Lovie Smith is being shown the love by the Chicago Bears. If by the love you mean the kind of love men show other men in prison showers. According to this story on ESPN.com, the sides aren't even close and both Lovie and his agent are resigned to being free agents come the end of the season.
I guess I'm supposed to give an opinion on the matter but the truth is I really don't give a shit. Lovie's done a fine job and I think he's a good football coach but this isn't exactly surprising. The Bears don't pay people. They never have. They never will. Should Lovie be the lowest paid head coach in football? Absolutely not. Should he be one of the highest? Jesus Christ no!
Think to yourself quickly. Name one moment in the last two seasons where you said to yourself, "That's damn good coaching." Still, you can't argue with results and the results are that Lovie Smith has won two division titles and brought this team to the Super Bowl.
I don't know. Maybe it's just me. I just can't get worked up about this whole thing.
#2 Phil from SATX said . . .HA! First again!
We would 'get worked up about this whole thing' if he left and a bozo ran the team. Pay the man damn it- its a freaking distraction
--Midway--
(rehab)February 22, 2007
#3 Midway Monster said . . .Are good coaches that easy to find? We wasted many years with a completely ineffectual one (Wanny, who can't even head coach at the college level, truly one of the worst NFL head coaches ever) and then Jauron, who seemed to be classic Peter Principle in action. While I agree that Lovie doesn't yet deserve top money, those stories in the paper seem to indicate that $5MM is going rate. That said, are we surprised? Maybe we should be, since the Bears have been much better about opening purse strings lately with big contracts to important players.
What would Lovie be like as a lame duck coach? Would he be as committed? He seems like a stubborn SOB, and what if he decides to give us $1.45MM worth of coaching next year (as in 1/4th what it should be?) This may be early posturing, but it sure doesn't feel good to me. This postseason is turning somewhat surreal. I know we wanted something to talk about, but this is a little much.
February 22, 2007
#4 Phil from SATX said . . .If I had to name something Lovie did that I admire- it would be sticking with Rex. Regardless of the out come, it takes gametes (hey Megan, how's that for a med term) to stick to your guns. I think that the players respect that. Most other coaches would have fell prey to the pressures of the local press.
As far as him giving a 100%, I think he will. But he cannot avoid thinking "so... I wonder where I'll be coaching next year".
--Midway--
(In rehab, tonight is movie night)
February 22, 2007
#5 Da Coach said . . .For all the money we wasted on aforementioned lousy coaches, can't we overpay a little for the only coach who got us to a Super Bowl since Dikka? (Of course when I say overpay I am using that phrase as the McCaskeys would see it, not that it would be true). Isn't this a position you don't want to waste any time solidifying? Don't you want the 100% commitment, the 100% focus on next year, without any distractions? Is this really that hard a decision? And who is handling these negotiations anyway? Is it Angelo, or Phillips, who may have their own deals to worry about? Is that clouding things?
February 22, 2007
#6 Da Coach said . . .For once we have a good coach and now management is going to sit back and allow Lovie to become a lame duck coach. Please just pay the man his money and move on, its not like his salary counts against the cap.
This is getting ugly real fast and I am starting to get a bad vibe for this team in 2007. It is bad enough we are going to deal with the whole Superbowl Loser reputation but now throw this into the mix and it is not looking good at all. I pray the football gods are good to us in 2007.
February 22, 2007
#7 beardown1982 said . . .For once we have a good coach and now management is going to sit back and allow Lovie to become a lame duck coach. Please just pay the man his money and move on, its not like his salary counts against the cap.
This is getting ugly real fast and I am starting to get a bad vibe for this team in 2007. It is bad enough we are going to deal with the whole Superbowl Loser reputation but now throw this into the mix and it is not looking good at all. I pray the football gods are good to us in 2007.
February 22, 2007
#8 jdawg said . . .This is a tough pill to swallow...I think the Bears will work something out, but this only creates bad blood. Rumore has it that Briggs is less than happy with his franchise tag...Rivera is pretty much let go....now the lowest paid coach in the league can't get a good offer after guiding his team to the super bowl? I agree, bad vibes all around.
February 22, 2007
#9 jdawg said . . .I'm not worried yet because the fat lady hasn't sung, it ain't over till its over, yadda yadda yadda.
Of course Briggs is going to be pissed. What's he supposed to say? He says, "I want to be traded" and Rosenhuase puts a cracker in his mouth.
