The Bears' offensive-coordinator search should begin and end with USC's Jeremey Bates, according to Michael Lombardi, a longtime NFL executive and an analyst for the NFL Network and Showtime's "Inside the NFL."Appearing Wednesday on "The Mully & Hanley Show" on WSCR-AM 670, Lombardi said Bates -- who worked with Jay Cutler in Denver as the Broncos' quarterbacks coach -- would do wonders for the Bears' QB.
"He is exactly what the Bears need right now because there is an element of toughness that he brings to the table," Lombardi said. "He is going to be able to get into the quarterback's head and he is going to be able to get into his mind. And the quarterback -- this is the key point now -- the quarterback accepts what he says as coaching."
Photo: Bears quarterback Jay Cutler worked with Jeremy Bates in Denver. (Tribune)
Cutler reportedly had a cool relationship with Ron Turner, who was relieved of his offensive-coordinator duties Monday.
"Like those two kids I have in college, the hardest part of being a parent was getting them to accept that what I was saying wasn't being critical, it was just trying to help them," said Lombardi, who directed personnel departments for the Raiders and Browns and also worked for the 49ers, Eagles and Broncos. "And that's the dynamic every coach must face because players historically don't want to hear the negativity. But if they embrace the negativity and they take it as coaching instead of criticism, now you are on your way. And ultimately that's what I think Jay Cutler does with Jeremy Bates.
"Does (Bates) tell him what he wants to hear? No way. I've watched it, I've seen it. I love Jay Cutler. I think Jay Cuter can win for him. However, I do know that he needs to be coached, and coaching done the right way is not being afraid of confrontation and telling a player when he is doing something wrong."
"Like those two kids I have in college, the hardest part of being a parent was getting them to accept that what I was saying wasn't being critical, it was just trying to help them," said Lombardi, who directed personnel departments for the Raiders and Browns and also worked for the 49ers, Eagles and Broncos. "And that's the dynamic every coach must face because players historically don't want to hear the negativity. But if they embrace the negativity and they take it as coaching instead of criticism, now you are on your way. And ultimately that's what I think Jay Cutler does with Jeremy Bates.
"Does (Bates) tell him what he wants to hear? No way. I've watched it, I've seen it. I love Jay Cutler. I think Jay Cuter can win for him. However, I do know that he needs to be coached, and coaching done the right way is not being afraid of confrontation and telling a player when he is doing something wrong."
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RC Broncos Fan said "If you are under the illusion that a QB such as Peyton Manning or Tom Brady can make great things happen without an offensive line or receivers, you are have not been paying close attention, so they can look very average when you "offroad" them too.
Watching Brady play against the Ravens right now only validates the extreme truth of that statement even more.
Brady hasn't produced any points at all under the duress...makes Cutler seem even more amazing now.
RC Broncos Fan - LOL...I am a Bears fan and thank you for the kick in the butt to some of those other Bears fans who think Cutler sunk the ship! Great comments and so true! I would love to see Manning and Brady going "off-roading" a bit. Maybe that would knock them off of their high pedestals that people have put them on.
Cutler would do just as well as Manning and Brady if he had the tools they have. Maybe even better. I think the Bears getting Cutler was one of the smartest moves they have made in a long time and hopefully the Bears won't screw it up.
P.S. I'm sorry your stuck with Josh McEgo.
RC Broncos Fan - LOL...I am a Bears fan and thank you for the kick in the butt to some of those other Bears fans who think Cutler sunk the ship! Great comments and so true! I would love to see Manning and Brady going "off-roading" a bit. Maybe that would knock them off of their high pedestals that people have put them on.
Cutler would do just as well as Manning and Brady if he had the tools they have. Maybe even better. I think the Bears getting Cutler was one of the smartest moves they have made in a long time and hopefully the Bears won't screw it up.
P.S. I'm sorry your stuck with Josh McEgo.
I did not realize that Bears fans know so little about football. The Broncos ship you the equivalent of Ferrari, and like a bunch of retards you take it offroading and then declare it is a piece of junk!
A quarterback needs an offensive line that can protect, and receivers that know how to run routes and catch. And last if you want to see Jay Cutler help your team explode ala Elway in the Super Bowl years or even Culter in '08 give him a credible running back. Only problem with Cutler as a young QB in '08 was that Denver ran out of cellphone salesmen to play running back. Go back and look at the games and you will see a QB that kept defenses on their heels. The other problem with Denver was their defense was worse than the '09 Bears defense.
