Bears Offseason Thread (Trestman new HC, pg 37)

[CaliforniaRaisin]

Lovie better be fired.

[Magnetic Curses]

not ready yet. training camp is in august i can't stand to think of how far that is away.

 

you guys think i'm crazy but you gotta admit there is a lot of weird [expletive] happening with the bears, bulls, and cubs.

[Guest]

They'd better build the line.

[rawaction]

[expletive] this thread.

[Magnetic Curses]

oh yeah, and we've missed our window, too. so it's really a complete rebuild. hope you got some time.

[USSoccer]

Said it in the other thread; they'll fire Tice, promote Bates and retain Lovie on the last year of his deal because the "defense was dominant it's the offense that sucks as usual putting too much pressure on the awesome defense that bends and breaks at the worst times see Seattle game and also wears down toward the end of the year plus its best players are all post prime or worse" Edited December 31, 2012 by USSoccer

[cubbyvirus00]

The Bears suck, move the franchise.

[Magnetic Curses]

Said it in the other thread; they'll fire Tice, promote Bates and retain Lovie on the last year of his deal because the "defense was dominant it's the offense that sucks as usual putting too much pressure on the awesome defense that bends and breaks at the worst times see Seattle game and also wears down toward the end of the year plus its best players are all post prime or worse"

 

the defense is old and bates's offense doesn't inspire me. i say move now, get lovie out, get tom clements in before someone else does. let's get some positivity going now.

Edited December 31, 2012 by Stannis

[rawaction]

not ready yet. training camp is in august i can't stand to think of how far that is away.

 

you guys think i'm crazy but you gotta admit there is a lot of weird [expletive] happening with the bears, bulls, and cubs.

 

I'm with you on both. I hate [expletive] feeling like this.

[Banedon]

Mentioned in game thread but Bears should have 20th pick.

[Guest]

Said it in the other thread; they'll fire Tice, promote Bates and retain Lovie on the last year of his deal because the "defense was dominant it's the offense that sucks as usual putting too much pressure on the awesome defense that bends and breaks at the worst times see Seattle game and also wears down toward the end of the year plus its best players are all post prime or worse"

 

This is silly. The defense was absolutely dominant. And the Seattle game would seem to be a pretty shitty example...

 

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-12-27/sports/ct-spt-1228-haugh-bears-chicago--20121228_1_tillman-and-jennings-seahawks-tim-jennings

[Guest]

Said it in the other thread; they'll fire Tice, promote Bates and retain Lovie on the last year of his deal because the "defense was dominant it's the offense that sucks as usual putting too much pressure on the awesome defense that bends and breaks at the worst times see Seattle game and also wears down toward the end of the year plus its best players are all post prime or worse"

 

the defense is old and bates's offense doesn't inspire me. i say move now, get lovie out, get tom clements in before someone else does. let's get some positivity going now.

 

Part of me just wants to try to fix the offense (address the line, add a TE, fire Tice) and see if we can get another year out of what was an awesome defense this year, but another part of me would really like to get an offensive minded HC in here. Clements would be a dream, assuming he'd be hands on and we wouldn't get some random OC running/teaching the offense.

[rawaction]

Said it in the other thread; they'll fire Tice, promote Bates and retain Lovie on the last year of his deal because the "defense was dominant it's the offense that sucks as usual putting too much pressure on the awesome defense that bends and breaks at the worst times see Seattle game and also wears down toward the end of the year plus its best players are all post prime or worse"

 

the defense is old and bates's offense doesn't inspire me. i say move now, get lovie out, get tom clements in before someone else does. let's get some positivity going now.

 

Part of me just wants to try to fix the offense (address the line, add a TE, fire Tice) and see if we can get another year out of what was an awesome defense this year, but another part of me would really like to get an offensive minded HC in here. Clements would be a dream, assuming he'd be hands on and we wouldn't get some random OC running/teaching the offense.

 

The best way to fix the offense though would be your 2nd option. The defense isn't suddenly going to be terrible without Lovie or Marinelli. It will definitely be different, but they aren't going to suck because of a change at head coach.

 

Basically, Lovie hasn't done anything to deserve to have a lifetime contract with this team. And if they do keep him, fix the offense somehow and the Bears are a legit contender next year, he's going to get another 4-5 year deal without ever really putting together a stud team. He only has 3 playoff wins in 9 years.

[JonJayCutler]

The more I think about it the more I'm convinced that Lovie will be retained. I understand that his record is what it is and that given the number of times he's missed the playoffs, it's grounds for termination. But I'm pretty sure no one blames him for last year. Blame the management, JA, or whoever for not getting a better backup than Caleb [expletive] Hanie. Great year in 2010, but got beat by GB in the NFCCG who was rolling through everyone once they made it in. 2007-2009 were uninspiring, although they played above their heads in 2008 IMO and almost made it in.

 

This year was more on Lovie, although we ran into teams like Seattle and Minnesota who both proceeded to play out of their minds after beating us. Green Bay always beats us. Like others have already said, we never lost to a team worse than 10-6. Now of course, if we're a good team we should be able to beat other good teams, especially at home, but we lost three straight there to close the season.

