Lenny

As a Cowboys fan, I say thanks. I have appreciated Marinelli on the Cowboys. Wow... first time I've heard of this. I was indifferent on whether he stayed or go, but this story makes me happy that he won't get to make a decision for the Bears again. You literally had a well regarded DC in your back pocket and willing to stay and he tell you who he likes in order and you go with the worst one? WTF?? It doesn't seem plausible. We would've at least heard rumors of this months ago, and especially after the NO game, when seemingly everybody started talking to the press. When it happened, nobody really knew why Rod just left and took a demotion with another team. Someone who had a DC position locked up don't just all of a sudden leave to take a demotion somewhere else unless something crazy happened. It's just unusual so something made him leave and take that job. Rod isn't going to tell the press/media why he left because he's a pro and Emery isn't going say it. I really can't remember how it went down (like if there were rumors of Rod being angry at Trestman hire/etc). That story would be a good reason for Rod to leave and take a demotion. The Marinelli situation always struck me as odd, but to believe he was actually in charge of interviewing potential HCs strains credulity. Plus it's Mullin. Correct me if I'm wrong, but he's kind of been the first go-to outlet for disgruntled vets since Lovie was canned, no? Either way, this cluster [expletive] is over. Jeff Fisher was on his StL ESPN radio show tonight, and sounded more than a little defensive of Cutler. Must of said "You don't know what Jay you're going to get, but he hasn't had a consistent voice" at least 3 times. StL could use Marshall, too. Might be the best trading partner.

As a Cowboys fan, I say thanks. I have appreciated Marinelli on the Cowboys. Wow... first time I've heard of this. I was indifferent on whether he stayed or go, but this story makes me happy that he won't get to make a decision for the Bears again. You literally had a well regarded DC in your back pocket and willing to stay and he tell you who he likes in order and you go with the worst one? WTF?? It doesn't seem plausible. We would've at least heard rumors of this months ago, and especially after the NO game, when seemingly everybody started talking to the press.

As a Cowboys fan, I say thanks. I have appreciated Marinelli on the Cowboys. Color me more than a little skeptical of this. IMO something that big would've leaked before now.

No argument from me there, just having a hard time understanding the overwhelming Cutler bias.

That's meatball talk. You met a meatball and you two had a nice big meatball session and came to a meatball conclusion. It may be, but this is by far the most pro-Cutler board I've come across. You realize that by reacting to "meatballs" so strongly some of you come across as meatballs yourselves, right?

Plus they get to leave through the normal course of events before that type of coaching style grows tiresome. Harbaugh may actually be a really good short-term hire for the Bears, he would probably get this team turned around and in good condition within a year or two. I just don't see how you can structure such a hire in a short-term nature without an ugly outcome within 3-4 years. Wait, I thought a short term solution was what most of you wanted? Otherwise, why keep your offensive core intact? It's not like they're getting any younger (or better, in the case of everyone not named Jeffery).

If that's the prize, I'll take the cash equivalent.

That absolutely would have worked (and should have been the plan) two years ago. This team is too long in the tooth to try it now. What no one seems to be asking is, does he even want to be in Chicago anymore? Probably gonna get [expletive] for it here, but I found the Vandy caps the past few PCs very odd.

First time hearing about this. This country is in dire need of a severe eugenics program.

Nobody hates the 2004 team, you maniac. That '06 team on the other hand...

He should go back there. Tomorrow.

The possibility that they may actually get a home playoff game is infuriating. Infuriating, or hilarious? Truth.

The possibility that they may actually get a home playoff game is infuriating.

No way, that would be horrible. Keep as many good games on Sunday as you can. After a quick look at their ratings, they're actually doing much, much better than I thought.

ESPN & NFL needs to figure out how they can flex the schedule to ensure better MNF matchups. This is one of the worst seasons of it that I can remember.

Agreed, but there are too many teams that are only a serviceable QB away from the playoffs that the Bears would only be compounding their incompetence by not at least fielding offers for him. Emery (assuming he keeps his job) should be on the phone with StL, Buffalo, or Houston ASAP. Getting on the phone now is a horrible idea.

Agreed, but there are too many teams that are only a serviceable QB away from the playoffs that the Bears would only be compounding their incompetence by not at least fielding offers for him. Emery (assuming he keeps his job) should be on the phone with StL, Buffalo, or Houston ASAP. Really depends on what they would get back. They can't just move him to move him since they have zero QB options otherwise and the draft likely wouldn't be the solution right now. They can't just embrace having a gaping hole at the position. Not suggesting they move him just to move him. I think the trade market for him should be much healthier than some are expecting, only because of how close some of these other teams are. Yeah, but what are they likely to get back from those teams that can fill the QB spot ASAP? I don't think the Bears are in a situation where they can realistically expect to turn this thing around in one offseason.