Lovie's great at getting the team ready but not so hot as a game-time manager. Maybe the coaching staff should try tin cans and soapy string during games this upcoming season. Of course that means the Bears would have to provide tin cans and soapy string to the other team and there's no way in hell the McCaskey's are going to shell out the dough for that.
February 22, 2007
#10 Max said . . .man Jeff, the headline pun just sunk in.
Sad movie.
Hope this situation turns out better.
February 22, 2007
#11 craig said . . .I can get worked up. This is stupid. The McCaskeys are stupid. Ted Phillips is stupid. They are pissing me off with this nickel and dime bullshit. He has turned us into a winning team again, for the love of god do the following:
1) Take head(s)
2) Pull it out of ass
3) Take wallet
4) PAY THE FREAKIN MAN ALREADY!February 22, 2007
#12 Midway Monster said . . .Pay him. If Lovie walks after next season there's about a 80-90% chance the next coach will be a downgrade. Whether he's a great in-game coach or not, as folks have said, the results speak for themselves. And look at how much faith the players have in him and in his decisions... I didn't much care about letting Rivera walk, but letting Lovie go and starting over would really piss me off.
February 22, 2007
#13 Midway Monster said . . .Hell.. Maybe everyone ought to be paid a base salary and bonuses for each win.
--Midway--
(in rehab and obviously not getting any better)February 22, 2007
#14 jdawg said . . .This site has a football salaries database that contain year-by-year listings from 2000-2005 of salaries for National Football League players.. The search options lets you to see salaries/bonuses for a players, plus median and total salaries for each team.
So for the Bears the 05 median salary was $459,290 with a total payout of $78M. (I think that is the same as Jeff's salary if I am not mistaken). Beware, you can spend hours on this site.
http://asp.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/salaries/default.aspx
(PS, isn't it great Al Gore invented all this stuff!)
--Midway--
(in rehab with lots of free time)February 22, 2007
#15 Al in WI said . . .I'm not saying don't be pissed if Lovie doesn't get a fair deal, just don't get all worked up this early in the process.
February 22, 2007
#16 Pissed off said . . .If Lovie goes, he goes. I'm not convinced that he's not another Dungy, a coach who is good at building a team but can't get them over the hump when it matters. I know Dungy just won the super bowl but he should have won 3 or 4 as many times as he's been in position too.
And the two playoff loses under Smith have been disturbing and are examples of being out-coached. Thanks to the obsession with Rex bashing Lovie has gotten off the hook for his gameplan on both sides of the ball that was ultra conservative.
Next year there will be several top coaches available, including Bill Cohwer, Parcells, Holmgren, and of course the local favorites Singletary and Rivera who would be great fits.
I prefer a coach with more fire, and I think in the big game that's what your need.February 22, 2007
#17 Pissed off said . . .Based on the market and what Lovie's done I think he should get less than 5M but more than 4M. I have heard people say this is fair value for him. I wouldn't give him 5 but 4 1/2 seems about right.
I do respect him for sticking with Rex as well, Midway, but that seems like the only position he's set on. He's bounced around starting safeties like a rubber ball the past two years among other spots. Just not the QB, he even stuck it through with Orton all last year so it must be the position.
Lets remember Angelo signed a 5 year deal when Lovie signed a 4 year deal at the same time. I heard Skip Bayless on Cold Pizza this morning say that he thinks Angelo is a better GM than Lovie is a coach..........
To Beardown, Rivera has been officially gone for a few days now.
I've been to that usatoday site, you can see all kinds of salaries, etc. Its a great site everyone, now you can find out how much your favorite players make in all sports.
February 22, 2007
#18 TT Boy said . . .Al, Parcells isnt coming back and if he does, I dont want him. He's too old and cant control players anymore or hold a team together. He hasnt done squat since his days in NY. Cowher won 1 super bowl in 15 years, not that great but he'll get paid big bucks next year. Of all the names you mentioned for Head Coach Holmgren and Cowher are the only ones I'd even consider if I were in charge and I'd lean to Holmgren. Singletary and Rivera have no head coaching experience so I definitely dont want them. First year coaches generally have horrible records with their team and since da team is in its prime, we cant afford a down year. We need to get to the SB again in the next few years.
