I'm sitting in front of my computer, repeatedly deleting opening paragraphs to columns that will never exist. I've got nothing to say about about the four ballgames played in the wildcard round this weekend. Zero. There were no lessons for the Chicago Bears to learn, though I'm sure some hack Chicago columnists will give an arbitrary number of things (probably 10) he thinks the team should have learned. You know, like, rushing the passer is good.
No, today I write an entry onto the blog out of the wrenching desire to not have a Friday post linger too long. The four games, to be perfectly honest, made my stomach hurt. I'm not the kind of sports fans, more specifically Bears fan, who can jump into off-season mode the minute the Bears blow their chance at the postseason. Some of you can. I can't. Hell, some of you jump into off-season mode in early December.
Pick your poison from this past weekend. The Eagles inability to put sixes on the board. The Vikings inability to get anything started in the passing game because Tarvaris Jackson is Tarvaris Jackson. The Falcons inability to run against a bad rush defense. The Cardinals taking a mailed-in December and turning it into one of the biggest wins in franchise history. This was mediocre football being played by mediocre football teams.
I missed Bears football this weekend. That's the moral of the story. And it made me slightly angrier to think of our head coach's "but aw shucks, we improved" demeanor at last Monday's press conference. I want him to be sick to his stomach. I want #54 to stop crying about unfair criticism and be sick to his stomach. I want Jerry Angelo to stop gushing over the prospect of adding the first head coach to go 0-16 to our staff and be sick to his stomach. Get sick, you sons of bitches. Get sick. And get this thing fixed.
#2 CA BEAR FAN said . . .FIRST! hahaha yea first time ever!
January 5, 2009
#3 Phil from SATX said . . .Well Said JEFF! I feel you my brother....I hate waiting for next season....
January 5, 2009
#4 jdawg said . . .As usual, just posted a long one when Jeff was doing his own, here it is again.
Rancid - you are one deep-thinking individual, and you nailed it. We don't have a choice in our fandom - the choice has long since been made, and now we just have to sit back and hope decisions will be made that help us to enjoy our seasons.
Here's where I'm at right now. I am working myself up to writing off 2009 as a meaningful season. History shows that I will not be successful with my outlook-management - I am perennially optimistic, and even when my head knows bad decisions are being made my heart wants to look on the upside. After all, all 53 guys that we suit up, whoever they are, are professional football players, and anything's possible.
But with no new coordinators and the same head coach, and with the same GM making personnel decisions - right now I do not believe that we will be making any forward strides for next year, at least meaningful ones.
HOWEVER, even thinking that, all is not lost. I am looking ahead to the new regime, and one man still remains possible - Bill Cowher. My earlier prediction that Jerry already has a secret agreement with Cowher is looking blessedly shaky - reports were that Jerry wants to talk with Shanahan.
I now have a new theory. That theory is, Bill Cowher comes to the Bears in 2010. Why not? In my opinion, as one of the most storied and legendary coaches in the game, he is going to want his next stop to be a premier coaching job. Cowboys qualifies as such. But the Bears in 2010 is truly the right job, no, the PERFECT job for Bill Cowher.
What other franchise matches up better as a second career? THE most storied of franchises, another cold weather team that plays in an open stadium (the only way football SHOULD be played), a team that has always emphasized defense and running and toughness, a team that had its one modern achievement under another famous coach from Pennsylvania - what else?
How about the ownership - the Bears are, like the Steelers, owned by a low key family who doesn't want to be in the spotlight. Here is the key difference as to why Cowher wouldn't want the Cowboys gig - Jerry Jones. An owner who not only wants the spotlight, but craves it. Doesn't fit Cowher's style. No, the McCaskeys are the epitome of low-key, almost absentee owners.
You want full control of personnel, Bill? I don't advise it but I'd be willing to give it. I'm not ready to axe Angelo YET but if it took that to get Cowher, pack your bags, Jerry.
There are many teams that I don't believe would have a shot at Cowher because the franchise is not big or important enough - Raiders, Rams, Seahawks, Cardinals, Broncos, Texans, Jaguars, Bills, etc. - to name a few.
