Lovie Smith will be back as Bears' coach, but with a revamped staff. (Chris Sweda/Tribune)
By Brad Biggs
Lovie Smith will return for his seventh season as Bears' head coach, but he will be doing a major rebuilding job on his staff after the dismissal Tuesday of offensive coordinator Ron Turner and five other assistants.
Smith, general manager Jerry Angelo and team president Ted Phillips teamed up in the Halas Hall auditorium for a news conference announcing that Smith will be back.
"I'm excited to be remaining in my position as head football coach of the Chicago Bears," Smith said. "I think I am remaining in this position because ownership and the powers that be believe that I, that we can make the Bears a better football team.
"We are not happy with where we are. We realize it's been three years since we made the playoffs. We realize that we need to improve, and we will. We aren't the first football franchise to hit a bad streak and we won't be the last to pull out of that."
Phillips spoke first and said, "This has been a frustrating season, to say the least. We've had inconsistent play on both sides of the ball, and personally, it's probably the most frustrating season since I've been here."
Along with Turner, offensive line coach Harry Hiestand,
quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton, tight ends coach Rob Boras, offensive
assistant/assistant offensive line coach Luke Butkus and offensive
assistant/assistant wide receivers coach Charles London have been let
go.
"We've had three seasons of no playoffs, so status quo was not an option, and changes were necessary," Phillips said. "In the last three years, it was clear that no one did a good enough job.
"I know some may disagree but I feel the fastest way to improve is to keep the continuity that we have, and that is to keep Jerry Angelo, our general manager, and head coach Lovie Smith.
"After discussions with Jerry, Lovie and ownership, the conclusion was made that Jerry and Lovie still know what it takes to win. They are aware of the mistakes that we made and they both welcome change.
"Today is just the beginning of a team-evaluation process that is going to take place over the next several months."
Although Bears principal owner Virginia McCaskey didn't speak at the news conference, she released this statement: "The decisions outlined today have full support of ownership. We believe in the people who are in place to lead our football team. This season was difficult for everyone at the Bears and for our fans. Despite the disappointment, our fans' support has been tremendous. We are thankful to Bears fans for their passion and are committed to bringing them a winner. The entire Chicago Bears organization understands the importance of being a consistent contender."
When Angelo took the podium, the general manager expressed appreciation for the work of Turner and the other departing coaches, but agreed that change was necessary.
"The one thing I want to make clear: We are in a business of involvement; there is no more status quo," Angelo said. "It is one thing I am becoming more clear of in my mind. You cannot stay stagnant on the field.
"We will just do a better job, given there will be new coaches, new energy. Maybe I didn't do as good a job in evaluating our team. The hardest thing to do in the business is to evaluate your own backyard. ... It starts with that. You have know what's broke. You have to know that first."
Phillips made it clear that the Bears face a win-or-else mandate for the 2010 season.
"We expect to win now, this is not a long-term project in our eyes," Phillip said. "It's never been said we wouldn't have mistakes or losing years. The important thing is we make sound and thoughtful decisions and take smart risks when we need to.
"The final decisions that were made were made yesterday. There have been a few comments about the kind of role that money has played in the decisions. Let me just say that money has not been a factor in the decisions."
Angelo acknowledged that finding potential coordinators who want to join forces with a potentially lame-duck coach could be a challenge.
"There will be that perception," Angelo said. "I did not foresee that as a problem in getting coaches. I don't see it as a problem in going out to have to recruit coaches and sell them on Chicago. I feel that since we are going to win and that we are Chicago, I think we will have a bevy of coaches to choose from."
Phillips said the Bears need to improve in all areas of their operation.
"We need better players, we need to do a better job drafting, we need to do a better job in player acquisition and we need to do a better job coaching," he said.
"We all know what we need to do. We are not happy with the season we had. We are not happy with the previous three seasons we have had. At the end of 2010 we will go through another evaluation process to see how we performed in 2010."
Asked about the dissatisfaction among the fan base and the no-shows at late-season home games, Phillips said, "We embrace our fans. We have had one of probably the fewer average no-shows in terms of no-shows per game. We understand it. Our fans are frustrated. We are frustrated. But when we win we will be celebrating together."
Smith also will be looking outside the building for a defensive coordinator to take over the role he held this past season, when the Bears finished 7-9 and out of the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
"When you have a basic philosophy, you of course want someone with a similar philosophy," Smith said when asked about possible candidates. "We support our scheme a lot. Every team in the league pays the cover-2. We talk about it a different way. But it's gap control. That's what defense is.
"As for a person coming in, I would like them to have similar beliefs as I have, but at the same time it's a new year and it would be nice to have some new ideas.
"We are gong to look at everyone: the young minds, the old ones, the ones with new ideas," Smith said. "We are going to look at everyone. Do I have people in mind already? Of course, I do."
Asked his thoughts about the defense, Angelo said, "I am concerned about that -- there were games this year that were over at halftime and a big part of that was our defense. We have issues we have to deal with on defense -- scheme and players."
Smith will be seeking the third offensive coordinator in his tenure. Terry Shea lasted one season and Turner was the offensive coordinator for five seasons. Angelo said the team was compiling a list of possible hires.
"We are doing that as we speak," Angelo said. "Have we talked to anyone else? No. We haven't done anything to undermine the coaches that were here. We do know the names of people out there who will be candidates, but we have not made an effort to contact any yet."
Former St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz already has expressed interest in the offensive-coordinator post, telling the Tribune's Dan Pompei that he would "love to work for Lovie." Former Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis, who served as offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots, also could be a candidate.
"We've had three seasons of no playoffs, so status quo was not an option, and changes were necessary," Phillips said. "In the last three years, it was clear that no one did a good enough job.
"I know some may disagree but I feel the fastest way to improve is to keep the continuity that we have, and that is to keep Jerry Angelo, our general manager, and head coach Lovie Smith.
"After discussions with Jerry, Lovie and ownership, the conclusion was made that Jerry and Lovie still know what it takes to win. They are aware of the mistakes that we made and they both welcome change.
"Today is just the beginning of a team-evaluation process that is going to take place over the next several months."
Although Bears principal owner Virginia McCaskey didn't speak at the news conference, she released this statement: "The decisions outlined today have full support of ownership. We believe in the people who are in place to lead our football team. This season was difficult for everyone at the Bears and for our fans. Despite the disappointment, our fans' support has been tremendous. We are thankful to Bears fans for their passion and are committed to bringing them a winner. The entire Chicago Bears organization understands the importance of being a consistent contender."
When Angelo took the podium, the general manager expressed appreciation for the work of Turner and the other departing coaches, but agreed that change was necessary.
"The one thing I want to make clear: We are in a business of involvement; there is no more status quo," Angelo said. "It is one thing I am becoming more clear of in my mind. You cannot stay stagnant on the field.
"We will just do a better job, given there will be new coaches, new energy. Maybe I didn't do as good a job in evaluating our team. The hardest thing to do in the business is to evaluate your own backyard. ... It starts with that. You have know what's broke. You have to know that first."
Phillips made it clear that the Bears face a win-or-else mandate for the 2010 season.
"We expect to win now, this is not a long-term project in our eyes," Phillip said. "It's never been said we wouldn't have mistakes or losing years. The important thing is we make sound and thoughtful decisions and take smart risks when we need to.
"The final decisions that were made were made yesterday. There have been a few comments about the kind of role that money has played in the decisions. Let me just say that money has not been a factor in the decisions."
Angelo acknowledged that finding potential coordinators who want to join forces with a potentially lame-duck coach could be a challenge.
