Re: Bears Offseason Thread

[Banedon]

PFT speculated that it would be a good idea for Lovie to consider the UT job. Mainly because he's certainly on the hotseat as far as Chicago goes......No idea if he'd have any interest in coaching college football or not, but I'd like to see him gone ASAP here anyway and since we didn't fire him, this may actually be a shot at ridding ourselves of him anyway.....

 

Yeah, just posted that in the college football thread.

[jersey cubs fan]

PFT speculated that it would be a good idea for Lovie to consider the UT job. Mainly because he's certainly on the hotseat as far as Chicago goes......No idea if he'd have any interest in coaching college football or not, but I'd like to see him gone ASAP here anyway and since we didn't fire him, this may actually be a shot at ridding ourselves of him anyway.....

 

Yeah, just posted that in the college football thread.

 

The guys on the ESPN Page 2 podcast suggested Lovie would get that job since most of the other guys in the south have stupid names; Joker, Kippy, Jimbo, etc.

[biittner77]

The only pro coach that went to coach in college that I can think of is Wannstedt. I can't think of a NFL coach that quit to go to a college program. Nick Saban doesn't count since he was a college coach that went back.

[jersey cubs fan]

The only pro coach that went to coach in college that I can think of is Wannstedt. I can't think of a NFL coach that quit to go to a college program. Nick Saban doesn't count since he was a college coach that went back.

 

I'm not sure how or why you can't count guys. Lovie was a college coach as well. In addition to Saban, Bobby Petrino quit and went back to college. Al Groh resigned from the Jets to take the Virginia job, and he was a pro guy for a decade before going back. Pete Carrol went from NFL assistant, to NFL head coach, back to NFL assistant and then chose college. Lane Kiffin went from college to Pro and college. Spurrier quit the Redskins. Butch Davis went back and forth between the NFL and college, and he resigned (albeit forced) from Cleveland before going back to college.

 

It might be odd to find a guy to leave his current gig and go back to college, but coaches go back to college all the time, and it's not unheard of for them to leave gigs on their own.

 

 

Dennis Erickson has gone back and forth multiple times. Mike Sherman has gone back. Good ole' Lou Holtz quit the Jets after less than a full season. It happens all the time. Guys get fired or quit NFL gigs and take college jobs.

Edited January 14, 2010 by jersey cubs fan

[Banedon]

The only pro coach that went to coach in college that I can think of is Wannstedt. I can't think of a NFL coach that quit to go to a college program. Nick Saban doesn't count since he was a college coach that went back.

 

Pete Carroll coached in the NFL before his USC stint.

 

EDIT: oops....Gooney beat me to it.

[Banedon]

And the Bears continue to lose, even in the offseason:

 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Perry Fewell, the first and only known candidate to succeed Lovie Smith in the role of defensive coordinator, has decided to join forces with Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants.

 

You have to think that Lovie's lame duck status is a factor in all these guys passing on the Bears.

[jersey cubs fan]

And the Bears continue to lose, even in the offseason:

 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Perry Fewell, the first and only known candidate to succeed Lovie Smith in the role of defensive coordinator, has decided to join forces with Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants.

 

You have to think that Lovie's lame duck status is a factor in all these guys passing on the Bears.

 

I am not disappointed.

 

And quite honestly, this might actually make Lovie consider a gig like UT a little more (although it remains a very unlikely scenario). I never thought for a second that a guy like Fewell would make any difference in 2010.

[Soul]

And the Bears continue to lose, even in the offseason:

 

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Perry Fewell, the first and only known candidate to succeed Lovie Smith in the role of defensive coordinator, has decided to join forces with Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants.

 

You have to think that Lovie's lame duck status is a factor in all these guys passing on the Bears.

 

I am not disappointed.

 

And quite honestly, this might actually make Lovie consider a gig like UT a little more (although it remains a very unlikely scenario). I never thought for a second that a guy like Fewell would make any difference in 2010.

 

It was easy to see before the Bears even did this that they would have difficulty finding people for a lame duck.

 

This isn't brain surgery. What you are suggesting is that this might allow the Bears to stumble into something better. The real truth is, their incompetence is going to sink the Bears much further than it will raise them overall.

