Chicago Bears Offseason 2012

[Magnetic Curses]

I think Tice ends up OC. At this point I don't think it makes much sense to put Cutler into an entirely new offense. Tice is the best way to maintain the same offensive language. If you bring in a new OC, that's gonna be what...the 3rd offense in 4 years for Jay or something? And then if the new GM replaces Lovie after one year, you probably end up with yet another new OC.

 

why put off jay learning a new offense another year?

 

and why replace smith when he wasn't the problem? lovie has been a good coach, he's been a level head and he's well-respected among all of his players. i'm betting that the bears' brass knew that they may have a full-scale mutiny on their hands if they got rid of lovie, the 4 leaders of this defense are sworn to him.

 

i don't believe that lovie is on his last legs with this franchise and i wouldn't be surprised to see him extended before they hire a new coordinator, as a token of good faith for both he and the incoming OC.

 

like i said, if they want to get a GM that's comfortable with smith, they'll most likely hire mckenzie. mckenzie and smith will work together, find a new OC from outside the organization and start fresh. we CAN start fresh with our old coach, as i said, the defense isn't the problem, it works. let's focus on getting the offense in shape with a new, fresh system that cutler can drive right away.

 

The Cover 2 works because they have Urlacher covering a large amount of the middle of the field. We saw what happened without him. Even with Urlacher, good QBs (like Rogers, Brees, Manning) pick the cover 2 apart unless they can get a pass rush using only the 4 linemen.

 

they did fine without him. actually, the linebackers looked pretty good in 2009. they definitely weren't the problem.

 

and the cover-2 is really the only defense that works against rodgers, it limits big plays and the bears have been successful running it against him in the past.

[rawaction]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-biggs-10-thoughts-on-bears-big-shakeup-20120104,0,2030008.story

 

#3 addresses the TE position, for those that are interested.

 

Interesting article.

 

I agree with the OL take. Webb is clearly the weak link as everyone else is serviceable. But there aren't a lot of options in free agency. On this list, http://nfltraderumors.co/2012-nfl-free-agents/, the only top 50 FA in this class that is an OT is 33 year old Kareem McKenzie. The rest of the FA class at OT is reclamation projects or injury prone players (Jared Gaither). And this isn't a great draft for LTs if you pick outside of the top 10. Even if you pick an OT at 19, it's going to be a 50/50 proposition if he's even more effective than Webb next year.

 

As for the TE position, I know the GM is going to take the approach that you have to have a pass catching TE. But who says Spaeth and Davis can't be that? Spaeth caught 47 balls as a college SR. Kellen Davis is 6-7 and ran a 4.65 40 at the combine 4 years ago, and had a 16.0 ypc average as a SR at Michigan St. Kellen is a FA, but I don't see the need to overpay for Finley or Fred Davis just to have a dynamic TE when Davis/Spaeth aren't completely incapable of being solid receivers.

[minnesotacubsfan]

The Bears rarely play a cover2 anymore, not a true cover 2. Besides, A weighted defensive efficiency having them as the #1 defense says whatever the are doing, they are doing it well (sneakys football outsiders)

[Theo]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/chi-biggs-10-thoughts-on-bears-big-shakeup-20120104,0,2030008.story

 

#3 addresses the TE position, for those that are interested.

 

Interesting article.

 

I agree with the OL take. Webb is clearly the weak link as everyone else is serviceable. But there aren't a lot of options in free agency. On this list, http://nfltraderumors.co/2012-nfl-free-agents/, the only top 50 FA in this class that is an OT is 33 year old Kareem McKenzie. The rest of the FA class at OT is reclamation projects or injury prone players (Jared Gaither). And this isn't a great draft for LTs if you pick outside of the top 10. Even if you pick an OT at 19, it's going to be a 50/50 proposition if he's even more effective than Webb next year.

 

As for the TE position, I know the GM is going to take the approach that you have to have a pass catching TE. But who says Spaeth and Davis can't be that? Spaeth caught 47 balls as a college SR. Kellen Davis is 6-7 and ran a 4.65 40 at the combine 4 years ago, and had a 16.0 ypc average as a SR at Michigan St. Kellen is a FA, but I don't see the need to overpay for Finley or Fred Davis just to have a dynamic TE when Davis/Spaeth aren't completely incapable of being solid receivers.

 

Gabe Carimi needs to be at least given a shot at the LT job.

[rawaction]

McKenzie interviewing today for Raiders GM job.

 

Way I see it. The Bears job is clearly the best available GM job.

 

- Raiders need a change to the entire organizational culture. They have consistently been one of the most inconsistent and undisciplined team in the league. Oh and they have no draft picks to use anytime soon to improve the team.

