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The Lunacy of Lovie Smith

Coach Lovie Smith has said that he would like his offense to be known as a unit that comes off the bus running the ball but can also pass it effectively. (This from Larry Mayer on the Bears website).

Actually, NO.  Wake up Lovie!  (Sometimes this guy scares me).

Your GM didn't make that huge trade for Jay Cutler for you to keep saying that nonsense.  You 'get off the bus running' when you have good running backs and QB's who SUCK when it comes to throwing the ball (and yes, we all understand that that, for the most part and with few exceptions, that pretty much sums up Bear offensive history).

Few people know more about QB play and the NFL in general than Ron Jaworski.  According to Jaws:

1.  Jay Cutler is one of the best young QB's in the game.  He even repeated this after the debacle in Green Bay.  He said that  Cutler played terribly and that his mechanics were way off in that game.  Still, Jaws then said that he has ALWAYS loved Cutler and that Jay is one of the best in the NFL at the QB position.

2.  In today's NFL, you SCORE in the passing game, not the running game.

If you want to argue either #1 or #2, send your complaints to Ron jaworski, c/o ESPN.  Those are HIS words, not mine (of which I do happen to agree).

Yes, you want to be able to run the ball.  You want to have some balance to keep the defense guessing.  You want to be able to chew up clock (after your team has passed for the lead).

But Lovie and his staff desperately need to understand ONE thing.  The day they traded for Jay Cutler, they also traded in their 'BUS' for a 'JET AIRPLANE.'

Stop with this nonsense about 'getting off the bus running (and passing effectively).  Actually the exact OPPOSITE is now true:  The Bears need to get off their 'Jet Airplane' passing (and running effectively).

BTW:  What team in 2008 was one of the best passing teams (#2) and the ABSOLUTE WORST rushing team (#32)? 

The Arizona Cardinals, who came within 2:37 of winning it all.

The team that beat them (Pittsburgh)?  (17th in passing and 23rd in rushing).

In 2005 when the Steelers also won it all they were 5th in rushing and 24th in passing.

They have evolved over time and with Big Ben under center from a 'power rushing team' to much more of a passing team.

Please Lovie, stop all this talk about your 'old, decrepit BUS.'

It's now the TWENTY FIRST CENTURY. You have one of the best young QB's in the game (who also owns one of the strongest arms in the game).

The Bears will go as far as their PASSING game (and defense) will take them.

NOT THEIR RUNNING GAME!

 

 

 




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Comments

Display:

You've said all of this before.

Some of it, repeatedly.

Btw, when was the last time Lovie has said we were still gonna get off the bus running?

Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec (wreck) comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.

Just because it can be done on Madden NFL does not automatically make it a viable option in real life.

by Dane Noble on Oct 14, 2009 11:30 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

GB

Your childish attacks on me are just that . . . childish.

Do you have a learned opinion on who YOU think is ‘more’ correct here (Ron Jaworski or Lovie Smith)?

Cause essentially that’s how this debate is framed: Between what Jaws has been saying for years and what Lovie says and Bear history ‘bears’ out also for years.

As far as me saying this ‘before & repeatedly’ . . . pure nonsense. I think ONE (maybe TWO times) in respose to a post I mentioned this.

I’d hardly call that ‘repeatedly.’

Stop being childish. It’s beneath you.

by GeoMak on Oct 15, 2009 12:08 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wasn't attacking you.

On the other hand, I should know by now that you are going to jump from blog to blog every couple of months educating each team’s fanbase on the game of professional football. So I shouldn’t have even commented at this point.

Have fun on your soap box.

Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec (wreck) comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.

Just because it can be done on Madden NFL does not automatically make it a viable option in real life.

by Dane Noble on Oct 15, 2009 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

And I have to agree

I’m sorry, but you ARE childish at times, GB.

by JimmyMack on Oct 15, 2009 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lol

Thanks bud.

Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec (wreck) comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.

Just because it can be done on Madden NFL does not automatically make it a viable option in real life.

by Dane Noble on Oct 15, 2009 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

well said, GB

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Oct 15, 2009 11:57 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lovie hasn't used the exact "bus" wording, lately...

But he is still saying that the Bears are a “running” football team.

I think this is more because Lovie is a defensive coach, who probably doesn’t feel comfortable about calling offensive pass plays. He’s more comfortable with the run game, because it’s easier for a defensive coach to understand. Plus historically, great defensive and great passing haven’t gone together in Chicago. Historically, we’ve always been more of a “running” franchise.

by JimmyMack on Oct 15, 2009 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

seriously?

I am at work right now and therefore don’t have time to destroy everything you posted but I did want to say one thing regarding the cardinals. If they played in any other division in football they wouldn’t even have made the playoffs in the first place. Sure there are some notable exceptions when it comes to teams airing it out and winning games but the great teams have solid running games and good defenses.

by lopey986 on Oct 14, 2009 11:31 PM CDT via mobile reply actions   0 recs

Doesn't matter what division they

played in.

