Pixote

99% ??????????? Maybe a bit of an exaggeration? I doubt if we would have extended his contract as we did if we felt his injury was going to effect the remainder of his career. At least I would hope not.

According to NFL.com the were 23rd in total defense (YPG) & 31st (PPG) before he took over. That year (2000) the team was also 1st in total offense (442.2 ypg) & 1st in total points scored with 540. Guess the offensive power of the 2000 Rams did the 23rd ranked defense (ypg) 31st ranked (ppg) no good that year. In 2001, STL was ranked #1 in total offense again (418.1 ypg) & 1st in total points scored with 503, but under Smith went from 23rd in total defense to 3rd in total defense (ypg) and from scoring defense from 31st to 7th best. I think this is quite an accomplishment. Yes, as the team lost it's steam on offense, the defense did drop off. This is not totally unexpected. We all know from experience if the offense leaves the defense on the field too long, it will be exposed and drop off statically. Was there other reasons for the drop off? I do not know and really do not care to go through that much research. If you look at the stats the defense that was dominating during that time period was TBB, with Marinelli in charge of the DL. I suspect Marinelli will be helping out a lot on the DC position with Lovie as well. Lovie values his input and will work with him on the defense as Babich takes care of the LBs. Let's hope we can be productive on offense to the point where Lovie's defense can excel.

I do not think it will change responsibilities for Turner at all, this is the only part of the article which I personally think is stupid. The rest makes sense, but certainly isn't any more than we all knew.

Well, my guess is it is because Marinelli & Sapp have strong ties. I am not sure he would have done this for Lovie as he obviously would not have as strong a tie with a LBC from his former team, but Marinelli, that is a different story. Sapp will work with Tommie, our 3tech DT. I am sure Marinelli will be working hard with the other players. Do you expect Sapp to coach the entire DL for the Bears? Marinelli has to do something to earn his check, LOL.

I have a few - some have yet to update their sites as it is a bit early. Draft Countdown is one of my favorites but the current draft they show is from 12/15 and has us selecting 14th, I am sure they will update soon. Walter Football is another of my favorites. It currently has a 3 round that is interesting. Football's Future is another real good site, was last updated 12/30, and has us picking Maclin at 18, which seems to be a popular projection amoung many sites. Consensus Draft Services is another interesting site. Draft Dog.com Is a site I just began looking at and not bad, has a 2 round draft posted, last updated 1/3. This is a new site for me but looks promising. Now if you want a Looooooong list of draft sites, I came across a site called DC Pro Sports Report The mock draft there is nothing of interest but if you go down the page it has a chart that has an extensive list of draft sites with links to each. I would have to guess over 100 links are there (I am too lazy to count them).

Personally, it seems the only thing that will make many of the posters happy is for Smith to be fired along with Angelo. I am not pointing a finger at you, or anyone else. Those I speak of know whom I am talking about. Sure, Babich retains the title of DC, but he is actually being demoted to LBC. He was LBC when Urlacher was at his best. He will be in a position he has succeeded in before with us. Believe me, everyone in the league knows he is DC in name only and has been demoted. Yes, Marinelli was HC for one of the worse teams in NFL history, but he was also the DLC for over 10 years with one of the best defenses during that time period and is still considered by many as one of the best DL coaches in the business. Is there anyone more qualified in the cover 2 DLC you would want over Marenilli? Didn't quite a few posters say they wanted Lovie to take control of the Defense? Isn't that what he just said he was going to do? Why is everyone pissed about this? Despite what was said by some, he was a kick butt DC in STL. Criticize him if you want for not doing it sooner, but he is stepping up and taking responsibility and I hope he succeeds. I do not know enough about the DBC signed to make comment. Hopefully he will work out. At least he isn't a college coach with no NFL experience. We questrioned why our DB coach was fired. We are guessing either a scape goat or conflict with HC, maybe he just sucked as DBC, I do not know. Maybe it is simular situations in Houston?

nfo - you say: I see in his bio this little blurb: So he took a team ranked 23rd in total defense, with 7 new players and 2 rookies to deal with, and improved them in his 1st year as DC to 3rd in total defense, (run defense improving from 13th to 3rd, pass defense improving from 27th to 10th, and allowing 12 points a game less than the year before he took over). Yep, sure sound like he sucked as a DC. (And yes, they got a tremendous number of turnovers and take-a-ways also). I personally look forward to him taking over a lot of the DC responsibilities.