[jersey cubs fan]

This isn't brain surgery. What you are suggesting is that this might allow the Bears to stumble into something better. The real truth is, their incompetence is going to sink the Bears much further than it will raise them overall.

 

I'm not suggesting that, what I was saying is that a Lovie disciple was not likely to fix this Lovie defense which has failed miserably for three years. 2010 depends on the OC and Jay Cutler. They cannot rely on the defense to make a difference.

[Soul]

This isn't brain surgery. What you are suggesting is that this might allow the Bears to stumble into something better. The real truth is, their incompetence is going to sink the Bears much further than it will raise them overall.

 

I'm not suggesting that, what I was saying is that a Lovie disciple was not likely to fix this Lovie defense which has failed miserably for three years. 2010 depends on the OC and Jay Cutler. They cannot rely on the defense to make a difference.

 

The defense could most definitely sink far enough that Jay and the OC can't overcome it.

 

And the search for OC isn't going all that well either.

[jersey cubs fan]

This isn't brain surgery. What you are suggesting is that this might allow the Bears to stumble into something better. The real truth is, their incompetence is going to sink the Bears much further than it will raise them overall.

 

I'm not suggesting that, what I was saying is that a Lovie disciple was not likely to fix this Lovie defense which has failed miserably for three years. 2010 depends on the OC and Jay Cutler. They cannot rely on the defense to make a difference.

 

The defense could most definitely sink far enough that Jay and the OC can't overcome it.

 

And the search for OC isn't going all that well either.

 

I guess you just aren't going to read what I wrote.

[Soul]

This isn't brain surgery. What you are suggesting is that this might allow the Bears to stumble into something better. The real truth is, their incompetence is going to sink the Bears much further than it will raise them overall.

 

I'm not suggesting that, what I was saying is that a Lovie disciple was not likely to fix this Lovie defense which has failed miserably for three years. 2010 depends on the OC and Jay Cutler. They cannot rely on the defense to make a difference.

 

The defense could most definitely sink far enough that Jay and the OC can't overcome it.

 

And the search for OC isn't going all that well either.

 

I guess you just aren't going to read what I wrote.

 

I'm not sure what you are getting at that I didn't speak to. Sorry.

[jersey cubs fan]

I'm not sure what you are getting at that I didn't speak to. Sorry.

 

I said I didn't mind "losing" Fewell, and you said I'm suggesting this means they will luck into a better candidate and that it's possible the defense would get worse.

[Magnetic Curses]

i really can't believe that fewell took so long to choose new york.

[Magnetic Curses]

but seriously, i'm not sure that an embarassment like being turned down by coach after coach is what this franchise needs to move forward like it would for any normal team. you'd think that something like that would motivate the bears to do something drastic and make a huge splash somewhere, clean house, change philosophies, whatever. but the last time this team was embarassed like this, they ended up hiring dick jauron.

 

what this team needs is a sale.

[RedFlash]

The Chicago Sun-Times disputes an earlier report that Perry Fewell is "planning to accept" the Giants' defensive coordinator position.

 

Following his report, ESPN's Adam Schefter clarified that Fewell had been planning on accepting the Giants' job "as of [Thursday] morning," but the decision was not final. The Giants had not heard from Fewell as of Thursday morning, and he's believed to be still weighing the two offers. The Bears remain in the picture for now

.

 

Even tho I respect Adam Schefter and he seems to have a clue on what is going on, something tells me that he might have jumped the gun on Fewell. Apparently Fewell hasn't decided just yet.

[Soul]

I'm not sure what you are getting at that I didn't speak to. Sorry.

 

I said I didn't mind "losing" Fewell, and you said I'm suggesting this means they will luck into a better candidate and that it's possible the defense would get worse.

 

OK.

 

I guess I inferred that, because frankly what else would it be? They sure as heck aren't going to get better people because of how good a job they're doing running the club and filling roles. It would be luck.

 

But, sorry for putting words into your mouth.

[hawkeyecub]

Interesting . . .

 

The Chicago Bears continued on their quest to fill out their offensive coaching staff today, meeting with former Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Tice at Halas Hall, according to Dan Pompei of the Chicago Tribune.

