'TD'

Why in the hell are Bears adding/interviewing assistants with out an offensive coordinator?

This is a major problem imo. Undersized linemen we be signed for multiple year deals or draft picks will be spent on them. Then when/if there is a coaching change next year, then there will be players that the Bears are paying or wasted picks on that will be useless most likely in a new system.

Considering the Bears had to get permission I'm guessing he is still under contract. I imagine he would have to be interviewing for OC since he is the TE coach and assistant Head Coach there, unless they are planning on getting rid of him.

There's only 3 things that scare me about him. 1) Lovie knows him and Marz is recommending him. I haven't been impressed with his buddies, and tired of seeing them franky. Didn't Martz recomment Shea too? 2) He'll be new at the position I know everyone is new at OC at one point at their career. I'd just like to see an experienced OC since the offense doesn't have veterans for him to lean on. I'd also be more comfortable with a new DC than OC in that the head coach is defensive minded and could help out. 3) Cincy's QB's haven't looked that great the last couple years It could just be Fitzpatrick was just that bad, likely, but Palmer didn't look good in the play off game the other day. I can understand him being off a little due to coming back after missing so much last year, but I figured he'd snap out of it by the play offs. On the other hand... His dad was an OC and that can be nothing but good and in itself makes me more comfortable than if it was Bates. Speaking of Bates, I think it's also a positive that he's not a Cutler guy. I have no problem with Cutler having some pull with decisions on the field, but I think he shouldn't have it off the field. The Bengals offense has been the only bright thing on that team, paticularly the passing game, since he has been there. This year the defense and the running game stepped up. The other thing is Palmer's brother talking about him being a stickler for mechanics and stuff.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4814933 Sources: Carroll taking Bates, NortonComment Email Print Share ESPN.com news services Pete Carroll has resigned as the football coach of the USC Trojans, the Los Angeles Daily News reported Sunday. Carroll has reached an agreement in principle with the Seattle Seahawks on a deal to be their next head coach, multiple NFL sources confirmed to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter early Saturday morning. Seahawks chief executive officer Tod Leiweke was in Los Angeles on Sunday to finalize the deal, the Los Angeles Times reported. NFC West blog ESPN.com's Mike Sando writes about all things NFC West in his division blog. • Blog network: NFL Nation USC told ESPN.com on Sunday night that the school had nothing official to announce. Sources say, however, that Carroll has already started to form the staff he will work with in Seattle. The Chicago Bears have been informed that Jeremy Bates, who was scheduled to interview for their offensive coordinator's job, has decided to accept the same job with Carroll and the Seahawks, two sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen on Sunday evening. A source said Bates was tempted to be reunited with Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, but the long-term security with Carroll was a major factor in his decision to join the Seahawks rather than the Bears. Bates was Cutler's offensive coordinator with the Broncos in 2008. A source close to USC linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. confirmed to ESPN's Shelley Smith that Carroll will be taking Norton to Seattle to fill the same role with the Seahawks. Norton recruited Lakewood High quarterback Jesse Scroggins, who has already committed to USC but is said to be waiting to see what happens with Carroll. Current Trojans said they had not heard the decision yet from Carroll, but heard about the Daily News report. "Wow. Well, I'm not surprised," junior running back Marc Tyler said to ESPNLosAngeles.com's Ramona Shelburne. "I think by now most guys wanted it to hurry up and happen so we can see who is going to coach us next." Sophomore defensive end Malik Jackson said while he was a little surprised, he understands why Carroll is leaving. "Wow, I can't believe we're one of those teams looking for a new coach," Jackson told Shelburne. "I'd heard about it all weekend, but I'm still kind of surprised. "I don't blame him though. We all have to make decisions in our lives. If I could've said something that'd make him come back, I would've. But I'm not mad at him. He has to do what he thinks is best for himself. Everybody does." Carroll is no stranger to the NFL, having served as the head coach for the Patriots from 1997 to 1999 and for the Jets in 1994. He was the Jets' defensive coordinator from 1990 to 1993 after stints as the defensive backs coach for the Vikings (1985-89) and Bills (1984).

Just because people don't support mediocrity, financial decisions dictating who plays and coaches, and don't buy int the company line doesn't mean anyone thinks they are a great NFL mind. Are we supposed to support the hype of a DC whose team let up more yards a game then the Bears? If his name wasn't associated with Lovie's would he be hyped so much at the moment? We are talking about a coach from the friggin Bills. Are we supposed to support a QB coach that's never had more then play calling duties? He's never been in charge of a whole offensse, yet on this team he would basically be total control of a young developing offense. He'd be the offensive "head coach" basically. Would his name even be mentioned for the Bears OC job, yet alone front runner, if he wasn't butt buddies with Jay Cutler. This team hasn't made the play offs in 3 years. This year they looked just awful. Is it so wrong to be skeptical of the decisions this staff is making and canidates the like now? Do I have to like giving up a 2nd for Gaines Adams? I mean seriously, does it really come off as people thinking they are great NFL minds when they question mediocrity and hope for better for the team? Does not being a sheep=know-it-all?

I actually looked that up last night. The Rooney Rule just applies to to Head Coaches and possibly executives. I'm not sure, but it definitely doesn't apply to coordinators. I was trying to figure out why NYG would be looking at him also.

And yet they were in the bottom half of total yards given up. The Bills were bad this year and teams didn't need to throw on them. They were 3rd to last in rushing defense. If there wasn't the connection to Lovie and the Bears would this guys name mentioned? Has anyone the last 4 years thought, damn that Bills team has a good defense.

