I tell ya

SentToStud · #1 09-24-2007, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GBBob

I'll be gentle as I hope you are when the Pack starts losing, but I think the bigger concerns for the Bears are the defense in general and the injuries specifically. I mean, Briggs, Harris and others were being carted off in the second half like the Catholics in the Colosseum. If they are seriously banged up and the D has trouble stopping teams like they did Dallas in the second half, then the Bear's offense is going to be even more under the gun

Also doesn't help that they cut loose Ron Rivera really late in the offseason. Rivera was encouraged to go after head coaching jobs and Smith, Ted and Mike M f'd him good. Yeah, they have guys hurt but anyone who thinks Bob Babich is a better def coordinator than Rivera is nuts. Lovie Smith got his deal and pushed to cut Ronnie loose in favor of a guy whose claim to fame was coaching LBs at St Louis.

GBBob · #2 09-24-2007, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SentToStud

Also doesn't help that they cut loose Ron Rivera really late in the offseason. Rivera was encouraged to go after head coaching jobs and Smith, Ted and Mike M f'd him good. Yeah, they have guys hurt but anyone who thinks Bob Babich is a better def coordinator than Rivera is nuts. Lovie Smith got his deal and pushed to cut Ronnie loose in favor of a guy whose claim to fame was coaching LBs at St Louis.

You're exactly right...that deal stunk the entire time. Smith was praying that Rivera would get one of the 9 head coach jobs he interviewed for because he was planning to launch him all along.

SentToStud · #3 09-24-2007, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GBBob

You're exactly right...that deal stunk the entire time. Smith was praying that Rivera would get one of the 9 head coach jobs he interviewed for because he was planning to launch him all along.

Yep. And instead of rewarding him with a modest bump on his expiring contract salary, they put out some b.s. on how Rivera wanted a bunch more money. He was making about $450k, mid-pack for a coordinator. Combination of Smith wanting him out and Phillips and McCaskey going cheap.