Agreed! Hell, Shoop and Shea make Ron Turner look like Coryell!
I like the history Bates has with Cutler. It's part of the learning curve that does not need to be re-hashed out. Bates' strength could very well be just as a positional guy. Even if he's not great, it's Tice's baby. Tice is in control.
I like what I've been hearing around the radio that the move to get Bates and eliminate the passing coordinator element out of it was due to Tice's not being pleased about it. Also, rumors of Emery not being pleased about it are circling about. Maybe it's revisionist history, but assuming there's some truth to it, it's a good sign for things to come. The moves make logical sense. Tice's philosophy makes logical sense. Hiring Bates makes logical sense. Sure, it may not work. But there's not denying that, on paper, it looks as solid as one can ask for as this moment. Whereas Martz's plans were always met with skepticism at minimum...pure dislike at max.
Just get ready to hold a space at the SB victory party this upcoming season in Chicago. I'm drinking Kool-aid like it's free Guinness pouring out of the St. James Gate tap at the top of the Storehouse Gravity Bar!