We Should All Get a Kick Out of These Comments.......................
The SunTimes article that these came from was actually about and entitled; "Where was Johnny Knox"? Maybe some of you have read it and maybe not but what got my interest far more then the article itself, which only tells us what we saw and have seen ourselves, were the comments posted following the article.
We're certainly not the only Bears fans who are completely fed up with how this team is being coached and run from a management standpoint. What was most interesting to me were the comments about how Jerry Angelo apparently through the coaching staff "under the bus" in his pregame interview and how Lovie fired back in kind in his postgame interview. I watched at a sportsbar with friends and couldn't hear the audio so I have no idea what was said but if these observers are correct all is not copacetic at Halas Hall. If this is accurate it's looks like a showdown is in the offing and the first one to go should be Jerry Angelo.
I'm not a huge fan of Lovie Smith. As far as I'm concerned he's a null as a motivator, hard headed, a poor strategist, and quite possibly the worst game day coach in the entire NFL but I don't believe anyone could produce a winning team out of the mess that Jerry Angelo has left. If he were fired tomorrow then tomorrow couldn't come soon enough for me. Enjoy the read. I think it's worth it.
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16 Comments
Al L. | October 11, 2011 8:20 AM | Reply
I'm pretty worked up this morning. Turned the game OFF after Best ran 88 yards without anyone laying a finger on him. We knew the offense was lame, but the defense pretty much sucks as well. Lovie needs to go. Going for it on 4th and 1 early in the game? Then you compound your mistake by challenging it when it was pretty clear the ball was spotted where it should be? This guy is a knucklehead, makes me wish DICK JAURON was coaching here! This is how bad it has gotten and the worst is yet to come.
BigBear | October 11, 2011 8:27 AM | Reply
Where was Knox? Probably the same place the rest of the Bears offense was with the exception of Cutler and Forte. They were the only two that showed up. Other thoughts:
If Martz ever calls a seven step drop again he should be publicly flogged.
I liked the Olsen trade at the time. The Bears need talent and that comes from draft picks and Davis seemed like he could easily step in and do what Olsen did while being a better blocker. Boy was I wrong. How does a player regress so much in their fourth year as a pro? Coaching maybe?
Is Levi Horn still on the practice squad? If so, time to bring him up and see what he's got. Omiyale should never see the field again. In fact, if I'm coaching he's on waivers this morning. Horn can't be any worse and it would send a nice message.
estevenj | October 11, 2011 9:13 AM | Reply
Knox isn't getting targeted because he isn't getting open. That is a byproduct of him not being able to get separation in the mirco seconds that Jay Cutler has to throw the ball before pass rushers destroy him.
Matt Forte is awesome, but he dropped a 20+ yard pass that hit him right in the stomach and killed a drive.
Devin Hester is amazing, but he dropped a possible touchdown pass from Cutler.
3 other drops plagued the Bears recievers to go along with the most ridiculous offensive line play I have ever seen. I've been following the 49ers for a number of years as well. They have had some horrible line play, but I think the Bears line is the worst.
I have to ask Angelo some quiestions:
Is Frank Omiyale really better than every other linemen on the waiver wire? Really?
Are you seriously not going to sign Matt Fote? Your best offensive player since Walter Payton? Arguably the most productive and balanced running back in all of pro football?
Could Terrell Owens - yup I said it - do any WORSE than Roy Williams? I know he doesn't know the offense, but surely he can get open - and maybe even stay on the field?
I have defended Angelo in the past, but you have the Kruetz situation and him feeling unwelcome and leaving for New Orleans, Angelo signing cast-offs from Dallas that can't even stay healthy, and then playing poker with Forte, arguably the best player on the team.
estevenj | October 11, 2011 9:21 AM | Reply
I would also like to add that I totally understand that players need to know the system to be effective - and that bringing in late-comers is often frowned upon by coaches.