If you are under the illusion that a QB such as Peyton Manning or Tom Brady can make great things happen without an offensive line or receivers, you are have not been paying close attention, ss they can look very average when you "offroad" them too.
You got a QB with amazing talent and drive, and you gripe like you plugged him into an awesome system and he failed you! Build a team around him and you can win alot of games. Keep running amateur hour up there in Chicago, and you will get more of the same.
Meanwhile I will watch Coach McNuggets continue to destroy my Broncos.
Jeez, I did not know Chicago wss so full of morons!
Hey, dumb-as-es, the only thing Cutler needs to succeed is an offensive line. It starts and stops there. Give him time to throw and even an averagew running game he will succeed. Bet on it!
Let's see -- Bates is 33 and has never been an offensive coordinator anywhere. Fits the Bears perfectly.
LFC
Yes i absoluty agree with you, Broncos is a nice team for me, since the AFC championship they lost against Bills, i still remeber how much i was angry for the result, i haven't Bears friends yet...if you like search me on facebook !
Viola Roberto
Italy
Robert-
I am a bears fan, been since 91 when I moved there for awhile. But have always been a Bronco Fan first. We made a very big mistake in my opinion letting Cutler go, but in 2-3 years from now we all will know if it truely was. right now just guessing. But the kid has talent.
John Elway is a myth, i hope Jay could help Bears like John did with Broncos ! I really trust about , i think a true Bears fan can't to criticize so much Jay...You are not a Bear Fan, come on !!!
Da Bears !!!
Stop fooling yourself
Cutler went to a smart person college, he is not dumb. Makes some boneheaded throws, but all the great QB's do at times.....especially early in their careers.
And Stop Fooling yourself, don't you remember all the crap that Manning was getting his first few years? I remember a bunch of people talking crap about Elway his first 3-4 years here. It was a good thing he didn't listen to fans like you!
Broncos fan, you are right...i'd say that Jay had like N.1 wr Hester....i said all !
Jay, you are our Superstar !!!
Cutler has played 3 full seasons. 5 games his rookie year after relieving Plummer.
Mannings 1st 3 seasons
12,287 yards
85 touchdowns
58 interceptions
We all believe he is a lock for HOF.
Cutler 1st 3 seasons (leaving out those 5 games he played as a rookie (1000 yards 9 td's 5 int)
11,689 yards
72 touchdowns
58 interceptions
Let's not forget he now went to the Bears this year and had a rough go.
Fact is we don't know how good Cutler will be or if he will fail completely. He had one bad season. But heck manning had it rough and really came on after his 5th season with the same team. Give Cutler some time Bears fans, I am a Bronco Fan that wishes I still had him.
jk80906 on January 7, 2010 10:59 AM
Cutler will never be anything more than what he is right now - a big-armed, big-mouthed career loser. He is soft in the belly and between the ears, and he already has the big bucks you so wisely paid him.
________________
jk you are a a$$ clown. Cutler soft, REALLY? How many hits, sacks did he get right back up from? I guess you are a REX fan who is a huge Pu@@$ or Orton who would have been sacked and stayed on the ground to wipe up his tears.
Root for another team you douchebag.
GO BEARS!!!
The guy for OC job is Mike Martz. He has the knowledge and know how! Bates did not do a good job with USC this year. But knowing the Bears, they will go the cheapest way possible. Bates is still in the learning process.
Remember Bear Fans.
You can not spell SCUM without USC !
Cutler will never be anything more than what he is right now - a big-armed, big-mouthed career loser. He is soft in the belly and between the ears, and he already has the big bucks you so wisely paid him.
And next year, you 'll actually play a decent schedule, which means your JayBaby will lose even more, point fingers, pout, and get even more coaches fired. But you'll probably beat the Lions twice if Jay decides to give his very best.
He'll be Jeff George if he can just continue to improve at his current pace.
Thank's for gentleman, yes i'm ! Come on man, i'm a little bit more optimist to get good picks trading player at the top of their potential, for sure Briggs we could get a first round pick, for Harris,Tillman and Hester a 2/3 round could work.
With a 3-4 D we could sacrifice Briggs, we need to get back picks in first round and make place in cap room, in order to offer money to some player in free agency.