 

- The Rams have quietly been rumored to be an option for moving back to LA. They may or may not have a franchise QB. Bradford has missed most of 2 of the last 3 seasons due to injury (going back to OU). They have several holes on the team and need a new coaching staff.

 

- The Colts are an interesting job, but does anyone really want to be the GM that screws up the Luck/Manning situation? Trade Manning and watch him win with another team would be damning. Keep both, sit Luck for a year and waste a bunch of money that could be spent on other positions is a bad idea waiting to happen. Trading the pick would bring a huge haul, but Luck could go somewhere and turn into what the Colts had with Manning. They also have several holes to fill, some very key FAs (Garcon, Wayne, Mathis) and not a lot of money to play with.

 

- The Bears have money to play with. They do have some stability on the coaching staff. They have a franchise QB. A team that went to the NFCC game a year ago and was on their way to 10 wins with a healthy QB. Have a large market, 4 draft picks in the top 82, and a decent amount of money to play with next year.

[rawaction]

Gabe Carimi needs to be at least given a shot at the LT job.

 

Doubt that happens. Tice has said he sees him as a RT.

[minnesotacubsfan]

McKenzie interviewing today for Raiders GM job.

 

Way I see it. The Bears job is clearly the best available GM job.

 

- Raiders need a change to the entire organizational culture. They have consistently been one of the most inconsistent and undisciplined team in the league. Oh and they have no draft picks to use anytime soon to improve the team.

 

- The Rams have quietly been rumored to be an option for moving back to LA. They may or may not have a franchise QB. Bradford has missed most of 2 of the last 3 seasons due to injury (going back to OU). They have several holes on the team and need a new coaching staff.

 

- The Colts are an interesting job, but does anyone really want to be the GM that screws up the Luck/Manning situation? Trade Manning and watch him win with another team would be damning. Keep both, sit Luck for a year and waste a bunch of money that could be spent on other positions is a bad idea waiting to happen. Trading the pick would bring a huge haul, but Luck could go somewhere and turn into what the Colts had with Manning. They also have several holes to fill, some very key FAs (Garcon, Wayne, Mathis) and not a lot of money to play with.

 

- The Bears have money to play with. They do have some stability on the coaching staff. They have a franchise QB. A team that went to the NFCC game a year ago and was on their way to 10 wins with a healthy QB. Have a large market, 4 draft picks in the top 82, and a decent amount of money to play with next year.

mckenzie interviewing makes me hopeful that he's available to interview. I just hope he holds out long enough for the Bears to get themselves together in order to interview him

[Theo]

Gabe Carimi needs to be at least given a shot at the LT job.

 

Doubt that happens. Tice has said he sees him as a RT.

 

Andrew Whitworth fits a similiar profile of Carimi. He was projected as more of a RT in the NFL, but now he is one of the best left tackles in a game. It's assinine that they won't even give him a shot out there. Carimi won that outland trophy playing left tackle in college. You don't know if he has the quickness at the position until you see for yourself.

[jersey cubs fan]

As for the TE position, I know the GM is going to take the approach that you have to have a pass catching TE. But who says Spaeth and Davis can't be that? Spaeth caught 47 balls as a college SR. Kellen Davis is 6-7 and ran a 4.65 40 at the combine 4 years ago, and had a 16.0 ypc average as a SR at Michigan St. Kellen is a FA, but I don't see the need to overpay for Finley or Fred Davis just to have a dynamic TE when Davis/Spaeth aren't completely incapable of being solid receivers.

 

Spaeth has been in the league for 5 seasons and the most receptions he's had is 17. The ship has probably sailed when it comes to hoping he can be a solid receiver.

[Guest]

Definitely bring Davis back. Spaeth seemed solid on ST, but that's not enough value to retain him.

[cubbyvirus00]

Jeff Fisher's the hottest name in coaching right now, likely getting his pick of open jobs around the NFL. But here's a spicy meatball: Fisher's top choice of NFL gigs isn't one that's open, as he reportedly has "always wanted" the Chicago Bears job.

 

 

That's what Albert Breer of NFL Network reported on Tuesday night, and it's a bit of a stunner, though the connected dots do make some sense. For starters, Fisher was a Bear when he was in the NFL from 1981-1984. According to Breer, Fisher has "maintained a close relationship with ownership" since his playing time.

 

Additionally, Fisher's old offensive coordinator, the late Mike Heimerdinger, worked with current Bears quarterback in Denver ... where Cutler played only because Bud Adams forced the Titans to draft Vince Young over Cutler in 2006. (Also, re: Cutler; he played at Vanderbilt. Which is in Nashville. Which is where the Titans are. There's a connection here.)

 

Breer notes that Fisher is also "aware of the player Cutler has become" since leaving Denver. Ultimately, Cutler would satisfy Fisher's desire for a franchise quarterback at his next job. And the Bears defense is a pretty good building block to start with.