"There will be that perception," Angelo said. "I did not foresee that as a problem in getting coaches. I don't see it as a problem in going out to have to recruit coaches and sell them on Chicago. I feel that since we are going to win and that we are Chicago, I think we will have a bevy of coaches to choose from."
Phillips said the Bears need to improve in all areas of their operation.
"We need better players, we need to do a better job drafting, we need to do a better job in player acquisition and we need to do a better job coaching," he said.
"We all know what we need to do. We are not happy with the season we had. We are not happy with the previous three seasons we have had. At the end of 2010 we will go through another evaluation process to see how we performed in 2010."
Asked about the dissatisfaction among the fan base and the no-shows at late-season home games, Phillips said, "We embrace our fans. We have had one of probably the fewer average no-shows in terms of no-shows per game. We understand it. Our fans are frustrated. We are frustrated. But when we win we will be celebrating together."
Smith also will be looking outside the building for a defensive coordinator to take over the role he held this past season, when the Bears finished 7-9 and out of the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
"When you have a basic philosophy, you of course want someone with a similar philosophy," Smith said when asked about possible candidates. "We support our scheme a lot. Every team in the league pays the cover-2. We talk about it a different way. But it's gap control. That's what defense is.
"As for a person coming in, I would like them to have similar beliefs as I have, but at the same time it's a new year and it would be nice to have some new ideas.
"We are gong to look at everyone: the young minds, the old ones, the ones with new ideas," Smith said. "We are going to look at everyone. Do I have people in mind already? Of course, I do."
Asked his thoughts about the defense, Angelo said, "I am concerned about that -- there were games this year that were over at halftime and a big part of that was our defense. We have issues we have to deal with on defense -- scheme and players."
Smith will be seeking the third offensive coordinator in his tenure. Terry Shea lasted one season and Turner was the offensive coordinator for five seasons. Angelo said the team was compiling a list of possible hires.
"We are doing that as we speak," Angelo said. "Have we talked to anyone else? No. We haven't done anything to undermine the coaches that were here. We do know the names of people out there who will be candidates, but we have not made an effort to contact any yet."
Former St. Louis Rams coach Mike Martz already has expressed interest in the offensive-coordinator post, telling the Tribune's Dan Pompei that he would "love to work for Lovie." Former Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis, who served as offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots, also could be a candidate.
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Would someone please bring another NFL team to Illinois!So all of us screwed over,and taken advantage of Bears fans can have a real NFL franchise to root for and be proud of.This ownership,management,and head coach has ruined the fun of football for alot of us Bears fans and I for one have had it with being served up nothing but crap on a stick season after season.These people are totally cheap, incompitent,and are the laughing stock of the league. I tell you that speech by Lovie today almost made me puke, he didn't even believe what he was saying you could see it in his eyes and hear it in his mumble'n fumble'n voice.He might be a nice man but so was Dick Juron and where did he get us? Gerry Angelo is the worst excuse for a GM I've ever seen, he can't pick players. God does this suck!There was once a day when I loved Bears football,and I paid attention to the team and all of their activities all year around. Now I can barely stand to watch their games, in fact I actually get excited and enjoy watching and rooting for other teams,and I would have never done that 20 years ago. So if I'm slipping away as a Bears fan what do they think is happening to the younger generations who are just begining to enjoy the NFL. They've seen their older Bears fanatic Dads, and Grandpas get screwed and abused by the Bears Ownership for years, and they're not buying in.They're rooting for other teams,and buying their jerseys and jackets instead. so I figure we might as well get another NFL team in IL to root for. But please only serious,compitent, owners apply.
Please trade Jay to the Redskins so I can follow Mike and his staff instead of Jerry and his staff.
You guys know no one in Halas Hall has the slightest bit of respect for any of you. They talk to you and about you like you're all the stupidest people on earth, and they don't care. Imagine what they say when you're not around to hear it. This press conference sets an all time low. A bunch of lame, wimpout excuses about how all teams have bad years, and no talk about how they were flat out wrong. No playoff mandate, just an undefined expectation of "success". And of course Phillips was quick to tell you how how our no-shows compare with the rest of the league, which couldn't be more revealing about how he measures success lol, and then fed you all another line about that too, saying the relative lack of no shows compared to other teams means the fan base believes in and supports him and his buffoons. I guess he's never heard of newspapers, television, or the internet. Are you guys gonna read between the lines, or let the lines smack you in the head? Ok, I'm no better than the rest of you as far as supporting this crap, but I am a very long term fan who has obviously tolerated a lot, and for the first time my faith is being seriously tested.
A 150 different posters have voiced their displeasure with the Chicago Bears today. The 2 questions I have is how many of you are willing to do what it takes to force the owners hand?
Or how many of you will sell yourselves out along with the rest of the other Bears fans by going to the games?
---------------------------------------------------------
Asked about the dissatisfaction among the fan base and the no-shows at late-season home games, Phillips said, "We embrace our fans. We have had one of probably the fewer average no-shows in terms of no-shows per game. We understand it. Our fans are frustrated. We are frustrated. But when we win we will be celebrating together."
My take on this is that ownership recognizes the loyalty of the fans by the attendance and in yet in the same breath told all of us that no major changes will take place.
It comes down to you fans that go to the games. Are you willing to allow Bears ownership to do the same things over and over again? Remember WE control the situation fellow Bears fans WITH OUR WALLETS!!!!
Can Jerry, Lovie and Ted be sued for pain and suffering? :(
Whoever runs this blog needs to remove the comments about Mrs. McCaskey. I wonder who let hillbilly on their computer anyway. I'm sure someone had to type for it too.
Trust me.
I's gonna get this fixed.
Trust me.
The cover-none, I mean cover-2 can still work in this league.
Trust me.
First I'm gonna get me some rest. Staring cluelessly at the scoreboard for 16 games and throwing your assistants under the bus is much more exhaustin than it looks.
Trust me.
A sell out that made sense, all points to Cowher in 2011.
Hey Packer Fans up in the armpit of Wisconsin you may think its funny that we still have Lovie but at least where not ONE AND DONE after this weekend. Cards 35 Packers 17
The Bears have won ONE championship in the past 46 years. This is nothing new. The fact that all of you chumps were actually expecting them to or at least holding out hope that they would fire Lovie and Angelo and spend big bucks on proven winners just shows how dumb Bears fans are and shows why their ownership knows that they can be cheap. You all are not much different than loser Cub fans! SUCKERS!
Im just as pissed about this season as anyone,but half of the people that made comment are bandwagoners.What was done was best Tuner sucked as an OC the players all respect Lovieand if you think for a min hes happy with the whole talent of the team dont kid yourself.when it comes to talent i think Lovie hands are tied.He bit off more than he could chew this year by being DC TO.For all of you bitchen about jumping ship dont let the life jacket hit you in the ass i hate farweather fans.If the bears have a winning season next year youll all be on the wagon again.If you knew anything about the sport a coach cant play the game he can just coach.Hes not a bad coach he jsut dose not have the talent on the field they will be better next season just for the fact they wont be running a high scool ofense.No im not saying there going to the super bowl but they will be healthy a new look d and a new O they will be better.A whole new staff would have been at least a 3 year set backA BEARS FAN FROM BIRTH TO DEATH.
Im just as pissed about this season as anyone,but half of the people that made comment are bandwagoners.What was done was best Tuner sucked as an OC the players all respect Lovieand if you think for a min hes happy with the whole talent of the team dont kid yourself.when it comes to talent i think Lovie hands are tied.He bit off more than he could chew this year by being DC TO.For all of you bitchen about jumping ship dont let the life jacket hit you in the ass i hate farweather fans.If the bears have a winning season next year youll all be on the wagon again.If you knew anything about the sport a coach cant play the game he can just coach.Hes not a bad coach he jsut dose not have the talent on the field they will be better next season just for the fact they wont be running a high scool ofense.No im not saying there going to the super bowl but they will be healthy a new look d and a new O they will be better.A whole new staff would have been at least a 3 year set backA BEARS FAN FROM BIRTH TO DEATH.