CiaoCiao
Roby
hey BearsFanForever -
You were a member of the Branch Davidian weren’t you.
Jay walker on January 6, 2010 1:06 PM
I wonder how many years of Cutler will have to pass before Chicagoans get that Cutler is all arm and nothing else. It takes much more than a strong arm to be a pro QB, and Cutler has proven in the last 6 years that he doesn't posses it.
Yeah that explains the probowl season in Denver you mouthbreather.
This is a comment on the gentleman saying we could get 1st and 2nd round picks for Briggs, Harris, Tillman, and Hester. I mean no offense, but C'mon man, what are you talking about? First, I wouldn't trade Briggs because he is the best player on the team. Second Tommy Harris for a 1st rounder? If someone gave a 1st rounder for that guy and that contract they would be insane. He has gotten worse every year since 2006 not to mention the kid isn't healthy. Tillman? I love Peanut, but he wasn't a 1st rounder when the Bears got him; he's solid at best. There are a lot of better corners in the league than Tillman. Tillman's not a good cover man, all he can do really well is strip the ball. You don't get a 1st rounder because a guy has heart. Hester, he may have some value, but at what position? I don't care what the Bears try to spew about him being a number one wr, he's not. He's not the Bears beast reciever. He's not the return man he used to be because he always wants to run out of bounds instead of taking a shot. You can't trade a marginal players and expect to get 1st round picks.
Does it really matter who the Bears get as coordinators really? They are going to stink and this whole coaching staff will be fired after next year. It's sad because I think this is Angelo's fault. He can't draft worth a damn. He passed on two vetern safties (Dawkins and Sharper)and didn't get a vetern receiver for Cutler. The Bears still don't have a true pass rusher. I like Brown, but he's not a true pass rusher; he's never had double digit sacks. Maybe if Angelo got Lovie players to fit his scheme then this team wouldn't stink so bad. Dump the Cover two go to a 3-4......it worked for the Pack.....well at least they can evaluate talent, Jerry.
Man , I'm so tired of hearing lies . This Vince Lombardi . No , then spare me the bs . Who cares what u think . Cheney thinks doves will fly south this winter . Hire him . The Bears stink , everybody knows it . They'll stink next year too . The organization stinks . The rest is political nonsense . And everybody knows it . Those that think the Bears will have a good year next year , raise your hand .
Let's examine this Bates issue in the context of Smith's history. Terry Shea, remember him? Hired straight from college. "Invented" the wide receiver screen. Was so innovative he was fired after one season. I guess that speaks for hiring Bates if fans hope Smith leaves after 2010.
Yes i love Bears since i'm 11 years old...anyway it's only my opinion but i like to think would be better right now to play w a 3-4 defense, it's easier even to trade Harris than Urlacher and Brian i think could still play in the middle next to somebody else but not alone with a 4-3 D.
I didn't write that Jay won already in NFL...i only wrote he wants to make play to win the game, if you agree with OL unconsistent and if he didn't play even with a good wr corp, why to criticize him so much !? Come on...i saw play action only last 2 games ; i saw probably our best wr(Aromashodu Devin) to play only last 3 games...isn't enough ?!
Anyway i'd like to see Bates + 1/2 Ol players + Brandon Marshall and the music will change for sure, I'm sure Jay will lead a great Bears Offense but we need to be patience, GO BEARS !!! :)
Roberto Viola ..You love the Bears but you think they run a 3-4 for D? Come on Man..
Cutler is a winner? He never has had a winning season since high school. Some winner he is.
Even w/ weapons Cutler will be like the stock market. They need to get an O Line to get the running game back to where it was. It is bad news when Cutler has to throw 30+. You never know where the ball will go.
Chicago Bears has never had a strong passing game in history, with Jay we need to change our filosofy of offensive game, Jay is a winner, the only problem he is a play maker ! Come on, this season our OL was worse than last season, even Forte didn't improve his second NFL year! Did we play with some good WR !? I Love Bears and i wish they will change 3-4 defense with 4-3, trading good players to get picks in first and second round, like Briggs,Harris,Tillman and Hester, we could realize 3 picks in first round and 1 second round, Go Bears...Jay our Superstar !
I hear that St. Rita has a darn good offensive backfield coach that the Bears might consider. Oh, pardon. I wasn't clear. St. Rita Grade School in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Jeremey Bates would be a perfect fit for Jay Cutler & Da Bears offense. To be honest with you anybody is better than Ron Turner. Oh! Let's not forget John "Sucky Ass" Shoop. That guy was the worst ever OC in the history of the NFL...