 

 

I hope to god they are only considering him for OL coach

 

Actually I hope he's more of an assistant TE coach. I think this team needs a real OL coach, and Tice isn't even really that.

 

Tice was an outstanding OL coach for the Vikings before being named head coach.

 

I don't know that he'd be successful as an OC, but he would let Cutler air it out downfield.

[YearofDaCubs]

Fewell did indeed accept the job with the Giants, now on to plan B.

[Guest]

The only pro coach that went to coach in college that I can think of is Wannstedt. I can't think of a NFL coach that quit to go to a college program. Nick Saban doesn't count since he was a college coach that went back.

 

I'm not sure how or why you can't count guys. Lovie was a college coach as well. In addition to Saban, Bobby Petrino quit and went back to college. Al Groh resigned from the Jets to take the Virginia job, and he was a pro guy for a decade before going back. Pete Carrol went from NFL assistant, to NFL head coach, back to NFL assistant and then chose college. Lane Kiffin went from college to Pro and college. Spurrier quit the Redskins. Butch Davis went back and forth between the NFL and college, and he resigned (albeit forced) from Cleveland before going back to college.

 

It might be odd to find a guy to leave his current gig and go back to college, but coaches go back to college all the time, and it's not unheard of for them to leave gigs on their own.

 

 

Dennis Erickson has gone back and forth multiple times. Mike Sherman has gone back. Good ole' Lou Holtz quit the Jets after less than a full season. It happens all the time. Guys get fired or quit NFL gigs and take college jobs.

 

Back in the day when I had season tickets to Fighting Illini games in Champaign in the late 80's or early 90's (Griffith was the running back at the time), the head coach was a former NFL head coach. His name escapes me right now since I'm old. Jason Verduzco was the QB that year, IIRC.

[mul21]

The only pro coach that went to coach in college that I can think of is Wannstedt. I can't think of a NFL coach that quit to go to a college program. Nick Saban doesn't count since he was a college coach that went back.

 

I'm not sure how or why you can't count guys. Lovie was a college coach as well. In addition to Saban, Bobby Petrino quit and went back to college. Al Groh resigned from the Jets to take the Virginia job, and he was a pro guy for a decade before going back. Pete Carrol went from NFL assistant, to NFL head coach, back to NFL assistant and then chose college. Lane Kiffin went from college to Pro and college. Spurrier quit the Redskins. Butch Davis went back and forth between the NFL and college, and he resigned (albeit forced) from Cleveland before going back to college.

 

It might be odd to find a guy to leave his current gig and go back to college, but coaches go back to college all the time, and it's not unheard of for them to leave gigs on their own.

 

 

Dennis Erickson has gone back and forth multiple times. Mike Sherman has gone back. Good ole' Lou Holtz quit the Jets after less than a full season. It happens all the time. Guys get fired or quit NFL gigs and take college jobs.

 

Back in the day when I had season tickets to Fighting Illini games in Champaign in the late 80's or early 90's (Griffith was the running back at the time), the head coach was a former NFL head coach. His name escapes me right now since I'm old. Jason Verduzco was the QB that year, IIRC.

 

John Mackovic?

[Guest]

The only pro coach that went to coach in college that I can think of is Wannstedt. I can't think of a NFL coach that quit to go to a college program. Nick Saban doesn't count since he was a college coach that went back.

 

I'm not sure how or why you can't count guys. Lovie was a college coach as well. In addition to Saban, Bobby Petrino quit and went back to college. Al Groh resigned from the Jets to take the Virginia job, and he was a pro guy for a decade before going back. Pete Carrol went from NFL assistant, to NFL head coach, back to NFL assistant and then chose college. Lane Kiffin went from college to Pro and college. Spurrier quit the Redskins. Butch Davis went back and forth between the NFL and college, and he resigned (albeit forced) from Cleveland before going back to college.

 

It might be odd to find a guy to leave his current gig and go back to college, but coaches go back to college all the time, and it's not unheard of for them to leave gigs on their own.

 

 

Dennis Erickson has gone back and forth multiple times. Mike Sherman has gone back. Good ole' Lou Holtz quit the Jets after less than a full season. It happens all the time. Guys get fired or quit NFL gigs and take college jobs.