Ones that would make the grade -
Bears
Packers
Giants
Cowboys
MAYBE Jets, probably not
Browns? to restore to former glory? Probably not.Anyway, that's the theory I'm working. And I do think the McCaskeys would pay to get him. Hell, they spent $15MM on Ricky Manning Jr.
You can say dream on, I'll say -
I will. I'm a Bear fan.
January 5, 2009
#5 Urlacher FTW said . . .Man, I keep telling you guys to quit listening to Lovie's pressers. You will learn nothing, NOTHING. I think his goal is to get the Chicago media to not show up.
Read the tea leaves: DB coach -- gone; DL coach -- gone. Marinelli visits. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see what's coming.
As far as Orton not getting a blanket vote of confidence from JA, what the hell did you expect him to say. Orton was good for 1/2 of the season and hurt/mediocre for the other half. His best game was against the Lions. JA wants to know if teams studies the first 8 games and figured out how to play Orton, just like the Cards showed the whole league how to fuck with Grossman.
They'll bring in a Leftwich or some similar QB who will not bitch and moan about being a starter.
My REAL concern is, in this order: WR, O-line (interior), D-line (run stuffer and DE) and the secondary.
January 5, 2009
#6 Urlacher FTW said . . .I can't believe the axe is done swinging after a couple of position coaches, oh well. Pretty much could just cut and paste jdawgs post here, I do feel Orton showed a lot of improvement in the Texans game though which gives hope for next year if it actually took that long to get healed up, and no I don't care if it's false hope.
I am deeply concerned about the D though. I mean WTF? Warren Sapp said that if you run a lot of cover 2, you can't blitz a lot; you will open up the guts of your D and allow first downs all day. Hmmm sound familiar? I also know the solution, man up, get pressure, and play hard; every down.
I say we should:
A.) Buy a Right Tackle in FA
B.) Buy Brian Dawkins to get us through to a new FS
C.) Make Mike Brown the DB coach.
D.) Make Rod the DC, demote Babich to Dline
E.) Draft a big possesion receiver and a pass rush DE
F.) Change our motto to "Screw the bus, we have a plane, and we gett off the plane winning."
January 5, 2009
#7 Idonije said . . .Oh for all the Pro-Rex guys I'm pretty sure he is stayin in the NFC North. After the Jackson debacle, Minnesota and Detroit are lookin for QBs. And in reality Matt Cassell is the only real promising UFA out there.
In Minn, he would inherit a decent D, a great O-line, a great RB, and a decent WR which he already has tons of experience with. It really would be a good fit for him I think.
In Detroit, he gets, low expectations, a dome, a new coach, good talent at WR, and with draft picks, hopefully a bolstered line and RB. I would lean more toward him going to Minn and Det grabbing a QB in the draft but who knows.
Either way there is a good shot we have to face the cannon a couple times next year. And if we don't make some changes on D, we have made horrid QBs look good, how many yards would Rex hit us for?January 5, 2009
#8 jdawg said . . .Jeff, I share the same frustration you do about this organization. Looking at this season, and what will likely happen in the coming weeks/months of this off-season, it is so apparent to me that the Chicago Bears organization embraces mediocrity. The Chicago Bears are run like they need to just make sure they are not to awful, and sell tickets. I have been arguing for 2 days with a guy at work over Ron Turner. I was pleasantly surprised by the success of the Bears offense this year, but Ron Turner is by no means a top-flight offensive coordinator.(I am not trying to continue more fire this coordinator talk.) But Ron Turner is everything that is wrong with the chicago bears brain-trust. Ron Turner is not a top-flight coordinator. Bob Babich is not a top-flight coordinator. Why are we holding on to these guys? Go out and get someone who has shown proven success running an offense or defense. Go spend some money, go shake things up, make some shit happen and for once go out and get a proven guy to make us a top flight offense by using Olsen, Hester, and Forte to all their strengths. Go out and get us some new coordinators, not because they both were that bad this year, but go get us some new coordinators out there because it's time we stop having to settle with mediocrity.
January 5, 2009
#9 animal said . . .Grossman may do OK in Minny but he still has brain farts.
I thought NE franchised Cassell.
I don't think the axe is done swinging.
