Bears promote Tice to OC: Right call? posted by Joe Anello

Well that didn’t take very long. After all of three days, Lovie Smith has found his next offensive coordinator. The big-time hire? Mike “Boat Show” Tice. (I would have also accepted “Ticket Scalper.” I hinted at Tice’s eventual hiring on Tuesday when I addressed the firing of Jerry Angelo and Mike Martz, but I suppose I should break down this “hire,” yes?

Bears promote Offensive Line Coach Mike Tice to Offensive Coordinator

Oh Mikey Tice. A man of football if there ever was one. His stint as head coach in Minnesota from ’02 to ’06 was best remembered for scandals, most notably his scalping of Super Bowl tickets. As a play-caller, Tice is all about smacking people around on the ground. His tenure in Jacksonville provides evidence to that, as his work with the o-line and offense gave the Jags one of the best running games in the league during his tenure. That means he'll know the value of a premiere runner like Matt Forte. He does tend to favor the downfield throws, shying away from the short routes that are more of the West Coast variety. This will utilize Jay's best asset: his arm.

Probably not the right call, but it’s clearly the best option for Lovie Smith if he wants to keep his job after next season. Tice is already on the staff, knows all the players and their talents and can make adjustments and tweaks to the offense that’s already in place. Lovie will bring in a “passing coordinator” and new QB coach in all likelihood to ensure that the Bears are not an entirely one dimensional team. While I certainly think this decision was made too quickly, I am by no means shocked by the result. This job was Tice’s to lose as long he didn’t completely botch in interview. Apparently he didn’t, so ipso facto, he got the job.

Wha??? Bears move on without Jerry Angelo and Mike Martz posted by Joe Anello

Woof. The news broke quickly today from Halas Hall as the Chicago Bears started their offseason with a major shake-up near the top of the organization with the removal of Jerry Angelo and the “resignation” of Mike Martz. No time to waste in breaking these moves down!

Bears release General Manager Jerry Angelo

In a move that both surprised and delighted long-time Bears fans, Team President Ted Philips announced the firing of 11-year General Manager Jerry Angelo. I know some fans are confused as to why Lovie wouldn’t be on his way out too, but nearly every problem this season could be attributed to poor personnel decisions and a lack of depth at key positions. Angelo has had eleven years to accomplish the following: find a number one wide receiver construct a cohesive offensive line through the draft, provide quality depth on the defensive line find a viable number two corner behind Charles Tillman, or draft or sign at least ONE competent safety for Lovie Smith’s cover-two scheme (which I feel is the most important position in the system). I debated running through examples of players Angelo missed on at those positions, but I didn’t want to make myself cry. Ultimately, your GM can’t find occasional success in free agency and the rare fifth-round gem while completely missing on nearly every first-round draft choice. It simply sets your franchise back too far.

Joe's 2011-12 Gameday Recap: Bears 17, Vikings 13 posted by Joe Anello

I’m not going to spend this Gameday Recap pontificating about what could have been this Bears season. That’s for later. In today’s contest, the Bears held onto the win over the struggling Vikings to get to 8-8 on the year.

(8-8) Chicago Bears 17
(3-13) Minnesota Vikings 13

For another week Chicago’s offense sputtered and killed its own momentum with costly turnovers. Earl Bennett started the game off right with an early fumble, giving the Vikings possession and the opportunity to drive down for a field goal. A Percy Harvin run later in the first gave the Vikes a 10-0 lead and Bears fans reason to change the channel. Luckily, there was a second quarter. A rare pass to Roy Williams capped off the Bears’ only touchdown drive, but a throw off the hands of Toby Gerhart fell right into the lap of first-time Pro Bowler Charles Tillman, who ran it right back for 22 yards and six points. From there Chicago’s defense locked down, picking off Minnesota’s quarterbacks two times (a total of three) to secure the win.

It was my idea for a while to just post my notes from this game instead of a structured recap, but I decided I was caring too much about this game and taking WAY too many notes, so I checked out. Here are some of my real-time notes from today’s game. (Edited for capitalization and sometimes punctuation.)

First Quarter

Earl Bennett fumbles, Bears manage not to get to line of scrimmage in the nine minutes it takes Frazier to challenge

Joe's 2011-12 Gameday Preview: Bears at Vikings posted by Joe Anello

Let’s get this over with.

(7-8) Chicago Bears at
(3-12) Minnesota Vikings

I am not going to waste your time with an in-depth analysis over a game without a crap-ton of starters on both sides of the ball. There’s a lot of “Joe Webb isn’t that bad” talk around the NFL, but I’m not totally sold. He’s probably a better option that Christian Ponder or Josh McCown though. But he’s missing Adrian Peterson, so you can’t totally rely on him this week. Chicago’s defense is the best unit in this game, and that typically goes a long way.

Minnesota is a 2.5 point home favorite.

PFFT. Bears win? Who knows. Who cares?

None. I’ll likely be comatose for this one. If I stop tweeting, it’s because I’m shoving food in my face or I’m drooling at the sight of such craptastic football.

