Banedon

Funny thing is, if we lock a thread when it gets out of control, split it when it takes a turn, or merge it if it shares a subject with another topic, we get criticized for those things as well. *shrug* There's a thread like this every offseason. Peavy...Roberts...etc...

Gotta throw Nolan in there as a DC candidate, right? I know he was running a 3-4 in Denver, but the paper this morning says he has experience with a 4-3 as well.

Yeah...I have it just to read some beat reporters and that kind of thing. But I'm not actively tweeting.

Jesus...same as that southern indiana kid.

Being lazy also has that effect. I speak from experience with that.

Getting in a fight with bar security is always a great idea.

Well they already messed up your fantasy offseason most likely...

Everybody trying to get the "scoop".

Yes, the Sports Animal is a local radio station down there (I only know this because they carry Tennessee Smokies baseball). Yep, it's the only 24 hour sports station local to Knoxville. They have reported that the UT plane is on its way to Ruston to pick up Dooley and that the deal is not done, but is close. Dooley has yet to tell his staff, they say, but likely will after the deal is done. It sounds completely done, but the Muschamp and Cutcliffe deals were apparently this close (or nearly) as well, so who knows. That said, sorry Bear fans. I wish we could have poached your coach. Well the Dooley deal is close enough that it's on ESPN.com.

And this is why I didn't want to get my hopes up. Something (radio station?) called the Sports Animal is reporting that Dooley is the new UT head coach. Also, The Score is saying Lovie is staying in Chicago, and is not at all interested in coaching at the college level.

Also Cutcliffe has officially withdrawn from consideration. Your coach is staying Vanilla Ice and chuckywang. Now Basilio says this...

Some of you will hate this...doesn't bother me at all though...

I still like Grace as well.

Does he know what he's talking about with rumors? Probably just read PFT and thought he'd pass it off as his own.

Steroids + ruined sex life = no slumpbuster....amirite?

And the Bears continue to lose, even in the offseason: You have to think that Lovie's lame duck status is a factor in all these guys passing on the Bears.

Pete Carroll coached in the NFL before his USC stint. EDIT: oops....Gooney beat me to it.

I'm not sure how much Lovie is getting with the Bears, but from what I've heard, Tennessee is willing to pay $3+ million to the new head coach. Lovie would be interesting, but much like with Gruden or Cowher, I'd wonder about his adjustment to the college game (especially recruiting). He does seem to have the teaching mindset, though, that would be important in college. Everything I've read says they owe him $11m over 2 years. And in his mind, he might believe that a solid 2010 season could put him in-line for a contract extension in Chicago after the season, assuming they won't go into a 2011 season in the last year of a deal. So he's owed $11m with hopes for another $5+m added on for an extra year if 2010 is a success. I can't imagine the Bears paying much in a buyout if Lovie wants to leave. They made it clear they want to go into 2010 with him, so if he leaves, he's leaving that money on the table, or at least the vast majority of it. They might be happy to see him walk, but they would have to then send Jerry and Ted on another coach finding mission, which could wind up costing more this year and next (all the coaches signed through next season would be on the hot seat for being replaced with the theoretical new guy). yeah, it's $11m over 2 years, so 5.5 per... If UT is willing to pay $4mil of that (per year), I think the Bears would jump at the chance to pay $3million over the next 2 years to buy him out and let the two salaries add up to his current contract with the Bears. Plus Lovie would have more job security... I don't think it happens, but I refuse to rule it out...lol

Yeah...it'd really depend on numbers, because it doesn't make any sense to leave if he doesn't get the same money combined from UT and the Bears as he would just from staying with the Bears. I'd love to see it happen, of course.

Yeah, just posted that in the college football thread.

Mike Florio saying that UT should contact Lovie Smith. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/01/14/lovie-would-be-wise-to-consider-escape-to-ut/

I'm 99% sure there's some kind of no-compete clause in his contract. Is he physically capable of interviewing? Of course. But there's likely significant penalties if he does so. Also, I'm guessing that there would be similar repercussions for the Bears from the NFL if they tried to talk to someone elses coach without permission.

Hahaha Because you know...their pitching skill is roughly equivalent and all....

If anyone is interested, Denver will pick either #10 or #11 with the pick we traded to them.

It's so wrong that this should be the most exciting thing the Cubs have done this offseason.