Oh, Papa Bear, where are you now?
Good job reporting Brad.
I thought I heard some nervous tremours in the voice of both Phillips and Angelo... which was the only honest tell in their speeches. What I heard from Smith was stubbornness and a lack of honesty from the man who 3 years ago said "Trust me".
How do the very same the people who broke this team now think they will unbreak it? They will suddenly be different in their thinking? They will work "harder"? They will suddenly be wiser or smarter? Silly.
And shame on anyone who believes them after 3 years of failed personnel decisions, failed player development, and bad football.
I trusted Lovie and Angelo after the Superbowl run. No more. I see you all clearly. And Angelo? By your standards, you couldn't even handle a crayon...
If there was any doubt that this organization is inept, unprofessionally managed and oblivious to the facts then today's decisions removes any and all doubts whatsoever.
The Facts - incompetent drafting, horrendous free agent signings, terrible player development, astonishingly bad decisions about who to play where, a consistently lousy track record of coach hirings and firings, a totally botched stadium renovation and the worst turf in the NFL. The GM is from Mars and the Coach is a dead man walking from Venus. The fact that Angelo and Smith are still around is nothing less than a slam dunk testament to Phillips' lack of judgment and/or complete lack of courage. How and why ownership allows this cancerous situation to continue is nothing short of an insult to the people of Chicago.
For a city in the second largest market in the NFL to be saddled with such total ineptitude is nothing short of embarrasing.
Can't wait to see the increasing number of no shows in the stands next year along with plummeting TV ratings. Chicago deserves better.
Well i guess beavis & butthead get one more year to right the ship - and if they do they get...one more year.
I predict Lovie doesn't finish the season next year.
That's it, I'm done. I'm selling my PSL's. I'm tired of Bears management taking advantage of us. It's time to take our money back! There's no possible way this team improves next year. No way.
The Chargers are in the playoffs with a 1st round bye. They have a pretty good defense. Let's try to hire their coordin.....oh, that's right, Lovie already fired Ron Rivera.
The city of Chicago is the new Detroit and so is their football team.
The Bears just moved the chairs around on the Titanic once again.
Thanks from a life long Packer fan.
Why did they keep Babich on? I think we have to remember that the Bears ( read Mike M ) went to some head hunter orgainzation to find a GM when Angelo was first hired - if you look at his track record at Tampa - he had a terrible record there ( the only reason they won super bowl was due to all the number 1 picks plus Gruden )
Lovie wasn't even his first choice for coach ( see current Alabamba coach ) and it was a iffy marriage back then. Since we're stuck with both of them for 1 year ( remember, no draft picks this year ), we're essentially stuck with the same under achieving team.
The real queston is who do the Bears hire to be general manager of the team and bring them back to the glory days?
At least the Bears were known for a running game and a defense that would kick your ass - I'd settle for that right now - Someone needs to take a hard look at the Colts or Patriots organization to see who is ready to take command of the Bears. If the Bears owners or president had any clue years ago, they would have made Bill Tobin gm - He and Finks built the 85 team and Tobin ended up going to the Colts - now you know why Indy and Irsay are in the running every year
The bears are playing us like a fiddle. They know people will still go. 10k for a seating lic. your still going to the game.
The bears said the same crap last year. They were terrible last year. Their team was real bad last season. They pushed the same squad on us again.
Last whats the matter with chicago media. Is there no one in chicago with any stones. The questions sounded like a hand picked presidentual press meeting. What a joke. Chicago reporters should be ashamed of them selves.
Great reporting, Brad.
One correction: I listened to Angelo over the internet. I believe he said
We are in a business of "evolvement"
which I know is not a word but makes sense in the context of what he was saying (have to evolve, can't be satisfied with the status quo).
It actually makes more sense than keeping these boobs around for another year.
: (
"Mike McCarthy, Brad Childress on January 5, 2010 3:57 PM
Thank You"
Here is a prediction. Lovie Smith will bring a team to a Super Bowl before Brad Childress, Mike Shannahan, Bill Cowher, or Mike Holmgren will.
And a suggestion. The Bears should grab Tim Tebow if they can in next year's draft. He will be a stud in the future as the QB position changes over the next 5 years.
I thank the Bear's management for making the right decision and not reacting to nonsense. Their coach is one of the 10 best in the league (not opinion but fact based on % of good decisions and winning %). Get him some talent and he will win.
Hey tobias u got something with mexicans?
I disagree with ron rivera being the bears savior.I dont want a mexican coaching my team."Chico" doesn't exactly have the chargers shutting down the nfl they consistently rank 10-15th.I wanted smith fired and jason garret or maybe charlie weis as the new head coach.Not rivera who wasn't that good on the 85 bears he was a reserve.
Since this all started when the illustrious "leadership" of the bears let Ron Rivera go...BRING HIM back! Is Gary Fencik looking for a job? What about Danimal? I see some good coaching right there! 2010 will be interesting...ugh
Well said Jalen!
Does anyone else feel that Phillips, Angelo and Smith will never get fired? I don't believe for a second that they will fire anybody next year because of the lockout the following year. Then during the lockout they won't hire anybody new and have a salary on the books when they are not playing. Then after the lockout they will say they need stability and keep all three.
Somebody shoot me.
continuity?? My God!!
This is such a classy organization that I'm speechless.
Do they actually believe they have any chance next year??
Is this the same coach that has trashed every quarterback but kept Rex Grossman as a rookie for 5 years thinking that was the answer to a comeback?
What a croc! Fire the whole group and bring in Rivera. I gotta laugh. Martz wants the job. Just what we need is another of the old retread St. Lous Rams like Lovie has given us the last couple of years. Pace? Archeluta? anybody remember how those retreads worked out?
Any Bear fan that buys 2010 Bear tickets, purchases Bears paraphernalia or watches this sorry ass team on TV; is a moron, which the owners of this POS team are counting on.
Let the McCaskeys run the Chicago football into the ground. Don't we have better things to do with our time and money?
Screw the Bears
The thing that concerns me most about the future of this team is that Cutler threw alot of horrible picks this season. If Jay just throws the ball away in quite a few situations this year, we win a few more games & no one even gets fired.
I have a feeling alot of O.C. candidates will like the idea of working with Cutler, Olsen, Knox, Aromashodu, Hester, Bell & Forte. If by some miracle the O-line gets help in the interior & starts getting a good push up front and Jay doesn't throw into quadruple coverage anymore, I'm afraid we get a couple or 3 more wins and are back in the playoffs.
You see, if we get in the playoffs, Lovie & Angelo stay. If there's a lockout in 2011 then there's a strong possibility they get extensions instead of getting fired, because their contracts will be close to expiration & the front office won't want to rock the boat.
Welcome to my nightmare.
Technically, Lovie will still be running the defense. So they'll fire him next year. If an AFC team landed in Chicago, I'd jump ship in a heartbeat!
Hey, the fans pretty much got what they wanted....new coaches. The two most important coaches are the new offensive and defensive coaches. Give the new coaches a chance before you start whinning about them. At the moment you whinny fans are like little two year olds having a tantrum. Take a deep breath, step back, and wait and see how the 2010 season goes before you whine about the new coaches. Or you can always go to a different team...how about the imploding Denver Broncos. Getting a new head coach isn't always going to solve your problems, sometimes it just creates bigger problems. Chill out and give the new Bears team a chance!!!!