Agreed, but there are too many teams that are only a serviceable QB away from the playoffs that the Bears would only be compounding their incompetence by not at least fielding offers for him. Emery (assuming he keeps his job) should be on the phone with StL, Buffalo, or Houston ASAP. Really depends on what they would get back. They can't just move him to move him since they have zero QB options otherwise and the draft likely wouldn't be the solution right now. They can't just embrace having a gaping hole at the position. Not suggesting they move him just to move him. I think the trade market for him should be much healthier than some are expecting, only because of how close some of these other teams are.

If Tennessee or DC want him, sure, but those three make the most sense IMO because I'm not sure they have time to groom someone before their respective windows start to close. Fisher in particular seems like someone who might be vulnerable to overpay, and they don't have many other needs besides maybe a tackle.

Agreed, but there are too many teams that are only a serviceable QB away from the playoffs that the Bears would only be compounding their incompetence by not at least fielding offers for him. Emery (assuming he keeps his job) should be on the phone with StL, Buffalo, or Houston ASAP.

There is a fantastic group of SP options in free agency this winter. None of the 10 best pitchers in baseball will be available so I'm not sure if they meet your 'ace' threshold, but there's an abnormally high number of good pitchers coming available. Here's the list below of FA SP and I fail to see any fantastic pitchers. I see average at best. Brett Anderson * Josh Beckett Chad Billingsley * Joe Blanton * A.J. Burnett * Chris Capuano Bruce Chen * Wei-Yin Chen * Kevin Correia Johnny Cueto * Jorge De La Rosa Ryan Dempster Scott Feldman Gavin Floyd Yovani Gallardo * Jason Hammel J.A. Happ * Aaron Harang Dan Haren * Roberto Hernandez Luke Hochevar Hisashi Iwakuma Josh Johnson Kyle Kendrick Hiroki Kuroda John Lannan Colby Lewis Jon Lester Paul Maholm Justin Masterson Brandon McCarthy Brandon Morrow * Jeff Niemann Ross Ohlendorf Felipe Paulino * Jake Peavy Wandy Rodriguez Max Scherzer James Shields Carlos Villanueva Ryan Vogelsong Edinson Volquez Jerome Williams This FO hasn't given us one reason to doubt their ability where SP's * are concerned. *appropriate valuation

The St. Louis Blues were part of the 1967 expansion just to be a foil for the Blackhawks. How is that the third most valuable franchise in MLB is now a doormat for a post-industrial, rust-belt, deeply impoverished area like StL? Would the Yankees be allowed to be doormats for the Orioles, year in and year out?

The Ricketts seem to have dragged their feet in regards to pretty much every aspect of the rebuild/renovation. It's unfortunate that there didn't seem to be more urgency on their part. They were green.(still are) Have yet to show they're capable owners. My honest thinking is Tom sold Dad on the fact that even if they lose, it's a cash cow. And thought that the renovations would be an easy money grab. Same with getting money from the city. They thought taking a year or two to "get healthy" would be fine, because once the renovations started, they'd start spending. Since it still hasn't, Dad obviously isn't coming off any funds and the debt structure got out ahead of us. And without extra funds, it stays there. And "Dad" Ricketts decided that becoming an outspoken backer of Tea Party politics and throwing money against the Rahm campaign (which he should have known was a fait accompli) all while expecting $300 million in state backed bonds to start the renovation was somehow going to work.

Would things have been better had Ricketts fired Hendry the moment he took control? Assuming he could find a comparable (or better) FO staff right away? It bothers me that they didn't recognize Jackson's weaknesses and attempt to trade him ASAP when he actually had some value.

No, I don't care how they've gotten to their stat lines yet. Lake and Olt with .700+ OPS's is fine with me. I see Lake with little shot at starting but I'm not going to give up on Olt. Castillo is fine. Kalish is a backup. They may be individually "fine" but those OBPs (much more important than SLG) they will drag down the offense, and if you just field a team of guys who are "fine" you will suck. This is a team of guys who are "fine" and that is why they are losing so much. Thank you. WTF does "fine" mean? In what context? Who's the arbiter? I remember back in '04 everyone saying "this team will be fine", "Rose's knee will be fine", "Grossman will be fine". F fine. Let it join "classy" and "fair" on the list of overused buzzwords which have lost all meaning.