By Vaughn McClure
The Bears have called a news
conference for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Halas Hall amid indications that Lovie Smith will
remain as head coach.
Linebacker Brian Urlacher said Monday he expects Smith to be back.
"I'm one-million percent behind coach Smith,'' Urlacher told the Tribune. "What's happened the last couple of years is not on him. There are not a lot of coaches that could have taken the team we had in 2006 to the Super Bowl. He did it. And then the year before, with a rookie quarterback (Kyle Orton), he took us to the playoffs.
"It's not his fault we've struggled. We've always been prepared to play. We practice hard every day. We just haven't performed well. That's all there is to it. It's not his fault.''
Photo: Brian Urlacher heads to his locker after working out Monday at Halas Hall. (Chris Walker/Tribune)
"We didn't have a lot to be happy about,'' Urlacher said of the meeting, "but it wasn't somber. It wasn't like it was our last meeting with coach Smith or anything like that. I didn't get that feeling. It sucked, but two wins in a row was the best we could do with our situation.''
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Injuries happen when your out of shape. You get out of shape by not being self-disciplined, not being disciplined, not working to get better, not being the best you can be, becoming complacent, not giving 100%, resting on your laurels, and basically getting WAY too much money, WAY too soon. Try working construction 8-10 hours a day, 6 days a week for 35 years. You pussies couldn't hold my hammer longer than five minutes!
Brian, baby. I talked to you out side the Hilton before the game in Denver, in preseason. You sounded upbeat, positive and confident then. But, you broke your wrist, (fluke play, or out of shape, too old?) and you were done for the season, sitting on the bench collecting millions. WHO wouldn't want to make a million dollars for standing around for 3 hours?
You've lost a lot of credibility in Chi-town. What happened to the grit, the focus, the intensity, the desire? Too old?
Where's the fire? Where's the pride? Where's the bravado? Where's the results? Where's the goals? Too ashamed to even think about an undefeated season? Too spoiled to think beyond an 8-8 season? the Bears orginization has become to complacent, too mired in mediocrity, too lackluster to have ANY vision of what they could and should be. They've fallen behind the times and destroyed the George Halas legacy.
Angelo,and Philips stay, they have nothing to do with the
Bears.
These two nitwits should be fired!
Yeah... who the hell wouldnt want a coach to come back who doesn't get all over their butts and make them work hard??? These prima donas love what they have in mediocrity. They all talk a good game but when it comes to game time, they go out there and prance around and joke around like kids. I understand being loose, but come on LOVIE. Let's see some damn discipline and motivation out there. Get excited for ONCE in your life and light a fire under these guy's butts!!
No question that Lovie is too easy on these guys and he's absolutely proven he has no idea how to run a defense. He's GOT TO GO before anything will improve.
Sorry folks, I meant, Do you think this is nachos OR nachos and beer?
Question Bears fans: Do you think this is nachos and nachos and beer?
Of course the players want him back..who wouldn't want a coach that has no control or concept of coaching. I blame this season on coaches and a few players - all too comfortable with big salaries and contract extensions. Also, Jay Cutler is the last player I would blame for any of this - the guy was running for his life most of the season behind an offensive line that couldn't move a lunch counter. It is going to take more then just getting rid of 1/4 quarter of the Bears coaching staff to fix this. I shoved all of my Bears shirts into the Goodwill box November 1st..I thought we would get a New Year's present ala the Bills - fire all of them. It would be much more interesting to watch something being rebuilt as opposed to the blank stare of Lovie watching the jumbotron in 2010..
After watching a lot of the Bears defense play this season, it was just play. HOW many hard hits did anyone make. Brown was the last hitter along with Fencick. Hey if a player on the other team gets a little antsey knowing he's going to be smacked hard, he loses concentration and probably the ball. THIs team realy lacked that hard tackling that Bears teams usually made happen. They wern't trying to knock the ball loose with a uppercut. THEy would knock the runner around enough that he WOULD cough up the ball. WHERES Butkus when you need him! Wheres Ed Sprinkle when you want him, Wheres The DEFENSE hitters! COME ON!
After watching a lot of the Bears defense play this season, it was just play. HOW many hard hits did anyone make. Brown was the last hitter aong with Fencick. Hey if a player on the other team gets a little antsey knowing he's going to be smacked hard, he loses concentration and probably the ball. THIs team realy lacked that hard tackling that Bears teams usually made happen. They wern't trying to knock the ball loose with a uppercut. THEy would knock the runner around enough that he WOULD cough up the ball. WHERES Butkus when you need him! Wheres Ed Sprinkle when you want him, Wheres The DEFENSE hitters! COME ON!