In the words of Tobias, I want a chubby, that is a chubby on the D-Line. Get a big run stuffer in there and move Izzy to RE. Move Tillman to WS, Brown to SS and let Vasher, Graham, McBride and Bowman duke it out for CB
January 5, 2009
#10 jdawg said . . .yup, Jeff, I echo your thoughts. My heart ain't in it. Wake me up for the draft, and tell me we just took someone from USC (that huge safety, Rey the Samoan, Dirty Sanchez, Ill take any one of them)
January 5, 2009
#11 animal said . . .me no likey Dirty Sanchez
January 5, 2009
#12 animal said . . .Oh ya, and nobody is beating the Ravens. Nobody.
It is amazing how steroids can revive a career and make a Ray (er, guy), play 10 years younger after a couple of seasons where his skills have clearly declined.
Brian, go get Ray's phone number. Or the number of his pharmacist.
January 5, 2009
#13 animal said . . .jdawg I dont know shit about him. I just want us to draft a QB already.
January 5, 2009
#14 Murph said . . .I really hope we draft Taylor Mays, S, USC. 6'4" 225 lbs. Fast. Hits HARD. Ball Hawk.
January 5, 2009
#15 Willie from Chicago said . . .Urlacher.....agree with a lot of what ya say today, jdawg your right I heard they franchised Cassell too. As for Rex, yeah he will probably brain fart, but Favre is going to the hall with all his farts too. Not that I am saying he is in the same league, but I do believe he can have a successful career, more than likely better than Orton. Dont know why they demote Babich, if ya demote him just freakin fire him!!!! Now the thrill of the off season, whos comin out early, whos gonna fall to us, whos the diamond in the rough? We need a real receiver or two. Someone who can rush the passer, I'm still thinking Tommie Harris could be a Dwight Freeney kind of end. We need an Ed Reed kind of safety, is Mays that guy? Would he be there for us? Hope always springs eternal for us Bear fans.
January 5, 2009
#16 Willie from Chicago said . . .It was sad to not see my Bears in the postseason, it was even worse watching the Dolphins blow hard. What we do during the offseason will detearmin how we will do next year. We need to get some talent on this team.
We need a #1 WR, 2 solid O-linemen, a shutdown CB, a hard hitting S, and a run stuffing DT. We shouldnt go after a quarterback unless Mcnabb leaves Philly.
Heres to a long off season.
BEAR DOWN in 09 !
January 5, 2009
#17 Ohio Bears Fan said . . .Please mind my spelling.
January 5, 2009
#18 Sdwat51 said . . .Willie, I agree with you about the QB thing. I'd LOVE to see D Mc on our team. I think he's an exceptional QB, and underappreciated in Philly. Hell, they practically treat him like that city's Rex Grossman, and I don't think he deserves that.
January 5, 2009
#19 Pankster in da Carolina's said . . .McNabb to Chicago.....Marinelli to Chicago.....Cassell to Chicago.....Babich and Turner to AnywhereElse.....Lovie in the Unemployment Line......Urlacher is God.....Urlacher is Goat....
Man, we have postulated, pissed and moaned, prayed, and performed endless post mortems.
Now, we wait.
January 5, 2009
#20 Pankster in da Carolina's said . . .When the hell are we going to FIRE BABICH PATCH and RON TURNER??
These 53 will not produce in 09 with these 2 clowns in the positions they are in if any of us were playmakers would you guys wanna play for them? I would not so in a word fire these 2 Fuckers ASAP and then begin the PLAYMAKER Search!!!!January 5, 2009
#21 Ram in S.A. said . . .When the hell are we going to FIRE BABICH PATCH and RON TURNER??
These 53 will not produce in 09 with these 2 clowns in the positions they are in if any of us were playmakers would you guys wanna play for them? I would not so in a word fire these 2 Fuckers ASAP and then begin the PLAYMAKER Search!!!!January 5, 2009
#22 Phil from SATX said . . .I agree with you Phil, there is not much going to happen any different from this year to next until there is a major change with this staff and some players. To listen to the spew that comes out of these guys mouths is bullshit! I am just not going to count on any thing for next year and just pray that the good players that we do have, do not get hurt. I also have one thing to say, Bill Cowher, we need you!!!!!!!!
January 5, 2009
#23 Murph said . . .Ah, for the good old days.
