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The Argument for Keeping Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo.
As much as it hurts me to admit it -owing to my previous (and deserved) rants against Bears management and head coaching, there is now a valid argument for keeping Lovie and Jerry.
The bad:
I dislike Lovie's coaching style and I hate his play call challenge philosophy -which goes by the mantra of challenging if it is a game changing call whether or not the chances are good for an overturn. I think he makes some bad decisions, he takes some chances that really defy logic. Remember the 4th and goal when we needed to take the lead at any cost? Of course hind sight is 20/20 but some of those decisions he's made were really over the top.
The good:
He has managed this team pretty well (Wins/Losses) when the talent just wasn't there or it was absent due to injuries. The players like working for him (yeah, he's a players' coach.) He's taken us to the Super Bowl, he's made the playoffs several times and it looks like we're headed to the playoffs again.
After a couple of crummy games -games we should have won (Seattle and Washington) he's turned us around and we are now on a four game win streak. Beating a quality team like Philly and the win streak with this O-Line was what convinced me to come to this decision.
The assistant coaching has been phenomenal. What Tice has managed to do with that O-Line deserves some recognition. Martz has swallowed his pride and has made some great adjustments -run/pass balance.
I was on the fire Lovie and Jerry bandwagon. Although I'm still not completely convinced about Jerry Angelo, he was the one that brought in Cutler when we really needed a franchise QB. If last Sunday's game is any indicator of what Cutler can do (and maintain) then that will truly be Angelo's Magnum Opus. That trade also brought in Knox who could prove to be a great addition to the receiving corps as long as he continues to mature into the position.
This is my official declaration of stepping off of that bandwagon. Of course if we fail to make the playoffs, then I'm hopping right back on!
I'd like to hear what other fans' opinions are on this....
Last edited by IPeedOnLambeauField; 11-30-2010 at 09:55 AM.
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Originally Posted by
IPeedOnLambeauField 
Of course if we fail to make the playoffs, then I'm hopping right back on!
So if they fail to make the postseason you're going to blame the GM & Coach when the players would be the ones failing in that case. Angelo has nothing right now to do with whether we make the postseason or not. He controls nothing & the players deserve far more credit then the coach ever does no matter what team it is. If the team fails this year, it's on the players. Lovie whether people want to hear it or not is among the Top 5 Candidates for Coach of the Year. People expecting to blame the coach more so than the players when things fail isn't right. The players deserve most of the credit when they succeed & most of it when they fail
I wouldn't bat on eye if Angelo is fired because he's never proven to be consistently successful, but firing Lovie would be stupid whether this team makes the postseason or not (And they have a 81% chance of making the postseason so the chances of making it are quite good)
A good reason to keep Lovie is that no player that has ever played for Lovie has criticized him. Every player loves him. He's somebody everybody will go to bat for. Players not blaming him for things is a good things for the team. Plus they're on pace for their 3rd division title in 6 years. Not many teams are that good
Last edited by packer_smacker; 11-30-2010 at 10:39 AM.
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One great thing is the Bears defense and ST's have been at the top since Lovie's arrival, including leading the league in take aways. A couple years they were decimated with injuries. I remember what it was like from 1992 to 2003, having only 1 or 2 good seasons, so Lovie really did change things as its not easy being at the top in defense and STs, many teams wish they could say that.
The bad thing is the first round draft picks have sucked. Olsen was a good pick, but its been few and far between drafting in round 1.
If we got rid of Lovie and suddenly the D and ST's became average over the next 5 years, and they also stopped leading the league in turnovers created, that would really suck, because I think most Bear fans just take it for granted that it will remain that way.
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Originally Posted by
JustWinBaby One great thing is the Bears defense and ST's have been at the top since Lovie's arrival, including leading the league in take aways. A couple years they were decimated with injuries. I remember what it was like from 1992 to 2003, having only 1 or 2 good seasons, so Lovie really did change things as its not easy being at the top in defense and STs, many teams wish they could say that.
The bad thing is the first round draft picks have sucked. Olsen was a good pick, but its been few and far between drafting in round 1.
If we got rid of Lovie and suddenly the D and ST's became average over the next 5 years, and they also stopped leading the league in turnovers created, that would really suck, because I think most Bear fans just take it for granted that it will remain that way.