So let me get this straight. Everyone is unhappy with the direction the team has been headed in so let's keep the 3 idiots providing that direction and fire everyone that simply has to follow their orders?
I guess the buck stops nowhere at Halas Hall. Typical Chicago operation, no accountability at the top.
REMEMBER THIS:The Bears defensive downturn started when Ron Riviera was fired after the Super Bowl season ...
That man had the same 'fire' as Dikta and Singletary!
When he left, the "Monsters of Midway" of old went with him!
BTW, Martz would be a great addition as offensive coordinator.
We need 'atheletes' on the offensive line that can 'move the pocket' to allow Cutler to roll-out, where he is at his best (someone should talk to Mike Shanahan about that)!
This is a five or six win season next year, period... with the clowns who put the franchise in this position in the first place still in charge.
One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting the results to be different.
With the McCaskey's it's more important to increase the profit margin than to win titles.
Can't wait to see all the free agents they bring in (LOL) since they don't have any draft picks to work with...ooops...free agents cost money.
Steve Rosenbloom wrote it best...Moe, Larry & Curly running the show (nyuk, nyuk, nyuk.)
Mark Liptak
So.......Lovie gets to pick a whole new staff, than what happens when lovie fails next year and they fire Lovie? Than a new coach comes in and than what, he picks a whole new staff? This is horrible, if your gonna make big changes than you don't do it 90%, u finish it 100%. I'm afraid this team is in huge trouble for the next 15-20 years until we get new owners, President, GM and so on and so on. Where's the foundation for the players regarding a stable coaching scheme and staff?
With that said, I'm very happy with the firing of Turner da QB killa, I hated, despised his play calling since the superbowl year, should have been fired 3 years ago but i'm not gonna cry over spilled milk.
Just to clear up something for all of you clamoring for a "BOYCOTT OF ALL BEARS MERCHANDISE AND TICKETS!!!!":
Under the NFL's revenue-sharing plan, all the money spent on merchandise and jerseys and foam fingers and limited-edition-footballs and t-shirts and season tickets... Goes right back into the big NFL pot and is redistributed evenly to each and every team.
So if you buy fewer Urlacher jerseys, but hundred of thousands of fans in some other city snatch up new Tim Tebow jerseys, the Bears are unaffected.
Wealth distribution is great!
This is the most obvious reason that Jerry Angelo needs to go, along with Lovie....
In the quote below that was from his own mouth, Angelo admits that he did not do a good job in evaluationg his team and that Lovie will have trouble with new coordinators because he is already a LAME DUCK! How stupid does McCaskey and Virginia have to be to see that Angelo already admitted that he can not do the job! This quote is below and if directly from the Chicago Tribune.
We will just do a better job, given there will be new coaches, new energy. Maybe I didn't do as good a job in evaluating our team. The hardest thing to do in the business is to evaluate your own backyard. ... It starts with that. You have know what's broke. You have to know that first."
"the fastest way to improve is to keep the continuity that we have, and that is to keep Jerry Angelo, our general manager, and head coach Lovie Smith."
"After discussions with Jerry, Lovie and ownership, the conclusion was made that Jerry and Lovie still know what it takes to win."
Enough said.
R.I.P Chcago Bears (1919~2009)
win now? Ha, have these jokers looked at their 2010 schedule. Now that Lovie can steal for year 7, all the underachieving enabled vets can go back to poor play, poor execution and general apathy.
I see 4-12. Maybe, just maybe, 6-10.
In any other business Lovie would be fired.
money didn't play a role, yeah right...
and i want a pony...
when they say its not the money, its the money
Loopy said, "Yes! Bears are going to the Superbowl next year!"
That's only if they buy seats and make their plane and hotel reservations early.
Of course, 8-8 will be an improvement . . .
i quit!
So what exactly is Babich still around for? Firing the Offensive staff yet the defense and that horrible "Tampa - Pee U" scheme were even worse! Lovie's Losers will continue to stick up the place in 2010!
i glad they fired all that they did .but i think they
need to go deeper ,get rid of lovie smith . he's washed up
he does not know what he's doing two great head coaches out their now get them before they get hired by a winning team! AS FAR as the lions go ,no need to sweat. they alway going to get stomped !
Jerry Angelo:
"The one thing I want to make clear: We are in a business of involvement; there is no more status quo... It is one thing I am becoming more clear of in my mind. You cannot stay stagnant on the field.
"We will just do a better job, given there will be new coaches, new energy. Maybe I didn't do as good a job in evaluating our team. The hardest thing to do in the business is to evaluate your own backyard. ... It starts with that. You have know what's broke. You have to know that first."
Is this guy kidding?! What a MORON! "...just do a better job?" Huh? No wonder this team is in such a deep hole the GM is a certified idiot! I wish he was evaluating his "own backyard," at home, and not the Bears. "You have to know what's broke..."!!?!? What!? Hey, Jerry! Pretty much everything is broke! And you are beyond repair...
DUMP JERRY ANGELO!
McMahon said it best...as long as michael mccaskey is involved with this team it will never win another super bowl...there has to be a physician in the greater chicagoland area who can help with the collective case of cranial-rectal-inversion in the bear's upper management...
Chicago Bears Organization = Chicago Politicians & Politics
The know how to look out for themselves. I wonder if Ted & Jerry have another 5 year extension coming and if Lovie will ever figure out how to properly execute a challenge and utilize talent that doesn't work with his schemes.
Anthony D'Attomo on January 5, 2010 4:26 PM
Chicago is a big sports market and is full of loyal fans. Why do we have such lousy ownership for every pro team. The only team showing progress will be the Hawks and it took the death of its fearless leader a few years to make a change.
******************************
Anthony, unfortunately I think the same scenario will need to take place with the Bears.
I wish I could do a piss poor job at my work and still have a job at the end of the year. Must be nice.
I support Smith. He did take us to SB40. It's easy for outsiders to spend the McCaskey's money. It's poor sportsmanship to call for someone's head. The only question I have: Don't the new coordinators get to hire their assistants?
What as bunch of BS! Smith is the worst of them all and he is still there. Obvious, the Bears org did not want to eat his salary so they got rid of the rest of them. He sure didn't keep his job by what he did. Gotta be other reasons like maybe having to keep the quota on black coaches up in the league or the Bears not wanting to eat his salary. Smith couldn't coach a junior high team. Bear fans boycott a few games to show your displeasure with this action I sure am.
WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY DID THEY KEEP SMITH?!??!?!???
BEARS FANS NO LONGER HAVE LOVE FOR LOVIE, SO GET THE STEPPING!!! GAH!
WHAT B.S.!!!!
Chicago is a big sports market and is full of loyal fans. Why do we have such lousy ownership for every pro team. The only team showing progress will be the Hawks and it took the death of its fearless leader a few years to make a change.
Now here we are with the most loved of all our teams, the Bears, and again stupid ownership. Between the beating we take between the Bears, Cubs, Sox and Bulls we are all feeling like a pinball bouncing from bad to wrose every year
Gag me before I punk. B.S. Trust the three "inaptitudes" to fix something they broke?? Come on, hum some more B.S. Lovie's one happy dude he got rid of Rivera to protect his throne at a time like now. PaPa Bear our heart goes out to you. What a sad legacy your family has left you.
So predictable. It's always about dollars and cents. Lovie had 2 years and $11 million on his contract. There was no way Bears were going to pay him that total and another coach. If it were a quality coach it would be $5 million a year or so. Turner had only one year left on his contract and in the past the Bears have used frequently as severence pay the last year of a contract. They do have some heart. Anything short of making the play-offs next year for Lovie and the last year of his contract will probably be his severance. I wouldn't hold my breath on the Bears making the play-offs next year.
aside from a string of good seasons in the 1980's and a fluke 2001/2006 seasons, this entire franchise has largely been very uncompetitive and too fiscally conservative. This franchise has not been a powerhouse of the nfl since the days of halas.
this franchise truly is laughable, the only reasons this hurts is because a good talents like Jay Cutler and Lance Briggs have to endure this.