 

Just one problem: Lovie Smith's still coaching in Chicago. Despite firing their general manager, the Bears decided that Smith "will remain" as the coach of the organization. So there's no place for Fisher in Chicago right now, and Breer writes that it ultimately isn't something that's likely to happen, and the "more likely result" is Fisher landing with the Rams.

 

The Bears would need a significant swing in management -- a la Bill Polian -- in order to warrant that sort of drastic coaching change. But if the 2012 coaching carousel's taught us anything, it's that the unexpected is pretty normal and ruling anything out is foolish.

 

Yes please.

[Magnetic Curses]

Jeff Fisher's the hottest name in coaching right now, likely getting his pick of open jobs around the NFL. But here's a spicy meatball: Fisher's top choice of NFL gigs isn't one that's open, as he reportedly has "always wanted" the Chicago Bears job.

 

 

That's what Albert Breer of NFL Network reported on Tuesday night, and it's a bit of a stunner, though the connected dots do make some sense. For starters, Fisher was a Bear when he was in the NFL from 1981-1984. According to Breer, Fisher has "maintained a close relationship with ownership" since his playing time.

 

Additionally, Fisher's old offensive coordinator, the late Mike Heimerdinger, worked with current Bears quarterback in Denver ... where Cutler played only because Bud Adams forced the Titans to draft Vince Young over Cutler in 2006. (Also, re: Cutler; he played at Vanderbilt. Which is in Nashville. Which is where the Titans are. There's a connection here.)

 

Breer notes that Fisher is also "aware of the player Cutler has become" since leaving Denver. Ultimately, Cutler would satisfy Fisher's desire for a franchise quarterback at his next job. And the Bears defense is a pretty good building block to start with.

 

Just one problem: Lovie Smith's still coaching in Chicago. Despite firing their general manager, the Bears decided that Smith "will remain" as the coach of the organization. So there's no place for Fisher in Chicago right now, and Breer writes that it ultimately isn't something that's likely to happen, and the "more likely result" is Fisher landing with the Rams.

 

The Bears would need a significant swing in management -- a la Bill Polian -- in order to warrant that sort of drastic coaching change. But if the 2012 coaching carousel's taught us anything, it's that the unexpected is pretty normal and ruling anything out is foolish.

 

Yes please.

 

pass

[Theo]

How is Jeff Fisher any better than Lovie Smith. Their career winning % is pretty similiar as well as postseason success, (aka a superbowl appearances/loss) Edited January 4, 2012 by Theo

[Sammy Sofa]

Jeff Fisher's the hottest name in coaching right now, likely getting his pick of open jobs around the NFL. But here's a spicy meatball: Fisher's top choice of NFL gigs isn't one that's open, as he reportedly has "always wanted" the Chicago Bears job.

 

 

That's what Albert Breer of NFL Network reported on Tuesday night, and it's a bit of a stunner, though the connected dots do make some sense. For starters, Fisher was a Bear when he was in the NFL from 1981-1984. According to Breer, Fisher has "maintained a close relationship with ownership" since his playing time.

 

Additionally, Fisher's old offensive coordinator, the late Mike Heimerdinger, worked with current Bears quarterback in Denver ... where Cutler played only because Bud Adams forced the Titans to draft Vince Young over Cutler in 2006. (Also, re: Cutler; he played at Vanderbilt. Which is in Nashville. Which is where the Titans are. There's a connection here.)

 

Breer notes that Fisher is also "aware of the player Cutler has become" since leaving Denver. Ultimately, Cutler would satisfy Fisher's desire for a franchise quarterback at his next job. And the Bears defense is a pretty good building block to start with.

 

Just one problem: Lovie Smith's still coaching in Chicago. Despite firing their general manager, the Bears decided that Smith "will remain" as the coach of the organization. So there's no place for Fisher in Chicago right now, and Breer writes that it ultimately isn't something that's likely to happen, and the "more likely result" is Fisher landing with the Rams.

 

The Bears would need a significant swing in management -- a la Bill Polian -- in order to warrant that sort of drastic coaching change. But if the 2012 coaching carousel's taught us anything, it's that the unexpected is pretty normal and ruling anything out is foolish.

 

Yes please.

 

Why?

[Theo]

Jeff Fisher is a former Bear, and has the moustache(by cracky) so many meatballs love him for that, is my guess.

[cubbyvirus00]

How is Jeff Fisher any better than Lovie Smith. Their career winning % is pretty similiar as well as postseason success, (aka a superbowl appearances/loss)

 

I'm not crazy about Fisher, but at this point I'm desperate for any change in the Bears organization. Does anyone really think that a new GM will keep Lovie around for long? While I view Lovie as a good coach, I think hes horrible on gameday and won't ever completely get away from the tampa 2 defense. I dont want to see that defense with an old LB core.