February 22, 2007
#19 Bill said . . .Does the coach really matter all that much? Lovie's a a great defensive coach, but by far not one the better offensive coaches in the NFL. I'm a Packers fan, but I think the Bears are gonna be really good for a while. Their defense is just so quick and big up front, the secondary is solid., obviously Hester's amazing, 2 good running backs, a nice wide receiver core, and a solid group of receivers. Utimately, they have to bring an offensive mind to Chicago. An offensive mind that doesn't depend on an average at best quarterback. I couldn't see ANY team in the NFL beating this Bears squad if the offense was predicated upon putting the QB in situations that minimize his vulnerabilities.
February 22, 2007
#20 Bill said . . .Changing coaches now or the year after is too great a risk. Actually, I woudl think the issue really may be length of contract - not money. If Lovie is a lame duck next year, the season is lost. Then we get a new coach - and new assistants, and that year is lost. Then the window starts to close as players get older, or are lost to free agency.
But at the same time, I wouldn't want to lock up Smith for more than 4 years total - redo next year and then 3 more. So if over all that time we end up regressing, he's gone. An if not, he gets yet another big increase - which woudl be deserved.
February 22, 2007
#21 Midway Monster said . . .Possible gutsy move if the contract doesn't get resolved quickly - get it over with and fire him. Hire Rivera and get on with the draft. I know - too late to really be ready for the draft with new assistants etc, but if Lovie is a lame duck - as I said - it's probably 2 lost years anyway. I'd say "here's our offer - if you don't take it, we'll pay you 1.45 million to not coach next year and we'll move on.
February 22, 2007
#22 jdawg said . . .Hey, not that we get to watch the news in here- but why does Brittany Spears keep popping in and out of here...
--Midway--
(in Rehab)February 23, 2007
#23 WindyCityPackerFan said . . .Brittany's agent has demanded more money and Brittany shave her head in protest.
February 23, 2007
#24 Bill said . . .Sorry...I felt I had to weigh in on this one too.
Let me give some thoughts if I may. The talk today is that if Lovie goes, Rivera will come back. What? Didn't they just fire him? If you were fired from you job, would you return if they called you a year later? I thought so.
The idea of hiring Singletary or Rivera...former Bears. Got experience with that one. Remember when Bart Starr and Forrest Gregg were Packer coaches? You should because you kicked our butts year in and out. We REALLY sucked, all because we thought former players could restore use to former glory.
The reason the Pack has been competitive in the last 15 or so years is because the powers that be gave complete and total control to a general manager that made ALL of the decisions.
More conspiracy theories...the Bears may very well hire a guy named Ron as their head coach if Lovie walks, but his last name will be Turner. Is Luke Butkus Lovie's guy or Ron's guy? Think about that one.....
February 23, 2007
#25 jdawg said . . .Ron Turner as head coach?
NNNOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!
At first I thought Chico wouldn't come back out of respect for Norv, who hired him so fast he must have known it was coming (from his brother). But the guy has less a chance of being a head coach now than he did before - passed over too many times. He woudl take the job in a heartbeat, imo.
So woudl Singletary.
I agree about the dangers of ex-players being coaches; it worked with Ditka though. Starr had no real expereince and Gregg was just not that good - just like most head coaches (plus he had an insane hated of Ditka that really screwed up his marbles in some of those games with the cheap shots. I'm sure you were glad to see him go - wasn't infante next? What a huge difference in attitude and class.)
February 23, 2007
#26 WindyCityPackerFan said . . .Man you guys
After less than 24 hours you're talking about Lovie's replacement?
dayum
This is part of the process. One side says "you suck!"
The other side says "you suck more!"
rinse
repeat
then they're in bed, spooning
February 23, 2007
#27 Midway Monster said . . .Yes, Infante was after Gregg. He was kind of like our Dick Jauron. One good season out of nowhere, then back in the crapper.
Holmgren was hired after that (no more explanation necessary).
My point, Lovie is like the Bears Holmgren. Let's not forget, the Pack lost the NFC championship game before winning the Superbowl. Lovie needs at least 2 more years.....but he only has one on his contract, and will look over his shoulder and wonder until the deal is done.
To further parallel the story....Ray Rhodes came after Holmgren and basically wrecked 5 years of building in one. My point; don't let go of Lovie.
With all due respect Bill, my feeling is that Rivera would still feel the sting of being 'cut three times by the same team' (quote from Monday night's interview) a year from now, considering Angelo and Phillips would still be his boss.