But seriously, can it get any worse? What good is Roy Williams when he only has 9-10 catches over five games and two bailouts on routes that caused interceptions? It doesn't sound like his knowledge of the system is really that important at this juncture.
Knox does not fight for the ball. He does not run accurate routes. He rarely gets separation.
Also, I know the D missed assignments and gave up big plays. At least they've shown they can dominate and have a chance at "righting the ship." Whether they do or not remains to be seen.
western roll | October 11, 2011 9:24 AM | Reply
In the pregame yesterday , Mike Ditka was asked to explain the Lions' success. He did not say Stafford, Johnson, or Suh; he said "management, scouting, drafting." Think he was pointing any fingers, guys? Maybe you think management is irrelevant? Then, your opinions are irrelevant.
CHUCK | October 11, 2011 10:12 AM | Reply
I WATCHED THAT FIASCO. IT SEEMS THE BEARS WEREN'T PREPARED IN ANY PHASE OF THE GAME. CUTLER WAS OUTSTANDING. I'M JUST HAPPY HE IS STILL WALKING THIS MORNING. THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE GONE NEXT YEAR AND I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT THE PLAYERS.
THAT HAS TO BE THE WORST OFFENSIVE LINE SINCE I STARTED WATCHING FOOTBALL. THIS WHOLE ORGANIZATION SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR WHAT THEY HAVE ASSEMBLED. CUTLER MUST BE THINKING "WHY THE HELL DID I COME TO CHICAGO". ANYONE WHO QUESTIONED HIS COURAGE SAW LAST NIGHT JUST HOW COURAGEOUS HE IS. IT IS GOING TO BE DIFFUCULT TO WATCH THIS TEAM FOR THE REST OF THIS YEAR. IT IS TIME FOR LOVIE TO LEAVE. GAME PLANS ARE PRINTED " IN STONE"- NO HALF TIME ADJUSTMENTS ARE EVER MADE. DID THE OFFENSIVE GURU EVER THINK OF GIVING A LITTLE EXTRA PROTECTION FOR CUTLER? I HAVE A NEW BOOK FOR THE BEAR COACHING STAFF TO READ:" MAKING HALFTIME ADJUSTMENTS". I'M SURE THEY HAVEN'T READ IT BEFORE.
DaBears06 | October 11, 2011 10:12 AM | Reply
The reason why knox was target much is because he's a outside vertical WR and most of his catches are going to come 10 or beyond the line of scrimmage. With that said the bears oline wasnt blocking well enough for Knox to get open down found.
If you notice knox really runs slants or routes of that nature.
A better question is why Roy williams didt get many snaps. It really befuddles me you have 6'[3 Roy williams use that size to your advantage
Dabears06 replied to comment from western roll | October 11, 2011 10:18 AM | Reply
Yea the lions draft better than the bears but look at where they drafted. Suh #2 pick, Stafford #1 pick(Personally I think he talent around him make him better that he is) Johnson#2 pick. The best player on there team are all top 2 picks so they better panned out. In some respect they sucked so long that had to turn it around.
In contrast though it no excuse the bears have drafted well , but i sure if they had the top 3 picks the las 5 years they may have somethin as well
western roll replied to comment from estevenj | October 11, 2011 11:04 AM | Reply
Knox cant get open, Hester drops passes, the OL can't block, etc. So, what's the solution?
deputydawg replied to comment from Dabears06 | October 11, 2011 11:43 AM | Reply
Are you serious? This mess is directly laid at Angelo's feet. He kept ignoring the trenches offense and defense, he's the one that hired Martz instead of a coordinator that fits his personnel. Lastly he kept Lovie and his jig is up cover2. This scheme has turned a premier pass rusher into a pedestrian DE. Successful defensive teams have a large mobile run stuffer all we have is a comp player and a bulked up running back. This roster is pathetic and that is directly the fault of the archeitect. This isn't Tampa in the 90's this is Chicago with a Tampa 80's roster.
