2013 Bears

[Dan Michler]

I'm not sure how Devin Hester's retirement threat is making headlines.  I thought the Bears might cut him after the season anyways?  He averaged 8.3 yds per punt return and had 242 receiving yards.  I'm not sure what we're paying for with him.  Him threatening to retire in response to Lovie's firing is just laughable.  Maybe he's trying to use some reverse psychology?  He's just not very bright.

Tom, I'm going to agree with Schimo, the Packers did not look great on Sunday.  That was a big loss.  And I think the MVP vote is going to be close between AP and Peyton Manning.

[CEValkyrie]

If Hester is back as a WR I'd be shocked. Any decent offensive minded coach would be out of his mind to keep this guy on the field. I'm looking forward to a fresh start.

[jasonc]

While I'd like to believe that Emery can and should make the call to fire Lovie, he is due $5,000,000 next year.  Historically, the McCaskeys have not been willing to pay someone to do nothing.  Also, mama bear Virginia loves Lovie. 

Now the Bears have fired their last 2 head coaches with 1 year remaining on their deal.  Historically, that is what they seem to do.

I think the Saints already locked up Payton to a new contract Tom.  $8M/year.  I'm interested to see who Emery goes with.

Yesterday morning ESPN ran this piece called "Safe or Out" where Jaworski and Hodge let everyone know which coaches were safe and which were out.  They went through about 8 coaches and didn't even include Lovie Smith becaues thats how safe they apparently thought he was.  I thought that was really odd considering the rumors in Chicago have been swirling for months now.  Apparently the East Coast is the only thing that matters on ESPN.  They talked about Rex Ryan for about 5 minutes.

As I said previously, I am very happy to see that the Bears allowed Emery to do his job and look for a new Head Coach after too many years of settling for 8-8 or similar results.  Maybe the McCaskeys really did want Lovie gone, but didn't want a family member to publicly make the call??? 

Either way, it's good to see the Bears moving in a new direction.   

[Jon Brakel]

I hate reading and hearing about this from most of the usual sports outlets and their fans. I see so many calls for the return of Ditka. Not only is this never going to happen but he was the worst coach. The only good thing I can say about Ditka is that he picked good assistant and positional coaches.

[Chainmeister]

I am a much more casual football fan than many of you. However, last Sunday I sat down and watched football all afternoon.  I saw the Bears win a game because their opponent was lousy and their defense was generally good.  It was an overall boring game that held my interest only because the local heroes were fighting for a playoff spot.

I saw a very entertaining game between the Packers and Vikings.  I thought Rogers was tremendous and he almost willed his team to victory. However, he was beat by an unbelievable performance by Adrian Peterson.  The Bears would not have beaten either team based on their performance Sunday. Sure, they would have held Peterson to less yards but Vikings would still have scored more than enough to win a game against the listless Chicago offense.  I was disappointed when Green Bay lost but was satisfied that I had watched a good football game. 

Cutler is not as good as Aaron Rogers. Few are.  However, he is more than good enough to win if he had the NFL median offensive line.  He may have the strongest arm of any of them.  However, you can only use that strength if you have time to throw.  Lovie Smith had a lot of positives as a coach.  His players clearly feel very strongly about him. However, he had to be held accountable for the failure to deal with the offense.  It may be the GM's responsibility for getting players but the coaching staff still has to deal with the talent they have.  Even if they have a lower echelon offensive line they are still professionals and the coaching staff can still find ways to be somewhat effective and  help that talent reach whatever potential it has.  Is Gave Carimi really a bust or will a new regime make him at least adequate if not better?

As for the Packers...they are a flawed and hurt team. However, I would never count Rogers out of any game.  They can flame out and lose again to the Vikings. They could also win it all. I don't see any great teams, I see a lot of good teams.The playoffs should be interesting.  I don't see any real favorites but I have not seen enough of New England to form am opinion about them.

Of course what do I know. I am more of a baseball fan.

[jasonc]

I hate reading and hearing about this from most of the usual sports outlets and their fans. I see so many calls for the return of Ditka. Not only is this never going to happen but he was the worst coach. The only good thing I can say about Ditka is that he picked good assistant and positional coaches.

I have not seen or heard about any serious calls for Ditka to return.  Anyone who actually wants to see that happen is a moron. 

Maybe Lovie should have allowed Ditka to pick his coordinators and assistant coaches?  That seemed to be Lovie's major flaw, at least for the Offense. 

[Dan Michler]

I hate reading and hearing about this from most of the usual sports outlets and their fans. I see so many calls for the return of Ditka. Not only is this never going to happen but he was the worst coach. The only good thing I can say about Ditka is that he picked good assistant and positional coaches.

Ha, its funny to think about.  I think any coach would have been successful with the defensive talent the Bears had in the 80's.  Buddy Ryan left for Philly after the 1985 season, and the Bears went 14-2 and allowed even fewer points the following season.  Most any defensive scheme will work when you have that kind of talent to execute the plan.  I think its more complicated to run a good offense and call the right plays.  Hopefully the Bears get the right guy this time around.