Does anyone really care what Urlacher thinks? He has showed that he doesn't support his team or worst yet, his team mates. Low class, very low class ... typical for this bear team. And now we hear that Lovie and Angelo wants another "friend" to assume the DC role. This turd of a team just keeps getting sticker.
Is that Terry Boers with a beard sitting on the bench Urlacher is walking by? Dang Boers, you looking old man.
Boers is like Urlacher these days---they dont work too hard, cry and get more money, and offer only opinions, not results.
Cant wait until TMZ opens their Sports Department and we can finally get the real dirt on these scumbag Sports Stars...none of these Chicago guys dare tell the truth on these cheating, drug using, women abusing lugs for fear of not getting back into the locker room if they do.
Thus when TMZ sports department opens, it will be great to see a lot of these lugs taken down in the morality department.
Boers and the rest of these big mouths always huff and puff about "wow, the things I've seen players do", yet, never once say what those things were or whom these players were/are. Listen to him sometimes, he does a little whistling sound as he goes into his "seen it all" rant...yet, never once has he named names or named acts.
TMZ sports---it will replace this garbage, and the million dollar mouths will be nothing but high school stringers reporting box scores.
I want the truth on these rip offs who have been dogging it on the field, the floor and the ice--no more Tiger worship on any level. But our local guys lips, I mean fingers, have been sealed.
Really? One million percent? I mean...wow.
"Behold the sword of Urlacher!"
Hey I agree with most of you guys but seriously, lay off of Urlacher's physique, he has always had a bit of a gut. Way back when he was getting Def. Player of the Year I remember seeing it and going "Wow." It's not like he's way out of shape or something.
I've always heard that Bears fans are among the most knowledgeable in sports. You'd never know it from most of the opinion samples contained herein. It would appear that you got far more than you deserved this season.
who is responsible for players at every position both offensive and defensive playing like they are waiting for 1/2 time coney island dogs? After every game we get same excuses from players who all love the slackmaster as they will show up for next years training camp or forgive me the Brownie sleepover party. Who is responsible for defensive schemes who cannot stop anyone? not even the Lions? I thought after last years debacle that the Luv Meister was going to fix the defense and it took 20 steps backward from that nightmare while Luvie stares at the Trinitron trying to figure out if he needs to throw the flag and lose another timeout. I have never seen such a undisciplined team in any level of sports and such a lost coach. I am sick as a bears fan and this is my venting. I am seriously thinking of burning my orange and blue. Walter Payton being my hero since I was 12 years old can carry someones faith only so far.
Of course Urlacher wants him back. Nobody will make training camp easier than Lovie for the players. Have you ever been to Bourbonnais for camp? I've been to several non-Lovie football training camps and none are as laid back, easy going, non-contact, etc. as Lovie runs.
And it shows in the season results.
I've been thinking about that Super Bowl year too. The Super Bowl game itself was very nearly a joke. Lots of Bears mistakes and D didn't do much. And, didn't they beat New Orleans and Seattle that year to get to the Super Bowl? Seems like they got quite an easy ride compared to many of the potential playoff opponents that have been in the tournament since then. A fluke??
dls...
i've got plenty more for you....believe me. i am, without question, a diehard bears fan. i just happen to understand the game a bit more than most; which now includes you.
my point about urlacher is that he, in most "fans" eyes started his decline. however, after missing him on the field for 15 1/4 games this year, maybe he's not so bad.
and all your "they played to save lovie" examples? what does that even mean? are you, of right mind, saying that players decided to SAVE their coach (the same one you're crucifing) in the last two games? how? and, for that matter, why?
i just wonder why so many "fans" think that they were born with some sort of rite-of-passage that you can determine who comes back and why? truth be told, dls--you were one of the "fans" clammoring against mgmt when it didn't look like Lovie was going to get his extension, yes?
and now this? i love revisionist historians.
Come on Urlacher and boys... put up half you salary next year if you're so sure Lovie is the guy for next year.
If you don't make the playoffs with Lovie as the coach, you pay back half your salary. You'd still make more money than 98% of the people paying you (the fans).
bhawks61 said:
"I see fans writing about firing Angelo and Smith and I agree whole heartedly. My question is why would ownership do it? If you fans continue to sell out Soldier Field what purpose would that serve? Both men are doing their jobs. They are securing the bottom line.
Hell give Angelo and Smith extensions because they have earned it. The cashflow is raining in Halas Hall.
This Bears team could have 3 consecutive 0-16 seasons and you will still fill the stadium. That tells me you are satisifed with the product or that you are entitled to have a winner because you pay tickets to watch.
