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SI's King: Bears make sense for Shanahan

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mikeshanahan-ap.JPGSI.com reports: Sports Illustrated's NFL columnist Pete King expects Mike Shanahan to wind up with the Redskins, but cites the Bears as the one other team that makes sense for the former Broncos coach.

"The Bears (21-26 since Super Bowl Sunday 2007, with no playoff wins) have been an abominable disappointment this season, and they lost their eighth game in the past 10 Sunday at Baltimore." King writes. "The Jay Cutler trade, an abject failure. The offense, pathetic. Does it make sense to clean house, or just to fire the offensive staff? Something will be done, and watch Shanahan. He won't make any commitment until he knows which way the wind is blowing in Chicago -- unless he absolutely has to. Meaning that he'll keep his options open until given an ultimatum by a team."

Get the full story: SI.com

Photo: Former Broncos coach Mike Shanahan is a top candidate for the Redskins job. (Matt Sullivan/AP)

4 Comments

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i dont know about getting cowher, didnt it take him over 10 seasons before he won a super bowl remember the Kordell days, neil odonell(sp), etc they didnt win till they got big ben, before that they were always 1 or 2 and done in the playoffs, are we as fans willing to wait that long again?

Shannahan is fine, but i think if they go after a coach it should be the titans Off coordinator.......

Shanahan's record without John Elway: Average 9-7.

Shanahan's record with The JayBaby: Average 8-8.

Since you paid millions to a career loser QB, I guess another $7M a year for "The Mastermind" makes sense.

Shanahan seems like a good fit for the bears. He's got history with Cutler. But to be honest, I'm not sure what will fix the bears at this point. Cowher's a great coach, but the Steeler's debacle this year makes me wonder. That was all about polomalu. I really believe that if polomalu was healthy, PIT is going to the playoffs contending again. So which is it -the players or the coaches that bears more responsibility? Just disappointed. And if money's really not the issue, we need to do some house cleaning and just hope that some of the new personnel will stick.

I get such a kick out of how stupid the average Dumerican is. Example:

Mike on December 22, 2009 5:01 AM

two words: COWHER DEFENCE
...thats what the BEARS need!

Two words -- and you spelled fifty percent of 'em WRONG!!!

two words: COWHER DEFENCE
...thats what the BEARS need!

Ron Rivera might be a good choice to, if money is an issue. He may have taken too much of the blame after the Super Bowl loss. Even if he is not the coach his input would be valued.

I don't think the Bears can afford to wait and loose out on both Mike Shanahan and Bill Cowher.

He and Jay Cutler were a lethal 1-2 combo allright. Lethal to the Bronco's drives. Nothing like a pick in the red zone to kill a long drive.

Shanahan? Really? The coach who had only ONE playoff win in his last ten years? The coach who chose Brian Griese to be his qb of the future and the heir-apparent to John Elway? The offensive 'mastermind' who designed a heck of an offense but then would make enough bonehead decisions to make you think he was Jay Cutler's father? The coach who signed or traded for more criminals and suspended players than any team other than Cincy? Please, focus you efforts on the best possible coach. Cowher.

Mike Shanahan coming to Chicago is the PERFECT coach for the job. He's got the resume and let's remember that there are no coaches available out there who has 2 SuperBowl Championships. And yes he had John Elway but he also had Terrell Davis who was the key to those Championships. And Terrell Davis was drafted in the 6th round by COACH MIKE SHANAHAN. Pro Bowl WR Brandon Marshall was also drafted by Coach Shanahan in the 4th round 2006. So coach Shanahan knows how to make great draft picks without having great draft position. He also knows how to build an "O" line and teach them to run block. The Broncos were down to their #7 RB last year due to injury and they STILL were able to run the ball with success. And of course he and Jay Cutler was a lethal 1-2 combo. IF the BEARS want to make the 09 off season MORE buzzworthy than 2008... GET MIKE SHANAHAN!!! Worst case scenario it will satisfy the fan base and won't be worse than this year. BEST case scenario, he comes in and changes the culture and puts the BEARS on the right track.

I would love to get Shanahan to come to Chicago! But if he does lets not blow next year all out of proportion (media) and think Superbowl. New coaching, new system. 2010 may be a learning and training year for the team. And if we have a winning year, well that will just be icing on the cake. Go Bears!

I agree.

broncobilly on December 21, 2009 5:18 PM

But at least you guys didn't get embarrassed by Oakland. What a nightmare that was...wer'e cooked.

Bubba Bubbinski on December 21, 2009 5:08 PM

Cowher will be the new Bears coach. Expect the defense to rise from the dead. The offense is another thing. There's nothing wrong with Cutler...he put up Pro Bowl numbers last year with a gimpy offensive line and NO running game. But he had great receivers and a good offensive coordinator.

broncobilly on December 21, 2009 4:56 PM


Shanny was dead meat after Elway retired. Look at the record. Cutler is a head case who can't be fixed. Face the music Bears fans, your team stinks and no one wants to coach it.

Der my name is Jacko and I can count to potato. You MIND as well stop reading this right now because it makes no sense.

Herp derp.

f off troll.

Pleeeeeze! Creighton is right, and the shareholders... Wake Up! Show us the Fans some Love and give Lovie and Co. The Pink Slip! With Angelo! Terrible simply Put!

Ron Rivera is the man for the job. We won with a nasty defense when he was in charge of it. We can win with him as head coach. Let's reel him in after the Chargers play in the Super Bowl.

I do believe Shanahan wants the job here in Chicago! He has worked with Cutler and has to believe he can get him back on track! The Redskins and Bears are in pretty bad shape but I believe Shanahan would prefer to work with Cutler over Campbell or a rookie QB! Coaches like Cowher and Shanahan want to be able to turn a organization around quick, not totally rebuild! There is some talent on the Bears roster even though we can't tell by their play this season!

Forget Shanahan. What about Holmgren? And why don't we get Ron Rivera back? Ever since he left town, it's been a nose dive.

The BEARS better jump on getting Mike Shannahan before he's snapped up. Jerry Angelo should do one thing right by not waiting any longer, fire Lovie and turn right around and hire Shannhan. Then Angelo and Phillips should do the right thing and both resign before Mrs Virginia McCaskey has to . .

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