I'm All for Change But This Isn't It
by Sam Householder on Jan 6, 2012 3:00 PM CST
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PrintI was among the WCG masses who took to the blog celebrating and metaphorically dancing in the streets upon news that Jerry Angelo had been fired. It's over! There is hope, there will be change, I thought, George McCaskey has done just as I hoped he would; start to erase the wounds of the last 25 years that begin with the dismantling of the champion '85 team and eventually led us into the dark age of the '90s. Sure things have picked up in the last 11 years, but as many on here won't let you forget, the Bears still tread in the mediocre waters of the NFL teams; better than a doormat but not an annual contender.
But as excited as I was, in the days since my excitement has turned to reservation. I will explain why there is reason for hope and reason to worry about the future of the Chicago Bears front office.
The shortest and best explanation I have is summed up with one name; Ted Phillips.
Phillips, as most know, is actually an accountant by trade, he isn't a so-called "football guy" and many fans and media have questioned his knowledge and understanding of the sports management side of things because of this. I know that "bean counters" are very important in any business, but is this the type of guy who should be tasked with hiring the man who will shape the roster or our beloved team?
I'm not saying he can't do it, but he's never done it either, Jerry Angelo, Phillips' first GM "hire" was actually found by a search firm and then approved by Phillips. Phillips got the credit for what was esstentially done by a consulting firm. Nothing wrong with that in some sense, because many corporations use so-called "head-hunting" firms to find the best candidates available for the positions.
When George McCaskey took over a year ago as the chairman for the team I held out some hope, I thought all right, new leadership, a guy who has actually grown up as a part of the organization, who has been around the team a long time, this guy has seen it all and will know what he likes and doesn't like.
Recently in sports, including Chicago, we've seen a new generation of owners/front office take over once-fledgling franchises and turn them into winners; Michael Bidwell who took over the Arizona Cardnials for his father Bill, Jim Irsay, who took over the Colts from his father, the Baltimore hated and notorious tyrant, Robert and in Chicago, where Rocky Wirtz took over the Blackhawks from "Dollar" Bill Wirtz, the legendarily cheap owner who wouldn't even televise games and cut ties with some of the most important players in the franchises storied history.
These guys all took over teams from owners who were known for counting money over wins and whose leadership and motives were questioned by fans and media alike. They brought new ideas and brought winning ways back to teams who were doormats and considered some of the worst run in all of sports.
I thought, well, maybe that is how George McCaskey will be. Take over for the McCaskey generation who inherited the team and who weren't necessairly raised on football and groomed to be NFL leadership. A new generation will come in and turn things around.
I was close.
McCaskey has begun to make his mark on the front office of the Bears by removing Angelo. Great, I think the team will be better for it, however there are two issues I still have; 1) Phillips is still in charge and 2) Lovie gets a say in the process! If you want to make your way known, if you want to begin your era so-to-speak why not cut off the snake at it's head?
Phillips brought in Angelo, Angelo brought in Lovie. I like Lovie and I think he has been somewhat hamstrung by the talent JA put on the field for him, keep Lovie, I'm fine with that. What I take issue with is leaving Phillips in charge, who really hasn't shown he can bring in good people and lead this organization where it needs to go.
Phillips is likely to hire someone who is closer to the old McCaskey family and closer to Angelo than someone who will bring in new ideas and direction. Lovie is likely to approve someone who is Angelo-like and therefore likely to let Lovie keep his job.
T.J. Shouse brought up this point a few weeks ago in his now-pointless (no offense T.J. it was a good read but none of us saw the JA thing coming) post "...Angelo's Coming Back Next Year, and That's Okay" Shouse wrote:
My professional experience includes getting interviewed by Human Resources at my old job (college coach) during an Athletic Director search to identify what I wanted to see from the search. I essentially said, "We need outside candidates to interview to compare to our interior promotion candidates, and give the best candidate the job." What'd they do? Hired the baseball coach/assistant A.D. with a drinking problem. Why, because they are institutionally flawed and want people in place they can control, not someone who could potentially upset the apple cart by bringing in new ideas or setting higher goals; its classic "keep the status quo" versus "take a chance" mentality in business or sport.
To me this is basically what we get with Phillips. Maybe Ruskell is out and that's fine, but we'll still have the "status-quo" so-to-speak of Phillips finding someone in a similar mold to JA than someone completely different. Lovie is going to want to approve of someone who will let him carry on as he has; bring in cronies from his Tampa and St. Louis days, keep the revolving door at DL and safety, etc. Lovie will want someone who isn't likely to oust him after a season or two.
I want someone from the outside with different ideas; enough to give Lovie a fair chance (not like the whol Eric Mangini-Mike Holmgren deal in Cleveland) but who isn't afraid to shake up Halas Hall.
I just can't see Phillips and/or Lovie doing that. If George McCaskey wants to change things up and leave his own mark, start with giving Phillips a pink slip.
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should have been a clean sweep
Start fresh w/ a clean slate. Couldn’t agree more with this post.
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
Hopefully George is only giving the ENTIRE team "one more year...."
Hopefully he told Ted exactly that in a Mafia don’s voice, with the periods on the end.
Cacti are prickly.
by crackedcactus on Jan 6, 2012 4:23 PM CST up reply actions
Yep..
I agree 100%.
Nothing like smash mouth football, baby!! May my blood run orange and navy blue forever!!
Status Quo
Phillips has only ever hired one GM. Isn’t that kind of a small sampling size to assume there even is a status quo, let alone he’ll stick to it?
In short, in life, as in a foot-ball game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard!" Theodore Roosevelt
Don't get me wrong
I think Phillips is part of what’s wrong with the Bears (he puts making money on a higher pedestal than winning championships) but it just doesn’t make sense to deal in absolutes here.
In short, in life, as in a foot-ball game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard!" Theodore Roosevelt
by LRT on Jan 6, 2012 3:20 PM CST up reply actions
Given one or the other
his job is to make money.
Took the 'G' out your waffle, all you got left is your Ego.
Editor at windycitygridiron.com | @Kev_WCG
That's fine and dandy
But if that’s the case, he belongs at Chicago’s most prominent accounting firm. Not on a sports franchise; there should be one goal, and one goal only…win.
"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct
by propheteer on Jan 6, 2012 7:51 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
technically, haven't we only won once in 47 years?
From 1964 through 2011, only one championship in ’85…unless you use “Loviemetrics”, since we won the 1963 Championship, that would be twice in 48 years or an average of once of every 24 years, or 4 times every Century……….
So even if it means bleeding money
says the guy who doesn’t have to spend it.
Took the 'G' out your waffle, all you got left is your Ego.