"We expect to win now, this is not a long term project in our eyes." Phillips said.
Really? We'll win in 2010 with this tired, old roster, only late round picks, and new coaches? This needs to be a project so that we can have a consistant winner starting in 2012 (remember lock-out coming in 2011). Trade our current, aging stars for draft picks, then cut the rest of the dead wood. Call St. Louis and find out who they want (except Cutler & Forte) for the first overall pick and draft DT Suh from Nebraska. Build for 2012. GO BEARS!!!
This is all about the millions the Bears owe Lovie and Jerry. Rather than fire them, it's better to sacrifice the 2010 season. Great quote by Angelo about keeping the "continuity". What does that mean? More bad drafts, bad personnel decisions, lousy game management, a very poorly coached defense, unmotivated players and another year of missing the playoffs?
Yes! Bears are going to the Superbowl next year!
Lovie should have been fired but his staying had nothing to do with race. It had more to do with paying him $11 million to stay at home. Give me a break.
As a Packer Fan.... Well I hope you are North of the border because this is Chicagoland...... There is No Chicago Packers.... Besides at least we have been to the Super Bowl in the last 5 years and No this is not your year and if you get by the Cards your Best all time QB will take care of you.
To the rest remember we should have won the North last year so giving up on The Bears... Nah not me Lovie, just needs to get the fire back in his heart and seeing that almost all of his coaches are gone should do that.
Every football fan that is not a Bears fan is cheering about the Bears keeping Lovie around. I love it!!!
Who else wants a Chicago football nipple? Suck it. Go to the games. Accept the losers on the team, in ownership, and the front office. Bear down! We will all forget this day before pre-season starts.
We (I) made bad trades, bad draft picks, bad coaching selection, bad player selections. Angelo should have fired himself.
Why are they leaving it up to Lovie Smith to find an Offensive Cooridnator???? He doesn't know anything about offense. He calls up his friends for suggestions and keeps his close friends on defense (sounds truly Chicago). He thinks "we'll run the football like Bears football"...stop pandering to the fans.
What about Babich, waste of money.
What about all the stupid red flag challenges?
What about poor clock management?
What about poor use of time outs?
THe players are lazy and need the fear of God put into them
HAHAHAHAHA!!! As a Packer fan, I LOVE this move! Keep Lovie around as long as you want!!
These 3 stooges caused the problem; what makes anyone think that now all of a sudden they have a brain and their ways will make this team any better!??
Definition of Insanity: doing the same thing over & over and expect different results!!!!
Clean house! whats Philip's add to this team? Get a real GM and give Ted's job to an accounted that can do the cap numbers and salary stuff!
The main problem this year has been coaching. The O side of the ball would play good and the d would play bad and look at all of the Penalties... that is coaching. I do get depressed when I hear Lovie want someone like him as the dc. the one year we were tops on d Riveria was the dc and him and Lovie butt heads all the time and that was the last year we were on top... go figure.
From what I have read about what was said at the press conference, I cannot see how Angelo still has a job.
Thank You
The picture used for this article is the new icon for Chicago sports.
The image of Lovie staring cluelessly at the scoreboard is as familiar to today's Chicago sports fan as the Jordan Jumpman logo was to fans in the 80's and 90's.
Who else noticed that Phillips said "we haven't had back to back losing seasons with Lovie"?
Duh, we haven't gone to the playoffs in 3 straight.
Right there you see the organizaion doesn't value losing seasons the same.
The issue is about E-volvement, Jerry and Lovie. The Bears defense is, and should remain, about knocking the mouth guard out of the opposition's mouths. Stop this arm tackle, ball-stripping, crummy technique, turnover baloney and kick some butt!. In regard to evolution, that really needs to be owned by the head coach and new offensive coordinator. Lovie should stop being such a stubborn, stagnant HC, and start moving towards being explosive.
ANGELO IS A TOOL. SMITH IS A TOOL. PHILLIPS IS A TOOL.
From what I have read about what was said at the press conference, I cannot see how Angelo still has a job.
I feel a ticket increase coming to cover all these promised changes. Anyone else think that way? The three "inaptitudes" are singing.
After the dust clears, look who is still left: Smith, Marinelli and Babich.
I wish I could protect my buddies that well.
how many years of 3rd and 6 with a 3 yard pass for no gain for the bears to finally get rid of turner. he did the same thing in the great wanny years. the bears brought him back because he was cheap. its one thing to be cheap and another to not know how to spend your money. i guess the old adage you get what you pay for is true
Although I been a Bears fan for many loyal years; I dont have to anymore; since I now moved to AZ a few years ago.
I can be persuaded to become an AZ Cardinals fan (I havent yet; but if the Bears dont improve...I just may) At least the Cards make the playoffs after a superbowl appearance. The Cards also retain good players when theyre contract is up; and arent too cheap to pay them what theyre worth. That is how you build a winning team; dont let star players go elsewhere just because of money. Also; why do traded Bears offensive players seem to do a lot better at other teams; like Benson; Orton; Barrian, just to name a few. That should have been a red flag to fire an offense coach; so why did it take them so long to figure that out?
Where is Bob Avellini when you need him?
I think it came down to 2 scenarios for McCaskeys (I shudder to think I follow a team for 40 years that has Virginia and Michael making the big decisions):
Scenario 1 - clean house, hire a big name coach, energize the fan base, start rebuilding toward a winner, get rid of fat cat players, SPEND SOME MONEY, risk more salary output in 2011 during the lockout which is probably the #1 revenue risk McCaskeys have had on their sole revenue stream for the last 10 years at least. Believe me, the negative revenue impact of the lockout is front of mind to the McCaskeys.
Scenario 2 - pretty much status quo, keep Lovie and Angelo, change the lower level coaches (didn't we do that last year too and that was supposed to equal success?), bring back most of the same players which Angelo reported he was happy about, don't make major changes to the team per Lovie, and don't spend any more money than absolutely necessary. By the way, coming attraction from Angelo: a sad story about how they couldn't really find much free agent talent this year because it was a "down" year. Keep salary as low as possible going into the lockout year.
Another big input for the decision was that, as Phillips said, they had very few no shows at Soldier Field. They know the fans will tolerate another year of this without much negative revenue impact.
This was an easy one for Virginia and Michael.
All season long Lovie said, "and we will", with the utmost abandon.
After every disaster this year, Lovie said, "we'll get it fixed".
So I am not surprised that this came out of his mouth today, "We realize that we need to improve, and we will. "
Are the McCaskey's that stupid?
Keeping Lovie is like throwing away the bottle and keeping the bootle cap. He's the bottleneck, he's responsible, you don't just can the OC and a Butkus.
Oh my god Virgina.
It all came down to money. Phillips blamed Angelo and Lovie. Angelo blamed Phillips and Lovie. Lovie blamed his fellow coaches and Angelo. But the Bears still made money so nothing is going to change.
Did you here that press confrence. Phillips saying no team in this league wins on a constant basis. Really???? The Eagles, Colts, Chargers, Pats, and Packers haven't won consistantly?
All of them saying they have been bad but that they are good. It was nothing but double talk, the whole thing. Lovie actually said every team in the nfl wishes they new what his defense does on third downs. They said massive changes needed to be made but that they where stiking with who they have. They said they had a 63 man core and 5 draft picks which will make up the core of their team. Then talked about college FA.
