The supposed front-runner to assume the reigns of the Bears defense appears to be headed elsewhere.  Early reports indicate the Perry Fewell will accept the New York Giants‘ offer to become their defensive coordinator.  So it’s back to the drawing board for the Bears.

They might as well prop up a cardboard cutout of Buddy Ryan at this point.  This coordinator search appears to be about as well coordinated as our team was last season.  They’ve already missed out on their top two candidates for OC and now they’re scrambling for a backup plan on defense.

Here’s a fearless prediction – no matter who takes pity on the Bears and accepts the coordinator positions, Jerry, Moe and Curly will step to the podium and assure Bears fans that “this is the guy we wanted all along” and “what a great fit this will be.”

Bull-fucking-shit.

I guess it’s fitting that second choice Lovie will be saddled with second and third (or turd) choices at best to help him try to save his worthless job.

Take the Seattle Seahawks as an example of how big boy teams do it.  They pre-interview their top target candidate before they even fire their one-and-done head coach and before you know it, Pete Carroll (and top OC candidate Jeremy Bates) are off to Pike’s Place to catch some fish.  That’s how real teams go about their business, with a plan.

Somewhere, Ron Turner is laughing and all I can say is…

BOOOOOOMMMMM!!!!

Even though we’re still a couple of hours away from the official press conference, early reports out of Halas Hall indicate that heads are rolling after the Bears‘ disappointing 7-9 season.

Offensive coordinator Ron Turner has been fired, along with offensive line coach Harry Hiestand, quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton and tight end coach Rob Boras.

The very latest news as of this writing contradicts earlier reports that Rod Marinelli will be handed the keys to the defense.   The Bears will supposedly relieve Lovie of his defensive coordinator responsibilities and look outside the organization for a new DC.  It will be interesting to see how far outside they go.

Some rumbles around former Bears’ assistant Perry Fewell, recently fired as interim Head Coach in Buffalo, makes me think that even though there will be a new person holding the clipboard, don’t expect any philosophical changes or a departure from the Cover-2.

Lots more coverage after this afternoon’s presser.

BEAR DOWN!!!

Devin Hester caused a bit of a stir when he called out Offensive Coordinator Ron Turner and assured fans that changes are on the horizon for next season.  This from David Haugh’s Chicago Tribune article:

“It’s tough watching other teams, other offenses find ways for other guys to get their hands on the ball better (than we do),” Hester said. “Some plays we had called that … went in during the week, (we) weren’t able to call during the game because of certain situations.”

Asked why the quick screen pass the Bears often use to get him the ball on the perimeter had stopped working, Hester got in touch with his inner T.O.

“Everybody watches film,” he said. “They see what type of play we’re executing that’s working, and they adjust. …The same players run the same routes (on other teams. Their plays) work.”

“It has been what, three seasons like this?” Hester said. “There will be a lot of changes, I know that for a fact.”

But earlier in the day, Hester sounded confident based on conversations with wide receivers coach Darryl Drake. He made Drake sound like a man loading cardboard boxes when he’s not watching Ravens game film.

“(Drake) says, we all know that things are going to change and new people are going to come in, old people are going to leave,” Hester said. “(We’re) not blind. Everybody sees it. It’s going to be a lot of new players, and probably some other things (will) change around here.”

Seems pretty straightforward to me.  But this is the Chicago Bears, so it should come as no surprise that D-Hest had to back peddle today.  It’s just the way that he back-tracked that smells a little funny.  (more…)

Meanwhile, the Bears have lost 7 out of their last 9 games and the 2 wins came against the Lions and Browns, so do those really count?  Then again, they haven’t beaten a winning team all season, so as Tommie Harris so eloquently put it, “It’s just one of those years.”  Um, understatement much?  Anyone can have a bad century, right Cub fans?

The tone for the game was set on the Packers first play from scrimmage, a 62-yard touchdown scamper by the Pack’s Ryan Grant.  Green Bay kept threatening to turn it into a blowout, but to the Bears’ credit, the defense got organized and actually kept it close.

This week it was the offense’s turn to spit the bit.  Jay Cutler’s added 2 interceptions, running his league leading t0tal to 22. There’s nowhere else to look besides JC on these picks.

I’m sick and tired of trying to defend Cutler, trying to say he doesn’t have time or his receivers are no good.  It’s time to hold him accountable for what’s going on between the white lines.