I would rather have Martz than bates .Bates has never taught a system but always been required to just come in and work with the Qb within a system and call some plays but its never been HIS System or ultimately his responsibility either.
I say we replace the sod at Soldier field with some of that turf like Philly has and bring in Martz.Martz values possessions and points and knows how to use a pass catching running back within his system ala Faulk.
I dont see the value of bringing in anyone just to make Cutler look good .I would rather have someone that knows how to use all of our weapons.
What about Jim Fassel? Why no one would give him a chance?
You're right SoCalRon.
It was Bates who hurt USC's potent offense. It had nothing to do with starting a true freshman at QB. Or losing their running back to a weight-training accident.
oh and he's very conservative like Turner, in fact, the consensus around LA was he held the USC offense back and was a main reason USC didn't do well this year...
Here's my $.02 worth...I've watched Bates as first year OC for USC and I tell you I wasn't impressed. If you think this is the guy responsible for USC being in the Top Ten the last 6-7yrs than you want Sarkesian. He's now coaching the Univ of Washington. He was responsible for USC's success more than Carroll in my opinion. Bates was awful and look at their current qb stats this year. Tons of INT's. Not who you want developing Cutler who already is prone to INTs...just my opinion...
Bates and Cutler would be a great fit. Why not, couldn't be any worse thatn Turner. Sounds like someone from the Turner camp has already thrown jay under the bus. Or so that's what an article said...of course from an "undisclosed source". Please, either report who said it or shut up.
Just for the record....there seems to be some debate on how long Cutler has been playing Pro Football:
2006 - he played 5 games Denver
2007 - starting QB Denver
2008 - starting QB Denver
2009 - starting QB Chicago
So in reality he has only been playing in the league 3 1/2 years. He is still young and will learn. Whatever all you Cutler haters say, I have faith in him.
Bearsfanforever,
While there are a lot of people who are only on here to mock other people, your abuse of "lol" disqualifies you from judging any other poster on this blog....
Not to mention that you did not mention a single word about the thread in your post...
Bates would be comfortable for Cutler, and whether he is ready for the job of OC or not, he is likely going to be the guy we trust with Jay's development. We do know that he will move the pocket, and will probably follow more of Shanahan's style of offense, which means zone blocking, lots of diverse running plays (where Turner had 2...the offside guard trap, and the draw), legitimate screens instead of bubble screens, and taking 5-7 shots down the field per game. We need ball control, long drives, and TDs in the red zone because of how bad our defense is going to be next year.
Becoming an offensive-minded team takes time. We are thin on skill position guys, our wide receivers are still developing, and we have a major project underway with the offensive line.
The sooner we get someone in here, the better off we will be going into March with the start of free agency.
It is obvious that the True Bear fans dont respond on these blogs. Only Fair weather,Loser so called fans post on these sites. True fans like myself Rarely respond because of all the losers & stupid so called football fans that post their trash talk on here and have the nerve to call themselves fans(LOL).But wait, they have a right to their loser opinions,I guess so, but their Drivel still comes from losers,not real fans. True fans always support their teams,they dont constantly back stab their teams and pretend they have all the answers,LOL!!! Get Real you Losers and go away already,I hear the Lions are looking for fans,LOL!! All you Losers think you are a G.M,LOL.You Losers dont deserve to be Bear fans,the Bears are a special franchise and you trash talking losers just dont belong,or deserve to be a Bear fan!! Thanks to all the TRUE Bear fans out there who actually Support their Bears,there are many of us,we just dont spend all our time trashing our team in public with other losers who are not true Bear fans,or fans of our enemies lol.. BEAR DOWN! GO BEARS,YOUR TRUE FANS WILL ALWAYS SUPPORT YOU!!
Does this mean the Bears have no need for a naked wendy's drive-thru coach? Dammit!
Honestly, I am dubious of anything this "braintrust" comes up with.
I'm not getting too excited about winning our last two games. I mean, who hasn't beaten Detroit? And Minnesota? They only scored 30 points on our vaunted defense (you know, Lovie's D) in 30 minutes. If not for the Bears' special teams, the Vikings would have blown by us.
All these wins did was put false hope into the Bears "braintrust."