Lovie said they want a OC who will run the ball, but we all know its going to be Martz. Martz doesn't run the ball, ever. When asked if Marinelli had been offered the DC job, Lovie didn't answer but said he will be back as the assistant head coach.
It will be Martz and Fewell for a year. They cleared room for Martz we all know thats comming. Phillips said their will be major change and then Lovie said as long as he was here we will run what I run and use my philiosophy.
You know who I want to hear from, Brian Mccaskey who is the only family member that has a clue but nobody up their ever listens to him. I got news for all you fans Mike is still running this thing, Phillips mentioned him giving Lovie, Angelo and himself a vote of confidence. I bet it was Brian who reached out to Cowher's people. He actually knows football and loves the Bears and wants them to win championships.
The current powers that be care about one thing and one thing only. They reward mediocrity.
I've said this 100 times, here's #101 - As long as the McClaskey family owns the Bears they will be mediocre. Sometimes bad, sometimes good, on the whole mediocre.
Why? They know that you fans - as much as you bitch - are going to buy every ticket for every game. They know that they are gonna get bux from the NFL, they know this they know that - the team is a cash cow no matter HOW MUCH they screw it up, so WHY SPEND GOOD MONEY TO IMPROVE THE PRODUCT WHEN THEY KNOW PERFECTLY WELL THAT THEY'RE GONNA GET RICH BY JUST SITTING THERE?
A 7-9 record and who gets your draft pick?
The Bears' organiztion will not change till the McCaskeys' sell the team. Unfortunately, they have personnel and financial managers.i.e Philipps,Angelo and Smith who are not very good or ill-informed about talent evaluation and coaching. For the life of me, I do not know why Angelo is afraid to draft in the first round and would rather gamble on quantity than quality from a player personnel standpoint. Bears fans consider next year as another Wannie and Jauron type year, because we have no first round this year and no second round(traded for Gaines). Do what I did; I just got fed up and forgot them,no ticketrs,no merchandise. Tune them out because they tune you out too anyways a long time ago!!!
Among other things, Angelo's draft philosophy must change. When you look for guys with not much star quality but a "high" low side, you are drafting for average players. And that's exactly what the Bears have become -- about a .500 team over his tenure.
Draft average players and you get average results. Bingo.
I am so excited for next year!!! I am looking forward to the press conferences after each loss. Lovie " We are a good team.. We will get better.... This is just the first quarter of the season.. lots of football to be played." blah blah bullshit. The only reason the bears played half way decent the last two games is because the players want another season of the easiest training camp and practices in the league. No expectations, horse sh***t coaching. Zero conditioning!! This is an absolute joke! Plan on a very similar season for next year. hey we could improve,, (8-8) no play offs. You think they can beat the packers next year?? Not with this group of clowns!!!
Ya'll won't ever be satisfied
I don't even watch these press conferences anymore because all they are is the same bunch of b.s. and lies everytime. "We want to go in a different direction," "We want to do what's best for the team," etc. etc. Angelo and Phillips are nothing more than politicians, they lie so much and talk out the sides of their mouths they should be in Congress. Why even have live press conferences, just make a recording for the sound bites since they're always the same.
I agree with all of you fine upstanding people, "I really do!"
Now if I could only get you to shift some of that same energy on how Obama is recking this country. "Just like the Chicago Coach has recked the Bears.
I have been saying for years that Turner has to go. It should have happened right after the loss at the Superbowl.
All you fans who say you are "done with the Bears" and "I'm gonna burn my tickets" are all FULL OF SHIT!!!
You'll all be in front of the TV next year with your Bears jersey's and big foam claws just like every year!!
Grow up and face the facts.........this organization sucks and it will never change!!!
Firing Turner and the rest of the guys that most people have never really even heard of is like putting whip cream on top of a steaming pile of horse crap!
Just like the army--the lower ranks take the fall while the generals get the medals.
There came a time when George Halas knew the game had past him by so he went out and hired a football man--Jim Finks. Once he left, the organization slowly began to crumble as the McCaskey family took more and more control of the operations(thinking they actually knew something about football). They showed their ineptitute by hiring Angelo.I lost all emotional attachment to the team when Wanny was hired. My wife wishes to sincerely thank them for giving her husband, and Sundays, back to her. I still catch the Bears on occasion--when I need a good chuckle. It's sad, but I often find myself rooting for the other team. Something is basically wrong with the Bears organization. There is no excuse for a team in one of the top major markets to continually shoot itself in the foot. Look at Dallas, Philly, New England, Pittsburgh, Indianapolis. Funny how they manage to be competitive almost every year.
blah blah blah. please join me as a "we've moved on Bears Fan". it took the blackhawks ten years and a ownership change to wake up. stop watching the games, don't call in when they're discussed on the radio, don't buy any merchandise, DO NOT BUY TICKETS, etc.
turn your back and shun them like Tiger Woods at the Swedish embassy.
Wow.
That's was incredible. How stupid can the McCaskey's be if they have these three clowns in charge of their team.
I mean how can they sleep at night.
We sucked, we know sucked, but we're going to keep everything the same for continuity's sake. . .because you know not all teams are good all the time like the Colts, Pats and Steelers. . .sometimes you hit some bumpy patches, but since this team won four years ago, clearly they'll definitely win next year!
We are in a win or else mode, but that's not going to affect the coaching search. It's going to take a special/desperate coach to come in under this circumstances. . .
We need to find a Defensive Coordinator with new ideas. . .as long as they are ideas that coordinate with Lovie's system.
The offense wasn't the only problem, but nearly every offensive coach was fired and NO DEFENSIVE Coaches were fired. They're just switching out the clown HC/DC with a DC from the outside (who will bem and you can right this down, someone from the TB/RAMS/LOVIE tree). . .
"I feel that since we are going to win and that we are Chicago, I think we will have a bevy of coaches to choose from."
Jerry Angelo is just so delusional. Right. Coaches are just lined up waiting and breaking down the doors at Halas Hall hoping to coach the Bears. The McCaskeys tell Angelo to go out and hire the cheapest coaches he can find. When Shanahan and Cowher are both gone then Lovie will be fired.
If they kept Lovie because he was black, than why does Angelo still have a job, too? Affirmative action for Italian-Americans (or whatever he is)? What about Ted Phillips? Gimme a break. If anything the reverse has been true in the NFL and elsewhere... white coach sucks, gets fired, then gets hired somewhere else. Wannstedt had a horrible record here and was rewarded by being named head coach of the Dolphins. I'm sorry but that doesn't happen to a black guy.
It is the McCaskey's ownership and culture that permeates the Bears organization. It is their failure, as a family owned business, to realize that they must take care of the customers for long term survival. As long as the fans support the Bears, they support the McCaskey and what the serve us. It will get worse when Virginia McCXaskey passes on and Micheal has full reign.
Hey NFL.com has a stat that show Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgren and Jeff Fisher all missed the playoffs for 3 straight years before making it back to the post season. So for all you that think Lovie should go for a new coach even Cowher keep that in mind!!
Trust me.
I's gonna get this fixed.
Trust me.
The cover-none, I mean cover-2 can still work in this league.
Trust me.
First I'm gonna get me some rest. Staring cluelessly at the scoreboard for 16 games and throwing your assistants under the bus is much more exhaustin than it looks.
Trust me.
They won't fire Lovie the Loser because they are too cheap. Watch another bad season unfold next year.
