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WCG at Halas Hall - "Bears Insider" with Lovie Smith, Phil Emery, and Ted P
http://www.windycitygridiron.com/201...-emery-and-ted
WCG at Halas Hall - "Bears Insider" with Lovie Smith, Phil Emery, and Ted Phillips
by Steve Ronkowski on Sep 4, 2012 1:00 PM CDT
I was lucky enough to be able to tag along with my season ticket holding friend to the "Bears Insider" radio broadcast held at Halas Hall last night. For the price of years of waiting, season ticket holders got to walk around the indoor practice field, try on Bears' game-day equipment, and be a part of the live radio audience for Jeff Joniak's weekly radio show "Bears Insider." To kick off the regular season, he had GM Phil Emery and CEO Ted Phillips join his usual guest, Lovie Smith, and the four talked about both the off-season and their expectations for the season. Flip below the fold to get the word on the Bears fresh from the three men who put the 2012 team together.
In a word, the mood among management is optimistic. Ted Phillips is very pleased with Emery's management throughout his first off-season. Phillips noted that Emery has delivered exactly what he said he would - a team that can win games now - and that he was happy overall with the direction the team is moving in. Emery himself was equally as happy with the roster he has assembled and with the changes he has made to the scouting department (adding on more staff, changing the evaluation system). Lovie was his usual jovial self throughout, even taking the time to make a joke during one commercial break. Here are some of the topics the three touched on both on and off the air: Brandon Marshall came up during two different question sessions. The first was in regards to his acquisition by the Bears. Phillips said that he was initially excited by the prospect of adding Marshall when Emery approached him with the idea, but was also somewhat cautious given the legal troubles swirling around #15. Emery gave full credit to his staff for "getting to the bottom" of the story and otherwise doing their homework on Marshall and finding no reason not to go and get him. Later during a commercial break, Lovie also praised Marshall's work ethic and leadership in team and position meetings. Lovie says the Bears are a team that can "score a lot of points," and if Marshall maintains his current good behavior, Lovie will probably be proven right.
They took their sweet time about it, but of course J'Marcus Webb was going to come up in the conversation. Joniak was upfront with his questioning, simply asking the three if they were comfortable with their front five as is stands today. Of course, the three of them expressed their full support for the offensive line. Lovie emphasized that J'Marcus "won" his job this year and that the team did have competition at most positions along the line. Emery was somewhat more muted in his praise. He noted that Webb has the perfect build to be a left tackle, and his hope is that by cementing Webb and Chris Spencer together on the left side of the line, the two linesmen can develop the type of team chemistry required for a zone blocking scheme like Mike Tice's to work successfully. Joniak had to rain on the optimism parade by mentioning that only one team had the same offensive line on the field every week last season, but Emery and Lovie were consistent in their support and also made vague references to making sure that "everyone on offense" is required to make sure the line can hold up. In short: trust us now, because it was Martz' fault!
Alshon Jeffery was a source of better-placed expectations. Emery talked about how Lovie and he both agreed before the draft that he was the best red-zone and sideline receiver available in this draft, and he was very pleased that Jeffery fell far enough to where the Bears could go get him without having to reach. Emery also excused Jeffery's somewhat weak performance against the Giants two weeks ago, saying that has great practices and a strong camp and was simply a bit nervous under the big lights in the Big Apple.
Other players who came up in conversation were fan "favorite" Dane Sanzenbacher and Matt Blanchard, both of whom were praised for having the extra motivation that comes with being born and raised as Bears fans. Shea McClellin got some love as well, although Lovie was quick to note that he has not won the starting job from Israel Idonije and that Shea will be used almost exclusively as a pass-rush specialist for now. McClellin has, to quote Lovie, "done everything we have asked of him," but Idonije has simply "been playing really good football lately."
As every sports media outlet reported yesterday, Brian Urlacher was a participant at the Bears' first regular-season practice Monday. Lovie Smith took a moment to chide all the doubters who didn't believe it when he said that Urlacher would be back in time to face the Colts, and said that other than being a little out of shape versus the camp participants that Brian is as good as ever. Smith was equally pleased that both Chris Conte and Stephen Paea also returned to practice and will be ready to go Week 1.
