Angelo and Smith Are Long Term Bears

by Adam T on Feb 28, 2007 11:02 PM CST in News

UPDATE: Lovie Smith's deal is for 4 years at a total of 22 million.

Finally, after heartache and constant media ribbing the Bears have signed the two men most responsible for the success of the Bears.

I know some have been bashing Angelo for the cheapness of the Bears with Coach Smith, but just to clear that all up, he isn't responsible for that. That all falls on team president Ted Phillips. Angelo has consistently made the correct call in the draft and in free agency, even though the rest of the world seems to think he skimped. Now that he is signed, I will refocus on the multi part piece I was going to do on him and how he molded this team.

There is no question, Smith is the identity of the Bears along with Brian Urlacher. The sight of him standing like a rock on the side line guiding his team while other coaches jump wilding, flinging their arms, throwing their clipboards and headphones, is what a coach should be. Has instilled a sense of team and responsibility in this team and has earned the team's respect.

This coming year with the departure of Ron Rivera, Smith will be one step closer to having the Bears D the way he wants and frankly that should scare the league.

No terms have been made official, but Angelo is signed through 2013 and Smith is signed through 2011, so stop the Smith to the Raiders or Colts or anybody else who has a job opening.

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Comments

feel free...

to delete my diary on this subject, and repost my thoughts here.

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Feb 28, 2007 11:52 PM CST reply actions

YAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!!!!

THATS ALL I HAVE TO SAY RIGHT NOW!

by lopey986 on Mar 1, 2007 12:27 AM CST reply actions

Oh...

And if we lose Briggs and receive 2 first round picks in exchange...lets go get Turner from the Chargers and give them a 1st and 3rd round pick. We break even!

by lopey986 on Mar 1, 2007 12:29 AM CST reply actions

I wouldn't

give up two picks for Michael Turner. The Colts and Pats both got great runningbacks for low-first round picks. Save that third rounder and we get a lineman with potential, a good receiver (this year's class is laughably deep) or a talented young LB or Safety.
Plus, there's no way we'll get two first rounders for Briggs. Teams won't do that when they know they'll have to sign him to a max-contract.

by cookding @ Windy City Gridiron on Mar 1, 2007 7:43 AM CST up reply actions

Why do you think we should give

up picks for Turner when we will have at least one good running back?

by Adam T on Mar 1, 2007 8:34 AM CST up reply actions

Also with a Deep RB draft

Your pick are way more valuable, Hell you can get Michael Bush in the second round this year.

Go Seahawks!!!

by Scruffy Lefty @ Windy City Gridiron on Mar 1, 2007 11:03 AM CST up reply actions

spitballing...

If we end up trading TJ for draft picks...we will definately need someone who can bounce it outside and show a little speed to compliment Ced.

by lopey986 on Mar 1, 2007 1:31 PM CST up reply actions

A little off topic...

and you may think i'm crazy, but i think the Bears should try to trade for Randy Moss. While our receiving corps have a lot of depth, they don't have a bona-fide number one receiver. Moss hasn't been that in Oakland, but i think that's mostly a result of him being on a non-competitive team. Put him in a locker room full of strong leaders such as Olin Kreutz - but more importantly put him on a winning team, and i think he can return to his old self.

Besides, when he's on his game he fits Ron Turner's offense better than any receiver in the history of football. His ability to stretch the field (and adjust to poorly thrown balls) is unparalleled when he's performing at peak levels. Just the prospect of that guy running down field opposite Bernard Berrian with Grossman's cannon in the backfield is enough to keep defensive coordinators up late.

by Shawn Domagal-Goldman on Mar 1, 2007 1:32 AM CST reply actions

Yeah but...

I don't feel the same way as you as far as Moss playing the way he has because he is on a team that doesn't compete...I think he is past his best days and he still thinks too highly of himself. To quit on your team, regardless of them being good or bad, is one of the most retarded things ever. I certainly don't ever want him to disgrace a Bears uniform.

by lopey986 on Mar 1, 2007 1:44 AM CST up reply actions

i see rodman parallels

by mike b on Mar 1, 2007 1:46 AM CST up reply actions

hmm...

Maybe we can trade Will Perdue and a bag of footballs for Moss then...

I wouldn't mind having Moss on the Bears. I don't think he's had any serious injuries which would hasten his decline. What would we have to give up to get him? Maybe Mark Bradley and a draft pick or two?

Unleash your inner Grabowski.

by jrm78 on Mar 1, 2007 7:44 AM CST up reply actions

Talentwise? Yes

Personality? no. I think the old Moss, the athelete would be a great fit. I feel pretty confident that the old (or recent) Moss, the headache, would not fit Angelo's or Lovie's team dynamic.
Let him got to another team and scuttle their future.

by cookding @ Windy City Gridiron on Mar 1, 2007 7:45 AM CST up reply actions

Winning cures all ills

I'd take him. He's just like Rodman. when you're winning, he's fine. When he's losing he's a distraction. He still has great skills and I would love to watch him torch the Vikes the way he used to torch us.

by Chad @ Windy City Gridiron on Mar 1, 2007 1:05 PM CST up reply actions

I wouldn't say

he's fine when you're winning. The most notable examples are using his car to move a traffic cop, getting busted with pot and selling out his coach (all while a member of competitive, winning teams).
Leaving the field early and publically questioning a Head Coach are particularly unforgivable, IMHO. I don't see Smith going for that and I believe those are the sort of things that destroy a team identity (see Owens, Terrell; McNabb, Donovan).

by cookding @ Windy City Gridiron on Mar 1, 2007 3:00 PM CST up reply actions

as it should be

i think that once Rivera was let go, it became clear that this thing would get done. Lovie was never asking for a lot to begin with (hell, he got petrino dollars) and Angelo (who's really running this ship) clearly plays nice with Lovie. I think it's a great deal for all involved.

by cookding @ Windy City Gridiron on Mar 1, 2007 7:47 AM CST reply actions