Newsflash: We Suck!

by SackMan on Aug 29, 2008 9:47 AM CDT

I don't even know what to say here. Lovie Smith has taken a roster full of pro-bowl caliber talent on defense... and cuddled them to death.

When Lovie first got to Chicago, he had his philosophy: force turnovers. And, right from the get-go in his first mini-camps, he had our defense running, running, and running to the football. Everyone swarmed the ball... and when the ball was on the ground, you bet your a55 that a defender was going to pick it up... and RUN. If they failed to grab a loose ball on the field in practice, Lovie wasn't happy, and neither were the players. The offense as a unit was almost an afterthought in Smith's mind (and still is today). Lovie's team was all about one thing: forcing turnovers.

The results were seen immediately on the field, and in '04, '05, and '06... we forced turnovers galore.

Now, Lovie just cuddles his players in practice, doesn't re-enforce his philosophy or the intensity that made it a success (making them run, run, and run after the ball). Nor, does he even run tackling drills (does anyone recall if they ran tackling drills in Lovie's firct camps?)... and once again, the results are evident. The play on the field, resembles the afternoons of practice: nonchalant.

As far as the offense goes... well, who cares? This team is all about two units: the defense and special teams. Offense has been an afterthought for Lovie Smith since day 1. So, it's pretty hard to critique a bad offensive unit, when the head coach is pretty much dis-interested with that side of the ball to begin with.

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It might be all Lovie,

but when I look for what’s changed, the biggest change I find is no more Ron Rivera.

Dum spiro spero! (While there is life, there’s hope!)--Leon Trotsky

by alec on Aug 29, 2008 12:00 PM CDT reply actions

My words Exactly.

by SuperBowlXX on Aug 29, 2008 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Newsflash

Even if they did suck in the preseason, that could change quickly now that the season starts. Could.

by ethan a on Aug 29, 2008 6:02 PM CDT reply actions

Babich is the problem

Babich took over a stellar defense and immediately turned it into a bullshit defense. Turner is a whole separate issue that needs to be addressed, but we have the talent to have one of the top defense’s in the league. Get rid of Babich immediately and work from there. Obviously the genesis of the Babich issue is Lovie, but I’m not sold on replacing him as the right choice.

by careyrd on Aug 29, 2008 8:05 PM CDT reply actions

i think this post

isnt valid.

it would be stupid for the bears to show all their cards in the preseason. they ran base stuff, without game planning and mixing around lineups. there is no way a d can build a swagger in the preseason and if they do they are probably full of themselves.

lovies a great d coach and babich came out of his system..through the ranks.

and lets get one thing straight. lovie inherited rivera. rivera was good coach yes… but how many teams offered him a d coordinator job? hes a linebackers coach for the chargers. yes they improved last year, but they run a 3-4 and are like an all star team. its kind of like when a coach inherits a qb selected in the top 10. he didnt pick him and alot of times feels no reason to give him an extended shot. ultimately its his choice, his football team, his system.

and lets get another thing clarified. this is lovies defense. not babich, not riveras not lloyd lees.

i think there needs to be some patience before we say this group sucks. is there pressure to perform?: yes…no doubt. but i cant say they suck based of the preseason.

by rahulsriram on Aug 29, 2008 9:26 PM CDT reply actions

I agree with Sackman that the D's play has been nothing short of disappointing....

….and, I am worried about the piss-poor tackling we’ve displayed.

Other than that, you stated my thoughts.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Aug 29, 2008 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Again, this is Dusty Baker syndrome

Take a good team, overuse them in some cases and then cuddle them to death with “its the injuries, really!”

Fire Angelo!!

by Sam Householder on Aug 30, 2008 12:17 AM CDT reply actions

Maybe

Your offense isn’t working because the general manager is busting first round picks like Cedric Benson and Chris Williams.

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by Brad Wells on Sep 2, 2008 12:43 PM CDT reply actions

Great post

Wait a minute….you’re calling Chris Williams a bust already, before he’s even stepped a foot on the field. If you would’ve said Michael Haynes or Rex Grossman, I would’ve agreed with you.

By my count, you’ve made two stupid posts on WCG. The first was saying “I don’t want to say I told you so, but I was right about Cedric.” The second was the post that I’m replying to. If you’re going to post bullshit, please at least keep it accurate and logical.