Editor at windycitygridiron.com | @Kev_WCG
Everyonoe in the organization should have a common goal
He says it, but is he really doing everything within his power/capabilities to follow through on his claim. Remains to be seen. Maybe he should hire another consulting company in his search for a GM.
I don’t believe I said anything about frivolously spending money without a sound plan in place. That’s the key here….a sound plan.
"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct
There's a balance between making money and winning
You should not do one at the expense of the other either. Plenty of franchises do it, most likely all the franchises are making some amount of money but the Bears could do a very good balance.
Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.
Formerly GallopingGhost
by Sam Householder on Jan 7, 2012 3:39 PM CST up reply actions
I agree with propheteer and was thinking the exact same thing..
before I read his comment. You make money by winning…its as simple as that. I have never been a Ted Phillips fan.
Nothing like smash mouth football, baby!! May my blood run orange and navy blue forever!!
I think a decade of Jerry Angelo drafts
is enough to assume there is a Status Quo
WCG's Resident Nickelback and Boy Band fan
Also rated Worst WCG Blogger by Dr. Steven Schweickert's extensive "Total BR" (Blogger Rating)
"Oh Dilfer, give me the strength...
to be as bad a WCG Contributor as you are an announcer/authority on anything. Peace be with you. " (JoetheBoss)
But Jerry Angelo
isn’t drafting anymore.
Took the 'G' out your waffle, all you got left is your Ego.
Editor at windycitygridiron.com | @Kev_WCG
I know, but LRT said he wasn't sure if one exisited
I believe there may have been with the awesome drafting powress of Jerry in the 2000’s
WCG's Resident Nickelback and Boy Band fan
Also rated Worst WCG Blogger by Dr. Steven Schweickert's extensive "Total BR" (Blogger Rating)
"Oh Dilfer, give me the strength...
to be as bad a WCG Contributor as you are an announcer/authority on anything. Peace be with you. " (JoetheBoss)
there had to be a status quo at one point
How does the same person keep the position of GM for 11 years, despite repeated failures in the first 3 rounds of the draft??
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
I'm not saying that
but as soon as Jerry leaves, that status quo is over. So there is currently no status quo.
Took the 'G' out your waffle, all you got left is your Ego.
Editor at windycitygridiron.com | @Kev_WCG
Precisely
Status quo is out the door. What replaces it may be similar, but it’s impossible for it to be the same.
In short, in life, as in a foot-ball game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard!" Theodore Roosevelt
What you’ve just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
by Mike Mueller on Jan 6, 2012 3:34 PM CST reply actions 2 recs
Would you care to elaborate?
Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.
Formerly GallopingGhost
by Sam Householder on Jan 6, 2012 6:30 PM CST up reply actions
im under the impression
he used the madison quote to express how he feels. so he could elaborate
Yeah i'm familiar with the movie quote
Just not sure how he doesn’t understand what I am saying. I would like him to elaborate in his own words why I am an idiot who made an incoherent point.
Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.
Formerly GallopingGhost
by Sam Householder on Jan 7, 2012 3:40 PM CST up reply actions
It's simple really, don't believe everything you hear in a press conference. I sure don't.
A good executive will empower his staff ,and to the outside world, that’s just what George did. He made everyone believe that Ted Phillips is this all-powerful guy in the org. George (and Mike and Virginia) are the real power. All that was for show. Ted needs to be looked at as “the power” because he’s doing the phone calls, he’s doing the preliminary interviews, he’s doing all the work. George will make the call. He’s the boss and doesn’t want to do the dirty work, which Ted will be doing. Those receiving phone calls from Ted won’t think its some neutered lackey of the McCaskey’s, but rather a powerful President of the Chicago Bears. That’s what you want. It’s still the McCaskey’s call. I have no doubt about that. That was actually quite shrewd of George & the rest.
As for meeting Lovie, that too, in my opinion was for show. The McCaskey’s are fond of Lovie and value his opinion. He is one of the highest paid employees in the organization to boot. His meeting the potential new GM is more of recruiting that GM then giving Lovie a say in who it is. Remember, any new GM hire, is also interviewing the Bears to see if they want the job. If I’m interviewing of course I’m going to want to meet Lovie before excepting. Lovie is a nice guy and liked & respected around the NFL. Having him meet any new potential GM is a plus in my book, not a negative. He will after all be the coach for the next season.
I don’t think that’s a problem either. Ted was adamant and repeated in the pc that Lovie would be the coach in 2012. He never mentioned anything beyond that. There’s no real power Lovie has received. It’s all an illusion. If the new GM wants to get rid of Lovie after 2012, he’ll probably have that power and authority.
Now if they actually hire Tim Ruskell, then they’re all idiots.
by Mike Mueller on Jan 9, 2012 10:38 AM CST up reply actions
If you listened to the press conference about firing Angelo
you’d think that Ted Phillips was named “Supreme Commander” of the Bears by George. Basically, Ted runs everything and the McCaskey’s sit back and if Ted thinks something is good or bad, they deliberate and generally just agree with whatever he says. It must be pretty nice to be Ted Phillips these days.
by PolishSausage.Ditka.Bears. on Jan 6, 2012 3:35 PM CST reply actions
BAHAHAHA
"With all due respect, and I mean with ALL due respect...that idea ain't worth a velvet paintin' of a whale and a dolphin gettin' it on."
by CurtisEnisFan on Jan 6, 2012 5:58 PM CST up reply actions
yeah and lovie has input in who the next GM is??
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
I think the best type of leadership groups are ones that aren't akin to a parlimentarian system.
Ones where the power is all in one state of mind, one school, one train of rationale.
One where the minority power doesn’t have as much say.
There needs to be a respectful, adversarial relationship between GM and Coach I think, there has to be differences of opinions, there can’t be yes men all over the place.
And I think that many of these GM’s aren’t going to be yes men, lying down on the job and just suffering under Lovie’s picks, and Lovie isn’t the coach who’s like, eff you, I do what I want. I may be wrong in that analysis, but I’ve always gathered that he’s sensible with inputs from sources.
Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...
but he has input in who the next GM will be
And when he’s had input in personnel, we end up w/Adam Archuleta at SS, Orlando Pace past his prime at LT, etc.
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
Maybe he realizes that?
Maybe he doesn’t. I mean, I as a person know if I have too much power controlled in one area, I can do stupid things without oversight… I have the self governance as a person to recognize that, and I don’t think it’s out of the question to know that something like that may be in his own best interest.
Then again, he may not.
Who knows.
Five foot three seems to thrive on his misery...
yeah I agree
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
So then
Will we get someone good?
"Violence is not always the answer."