Fans don't show accountability so the ones that go to the games deserve to suffer. Matter of fact if you go to the games than you need to shut your mouths and not even complain.
It's the rest of us Bears fan that demand a winner that are powerless and depressed because you have enabled this behavior by the Chicago Bears."
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Here we go again with the "pre-announcment" that Smith will be back. McCasky preping all of us for the bad news.
How disgusting!
Brian Urlacher has had a free ride for the last couple of seasons. Being on the DL this season just gave him more time to be a lounge lizard. That he is "a zillion percent" behind Lovie Smith should come as a surprise to NOBODY: where else would he find a coach who holds players accountable for nothing? They have no fire, no intensity and no drive except to pick up their paycheck.
Anyone who supports the Bears in the 2010 season needs to have their head examined.
Who is that doughboy in the photo? lol
Go figure, Urlacher wants Lovie to stay. That's what happens when you have a "players coach", he babies certain players and plays favorites. Urlacher is one of them. If not, he would have been gone years ago. Lets hope Smith AND Doughboy are gone by next season.
" We practice hard every day. We just haven't performed well.''
So Brian tell us, who is in charge of a team performance?
I meant Ray Lweis is NOT half as falbby as "B-Lach"
urlacher needs to tradded for draft picks while he still has value. but kissers are not leaders.bears need real leaders.
Word is Lovie is back and as for Cowher, I would love to have him but word is he does not want t ocoach the Bears and is waiting for the Carolina job and will not coach for another year.
Remember a couple of things about this Bears group. They Love to make excuses, they blame everything on everyone else, Lovie has fired a lot of coaches while he has been here and replaced them with coaches he hand picked and then fired those guys too. Its never his fault. While Turner and his staff are probably gone and Farwell will probably be the new DC. Angelo loves his players and has stated he thinks they have a very talented roster, so don;t expect any big free agents. In fact don't expect much change in terms of talent, defense and head coach. Its all Turners fault according to them. Here comes Martz another friend of Lovie's.
If I just got a raise for decreasing performance, I would'nt want anything to change either.
Brian-It is called P90-X, you might want to try it.
Injury or not, Jesus, you look soft in that picture.
Ray Lewis, who does Yoga now, is older than you and he is as half as flabby as you!
the mccaskys do not care one bit about the football side only the business side. they are just like the hunts in k.c.if they keep smith and angelo that will proove it to everyone. why else would you keep them.
I see fans writing about firing Angelo and Smith and I agree whole heartedly. My question is why would ownership do it? If you fans continue to sell out Soldier Field what purpose would that serve? Both men are doing their jobs. They are securing the bottom line.
Hell give Angelo and Smith extensions because they have earned it. The cashflow is raining in Halas Hall.
This Bears team could have 3 consecutive 0-16 seasons and you will still fill the stadium. That tells me you are satisifed with the product or that you are entitled to have a winner because you pay tickets to watch.
Fans don't show accountability so the ones that go to the games deserve to suffer. Matter of fact if you go to the games than you need to shut your mouths and not even complain.
It's the rest of us Bears fan that demand a winner that are powerless and depressed because you have enabled this behavior by the Chicago Bears.
Urlacher vote of approval? He should be traded as soon as the Bears run off the coaching staff.
Hey Jeff:
It is obvious that you are not a Chicagoan or Bears fan. You sound more like a Viking or Packer-Cheese head. The point is Bears fans have been very accomodating to Lovie and his Losers. If you think that Ur-slacker came out smelling like a rose after 3 quarters of football this season, you need smelling sauce! The truth is this team waited until the last two games to play like a real NFL team. They suddenly found their heart for two games to save Lovie's butt! That is pathetic. You don't suddenly start playing hard just to save the hide of a bad coach. Forte looked like a totally different player, Tommie Harris woke up from a coma, Cutler miraculously found a pro bowl form, even Devin Hester ran straight instead of sideways. They did it all to save Lovie. Now, my dear Jeff, if you think this is ok, that's your tolerance for poor performance, but the rest of us Bears fans expect and deserve more from this team of Teddy Bears, it's hapless coaching staff, and especailly management!!!!!! Talk further with me on my blogg at .....speakingtruthtoday.bloggspot.com
Bottom line, the return of Jerry and Lovie won't change anything! Their cronies will be brought in to fill any of the vacant coordinator positions. How has they worked so far? Babich and Pep Hamilton, enough said. They are settling for, at best, mediocrity. They only beat one playoff team this year. Next year, they have eight games on the schedule against the current playoff teams. So what happens when they finish 6-10 next year? Lovie gets canned and they'll hire another inexperienced coordinator as head coach since all the experienced ones will be gone. It's time for the Bears organization to become a legit NFL franchise and aim to be a contender year in and out.
hey black and blue...
you might be right, but i think-after this year's performance by the defense, NO ONE came out smelling more like a rose than Urlacher. that defense needs his leadership. pay attention to the actual ins-and-outs of team defense (and pay less attention to what you hear on sports radio) and you'd have figured that out. while you're at it....
get off your high horse about "the management not caring about the fans." because you're in Chicago and maybe even a ticket holder, that does NOT entitle you to anything. if you don't like it, don't watch.