The Bears defense was, at least as bad, if not, far worse than the offense. Not one of the defensive coaching failures was fired. That leaves Bear fans like me with no hope for the future. The offense improves but still loses games 49 to 47 because the defense cannot stop the run or the pass. Smith’s Tampa minus five and cover none defensive scheme has not stopped anybody in five years. The defense is no good, has gotten progressively worse, and does not even offer the hope of an improved Cutler, Aromashadu, or Knox for next year. As has been said for years “Championships are won with defense.” Any hope for the future had to start with firing all who are responsible for the woeful Bears defense. My plans for next year do not include attending or watching any Bear games.
@Jesse jackman
"Can't fire the black guy"
@Babulski
"If Lovie were a white guy he would have been gone after the Phillie game. "
You two idiots obviously know nothing about the business of football or the McCaskey penny-pinching ways. They weren't about to pay millions of dollars to a guy that's no longer working for them.
I have no problem keeping Lovie. Let's talk about Jerry Angelo. Here is a guy who couldn't mark an "x" on a box designating a restricted free agent. Angelo has a horrible draft after the superbowl, thinking all the pieces are in place (Ala Dave Wannstedt) and here's a guy who is scared to draft in the first round. IF you look at Indy's and the Steelers drafts, they are awesome at finding guys in the first round. Here we have a franchise that doesn't put an emphasis on first rounders. My question is this: is Angelo a puppet for a franchise that doesn't want to spend first round money on talent.
I was against the whole Cutler thing from the start. I can see his upside, but for a franchise that is getting older defensively and in decline, this wasn't the greatest move. You can still find qb's in the draft. I.e..please see the frachises listed above.
Bottom Line.........they should have fired Angelo. He is the fly in the ointment. The Bears would have been ten times better off hiring Tom Thayer as the GM. He has more football prowess and acument in his middle toe than Angelo can ever dream of!!!
This announcement is such a crock of crap!
Phillips made it clear that the Bears face a win-or-else mandate for the 2010 season.
What happen to last years mandate?
Phillips said the Bears need to improve in all areas of their operation.
"We need better players, we need to do a better job drafting, we need to do a better job in player acquisition and we need to do a better job coaching," he said.
Why hire back the same people responsible for the MESS?
"Let me just say that money has not been a factor in the decisions."
Then get rid of the losers!
I am in favor of putting the Bears fans in charge of the team, they are unquestionably smarter than the clueless decision-makers that have misleading and lying to the fans!
I am looking for a job that pays millions with no accountability. Do I need to go somewhere and prove that I am a loser first, or can I get hired without losing experience?
Can someone explain to me just WHY does Babich still have a job??
How poor does one's performance have to be for the Bears to get a clue?
As long as Babich is still on the payroll, all of the Bears' talk about improvement is Bullsh!t !!!
My God, doesn't he have ANY sense of shame?
I'll be back......when Lovie and Angelo are gone.
Good luck with 7-9 next season.
The B on Lovie's hat stands for BULL. I agree if he were a white guy he would be gone. It is about money and the future unstable labor talks. THey were 17th in defense and 23 in offense. How in the world can you justify this dude staying. Boner move #1 - getting rid of Rivera.
Too cheap to hire a real coach.
I'm excited to be remaining in my position as head football coach of the Chicago Bears," Smith said. "I think I am remaining in this position because ownership and the powers that be believe that I, that we can make the Bears a better football team.
We're STILL waiting for you to make the Bears a better football team, hasn't happened yet and you never will make the Bears a better team.
with more of the same for the Bears in 2010, it will again be the Packers/Vikings and then the has beens in the rest of the division (Lions, Bears)Bears have a 1derful year to look forward to, more Lovie and no draft picks, LOL!
LOL @ These bitter bear fans playing the "race card". Cant"Fire the black guy" Hahahahahaahahaahahaahaahahahaahahahahaahahahahahahaha.Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Fuckin crybabies.How did the white bear coaches do????? How many games did dave wannstet and Dick jaurun win???? ZEROOOOOOOO.Jaurun got blown out and embarassed AT HOME by philly.
the whole bear organization should be responsible for the debacle of 2009.Both sides of the ball were never consistent, thus never were properally trained to meet the competiton on a week by week basis.All we heard is that " we should be playing better". The NFL is not a playground folks, this is an entertainment business that we as fans pay to watch. Get some players who want to play first and get paid second. The fans will love you for it !!!!
What's ahead for us, the fans? Well, look at it this way, you can't keep doing the same things over and over and expect different results. Me personally, I can't hear Angelo or Phillips, because their actions are making too much noise, and the results of those actions are out there for all to see. And we, the Bear fans are to blame. Would you keep paying the butcher if the meat was bad?
Same old lame press conference. Now it is up to the fans. I will not be watching any Bears footbaall as long as Smith and Angelo are involved. I suggest any Bears fans that have tickets not attend the game, don't give them away, just do not attend the game. If you find yourself having to go then do not buy ANYTHING - no food, drink, hats, t's, nothing. Hit the McCaskeys in the pocket book.
That Ted Phillips could deliver this pap with a straight face made me want to toss my lunch. What a sanctimonious load. While they were dumping a bunch of ineffective coaches, why did they stop there? What about the head coach who should have demanded accountability from the coaching staff? What about the GM who should have demanded accountability from the head coach? And what about the president, who should have demanded accountability from the GM?
The press conference should have been led by the McCaskeys. Instead, it was their bean-counting cipher standing up there. What a total load of c*rap. I'm done with the Bears. Done.
I've been a Bears' fan since the day I was born, and this organization continues to operate like they did back in the 1960's. Conservative, cheap, half a***d commitment, can't develop players and no long-term commitment to win. This organization is run by committee, with no one willing to step up and lead. They need a football operations executive, like Ron Wolf when he led the Packers (man, I hate typing that name) from irrelevancy to an Super Bowl title. He rebuilt that organization, and found the right people (i. e. Holmgren) to help make them competitive -- for the long run. Besides an occasional playoff appearance and rare Super Bowl, this team seems to settle for lip service and mediocrity.
This is ridiculous. Lovie was in charge of the defense this year which was worse than the offense.
If Lovie were a white guy he would have been gone after the Phillie game.
Draft? How? WE HAVE NO DRAFT PICKS LEFT!
Can't fire the black guy. Bears in 2010 = 4 wins.
I've been a Bears' fan since the day I was born, and this organization continues to operate like they did back in the 1960's. Conservative, cheap, half a***d commitment, can't develop players and no long-term commitment to win. This organization is run by committee, with no one willing to step up and lead. They need a football operations executive, like Ron Wolf when he led the Packers (man, I hate typing that name) from irrelevancy to an Super Bowl title. He rebuilt that organization, and found the right people (i. e. Holmgren) to help make them competitive -- for the long run. Besides an occasional playoff appearance and rare Super Bowl, this team seems to settle for lip service and mediocrity.
When lovie smith talks Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...............
He says the same bullshit over and over and over."I'm proud of my guys blah,blah,blah" "We will get better, We're close"
Bears are 7-9,9-7,7-9 close to what??? The eagles have been to 5 Nfc championships.Patriots 4 SB's,Steelers 3 Afc championships 2 sb's in the last 5 years. THEY ARE CLOSE THE BEARS ARE NOT.
Excellent maybe Lovie can bring in one of his top notch BUDDIES to take over or maybe the clown will take over the Offensive Coordinator role along with his Defensive Coordinator role, that worked real well this year. Up yours Bear fans its all about saving money not winning. Lovie has wrecked this team and will continue that tradition next year. The only HOPE we have now for CHANGE is Obama putting him into one of the may open cabinate positions, he would fit right in there.
BOO! Lovie and Angelo should be fired too. Maybe Ted Philips should go with them. Not sure how this will improve the situation. I think the problems start at the top, seems like shuffling around the deck chairs on the Titanic to me. And the band played on....
BOO! BOO! BOO! Terrible Decision. Another year of bad draft picks and lost time outs....