"Violence is the question, and the answers always YES!"
not sure about that, their #1 choice went to OAK and their #2 choice is staying in BAL
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
Their #3 choice in Les Snead, though, is still a very good candidate
And numerous other candidates not largely named are set to interview. Les Snead, in particular, has delt with 4 different HCs in his stay with the Falcons. And, the coaching staff seems intent on builing an offense similar if not the same as the Falcons. Les Snead makes complete sense in that regard.
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 6, 2012 4:10 PM CST up reply actions
right ECD I think you're right about Sundquist too
Just saw Snead’s bio in the “GM Candidates” post a couple days ago and didn’t think he had much experience and Sundquist drafted Jay, Marshall, and Dumervil
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
Not just Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, and Dumervil
But he also helped to build at one time the top ranked O-line in terms of pass protection and one of the most powerful offenses in the NFL. Too bad Mike Shanahan lost his touch on defense, otherwise they would have won the AFC West year in and year out.
He, or anyone else for that matter, shouldn’t worry about the defense too much if they take the job in Chicago.
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 6, 2012 4:30 PM CST up reply actions
If anyone knows how to build around and protect Jay Cutler
It is Ted Sundquist.
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 6, 2012 4:43 PM CST up reply actions
true, at first I was a little concerned he hasn't been a GM since 07
But the more I read about him, the more I think he’d be an excellent candidate
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
a clean sweep would mean
a complete revamp which would be trouble for an aging defense which needs to stay consistent and win now while improving the offense, not rebuild and start winning in a couple years and by that time urlacher and all them will be done and we’d have to start from scratch. ugh
I'm not calling for a clean sweep
Just Phillips.
Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.
Formerly GallopingGhost
by Sam Householder on Jan 6, 2012 6:34 PM CST up reply actions
Bears
Funny thing is you criticize, however you don’t know Jack**** about the game. This is like the Tea Party of sorts. You are not going to change the owner. You have no control of injuries that occur during the season. And you you bring up Archuleta for as an example. Refer to beginning. You don’t know jack.
msulli
by SullivanfromSullivan on Jan 6, 2012 4:08 PM CST reply actions
hey pal it's just my opinion you don't have to personally insult people
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
sorry was meant for post above
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
I never said to change owners, and yes, I do know for a fact you can't control injuries
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
well
thats just like your opinion man
by TR MacReady on Jan 6, 2012 4:33 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Jerry?
WCG's Resident Nickelback and Boy Band fan
Also rated Worst WCG Blogger by Dr. Steven Schweickert's extensive "Total BR" (Blogger Rating)
"Oh Dilfer, give me the strength...
to be as bad a WCG Contributor as you are an announcer/authority on anything. Peace be with you. " (JoetheBoss)
(blink blink)
…. Is there an opinion in there, or just random raging and “YOU IS STUPIS”?
Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!
by Steven Schweickert on Jan 6, 2012 7:08 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Bahaha. Accurate description.
"With all due respect, and I mean with ALL due respect...that idea ain't worth a velvet paintin' of a whale and a dolphin gettin' it on."
by CurtisEnisFan on Jan 6, 2012 7:10 PM CST up reply actions
all right, that's it I'm done here
My last post
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
Wasn't directed at you.
Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!
by Steven Schweickert on Jan 6, 2012 10:29 PM CST up reply actions
do people know how to reply?
And how to follow a comment thread up?
When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jan 7, 2012 12:02 AM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
I used to wish snarky comments were aimed at me...
then I became the worst rated blogger and its pure joy
WCG's Resident Nickelback and Boy Band fan
Also rated Worst WCG Blogger by Dr. Steven Schweickert's extensive "Total BR" (Blogger Rating)
"Oh Dilfer, give me the strength...
to be as bad a WCG Contributor as you are an announcer/authority on anything. Peace be with you. " (JoetheBoss)
Yeah what is the answer Genius Boy???
You seem to be so sure that others are idiots??
Hoping that Peppers does the belt dance over Rodgers crumpled on the turf
I was ok with lovie staying at first
but i’m not so sure now. we will see on who their "passing coach’ is and who we bring in for GM.
yeah I 'll admit I don't know much about the guys they're considering for that role
Anyone who’s worked with Jay in the past would have an edge, I would think.
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
Adrian Lewis
He’s our man.
Being a meatball not only makes me delicious, but it also makes me all warm inside.
by Suffering from Chicago Sports on Jan 6, 2012 4:21 PM CST reply actions
In all honesty, I don't believe we fans should have expected a big name to take over as GM
However, it doesn’t mean that whomever we hire won’t be a good GM. Ted Phillips did the right thing and terminated Jerry Angelo. He is now on a mission to bring in the right guy. And, there is no telling as to whether or not both McKenzie as well as Decosta become great GMs. Hindsight is 20/20, afterall.
I just have a feeling Ted will shock us all and hire the right man for the job that is not named Ruskell. I have a gut feeling they will make an extremely hard push for Les Snead, a guy they’ve wanted all the long. And I don’t blame them, with him on their staff he has slowly built up a playoff contending team. Great signings and draft picks include Matt Ryan, Tony Gonzalez, Tyson Claybo, Justin Blackmon,Roddy White, Julio Jones, John Abraham, Michael Turner, Brent Grimes, Dunta Robinson, and Sean Weatherspoon amongst others. He has built a great team that consistantly contends for their division as well as the playoffs yearly. Its going to take time, but I am certain they will make the right hire.
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 6, 2012 4:26 PM CST reply actions
Justin Blackmon Justin Blalock
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 6, 2012 4:27 PM CST up reply actions
i have to admit...Blackmon, White, and Julio on one team is absolutely scary.
only the eagles have the CBs to dream about matching up with that trio. wow.
you're right that ATL team is very talented
Can we interview soon or do we have to wait til they’re out of the playoffs??
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
Well we have to wait till next week, at the least
The Falcons play on Sunday. I do know that the Rams have an appointment set up with him first, so we will have to wait and see. Btw does anyone know if the Bears have put in a request to interview Snead yet?
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 6, 2012 4:32 PM CST up reply actions
that I don't know but I saw your fanshot about one of the guys from PHI interviewing here
Is he a possibility as well?
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
He is by far the most inexperianced candidate out there
However, he has a rather impressive resume, considering it was brief. He was a member of the front office that built what ultimately became the Greatest Show on Turf in St. Louis. He did a great deals of scouting for them, and the list of players acquired in his time is remarkable to say the least. He served with the Rams through both of their Super Bowl years.
Then in Philly, he was a key contributor in the builing of the 2004 NFC Champion Eagles. And just last year as DPP, he brought in perhaps the best and most published FA class in years. His recent drafts have been full of talent as well. So, all and all, he is the most inexperianced, yet appears to be one of the most ambitious and aggressive candidates out there, and that is someone the Bears need to take over as the GM.
