Pixote

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.

Maybe if we had a DC who could disguise our blitzes so everyone in the country watching the game didn't know what we are doing they would be more successful?

I think Angelo has done a fine job in drafting on the Defensive side of the ball. He has struggled in identifying good prospects on Offense, with only a few exceptions.

Yep, I was one wanting Flacco in the 2nd rd last year, I do not think I would have selected him in the 1st, which would have been a mistake in hind sight. He was obviously, again in hind sight, worth a 1st rd selection.

I am no wizard in English. Many times when I type a response to a post I misspell words as I forget to use my spell-checker I have installed. However, I see no reason to call someone out because of it. If anyone wants a free spell-checker to use, here is a good one I use (when I remember to do so) ieSpell checker - free download

I am a bit confussed. Why is Holgrem considered a QB guru? He came to the Packers in 1992. Favre came to the Packers in 1992. He did not trade for him. Ron Wolfe did. He might have helped develop him, but Holgrem isn't going to join the staff as a QB coach. So I am not sure what he has done to make him a "draft Consultant" for a QB. I think we have all agreed Angelo's strength has been defense in the draft. He did hit on Forte. However, he might still be benefited by getting a consultant on evaluating Offensive skill players. I just do not see Holgrem being that man.

Last year when MV was QB in Atlanta many said the same thing about the Falcon's WRs. They sucked. They couldn't catch the ball. They couldn't gain seperation. I agreed with the critics. MV was a piss poor QB who was a running back with a strong arm out of position, IMO. As a result their WR cops looked horrible. Now that they have a legitimate QB the same WRs (White & Jenkins) are looking pretty darn good. They might not be Pro Bowl WRs, but I do not see them being criticized as they were last year. What a difference a legitimate QB can make! I suspect if our QB play improved (as well as the protection he is afforded by our OL) our WRs may not be quite as bad as what they would appear to be. Yes, we do need to upgrade. However, if our QB play doesn't improve, our WRs will continue to struggle. Even if we had an Andre Johnson, A Boldin, TJH, etc... if our QB doesn't have the time to allow them to run their routes, and/or if our QB doesn't have the ability to hit them in stride, it will not benefit us that much. agian, just MHO.