Guess Ted P. doesn't realize that many of the "showing fans" aren't really the diehard, long time fans - i personally know at least 30 fans (granted not a huge number) but people that i know personally that said they weren't going and would sell their tickets.....ted p need to understand that a bunch of one-time game goers are filling the seats and could care less about the actual game and team....
Now think about your dad. What's that dad like? I want to meet that dad. Do dah do do!
It wasn't about the money? Yeah right. It certainly wasn't about the football.
Chicagfo gets what it deserves
i still hope the bears go after cowher. i wonder if the guy would like to be back in the game as a defensive coordinator? the bears need a top coach who gets EMOTIONAL and will push these players. i think the raw talent is there, but the coaching and development is not. i don't know why marinelli would get the nod at the position when his defensive linemen have performed poorly this year.
but really, i still can't believe this team owes lovie that much money. after his campaigning a few years ago for a better contract, he responds with 3 consistently bad seasons...
Lovie Smith: "Rex Grossman is our quarterback" Said with blank stare.
Jerry Angelo: "Lovie Smith is out Head Coach" Said with an equally blank stare.
Ted Phillips: "Jerry Angelo is our GM" Said with the blankest of stares.
When is one of Virginia's grandsons going to take over and run the organization the right way? Ala Rocky Wirtz and the Black Hawks.
Lovie needs to walk his a s s out of town. So does Angelo. People who cannot stand up for the individuals they hire and the players they bring in, have no business being in the NFL or on any type of football field.
After seeing the full page ad in yesterday's Tribune I knew Lovie was coming back. The "brain-trust" that runs the Bears thinks we are all idiots. Moe, Larry, and Curly could do a better job than Ted, Jerry, and Lovie. We are to believe money did not play a factor? Please! As Mike Ditka said when he played for the Bears, they throw quarters around like they were manhole covers. Winning isn't everything to the Bears, making money is.
After listening to this for 30 minutes, it strikes me these guys just aren't very bright.
They over-achieved in 2006 and are clinging to one season of success as justification that they know what they are doing.
It's clear they don't.
"We are making major changes" and "we're looking for co-ordinators who will run systems Lovie is comfortable with" are in direct opposition to each other.
"We might not be good enough": Jerry Angelo.
True. True.
The whole thing is one big joke, and an insult to fans. All the coaches fired were the one's Jerry and Lovie hand-picked in the first place. They porotected their jobs for one more year, the heck with everyody else. The players like Lovie even tho he is like milktoast - and that is reflected in their play. No fire on the sidelines or at practice equals no fire on the field. Besides Xs and Os. coaches also teach attituce and the mental aspects of the game. Lovie is simply not a leader - people know a leader when they see one and he leads the team in his image. He should have been replaced. The Bears should never give anyone in a team leadership capacity a contract for
more than 2 years at a time.
I like Jerry Angelo's suits. Very nice. He is very articulate. He explains concepts well. Too bad he has a problem executing the concepts.
Don't waste time whining here. Vote your protest with your WALLETS. If you're tired of the same ol' -ness of the Bears for decades just stop buying tickets, stop buying logo junk, stop watching televised games. Ignore them. That's the only message that the McCaskey's care about. If VIrginia McCaskey and Ted Phillips can see the color of the Sodier Field seat sections at game time they'll get serious about building a real team. But not until.
Come on Phillips, it's all about money. Don't stand there and lie to us!! And I didn't think I could get any more disgusted.
These three stooges, Phillips, Angelo, and Smith, are lying to Bears fans, and they are doing so on behalf of Virginia McCaskey and her family.
It's disgusting. Virginia McCaskey & her families are playing Chicago Bears fans for fools, and none of them have the integrity to step in front of the cameras to face the public.
Ted Phillips very strongly cited the Bears low number of "no shows" for the games on Sunday as an endorsement by the fans that they had confidence in the team. That is what they are looking at - Nothing Else. So you "showing" fans, better start "no showing" or else its "look out below".
"We need better players, we need to do a better job drafting, we need to do a better job in player acquisition and we need to do a better job coaching," he said.
THE SAME SONG & DANCE...
Did we heard this at the end of a each year, for the past three years?
Myself, no more Sunday Ticket, no more Bear jackets, t-shirts, etc.
I don't know about you folks, but, I quit supporting a Status Quo till bears go to the playoffs and win the first round. If you all want the change not just a lip service then use your head.
Phillips sounded like a politician. Very sad how pathetic ownership and management of this team is.
Nothing will change unless personnel moves are made!
TradeJayCutler.com
Well, at least I can enjoy my Sunday's in the fall this year rather than watch the Bad News Bears stumble around the field. Angelo or Lovie should be embarrassed they still have a job.
"And by the way, season ticket renewals go out tomorrow."
hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
It is time to boycott the Bears. As a life long fan I hate to say it, but the organization does not care about winnining or its fan base. The only thing that will shake them is if the fans no longer fill their pockets with green. Fans take a few years off until the three stooges go away.
First Order of Business :
FIRE TED PHILLIPS, and replace him with, someone like Gary Fencik.
Sweet! Pep Hamilton is gone. Any other no name QB coaches we can hire out there?
In the 1st 2 minutes of his press conference Angelo said "The coaches did a great job for us" and "We won't work any harder because we already work hard". BWHAHAHAAAHAHAAHAHAAHAAHAHAAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Guess the buck doesn't stop here!
The fastest way to rebuild is to get a head coach and GM who know what they are doing. Unfortunately with Lovie and Angelo, the Bears don't have an identity..(ie get off the bus running then trade for Cutler) The defense is dismal and hopefully they can a DC who can inspire, develop and motivate the players and get rid of that horrendous cover-2 scheme. Also, money not a factor...please, talk to us like we have an IQ and tell the truth. Money IS the issue!!
Flat out lying to the fans.
It is always about the money. Especially when they say it's not about the money.
Phillips is definetely Mike McCaskey's guy...how many times did he talk about the continuity between Smith and Anjelo like that is a positive thing?
I wish I had season tickets for 2010 so I could burn them
Here we go again. Once again the Bears management has settled for average to below average. Angelo is the reason why we are in our current situation when it comes to an old, experienced group of AVERAGE to BELOW AVERAGE players. Add this to what I feel will be not spending money in free agentcy and next year wil be brutal. Angelo needs to go. He and Lovie can go coach and manage a Pop Warner team. Wait......what do you mean Pop Warner will protest?
The BEARS dropped the ball they should have gotten rid of Lovie. He has not done anything for this organization since '06 when he accidentally ended up in the super bowl. He is over rated, shows no emotion win or lose. Bears fans have another year of disappointment coming up and we have upper management to thank. Lovie draws the loser out in people and surrounds this organization with coaching staff that is destined to lose. IE: Marinelli? What happened to Ron Rivera? we blew that now did'nt we and for who? and for what? NOTHING!
This is a smart move for the Bears, Think about it if they change coaches then we are in a rebuilding mode. Now that Lovie knows win or else I think we will see a better team next year plus if we have another losing season then we will see Cohwer who stated he is not interested in coaching this year. Sign Mike MArtz, spread the offense out for Cutler and sign a big name receiver. Hey trade Urlacher and Hester for Anquin Boldin!!!
What a crock of BS....Listening to this buffoons right now on 670, these guys including Ted all need to go. This is insulting to us fans. These asst coaches were all picked by Lovie and he and Jerry just threw them all underneath the bus to save their own rear ends. What a joke....
Jerry Angelo + Lovie Smith = Proof that cats aren't the only ones with nine lives.
I'm watching Ted Phillip's press conference on ESPN....What an idiot! I think he drinks.