I would like to share my thoughts from 2004...why would Angelo and Phillips sign themselves to 5 year deals, then sign Lovie to a 4 year deal? I think they are reluctant to fully turn over the reins to the guy they picked.
As a former coach, I hope I am wrong, but I think Lovie is getting the shaft on this one.
February 23, 2007
#28 richard p. grigutis said . . .Thought of the day: There is only 139 days until the NFL Season Opener.
--Midway--
(rehab)February 23, 2007
#29 richard p. grigutis said . . .l. smith is a good coach. the players like and respect him. sadly ,this is maybe the most important factor in coaching these days. he's no innovator and the coaching staff as a whole showed little capacity to adjust strategy during games. the fact that he didn't even give griese a look after home field was secured is a mystery. so he should be paid, i think, in the upper third of coaches. he's no superstar but no dog either. we wouldn't have been in the big game if not for hesters heroics and some fortuitous bounces of the ball. getting embarassed by arizona, miami, and green bay is not the mark of a genius.
February 23, 2007
#30 Bill said . . .l. smith is a good coach. the players like and respect him. sadly ,this is maybe the most important factor in coaching these days. he's no innovator and the coaching staff as a whole showed little capacity to adjust strategy during games. the fact that he didn't even give griese a look after home field was secured is a mystery. so he should be paid, i think, in the upper third of coaches. he's no superstar but no dog either. we wouldn't have been in the big game if not for hesters heroics and some fortuitous bounces of the ball. getting embarassed by arizona, miami, and green bay is not the mark of a genius.
February 23, 2007
#31 Bill said . . .Well, maybe my scenario wasn't so far fetched. The Sun-Times - in two different articles - is speculating that if things don't get done soon, it's possible (though not likely) that the Bears would say good-bye to Lovie and bring in Chico.
Per Brad Biggs:
"Figuring it's not healthy to move forward with a lame-duck coach, Phillips pulls the plug on Smith to a furious public backlash and replaces him with a man who just left the building: Ron Rivera. It's unlikely, but Bauer is stunned that he has been working for a year now with no progress on a deal for the first coach to restore consistent quality play at Soldier Field since Mike Ditka's heyday. What's the price of winning, anyway? "
February 23, 2007
#32 Bill said . . .My thinking about what the Bears are thinking - coaches making $5 million are overpaid. What have they accomplished? What has Lovie accomplished in the absolute - not relative to the past coach's failures. He was one play away from being one and done two years in a row. The game plan for the SB was a failure. He let go of a defensive coordinator who (perhaps correctly) didn't like the Cover-2. If Lovie gets $5million or more, and the defense gets burned next year, and we tank int he playoffs, we'll all be saying the Bears were right.
I think that the Bears ought to pay him near but not at $4 million, and for 3 years. No SB win in those three years, and they will be starting over anyway (the window will be closed by then) and so you let him go. But with a SB win, then you pay him very top dollar and he becomes coach for "life".
In other words, his accomplishements DO NOT put him in the range of the top coaches in the league. It matters NOT at all if other teams overpay.
I think Lovie and his agent blew it. They just got the Bears embarrased and pissed. By establishing the fact they are cheap - publically - the Bears have nothing to lose by not raising the offer. After all, they've already been called out. They can hold a press conference and say "we were prepared to raise the offer, and then our mild-mannered coach gave the OK to publically embarrass the organization he claims he wants to so bad to be a part of. We decided to take on a person (Rivera) who expressed disappointment in not being here - and say goodbye to the person who insulted us."
Obviously they wouldn't say it like that - but if history shows one thing - you don't bite the hand that feeds you. The Bears have the checkbook. If Lovie is going to play hardball publically, I think it's too big a risk that the Bears will respond in kind.
February 23, 2007
#33 beardown1982 said . . .I meant to say "I think that the Bears ought to pay him near but not at $5 million"
February 23, 2007
#34 Pissed off said . . .any thoughts on who the bears should replace wade wilson with for QB coach? in all actuality, this may be a very important replacement. who knows how much influence wade had on grossman...but if we can find the right man for Rex and help him get over his terrible lapses of judgement at times...he could turn into an above average quarterback for years to come. and that is saying a lot in chicago....
February 23, 2007
#35 Max said . . .Beardown, I dont care how good Grossman gets....it wont be good enough for the fans. They will rip him no matter what.