The beat Atlanta, Carolina and Philadelphia in the playoffs before almost beating the Steelersin the SB

What difference does it make what division they play in?
Pure nonsense.

The Giants play in the toughest division is the NFL and had the best record in the NFC . . . and were ‘one & done’ in the playoffs.

Take your time and give me ONE FACTUAL piece of ecvidence to ‘destroy’ what Jaws says and what I agree with. Just one?+

You’re like a lot of people . . you ‘huff and you puff’ about how wrong I am . . . and yet, when challenged, can’t come up with ONE single fact to refute me. Not ONE!

Too funny.

by GeoMak on Oct 14, 2009 11:43 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Right lopey

Let’s look at the last 10 SB winners:

Rams
Ravens
Patriots
Buccaneers
Patriots
Patriots
Steelers
Colts
Giants
Steelers

The Rams? Passing team.
Ravens & Buc’s? Running team.
Pats & Colts? Passing teams.
Giants? Passing team (Don’t believe me? Look it up. Besides, they beat the Packers in frigid Lambeau with Plaxixo Burriss playing one of the greatest games ever by a WR. They also scored exclusively through the air in the SB)!
Steelers? One running (2005) and one passing (2008).

Totals? 7 PASSING TEAMS and 3 RUNNING TEAMS.

I don’t know where you’re from, but where I’m from 70% is a CLEAR majority.

by GeoMak on Oct 15, 2009 12:03 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Those Patriots teams leaned a lot more on the rush

than the current version (13th, 27th, 7th respectively in their SB winning seasons.) The Giants were ranked 4th in rushing and 21st in passing during the 07 season. The Rams were ranked 4th in rushing during the 99 season with Faulk (with Vermeil, before Martz abandoned the running game). By my count, that’s 3 pass-heavy teams, 3 run-heavy teams, and 4 well-balanced teams. I think it’s not so much what you do but how effectively you do it. I have no problem with Chicago being a more passing based offense, but I’d prefer to lean on the run a little more until we have more consistency from our receiving corps, tight ends included.

"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST

by JerBear50 on Oct 15, 2009 1:03 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Nonsense JerBear

Really. The SB winning Rams were a RUNNING team? Or a ’Well Balanced Team."

NONSENSE!!!!!!! (BTW: Did you EVER watch them play?) You lose ALL credibility with comments like this.

They PASSED 100 times MORE than they ran.

MORE IMPORTANTLY . . . they scored 42 TD’s PASSING (as opposed to 13 RUSHING). That’s less than 25% of thier TD’s on-the-ground.

That, my friend, is Jaworski’s point. You SCORE in the passing game (not in the running game)!

NOBODY (least of all myself) is saying that a team (even Cutler’s Bears) should PASS 50 times a game. I would’nt do that if I had Joe Montana or Dan Marino at QB.

A team DOES need a measure of balance.

But it’s pretty simple. Either a team RUNS more or PASSES more. I don’t care if it’s 51-49.

Historically, the Bears have been a ‘running team.’ Why? Cause they pretty much have had better runners than passers. DUH!

It’s a little bit different now, with the arrival of Jay Cutler.
As good as Matt Forte was last season, I believe that Cutler is a better passer than Forte is a runner.

Stop arguing with me with such nonsense.
ANYONE (who knows ANYTHING) about football would agree with me.

Just like Ron Jaworski.

by GeoMak on Oct 15, 2009 1:21 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

JerBear:

1999 Rams: 42 Passing TD’s . . . 13 Rushing TD’s.
2008 Bears: 20 Passing TD’s . . . 15 Rushing TD’s.

See the difference?

One (Rams) screams out PASSING offense.
The other (Bears) screams out RUNNING offense.

by GeoMak on Oct 15, 2009 1:34 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

St Louis was more balanced than people remember.

Marshall Faulk rushed for almost 1400 yards in 99, regardless of how you want to classify them. Regardless, my point was not that one is better than the other, but that you need to figure out what is effective for your team and go with that. While Cutler is the best QB we’ve had, I’m not nearly as comfortable with Hester/Bennet/Knox as I would be with Holt/Bruce/Proehl in 99, which is why I think they need to keep it more balanced.
   And by the way, this kind of pompous assholishness is why you’ve got such a bad name on this site. I’ve never once gotten on here and trashed you or taken shots at you. Yet when I disagree with you on something and attempt to support it with numbers, you come at me with this kind of blowhard bullshit. You referred to the 07 Giants as a passing team (which they were not), but I didn’t feel the need to attack you over it.

"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST

by JerBear50 on Oct 15, 2009 1:52 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

JerBear:

Give it UP son.

Marshall Faulk was one of the greatest ‘all-around’ RB’s’ in NFL history.

No Doubt. And I am NOT saying that the RAMS passed all the time.

