Do you believe in Lovie?

**MarkBear** · 03-26-2012, 11:04 AM

McCaskey: Bears believe in Lovie, but the NFL is a prove-it business

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 26, 2012, 10:33 AM EDT

Getty ImagesBears chairman George McCaskey has reiterated what the front office has said since the end of last season about coach Lovie Smith: He has the franchise’s full support. But McCaskey also acknowledged that with only one playoff appearance in the last five seasons, it’s time for Smith to prove that support is justified.
Asked in a Chicago Tribune interview whether the Bears believe Smith is the right guy, McCaskey said, simply, “We do.”
“The players like to play for him,” McCaskey continued. “He’s consistent. He’s fair. He’s tough. He knows how to win.”
The Bears’ faith in Smith was on display from the beginning of their search for a new general manager, when they said they would tell all candidates for the G.M. position that they had to accept the fact that Smith would return for 2012. However, that means the 2012 season is the opportunity Smith will have to demonstrate to new G.M. Phil Emery that he’s the right man for the job. And McCaskey acknowledged that after eight years as the coach of the Bears, Smith will have to prove himself in his ninth year if he wants to make it to a tenth year.
“Lovie will be the first to tell you that everybody in the NFL is there on a prove-it basis,” McCaskey said. “From what I’ve seen, he and Phil are working very well together. We hope that shows in results on the field.”
And if the results don’t show on the field, and if the Bears miss the playoffs for the fifth time in six year, the front office will probably lose its faith in Smith, and Smith will lose his job.

**The Benjamin** · 03-26-2012, 11:08 AM

I believe in him as a coach over all. TOs and challenges are always a struggle for him but I think he is an above average coach and I am happy with him here

**Zelezo Vlk** · 03-26-2012, 12:32 PM

I'm pretty sure I've read that if Lovie's gone, Lach will retire. SB or Bust!

**soulman** · 03-26-2012, 12:40 PM

I'm in agreement with Benji. Overall the guy is a good motivator and a class individual. His players have a great deal of respect for him and they play hard for him. However, he must be one of the worst game day coaches in the history of the NFL. He's often indecisive and his clock management sucks. That aside he's still one of the better coaches in the NFL.

**Papa Bear** · 03-26-2012, 01:08 PM

I think the real question is: Do you believe in life after Lovie? I can feel something inside me say, I really don't think we're strong enough.

**GermansbombedPH** · 03-26-2012, 01:58 PM

not easy to replace, winning record and players like him and to play under him

**nelliewilson** · 03-26-2012, 03:18 PM

He is one of the better coaches in the bears history, IMHO. And when comparing him to coaches in the league today he is above average. When it comes to throwing the challenge flag he is almost always wrong but a lot of that blame must go to the coordinators in the booth.

**BULLITT** · 03-26-2012, 03:21 PM

He ain't no Marv Levy.

**draw2anderson35** · 03-26-2012, 03:21 PM

I believe....

Lovie in my mind is amongst the top-15 head coaches in the NFL right now. He's definitely the 'player's coach' type, but his message has not been lost on the locker room yet and the players continue to play hard week in, week out for the guy. I do agree that his game day skills need to be improved in regards to handling time outs, poor replay challenges and at times not making the proper adjusts in regards to player match-ups or what an offense is doing against his defense (i.e. Packers continually killing us with slant patterns)

**soulman** · 03-26-2012, 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by BULLITT

He ain't no Marv Levy.

LOL, but Marv's getting so old they're probably getting ready to mummify him. Besides I'm not sure I want a HC who lost 4 consecutive SB's. So far Lovie is still 0-1.

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