Hey Lovie, it looks like Ron Riviera is taking the San Diego Chargers defense to the playoffs a second year in a row.
What have you done for us lately?
Oh, I know. You fired another group of position coaches.
One thing you got, Lovie, is consistency. Last year you fired the defense position coaches (and look how that helped the team!!!!) and this year it was the offense's turn.
PS -- Lovie, you look just as clueless at the podium as you do on the sidelines.
Martz's offensive will never work on/in Soldier field where the turf is only as reliable as as the love of a stripper
Jim Miller has been talking well of Bates for a month or more and that's how I heard of him. We'll see, someone's going to get the job but unless the defense can stop someone next year it won't matter and that all on Mr. Magoo.
You don't hire coaches who have worked their way up the ranks, gained extensive knowledge of the game and demonstrated the ability to manage others. You hire coaches who are men! Who have facial hair to prove it! Who have fire and passion! Who yell and scream and get in players' faces! Who show emotion during games and in press conferences! In short, REAL coaches who are MEN! In fact, let's bring back Da Coach! Or bring some other 85 Bears in here to coach! They were real men who knew what football was all about!
I don't think Jay Cutler can only be coached by Bates. First off Bates has never held an offesive coordinator position in the NFL. Do we really need to take a risk on that? Lombardi sounds like he knows bates and is lobbying for him to get a position. He's already convinced some of these very same people on this discussion board and I bet they never heard of him before this week. I would go with a proven offensive mind with crediblity. Mike Martz has coached in two super bowls and has coached an MVP quarterback both as an offensive coordinator and head coach with Kurt Warner. While you can look at his years in Detroit and San Fran, look at the talent he had (Kitna, Smith) Cutler will listen to a coordinator with a decorated past, not a Ron Turner. Mike Martz, Al Saunders, or Charlie Weis all have similar credentials and only these three should be considered.
Jay walker hey u retard this will be cutlers 5th year as a pro what u cant count oh and its his 4th year as a starter your really dumb cutler is still learning
Getting Bates or one of Shannahan minions to coach a offensive system that your $30 million dollar QB is familiar with, shows a brain in Halas Hall has sparked a little bit. Cutler does not have to start next season learning a new playbook, which he’s familiar with checks, audible, and scrambling drills. Hopefully, bring in Bates will help the offensive line with protections system familiar with Shannahan’s offense and run blocking that had produce thousand yard runners for over several years. And if the Bears lay another egg next year, it would reduce the number of offensives Cutler had to learn.
But my fear is that Bates, if he is worth anything would help keep Angelo and Lovie in place for another year. However, with Lovie coming back and limited free agents to choose from, the defense will bury these clowns for sure next year.
Nonetheless, if Lovie hire someone he is familiar with like Martz, fans can meet at Lovie and Angelo’s house to help them pack up. The Bears do not have the players to run Martz offense and can’t acquire players draft or free agency to make his system work. Now, Weis system will take advantage of the Bears lack of talent and make the offense respectable like Denver did with Orton.
Can I come back with USC's Bates?
"He is going to be able to get into the quarterback's head and he is going to be able to get into his mind."
Does this means Cutler needs a QB Whisperer?
Jay walker on January 6, 2010 1:06 PM
I wonder how many years of Cutler will have to pass before Chicagoans get that Cutler is all arm and nothing else. It takes much more than a strong arm to be a pro QB, and Cutler has proven in the last 6 years that he doesn't posses it.
_______________________
Learn football you loser. This was Cutler's 4th year. Go hang out with your boy REX.
GO BEARS!
Jay does have a stronger arm than me.
I like how Jeremy and Jay worked together in Denver!
GOD DANG, thats some awesome cool-aide.
Only in Chicago (where the regular season is soo painfull) does the off season become so satisfying.
Only 3 days past the end of the regular season and like a patient being wheeled full speed into the emergency room; already the IV's are attached, the morphine administered, and the patient's moan's of pain are stopping.
WAKE UP; nothing will save this franchise from itself save a sale. UNLESS, of course, Gaines Adams, is the Incredible Hulk.
This guy would be goood for Cutler; but its a finger split when an entire body cast is required.
Jay and I would work great together in Chicago. He is a stud QB! Jay will need some weapons around him. I would want to bring in a true #1 receiver.
Make it happen......NOW!!!!!!!!
GO BEARS!