I AM saying what Jaws ALWAYS said: You SCORE in the passing game.
The 1999 Rams? They scored 76% of the time PASSING the ball!

Give it up son. You are EMBARASSING yourself now.
THREE out of FOUR times . . . the Rams scored by PASSING the ball!

Which part of that confuses you?
Really?

Do you think I am saying that the Rams scored 100% of the time passing the ball?

Of course not.

Please. Deal with reality.

The 1999 Rams. the ‘Greatest Show on Turf.’ They WEREN’T talking about their RUNNING game.

Sheesh!

by GeoMak on Oct 15, 2009 2:00 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I never said that the Rams didn't pass more than they ran.

I said they were more balanced than they get credit for. There’s obviously no chance of this going anywhere decent, so I’m gonna go ahead and be done with this.

"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST

by JerBear50 on Oct 15, 2009 2:10 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Actually, they ranked 5th in rushing YARDAGE (not 4th as you said earlier)

And therin lies the problem.

If your team is ahead (presumably because you passed the opposition senseless) then you are going to pile up rushing yardage at the end of the game to CHEW UP CLOCK!

Nobody is saying that the Rams couldn’t or wouldn’t run the ball.

All I am saying is that they scored in the PASSING game (76% of the time).

That’s all.

Be man enough to acknowledge that.
Don’t tell me about ‘Rushing Yardage.’

If you understood the game you would know that a MOST of that yardage is JUST what I was talking about originally in my post: Rushing to keep defense’s honest and rushing to chew up clock.

They scored, however, primarily through the passing game.
(76% of the time).

by GeoMak on Oct 15, 2009 2:26 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

My sincerest apologies.

Buh bye now.

"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST

by JerBear50 on Oct 15, 2009 3:18 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm agreeing with JerBear

You are a blowhard. Your facts are right, your opinion is solid, and yet I can’t help but hate you.

So please, on the behalf of everyone who exists, stop writing things like “sheesh” or “DUH!” While those things may be effective when actually speaking, they just make you seem like an idiot when typed.

Also, who died and made Ron Jaworski the king of football? Decent QB, better analyst, but you’ve got to be able to use more than him to back you up. Also, since he was a QB, his viewpoint can be seen as more than a little skewed.

I’m sure Ditka would say that he would rather be a running team, and any Bears fan worth their salt would listen to Ditka over Jaworski every single time.

Also, just from a writing perspective, stop capitalizing things. If your point is good, it doesn’t need to be capitalized. Every time you write like that, Shaun Rodgers eat a kitten.

Please think of the kittens.

by Cosmis on Oct 15, 2009 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Oct 15, 2009 7:34 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ok, gonna try this again.

If we can move past the Rams fixation, my point was not that you have to be a running team or have to be a passing team. What I was getting at was that all teams are different, and they have to embrace what they are good at, regardless of preconceived notions about what a good team is supposed to do.
  My problem with the Bears becoming too much of a passing team has nothing to do with an outdated perception of the NFL, or any sentimental feelings about Chicago being a run-first team. It’s quite simply that I don’t think we have the personnel for it at this point. Our receivers have performed above our expectations in the first four weeks, but I’m not ready to proclaim them the next “greatest show on really bad, poorly maintained turf.” Until our receiving corps and our pass protection gets a hell of a lot better, I think it’s idiotic to get too far removed from the running game, especially considering the Chicago weather. I’m not calling for a 60/40 run/pass ratio or even 50/50, but I think Forte needs to still be heavily involved in the offense until our talent dictates otherwise.

"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST

by JerBear50 on Oct 16, 2009 3:56 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

he said the bus part

so old guys who still talk about the 85 bears everyday and can’t cope with the new nfl don’t have heart attacks and die.

by mike b on Oct 14, 2009 11:37 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

well said

but since when are people who were alive in ‘85 old? I wasn’t, but you could, concievably, have been 10 then (34/35 now in case some people aren’t too intelligent).

I’m not sure that’s old. Maybe if you’re 12 and your perspective on life is ass-backwards, but yeah.

by Cosmis on Oct 15, 2009 7:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

who said you're old if you were alive?
but since when are people who were alive in ‘85 old?
so old guys who still talk about the 85 bears everyday

by mike b on Oct 15, 2009 7:31 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

yeah

but you didn’t say they were old in 85.

you said it like you were infering they were old or something.

still, I don’t disagree with you, and that was a good burn on Geo.

by Cosmis on Oct 15, 2009 10:16 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

no

just said there are old guys who talk about it.

by mike b on Oct 16, 2009 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

For all you 'geniuses'

What team is considered the ‘team of the decade?’

That’s right, the NE Patriots.

Running team? Hardly.

I don’t care about the numbers. All I know is this. When I think of NE, I don’t think of a running team. I think of a passing team.

Tom Brady. With mostly average receivers. Sometimes with excellent receivers (like Moss & Welker).