If Angelo is trully concerned about the well being of this team. Then it's time to cut bait of this coaching staff and bring in cowher since shanahan is looking like he won't be available. Angelo should have been at shanahans front door at 1201 am last night, but now that he is gone. Cowher should be the target, but as we all know we will be left just as frustrated as we were this whole season with the announcment tomorrow at 2. I could care less how much urlacher or Harris or ogunleye support this guy. This team sucks and we need to get a coach in here and new blood all the way around to get this team back to being a top contendor. Do what's right for your fan base for once. If you bring these coaches back. You will risk losing a lot next year. If you thought this season was bad. Wait and see what happens if there is a repeat performance of last season.
Hey Chicago, Bill Cowher wants to coach in Carolina close to his daughter's college and his home. He removed his name associated with any coaching jobs. Maybe because John Fox is remaining the coach their for his final year. Chicago is the least job he wants.
I left this info at another site but it's relavant here. Pro Football Weekly rated Lovie as the 22nd best Defensive coordinator. They said some of his decisions were so stupid that it looked like he wanted toget fired. If he's back it's another 4-6 win season
This would be an utter disappointment. Give a coach a big raise and big contract just to not come close to making the playoffs for the last 3 seasons. 7-9, 9-7, 7-9 is not cutting it.
It's time for a massive overhaul starting with the top, and bring in someone who gives a rats a$$ about competition and playing up to your expectations.
Bring on Cowher.
Urlacher was in his prime four years ago, and he has been on the decline since. I hated seeing his smiling face on the sidelines everytime the Bears were blowing it. If the management stays with Lovie, they do not care about the fans and the success of this team. When they got Lovie, there wasn't much head coaching competition out there. There is NOW, and they've shown interest in coaching this team. Everything that is wrong with this team is interconnected to Lovie Smith. The players love him because he is soft. His teams have been underprepared, unaccountable, etc. If they want to blame this team's poor performance on injuries, they need to understand that injuries will happen with 2010, too. This team has been declining under Smith's tenure. He was lucky when the Bears got to the Superbowl. The team was weak then, and we all knew the weaknesses. It's even weaker now because the defense is worse, and who's calling the plays, Lovie Smith. It's hard to watch a team get increasingly worse when even the worst of teams, Cleveland & Detroit have made positive changes which will enhance their teams in the future. The Bears need an experienced HEAD coach if this team is to succeed.
Glad to hear the Bears front office has decided to settle for mediocrity for at least the 2010 season. Meanwhile, Bill Cowher or Mike Shanahan will go somewhere, turn a bad situation around, and become perennial playoff contenders. I want to puke...
Another over rated, soft player that is collecting money for nothing and backing Lovie. Urlacher fits the mold perfectly. Have a good season, sign the big contract, stop working. And, then back Lovie - keep the coach that lets you get away with stealing. Go away Urlacher.
Lovie is coming back!!! Here we come 8-8!! Woohoo
Bears will probably announce they are raising season ticket prices.
Jim Zorn? hahahaha.....try charlie weis for OC, why not Jim miller for QB coach. He seems to know everything on CSN postgame!
I hope that the Bears go after Jim Zorn to be the Quarterbacks Coach, he was no good as a coordinator or head coach, but he did wonders as a positional coach. He would be a MAJOR upgrade over Pep Hamilton.
Look at the years Gus Ferrote (Lions) and Matt Hasleback (Seahawks) had when they had Zorn at the helm as the QB coach. While neither of these two were the greatest QB's ever to play, they both had better years then Cutler had this past season, and the intent is to IMPROVE his play and thinking.
Zorn was an okay QB in the NFL, surly not a great player, but he was a player who worked hard because he did not have a lot of talent and I think he could actually TEACH something to Cutler.
Pep Hamilton has to go, he is another person in a long list of Bears coaches that were put in over their heads. I mean come on, this was HBC QB and not even a good one, he should not be a professional coach, at least not yet, he should be coaching at the NAIA level at best.
Just my two cents...