 

Back in the day when I had season tickets to Fighting Illini games in Champaign in the late 80's or early 90's (Griffith was the running back at the time), the head coach was a former NFL head coach. His name escapes me right now since I'm old. Jason Verduzco was the QB that year, IIRC.

 

John Mackovic?

 

Yeah, I just thought of it and was coming here to post that.

[NCCubFan]

Yes, it was Mackovic. He was coach of the Chiefs before Illinois.

[gflore34]

Lovie perceived lame-duck status notwithstanding, what's the point of hiring a DC? As Lovie has emphatically informed us the defensive scheme is not going change hence, a DC with fresh ideas or some autonomy is an impossibility. Basically Lovie' looking for a yes man, he'll still run the defense just not officially.

[rawaction]

My first mock offseason....assuming no CBA and the weak FA class.

 

I would trade Devin Hester. One trade that might make sense is to the Jets for their 2nd rounder. Jets could use another WR, and don't have any other major needs other than DE/OLB, which they can get in the 1st round. They might need a return man if FA Leon Washington leaves. Hester broker all the kick return records his 1st 2 years and has over 100 receptions the last 2 years as a WR. Hester is expendable for the Bears because Johnny Knox is a Hester clone at this point, but more raw. If you get a 3rd for Hester, the players I picked could still be on the board....depending on combine/Senior bowl results.

 

As for free agents, I would love for the Bears to make a splash and sign Logan Mankins from NE. But I know they are bargain shoppers so I wont' even pretend that's going to happen. So, I say sign:

 

OG- Eugene Amano - Tennessee- helped pave the way for a 2000 yd RB. Tenn only gave up 22 sacks in the last 2 years, most of those games w/ the statue Kerry Collins as the QB.

 

WR- Malcom Floyd- SD- restricted FA if no CBA. But even uncapped SD can't keep him, VJackson, LT, Sproles and Merriman who are all restricted. Came on late this year is 6'5" would give Cutler a big target (and the reason I made Hester expendable).

 

FS- Eric Smith- NYJ. Not a starter for the Jets, but I think he can start in the league. I like anyone that has been coached by Rex Ryan. Smith's claim to fame is knocking out Anquan Boldin in the end zone last year and breaking his jaw.

 

Cut: Clark, Kreutz, Kevin Jones and Dvoracek (are they still on the roster?), Vasher, Pace, Bullocks

Re-sign (RFA): Anderson, Jamar Williams, Manning

Not re-signed: Peterson, Tinoisamoa, Ogunleye

 

As for the draft, the Bears HAVE to pick at least 1 offensive lineman, at least 1 defensive back, and I would like depth at RB and LB. I don't care the order with a few exceptions...one of the first 2 picks has to be OL and the other has to be defense. If they sign a OG and FS, then I want them to pick OT and CB.

 

2nd (from Jets #50 or so)- Brandon Lang, DE - Troy. Big tackle for loss numbers at a small school, but they have played some legit competition the last couple years. Same school that produced Osi Umenyori and Demarcus Ware. Maybe a reach, but the Bears tend to do that.

 

3rd (#75)- Kyle Calloway OT- Iowa.... really like him. He can compete at RT right away.

 

4th- Myron Lewis- CB, Vandy. Bears love their Vandy players. Of 6 in the NFL, they have 5 of them. Teamed w/ Bears rookie DJ Moore to be the best CB tandem in the SEC in 08. Good size at 6'2", 205, not the fastest CB and could slip due to huge CB class. May also be able to play FS.

 

5th- Ben Tate- RB, Auburn....was highly regarded but had a terrible year vs. good teams like the rest of his teammates.

 

6th- Rico McCoy LB, Tennessee....again w/ SEC. 2nd team all conf. Undersized, but decent speed. Good fit as cover-2 LB, needs work on run D but can play in an NFL pass defense right away. Have plenty of time to develop run D skills as he will be backing up Lance Briggs.

 

7th- Jim Dray- TE, Stanford. Could use a TE, as I would like them to cut Desmond Clark. Good blocking TE. Might be a FA signing as he was not invited to the Senior bowl due to injury that caused him to miss a lot of this year.