madlithuanian

I hear ya... The only advantage of brining in the cronies...is that it could expedite departures.

LT, I do appreciate the info. There were some area I was obviously not clear on. However, besides throwing water on my burning rage...I think you miss some of the big picture I am referencing. 1. I made no gaurantee that fialing to fire Smith will cost them money. I simply siad it should. And those of use that have any remote power to do so, should attempt as such. 2. I wasn't aware merch sales was an even split between all teams. I had thought erroneously that the team rec'd a larger portion than the league. Thanks for pinting that out. However, doesn't hte merch at Soldier go direct to the team? 3. I agree, most fans are fair weather. Most may not even know a single player besides Cutler, Hester and Urlacher. But those fans aren't buying tickets to the game, buying that much merch (which you've pretty much said doesn't matter), aren't buying conessions, aren't calling radio shows, writing newspapers, etc. The guys that put up that billboard made some noise. It got on the evening news and the average joe fan saw it. If this type or ire is kept up by the fantatical fans, there's greater possibilty more visibility to ownership will occur. Is it jousting at windmills? Yeah, for the most part. But it's also therapuetic. A good chunk of us (to paraphrase William Shatner on his brilliant NSL skit...), should, "Get a Life!" Following the Bears to this extent could be considered a monumental waste of time. However, it serves as a pleasant distraction from life's woes and stresses. And once in a blue moon, makes us really happy when we win a Super Bowl once a generation. 4. I don't get your comment on risk v return? It's simple buisness knoweldge and common sense. It's simple, if you risk little, you tend to gain little. Yes, the Lottery winner is the exception to the rule. And the downside (I hate to say "obviously), is that your err and lose a lot of money. Hugh Hefner didn't get rich putting his money in an interest bearing account. He risked huge savings and future earnings on a publication that was predicted to eat it. It paid off for him. Others have tried, and lost their life savings. For the McCaskey's to risk 10's of millions, especially conpared to the bad signings of players,etc...really isn't that much. Unless they are far more debt strapped than I could imagine. 5. Please don't insult me by saying I'm insane that I'm forward thinking a 5 year plan than a "react now" plan. Yes, there are inherent risks with no gurantee. But if ownership fails to see the long term benefit and opportunity cost, we could very well be doomed to quick fixes for the entire duration of the McCaskey ownership. The last chapionship was set up by Mugs and George. Since then, we sniffed it with a plaet aligning season. I don't have faith in the Harvard grad or the matriarch to really make the best decision. 6. And please, why the jab again about selling your season tickets when I clearly made no mention of the sort. In fact, I basically encouraged folks to go, but not buy conessions. I'd love to get season tickets as well. As I'm sure ton other would. That is not the point. In a nutshell, we fans have virtually no p[ower to express displeasure other than through calling talk radio,etc. Boycotting merch etc, at minimum at least makes me feel good personally that I'm con condoning the ownership's missteps. Don't get me wrong, I do understand your point, and do really appreciated the info on how merch is split up for revenues. I just take a bit of offense to statment you're making about things I never said or encouraged. But I know it's for arguements' sake...

No doubt!

Same as it ever was...

I agree...

I like the Smith quote...but I fear it's just lip service to placate those of us hollerin' for his ousting.

I'm sure the owners are aware of the anger...but I don't think to the extent. I just hope the many angered fans keep up their noise up and through the season.

He's been attached to a few jobs over the years. he's still a major player in LA, if not THE player. So, I wouldn't be shocked if this were not just a ply for him to get an extention and raise at USC.

Makes perfect sense. Why would Carrol alert the press that he was interviewing?

No real agrument agasint what you're saying. I just still look at the upcoming season as a waste of time. If the "real" regime were to be put in place, we would be a year ahead of the curve, now we will be a year behind. I simply hope that a few we hire end up being keepers and that we see improvement from Cutler.

Fair enough. When i ein th Lotto, I can can do a more comprehensive list next time. My point is, most these playoff or calibur teams find one stud about every year or every 1.5 years. We're not coming close to that average...

The point I was trying to make is kind of what you said, these kinds of teams tend to find one blue chip guy per year. Or maybe 1.5... Something like that. We're not even close to that. That's all...

And it's a stark reminder how they have mis-used him...

Honestly, I have no idea what the hell we play. Maybe it should be called the "Zombie 4 Step". 1. The DB's take about 10 steps each, moving away from the LOS to guarantee 6-7 yd completions like clockwork 2. The LB's get winded running up and back from the line like a stinger practice drill 3. The safeties are always running like wild horses since they are completely out of position trying to make up lost ground since the players involved aren't natrual at their positions 5. The DL is stepping back getting pushed back by the OL Lots of steps...no cover.

I just look at it as chickensh*t. The owners were scared. Scared to eat $11+M. Scared to hire a legit big boy coaching staff. Scared of what might or might not transpire with the CBA. Plain scared. Success comes from those who take risks...not from those that play it safe. If Halas played it safe, he'd have been a viny; siding salesman. (Or whatever...) Not a pro football mogul. It appears his successors are content playing it safe. Maybe that is better, and the next generation of McCaskey's after Michael will get it. Until the ownership stops playing it safe, we're going to see the reults we've been seeing over the last 20 years. Lots of down, a few ups, and not enough to raise the Lombardi. There should be more than enough in the McCaskey coffers to weather out a lost season, payoff the current staff and sget a new expensive one. If you do not spend money, you do not make money. This is a marathon, not a sprint. An old Lithuanian addage is the cheap guy pays twice. We'll pay for Smith and JA, then have to pay for a new regime. In the meantime, lost revenue in merch and opportunity cost as players age and fall victim to mutliple playbooks will occur. You pay now, for the payoff later.

HA! I hope this isn't inappropriate to say...but the caption I thought was... "Man, they sure do like their sausage there in Green Bay!"

Hmmm...a new team to distract myself with. Seems more Bear-like than the current product... Thanks for the news flea!

The one sheet for the next Robie Zombie horror movie..."House of 2 Legs" Inbreeding provides strange results...

I was thinking... "Teacher of the Year Winner!"

Are you asking for everyone's opinion or just those that participated?

Again...or one virtual stud. The good one do just that. Want me to list 'em? Here's a few of the playoff teams: AZ 2008 - Cromatrie 2007 - L. Brown 2006 - D. Letui 2005 - Rolle 2004 - Fitz, Dansby GB 2008 - Finley 2007 - Harrell 2006 - Jenning, Hawk, Jolly 2005 - Rodgers 2004 - 0 Indy 2008 - Garcon 2007 - Ugoh 2006 - Addai 2005 - 0 2004 - Sanders Balt 2008 - Flacco, Rice, Zbikowski 2007 - 0 2006 - Ngata 2005 - 0 2004 -0 Just to name a few...

Agreed. Especially about Brown. I made mention of "bonafide stud" in a different thread...he qualified as that.

Still not enough! And he's done for...

I look at is as an overall failing of the franchise. Between LS and JA, there aren't enough finser to point in their directions for our situation. I can't argue with yourassessment, but as it seems to be...JA and LS are joined at the hip and I think both deserve flack for our lack os success in the draft. I agree, that I don't fault the Berrian and Columbo picks and releases. Bad luck or good business is just that. But, everything else pretty much reeks. Your assessment is spot on. It's nice to have starters and contributors. But I feel every draft season, you shold at least have found one virtual stud or pro-bowler in it.