Most of all, though, this sloppy game falls on the coaching staff.   13 penalties for over 100 yards is all about discipline and that speaks to coaching.  Clock and time out management fall squarely on Lovie and his staff.  (more…)

Brandon Rideau.  Devin Aromashodu (pronounced uh-ROME-uh-shuh-do).   If these names don’t sound familiar yet, they soon will.  Both returning wide receivers have been turning heads at Bears training camp, most notably the head of quarterback Jay Cutler.  His opinion, probably more than that of offensive coordinator Ron Turner, will probably have more to do with who stays and who goes.  What makes these two stand out?  Let’s look at the wide receivers on the Bears roster:  (more…)

Lots of news from Halas Hall as OTA’s are in full swing.  Brad Biggs was Twittering has ass off, sending frequent updates throughout the day on Wednesday, as the media was allowed to observe workouts for the first time in a couple of weeks.

Matt Forte limped off the field toward the end of practice, but Offensive Coordinator Ron Turner doesn’t seem concerned.   According to Twitter, Chitownforte22 tweeted “I’m good!!” Let’s hope so.

Newly acquired linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa ran with the 2′s behind Nick Roach, while Hunter Hillenmeyer sat out, recovering from sports hernia surgery.  A sports hernia just sounds painful.

Frank Omiyale was holding down the starting left guard spot while last year’s starter Josh Beekman ran as the second team center.

Trumaine McBride was cleared to practice while Peanut Tillman sat out, still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.  Apparently, Tillman spent his time on the sidelines mocking the offensive plays.

Tommie Harris participated in practice.  It’s good to see him getting some work.  Harris is as important as any other defender for the Bears’ D to regain Super Bowl form.

It looks like Jarron Gilbert’s deal is close to getting done.  His agent, Frank Bauer (no relation to Jack, but I heard he uses some interesting negotiating tactics) was on hand for OTA’s on Wednesday.    Now about the Iglesias guy.  Let’s get it done!

I hate to even write these words, but it appears Mike Brown took another step closer toward becoming former Bear Mike Brown as the safety visited the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jay Cutler continues to impress, making some nice throws throughout  offseason workouts and drawing the praise of his biggest fan, Jerry Angelo.  On the Bears’ official website, Larry Mayer sat down with the GM.

LM: Jay Cutler hasn’t missed a single day of the offseason program since he was acquired by the Bears on April 2. How pleased are you with the attitude and leadership skills he has displayed?

JA: I’ve been very pleased with his day-to-day attitude, and obviously it’s reflected with his work ethic and how he’s approached things. He’s rolled up his sleeves and he’s gone to work. He’s certainly not resting on any laurels. He’s come in here to prove himself and establish himself. I think we’re all impressed with that-I’m talking about coaches and players-because that’s the right way to do it. He’s got to earn his stripes here, and by showing up and doing the things that he’s doing every day, he’s doing it the right way.

Follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/BearGogglesOn.

The Bears started their OTA’s on Wednesday and the Jay Cutler media circus has officially begun!!!  Organized Training Activities are voluntary, but really, are pretty much mandatory.  It was the first practice for the first franchise quarterback in nearly two decades (or ever, depending on who you ask).

Expectations for Cutler and the Bears offense are sky high.  Wide Receiver Rashied Davis summed up the expectations for new addition Cutler thusly:

”He’s expected to [crap] gold, excuse my language,” Davis said.

Well said, ‘Shied.  He was among many of the Bears receivers that had a tough time hanging on to Cutler’s laser beams.  Rashied went on to compare Cutler to former Bear quarterbacks Orton and Grossman

‘I am excited more by his athletic ability than his strong arm,” Davis said. ”He can move around. I’m not saying anything against K.O. [Kyle Orton] and Rex [Grossman] because I love K.O. and Rex, but he can move around a lot better. He can throw the ball on the move a lot better. That’s just one of the things he can do a lot better.”

There’s nothing like saying, “No offense, but…” By saying that, you’re saying, “I’m about to offend you, just don’t get mad.”  I’m not saying it’s not true, but no need to spell it out.  You weren’t exactly Larry Fitzgerald out there last year, now were you, Rashied?  (more…)

He’s not, for now…

Brett Favre allegedly, supposedly seemingly will not come out of retirement to join the Vikings.   Can we call off the Favre-watch stakeout of Kiln, Mississippi?  Can ESPN talk about something else?  Stay tuned.

It’s unfortunate that he won’t join the Vikes, but maybe the sideshow can drag out into training camp and provide enough of a distraction to keep the defending NFC North champs off their game?  Any time Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson throws an interception, will they be looking over their shoulder?

In case you were wondering what Jay Cutler thinks about the possibility, don’t worry, Larry Mayer’s got ya covered from his chalk talk: (more…)