Uh… win one for the Gipper? Otherwise I got nothing for you. You’re professional players. You’ve got some pride. Kick this team’s ass and go home.

Joe's 2011 Gameday Recap: Packers 35, Bears 21 posted by Joe Anello

It was closer than it should have been for longer than it should have been, but it ended just as it should have as the Bears lost in Green Bay and ended their hopes for a playoff berth in fitting fashion. Josh McCown mounted a valiant effort, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Aaron Rodgers’ five touchdowns.

(14-1) Green Bay Packers 35
(7-8) Chicago Bears 21

On the very first drive of the game, Aaron Rodgers made sure his team grabbed a number one seed and never looked back, leading the Packers on a 9-play, 80 yard touchdown drive that ended with a 2 yard slant to Jermichael Finley in to make it 7-0. That drive featured ONE running play and some insanely accurate passing. The Bears couldn’t even hope to keep up, thought their defense held Rodgers in check for most of the first half… until he found James Jones on another slant to put Green Bay up 14-3 at halftime. Despite out-gaining and controlling the time of possession in the first half, Chicago had nearly nothing to show for it.

How did we even get 21 points again? After being used to utter ineptitude for the past four weeks, I have to say seeing anything in the twenties was shocking to me. I credit Mike Martz for calling a simple gameplan that allowed McCown to find his rhythm slowly and without seven-step drops. In a game without much to praise, Kahlil Bell shined thanks to an offensive line that blocked extraordinarily well. I won’t say Bell was outstanding though, as he did fumble twice. Lucky for him the second of those fumbles came at the goal line, where Edwin Williams was alert enough to snag it for Chicago’s first touchdown. A garbage pass to Kellen Davis late accounted for our only other TD. Luckily Robbie Gould made it a slightly more respectable score by hitting three of his four field goals.

Early Hibernation for Bears posted by Richard Kagan

Five straight defeats have put the Chicago Bears (7-8) out of the playoffs.  The Bears lost to Green Bay 35-21 with a makeshift offense that gained 441 yards, and an improved passing game due to Josh McCown, the backup QB, who played well in defeat.  McCown, showed poise, and a pretty good arm, as he battled with the Bears to a 14-10 half-time score.  Then in the 3rd quarter, Green Bay's vaunted offense went to work and Aaron Rodgers threw for 5 TD passes in the game.  It wasn't that the Bears were so bad.  It was that Green Bay was so good.  The Bears huffed and puffed to stay close to Green Bay.  Then the Pack went into overdrive and before you knew it, the score was 28-10 and game over.

Chicago scored a late TD and FG to make the score a bit more respectable.  A 35-10 lead was reduced as the Bears put up 8 points on a TD and 2 point conversion.  Robbie Gould kicked a FG to close out the scoring.  The Packers  (14-1) were a better team.  It's hard to see Jay Cutler on the sidelines.  It is better to heal fully then to rush in there and get hurt again.  It's going to be a tough off-season for Chicago.  They seemed to be playoff bound but suffered two key injuries and then the season fell apart.  Say goodbye, offensive co-ordinator Mike Martz.

Joe's 2011 Gameday Preview: Bears at Packers posted by Joe Anello

Merry Christmas! Did you get everything you wanted this morning? Was Santa kind to you? Well you better hold onto that feeling, because it’s about to get ripped away from you on Sunday Night Football as the “somehow still in the playoff hunt” Chicago Bears head to Green Bay to take on the rival Packers. Yikes. Break out the eggnog as you read this preview… it’ll ease your mood going into the game.

When last these teams met, the Bears had their “full” complement of weaponry. Now they’re without quarterback Jay Cutler, running back Matt Forte and receiver Johnny Knox, not to mention a slew of offensive linemen that are on injured reserve. Instead of the dreadful Caleb Hanie, the recently-signed Josh McCown will get the start tonight in the hopes of sparking some sort (or ANY sort) of offensive output. McCown, who hasn’t started a game since 2007, shouldn’t have much expectations placed on him. I’ve barely seen him throw the ball in those four years since he got action in Detroit, but he won’t get much help tonight. Even beyond Forte and Knox, Marion Barber won’t see the field at all as he re-aggravated his calf injury from earlier in the season. That leaves Kahlil Bell as the starting tailback. I have NO idea where the Bears’ offense is going to come from, and neither do you. That’s not even mentioning Green Bay’s blitzing scheme that’s going to expose Mike Tice’s sub-par offensive tackles. Clay Matthews is going to see McCown in the backfield often. Oh, and if McCown’s injured or REALLY stinks? Caleb Hanie is the back-up. That’s right. Nathan Enderle can’t even make it on the active roster over a guy that will not return next year. High hopes for that “project.” (That was dripping with sarcasm, by the way.)

Give Us a Game posted by Richard Kagan

I'd like to see the Chicago Bears give the Green Bay Packers a game tonight.  I don't know if that is going to happen.

