We're just a bit more than a week removed from the end of the 2008 season and the Bears have now released three assistant coaches: defensive backs coach Steven Wilks, linebackers coach Lloyd Lee and defensive line coach Brick Haley. This means that all three phases of the porous unit will have new position coaches in the coming months.
Yet how can the responsibility for defensive failures fall squarely on the shoulders of position coaches and not their commander-in-chief, Bob Babich? Better yet, if it's been determined that the defense was coached this poorly throughout the season, why doesn't some of that blame fall onto the shoulders of head coach Lovie Smith - brought to Chicago on a strictly defensive reputation?
Here are my two answers. (1) Bob Babich is the new John Shoop; a coordinator so close to the head man that Lovie is willing to face the firing squad in order to keep him on the staff. (2) Jerry Angelo is forcing these firings as a means of putting pressure on a head coach and coordinator he blames for the team's failures in 2008.
If this organization wants to send the correct message to the fans, fire Bob Babich tomorrow morning. Axe the man who was in charge of one of the league's most disappointing units. Because, though you believe us to be morons, we're not buying that Lloyd Lee's deficiencies are the reason the Minnesota Vikings won the NFC North.
#2 Rob C said . . .First - And Agree.
January 7, 2009
#3 Anytime said . . .I agree and bring back Ronnie
Whatever happened to these guys anyway?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzo9oXiNrXY&feature=relatedJanuary 7, 2009
#4 mikebdot said . . .Third.
I couldn't agree more.January 7, 2009
#5 I agree said . . .I'm bored with this already...on comment three. Babich isn't the issue. I'm convinced. Poor execution is the problem. No pass rush is the problem. No offense is the problem. I'm sick of it. Fuck the whole staff. Screw Lovie. Screw Babich. Screw Turner. Fuck the whole lot.
January 7, 2009
#6 Luke said . . .with mikeb
but Babich really does suck
a lot
January 7, 2009
#7 The Ghost of Halas said . . .Amen.
January 7, 2009
#8 CA BEAR FAN said . . .The decisions coming out of Halas Hall have been quite perplexing for a long time. Why clean house on the defensive side of the football, yet leave the defensive henchman himself, Bob Babich, in place?
Oh, yeah. You see, the scheme works. And we're close. That's why. How benighted of me...
January 7, 2009
#9 CA BEAR FAN said . . .What pisses me off is that we are firing the guys under Bob Babich. WHY? these guys are a direct reflection of Bob Babich, they do what he wants them to do, schemes and other stupid shit that Babichs comes up with...Just by firing the Dline , Dbacks, and Dlinebackers coaches doesnt make no difference! Bob Babich is the key to the whole Defensive problem. WHY? WHY? dont they see this? He calls the plays, He runs the Defense, NOT THEM! if they dont fire Bob Babich then next season will mean absolutely nothing to me...Babich is an idiot that will never take this defense to the promise land..I wish the PLAYERS would say something cause you know that they see the same thing that we do...FUCK BOB BABICH!
January 7, 2009
#10 Z said . . .AND that isnt it- Lovie does not know how to adjust his own cover 2 scheme. How many times will it take him to realize that his cover 2 scheme is not working. HE IS A FUCKING RETARD! no wonder him and Babich are best friends...FUCKING RETARDS!
I mean almost every game we are getting outcoached! 2006 super bowl only happen cause of ONE COACH RON RIVERA...Lovie will never NEVER get us back to the Super Bowl....Prepare for next season...January 7, 2009
#11 William... said . . .Well whether it is the scheme, the play calling during the game, the intensity, the effort or the discipline, the D Coordinator is responsible for all of those things. He is responsible for his Defense's performance, period. The NFL is a tough business. Just telling the players that this kind of Defense will be tolerated sets us up for more of the same.
There were not a lot of significant injuries. We went from the #2 and #5 defense under Rivera and he got fired to #28 and now #21 under Babich and no firing. This screams acceptance of beneath mediocrity.
How about Romeo Crennel for D Coordinator.
Hopefully we turn it around next season but if not I really think we have a shot at Cowher. I don't think he would want to deal with Jones in Dallas.
