Steven Rosenbloom, who has really established a must-read Tribune blog, thinks Ron Turner is going to be fired in a month. If so, does anyone have faith in the guy Lovie will bring in to replace him? This is the head coach who hired Terry Shea and fired Ron Rivera for Bob Babich, leading to the defense plummeting from the top five to the bottom five in the NFL. The real problem at Halas Hall isn't Turner, it's Lovie Smith, who seems to be overwhelmed and bewildered by the head coaching job.
As for Sunday and the Green Bay Packers, Lovie has to lose the "gives us a best chance to win" attitude and do the following:
#2 Shady McBears Fan said . . .Cant really disagree with any of it but thats mainly cuz I dont give a shit anymore. I will watch intently on Sunday, as always but I dont care who's in there. I just need the offseason. I would like to end the year on a positive note, maybe a two game win streak, maybe by having Bradley look terrific going into the offseason giving us hope at the WR position for the offseason (but probably wont happen if Horton is throwing him the ball), mabye Toenia looks like a good #2 guy into next year. Who knows. Who cares.
December 19, 2007
#3 Max said . . .Lovie's "Gives us the best chance to win" is such bullshit. Who you crappin' Lovie?
If you REALLY wanted to win, you'd put in QB Brian Griese who is clearly better than KO. That fact is, you're evaluating talent at the QB position for next season, but yopu refuse to admit it. Why?
After these last two games the Bears organization realizes they have NO QBs and proceed to draft Andre Woodson with the 10th overall pick in the 2008 draft.
PLAY BEEKMAN! PLAY HASS! FIGURE OUT A WAY TO INVOLVE HESTER ALREADY!
December 19, 2007
#4 Mike said . . .POed i am just catching up and i was reading on the last thread about the "Peanut vs. Tillman" and i would say its not tacky. I bought my brother a jersey couple years ago for Christmas that had 31 on it but instead of Vasher on the back it had "Ballhawk" . . . cause he hawks balls.
And i wanna win this week. Period. Is anyone going to the game? Me and my brother are going. We got a parking pass too so we will be tailgating all morning. Let me know, it would be good to finally meet some or any of you.
December 19, 2007
#5 B.A. Baracus said . . .Nobody cares what happens to the Bears these final two games. Kyle Orton is dreadful, yet he will be under center these two games. Whoopie. Jerry Angelo has got an enormous task ahead of him this offseason. First and foremost, he needs to begin to rebuild the offensive line. Second, he needs to learn how to draft offensive skill position talent. Grossman, Benson, Olsen....ugh. And yes, I throw Greg Olsen in this category of ughs right now. You mean to tell me we draft a tight end in the first round who is supposed to be a "difference maker" and he winds up splitting time with a journeyman like Desmond Clark?!? I hope Olsen can turn out good, but does anybody really have faith of that happening?!? I don't think I do, and it has little to do with pessimistic opinion of Ron Turner either.
Call me a doomsdayer, but I don't envision more than 6 or 7 wins in 2008 or 2009.
December 19, 2007
#6 Al in WI said . . .The Bears will not be drafting a QB in the first round next year. Frankly, I would not be surprised if Ange-blo trades down based on his draft history. Finally, I really don't care whether the Bears win or lose the next two games. This season has sucked ass and two wins aren't going to make me want to run around singing the Bears fight song.
As I look back at this season, I generally get the feeling that some of the players did not come out with the intensity and determination that they had last year - so shame on them. Of course, the other possibility is that the coaches and the players just suck. I hope it is more of the former than the latter (except for the O Line, which we know sucks).
Finally, tie Ron Turner up and throw him in the lake.
December 19, 2007
#7 Pissed Off said . . .I agree with most of this post, but I take issue with Orton "deserves," to start the last two games. This isn't the first time I've seen this statement the last few weeks and I don't understand it all.
Deserves???? Based on what? The fact that he stinks and played his way out of a job in 2005?
Kyle Orton deserves nothing on a team that benched the 2nd quarterback to take this team to the super bowl after just 3 games. He deserves nothing on a team that benched pro bowl alternate Alex Brown after a SB season.
Orton got the chance that knuckle dragging types like Mike North have begged for him to get. And what did he do with it? He proved that he took the two full offseasons, and training camps he was afforded to improve and did nothing with it.
