I think that Marinelli has higher expectations than any other coach on the team. If he can get top-notch performance out of our DLine, we should be well on our way to making a solid case that we are an elite team in the NFC.

Would rank Rod in the top-5 :)

Has he lost his mind,
Can he see or is he blind?
Can he walk at all,
Or if he moves will he fall?

Oh wait, I thought this was the new photo caption contest…

It will definitely be 1 and done with him as our d-line coach. Will another team swoop in and steal him for their head coach or d-coordinator? He’s an assistant head coach in title so the Bears will have to give permission to other teams to interview for coordinator positions (but not for head coach positions). Is this Babich’s last year as “d-c” and Marinelli gets promoted to d-coordinator? Wow, did I jump the gun. I hope the d-line kicks a$$ this year.

But, that might translate into more sacks from the ends—which is to say the interior defense will garnish enough attention for the exterior to get the sacks. If Marinelli really does enhance our line, Tommy will be back at All-Pro form (assuming he’s healthy).

You may remember Wilt, I was half-hearted about the Marinelli addition.
I worried that he might be damaged goods, psychologivcally speaking. Have the stink of losing on him.
I railed about Lovie’s BFF cronyism tendencies.

But, I think I have seen the light: I understand that Sgt. Rod was in DETROIT, where Christ himself could probably don the headset and go under .500, even with the Virgin Mary cheerleading on the sidelines.
Rod was in large part a victim of the Millen aftermath in particluar, and the Detroit losers-milieu in general.
On top of that, the Lions were actually more competeitive last year than 0-16 might suggest. They hung in until the end in MOST games (um, forget Thanksgiving), even giving the Vikes a run for their money a couple games.

On top of that, being a DETAIL guy (as all the players say) might mean that Rod isn’t great with the BIG picture, with running a whole. He’s a SPECIALIST.
Last year, he was probably focusing on the Equipment Manager’s Asistant’s methodology in distributing shoelaces for Away games or some such nonsense…

Asking Rod to head coach would be like asking an expert sous-chef to run a chain of restaurants. Instead, let the man do what he’s best at.

So now, I do believe Rod is a master motivator, an excellent teacher (patient, detail-oriented), and I believe he is going to get the MOST out of our line, that he will maximize their potential (and who can deny that line has been playing UNDER its potential for the past 2 years??!?)

Players, it seems, have gone out of their way so far this off-season to lavish praise on Rod’s style and instruction. He SEEMS to be everything Lovie says he is.

I have come to have faith in Sgt. Rod.
In fact, I believe Rod may end up being the BEST off-season acquisition the Bears made this year!!
(Well, he and the obvious one, of course).

I agree that you could easily make a case for Rod being in the top 5 in this list, too. That kine has un-tapped, un-reached potential. If Rod can get it out them, look out League—may God have mercy on your souls, ’cause the Bears will be back to the forcity and dominance we know and love them for.

Can’t wait for the freakin’ season…Bear Down.

Alex Brown needs to finally reach his potential

I think AB has already reached his potential; he is what he is, a solid all-around DE.
Anderson, Harrison, and Gilbert are the guys who need Marinelli’s teaching the most.

If I could’ve picked one player on the line who needs to step up his game this year, it’s obviously Tommy Harris. But if you’re considering coaches who need to motivate and and get the most out of players, then Marinelli is the key to the success of the defense.

is going to beat you with his blue crayon arms! ARRRRRGH!

So far, so good. I think putting Marinelli at 8 is a good call. Eventhough he is not a player, I think without a doubt he is very important to us this year.