January 7, 2009
#12 Anonymous said . . .What about FIRE LOVIE.. and start all over.. bring Ron back & get Leslie as asst.head coach.. -defensive cordinator..
January 7, 2009
#13 The Duke said . . .Kyle Orton has started 33 NFL games, while Rex Grossman has played in 36 games with 31 starts. Statistically, they’re pretty similar. Orton has completed 505 of 913 passes (55.3 percent) for 5,319 yards with 30 touchdowns, 27 interceptions and a 71.1 passer rating, while Grossman has completed 521 of 962 passes (54.2 percent) for 6,164 yards with 33 TDs, 35 interceptions and a 70.2 passer rating. While Grossman has thrown more passes, Orton has slight edges in completion percentage, touchdown/interception ratio and passer rating.
January 7, 2009
#14 CA BEAR FAN said . . .Can we get a poll here? Am I the only one who thinks it's absolutely rediculous to bring in the head coach of the NFL's first 0-16 team and his freakin' SON-IN-LAW, the D-co of the NFL's worst defense in the league? Am I missing something? Why is this a good thing? anybody?
January 7, 2009
#15 ANIMAL said . . .Z. makes a good point...how does Ron Rivera get fired when he had #2 and #5 ranked defense...but this fucking guy Babich doesnt get fired for having the worst defense....I dont think our players want to play for Babich. I just dont get it...it seems as if we are going backwards....why havent we fired Babich? why are we trying to bring in ron marinelli? Its so fucking hard to be a Fan when you got guys like Lovie and Angelo calling the shots...I love my Chicago Bears but it breaks my heart to see this happening to the great city of Chicago, the Fans, and most of all the Players who represent this team.
January 7, 2009
#16 jeff said . . .We are the fucking CHICAGO BEARS. A team built on Defense. 85? DEFENSE. 06? DEFENSE?
We have the same, if not better, talent on D than we did in 06. WHY did we underachieve???
Simple. BABICH HAS GOT TO GO!!!!! This D has slipped since our boy Rivera left. Bring in ANYONE else and ditch that fuck head. God damn... it makes me furious.
January 7, 2009
#17 lindemrm said . . .i wasn't going to call for the firing of babich until i saw that every other defensive coach is gone. something doesn't add up.
January 7, 2009
#18 The Ghost of Halas said . . .Rivera and Lovie Worked like Ditka and Ryan. Differing views work in Chicago. Get Ron back and fire Lovie's butt buddy.
January 7, 2009
#19 CA BEAR FAN said . . .My faith in my team is being shaken, friends. I do not have a tremendous problem with Rod Marinelli as DLine Coach. But bringing in his son-in-law, the same idiot that led Detroit's defense to #32 in the league two years in a row. I think that is a 2009 deal-breaker.
Watch out. Rod Marinelli might be on another 0-16 team.
January 7, 2009
#20 Murph said . . .i dont get it...i really dont understand what jerry angelo is doing or thinking....
January 7, 2009
#21 jdawg said . . .Duke, I agree with you 100%. Seems to be the way of the NFL though. Look at Norv Turner....never a winner, yet the Chargers replace Marty S with him, go figure. Dick Jauron....brought the same mediocrity to Buffalo. Hope the Bear brass knows more about Marinelli then we do.
January 7, 2009
#22 BearDown1982 said . . .OK, a few points:
Rivera was let go because Lovie and JA were tired of the his annual head coaching job hunt.
I think everyone is leaving a very important name out of the 0-16 Lions: MATT MILLEN.
I agree, Babich should go.
I think a lot of people are putting this 9-7 season soley at the feet of the D because the O wasn't as horrible as expected. Does the phrase "three and out" ring a bell?
January 7, 2009
#23 Urlacher FTW said . . .I used to be skeptical about the whole Rivera angle of our declining defense. Although, that San Diego defense is giving up a TD less since he took over...that is pretty damn good. And yes, Babich should probably go....but if he does, we need someone with real NFL credentials to take his place. No patsies.
January 7, 2009
#24 Tom...Is Murph really PO'd said . . .jdawg you could make the same arugment, three and out mean anything, for the defense. If they had forced more 3 and outs, they wouldn't have been in the situations they were in most of the time.