Remember how two offseasons ago we were having arguments about whether we should pursue getting Donovan McNabb over Rex Grossman? Many of us, some even not named PO'd, saying Hell No!
I guess we'd feel a bit differently today.
I heard some commentary on the radio about Matt Cassel - with some talking head saying Matt Cassel on another team could be the next Tim Couch. That his success was a result of the Patriots system, and remember that they lost 5 more games under Cassel than Brady (suggesting that the next team that gets him also might lose 5 more than previously).
I think that's entirely possible. But to me it begs the question - how can we get that system? Do we have an effective "system" - in the way they describe the Patriots?
I'll answer that.
No.
But I do buy the fact that you can't get too excited about QBs you haven't seen on your team - they can go from heroes to goats by switching teams, or even by staying on the same team under different circumstances (see Garard, Anderson, Leinart, Smith). That is why I am more than content to go into next year with Orton. We've seen how good he can be, in what is likely a flawed system with positively flawed units (line the Oline, receiving corps, etc). I'd love to know how good this kid could be under a good system. I could say the same about Grossman, except that he showed so many fundamental flaws in his game - that Orton doesn't have.
Minnesota paid big bucks for Jared Allen. Regardless of his performance early on in the season, he's sure sold me. A gamechanger, all by himself. Where can we get one of those?
January 6, 2009
#24 jdawg said . . .Phil......Grossmans flaws arent fundamental, he throws great ball.....his flaws tend to be mental, still thinks he can beat the defenders in those close plays like in college. He needs to know its o.k. to eat the ball or throw it away. Minnesota would be a good fit, hell they never booed Tarvaris one time, and he played an awful game. McNabb.....goes from hero to goat so often, plays great one game and like crap another, seems to fade in the big game...if ya saw him at Syracuse he couldnt win the big game then either. Look what happened with Warner in Arizona, we coulda had him, Giants said he was done, we didnt want him....now he almost won MVP....you never know when a rebirth will take place for a QB.
January 6, 2009
#25 Nick said . . .peeyeew
I don't want to talk about Grossman any more.
Marinelli has received an offer. We'll find out what its is and if he accepts it shortly.
January 6, 2009
#26 The Ghost of Halas said . . .If this means Babich will still be defensive coordinator I am going to shit.
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/huddleup/2009/01/report-marinell.html
January 6, 2009
#27 Nick said . . .I can somewhat relate.
In the immediate aftermath of the embarassing defeat in Houston, I did not feel so bad. Days went by before the tinge of pain and doubt surfaced and I now realize I was suffering from shock.
I have since come to realize that I feel worse now than I did following the end of the 2007 season. I think that is because I see a Bears team which is on the decline. In 2004 when Lovie Smith inherited the Jauron nightmare he did what he could to salvage a 5-11 season with a pretty shitty team which suffered through a number of injuries. Turnaround came in 2005 when the Smith scheme was sharpened and the Bears nearly went to all the way that year. Then again in 2006 when they finally did return to the Super Bowl. But after that the scheme began to unravel...horrible personel moves such as the trading of Thomas Jones, the acquisition of Archuleta and the subsequent release of Chris Harris, and the letting go of Ron Rivera in favor of Mr. Babich.
The Bears got what they deserved in 2007, a failed season. They tried a little bit harder and made a few more improvements...especially at quarterback and halfback. Still, they are not fixing the problems. The problems are evident! DEFENSE. The defense that ranked #2 in 2005 and #5 in 2006 under Ron Rivera now has ranked #28 in 2007 and #21 in 2008 (surrounded by such renowned company as Arizona, Houston, and Jacksonville) under Bob Babich.
And now! What do you do? You look to get deposed Lions coach Rod Marinelli to be a member of your staff. I'm sorry, I'm sure that Marinelli was an amazing DLine coach in Tampa, but he is henceforth TABOO in the NFL. The proper decisions are not being made. It frustrates me.
I love the Bears. I always have and I always will. But I do not believe in sugar-coating and I think everyone should prepare themselves for the downfall of Lovie Smith very soon. I hope to god that Phil is right and Bill Cowher will come to Chicago. That would be a dream come true. But until then...bleakness.
Maybe I'm just too impassioned watching other teams play football...