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 6, 2012 4:42 PM CST up reply actions
couldn't agree more he definitely sounds like a good candidate
"i'd like to see us draft an owner." Jim McMahon, 1986
"We had the 80's, and Michael had the 90's." Otis Wilson
"What did I do wrong? They won two championships in this town in 50 years. I played on one and coached the other one. I'll go somewhere and apologize, but you'll have to tell me where and who to." Mike Ditka, 2005
Yeah, you've sold me on both Snead and Grigson
I hope you are right about this hard push for Snead.
"With all due respect, and I mean with ALL due respect...that idea ain't worth a velvet paintin' of a whale and a dolphin gettin' it on."
by CurtisEnisFan on Jan 6, 2012 6:05 PM CST up reply actions
THE MAN
I like everybody else are waiting to see the franchise next move. i think like previously stated by other fans think George has quietly given Lovie another year.T his does make sense in two parts 1 he can work out his contract and 2 we would be in rebuild mode when Lovies gone, and George knows we are just so close to winning everything
Well written, thought out piece SH.
It’s an intriguing dilemma for the McCaskeys:
By all accounts, Phillip’s job is to keep the McCaskey’s piggy bank bustling. And he’s done that well. The Bears are a really profitable franchise.
Clearly, this factor is tempered by the mediocrity they see on the field, and the 4 losses in one year that is surely felt by a family raised on a healthy Packer hatred.
"With all due respect, and I mean with ALL due respect...that idea ain't worth a velvet paintin' of a whale and a dolphin gettin' it on."
I think it's understood...
…that Ted Philips is on a short leash now. one slip-up and he will be relieved.
I tend to agree...
I think these changes are more cosmetic than anything else. I fully expect the Bears to underachieve for yet another year and instead of just firing Lovie (and Phillips) they will sacrifice Mike Tice or the “passing coordinator”. IMO, Until the McCaskeys sell the Bears, this will not ever change.
There's a fine line between stupid...and clever!
For those worried about the Mike Tice promotion regarding our situation with the WR corps
When asked about the status or the receiving corps, he first goes into saying how they need to protect Jay Cutler better. But then, he says this:
With that said, if we’re going to be like that, we do need a [wide receiver] that when he gets one-on-one coverage he has to win way more than he loses.
Looks like even Mike Tice knows the Bears must seek and bring in a good WR at some point in the offseason, most likely from FA after the reports John Mullin typed earlier this week. Also, it will not be a complete overhall of the system, rather:
We’re going to call things the way we’ve called them for the most part. I just think you’ll see a little bit different personality
All of this I found in just one section of the interview chicagobears.com had with Mike Tice after he received the title as OC earlier today.
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 6, 2012 6:41 PM CST reply actions
lets hope none of the above is the answer
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
I suspect none of them will be the answer
If I had to be on what will happen, then Earl Bennett will man one of the starting positions, Dane Sanzenbacher takes over at the slot, and the other primary starter adjacent to Earl Bennett will come through FA.
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 7, 2012 9:17 AM CST up reply actions
that is why I keep saying we need 2 WR from F/A
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
Ehh I don't we need both to be FA
Sign one from FA, then draft another talented player like Kendall Wright from Baylor
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 7, 2012 10:30 AM CST up reply actions
Need? Maybe not but it would be preferable though
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 Jan 7, 2012 10:53 AM CST up reply actions
I would rather spend the money
than give up all of our draft picks to get a rookie that could contribute his first year.
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
I would have preferred to see Phillips gone as well
But I just don’t see that happening unless the next GM hire flames out (which I don’t want). Regardless, thanks for referencing my know useless article from earlier, lol.
If its free, take two.
It's not useless
But I couldn’t think of the right word. Haha.
Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.
Formerly GallopingGhost
by Sam Householder on Jan 7, 2012 3:44 PM CST up reply actions
Being Ted Phillips
(I thought that comment title would be better than “In defense of Ted Phillips”)
Okay, so Ted Phillips is a ‘bean counter’. So what? He’s the team President. As far as football-related duties, he only has one job: to hire the GM. And as far as bean-counters go, he’s got a good resume. He’s been with the Bears since 1983 and he as a Masters in Marketing and Management from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University.
When he took over the duties as President in 1999, the Bears and their front office were in a shambles. The Bears had been to the playoffs only once since Ditka was sacked and the talent on the team was complete crap. Michael McCaskey was generally screwing up everything in sight, including the Bears’ relationship with the City of Chicago pertaining to a new stadium. Some folks may not remember that the Bears didn’t even HAVE a GM back then.
During his tenure the Bears have won 4 NFC Central/North titles, made the Super Bowl, and they were finally able to build the new stadium after years of chilly dealings with Mayor Daley. We all know the benefits and flaws of Soldier Field now – the new stadium isn’t perfect, but it was the only solution possible if the Bears wished to stay in that exact location. And that didn’t even seem possible when Phillips took over. I thought it would be another few decades of decaying concrete and peeing in a trough, or moving the team to Schaumburg.
And Phillips finally hired a real GM, the Bears first since Jerry Vainisi. Jerry Angelo may not have been perfect, but he was better than Mark Hatley, Rod Graves, Michael McCaskey, and no GM whatsoever. Sure, Phillips hired a consulting firm to find Angelo, and he isn’t employing the same strategy now. I assumed this was simply because he was inexperienced in 2001, and he knew this; while after 13 years on the job, he should have gained quite a bit more knowledge and many more professional NFL connections.
If I have a problem with Ted Phillips, it’s the general perception that the Bears are the most under-utilized sports brand, as detailed in that famous Forbes article earlier this year. That is a legitimate beef as well, and it’s part of his empire, as far as I know. The OL and WR problems were in Jerry Angelo’s domain.
The football-related decisions that relate to on-the-field performance are made by the General Manager. I only want Ted Phillips to be savvy enough to hire a good GM, yet smart enough to know that he doesn’t know football from a locker-room perspective.
As for the McCaskeys needing to sell the team in order to win – nobody really knows if this is true. The Steelers and Rooneys went from 1979-2005 without a title. Everyone’s hot for Green Bay now, but they had one title between Lombardi and last year – same as the Bears. There was a time when nobody though Tom Benson could win a Super Bowl. Mark Davis just hired Reggie McKenzie – but does that mean they’ll win it all for the first time in 30 years?
To be honest, I don’t know if Ted Phillips is the right person for the job, any more than I know if Jed York is a good team president for the 49ers. But I do know that the Bears are better today than the day he took over, by a country mile.
by Sweetness Lives On on Jan 6, 2012 6:59 PM CST reply actions 4 recs
There's always more way than one to look at something
and this is actually a very well written post, my compliments.