No our offense wasn't stellar, but even when it was clicking our D couldn't get them the ball back or make key stops when it mattered. See Carolina game, Tampa Bay game, Houston game, Atlanta game. I mean the Offense of any football team can't do much more than take a 17 point lead into the 4th quarter or score with 11 seconds left. Even in the first Vikes game when our porous D allowed Feetrot to put up 41 points our O managed to put enough great drives combined with ST to win the stupid game.
I ask this simply because I really don't know.. how many games this year ended with us having the ball and needing a score but failing VS how many games ended with our D needing to make a stop but failing?
January 7, 2009
#25 Ken said . . .Hmmmm. From yesterday.
PO'd used the Drew Brees - Rex size comparison last year. He also didn't want to recognize that Brees is very mobile and illusive but Rex has all the mobility of an Oak tree since his earlier injuries.
QB play needs to improve but it's about 5th on the problem list.January 7, 2009
#26 Rancid said . . .Lovey has "carried the ball" far enough. Bring back a real Bear to coach Da Bears! Da Bears were most successful under Papa Bear , of course, and Ditka. We can't get Singletary but we can get Ron Rivera. I have been a Bears man since 1962! I know the history. The first medical test of a Bears coach is to check their blood-is it Blue and Orange?
January 7, 2009
#27 craig said . . .I would pleased with the release of Babich, however, I agree with those who think the problems go beyond the D. Just looking at players and talent I see a defense that should be top 10 and an offense that should be able to take up more clock. That's coaching.
January 7, 2009
#28 DR J said . . .Agreed. Just look at the dropoff from Rivera to Babich with largely similar personnel. Firing these position guys without firing Babich is your proverbial "lipstick on a pig" situation.
January 7, 2009
#29 ??? said . . .I agree with mikebdot :: they all must gooooooo
January 7, 2009
#30 CSauce said . . .Boldin for Urlacher
Draft Ray Maualuga LB USC
January 7, 2009
#31 Murph said . . .http://www.freep.com/article/20090107/SPORTS01/90107046/1048/sports
Marinelli? I'll think about it.
His son-in-law? No thanks.
January 7, 2009
#32 animal said . . .No Murph is not PO'D....different guy. I just pointed out size was not his issue, because they are both the same size. Not sure if he was more illusive that would be the difference maker....believe it is more mental than anything. He wont be with Bears next year so its a non issue. I still believe most QB's dont blossom till their 3rd or 4th year starting. Their stats for the first couple years are similar, Kyle, Rex, Brees and others. Time will tell who will have successful careers or not. (excluding brees)
January 7, 2009
#33 jdawg said . . .OK murph, maybe it is not so much his height as it is his tiny baby hands.
January 7, 2009
#34 mikebdot said . . .Brees has long arms, sees the field incredibly well, throws an accurate, catchable ball on all his throws and throws with an overhand motion, meaning he throws taller than he looks. He's also nimble on his feet and makes good decisions.
The only similarity between Brees and Grossman is their size.
January 7, 2009
#35 Urlacher FTW said . . .Rivera to Babich: The difference? A healthy Tommie Harris. Tank Johnson. Chris Harris.
Yes, I think we had to do something at safety, but I think we just got rid of the wrong safety, not the wrong Ron. Ron was just as much of a puppet as Babich. He tried to break the mold and was probably pissed off at Lovie over the Super Bowl performance. This is why I think he was let go, for speaking his mind.
January 7, 2009
#36 Murph said . . .I don't think Vick should ever be considered by the Bears. I don't really think he belongs in the NFL again period, I mean they kicked Pete Rose out of baseball for gambling and Vick is no big loss to the league. He wasn't ever going to be as good as even Cunningham or Moon much less a top 10 player at the position.
If you just want a big body that can run well and maybe throw once in a while for a wildcat type thing I think we already have that in Hanie without any of the headaches and baggage that someone like Vick brings.