January 6, 2009
#28 Duff Diggler said . . .I'm not so sure anyone should be ready to quit on Lovie yet. Especially for another coach. Lovie has done what he can. What makes you think Cowher wold do better? Bill Cowher is a great coach, legendary, but how do we know he will be a good fit for us. We have no idea what goes on in Halas Hall everyday, all we know is what the papers tell us, and we all know how the media can twist things. The thing I think Cowher has over Lovie is that last year Cowher would have told Babich and Turner to get fucked. Lovie stuck with them and sadly that has worked against him. But for every business man reading this do you perform better at you job when you feel comfortable working there and have a sense of security or do you work better when you feel as though everyday might be your last? You might work harder but it doesn't mean your work is any better quality. Which is why we are stuck with Babich...for now.
January 6, 2009
#29 Duff Diggler said . . .1. trade up to get Michael Crabtree
2. sign Albert Haynesworth (ufa as far as i know)
3. have Kurt Warner teach Babich how to bag groceries
4. move p-nut to S (a year overdue)
5. at least inquire about Cassell.... (some of you think rex is a good option in minny. i'd rather face him in minny than Cassell. rex will be a lion)
6. switch Urch and Briggs' possitions
7. lock up Izzy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8. hire someone (Pep Hamilton'esk (except with success) to solely help Hester.
9. with remaining draft picks, take a S, DE, QB, and G (in no specific order)
10. Mike Brown to DB coach (with intention to move up the coaching ladder ***important***)
January 6, 2009
#30 Rancid said . . .T.J. Houshmandzadeh (UFA) wouldn't look too bad in the navy and burnt either....
January 6, 2009
#31 ANIMAL said . . .I would like Cowher. It just puts me in a moral dilema. We're not getting him this year, so to get him next year, I have to hope we have a shitty 09 season. I don't want to watch another season like the last 2.
January 6, 2009
#32 CA BEAR FAN said . . .Murph, Grossman's main flaws are PHYSICAL. Too small, tiny burger-king commercial hands. next is the mental midget stuff.
Duff if you've been watching this team closely you will note that they will NEVER trade up.
And, history shows us there are guys in the 2,3,4th round waiting to be stars. We just need to find them.Did anyone check out the safety from USC?
January 6, 2009
#33 Bears fan in CT said . . .are the bears gonna fire bob babich? i read that they interviewed marinelli
January 6, 2009
#34 DR J said . . .Give me Da Bears back.
I can live with Marinelli, I can live with 'gosh-darn we got better' Lovie, I can even live with the well we played good in December (??) Urlacher/Harris. I CAN NOT LIVE WITH Angelo sounding completely clueless. Get on your fucking job and get this ship righted. DA Bears, Our Bears are not as bad as we looked this year but Angelo and Lovie sound as valley girl as they ever did. Don't just blame Babich, blame The Bears.
Give me Da Bears back now!!!
January 6, 2009
#35 Bill From SATX said . . .Lovie has to go :::
January 6, 2009
#36 Pankster in da Carolina's said . . .I am kind of worried about the draft. With the talk from Angelo and columnists, I am not sure which way they will go. They got a good RB last year, but I think they surprised themselves that they did that. The Bears keep getting good grades from the draft, but they suck at developing them in time. They need to fix the D, but I think that means fire Babich. He is the reason we went down. He had no business with that job and they ran out the guy who got it done. Part of me was hoping Singletary would sink in SF so we could talk with him. Wishful thinking, right? Cowher would be awesome to have since we have not had the right coach since Ditka. I am tired of hearing talk about Orton. I am good with him starting. Aren't we a running team? Why do we need a Warner or McNabb type if we are supposed to run the ball. The OL and WR need to get fixed on the O side of the ball, but the D needs an overhaul in their system and figure out how they can regain their form. We have been hearing the term Bear Football from the coaches, but they need to start giving us Bear Football. Run the Ball, Attack on the D and get a ring already!
January 6, 2009
#37 Bill From SATX said . . .BREAKING NEWS
LINEBACKERS COACH FIRED!!!!!!!!
WHY THE HELL BABICH PATCH HAS NOT GOT THE AXE YET????January 6, 2009
And the dancing continues! Why are they tap dancing around the issue? Make some real changes, already.
January 7, 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.