Speaking of the Colts, Lovie and Phil weren't giving their Week 1 opponents anything to clip on the wall. The two had nothing but praise for #1 draft pick Andrew Luck, saying that he already looked like an NFL veteran in his pre-season work. Ted Phillips, however, was a bit more transparent in his expectations, recalling a 1983 game the Bears played against another very hyped rookie QB, John Elway. Phillips wanted to see the new guy scraping himself off the turf courtesy of the Bears just like what Dent and company did to Elway. Lovie was optimistic about our chances against the Colts' new 3-4 defense, saying that having both Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis move into two-point stances will probably translate into less pressure on Jay Cutler this Sunday.
The surprising moment of the night came when Lovie Smith told a joke of sorts. One kid lucky enough not to remember the halcyon days of the Ron Turner Wildcat told Smith that he should run a Wildcat "like the one with Tim Tebow." Lovie quite correctly pointed out that he doesn't like the idea of taking Jay Cutler off the field at any point on offense, as he's simply too good to want to replace. Lovie then talked more generally about the plays and advice he is constantly getting from his three sons, his wife, and (of course) Bears fans everywhere. He said in a true Lovie Smith formulation, "We'll listen to your ideas. We probably won't use them." Laughs all around...
Despite Lovie's refusal to take my play suggestions, he's more than happy to listen to us fans as long as we stick to cheering. Smith, Emery, Phillips, and host Jeff Joniak all said that they're very excited about the team that they're fielding this year and are glad to hear the same enthusiasm echoed by fans. Joniak also mentioned that whenever he travels for games, even opposing radio announcers will tell him that he is lucky to work with such a fired-up fan base every year. So come Sunday, be prepared to get loud, and I'll see you at the tailgate!
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They took their sweet time about it, but of course
J'Marcus Webb was going to come up in the conversation. Joniak was upfront with his questioning, simply asking the three if they were comfortable with their front five as is stands today.
Of course, the three of them expressed their full support for the offensive line.
Lovie emphasized that J'Marcus "won" his job this year and that the team did have competition at most positions along the line.
Emery was somewhat more muted in his praise.
He noted that Webb has the perfect build to be a left tackle, and his hope is that by cementing Webb and
Chris Spencer together on the left side of the line, the two linesmen can develop the type of team chemistry required for a zone blocking scheme like Mike Tice's to work successfully.
Joniak had to rain on the optimism parade by mentioning that only one team had the same offensive line on the field every week last season, but Emery and Lovie were consistent in their support and also made vague references to making sure that "everyone on offense" is required to make sure the line can hold up.
In short: trust us now, because it was Martz' fault!
This speaks volumes. They're already building in the excuses if the oline ruins our season. And what does THAT mean regarding the "everyone on offense" is responsible for the oline holding up?
Last edited by JustAnotherBearsFan99; 09-05-2012 at 04:09 PM.
Brian Urlacher
Thanks For The Memories
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Soul, keep the Shea hype machine in one thread it gets to hard to follow in multiple. The kid is already been downplayed by the Bears b/c he isn't the 4down back that he was claimed to be; and Izzy isn't that great, so it speaks volumes about Shea.
The OL is going to make/break the O, no matter how hyped they want to make it. On a postive note, I do know that it can run block, and I do know Tice/Lovie want to run so that gives me a lot of hope. I also know the OL SHOULD be able to hold the pass protection for at least 2-3 seconds and w/2 go up and get it WR's(marshal/jeffery) and 1 sure handed Bennet, and Forte/Bush as outlets the pass game should be effective too. Now add into that the ST's play and Gould's legs and we should be able to score despite them.
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Simple we have to call plays that help the O line no 7 step drops, Cutler has to get rid of the ball quickly, the WR need to not only run the right routes but have to be ready to come back to the ball, the RB and TE need to block when needed. Its the samething every other team ask of the Offense.
Originally Posted by
JustAnotherBearsFan99 
This speaks volumes. They're already building in the excuses if the oline ruins our season. And what does THAT mean regarding the "everyone on offense" is responsible for the oline holding up?