I am done mentioning Rex other than I hope he stays in our division so our D can cash in on some of the TDs we paid him for.I was listening to the radio guys this morning talk about how they are pretty sure the axe is done swinging now in Chicago, they said Angelo took the hands and feet and left the head in place. It's hard to believe Babich avoided the axe, to me what he has done to our D in the last two seasons is much worse than the job Mangini did for the Jets and yet he's looking for a job and Babich is safe. I guess I just don't understand front office football.
January 7, 2009
#37 Urlacher FTW said . . .Just look at the stats guys........more int's than td's in the early years. Fumbles 7,8,9 times a year....dont know whos hands are smaller or whos dick is bigger.......dont really care, like I said it will be a non issue since he wont be with Bears next year. Do know Orton aint the answer, but at this time he aint the problem either.
January 7, 2009
#38 Tom...Murph is Murph said . . .I don't think Tank Johnson was any big difference maker, maybe the healthy Tommie thing but I dunno, Mark Anderson played lights out that year to give us an edge rusher, that would have been more of a difference to me than anything else.
IMO and that's all it probably is, Rivera was pushed out for always interviewing (not happy with his job) combined with some possible paranoia by Lovie of if this guy keeps getting the D in the top 6 and I keep letting the team struggle on O, they may fire me and put Rivera at head coach.January 7, 2009
#39 Phil from SATX said . . .Fair enough
jdawg described Brees attributes very well IMHO. As you know in sports some players play bigger than they are and some play smaller than they are. That said; a lot of us would have liked to see what RG could have done with more help at O lineand RB (once Jones was gone). Watching Rex over his time here I always felt that Coaching never helped either. His process of reads, how he surveys the field and decisions could easily be position coach and Turner's plays often managed to emphasize his weaknesses rather setting up his strengths. Turner almost seemed to refuse to use plays that would adjust to a strong rush. This year..FINALLY, they are beginning to use the screen. Another that limits the rush is the very quick slant which Rex ran well.
This isn't a call for RG - just observation.
I do like KO's size and he has definitely been improving. Even after the injury (when his play was unsatisfactory) I thought he was better than a couple of years earlier. We will see how it goes. I too would like a solid veteran backup and competition at QB. It isn't about sticking up for one guy. Lovie and buddies do enough of that.January 7, 2009
#40 Urlacher FTW said . . .Surprise surprise, the Trib poll is running 96% to 3% on firing Babich. Looks like even hanging chads won't be able to help him. Do you think the Bears ownership doesn't look at that? You're crazy if you don't. The entire city of Chicago is against Bob Babich (possibly the entire world, excepting fans of other NFL teams), and for very good reason. I think he can't survive.
The reason RT will get a reprieve is because of the common view that the offense did okay with very little to work with, and much better than initially expected. We all know this is no reason to keep Turner, but I think that's how it's playing out.
Did I miss news about offering the son-in-law a job? If so, that would be a microcosm of all that's wrong in Lovieville. The whole place is a son-in-law, brother-in-law, friend-of-the-family, fraternity-brother deal. All that great family atmosphere might have been fun at the team picnics but it sure didn't work out on the football field - and the sad thing is, guys' careers are getting short-circuited out there because of our bad coaches. They are blowing years where they should be getting better, and instead they're getting worse.
FIRE EVERYBODY.
January 7, 2009
#41 jdawg said . . .To hold Orton's first year against him is stupid. He was thrown into that job with no prep time, no notice, and no support. The fact that he still managed to win games was a miracle. There isn't a QB in recent times you could really draw a comparason to what he was forced into that season. Flacco would be the closest thing but even he knew in preseason he would be taking over and had time and support to learn the whole playbook. In fact the 09 season will be the first season Orton will have actually had the nod going into the season and for all of pre-season. With all the sacks allowed and all the dropped passes and TDs combined with the fact that he didnt have a consistent #1 WR or anyone that could create seperation, Im shocked he did as well as he did. Orton was also pretty darn clutch this year when it counted most. I am not convinced he will be the Bears franchise QB but I know noone has seen enough to say he won't.
January 7, 2009
#42 Phil from SATX said . . .Orton will need to prove that the first half of last season wasn't a fluke. JA and Lovie are shell-shocked by QBs that have a good first half. That's why, in my opinion, JA said what he did at his press conference.