You're never a loser until you quit trying - MIke Ditka
Good call
Turn that into a fanpost.
If its free, take two.
by T.J. Shouse on Jan 6, 2012 7:48 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
Better is good
But they’re still third in their division, which tells me they’re falling way behind. Why accept mediocrity in footballs’ second biggest market?
"I'm sore and I'm pissed off. I'm a baller. I want to feel the leather. I love thumb wars. 6-8 weeks? 6. follow me for healing, Jay Cutler does" - Jaysthumb twitter acct
by propheteer on Jan 6, 2012 7:56 PM CST via iPhone app up reply actions
This team would have at least been #2 in the division if the injury bug didn't strike the Bears
This team ain’t far off. Add the final piece to the puzzle, and this team is in the Super Bowl.
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 6, 2012 8:08 PM CST up reply actions
Spoken like a true Wannstedtian......
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
Ouch...
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 6, 2012 9:16 PM CST up reply actions
Sorry but the whole "Pieces are in place" reference was too much to resist.
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
Even though it was a correct assessment of this team? ;)
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 6, 2012 9:43 PM CST up reply actions
(OT and WR) pieces...
"With all due respect, and I mean with ALL due respect...that idea ain't worth a velvet paintin' of a whale and a dolphin gettin' it on."
by CurtisEnisFan on Jan 7, 2012 10:52 AM CST up reply actions
I've never been a fan of Phillips because he has always struck me as a puppet for the McCaskey's rather than someone
who is creative (obviously, there is no way for any of us to know that for sure, just perception) and doesn’t come off as a leader. Also, the fact that he’s decided to steal Sarah Palin’s glasses for the press conference is a concern, but I digress…..
You’ve written a really good piece here and it’s caused me to rethink Ted’s role in this whole thing. Let me throw out another possible strategy based on the events of the last few days.
What if the master plan is to go something like this…
The Bears go through a monumental collapse and while Cutler’s injury was a huge problem, it became apparent that the bigger issue was the lack of depth and the poor choices that caused this team to drop like a stone. Ownership was embarassed by it and something had to be done. Get rid of Angelo, the artichetect, and eat 2 years of his contract but they weren’t going to also eat 2 years of Lovie’s at the same time. Satisfy the fan base even more by dumping Martz but they still had to give the impression that they’re in it to win it one more year so make it sound like they’re committed to giving Lovie what he wants by promoting Tice.
He probably was relatively cheap and not a lot of extra time commitment (saving some of the money they ate from Angelo), they’ll bring in a “passing coordinator” who will probably be a lot less expensive than the departed Martz (again cutting into the lost money from Angelo, making that still more financially sound). They leak stories about MacKenzie and DeCosta probably knowing there was little chance for either of them and making the splash they made by saying Lovie was basically untouchable, they subliminaly knock out any really strong GM candidates.
Now, they end up “selling” us on Ruskell because of the continuity and ability to work with Lovie…blah, blah….
This puts the Bears in a very interesting position because if they sign a few FA’s that succeed and a draft pick or two who can have an immediate impact, there is a chance they can make the playoffs next year and Ted McCaskey looks like a genius. If they miss the playoffs, they can completely clean house next year and they’ve mitigated the “loss” of the Angelo salary, there aren’t any significant contract extensions at that point that they have to eat, and they’ve satisfied both fan bases. The Lovie supporters had their man get his “richly deserved” last chance and the Lovie haters are doing cartwheels because he and all remnants of his reign are gone.
So that’s my prediction for the GM, it will be a guy we already have on staff because, despite what George McCaskey claims, it is about money and this is the least expensive way to go over the next year while giving the impression that they tried to make changes. Afterall, they went after the hottest candidates for the GM spot so settling for an outsider they don’t know doesn’t make sense when Ruskell and Lovie will be portrayed to be joined and the hip and nobody wants to see Jay regress so Tice will give us that protection we’ve been screaming about for 3 years. And, like I said, if/when it fails they blow it up and their financial losses are minimal.
Pretty ingenious when you think about it.
That is certainly a good conspiracy theory
However, if it truly was all about money with them, they wouldn’t have fired Jerry Angelo in the first place. Not one time do I recall the McCaskeys ever willing to fire anyone especially a member of the front office who has more than 1 year left on their contract. And, controversially, they have been busy setting up appointments with members of playoff teams. Generally, the Bears will not be granted position until said team is done with the playoffs. And, they’re busy looking at other quality candidates. If Ruskell was to take over as GM, he would have already done so by now.
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 7, 2012 9:42 AM CST up reply actions
They fired Angelo and Martz because it was the cheapest way to let the fanbase feel like there were sweeping changes
being made now. They couldn’t afford to stand pat without risking the same apathy the fans were starting to show a few years ago when they missed the playoffs 2 years in a row and they brought Cutler to town. On the surface, a huge financial outlay but they gave up draft choices they didn’t have to sign and Orton’s contract. The larger “cost savings” though was no investment in the surrounding players (WR’s, OL, and RB – hence the Forte contract situation, he’s very cheap). They’ve also stayed under the cap number by a lot this year so they’ve given us all these “changes” but the $$ shelled out for the overall team were not changed a whole lot.
In a way, I wouldn’t be adverse to things going down the way I outlined them because then it really would be win next year or clean house. Ether way the fans would be winners in that scenario.
Hmm...interesting
Doesn’t mean I’m a believer, but it’s interesting.
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 7, 2012 10:32 AM CST up reply actions
Not saying I'm a believer either but Sweetness Lives On post got me thinking
and when you look at the way things are going on the surface, they seem to be such a cluster**** that it makes me think that nobody can be this inept. The alternative, therefore, is they’re a lot smarter than any of us give them credit for.
Since we’re out of the playoffs….again….it’s just food for thought until FA/Draft season comes around.
Never attribute to conspiracy what can be explained by sheer stupidity
;-)
by Sweetness Lives On on Jan 7, 2012 10:42 AM CST up reply actions
Them
I’m not talking about ‘conspiracy theorists’, but the elements of the conspiracy itself.
by Sweetness Lives On on Jan 7, 2012 10:55 AM CST up reply actions
If the Bears promote Ruskell to GM, then I'll be willing to grant your theory some credence
But right now, I don’t buy it, simply because these were exactly the changes that I thought should be made. Not necessarily Martz, but definitely Angelo.