Of course there have been no links to the team, but I'm thinking what about Dan Reeves. This is the kind of guy I would like to see get hired for the offense. IMO, who ever gets hired as the OC is the coach of the offense. This guy has been there and done that. Last year he interviewed for the San Fran OC, so apparently he wants back in the business if he was willing to interview for that position. I think a true coach like him would be amazing for the young talent on offense.

Here's the main thing I can't get past. Minus Brian Urlacher, we saw the absolute ceiling of what this roster can do with the Lovie 2. This is Lovies scheme and by gah, he ain't a changin'. This year was the triple distilled version of the Lovie 2. It just doesn't get any more pure. The way I look at it Rivera was the first distillation. It was the Lovie 2 but it had a lot, and I mean a lot of impurities. This was his first experience with the system. The second distillation would obviously be Bablich. Now we have alot less impurities. He's a Lovie 2 guy through and through and his defense stunk so bad that he got demoted. Well this year we got to see the Lovie 2 in its purest form and it was god awful. There is only one one thing we can hope for as fans this year. We need to hope for a coach that can actually coach. One that can prepare the players better and motivate them. The kind of a guy that finds a way to get all he can out of them. There's not much they will be able to do come game day for his hands will be tied in the Lovie 2. If they can find that guy, maybe we can hope for a little better than the Bablich version but I don't think it can come near the Rivera version.

I really hope he goes to Seattle or the Redskins. I don't want to see him as the OC here.

I'm thinking of takin the year off the NFL for the most part. I'm going to wait and see what they do with the coordinators, but today the Bears organization let me down.

Do you think the people in charge with the Bears now will win a super bowl? Cower is not the end all cure all, but with him you just don't get him as head coach. He has people in line from a team that has been competitive for years for the front office, assistant coaches and so on which no doubt would be an improvement over this team in each area.

Oh trust me, I have no problem with Turner's release. I just think Lovie was a worse DC, HC, and so on and so on. Dan Hampton said something the other night that gave me hope that more would happen. Virginia McCaskey turned 87 today. He said somethin to the extent of maybe, just maybe, she wants to see her Dad's team succeed one last time in her life. That she may not care about the money, and she may have wanted what is best for the team. The Cutler deal, money they've spent on players and other things made that statement make sense to me. That idea gave me hope that maybe, just maybe they were ready to break out the wallets and give us something to cheer for, instead of much of the same.

Me to, I'm waiting for it to come out of their mouth before I believe any of it. I in no way an advocate for Turner, but he takes the least fault IMO of JA, Lovie, and himself. The team absolutely had no offensive line or running game, yet he still got somethign out of his players. Lovie put himself in his own noose by taking over defensive calling duties and well sucked. That's not to mention how bad he is at other areas of coaching. JA isn't Millen, but he's very, very bad. Marenelli did jack crap this year with the line, coached an 0-16 team the year before, so let's let him take over the defense. GRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It looks like the Lions want the Bears staff to stick around by calling that fake punt.

Any chanc Basanez was a place kick holder at some point? Right now the back up is Dez Clark *because he did it in like highschool before) and maybe they didn't want to put Maynard out there or wanted to be safe.

I have to say I was ignorant to that. I took it from Angelo's press conference before the Raven's game that he had control over the players but listened to Lovie's take and Lovie had control over his staff but listened to Angelo's take.

Agreed. Angelo quite simply has not brought in players needed for this team to succeed. IMO, even if Lovie was not given the tools to succeed, he has proven his ineptitude as a coach in many other areas. Once the outside influence on his defense was taken from his defense it has steadily declined and became it's worst this year as Smith took over playcalling. His clock management is bad. He can't win a challenge to save his life. What may be the biggest thing is the he has lost this team. Not to mention, Lovie is in control of who he has on his staff including Turner. I really blame the state of the team as 75 % Angelo and 25 % Lovie. Even with Shannahan or Cower, this is at best a .500 team. More talent on the team and even Lovie could have them in the play offs.

Sounds like they made him say something after what he said about missing players and Rivera, basically callin out JA and Lovie and so on.

I really hope that picture on their site isn't what they are going to put on the billboard. While the coaching staff sucks, where in the hell is the mention of Angelo. It's a little too weak of a message too imo.

Turner could run the type of offense he has ran the last couple years. Shoop could have too. Basically they road their running games back last year. This year the offense started out putrid for the first 6 games. While he may be respected and a good candidate, I don't think his name would even be mentioned if not for the association of Jay Cutler. I personally think his offense clashes with the direction this team has set itself on with the trade and extension of Jay Cutler.

No thanks. Just because you can't have Shannahan doesn't mean you have to take his roomate from college. Association with Denver, growing up in Illinois, or being an ex Bear does not qualify you for ANY coaching positions in Chicago IMO. Interview, look at their body of work, and find the BEST possible candidates and work from there. They need to focus on these coaches work and ability. If one of these guys associated with Cutler and Denver or people that used to play for the Bears are tied with someone else for best candidate available, then fine let that be a tie breaker. Has anyone ever looked at the Titans and thought,wow, that coach must be an offensive genius? I'm not trying to burn on you, I just don't see why I read about coaches people want because of the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon.

I think my 6 year old niece could take the scouts info and go eeny, meeny, miny, moe and come up with similar results.

To me, the team is always under the cap by 5.5 mill or more it seems. It's not an instant 11 million they have to pay, he gets paid like he normally would. It's not really a huge hit to them this year. They didn't have to fork over money to a first round pick this year or next. I don't see why this would be a financial problem they can't handle. It's ridiculous to go into yet another year with this coaching staff.