January 7, 2009
#43 animal said . . .Here's the deal on new quarterbacks. Their success is all suspect until at least their second season. Giving teams game film to plan against them, find their weaknesses and tendencies, and then how that QB reacts to those defensive adjustments, that's when you find out how good they can be.
It has been suggested that Matt Cassel's second year may be significantly worse than his first year, with plenty of film to study. This has probably happened to David Garrard and Derek Anderson and definitely Tony Romo.
So the poor second half by Kyle could be attributed to this. He had injury as well, so the reality is we won't know. Right now I'm betting on him. That bad ankle really anchored him - and that even affected things like him staring down receivers - an inability to bounce around like you want to and need to gather yourself to plant for the throw will lead to that staredown.
What Kyle showed us is an ability to work, mostly very successfully, with a no-huddle and audibling kind of offense. This speaks volumes about him as a QB. He also showed PLENTY of accuracy, pre-injury. Made lots of different kinds of throws. Remained cool in the heat of things, brought us back from deficits. All of these are really good things.
We have many many reasons to be high on him for next year, and a few reasons to be skeptical.
I'll take that veteran to be behind him, and keep developing Hanie. This is not the year to sell out for QB. This IS the year to sell out for our two lines. Run block for Forte, protect Orton, get to the quarterback, stop the run. Simple as that.
January 7, 2009
#44 animal said . . .Ill attribute his second half to the ankle.
January 7, 2009
#45 shonbear said . . .KO is the kind of guy we could win the big game with.
No, really. Big and strong, conservative, (im going to use the dreaded term) game-manager, throws check-downs to the backs and TEs. He is a prototype guy on defense-oriented teams like we try to be, like the Ravens, Steelers, the old Tampa teams, etc.
Quit dreaming we will get a Manning or Brady. There are so few of those guys. We need to commit to Kyle, stand by him, develop him and let him manage the game for our D.Anyone ever think about what KO on our SB team would have been like? What if we had never benched Kyle his rookie year, stayed with him and continued to develop him?
January 7, 2009
#46 NotaSlave said . . .Phil,
best things said in your string:
"I'll take that veteran to be behind him, and keep developing Hanie. This is not the year to sell out for QB. This IS the year to sell out for our two lines. Run block for Forte, protect Orton, get to the quarterback, stop the run. Simple as that."
and I'd add at least one real #1 receiver to that.
Can't agree with your "plenty of accuracy" statement in regard to Kyle. I'd state that more like it was "enough" accuracy.
He has to work on that long ball and throwing to recievers in stride to help them with the YAC, but that could just as well be a coaching/play calling problem. I'd say it has to do with the receivers inability to get separation, but so often he threw short or behind them.
Still I think that a whole training camp with him working with those receivers and not splitting QB's every other day will help a whole lot with that timing etc...
January 7, 2009
#47 Willie from Chicago said . . .STFU until August Losers!
January 8, 2009
#48 pankster in da carolina's said . . .For the fifth time, changing the coordinators wont do a damn thing if the leadership sucks. Im not calling for the heads of the coaches, Im calling for a change in leadership. Someone who can come in and change our philosophy, thats what we need.
January 8, 2009
#49 PolygonHell said . . .This Fuckin Organization needs to fire Babich Patch ASAP!!!! RON Rivera wont be back and Im pissed but as long as love shack is still at the helm we all can forget that notion hey the fudgepackers are getting ready to hire mike nolan as a DC and we still have Babich Patch what the Fuck????
January 8, 2009
#50 animal said . . .I'm just not a big fan of firing a coordinator or head coach for that matter unless you have a replacement lined up.
Since all the position coaches have all gone, if you fire Babich and you fail to sign the 3 or 4 good candidates out there, how do you fill the slot.Having said that I'd like to see Babich replaced at this point.
January 8, 2009
#51 Anonymous said . . .We could have Pacman pay someone to shoot at Babich....
January 8, 2009
#52 animal said . . .Draft wisdom:
Trade away our first round pick for more picks. This I agree with Angelo on. Why?05: first pick Cedric Benson wreaks havoc on the organization for the next 3 years. 2nd rounder Bradley is a wash. But in the 4th we get franchise cornerstone Kyle Orton, in the 5th we get Super Bowl starting safety (and probably the starting safety in this year's SB) Chris Harris, and in the 7th long time backup Rod Wilson.