Creighton replied to comment from estevenj | October 11, 2011 12:49 PM | Reply
Don't let Lovie off the hook guys. When they went for it on 4th down that was Lovie, not Martz. Even Martz was surprised he went for it he didn't have a play ready.
Matt Forte dropped that pass because it was a back shoulder throw, something Jay is really good at doing but doesn't have the recievers to execute it with. You need a good reciever to make that play and even though Forte is a good reciever, you need a real reciever to make that play work, Jennings or Driver make that catch. Forte is a really good recieving back but that is a big boy reciever football.
The D can't dominate anyone, they don't have the line, they don't have the Safeties, and they have a number 2 corner, throw in the fact that your 3 best defenders are all past their primes, and you have major issues.
I think Hester sent a memo to the coaching staff last night f### the no pocket, pocket this is what I look like when I move. Can't believe Lovie and Martz can't find a way to use him the way he should be used.
I could let all this bother me, but I have been telling people about this team for longer than I care too.
All I can say is good for Cutler last night, he snapped out of a funk and played big boy ball. He sent a message, "I am good, Matt is good, everyone else sucks!" I hope he keeps it I am wondering if Martz is mad at him for not getting knocked out of a game in coma. The line wouldn't protect him, and he protected himself and helped the team as much as anyone could. Poor Gruden was shocked, he and the monday night crew could not believe how bad the O-Line was, and I believe called it the worst line they had ever seen, and also pointed out he had no help at reciever. Gruden actually got more excited watching him play, I think his pants got tighter.
Anyone hear the pre game press confrence by Angelo, he started throwing coaches under the bus before the game? Lovie was throwing him under the bus after the game. Both need to be hit by the bus and Cutler should be driving it.
Angelo said they had all the talent, and pointed a finger at coaching, Lovie hinted they didn't have the pieces, still doesn't change the 4th down, late play call, timout, Ray Charles challenge flag throw he orchestrated. You got stuffed on third down easily, you got stuffed on 4th down, and nobody thought for a second that, that was a bad spot. That whole series was football retarded.
up rooted 2 TX | October 11, 2011 2:01 PM | Reply
BigBear Horn is on practice squad, and i believe there is a big road grading guard there with him. I agree they can't do any worse, maybe the will add a little excitment.
estevenj replied to comment from deputydawg | October 11, 2011 2:13 PM | Reply
I don't think hiring Martz was a "bad hire" per say. You're right about existing personnel not matching his system (except for Forte).
Also, Angelo has had (2) full offseasons and plenty of cap space to bring guys in that fit the scheme. He hasn't done squat. And like you said - this is all on him.
Lovie is not the best head coach in the league, but I think he is far from the worst. He has had above average success with poor general management and cheap owners.
Joe | October 11, 2011 2:42 PM | Reply
WHY DOES JERRY ANGELO STILL HAVE A JOB?
deputydawg replied to comment from estevenj | October 11, 2011 5:38 PM | Reply
Lovie is just as guilty, his failure to make halftime changes and personnel decisions have doomed this team to fail. His hard-headedness to keep up with the changes in the league and the division, his shortsightedness when it comes to his anointed ones. Melton is overmatched as a full time DT Idonidje is also a parttime player not a starter both players won't make the rotation on the teams in front of them. Angelo failing to spend money to protect and enhance their own investment (Cutler) won't invest in one of his FEW weapons (Forte) there are three offensive linemen out there maybe aging but still a far cry better than Omiyale. I would even go as far as to kick the yires on T.O during the bye week he still put up 935 yds at 35 yrs old in less games then Knox (Berrian-lite). It's pitiful when a undrafted free agent becomes your franchise players choice in a pinch what does that say for the drafted and free agents Angelo has collected.
BigBear | October 11, 2011 5:39 PM | Reply
"Anyone hear the pre game press confrence by Angelo, he started throwing coaches under the bus before the game? Lovie was throwing him under the bus after the game. Both need to be hit by the bus and Cutler should be driving it."
Creighton, I've got to give you credit for that one. That cracked me up.