As far as team president, I simply don’t know enough about the off-the-field dealings of the NFL to know if Phillips is good or bad, or somewhere in between. I can only surmise from what I’ve seen that the position is equal parts football decision-maker, negotiator, businessperson, community outreach facilitator and figurehead. And the main football-related decisions are to hire a GM, and to review the performance of that GM on a regular basis. And in most of these areas, I think Phillips has generally been better than worse. He did bring legitimacy back to the franchise from the condition it was in during the late 1990s.
We all know the old adage – you’re never as good as your last victory nor as bad as your last loss. My opinion is that the Bears are closer to the Super Bowl than to competing for the top draft pick in the NFL. I didn’t see any reason to scuttle the ship at this point. But the lack of depth at QB, the BCS-quality WR corps, and the complete lack of development of the OL (including only 3 first-day draft picks during his tenure) led to my belief that Angelo needed to be replaced.
My feeling was that Lovie should be retained, and the new GM should then make the final decision on the HC. But we’ve seen that Reggie McKenzie accepted the Oakland job with Hue Jackson in tow, who has just as much power in the Raiders organization as Lovie without even close to as much success, so it’s unlikely that one year of guaranteed Lovie would scare away any good candidate. (Whether McKenzie wouldn’t accept the Chicago job because he wouldn’t want to fire Lovie in the future is a different matter, but one which only pertains to this particular candidate.)
But I don’t believe that McKenzie and DeCosta were floated as candidates simply to appease the masses. To be honest, even though folks here on WCG are well-informed, after skimming the Chicago Bears Facebook comments for some time I don’t think that the vast majority of Bears fans would know McKenzie, DeCosta or Sundquist from the 3 stooges.
by Sweetness Lives On on Jan 7, 2012 10:41 AM CST up reply actions
Don't you see? That's the evil genius about the whole thing!!!
But right now, I don’t buy it, simply because these were exactly the changes that I thought should be made
This is probably what the German’s said after Hitler made his first speech….obviously, they said it in German and were saluting at the time….but you get my point.
Making a good decision is a bad decision, because it was an obvious decision?
Leaving out the comment about 1930’s Germany…..
The conspiracy angle is actually counter-intuitive, because the fans most likely to fully understand the ramifications of front-office changes are also most likely to remain fans through thick and thin.
I was a Bears fan growing up, watching Walter Payton his rookie season, and I went to four games during the 1985 season, during high school. But I couldn’t have picked Jerry Vainisi nor Jim Finks out of a lineup at the time. I knew Ditka, and Buddy Ryan only when he became a viable head-coaching candidate.
Sure, the internet has caused a proliferation of detailed information throughout society. But the folks who understand the positives and negatives of retaining Ted Phillips while sacking Jerry Angelo are already died-in-the-wool fans of an NFL team, and aren’t likely to switch allegiances because Lovie Smith kept his job. And those fans who are casual, young, or may be prone to change teams, would recognize a firing of Lovie Smith as a much greater change than a GM or OC.
Therefore, I don’t believe that making these moves for the ‘fanbase’ will have much effect on how either true fans or casual fans view the ballclub, nor change how much monetary support the fanbase gives to the Bears. And I do think that George McCaskey and Ted Phillips are smart enough to pick up on this fact. They made changes because they believed the changes would bring the Bears closer to winning the Super Bowl, which would then trigger the largest possible effect on the fanbase.
by Sweetness Lives On on Jan 7, 2012 11:25 AM CST up reply actions
You're being way too serious about my "conspiracy" I just threw it out there for food for thought and an attempt at humor.
I’ve been a fan since listening to the ’63 Championship on the radio because there were still TV blackouts in the host city at that time, so I think I have a pretty good handle on Bear history.
My point is this, fan apathy that eventually came about during the Jim Dooley era (where Channel 2, the local station had to buy out seats so games could be televised), then again with Neil Armstrong (causing the very controversial choice of Ditka by Halas which was contrary to what Jim Finks wanted and led to his eventual “resigning”), then again with both Wanny and Jauron caused the McCaskey’s and the city, because of the Soldier Field deal, to see less revenue from fan interest and slow down in Bear “stuff” sales. When you’re an organization whose only revenue is generated by the team (TV, Gate, Concessions, Apparel, etc.) apathy has an effect that other teams can live with. These people can’t and shouldn’t.
My “theory” wasn’t necessarily meant to portray them as skinflints as much as it was to show that they have to be more fiscally responsible when it comes to the Bears than say a Jerry Jones or Daniel Snyder who’s primary source of income is from things outside of their teams.
As I indicated, if anything I came up with is even close to the truth, I wouldn’t necessarily be disappointed because it would show a decent longer term strategy to keep fan interest at a peak, possibly help the team for next season, and worst case, put them in a position next season to completely clean house and really build the team the way George McCaskey wants to do it. And I agree that they want to win the Super Bowl because that would ultimately generate the most revenue for the family. If you look at any posts I’ve ever written about them, I’ve never subscribed to the theory that they don’t want to win. I don’t think they’re very good at running a team and they let personal relationships stand in the way of good decisions at time, but I’ve never questioned the McCaskey’s desire to put a winning team on the field.
Gotcha
And my reply wasn’t trying to compare the size of my fandom to yours…it was to illustrate that even fairly knowledgeable fans in any sport often don’t know a great deal about what happens off the field or outside of the borders of their TV (or video monitor, as the case may be).
by Sweetness Lives On on Jan 7, 2012 12:24 PM CST up reply actions
But why trust Ruskell
A general failure of a GM to bring in the missing pieces in a make or break year as you claim?
Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.
Formerly GallopingGhost
by Sam Householder on Jan 7, 2012 4:04 PM CST up reply actions
First, it's not a claim, just a theory
If he was that much of a failure, why is he still in consideration or even considered in the first place? If all he amounts to is a Angelo disciple, then why didn’t they dump him the same way they dumped the QB coach when they got rid of Martz. Success or failure of GM’s, Coaches, Coordinators can be attributed to a lot of things that aren’t necessarily just their doing. I’m not a fan of Ruskell myself but he seems to get along with Lovie and that was a “must have” according to Phillips at the press conference and as I said, he would be a relatively inexpensive choice who at least has experience at the job.
As far as trusting him, couldn’t you say the same thing about Lovie? He’s gone through 3 OC’s since he’s been here and they were all his choices, yet they’re trusting him to make that move again. His history now also tells you he can’t get them to the playoffs more than once every 5 years so why should they trust that he’ll do that this coming season?
Again, I’m just throwing this out there as a theory as to why the moves seem questionable on the surface to this point.
Nice rebuttal
Good points all around. I gotta say I never thought about it that way. I hope bigger and even better things are on the way other than the last 11 years. There is a good chance that Phillips can get it right, no doubt.
And you certainly make a good point, Phillips was mostly brought in to be a buffer between Michael and the on-field product.