I would not be at all surprised to see Smith's involvement in the Defensive game planning increase, and also feel that Marinelli will have a lot of input as well. I read one of the many articles on the Marinelli signing indicating the there would be changes in the play calling responsibilities with a three headed monster, the pecking order being Smith, Marinelli, and Babich as the 3rd in the line. If Babich remeains as DC I feel he is, as I said before, a lame duck place holder in name only. Hopefully, with all the changes going on in staffs of other teams, eventually Babich will be replaced by a highly qualified DC. I know, wishful thinking. But one can always hope.

I would hope that both Smith & Angelo are feeling enough heat where they will make the required moves to correct the decline in our defense & improve our offense if for no other reason to solidify their reputations as HC & GM.

I think that is a bit of a reach. If they hadn't gotten Berrian I am sure they would have sought another FA WR. I am sure they would have traded for Allen no matter what happened with their desire to add a WR for they felt all they needed for their defense to be "tops" was a pass rusher.

I just read another article about the Maranelli signing. This one at ChicagoTribune.com It is definately worth reading. Some of my favorite points in the article:

If I remember it was the old "he is a cancer in the locker room" arguement.

Agree...

Jake D is sure looking fine tonight. Reminds me of many a QB we have had over the past 10 years, LOL.

Rice was an excellent FA pickup that didn't need any help from Marinelli. However, it was Marinelli who developed McFarland & Sapp. Hopefully he can do the same with Harrison & Harris.

Maybe a conditional 6th, which will likely wind up as a player who get cuts in preseason and maybe winds up on the PS. Not too many 6th & 7th rounders make it, with a few exceptions. Personally I do not want to gamble on QB in the draft. It is so damn difficult to hit on a good one. I think we have 4 picks in the 1st 3 rds (if we wind up with a 3rd compensation pick). I would like OL, WR, CB, & Safety. Then if a good FB is available in the 4th, excellent. In FA I want OL, DE, & maybe a flyer on a QB.

I do not think any team would give us crap for Orton. We'd be better off keeping him on a very affordable last year of his contract. His knowledge of the system we run would make him a valuable backup in your scenerio of bringing in an "aged" veteran as a starter.

Would this be an ideal time to have Mike Brown as DB coach? I think he could do a hell of a job as such. Problem is he will want to play again, here or elsewhere.

I like Hanie and for him to develop he needs to progress to the #2 spot to get increased reps in practice. There are journeymen QB who will sign cheap and be a #3 to collect a Paycheck. I want Hanie as a #2 going into next season, or at least be given a fair shot at competing for the spot with a vet.

I am guessing that Marinelli is going to have a lot of input in the operation of the defense and that Babich may be a lame duck DC. It is not unusual for a "assistant HC" to have a lot of input beyond that of their primary position, in this case, DL.

If he were to enter the draft this year (a big mistake if you ask me) he will likely slip down big time into the 2nd or 3rd round, as many teams will be wearly of drafting him. If he slips far enough, fine, maybe he would be worth a gamble. I am more concerned with our OL, WR, & Safety positions.

Exactly, unless the DL works, puts pressure on the QB with the front 4 and allows the LBs to play back in position, you can kiss the cover 2 goodbye, it will never work. The article on the Official site has some amazing stats about the Tampa defense with Marinelli as DL Coach. Official Bears' site confirmation of Marinelli Signing

As DL Coach? Please tell me DC.

Bobby Douglas argues Tebow would be a great pick for the Bears, possibly a 2nd rd selection... I think he is crazy. How many Gator QBs succeed in the NFL? Article Where Bobby Douglas endorses Tebow as Bears Draft Selection

I agree also. We have to accept the fact that the Cover 2 is our defense as long as Lovie is our HC. The Cover 2 can be a very effective system. We did very well in using this system for several years. It's success is critically dependant on the play of our defensive line. Marinelli is considered one of the top defensive line coaches in the league. I would be thrilled to have him work with our guys. I would prefer them hire him as our DC and fire Babich.