He was exactly the same as he was two years ago. Bad. To borrow from Clint Eastwood; deserves got nothing to do with it.December 19, 2007
#8 Pissed Off said . . .Mike, your post #4 is where you go wrong. This is why so many here cant stand you. Some of your posts are good but then you write something stupid like this. You are a doomsdayer and if you feel that way about the 6 or 7 win thing why are you wasting your time here or with the team at all. You'd be far better off being a fair weather fan. Does this year suck, hell yes. Am I excited about this weeks game or the next one or about this team in general right now...NO. Am I excited about the offseason and the draft and the offseason signings and hirings and firings and for the season to start next year....HELL YES! And do I think we will vastly improve upon our record next year and do I think we can go to the Super Bowl NEXT year and am I excited about the possibility of that happening......FUCK YEAH!!!
BEAR DOWN
December 19, 2007
#9 JB said . . .Never done this before but I'm nominating my post #7 as the post of the day. Can I do that?
December 19, 2007
#10 jeff said . . .I vote for Peanut. I think it shows knowledge...and honestly, I've never yelled at the TV, "GO TILLMAN"...its always, "YEAH, PEANUT!!!". I also call Vasher "The Interceptor", but ballhawk is kinda cool...i guess i'd stick to their actual nicknames though. Shady, thank you for seconding my Andre Woodson prediction. I'd like to make it two years straight of getting the top pick right...I called Olsen in February...but thats a long ways off.
Let's beat GB this weekend so I don't have to listen to my buddy even more than i will about the greatness that is brett favre. yes, the pack have a bye, but they don't have homefield, and it's still something to play for. don't kid yourselves, the pack wants this game bad...
December 19, 2007
#11 Al in WI said . . .i think the bears are going to be good next year. quite good, actually. as for orton "deserving" the play - he absolutely does. when the team is out of everything, he deserves to be able to go on the field and prove that he's capable. you saying HE STINKS doesn't mean a damn to anyone because you're a fan. does he stink? probably. but i'd rather base my opinion on the football player's football plays.
December 19, 2007
#12 jeff said . . .Like Monday?
December 19, 2007
#13 B.A. Baracus said . . .monday he played poorly. but you're giving the guy one game? you wonder why chicago never gives a guy a chance to succeed at the position?
December 19, 2007
#14 PolygonHell said . . .Jeff "Johnson" is right!! Rebid!!
I don't think anyone expects Orton to be a world beater at QB, but I am still giving him a chance. Part of his problem on Monday night was that he was rusty and that was due to him not playing for two years. Also, the Bears have zero running attack, which puts pressure on a QB no matter who is under center. That being said, I do not expect Orton to be any short or long term solution to the QB situation.
Nonetheless, I see no problem with keeping Orton in for the last two games to have him evaluated before next year. As far as Lovie Smith saying Orton "gives the Bears the best chance to win", that's obvious bullshit and should not be believed. Don't worry, we can trust Lovie to make decisions that are in the best interests of the team.
Finally, tie Ron Turner up and throw him into the lake.
December 19, 2007
#15 Al in WI said . . .I think I disagree with most of that.
Lovie should certainly take his share of the blame for this year, I think a lack of experience led to him not bringing down the superbowl atmosphere in preseason, but I don't think he should go.
I hope the organization is smart enough to replace Turner quickly in the offseason if he's really gone (and he should be).
I don't know about Babich, the fact that players like Urlacher back him calling a good game and blaming execution, gives him some leeway in my book.
But I think what irritates reporters and fans more than sanything is Lovies say nothing press conferences.
Glib taglines and press lines are fine when you're winning, but people are looking for public recognition of the issues facing the team when your loosing. There is clearly a policy in place inside the Bears organisation that tries to prevent public criticism of others in the organisation. It's not a bad thing keeping finger pointing private, but at some point you have to apply common sense. Who put the policy in place? who knows. But at this point it's doing more harm than good. Part of the job is PR and the Bears organisation does a shitty job of it.
As an aside I think that policy is part of the reason Rex was crucified as heavilly as he was by the media. Give the media nothing to write about and they'll come up with their own story lines.
Leave Hester in the offense let him learn at wide receiver, he needs reps in games.
I do agree with Orton and Bradley though.
December 19, 2007
#16 Viva said . . .This is partially a symantics issue. If the Bears want to play him for more evaluation, that's one thing. But the idea that he "deserves," to start is rediculous to me. He hasn't done anything to improve himself or take advantage of his opportunity here.
The mistakes he made in 2005, he made again on Monday night. He failed to demonstrate any improvement in any area of his game, from his poor accuracy, baseball delivery, to complete lack of touch. (which no one has addressed or refuted)
There are other players on the team that need to be evaluated as well. And how are we supposed to do that for Bradley, Hass, ect if we don't have a quarterback who can get them the ball?