One other thing is the Bears have dominated starting field position over the past 4-5 years also. A huge part of that is Hester and teams trying to punt out of bounds and give up field position, but Manning and Knox also played parts of that, along with Graham and Ayanbejo when he was here and their other coverage players. Thats been another huge part of the Lovie Smith era.
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Love him or hate him, the players play really hard for Lovie Smith. At this point, hes probably a win or two away from extension talk. Angelo will probably retire at the end of this year. Theres already been talk about that.
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Originally Posted by
packer_smacker So if they fail to make the postseason you're going to blame the GM & Coach when the players would be the ones failing in that case. Angelo has nothing right now to do with whether we make the postseason or not. He controls nothing & the players deserve far more credit then the coach ever does no matter what team it is. If the team fails this year, it's on the players.
If they fail to make the post season because of poor performance, then yes, I will blame the head coach. If they fail to make the post season because certain drafted/acquired players completely fall apart (like if Cutler reverts to bad form and gets three interceptions a game) then yes I'll blame the GM.
Like it or not, if a player that a GM acquires becomes a complete bust, it's on the GM's head. That may or may not be fair, but it's just the way it is.
If a team in the Bear's current position breaks down and fails to make the post season because the players start playing like shit, it's the head coach's fault because the buck stops there, he's in charge. It could be failure to motivate, failure to push players, failure to create incentives, whatever.
I will blame whomever I feel deserves it, because that's my right as a fan. It's also my job as a fan! I came full circle, right now I think Lovie did a good job because he righted the ship when it was on the verge of sinking. And for that, I think he deserves to get an extension.
Do I want to admit that after calling for his head after the 7th week? No, but I have to give him credit where credit is due. A fan's argument for a change in management for poor execution becomes hollow if he continues to clamor for it when something was fixed. And something was clearly fixed following that bye week.
They've earned an extension in this fan's eyes, unless something blows up between now and the end of the season.
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There is plenty of football left for the managment to screw up. As for Angelo, he blows and I hope he is gone before next years draft. As for Lovie Smith, play out his contract and then make a decision on keeping him or letting him walk. If Bill Cowher is available then fire Lovie on the spot.
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Originally Posted by
IPeedOnLambeauField If they fail to make the post season because of poor performance, then yes, I will blame the head coach. If they fail to make the post season because certain drafted/acquired players completely fall apart (like if Cutler reverts to bad form and gets three interceptions a game) then yes I'll blame the GM
Like it or not, if a player that a GM acquires becomes a complete bust, it's on the GM's head. That may or may not be fair, but it's just the way it is
If a team in the Bear's current position breaks down and fails to make the post season because the players start playing like shit, it's the head coach's fault because the buck stops there, he's in charge. It could be failure to motivate, failure to push players, failure to create incentives, whatever
I will blame whomever I feel deserves it, because that's my right as a fan. It's also my job as a fan! I came full circle, right now I think Lovie did a good job because he righted the ship when it was on the verge of sinking. And for that, I think he deserves to get an extension
Do I want to admit that after calling for his head after the 7th week? No, but I have to give him credit where credit is due. A fan's argument for a change in management for poor execution becomes hollow if he continues to clamor for it when something was fixed. And something was clearly fixed following that bye week
They've earned an extension in this fan's eyes, unless something blows up between now and the end of the season
Clearly we have different opinions because I will blame the players if they fail to make the post season. IMO it should fall on them for not focusing enough. A Head Coach shouldn't have to motivate a player
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Originally Posted by
packer_smacker Clearly we have different opinions because I will blame the players if they fail to make the post season. IMO it should fall on them for not focusing enough. A Head Coach shouldn't have to motivate a player
I can respect that argument, and I can understand why you think that way because players are the ones who ultimately determine the outcome. However, it takes a team to win or lose and the head coach is the man responsible to keep that team focused, motivated and for making the game day decisions. He owns the end of season record.
Minnesota is a perfect case in point for this, that team definately has the talent, hell, they were the favorites of the NFC North at the start of the season. But the players clearly weren't playing for Brad Childress and they didn't make any secret of it. (Very unprofessional imo.)
I don't know what he did to lose the players' respect, but to me, the Viking's complete and utter failure is on his head. How can you have that kind of talent (Favre, Petersen, Allen, etc.) and not win with it???
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At this point they are both going to stay. The thing I am most worried about is Ruskell's influence along with the new scouts and what moves they make next season.
Arguing on the internet is like winning the special olympics, even if you win your still messed up.
Restore the roar!
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