the ball, no pressure on the QB -- being dominated on most plays.

 

I was just struck with how badly they were being blown back, consistently. Forget penetration. They were being sent back 3 yards, every running play, consistently. It's pretty hard to stop the run game when you are backpedaling with a 300 lb OLineman driving you off the line of scrimmage. It was unbelievable. I don't think I've seen that from a Bear DLine before.

[gflore34]

Also, this is the 2nd straight game now that they've failed to record a single sack.

 

What started out as a promising campaign for Marinelli and his DLine has turned into a nightmare of getting blown off the ball, no pressure on the QB -- being dominated on most plays.

 

I was just struck with how badly they were being blown back, consistently. Forget penetration. They were being sent back 3 yards, every running play, consistently. It's pretty hard to stop the run game when you are backpedaling with a 300 lb OLineman driving you off the line of scrimmage. It was unbelievable. I don't think I've seen that from a Bear DLine before.

 

Despite some early success I was never convinced Marinelli or, any other coach for that matter, would make much of difference. Garbage in = Garbage out

[Tyrant]

Brad Biggs says there's no chance that Lovie's job is in jeopardy after the season. Not even a shot.

 

I totally believe that. There's no way Lovie gets fired, even if the Bears flame out and somehow finish 6-10.

[Soul]

Also, this is the 2nd straight game now that they've failed to record a single sack.

 

What started out as a promising campaign for Marinelli and his DLine has turned into a nightmare of getting blown off the ball, no pressure on the QB -- being dominated on most plays.

 

I was just struck with how badly they were being blown back, consistently. Forget penetration. They were being sent back 3 yards, every running play, consistently. It's pretty hard to stop the run game when you are backpedaling with a 300 lb OLineman driving you off the line of scrimmage. It was unbelievable. I don't think I've seen that from a Bear DLine before.

 

Despite some early success I was never convinced Marinelli or, any other coach for that matter, would make much of difference. Garbage in = Garbage out

 

The constant praise of Marinelli was very annoying. It's not that I didn't want him coaching the DLine. I was fine with it. But it was just way too much.

[Banedon]

How much difference does a healthy Urlacher make to this defense?

[Mark Priors Calves]

How much difference does a healthy Urlacher make to this defense?

I think he makes a huge difference on pass defense. Roach got exposed yesterday in his lack coverage of the deep middle in the Tampa-2.

[jersey cubs fan]

Well hot damn, this team sucks.

 

What a joke. Both lines are terrible, they continue to send linebackers on blitzes that accomplish nothing. If they don't fix this thing this year, I really hope this is the end of the Lovie era. This team's entire record of success was a hugle level of talent on the defensive side of the ball. Now that those guys are older, slower, and/or gone, they are nothing but a big pile of mediocrity. If they can't manage a playoff appearance this year, Lovie and Ron really have to go. Bring in Shanahan, let him run everything offense, and have Angelo decide who will run the defense.

 

Lovie's claim to fame is defense and having guys ready to play. He sucks on gameday. If the defense continues to lack and the guys aren't even ready to play, Lovie serves no purpose. He better turn thing this around quickly, and if not, they better get rid of him.

[Banedon]

Well hot damn, this team sucks.

 

What a joke. Both lines are terrible, they continue to send linebackers on blitzes that accomplish nothing. If they don't fix this thing this year, I really hope this is the end of the Lovie era. This team's entire record of success was a hugle level of talent on the defensive side of the ball. Now that those guys are older, slower, and/or gone, they are nothing but a big pile of mediocrity. If they can't manage a playoff appearance this year, Lovie and Ron really have to go. Bring in Shanahan, let him run everything offense, and have Angelo decide who will run the defense.

 

Lovie's claim to fame is defense and having guys ready to play. He sucks on gameday. If the defense continues to lack and the guys aren't even ready to play, Lovie serves no purpose. He better turn thing this around quickly, and if not, they better get rid of him.

 

Allowing myself to live the fantasy that Lovie is gone after this year, I don't think Shanny will be coming in. Thats' just a job threat to Angelo that I don't think he wants...which is understandable. Personally, I'd like to see Cowher in here, but there's no shortage of talented coaches on the market this offseason.

[jersey cubs fan]

Well hot damn, this team sucks.

 

What a joke. Both lines are terrible, they continue to send linebackers on blitzes that accomplish nothing. If they don't fix this thing this year, I really hope this is the end of the Lovie era. This team's entire record of success was a hugle level of talent on the defensive side of the ball. Now that those guys are older, slower, and/or gone, they are nothing but a big pile of mediocrity. If they can't manage a playoff appearance this year, Lovie and Ron really have to go. Bring in Shanahan, let him run everything offense, and have Angelo decide who will run the defense.