Spreading the ball around . . . through the air (and into the endzone).

Hey, if it’s good enough for Belichick and the Patriots, it should be good enough for Lovie and the Bears.

Just sayin’.

by GeoMak on Oct 14, 2009 11:54 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Have you always had this inferiority complex?

I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren

by lookingdeadred on Oct 15, 2009 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

They relied on the running game a lot more until

they got Moss and Welker a couple years ago. That was the point that the passing explosion started. They had a few good years out of Corey Dillon. When the running game started declining, they drafted Maroney in the first round. Maroney ended up sucking, but it didn’t matter because the next year they had the weapons to kill people through the air. Again, adjusting their game to what their personnel allowed for.

"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST

by JerBear50 on Oct 16, 2009 4:07 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lunacy? If there's a lunatic around here... it might be you.

I don’t know how you can continually attach yourself to “coach-speak,” and be fooled over and over again, instead of actually reading through the BS to see the truth.

The Bears are a pass-first team. So far, through 4 games this season they have a 58/42 pass/run ratio (129 pass attempts/96 run attempts). Last season, they had 55/45 pas/run ratio (528 pass attempts/434 run attempts).

So, next time Lovie says, “We get off the bus running,” remind yourself that he’s appeasing to the gullible Grawboski masses who want “blue collar football,” in Chicago. Just like the day Lovie got hired and said, “Our primary goal is to beat Green Bay.”

Those darn PR advisors at Halas Hall.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 15, 2009 12:22 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Right SackMan

And numbers can be used to say ANYTHING.

In SF, Mike Singletary has preached being a ‘smash mouth, run first team.’
OC Jimmy Raye has said that the 49ers want to run 60% of the time.

And the fan base in SF (being weaned on Walsh and Montana and Rice) have lost their MINDS!

End result (over 5 games)?

The 49ers have actually PASSED more than they have run!

See what people like yourself DON’T understand is that NUMBERS are skewed by game circumstances.

Let me SHOW you.

In the 49ers opening day victory over Arizona, they RAN the ball 21 times and PASSED 31.
Actually, SIX of those rushes were right at the end of the game to run out the clock.

In all actuality, they RAN the 15 times and PASSED it 31.

When you take out those meaningless, clock-chewing runs, it turns out that they actually passed much MORE than they ran.

All I am doing is simply responding to Lovie’s nonsensical ‘mantra’ of ‘getting off the bus running’ and to those recent posters who are wondering ’When is the real Bears running game going to show up?"

My answer? Who cares?

With Cutler under center, who gives a S==T?

by GeoMak on Oct 15, 2009 12:33 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

We pass the ball more than we run the ball... period.

No matter what our head coach says. On this team, the pass sets up the run… not the other way around. We’ve have an O-line built for pass protection with two finesse tackles, and an incredibly talented QB. So, I don’t know what they heck you’re complaining about. I have no idea what the point of your post is.

You want to be mad at Lovie Smith for talking coach-speak…. then so be it. That’s not going to change, as he appeases to the general blue collar Grawboski fan base with simple phrases that make them happy.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 15, 2009 1:21 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

So, I don’t know what they heck you’re complaining about. I have no idea what the point of your post is.

Then why does our HC keep saying that ’We get off the bus running."

Why?

Why not say: “We recently traded for one of the best young QB’s in the league . . . of COURSE we’re going to pass more than we run.”

Why are there Fan Posts about “When are the Bears going to get their running game together?”

Essentially your problem is that you look at the ‘stats’ (`129 passes/96 rushes) and make the determination that the Bears are a passing team.

That’s because you are not intelligent enough to understand that, because of game circumstances, sometimes the numbers don’t ACCURATELY reflect what actually ahppened in the game.

Riddle me this, SackMan (If you have the testicles):

The Bears recently traded for one of the best young QB’s in the game and a guy who most say has the strongest arm in the game.

After ALL the problems the Bears have had at the QB position, don’t you THINK that most fans would be THRILLED if Lovie Smith came out and said:: “Now that we have Jay Cutler, the Bears are going to get off the bus PASSING, instead of RUNNING!”

Don’t you think that most fans would LOVE to hear that? I sure do.

Listen, I know that many of you don’t even remotely understand football at the NFL level.

Let me help you out. Bill Walsh is commonly considered one of the greatest offensive minds in the history of the NFL. His philosphy behind the West Coast Offense?

Why RUN the ball through the Line-Of-Scrimmage when you can PASS the ball AROUND it?

Get it?

Why try to pound the ball through the line when you can have your QB drop back, throw a short pass, and have your receiver catch it and run with it.

The Arizona Cardinals took the lead in last years SuperBowl with 2:37 left on the clock on a 64 yard TD pass from Kurt Warner to Larry Fitzgerald.

Actually it was a SEVEN yard pass and a FIFTY SEVEN yard Run-After-Catch.

