Lovie Smith to the Bears

[KCBOOMER]

Lovie Smith, Rams Defensive Coordinator, will sign on with the Bears as their new head coach today. Lovie who did a wonderful job with the Bucs then the Rams defenses has always been a favorite of the talking heads to become a head coach.

Smith becomes the fifth black head coach in the NFL (Edwards-Jets, Lewis-Bengals, Green-Cardinals, and Dungy-Colts). That seems to be important to some people.

[Craig S.]

He did a good job as defensive coordinator. It'll be interesting to see what he can do with the Bears, who have some talented players but lack consistency of personnel.

He and Dennis Green both have big hills to climb to bring their teams back to respectability.

[LeGrandOrange]

I'm actually a little surprised by his hiring, but that's because I didn't really think of Lovie as a future head coach.

Now that I've remembered that he was responsible for laying the ground work to the Bucs' defense, he might do well. Of course, he needs an offense first.

Not to bring mention of the race card in this post, are there now more African-Americans coaching in the NFL than in college? Doesn't have anything to do with anything, but I swear that's the case.

[Rajah]

Once again, the Bears settle for the cheap guy. So typical for this franchise, and for this town. They were all about Saban, then when it came time to discuss the money they lowballed him. 2nd hiring in a row where they botched up hiring the guy they really wanted. The Bears are pathetically bush league.

I certainly hope he'll turn into another John Fox. However, its far more likely he's another Dick Jauron.

[Gosfgiants]

If he adapts Fox's philosophy them Smith might do as well. The Bears real problem isn't coaching, but personel. They haven't put out an even halfway decent offense in years. The QB position has been a joke. Kordell Stewart is not going to be a guy who leads your team to wins. They can do the ball contol style with a runner like Thomas. Being in Chicago almost demands it.

The defense is certainly there for the Bears. Smith did a good job turning the much-maligned unit of the Rams into a tough defense. Let's see if he can do it with a whole Bears team.

[Rajah]

what I mean about being another john fox is that carolina's first choice had been spurrier, they settled on fox. bears wanted saban, settled for smith.

kordell is already done. its the grossman era now.

I won't pass too much judgement on smith until I see his staff, and their backgrounds.

[LargeBill]

Look at Baltimore. Billick was supposed to be an offensive genius. Team develops a couple great defensive players and next thing you know you have a SB championship with average offense.

[LeGrandOrange]

Billick still is an offensive genius. He simply inherited a great defense from Marchibroda.

Billick is the reason they won a Super Bowl. He managed to get every drop of offense they could out of a team that might've missed the playoffs if someone else was at the helm. He might've had something to do with their great defense...but I think that's Ray Lewis' doing. I feel without Billick, their offense is much worse and they miss the playoffs perennialy. Your mileage may vary.

The difference between him and Lovie Smith is that Lovie is inheriting a team that "specialises" in defense, which Lovie specialises in. All I can hope is that Lovie knows more about offense than I think he does, because it might get a little bit rough for him if he doesn't.

[pathogan]

... on alot of fronts. Smith had done everything he could in St Louis, and the success that Marvin Lewis had only helped in a couple of ways. I hope he does well...

[rcartman28]

I hope he does well, except when they play Green Bay. Hopefully, he finds a decent offensive coordinator, though, or at least has the sense to not play Stewart.

[Rajah]

Ok, everyone, repeat after me: Kordell is done. There is no way he steps on the field in a Bears uniform again (barring the unthinkable...)

The Bears hired KC QB coach Terry Shea as OC, who otherwise would have replaced Al Saunders (KC OC) if he became coach in KC or elsewhere. He intends to bring a KC type offense to Chicago. Of course, Chicago lacks the required personnel. Perhaps the Bears can swing a trade with Carolina for DeShawn Foster, who seems like the kinda guy who can fit into that Priest/Marshall mold. Then perhaps, TO would look nice on the Bears as the deep threat, with Marty Booker as the possession guy. Still a Tight End away, but still.

oops, I forgot, the Bears still need an OLine, a coupla more defensive tackles (they have one who looks like he'll be good), Brian Urlacher to play like he did his first few seasons, instead of like the average overpaid piece of doggy doo that he played like last year. Another cornerback would be a plus as well.

Oh, and Ron Rivera might be the new DC. Sweet.

[clemente21]

I'm excited about Rivera, and especially about Shea. But this staff needs a grizzled "bench coach" to provide some context, sort of like when Tex Winter joined the Bulls as an assistant coach. Atlanta has done that with Alex Gibbs, for example.

[Rajah]

Chico is now, officially, the new defensive coordinator of the bears.