 

Lovie's claim to fame is defense and having guys ready to play. He sucks on gameday. If the defense continues to lack and the guys aren't even ready to play, Lovie serves no purpose. He better turn thing this around quickly, and if not, they better get rid of him.

 

Allowing myself to live the fantasy that Lovie is gone after this year, I don't think Shanny will be coming in. Thats' just a job threat to Angelo that I don't think he wants...which is understandable. Personally, I'd like to see Cowher in here, but there's no shortage of talented coaches on the market this offseason.

 

Angelo is 9 years into his stay here and signed for what, 4 more? I don't see the need to feel a threat, and I'm guessing he's going to be willing to move on in the next few years anyway. Angelo has abandoned the draft and abandoned the defense above all else philosophy. He's spent big on a big time QB and has not received much of an early return on that investment. He needs an influx of offensive minds, and I bet he recognizes that. Angelo's best trait so far has been finding mid-draft talent to fill in on defense. He's sucked with RBs, he's sucked with WR (his best one was drafted as a KR/DB), he can't find an offensive lineman to save his life. He can't like seeing players he drafted find much greater success on other teams. Angelo has to think the offense is in need of a kick in the pants, and without a top notch defense, Lovie serves no purpose.

[Banedon]

Well hot damn, this team sucks.

 

What a joke. Both lines are terrible, they continue to send linebackers on blitzes that accomplish nothing. If they don't fix this thing this year, I really hope this is the end of the Lovie era. This team's entire record of success was a hugle level of talent on the defensive side of the ball. Now that those guys are older, slower, and/or gone, they are nothing but a big pile of mediocrity. If they can't manage a playoff appearance this year, Lovie and Ron really have to go. Bring in Shanahan, let him run everything offense, and have Angelo decide who will run the defense.

 

Lovie's claim to fame is defense and having guys ready to play. He sucks on gameday. If the defense continues to lack and the guys aren't even ready to play, Lovie serves no purpose. He better turn thing this around quickly, and if not, they better get rid of him.

 

Allowing myself to live the fantasy that Lovie is gone after this year, I don't think Shanny will be coming in. Thats' just a job threat to Angelo that I don't think he wants...which is understandable. Personally, I'd like to see Cowher in here, but there's no shortage of talented coaches on the market this offseason.

 

Angelo is 9 years into his stay here and signed for what, 4 more? I don't see the need to feel a threat, and I'm guessing he's going to be willing to move on in the next few years anyway. Angelo has abandoned the draft and abandoned the defense above all else philosophy. He's spent big on a big time QB and has not received much of an early return on that investment. He needs an influx of offensive minds, and I bet he recognizes that. Angelo's best trait so far has been finding mid-draft talent to fill in on defense. He's sucked with RBs, he's sucked with WR (his best one was drafted as a KR/DB), he can't find an offensive lineman to save his life. He can't like seeing players he drafted find much greater success on other teams. Angelo has to think the offense is in need of a kick in the pants, and without a top notch defense, Lovie serves no purpose.

 

That all makes sense, but I still think when you have another guy that has been a GM in the past in the organization, there's a certain level of unease that goes along with it. It's always better to be the only guy around that can do your job.

 

I think we can all agree that the big part of the problem with Cutler is the surrounding talent. Both lines are awful, but the O-line is especially atrocious. I'm sick to death of Kreutz. Omiyale might as well just be a practice dummy. They can't send Hester and/or Knox long because Cutler can't survive a 5-7 step drop.

 

But yeah...I'm done with Lovie and Turner. The two of them need to go. I'm tired of Lovie's "everything's ok...nothing to see here" philosophy. Get pissed at this team dammit!

[jersey cubs fan]

If it's not Shanahan, it has to be somebody who is a real offensive mind. They need that and they have to realize that they need that.

[Keener98]

Glad to see you come to my side Jersey, Ive been saying for a few years now that Lovie Smith is in over his head as a head coach in the NFL.

[Soul]

Get pissed at this team dammit!

 

I know it's not necessarily a popular sentiment, but dammit I also want to see my coach get pissed off when things really suck.

 

I think the whole Shanahan idea would hinge on how much control he wants, and how much Angelo would be willing to give him. My impression was that Shanahan wants too much control for Angelo's taste. But maybe I'm wrong.

 

But I definitely agree with the idea. You have now hitched your wagon to a franchise QB, and a more offense-centered philosophy. After doing this, you cannot now stay with the coach that only knows defense, and the OC who is simply not up to par for the level of offensive football you are expecting to achieve. It's a losing formula. Surely Angelo does know this.

 

Lovie & Turner must go.

[Banedon]

Mike Martz for Bears coach!!

 

 

 

 

 

Kidding.