 

Just for kicks though, the combined record of the opponents we lost to is: 66-29-1. All three of the divisions we had to play entirely this year: the AFC South, NFC West, and our own, all have two playoff teams a piece. Now I know that good teams or not, it still doesn't excuse the anemic offense and all the BS that happened, but those things are more likely to occur when you're playing those teams. I don't want to conclude that we were simply victims of playing a crapload of great teams all in a row, especially when we were so close to winning a couple of them, but it's something that I can't ignore.

 

I do agree with those who are saying that they can hire a new coach without having to completely rebuild. I also understand that the goal is (or should be) to create an offense that can score on anybody, good team or not. And because of that, I'd be more than fine with letting Lovie go. I just don't see it happening.

[Soul]

The Bears will probably keep Lovie, but the truth is, he's going to leave. He can go now, or later. I vote now, for whatever it's worth.

[CUBZ99]

It would be great to get a legitimate offensive coordinator. I'm fine with Lovie's defense, but he should have no say on the offensive side of the ball.

[Banedon]

If anybody wants to start reading too much into things, but they announced that players will be available to the media tomorrow at 11, but they didn't announce any availability for Lovie per Brad Biggs.

[Guest]

If anybody wants to start reading too much into things, but they announced that players will be available to the media tomorrow at 11, but they didn't announce any availability for Lovie per Brad Biggs.

 

To read more into it, Lovie was available to the media the day after the season last year.

[minnesotacubsfan]

Lovie isnt going anywhere. he had a winning season, but it is time for a [expletive] offensive line and coach

[Splendid Splinter]

I'm gonna be pissed if Tice is fired and Lovie isn't. That means Lovie goes into his 10th season as Bears HC and on his 5th OC!!!! Seriously... 5 OCs in 10 years. Enough is enough.

[DivineBovine]

I know Lovie is not an offensive coach, but geez. Neither was Bill Bellichick. You have to hold him accountable for the [expletive] offenses this team has consistently had. How does he get a pass when he was the head coach all these years.

 

He does have some strengths. Players love him. They play hard for him. The defense has been decent. I won't even say good. I'll say decent.

 

But the bad outweighs the good. When will we ever see him outscheme a good team in a big game? When will we ever see a good offense? Never with Lovie Smith.

[scarey]

I was hoping to see more talk on player personnel, but I guess the HC talk is understandable with the decision looming.

 

I thought I was told over and over again that the Bears were going to be in a tough place in terms of cap space this upcoming off season. Then, I read this article: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/football/bears/17253566-606/bears-enjoy-the-luxury-of-salary-cap-space.html

 

Is it actually a possibility that Clady could be a Bear next year? If they could grab Clady, draft a good center or guard in one of the first two rounds, I think I'd be pretty happy with where the Bears O-line stands. Lance Louis will have to be resigned, I wonder if he lost a bit on his price tag after the injury? After that, I would be fine with cutting Garza, Spencer, and Scott loose. Webb can stay on as a swing tackle and maybe Carimi is given one last chance at RT.

 

Of course, Urlacher and Melton are UFAs as well. I think Urlacher will sign a cheap 1 or 2 year deal to stay with the Bears if Lovie stays. If not, he may well do it anyway.

 

Melton? I like Melton, but I think they may have to let him go. Maybe draft a raw DT with upside and let Okoye, Collins, and Toeina fight for time (assuming they're all Bears next year). I was actually wondering if the Bears felt comfortable enough with McClellan next year to have him start, maybe move Peppers in as a permanent three technique (assuming Lovie and/or Marinelli are retained). I know the guy is dominant, but we all know what a good three technique can do in this defense. The 2005 season for Tommie Harris was one of the very special seasons by an interior lineman I've EVER seen from ANY team. It may be wasting the talent of Peppers by not playing him at end, but we do have a first round pick in McClellan as well as Wootton who showed me this year he can be a starter.

 

Other than that, Emory just needs to plan ahead for Tillman and Cutler next year. Just make sure there's enough money to sign Cutler next year to an extension and if you need to start developing a replacement for Tillman, it may be time to do it this year. Urlacher too.

 

Oh and TE... fix it.

[Guest]

You have to re-sign Melton. He's the one young high caliber player on an aging defense.The defense would take a massive step back without him. I'd say you even have to franchise him if you need to.

 

I don't think Clady hits free agency, but he's a must if he does. I'm sure Denver will re-sign him or, at worst, tag him. Supposedly Cutler and Marshall have been trying to woo him.

[rawaction]

2013 schedule of teams:

 

Road: Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Washington

Home: Detroit, Green Bay, Minnesota, New Orleans, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Dallas, NY Giants

 

I'm guessing on the last 4 road and home, based on last time the Bears played them in the rotation. The Vikings win meant the Bears don't play Seattle and Carolina for the 19th year in a row.

[Banedon]

I think it's really tough to talk personnel until we know what's happening with the coaches. Does Urlacher come back? I think that depends a whole lot on Lovie. What do the Bears do with Hester? I think that depends a lot on Lovie.