Replay Challenge FAIL: Who's to blame?
With all the hubbub over Lovie Smith and his poor replay challenge record, I think the real culprit is often overlooked. Yeah I know Lovie is the guy with the red hankie in his pocket, and yeah I know he's the guy dropping it on the field, but what dingbat is up in the booth encouraging him to do so? Is it Ron Turner, or some other visually challenged boob unable to decipher the multiple angles of the replay? How many times in the Lovie Smith era has he challenged a play that had 99% of us fans screaming at our TV? Lovie usually draws our ire, but the blame can't solely fall on him.
I'm sure sometimes Lovie challenges with his gut, any head coach has to go with a feeling from time to time. Because you never know what the referee will see or how he'll justify his decision. The refs miss some calls too. A good example is the earlier challenge by Packer head man Mike McCarthy on the Greg Jennings catch in the end zone. I thought it was a catch, the FOX crew thought it was a catch, and maybe a different official would have ruled it a catch, but on this day it was ruled incomplete.
And on occasion I'm sure Lovie will throw the flag just to back his player. If a player is adamant about his catch or that he didn't fumble, a head coach will send a message to his team that he has your back by dropping the flag. It may not always result in an overturned call, but believing in your player and throwing the challenge flag is the right message... sometimes... and only at the right time. The real smart coaches understand down and distance, field position, score, and time remaining when they throw the flag to back their guy. But they also need to know when to send a message by not throwing a flag. Sometimes a "sit down and shut up" or a "there is no I in team" message is best sent by not throwing the flag.
Getting back to who exactly is in the booth calling down to the sideline letting Lovie know to challenge or not to challenge. Has any one ever called out the exact guy upstairs making the call? Or is there a brain trust up in the booth collectively screwing up? Maybe it's a "too many cooks in the kitchen" type effort? Challenge it, no don't challenge it, should we challenge it, yes challenge, no, yes, I need an answer... OK throw the flag!
My biggest issue with this staff isn't the failed challenges, most coaches strike out more than they hit, it's the Obvious (yes, with a capital O) never have a chance in the world type replays that these knuckleheads challenge. Well, that and the double time out failure from Sunday, but that's off topic...
I think when the Bears are constantly reeeaaaching for hope with these questionable challenges, it tells us that they know they need some luck in order to pull out a win. Good teams create their own luck, but the Bears are hoping the refs can create some luck for them.
Fellow WCG writer Kev H has a good take on this replay challenge subject, be sure to check it out.
I Challenge the Bears to take away Lovie's red flag. Please.
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14 comments
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"or some other visually challenged boob unable to decipher the multiple angles of the replay."
That had me rolling
by T.Moore on Dec 16, 2009 1:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Lovie spoke about his use of challenges earlier in the season (after another controversial failure, probably). I remember him saying that he would challenge if it was an important, potentially game-changing play (implying that they would go ahead even with flimsy evidence, essentially living on hope).
"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 Dec 16, 2009 1:30 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I blame rap music!
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"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 Dec 16, 2009 1:50 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
the red flag issue...
… Is the least of this team’s problems, but is a symptom of the disease. The disease being poor coaching. This disease has many symptoms.
"I am not an animal!" - Merrick
by Maelvampyre on Dec 16, 2009 1:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
here is Jays disease
or maybe an explanation of his troubles http://bleacherreport.com/articles/308970-diagnosing-what-is-wrong-with-jay-cutler
If you live in Chicago you are a bears fan, if you move from chicago you stay a bears fan, if you move to chicago you will be a bears fan.
by chi-town on Dec 16, 2009 3:47 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Lovie is the problem
He’s got to take ownership of the situation (he’s the HC after all) by throwing the flag in the alloted time given in between every play.
"But it doesn't matter what I do, what I choose, I'm what's wrong." - final words of Dexter season 4
by propheteer on Dec 16, 2009 3:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I blame me for being a Bears fan
Year after year of dissappointment. And still being a Bears fan. Still going to games still buying Bears gear year after year no matter the record. So I blame me for sticking with this team no matter the coach or GM. Giving no reason for the owners to change the way they do business.
by Daseabeez on Dec 16, 2009 3:57 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Hey
at least we can say as fans that the Bears have won a SB in our lifetime, and had a recent appearance as well. We’re not lucky, but certainly not destitute like Browns and Lion fans.
"But it doesn't matter what I do, what I choose. I'm what's wrong. This is fate" - final words of Dexter season 4
by propheteer on Dec 16, 2009 4:45 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
no
do you realize that you are comparing the city of Chicago to Cleveland and Detroit. I believe we should hold ourselves to higher standards.
by stumpo on Dec 16, 2009 4:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't compare Chi to them
just debating that we don’t have it nearly as bad.
"But it doesn't matter what I do, what I choose. I'm what's wrong. This is fate" - final words of Dexter season 4
by propheteer on Dec 16, 2009 5:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree we don't have it that bad.
But considering the chicago market we should have more than one SB win. I’m sure someday that will change. But watching this years Bears just kinda ticks me off. And looking like next year will be the same way. But hey at least the Broncos will probably win another one soon since they will have a nice extra draft pick this year to fill any hole they need.
by Daseabeez on Dec 16, 2009 5:16 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Both
of these teams have a better future than we do. We have to keep future hall of famer, football guru, genious lovie another year. Yeah, with his talent I expect a complete turnaround next year.
by stumpo on Dec 16, 2009 5:10 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

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