Jay Cutler is still my quarterback.
Formerly GallopingGhost
by Sam Householder on Jan 7, 2012 3:54 PM CST up reply actions
And that took a lot of guts by Virginia McCaskey
She basically put the smack-down (i.e. demoted) her own son by removing him from the day-to-day operations of the ballclub, the first time in team history this control was put in the hands of someone outside the family. It was basically in response to the Dave McGinnis non-hiring fustercluck, precipitated by the infamous early press conference.
As a side note, the Bears were reportedly given permission to interview Jets DC Bill Belichik at that time, but never followed through. Sigh.
by Sweetness Lives On on Jan 7, 2012 5:34 PM CST up reply actions
The Problem is that the Bears Want to keep The Coaches Instead of a Clean Sweep
DaCosta might have taken the job if the conditions were right meaning he had full control over who to hire as HC and everything else. As it stands the new GM: has to accept Lovie as HC, has to keep Ruskell on staff, etc.
or maybe the Ravens are not going to let DeCosta out of his contract
much like the Bears didn’t let Tice out of his contract last year to interview for the OC job of the Titans.
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
DeCosta is Newsome's
Heir apparent. He’s been wooed for GM jobs in the past and turned them down.
If its free, take two.
by T.J. Shouse on Jan 6, 2012 10:45 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
Hello Bears fans
I recently saw how Angelo got fired and Martz resigned. I assumed that the brass would want a different o-coordinator that had a scheme that was better suited for the talent provided. I didn’t see the Mike Tice promotion coming nor do I really understand the logic. What did Mike Tice ever do to warrant a promotion like that? Lovie likes to promote his staff and they kept Smith aboard but fired Angelo, the gm who acquired the highly talented roster that went to the 2007 superbowl and had major success. I think they should’ve kept Angelo, honestly.
The Lions also fired Mike Martz in 2008 and promoted their then offensive line coach in Jim Coletto, who also tried to keep the same scheme as Martz’s but tweak it to better fit the roster and run the ball more. He too, had a passing game coordinator to assist him as he coaches the offensive line and calls the plays.
We went 0-16 and had one of the worst offenses in the history of the NFL that year.
Now, the Bears roster is way more talented than that 08’ winless Detroit team, but the fact of the matter is more and more I look at the Bears team now, the more I see of those dreaded 06-08’ seasons with Marinelli. Martz getting fired and the offensive line coach gets promoted and the offensive players turn on the coordinator mid-season. It looks a lot like those teams.
They should’ve kept Angelo and Martz and draft or buy some legit recievers like Green Bay or Detroit has. That’s really all Chicago has lacked recently. They got Cutler, a stout defense, a great back in Forte, special teams (literally), and a good coach. All they needed was more deadly pass catchers and they would be in the playoffs with Green Bay and Detroit.
I know I’m not a Bears fan, but I try keep in touch with you guys from time to time because I think you fun to talk to. I dont think your team will be as bad as any of those Millen teams, but its just weird to be on the other side of all of that and see virtually the same situation happen all over again with almost the same people. You think people would’ve seen that happen and do everything they could to prevent it from happening to them.
Good luck finding a new GM. The Bears were unfortunate this year to be hit with the injury bug right when they were rolling. Their offense was clicking, defense was as good as usual, and special teams was special. Had Cutler/Forte not’ve gotten injured, the Bears, not the Falcons would be the 5th seed with a 11-5 record and they would be traveling to New York and Angelo and Martz would still be in Chicago. The Bears are a good team and have been since 2005, why fix something that isn’t broke?
From 0-16 to the Superbowl baby!
by DLions4Eva on Jan 7, 2012 1:56 AM CST via mobile reply actions
Good perspective
I didn’t know about the similar adjustment the Lions made after Martz left, but it does leave me a bit uneasy. The easiest way to describe Angelo leaving is that his success or failure was debatable, but it was time for a change to see if a new perspective from the GM spot could help us do well in the next few years.
If its free, take two.
It takes a Lions fan to speak the truth to the Bears fans.
My read is that the new McCaskey (aka TNM – why bother to learn to tell the mouth breathers apart?) has been on the job for six months and has decided he and Teddy boy know more about football than Jerry Angelo. The Bears had issues this year but have some very good players and would be far better off finding a top WR in free agency, maybe another pass rusher and adding a CB, backup QB and swing tackle in the first three rounds of the draft. Address depth at safety and linebacker later on. I would suggest that this would result in a decent football team. If you want to win the Superbowl try to get in the dance every year as opposed to throwing your toys out of the pram when your team gets very badly timed injuries that scupper a season.
If Johnny Knox doesn’t fall down (or at least gets up in time to break up the pick) and Cutler doesn’t get injured pushing a DB out of bounds then the Bears probably make the playoffs this year. Martz may well have moved on because you do get the sense that everyone was sick of him but would Angelo have gotten the can? The whole thing smacks of only looking at the result and not caring about how the result happened. If anyone should get sacked it is the guy who has failed to teach the recievers to run routes and spot the hot read but Daryl Drake will keep his job because as the Bears keep assuring us, he is one of the top WR coaches in the league.
I think you're making too many unrelated comparisons, e.g. the coaching staff
There’s very little basis for comparison between Mike Tice and Jim Colletto, other than they happened to follow Mike Martz as an OC. Colletto’s record as a Head Coach is 38-80-4, for Cal State Fullerton and Purdue. Tice coached the Minnesota Vikings to a 32-33 record and a 31-17 playoff win in Lambeau Field (if I’m not mistaken, that was only the 2nd playoff loss at Lambeau in Packers’ history, the first being against the Falcons and Mike Vick two years earlier).
Furthermore, Tice played in the NFL for 14 seasons, while I can’t find any indication that Colletto played in the pros. When Colletto was promoted to OC, it was the highest level he’d ever achieved, for a HC that hadn’t had any success. That’s hardly the case with Tice, as you know. So there’s little foundation to believe that the Bears will turn against Mike Tice, at this point in time.
They should’ve kept Angelo and Martz and draft or buy some legit recievers like Green Bay or Detroit has. That’s really all Chicago has lacked recently. They got Cutler, a stout defense, a great back in Forte, special teams (literally), and a good coach. All they needed was more deadly pass catchers and they would be in the playoffs with Green Bay and Detroit.
With all due respect, you’re wrong. All the Bears needed was to remain healthy. They had progressed into a better ballclub than Detroit by the second time they played. The Bears would be in the playoffs but for Cutler’s thumb and Forte’s knee, even without ‘more deadly pass catchers’.