Not very complicated.

by GeoMak on Oct 15, 2009 1:50 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Just like the day Lovie got hired and said, "Our primary goal is to beat Green Bay."

Actually (and again) you’re WRONG there too.

A coaches FIRST order of business IS beating their division rival.

Why?

Two reasons:

A). Beating them probably helps your team win the division. Probably. Not guaranteed, but it sure helps.

B) Even if you DON’T win the division, beating your biggest rival gives your team and it’s fan base something to hang it’s hat on for the next season.

Happens all the time.

Now, back to LOVIE’S LUNACY.

Imagine if then Bears had traded for Tom Brady:

Lovie: "The Bears get off the bus running the football."

Brady: “You DO know I’m Tom Brady, don’t you Lovie? Maybe you think you just traded for Brady Quinn.”

Lovie: “Sorry Mr. Brady.”

Or if the Bears had traded for Peyton Manning:

Lovie: "The Bears get off the bus running the football."

Manning: You DO know my name is PEYTON MANNING, and not Danieal Manning, don’t you?"

Love: “Sorry Peyton.”

Get it?

by GeoMak on Oct 15, 2009 12:59 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Your primary goal should be to win the Super Bowl

That’s the primary goal of every professional football team.

When Lovie got hired, a PR person at Halas Hall whispered in his ear, and wrote him a speech to say, “We want to beat Green Bay.” You know why? Because it makes the simpleton football fan base happy and proud. Period.

Have a nice evening… there’s no point in discussing this with you anymore. It leads to nowhere.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 15, 2009 1:25 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Another intelligent post by SackMan

LOL!

Actually, when Buddy Ryan was hired as the HC of the Cardinals he said the same thing (we’ll beat OUR division rival – the Dallas Cowboys).

NOBODY (who knoes ANYTHING about football) would even think that a PR person would tell Lovie Smith (let alone Buddy Ryan) what to say at their introductory press conference.

Nice try (LOL)!!

SackMan: I FORGOT more about NFL football than you will EVER know. Sorry.

by GeoMak on Oct 15, 2009 1:54 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

umm
We want to beat Green Bay." You know why? Because it makes the simpleton football fan base happy and proud.

I agree with most of what you said, but I must be a simpleton because I love it when we beat Green Bay.

Thank god we get off the bus running!

If you want to crown em...

by JohnnyTruant on Oct 15, 2009 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

When was the last time Brady or Manning came out 5 WR?

You do know that the Colts and Pats both RUN the football. This isn’t flag football where you line up everyone on the line and chuck the ball 60 times a game.

Do a little experiement for me will ya. Play Madden ‘10 (on Pro or All Madden not Rookie level where my 8 year old nephew could beat the Pats with the Raiders or Lions) and only line-up in shotgun with 4 or 5 WR (no RB’s). Play a game, come back and tell us the outcome.

The sun will shine in '69

by gaclaudy on Oct 16, 2009 9:31 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well said SackMan

Lovie is just keeping the perception of the Bears as a ground and pound game alive for a good sound byte

by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Oct 15, 2009 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lovie Smith

“The Bears get off the bus running the football.”

“Umm, Lovie, you DO know that Jay Cutler is one of the best young QB’s in the NFL today and quite possibly has the strongest arm in the game.”

Lovie: “The Bears get of the bus running.”

“Umm, Lovie, you DO know that Jay Cutler IS a better QB than Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton, or anyone else who’s been here in the last quarter-century?”

Lovie: “The Bears get of the bus running.”

“Umm, Lovie, you sound like you did in 2006.”

Lovie: “What do you mean by that?”

“Umm, Rex is our Quarterback. Rex is our Quarterback. Rex is our Quarterback, etc, etc, etc.”

Lovie: "You mean like a broken record. Someone that can’t think ‘clearly and outside the box.’

EXACTLY!

by GeoMak on Oct 15, 2009 12:23 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

and yet

we’ve passed more than we’ve run this season…

Lovie will say whatever he wants to say, that doesn’t neccessarily mean that he’ll do it.

Also, you’ve “forgotten more about football than SackMan will ever know?”

How old are you? I apologize in advance, but based on your writing skill, I was operating under the assumption that you were an eleven year old.

As JerBear was saying (and you probably didn’t understand, since you definitely seem like someone who will never change their opinion), just because other teams do something, doesn’t mean that the Bears should. I personally think we should be as balanced as possible. But we should have a different gameplan every game.

by Cosmis on Oct 15, 2009 7:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Lunacy?

Lovie has a 3-1 record this season, including 3 difficult games (opener at GB; hosting Super Bowl Champs Pitt; traveling to Qwest Field).

He has a 48-36 record overall in 5.25 seasons, including 2 NFC North titles, 2 second-place finishes, and a 2-2 record in the playoffs. He’s made it to the Super Bowl, yet couldn’t manage to win with Rex Grossman facing off against Peyton Manning.