There are too many vulnerable spots for Chicago.  One Josh McCown, is making his first start as a Bear at QB.  Two, Kahlil Bell is making a start and he is practically a rookie.  I think what may keep Chicago in the game is that these two teams are arch-rivals.  The Bears will be fired up.  I hope they will surprise some people tonight.  I think Chicago will play The Pack tough to start, but Green Bay's talent will eventually wear the Bears out. It could be 31-10. 

So far, in the 3rd quarter, the Bears are giving the Pack a real run for their money.  Aaron Rodgers unloaded a beautiful pass for a TD to Jordy Nelson and GB took a 21-10 lead.  But Chicago has kept the ball, run effectively, and McCown has shown he definitely has a better arm than backup Hanie.  McCown hit Earl Bennett on a catch and run to get the Bears to the 1 yard line.  Geez, the Bears actually moved the ball.  Then lineman Edwin Williams saved Bell's bacon when he recovered his fumble at the goal-line and took it in for 6 points.  At least they are making Green Bay sweat.

Cutler Is That Good posted by Richard Kagan

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.  The Bears certainly miss the injured Jay Cutler who is probably out for the remaining two games this season.  The Bears are in the midst of a 4 game slide that could go to 6 to end what was a promising season.  QB Cutler did a lot to to make it promising.  After a slow start, he found his groove and hit receivers open or not.  He threw with greater confidence.  His touchdown pass to Johnny Knox in the corner of the end zone in the San Diego win was a thing of beauty.  He flipped the ball which sailed into Knox, about 35 yards away.  Jay Cutler has a great arm and NFL players and coaches know it. 

It's about time the Bears fans know it.  If we had Cutler playing, even if Forte gets hurt, the Bears would have won 2 of the 4 losses and would be in the Wild Card hunt.  But that is the not the case.  He's out and so are the Bears.  Here is a lament:  What would Cutler do with Green Bay's offensive line?  We might be talking about the the rise of Cutler, the coming of Cutler, what superlatives we would write?

Get Better Back-Ups posted by Richard Kagan

If you really want to get upset with anyone is the Bears organization, look at the coach and GM.  Coach Smith needs to be more flexible in using his personnel.  The backup for Jay Cutler has been a bust.  "Disappointment" is the PC word that Smith used to desribe the QB play.  Behind closed doors, they are already thinking about next season and giving Nathan Edlerle a shot.  Haning throwing 9 interceptions in 4 games is too much.  And, at least two for for TD's.  If you give 14-21 points to the opposing team and can't score you run a deficit.  It's like the Bears are in debt in the QB slot.  And, they need a healthy Cutler to re-balance the ratio of Td's/INT's.

Losing Forte was a very big loss.  He was almot 40% of the team's offense. It is doubtful he will return this season.  There is no need to put him in a game.  The Bears will likely lose the last two games, to hit 6 straight defeats.  This was a number no one in Chicago wanted to even think about.  The loss that really hurt was the KC game.  To lose that game on a freak (Hail Mary Heave) by an untested QB, who was soon replaced by Kyle Orton of all people, was a bad loss.

Then in Denver they had the ultimate meltdown.  Having a 10 point lead with 2:05 to play.  It is safe to say most of the players on that team have never gone through that kind of loss.  It was a perfect storm of Bears losses. 

There will be changes in the off-season.  We just don't know who is going and when.

Emery gets second interview for Bears GM (AP)

Kansas City Chiefs director of college scouting Phil Emery got his second interview Friday for the Chicago Bears' vacant general manager's position. Emery and New England Patriots director of pro personnel Jason Licht, who was interviewed a second time Thursday, are the finalists. Jerry Angelo was fired after an 8-8 finish. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Ex-NFL WR Bobby Engram joins Pitt staff (AP)

Pittsburgh coach Paul Chryst has hired longtime NFL wide receiver Bobby Engram as the Panthers new wide receivers coach. Engram, who played in the NFL from 1996-2009, spent last season as an offensive assistant with the San Francisco 49ers. He finished with 650 receptions for 7,751 yards and 35 touchdowns while playing for the Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Emery, Licht last two candidates as Bears GM (Yahoo! Sports)

Kansas City Chiefs director of college scouting Phil Emery and New England Patriots director of pro scouting Jason Licht are the final two candidates for the GM opening with the Chicago Bears, according to a report in the Tribune. [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Notre Dame tabs Hiestand to coach O-line (AP)

Notre Dame has hired Harry Hiestand to coach its offensive line and coordinate the running game. Coach Brian Kelly announced the move Wednesday. Hiestand spent the past two years at Tennessee after working with the offensive line for the Chicago Bears from 2005-09. He also coached the offensive line at Illinois (1997-2004) and at Missouri from (1994-96). [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports

Phil Emery, Jason Licht finalists for Bears' GM job (The National Football Post)

Phil Emery has not been offered the general manager job with the Chicago Bears. But he has been invited back to... [read full article]

From Yahoo! Sports