I want Lovie to get signed, at about 4.5 Mil, I think he would take that. If Turner becomes the coach God help us all.
February 23, 2007
#36 Bill said . . .PAY HIM GOD DAMN IT!
Screw all the arguments. The D let us down, the coaches couldnt adjust during games, maybe the cover 2 isnt the right D to have. This is starting to sound like the Rex controversy all over again.
WE MADE THE SUPER BOWL! When the hell was the last time that happened???? Have you seen the coaches we've had since then??? I mean come on. 4.5 mil would be nice, and hopefully it can get done.
Do I think Lovie is a 5 mil a year coach? No. But do i think he is the best option for us? HELL YES. Screw bringing Chico back, he had just as many problems making adjustments as Lovie had. Under no circumstances should Turner be given the reigns to coach and I dont wanna bring in another coach to learn the team and gain their trust.
PAY . . . THE . . . MAN
February 23, 2007
#37 Sell the McCaskeys said . . .The more I think of it, I feel the best alternative (which won't happen) is to take the opportunity to evaluate this and make a gutsy move.
Fire Lovie - hire Chico.
"Rex is our QB; we've won (fill in the blank) with Rex as our QB." The Cover-2 defense (which from the percent completion against them must literally mean you cover 2 receivers and all the others are open) is Lovie's 'signature' defense. I'm sorry - but they EASILY could have lost the Seattle game. And the guy all of a sudden has a big head and is flexing his muscle and embarassing the Bears in the press.
I'm sorry - I'm happy he's done better than Wanny and Jauron, but he's no Lombardi or even Ditka.
I'm waiting for Jesse Jackson to get involved and call the Bears racist.
February 23, 2007
#38 Get rid of the McCaskeys said . . .Let's face it, the McCaskey's can't get this right. Halas could not survive in today's NFL, he would have been sued fifty ways from Sunday and forced to sell the team. Now he leaves the team with the wrong side of the family and leaves us a major league weinny with a bean counter to run the team. I say give Smith $8. million, with one condition, he has to change his first name to "Killer".
February 23, 2007
#39 Megan said . . .Let's face it, the McCaskey's are clueless, they don't know what the hell their doing. Unfortunately, papa bear left the team to a major weinie and a bean counter. What chance do we the ordinary fans have with a family who inherited their interest in the Bears. I say give Smith $8.0 million with one condition, change his first name to "Killer". The current owners will just screw this team up anyway, so we might as well have a coach with a tag that sounds intimatating.
February 23, 2007
#40 Bill said . . .Screw it... I broke my leg on Thursday. I've got enought Percocets to medicate all of us until next season.. any takers??
Shit, that really freakin' hurt...and still does.
that is the LAST time I take the garbage out!February 24, 2007
#41 Midway Monster said . . .Megan - sorry to hear about your accident. Lower or upper part of your leg? Cast over the knee? Can you get around on crutches? If you live in the Chicago area - you know we're in for snow and ice this weekend. Hope you have a lot of movies to watch! (I don't recommend watching the SB again!)
February 24, 2007
#42 Megan/Pissed Off said . . .Megan! DANG!
I bet a Packer fan pushed you - true! That's another reason we need to beat them TWICE next year. Geeze. I cannot believe that happened... Freggin Packers. Hate em - just hate em!
--Midway--
(in Rehab, with loads of Percocets)
February 24, 2007
#43 Fred said . . .Fibula--lower part near the ankle, did not break the skin, thankfully. I have a soft cast on it right now because there was lots of soft tissue damage and I cant get a hard cast on it until the swelling goes down. I don't need surgery but I would like to borrow PO'd name for a while, because I am.
Yeah, it was the PACKER fan that pushed me, that's the ticket! (tee hee). I did get chided by a fellow Chicagoan at work.."Wait, you grew up around the ice and snow all your life in Chicago, then you move to Cincinnati and BOOM, you break your leg? You call yourself a Chicagoan?? I don't think so!" Sigh
Midway, don't bogart the Percs, dude!
February 24, 2007
If something is not worked out ASAP then Lovie should go. If you can't sign him now then you surely cannot sign him next year competing with other teams in a bidding war.
I'd like to see him back but if a deal cannot be worked out, he has no business being involved in the draft, free agents, and the 2007 Chicago Bears.
Something needs to happen fast for my sanity and this years Bears.February 24, 2007
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.