He has 7-4 record against Green Bay including a 4-2 record AT Lambeau Field. Lovie won his first four games as a visiting coach in Green Bay – how many NFL Head Coaches have accomplished THAT?? He has a 5-5 record against the Minnesota Vikings.

If that’s lunacy, give me some more. My wish would be to improve the record against Minny, please.

Personally, I think Lovie’s career could end up following the path of Bill Cowher. Cowher made the Super Bowl and lost in 1995, his 4th season as Head Coach of the Steelers (Lovie got to the Big Game in his 3rd season and lost). But Pitt stuck with Cowher through a subsequent 5-5 record in the playoffs until he finally won the Super Bowl. Sure, I hope Lovie wins the Super Bowl in less than the 10 years it took Cowher to return to the Big Game, but my point stands….

Would you jettison a successful coach like Lovie Smith for one like Bill Cowher who wasn’t any more successful in the same time-frame? Or someone like Mike Shanahan, who went 7-1 in the playoffs with John Elway, and 1-4 without?

by Sweetness Lives On on Oct 15, 2009 7:07 AM CDT reply actions   2 recs

If I may add SLO

Faster to 50 career wins than Pacells, Walsh, Bellichek and several other prominent HC’s that have competed in the league. By the way, welcome aboard and great screen name!

"They better get another quarterback cuz we're comin"-#58 Wilber Marshall LB Chicago Bears

by BearDown34 on Oct 15, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Right on man

I like Lovie myself,and it gets tiresome of hearing all the “Laz-E-Boy Coaches” would do this or that and that would be the key to success. Not to say we’re all not guilty of that in some way.

Lovie is most definately an above average HC.

You're being very Un-Dude right now.

by IslandBoodler87 on Oct 15, 2009 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

wrecked!

Lovie smith may not yell at players, but he’s done some great things

If you want to crown em...

by JohnnyTruant on Oct 15, 2009 6:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Maybe this is the bus...

Lovie is talking about:

There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.

by LostInSTL on Oct 15, 2009 7:25 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Actually, I do agree GM...

Lovie has problems simply seeing the reality of the situation. I posted my thoughts about the coaching management here a few days ago.

My real issue is the vision the current Bear’s staff has and the people they have drafted to fulfill that vision. My contention is they simply have a whole bunch of 2nd tier talent, with a few exceptions like Cutler, Hester and Briggs. Coached well, they might overachieve (like say in ’06). Coached poorly, they will underachieve (like say in 2007).

Let’s say that Lovie’s insanity (this is where you and i agree) about running the ball is correct. Why have the Bears not picked up a backup to Forte? There are 3-5 FAs that could fit the bill and be better than what the Bears have in AP and Wolfe; Rhodes or McAlister come to mind. Further, if running is of such critical importance, why try to fit in Omiyale (a tackle) at guard. Why not sign a FA guard? or trade for one? While I do believe that Lovie is a good defensive coach, i am starting to feel as if it might be best to make a coaching change early in the Cutler era. The team is moving away from the Bears teams of the past few years rather quickly and maybe Lovie’s vision is better suited to another situation.

There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.

by LostInSTL on Oct 15, 2009 7:40 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I don't take what Lovie says about the offense at face value

He doesn’t run it at all, that’s entirely in Ron Turner’s department. That being said, I think they have passed a lot recently, especially with Forte hitting brick walls most games this year.

Lovie’s a relatively underestimated coach, as our teams have been in playoff contention when they really shouldn’t have (Like in ‘08 and ’05). At the same time, we’ve lost games we probably shouldn’t have (like a whole bunch in ‘08). To me, a huge difference between being a mediocre team that’s almost there and a playoff contender is going to be Jay Cutler, since he’s leading us to fourth quarter comebacks in games we would have lost last year.

Regardless of what nonsense Lovie spews, don’t doubt the fact that Cutler gives us the competitive edge to compete. He’ll handle the defense at a consistently higher level this year, and Cutler will guide our offense to a higher level in all facets.

by dkguy55 on Oct 15, 2009 8:08 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Confused

I am confused by this post. Sure Lovie said we are going to get off the bus running, but actions speak louder than words and we have been a balanced offense this year. I would say we call neither an overwhelming amount of run or pass plays. This is sort of old. Who cares what Lovie says, I care about what is on the field.

by brands735 on Oct 15, 2009 8:27 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

I have been on record on this site as not being the biggest Lovie Smith fan...

but doesn’t it make sense that he is using his “come off the bus running” statement as some gamesmanship to keep the opposing teams a little off balance? As has been pointed out here several times already, we actually do have a pretty balanced attack even with a crappy run game and questionable offensive line. Also, we haven’t gone into the late November, December, and early January games yet at Soldier Field where your passing offense might be limited, so perhaps he’s trying to light a fire under his offensive players and staff to get their acts together for when we need that running game to be effective.

