madlithuanian

Big assumption that Hester would have actually caught it... Henceforth why he goes to Marshall.

I tend to agree. However, Cutler need not win the game to prove he's good. He only needs to play well and put the team in position to win. Other factors like a poor running game, fumbles, drops by WR's or defensive failure could lose the game and Cutler could still pass the test so to speak.

That could be the funniest line this year!

I do basically agree. However, the decline is inevitable. Whether it's one more year of "almosts" and then the blow-up...the blow-up is coming. I'm not certain of Cutler either...but I think with a better OC, some infusion of talent on the OL in FA & draft, we will have a better idea. Sadly, the evidence all points that we're not going to be able to get it done with Smith, and with a potenail new HC, not for a while. Get used to life as a Cubs fan...just wait until next year.

Troll! ...if you say he's not bad....will you at least say, nor is he good? He was given dick. Marshall. Jeffrey. Bush. He had the same OL as last year. So, it should have been better. It's Shoop N' Poop all over again (but not that bad...). Predictable, unimaginative, and ineffective. Only when Cutty goes off-prompt and plays street ball with Brandon, does something magical happen. Sometimes, something grievous... So many inside runs...The list goes on and on... I'm just not sold. If other elements of this team were solid, I'd be more willing to keep going the course. Not that it'll matter I think. If Smith isn't excised with a full coaching regime change, then odds are his favorite scapegoat will (whoever the current OC is...)

Brian, Please...your keyboard is far more reliable than Kellen...

I wrestle with it yearly it seems... I really have given Smith a chance. And really, until we don't win the SB this season, I still will. But, it just seems the worst case seems to always happen, no matter how great we start. It's really a tease. I just get the feeling Smith is a good HC, just not a great one. And his coordinators are far from good. It's just our talent is good. But, that mix only seems to get us so far. Something isn't working. And the common thread is one man... We could be worse with a change. But we won't get better w/o one.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/...ke-the-packers/

Seriously, one more reason to hate Favre! I'm in!

Not the same comparison, but Smith had Url in his prime. And most argue that Url could have been better under different schemes like Blache's. Maybe not Superman...maybe the Flash. But superhero nonetheless...

I too believe Smith is better than Fontes...but the similarities are too close for comfort. Bottom line, and we're in agreement, is that neither are good enough for the Bears. The Bears need better. I'd like to find a poor man's Billicheck. Someone who has SB coaching wins as a coordinator, maybe didn't quite get it done in his first HC gig...but that can do so here. Not sure who that is. I hope Emery does. Caldwell?

But, just like Smith...nor did he win a SB.

Interesting stats...quite similar... http://www.pro-football-reference.com/coaches/FontWa0.htm 8 years at Det's HC (and I think his first year in 88 he was interim coach for the tail end of their season...) 4 playoff appearances Actually a better playoff percentage than Smith... Right now Smith is only 3-8...potential to go 4-9 The players loved Fontes. Just sounds very very familiar... And Fontes was booted after 1 losing season following 3 playoff appearances.

I hear ya.

I guess, me. He's not a true reporter. He's an analyst. Talk show host. That show isn't just reporting facts, they are coming up with opinions, etc. So, unlike a true newscaster or sports reporter...he's allowed to show emotion. He's a fan. He readily admits it. Unlike a vast amount of other Chicago sports writers, talking heads...I like the guy. And I see that even though we agreed to disagree...you still feel a need to disagree... Fair enough... For me, both come hand in hand. Passion does not necessarily mean crazy firey Ditka. Landry had passion. Dick Vermeil was a nice guy...but came off as very passionate. Smith comes off as a politician. I don't like it. That's just me. I care about winning too. we haven't, so I'm ready to give the next guy a shot. (After this season is over...we need to see it play out first. I'm ready and willing to admit being wrong. But I doubt it...)

I hear ya. It's said that David Kaplan on Comcast Tribune Live shows more passion than our staff...

...and seriously, what has Peppers done recently anyway? He can adjust or retire.

Smith's D is predicated on letting the other team make a mistake. That's why we beat crummy teams, and lose to good ones. Good ones make very few mistakes.

Total dart throw here...but could the coaching regime be setting themselves more built-in excuses not to get canned? It's a stretch, but it's been amazing how Smith has dodged so many bullets...he's like a GI Joe cartoon character...bullets everywhere, and no one gets hit. I think his code name is "Genius", "Slippery" or "Shipwreck"...we'll know soon...

Talent eval...the ghost that haunts us...

Great points. Based on that, could the change to 3-4 prolong his career, whereas staying with the Smith D would shorten it?

agreed...

That requires "outside of the box" thinking...something our current coaching staff completely lacks...

Double check that one Erin!