The Bears have needed a real offensive line, and an offensive gameplan that can protect Jay Cutler for long stretches, let alone an entire season. And they lacked any type of contingency plan in case Cutler got injured. Angelo only drafted 3 first-day offensive lineman in his 10 years at the helm. Being that Lovie’s expertise is defense, it made sense both to sack Angelo and to promote a former HC who Lovie sees eye-to-eye with to OC. Were they the best moves possible? I don’t know. But they were definitely understandable.
Will it work out? Who knows. But to say that history is repeating itself in the way you outlined is a little far-fetched, methinks.
by Sweetness Lives On on Jan 7, 2012 1:53 PM CST up reply actions
Not to be a Lovie apologist
But bringing in a new coach just sets this team farther back and the clock is ticking on urlacher, peppers, Briggs, Tillman. For everyone who wanted a new head coach, look no further than the 09 coaching class as a reason to keep continuity. 11 head coaches were hired, 8 have already been fired (with #9 coming in Jim Caldwell). Sure, sometimes teams get lucky and get a harbaugh or Sean Payton but more often than not new coaches are busts. Schefter wrote a pretty good article on head coaches and how reactionary we all are these days as far as having a win now approach to every season, but a lot of the coaches we consider legendary from our past did anything but win right away. So far I’m pretty happy with the offseason, they dumped Angelo, kept Lovie and promoted Tice who should be able to run a much more balanced offense and hopefully keep the majority of the terminology similar to what the players learned the last 2 years so guys like cutler won’t be learning yet another offense.
by lopey986 on Jan 7, 2012 7:25 AM CST via mobile reply actions
IT'S GEORGE MCCASKY & LOVIE-NOT PHILLIPS!!!
The McCaskey’s are indebted to Ted Phillips. He’s the one who closed the stadium deal when Michael McCaskey couldn’t get along with Boss Daley. He has made the McCaskey’s alot of $ through the years (primarily by increasing the value of the franchise). As long as he’s an obedient, loyal servant, he’s useful and will continue to reside at Halas Hall.
Phillips is not calling the shots-it’s McCaskey! Isn’t it strange that Phillips has been the CEO all these years but didn’t make these types of franchise changing decisions until George appeared? Make no mistake about it, George McCaskey is really running the show and obviously favors Lovie.
Mark my words, no self respecting GM candidate will come on board unless he’s willing to subjucate himself to Lovie. He may be given the GM title but functionally he’ll be reporting to both George and Lovie. Look for the Bears to sign one of the second tier talent evaluators ala Dorsey, Ross who will be satisfied not to be a real GM but to evaluate talent for Lovie.
Please meet the new Director of Football Operations reporting to George McCaskey only-Lovie Smith.
An employee who closes deals and increases the value of the franchise is useful and will continue to be employed?
Sheesh! What kind of business are they running, anyway?!?!?!
Mark my words, no self respecting GM candidate will come on board unless he’s willing to subjucate himself to Lovie.
Do you think that Reggie McKenzie is not a self-respecting person?
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/12/raiders-g-m-search-begins/
With the Raiders under Al Davis never using contracts for anyone in the front office, it’s unlikely that Jackson’s contract stipulates that he reported to anyone but Al Davis. The next question becomes whether Jackson’s contract contains language that would require him to report to a G.M. or some other employee who may be hired upon the passing of Al Davis. If not, the coach and the G.M. would have separate straight-line reporting obligations to Mark Davis.
I don’t know that this has been confirmed, but a good friend of mine who is a die-hard Raiders fan told me just last week that this was the situation. Hue Jackson has had much less success than Lovie Smith, he just threw his (defensive) players under the bus only last week, and he’s made some calls this season (like passing on a 4th down rather than running out the clock) which would cause Bears fans to tear out their hair.
by Sweetness Lives On on Jan 7, 2012 10:54 AM CST up reply actions
I don't think
retaining Lovie is the problem, so much as the symptom of the problem.
The problem is an organization without a strong voice from ownership. Ownership doesn’t seem to have a consistent viewpoint: sometimes, they come across as cheap old misers who don’t care about winning, and other times they are willing to make a splash. They don’t even listen to their own words as far as hierarchy: McCaskey said at the last conference that the owner hires the team president, who hires the GM, who hires the coach. Except now the team president and coach are hiring the GM.
So it’s no surprise that DeCosta turned down the GM job because of concerns over the power structure here, and over the owner’s reputation for frugality.
Ted Phillips HAS to be on something of a hot seat. The stadium, while nice on the inside, was an embarrassment for the city. He just fired a GM he extended. The team has one playoff berth in the last 5 years. A new GM is taking a risk that his boss, and then him, could be out in the next couple years. Add to that the Bears have a reputation, fair or not, for being cheap. Lastly, you have a coach forced on you who has complete control over his coordinator hires, and who has shown a disastrous tendency to hire by comfort level rather than football fit. So a new GM is coming into a situation without normal job security, and without some of the resources (money, complete personnel control, having some influence on coaching hires) that would give him a better chance for success.
Same goes for the OC. If Lovie doesn’t win, he and his new OC will be gone too. So AGAIN, prospective OCs are coming into a situation where if the team loses, through the fault of the coach or anything else, where they could be gone if they don’t win in the first year. So it’s no surprise that Tice is back.
And just as I predicted that nobody else would take the OC job and they’d give it to Tice, I predict nobody will take the GM job and they’ll end up giving it to Ruskell. And maybe that’s for the best, because in a year or two when this abomination blows up in their face, McCaskey and the Bears will make a true housecleaning, and we can get a real set of football people in here, from top to bottom.
With all of that being said...
if they can’t make it to the playoffs next season, McCaskey should clean house from Phillips on down. Hire people that show results..not, we are close to having a winning team or if only this wouldn’t have happened..no more excuses!!
Nothing like smash mouth football, baby!! May my blood run orange and navy blue forever!!
Lovie Had To Stay
I’m not really sure why a lotsa people don’t get this. The main factor in this is that the Bear’s players love them some Lovie. Briggs came out and plainly said not to break up a championship team. I actually think that’s true, if zBears can keep Cutler healthy for a season.
Urlacher wil be back, Peppers has not slowed even a little bit. The Bear’s defense still plays fast and furious. Just give Cutler a Vincent Jackson type receiver and we can race with all the horses in the NFC North. We still have about 3 potential HOFs on our team. We need another really offensive, offensive lineman, to go with the big receiver and another linebacker and we are right back in the game that leads to the playoffs. We can do this with a smart GM, some free agent pickups and a good draft.
From week 5 to week 10 we were arguably the best team in the league. We have to give our QB the kind of protection that Green Bay gives theirs. And about half the receivers they have and we will win this division. And mebbe the whole rock.
by Corncob Justice on Jan 7, 2012 11:52 PM CST reply actions
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