You can put all the stats together you want about running teams vs. passing teams, the bottomline is the odds of a pass happy team making and winning the SB is slim. The argument about the recent Giants SB team, is ridiculous because the way they got to the SB that year was with the best running game in the league. If they would have tried to pass their way to the playoffs, they probably wouldn’t have won the division that year. Taking a single game, whether it’s the Super Bowl or a playoff game, and trying to tie the entire season’s game plans to that one game is ridiculous. To use an example you can probably relate to, if you tried to model the entire ‘85 Bears season around that one MNF game against the Vikings where McMahon came in passed them to a come from behind victory and say they were a pass first team, you’d be nuts. The fact is really good – great teams can do both effectively which is what sets them apart and when you can throw in a good – great defense on top of that, you more than likely have a championship.

Just an aside, who ever made Ron Jaworski the be-all and end-all expert on QB play (other than ESPN)? I admit he obviously knows more than any of us, but I don’t remember anyone clammoring for him to run a team as a HC or OC after he retired. Nor does his resume stand out all that much, he made it to one SB and lost it. Not that one game should define his career, but I always thought he was a slightly better than average QB during his career who had a big arm, but I don’t remember a lot of teams that were really worried about him beating them like a Marino, Montana, Namath, Stabler, etc. Just my opinion, but he strikes me as another ESPN creation who just happens to have been around for a long time. Personally, I’d rather listen to Steve Young when he’s talking than Jaworski.

by BearFan611 on Oct 15, 2009 8:55 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Jaws blows. You can say it.

by brands735 on Oct 15, 2009 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey!

I’ve met that same gal!

by rdent4hof on Oct 15, 2009 1:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Looks like we have another passenger for the lolcopter crash

Geomak, in consideration of your vastly superior football knowledge, I find it positively ludicrous that all 32 of the franchises that compete in the National Football League have passed you over for the Head Coaching position on their respective teams.Someone get the Comissioner on the phone, there needs to be an immediate investigation.

"They better get another quarterback cuz we're comin"-#58 Wilber Marshall LB Chicago Bears

by BearDown34 on Oct 15, 2009 9:35 AM CDT reply actions   1 recs

Ughhhhhhhhh

Does anyone have any aspirin??? yikes….

Roachy love the run stuffin', but don't forget about the TE over the middle!!

by tfrabotta on Oct 15, 2009 9:40 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

LOL, think thats strong enough?

"They better get another quarterback cuz we're comin"-#58 Wilber Marshall LB Chicago Bears

by BearDown34 on Oct 15, 2009 9:42 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Okay..

Jack and Bayer….

Roachy love the run stuffin', but don't forget about the TE over the middle!!

by tfrabotta on Oct 15, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

To get al statty,

I see that SackMan has already shown the numbers that we pass more than we throw. I noticed too that in your FanPost, you referenced the fact that teams in the NFL score through the air. And the Bears do too.

Right now, we have scored 12 TDs. 8 of them have been passing, 3 rushing, and 1 on a KOR. And up until the 4th quarter of the 4th game, we had 0 rushing TDs… all of our offensive TDs came through the air.

Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec (wreck) comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.

Just because it can be done on Madden NFL does not automatically make it a viable option in real life.

by Dane Noble on Oct 15, 2009 9:52 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

No! No! No! You can't use stats! They're not allowed.

And besides… as GeoMak says,

numbers can be used to say ANYTHING.

Even when he, hypocritically, uses the same numbers to point out how different teams perform. LOL.

Never try to argue with a lunatic.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 15, 2009 10:30 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

The rants are great Geo

but the Bears have attempted to pass 137 times, to just 96 rushing attempts this season. That’s 59% of the time Cutler has dropped back to pass regardless if it was a reception, incompletion, Int, sack, or thrown away. This is a case of Lovie being Lovie, and being consistent with his “coach-speak” to the media.

More like getting off the plane with jetpacks for all!

"Repetition is only good when you've been winning." - Valet

by propheteer on Oct 15, 2009 10:18 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

When Lovie says "We get off the bus running..."

he means that like any other team in the NFL, to include the Pats, you must establish the run so you can open up the passing game.

It does no good to come out passing the first 25 plays you run, why? Because the other team will either go into a full out blitz or drop 7 into coverage. You must have a running game, and a feared running game, to have a passing game. Does Peyton throw the ball 30-45 times a game? Yes, but the Colts also run the ball to keep the other team honest.

Once you have established the running game you can bring play action in effectively. Why would a safety move up to stop the run if you haven’t run the ball previously? He won’t. You must be able to bring those safeties up to stop the run, so can get the ball over top, otherwise the safeties will bracket your receivers.

Will you run the ball if you are down 10 points? 14 points? 21 points? with 8 minutes left? Highly unlikely, but this where the RB becomes a weapon out of the backfield, al la Faulk.