The only serious rumors I have heard were about the Bears interviewing the GB and DEN offensive coordinators.  Unfortunately, neither would come with Peyton Manning or Aaron Rodgers as a package deal   

[pdga#7648]

I would like to say this about Ditka. He tells us every Sunday whats wrong with the Bears, and 99% of the time he is correct. 7-1 to no playoffs, is worthy of being fired itself. Not trying to kick ya while your down guys, my team is watching just as well.

On a side note, I am glad 1 DIE HARD took my bet after the 7-1 start. Good ol Thor Batchelor took $50 saying the Bears would play in the NFC Championship game.           he actually said they would win but the bet was to just make it there.


Hope the Bulls aren't next behind the Bears and the Summer Slumpers!

[Jon Brakel]

Emery pointed out that there are three teams in the playoffs with worse offensive lines than the Bears. Its not just the O line. That's just the thing that's easiest to see. If it were only the line then I think the Bears would have beaten the Vikings and would be in the playoffs. I'm hoping the coaching refresh will turn it around for them.

[DiscGolfSchodt]

Well the Packers sure look like crap going into the playoffs, which is cool. No way Lovie is going to be back next year. I think that decision was made about 3 games ago whether the bears made the playoffs or not. Sean Payton PLEASE!!!

Crap?  Losing on a last second field goal on the road to the team with the league MVP isn't exactly crap. They may not make the Super Bowl, but they are one of the favorites going into the play-offs.

Last two seasons:
Aaron Rodgers 84 touchdowns 14 interceptions
Jay Cutler   32 touchdowns 21 interceptions

They made Christian Ponder look like an all pro. Good Luck with that. Who said Cutler was better that Rodgers?

[Dan Michler]

Emery pointed out that there are three teams in the playoffs with worse offensive lines than the Bears. Its not just the O line. That's just the thing that's easiest to see. If it were only the line then I think the Bears would have beaten the Vikings and would be in the playoffs. I'm hoping the coaching refresh will turn it around for them.

Who are the 3 teams with worse O lines than the Bears that are in the playoffs?  I'm not seeing it.  I think if you put an above average LT on that line and add a solid TE, everything else would look a lot better and our offense would have a chance to at least be average.  Those are the 2 spots I think Emery has to try and fill by any means necessary.  We'll also need some more depth at LB and in the secondary.  I don't think its a total rebuilding process for the Bears.  Fill a couple holes and get a competent OC in here and who knows what can happen.

[Jon Brakel]

Emery pointed out that there are three teams in the playoffs with worse offensive lines than the Bears. Its not just the O line. That's just the thing that's easiest to see. If it were only the line then I think the Bears would have beaten the Vikings and would be in the playoffs. I'm hoping the coaching refresh will turn it around for them.

Who are the 3 teams with worse O lines than the Bears that are in the playoffs?  I'm not seeing it.  I think if you put an above average LT on that line and add a solid TE, everything else would look a lot better and our offense would have a chance to at least be average.  Those are the 2 spots I think Emery has to try and fill by any means necessary.  We'll also need some more depth at LB and in the secondary.  I don't think its a total rebuilding process for the Bears.  Fill a couple holes and get a competent OC in here and who knows what can happen.

The audio clip I heard was not very long and he did not say on it what teams they were. His point was just that they needed to change more than just the offensive line. They needed a new head coach to begin with. I think they could have worked with this line better with different play calling and only starting receivers that can run a route.

[Tom McManus]

Any thoughts on the new coach of the Bears? 

[CEValkyrie]

Any thoughts on the new coach of the Bears? 

Really have no clue but the offense can't get worse can it?

[Clonan]

Any thoughts on the new coach of the Bears? 

Really have no clue but the offense can't get worse can it?

New O-Line coach is a good start. Welcome to Chicago, Aaron Kromer.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000127063/article/aaron-kromer-accepts-oc-role-with-chicago-bears

[pdga#7648]

Trestman coached in Canada and has some Grey Cups, but far from the NFL!!  good luck rebuilding! poor Chicago fans. always rebuilding terrible teams!

[Dan Michler]

From the little bit I've read about him, I don't know why anybody wouldn't be excited about having him as our coach.  He's worked in the NFL for many years and has a strong endorsement from some pretty high profile players.  Steve Young worked with him in San Fran and he called him a great offensive mind and a great playcaller, both things the Bears have sorely lacked.  And Steve Young of all people has certainly worked with his share of successful offensive coaches.

I think its a great hire.

[pdga#7648]

only time will tell. but honestly, Bruce Arians was great in Pittsburgh and did a fine job of filling in for Pagano in Indy. I think he would have been a great fit for Chicago. Trestman may be the guy, but there is a reason I'm sure to why he was in the CFL for years, and didn't have a job still with the NFL???

[Bruce Brakel]

Trestman may be the guy, but there is a reason I'm sure to why he was in the CFL for years, and didn't have a job still with the NFL???

Head coach, winning championships with a three-year contract to fulfill.  He was working in the NFL in the off-season as a quarterback trainer. 

[pdga#7648]

If he lets Cutler out of the pocket, they made the right choice!! Cutler to Marshall would be heard all year long if Jay would scramble. Just look at his TD's/INT's while in Denver out of the pocket! Cutler has 1 of the strongest arms in the NFL!