06: no first to fuck up. 2nd round- manning and hester (home. run.) 3rd? Dusty D. 4th? Jamar William (jury out.) 5th? Mark Anderson. This draft WITHOUT A FIRST ROUNDER propels us to the Super Bowl.
07: Greg Olsen- the first round pick anomaly. Danny B- another 2nd round bust. Next two: Wolfe, Okwo, good special teams. The next 3? Late round home runs Beekman, Payne, Graham: ALL STARTERS. Throw in Tru McBride in the 7th- great pick.
08: First rounder Williams dnp. wash so far. 2nd rounder Forte- HOME RUN. 3RD- Bennett- jury out, but we get Harrison- potential star. 4th/5th: Steltz, Bowman, TE Davis look good. Baldwin, Adams, the Rock, Barton, all potential solid players.
Summary? First round fuck ups and miscues. 2nd round- Manning, Hester, Forte- need I say more? 3rd-4th- core players Harrison, Beekman, Dusty, KO. 5th-6th: 06 starts Harris and Anderson, current starters Payne and Graham, potential studs Bowman and Davis. 7th: some solid role players and special teamers.Fuck the first round. Maximize 2-4th round picks. We do MUCH better getting stars in the 2nd round (Hester, Forte) anyway.
January 8, 2009
#53 CA BEAR FAN said . . .sorry that was me
January 8, 2009
#54 The Ghost of Halas said . . .I honestly believe that we should invest into Caleb Hanie..yea thats right i said CALEB HANIE...rookie from colorado...he has the potential and just needs a couple of adjustments....watch this video, he looks better than Orton and Grossman...boy gots some speed to..haha CALEB HANIE!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDJ5wnRgl7A
January 8, 2009
#55 Murph said . . .Animal, I think that is a tremendous idea! I think we can get Pacman, Tank Johnson, and Ray Lewis to take out Babich....assuming they wouldn't get Plaxico who would no doubt shoot a finger off.
Excellent thinking, once again.
January 8, 2009
#56 jeff said . . .I dont think you win the big games with a game manager. Pennington showed us that this year. You need QB that can stretch the field and make big plays, if you have an unbelievable D and the team you oppose doesnt have that big playmaker you can win the big game, "Trent Dilfer".
KO may get us to the playoffs but we will never go deep in the playoffs with him, He aint got it for that. Hanie looked good in preseason, but many backups look good against second team D's. If it was only that easy, a whole lotta teams have wasted high round picks on QB's that never even had a winning season.January 8, 2009
#57 mikebdot said . . .murph - trent dilfer and brad johnson would beg to differ with you.
January 8, 2009
#58 Murph said . . .jeff: Brad Johnson and Trent Dilfer suck donkey balls. When you have, literally, the best defense in the league, it's extremely hard to fuck things up. Especially when you have running backs who are freaking awesome at catching passes or gaining yardage on pretty much every single play.
It's like fucking up scrambled eggs. If you get rid of the ball quickly, a 3 and out isn't going to fucking matter anyway...
Do you know how many defensive TDs/INTs the Ravens scored/had in their playoff run with Trent Dilfer? Look it up, you'd be surprised.
Brad Johnson doesn't qualify as a game manager in '02. I'm sick of that fucking canard. He had over 3000 yards passing in 13 starts. 234 yards per game. That's a prolific passer, not a game manager. It certainly helps having Keyshawn, a back that caught 59 passes, and someone like Mike Alstott that actually puts defenders onto the ground.
Whatever though, "game managers" can win the big game. Sure...only if their defense is the number one ranked defense in the league...very small caveat there.
January 8, 2009
#59 Mr Know it ALL said . . .Thats exactly what I said Mike, and jeff I pointed out Dilfer...hell with that defense he had that year....Cade McNown coulda won that game....LMAO
January 9, 2009
Personally I think Babich still needs to go and so does, more than anyone, RON TURNER!
January 16, 2009
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.