And as for one chance, I'm sorry I think I've been far more patient with Bears quarterbacks then most. But I was at the game, and I saw what happened. Orton didn't make a single play for that offense. And he didn't do anything to suggest he could ever be a starter in this league. There wasn't one moment of hope in his game. So yeah, I've seen enough to know Po'd was right; he's still the same old Orton.December 19, 2007
#17 Rancid said . . .When your opponents consistently exploit your weaknesses in the second half, and you consistently do not exploit theirs, you loose.
All of the talent in the world can not compensate for a shitty game plan, shitty adjustments, and brain-dead decision making.
This coaching staff blows, and each 2nd half meltdown over the past two years is ample proof of that fact.
I would like to see Dave Taub (Special Teams Coordinator) who, by the way, is never out coached, take over our offense. He is smart, calculating, and creative. He is a winner.
Fire Ron Turner Now.
December 20, 2007
#18 Mike said . . .As most regulars on here know I've been on the RT bus for a long time. By the "RT bus" I mean the bus that is driving around Chicago looking for RT so it can run him over.
I like Orton for one more game. He does need a second chance, but unlike before when my optimism was warranted due to how long it had been since he played, I'm not as hopeful this time. If he is lousy again, then I would put BG back in so we can get a better look at Hass and Bradley. Al makes a good point in that it would be hard to evaluate them with KO in there. Of course, it's also hard to evaluate KO with the shitty Oline, etc... it just keeps going. Bottom line. We suck on offense. If that's news to you then you haven't been watching games.
I loved Toeaina's passion. I hope he stays and can be a regular in the rotation next year. His nickname could be "The Big Toe". Now that would be funny on a jersey.
I hate the fact that I'm responding to Mike. I haven't done so in a while, but IF he gets put with a decent OC who will use him, Olsen will be a star in this league. To call him a bust after this season is to expose yourself as having little common sense or credibility concerning the game of football.
December 20, 2007
#19 Al in WI said . . .I don't think I labeled Olsen a bust. What I said was that the highly touted Olsen is in a job sharing program with Clark and why is that. He hasn't burst onto the scene like his former Miami pals Jeremy Shockey and Kellen Winslow. Yes it's only his first year, but still. Olsen is a valid question mark.
Lets face it, Angelo has no clue how to draft offensive skill position players. Grossman, Benson, Bradley and Orton have all been abysmal. Berrian is solidly mediocre and nothing more than a 4th or 5th receiver on a semi-decent team. Combine this with a head coach who refuses to acknowledge that he knows nothing about offensive football and won't adjust his Cover-2 philosophy. And on other thing...Lovie lost an enormous amount of credibility as a talent evaluator via the move to bring Archueleta to town. Archueleta was absolutely brutal just like he was in Washington last year.
You guys can say what you like, but my perception that two very difficult years are looming is on the money. How anybody can suggest otherwise given the decision makers in place and the amount of holes on this roster is idiotic.
December 20, 2007
#20 Rancid said . . .Mike,
Things may not look like they are heading in the right direction now, but what did they look like in 2004 at this point?
I'll tell you, worse. We were 4-12 with Quasim Mitchell starting at the LT position, Terry Shea running the offense, and the combo of Bobby Wade and David Terell as our wide outs.
The following two years we were division champs with a bye in the playoffs eventually getting us to the Bowl.
This has been a tough year, but with the right moves this team can turn it around quickly.December 20, 2007
#21 Mike said . . .Mike - getting a good potential offensive player in Olsen in no way means I think that the BT is adept at drafting offensive talent. I agree they suck at that. I don't even view Olsen as an exception. It was shocking that he dropped that low and his selection was a no brainer, thus I give the BT no props for it.
December 20, 2007
#22 Shady said . . .Al, with all due respect I cannot be bullish for the next season or two for a multitude of reasons. Replacing Ron Turner is NOT a silver bullet remedy to what plagues this offense. Let's be very honest with ourselves.
1. The offensive line needs a near total reconstruction. Is that going to get accomplished in one season??
2. The Bears have nothing a running back. With all due respect to the serviceable third down back Adrian Peterson.
3. The wide receiver corp is a clusterfuck. Bernard Berrian is ridiculously overrated in this town, Mark Bradley is a bust, and Mushin Muhammed is long past his prime.
4. The quarterback position is beyond a clusterfuck.
5. Lance Briggs is a free agent.
6. There is huge hole at safety
7. Lovie is determined not to adapt the Cover 2 scheme. The original architect of this defense, Monte Kiffin, was willing to do so in Tampa Bay. But Lovie? Hell no.