What was Dallas Cowboy’s greatest weapon when they have a lead? Marion “The Beast” Barber. The New York Giants? Brandon Marshall. A football team needs a closer, just as in baseball. Someone you can hand the ball to and watch him chew yards and time off the clock. Running games become important to wear the other defense down and wear them out.

Do you need to pass to win? You betcha! But do you need to have a running game to have that passing game? You betcha.

The sun will shine in '69

by gaclaudy on Oct 15, 2009 11:20 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

exactly!

He is also trying not to put the entire weight of the team on Cutler’s back…at least not yet.

Do we all remember what happened in GB when Cutler thought he had to take it apon himself to make up for the first interception??? I would guess that the half time discussion took on a “Jay, you don’t have to win the game yourself. There are 10 other guys out there with you.” kinda thing. And he seemed to be a lot better in the 2nd half.

Unreasonable people make life difficult...

by WisBearsFan34 on Oct 15, 2009 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Actions speak louder than words.

Instead of listening to what Lovie says, look at what his offense does. They’re throwing the ball plenty, and as Lovie and Ron Turner grow more comfortable with the receivers/passing game they will open up the passing game even more. Lovie says a lot of stuff, but what he does is what should draw your attention.

Metal sharpens metal.

And this guy right here understands and knows what leadership is all about: The coach, the hall of famer......... Dick Butka! George Ryan

by dakoose on Oct 15, 2009 12:21 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Who cares what he says to the media

If you are as smart and knowledgeable as you claim to be, you should know not to take anything an NFL coach says publicly at face value.

by BNeL21 on Oct 15, 2009 1:03 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Ron Jaworski?

Give it UP son, Ron Jaworski? Really? COME on! Who the hell puts this much stock in what RON JAWORSKI says? It’s absurd.

ALL that matters are WINS.

I don’t CARE if THE Bears WIN running THE ball OR passing THE ball

BTW, your little make-believe transcripts make no sense.

by CubsFan87 on Oct 15, 2009 4:01 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

also

has anyone thought that maybe, Lovie was being literal?

Maybe they actually do get off the bus running. You need to keep limber before a football game, lest those leg muscles tighten up or something.

=)
=)
=)

*the preceding post was written with utmost sarcasm, just in case GeoMak thinks I’m being serious and goes on a nonsensical, six page rant insulting my intelligence and/or sexual orientation…

by Cosmis on Oct 15, 2009 7:24 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Christ on a cracker!

when was the last time he said that? really.

didn’t you already make a post about this in the offseason? or was that just one long ass comment?

If we had a Steven Jackson or an Adrian Peterson, or Forte was the leagues leading rusher, i bet you’d never would’ve posted this.

Camp ifuwanna, we hold you in our heart...

by ifuwannacrownem on Oct 16, 2009 12:36 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Classic.
Christ on a cracker!

-------
"Newbie, if the next two words out of your mouth aren't 'See ya' then the third word will be 'Oh my god. My crotch. You've punched me in my crotch." - Dr. Percival Ulysses Cox

by smudgers on Oct 16, 2009 7:11 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

<img src=“”http://media.photobucket.com/image/christ on a cracker/lritger/pshop/Tapdance.gif?o=1" target="_blank">"/>

You can't believe everything you read on the internet, that's how World War One got started.
*This tagline is copyrighted by smudgers, inc. for the private use of the WCG audience. Any use of this tagline or any pictures, descriptions, or accounts without smudgers, inc. consent is prohibited.

by Ditkavsworld on Oct 16, 2009 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I didn't realize he was such a good dancer!

Crackers really bring out the best in him.

"Repetition is only good when you've been winning." - Valet

by propheteer on Oct 16, 2009 10:48 AM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm not sure whether I should laugh or go repent!

-------
"Newbie, if the next two words out of your mouth aren't 'See ya' then the third word will be 'Oh my god. My crotch. You've punched me in my crotch." - Dr. Percival Ulysses Cox

by smudgers on Oct 16, 2009 12:31 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah the room got hotter when i posted that. Not sure what that means....

You can't believe everything you read on the internet, that's how World War One got started.
*This tagline is copyrighted by smudgers, inc. for the private use of the WCG audience. Any use of this tagline or any pictures, descriptions, or accounts without smudgers, inc. consent is prohibited.

by Ditkavsworld on Oct 16, 2009 12:41 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

never thought of that.

You can't believe everything you read on the internet, that's how World War One got started.
*This tagline is copyrighted by smudgers, inc. for the private use of the WCG audience. Any use of this tagline or any pictures, descriptions, or accounts without smudgers, inc. consent is prohibited.

by Ditkavsworld on Oct 16, 2009 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I give this post two thumbs up

Would read again.

Humor quota of the day has been met.

by Arbusto on Oct 16, 2009 4:07 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

(sigh)

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." - Bertrand Russell
"F*** everybody outside of Halas Hall. BEARDOWN" - WavyGravy

by Spongie on Oct 18, 2009 12:01 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

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