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
JJ-30 Simple we have to call plays that help the O line no 7 step drops, Cutler has to get rid of the ball quickly, the WR need to not only run the right routes but have to be ready to come back to the ball, the RB and TE need to block when needed. Its the samething every other team ask of the Offense.
OK, seriously, I wondered what they meant. In other words it's just chunk that ball away like when I was a kid and played "hot potato" - Garza to Cutler to any warm blooded guy who can catch it quick.
We could just let the oline sit on the sideline (have Garza there of course to snap the ball). 
Last edited by JustAnotherBearsFan99; 09-05-2012 at 05:28 PM.
Brian Urlacher
Thanks For The Memories
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Originally Posted by
Riczaj01 Soul, keep the Shea hype machine in one thread it gets to hard to follow in multiple. The kid is already been downplayed by the Bears b/c he isn't the 4down back that he was claimed to be; and Izzy isn't that great, so it speaks volumes about Shea.
It was your thread Ric and the topic was brought up in this thread was it not? The comments Lovie makes refute everything that you are saying about him but you very neatly ignore that and substitute your own meaning for them.
Maybe I need to add you to my sig line.
I'm not in denial I'm just selective about the reality I choose to accept. - OS of the former Mrs. soulman and Riczaj01 
Last edited by soulman; 09-05-2012 at 08:18 PM.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. 
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Originally Posted by
soulman It was your thread Ric and the topic was brought up in this thread was it not? The comments Lovie makes refute everything that you are saying about him but you very neatly ignore that and substitute your own meaning for them.
Maybe I need to add you to my sig line.
I'm not in denial I'm just selective about the reality I choose to accept. - OS of the former Mrs. soulman and Riczaj01
Fine you want 2 threads about Shea's inability to perform up to Emery's words, so be it.
Since when has Lovie ever said anything to be believed? but since he's saying something THAT you thinkNOW Lovie talk is gospel? Rex is our QB, Kyle is our QB, Ced has done a lot of good things for us.....I can go on but proof is in the pudding, Lovie tows company line and nothing more.
ACTIONS speak louder then words. EMERY's words speaking on Shea Mc: "...He's a 4 down player..." Lovie's words he's doing everything we ask him to, Lovie's actions, Shea's a backup situational pass rusher. Why? b/c the guy he was brought in to replace b/c he was never able to get pressure is now suddlenly doing a great job? RIIIIIIIIGHT. And why is that you say Soul? Why is Shea not able to beat out a guy that cannot get pressure? B/c he's too small, to weak and a 1 trick pony that is easily game planned for and shut down; he also cannot play against the run. So how is a guy that cannot play against the run a 4 down player? Oh he's not is he. Wanna know why he has a high motor? b/c he has to, he's not able to get to the passer more effiecently b/c he's so easily washed out of the play or swallowed up from the start; god help him if the play doesn't break down b/c then he's just another below average DE that cannot even get pressure b/c he sure to hell won't do it in on the snap against starting quality OT's that have tape on him.
Keep buying that stock Soul and you'll be out of money quick.
Last edited by Riczaj01; 09-05-2012 at 09:23 PM.
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This team is so completely and utterly fucked that it's not even funny. I mean, really, what do we already know about this offensive line? Sure, it did reasonably well in the second and third preseason games at pass protection when one looks at the fact that in neither contest did the first team OL give up a sack, but it was also grossly inconsistent with the run blocking. It did well in the Redskins preseason game, but horrible in the game against the Giants. It totally blows my mind how Tice and Holt are not using CWill's talents at all this season unless a serious injury comes about with either Webb or Carimi. We cut the only other alternative at OT that we had. We might as well have kept OMG for all the good our depth will do us.
As far as Big Mac, I think the jury is still out on him. Ric, you are placing too much emphasis on what he did during training camp and the preseason as to whether he will ever develop into a prime time elite player. I personally think that by this time next year, he will be silencing his critics because he will have had one additional year of strength and conditioning under Jim Arthur. Right now, he can still be effective if he's used similarly to the way we utilized Mark Anderson in '06. The difference between the two is that there is much more upside to McClellin than with Anderson.
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