HUGE NEWS! Babich demoted, Lovie to call the defense.

by SackMan on Jan 13, 2009 1:40 PM CST

I can't believe this is happening... Lovie finally admits that Babich sucks, and that Lovie himself will take more hands-on approach and help call the defense, while Babich coaches LBs again. .

Smith, addressing the media via conference call Tuesday, said defensive coordinator Bob Babich would remain in his role but also would serve as the linebackers coach, replacing Lloyd Lee. Babich spent three years as the linebackers coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator.

Smith said he plans to help Babich with coordinating the defense.

This is it folks... it's all in Lovie's hands now. He has truly decided his own fate.

I think this is a way to bridge the gap for a year, without forcing out his close friend Bob Babich. Perhaps his other good friend Rod Marinelli will eventually ascend to DC. But, when Lovie "takes over," and his defense still stinks... Lovie will get "canned."

Here's the link

This will be the talk of the town...

Smith said he plans to help Babich with coordinating the defense.

``I'm excited about taking a more hands-on approach,'' Smith said of getting the defense back to where it used to be.

Smith said the staff would tweak the Cover-2 scheme but not change it.

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Residence: Portland, Oregon Pro Team: Da Bears NCAA Football: LSU Baby!! Make sense?

by Dane Noble on Jan 13, 2009 1:47 PM CST reply actions

Just added it...

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jan 13, 2009 1:49 PM CST up reply actions

http://blogs.suntimes.com/bears/2009/01/lovie_smith_talks_about_coachi.html

Residence: Portland, Oregon Pro Team: Da Bears NCAA Football: LSU Baby!! Make sense?

by Dane Noble on Jan 13, 2009 1:49 PM CST up reply actions

So... in effect

Here’s who we have running the defense now:

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jan 13, 2009 1:53 PM CST reply actions 1 recs

Hail to the Bears!

I have been saying for weeks now that “if only we could get a Big time head coach and demote Lovie Smith to DC.” I guess this is close enough. Hopefully Lovie can do his thing and bring his vision for this defense to life. Way to step up to the plate Lovie!

Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.

by Haightminow on Jan 13, 2009 2:03 PM CST reply actions

Stepping up to the plate? Hah!

Funniest thing I heard all day.

He’s not stepping up to the plate… he’s covering the plate with smoke and mirrors of Ron Rivera denial.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jan 13, 2009 2:06 PM CST up reply actions

We all miss Ron Rivera

I still cringe when I hear his name, huge Bear blunder letting him get away. When Lovie was a DC he was tops in the NFL. When he was hands on he was able to shape that Tampa 2 to just about perfection in St. Louis. Do you not think Lovie can do the same with this defense?

Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.

by Haightminow on Jan 13, 2009 2:16 PM CST reply actions

Look..

he ran Rivera out of town, and promoted his best friend to take over. The defense went to crap as a result, and now he has to do something drastic to fix his mistake and still keep his friend on staff.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Jan 13, 2009 2:22 PM CST up reply actions

The defense started to falter before Chico even left town

If Holmgren had managed the game better or Sean Payton had the Saints come out running, the Bears wouldn’t have made the Super Bowl, and maybe we’d realize the run of dominance ended during that season and not after.

We have every right to dream heroic dreams. Those who say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look.
Ronald Reagan

by snley on Jan 13, 2009 2:27 PM CST up reply actions

Look.

That was two years ago. Get over it. Whining about it won’t make the Bears any better. Stop being selfish, you drama queen.

by 3ndOutBears55 on Jan 13, 2009 10:05 PM CST up reply actions

This gives us some hope, right?

Lovie Smith is a proven DC. He said he is going to be more “hands on” with the defense. We all know he ran Rivera out of town, 2 years ago. I am optimistic about the move I think it is saying a lot, that we are making serious changes to improve our defense.

Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.

by Haightminow on Jan 13, 2009 3:07 PM CST reply actions

My memory

is that Lovie’s St Louis D wasn’t dominant. It created turnovers, but didn’t do a great job of keeping points off the board.

I am not convinved that the Ds success the first few years was Lovie and not Rivera.

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Jan 14, 2009 2:25 PM CST up reply actions

Smith is a defensive coach.

if, over the past two years, his hands WEREN’T already all over the defense I’d be stunned. I don’t think this is much of a story.

by dakoose on Jan 14, 2009 12:55 PM CST reply actions

What makes it a story...

Is that now Lovie will be held even more accountable if the defense sucks wind. I have to believe that Lovie will do his best to ensure a big improvement.

Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.

by Haightminow on Jan 14, 2009 1:07 PM CST up reply actions

I think

that if the Bears, and in particular the Bears D, does not return to excellence next year, the entire coaching staff will be gone.

I wonder if Angelo told Smith that he made his own bed with teh Babich move, and if he can’t make the D work, he’s gone. Angelo made it clear that Lovie makes the coordinator decisions, and the dropping Rivera/promoting Babich move has really blown up in Lovie’s face. If Lovie stays beyond this year, It will be because the team, and in particular the D, does great, or because the purse strings have tightened and they don’t want to eat his contract.

DEJESUS!!!

by tomas21 on Jan 14, 2009 2:29 PM CST up reply actions

This sounds like a worse option than bringing someone else in.

Lovie is known for his stubbornness and complete faith in his system. I believe he let Rivera go after SB because he was bringing in different aspects to the defense that Lovie didn’t approve of? Apparently his ego is so large that he can ignore that our defense was #2 in 2005 and #5 in 2006 overall. Now he’s gonna make sure that the defense goes nowhere besides where his mind can take it. Didn’t feel any better after this move. What is the point in keeping Babich’s title the DC when he is filling the position of the LB coach so they don’t have to bring in another one? Hopefully save money to bring in a #1 receiver! I like the Marinelli move a lot, but I’m not so quick to think that this is the best move. I know Lovie was a great coordinator in St. Lous but the league has changed, and the past two years have proved that he isn’t keeping up with the times.

by PolishSausage.Ditka.Bears. on Jan 14, 2009 3:43 PM CST reply actions