8. Lovie "I've just been hit in the ass w/ a tranquilizer dart and need to take a dirt nap" Smith is our head coach.
9. Jerry "I am incapable of drafting offensive skill position talent" Angelo is the GM.
10. Brian Urlacher has officially begun the downside of his career.
====
Have I missed anything? And some of you label ME as a doomsdayer? Please. Look at this thing through objective lens and you tell me how a magical transformation is going to happen overnight. It ain't.
December 20, 2007
#23 Midway Monster said . . .If teams have struggled the season after losing the Superbowl (the SB hangover), then how have they fared the following year? Any pattern?
December 20, 2007
#24 mikebdot said . . .I say F-it all. BEAT GREEN BAY! I still give a $hit and will most likely be at the game.
-- Midway --
December 20, 2007
#25 Pissed Off said . . .Do you really think Nathan Vasher and Mike Brown's injuries had nothing to do with us sucking this season on defense and it was all Bob Babich, or, really, ANY Bob Babich? Briggs is a liability in coverage over the middle. The back-ups for Mike Brown are terrible (as they were last season when Rivera was coaching, our D sucked after Brown got hurt and both corners got banged up, our offense [and Hester] won games for us at the end of the season, when Vasher and Tillman were healthy, we played good D in the playoffs). Please stop re-writing history. Do you remember how badly you were pissed at Rivera for not covering a goddamn back out of the backfield once in awhile against the Colts? Maybe doing a run blitz here and there.
I like seeing the 4-6.
December 20, 2007
#26 bill said . . .Mike, this is the win now league, every year there are teams that look beyond repair and the next year they come out smoking. Look at the NFC South. For the past how many years the team that finishes last in that division finishes first the next year. Its stupid to say we cant turn it around next year.
December 20, 2007
#27 bill white said . . .As we are all aware, this team needs an enema. Jerry Angelo needs to pull his head out of his rear end and sign Mike 'The Burner' Turner of SD as a free agent for '08, draft offensive lineman, wide receivers, and quality backups to improve this team. The idea of having 20 of 22 starters come back and get rid of your backups was a pretty dumb move. Chris Harris traded to Carolina, and trading for Archuletta was a step back into the days of Abe Gibron and Bobby Douglass. Go after an ot in the draft, [even if you have to trade up] #69 sure turned into a real dipshit. You need to get different guards also. Muhammed needs to either be demoted or traded for someone who can catch a TD pass right between his numbers. Bensen can be a good #2 running back,[if he doesn't like it cut his ass] Griese making rookie mistakes is not what this team needs, so you should cut him too. We have the best special teams in the league [prove me wrong] we are in good shape there. So here is a good start to getting this team back to where they should be, follow these blueprints, and you can thank me after they win it all in '08. thank you :17hondo.com
December 25, 2007
#28 bill white said . . .It must be vacation time for the Bears management, they better have something up their sleeve. I have ideas [as do Bear fans everywhere] that will make this team better for '08. After offensive linemen you need to get Michael Turner from SD!!!!-------------------------------------------17hondo.com
February 2, 2008
#29 bill17 said . . .It must be vacation time for the Bears management, they better have something up their sleeve. I have ideas [as do Bear fans everywhere] that will make this team better for '08. After offensive linemen you need to get Michael Turner from SD!!!!-------------------------------------------17hondo.com
February 2, 2008
#30 bill17 said . . .Here we are with the main free agent signings done with, the thing to do is prepare for the draft, Unless of course they have a trade up their sleeve. Based on what has happened to date I don't think we are really ready to be confidant for '08. If Devon can learn the playbook better this year that will make the loss of that guy[#80] that thought he is better than he actually is. Does anyone remember at the beginning of the season last year when he dropped those passes, one being a TD, only to get 3 points on that drive.That ended being a loss if I remember correctly, feel free to correct me if I am wrong. The Bears should be doing everything that they can to get the best left tackle on the board. We still have not solved the RB situation, I was really hoping that Angelo would sign Turner, too bad he went to Atlanta. Benson is a good #2 running back, but he hasn't been able to have any elusiveness that is required to be a good RB, straight ahead running just doesn't cut it in the NFL as it does in college.17hondo.com
March 16, 2008
One week before the draft, all Bear fans must be sitting at the edge of their seats. It is too bad that this time of year is the highlight of the season. Let's hope that Jerry Angelo and his crew can pull off something acceptable, all of our hopes and dreams are riding on their shoulders.[did you notice the sarcasm] GO BEARS www.17hondo.com
April 13, 2008
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.