 

So while Fisher is similar to Lovie in terms of career records, I think he'll be able to bring a much needed change in terms of philosophy.

[jersey cubs fan]

How is Jeff Fisher any better than Lovie Smith. Their career winning % is pretty similiar as well as postseason success, (aka a superbowl appearances/loss)

 

I'm not crazy about Fisher, but at this point I'm desperate for any change in the Bears organization. Does anyone really think that a new GM will keep Lovie around for long? While I view Lovie as a good coach, I think hes horrible on gameday and won't ever completely get away from the tampa 2 defense. I dont want to see that defense with an old LB core.

 

So while Fisher is similar to Lovie in terms of career records, I think he'll be able to bring a much needed change in terms of philosophy.

 

His gameday drawbacks can be mitigated with a real OC now that he has a real QB. I hated the field position, punt whenever possible and never try and score in a 2-minute situation style they played when it was all defense. But Lovie has loosened up in that regards with Cutler on board. He trusts Jay to get him points. He leaves a lot to be desired in the unnecessary timeout/challenge department, but he gets the guys to play every Sunday. The Bears need to change what they do when acquiring OL and WR, but they don't need a complete overhaul. This isn't St. Louis. They won 8 games in a horrible season.

[rawaction]

As for the TE position, I know the GM is going to take the approach that you have to have a pass catching TE. But who says Spaeth and Davis can't be that? Spaeth caught 47 balls as a college SR. Kellen Davis is 6-7 and ran a 4.65 40 at the combine 4 years ago, and had a 16.0 ypc average as a SR at Michigan St. Kellen is a FA, but I don't see the need to overpay for Finley or Fred Davis just to have a dynamic TE when Davis/Spaeth aren't completely incapable of being solid receivers.

 

Spaeth has been in the league for 5 seasons and the most receptions he's had is 17. The ship has probably sailed when it comes to hoping he can be a solid receiver.

 

Yeah, my post was more to point out Kellen's ability (still pretty young). But you're right, Spaeth ain't catching many passes.

[rawaction]

Yeah, Fisher is at best a lateral move to Lovie. They both need to be accompanied by strong offensive minds and their value comes from working with the defense and relating to the players.

[cubbyvirus00]

Yeah, Fisher is at best a lateral move to Lovie. They both need to be accompanied by strong offensive minds and their value comes from working with the defense and relating to the players.

 

The problem is, what strong well known offensive mind is going to want to come to Chicago with the organization seemingly in chaos.

 

Lovie is essentially the GM and the coach as it has come to light that he's influenced draft selections in the past and now gets to have a say in the interviewing process for a GM.

 

If anything, the Bears have bungled the firing of a GM.

[jersey cubs fan]

Yeah, Fisher is at best a lateral move to Lovie. They both need to be accompanied by strong offensive minds and their value comes from working with the defense and relating to the players.

 

The problem is, what strong well known offensive mind is going to want to come to Chicago with the organization seemingly in chaos.

 

Lovie is essentially the GM and the coach as it has come to light that he's influenced draft selections in the past and now gets to have a say in the interviewing process for a GM.

 

If anything, the Bears have bungled the firing of a GM.

 

I don't see how this organization is in chaos. The sky is falling columnists are going to seize on this, but this is a team that can win today. It's got stable ownership and a pretty clear power structure. You could say they were in chaos a couple years ago, and they went out and created a coaching staff with 3 former head coaches in assistant roles. They aren't skimming off the bottom of the barrel. They may not have the pick of the litter but any confident OC should love to have the opportunity to run the offense on this team.

[YearofDaCubs]

Yeah, Fisher is at best a lateral move to Lovie. They both need to be accompanied by strong offensive minds and their value comes from working with the defense and relating to the players.

 

The problem is, what strong well known offensive mind is going to want to come to Chicago with the organization seemingly in chaos.

 

Lovie is essentially the GM and the coach as it has come to light that he's influenced draft selections in the past and now gets to have a say in the interviewing process for a GM.

 

If anything, the Bears have bungled the firing of a GM.

Agreed. If you're going to fire Angelo and Martz then you most certainly need to fire Lovie

[jersey cubs fan]

Agreed. If you're going to fire Angelo and Martz then you most certainly need to fire Lovie

 

Why?

[WrigleyField 22]

You don't have to can Lovie, but his influence seems to extend a bit far. Why would he be involved with the GM search. Just make him GM.

[jersey cubs fan]

You don't have to can Lovie, but his influence seems to extend a bit far. Why would he be involved with the GM search. Just make him GM.

 

No, Lovie is no GM. He's the head coach, it's his team. He's not a figure head who just puts the players on the field and let's go. NFL head coaches matter, longtenured ones have strong influence in their organizations power structure. He's not going to be making the hire, but he's got to be able to work with the guy.