How Bout Dem Bears?

Realt Dearg Sec · 08-01-2015 11:36PM

padraig_f wrote: »

Yeah impossible to project, but I preferred the look of Ballard's resume. Looked more rounded, this guy's very young, 37, will be youngest GM in the league, and been with the Saints his whole career.

Also have the Saints been that good in drafting? They seem to be on a downward slide with a bad cap situation.

@BearReport: "I'm told Bears were on verge of hiring Ballard but Pace blew them away in his interview. Team went other direction."

Don't exactly like the sound of that either, I prefer track-record to interview skills.

Can see a lot of positive comments on twitter from various people.

@JayGlazer: "Ryan Pace is a fantastic hire by the Bears. He's been ready for years but always wanted to wait for his dream spot. Great move."

And upside, I suppose at least it'll be a new direction.

I don't like to have immediate reactions, but sudden u turns based on interviews remind me of trestman. I guess I don't trust tthefront office anymore so no hire would make me happy, so I'll have no opinion for now.

kennyb3 · 09-01-2015 08:20AM

Neither candidates amazing - so as i said yesterday it's bit of a crapshoot. Still I think i'd have preferred Ballard mainly because John Dorsey made him his right hand man.

Pace's age is a huge concern - given the media market the Bears operate in - hell we've players nearly as old.

Love to know what was said in his interview that blew them away - I guess we'll find out via his actions.

Rumour is they preferred his coaching candidates so lets see what happens there.

As already mentioned main positive on Pace is that he's an outsider and might have real different ideas.

Eiether way with 2 non inspiring candidates it's hard to judge - we'll wait for the actions (please ignore the great press interview he'll likely give, given that he got the job based on speak). So let's see this coach hire....

kennyb3 · 09-01-2015 08:35AM

http://www.csnchicago.com/bears/bears-general-manager-hiring-process-leaves-one-red-flag

Worrying!

No smoke without fire - we know this from the rumours around Marinelli & Emery. The Bears is far from an air tight organisation.

Every source seems to suggest Ballard was front runner - then he lost the job very quickly, so seems very likely and stacks up.

Anyway it's all over to Pace now and who he hires.

Realt Dearg Sec · 09-01-2015 09:37AM

kennyb3 wrote: »

http://www.csnchicago.com/bears/bears-general-manager-hiring-process-leaves-one-red-flag

Worrying!

No smoke without fire - we know this from the rumours around Marinelli & Emery. The Bears is far from an air tight organisation.

Every source seems to suggest Ballard was front runner - then he lost the job very quickly, so seems very likely and stacks up.

Anyway it's all over to Pace now and who he hires.

Yeah I dunno if it's true, but the idea that someone telling them they are dysfunctional and that changes need to be made, and then getting the hump about it, certainly SOUNDS like vintage Bears behaviour. I dunno if Pace is any good, but it's looking like we can cancel the Brand New Dawn in Halas Hall anyway, all the talk about making aclan break and changing stuff up, it appears right now, will not be extending to introspection in the bigger offices in the building.

I mean, I'll give them a chance, and pace seems ok, but my excitement about the clean out is now very much cowed.

kennyb3 · 09-01-2015 09:47AM

It looks like we'll have a 37yo first time GM paired with a first time HC.

Either we are going to massively turn around or we are going to bomb.

I think we hit rock bottom last year anyway - that was worse than unbelievable, mainly as noone seemed to be even trying and there was no even attempt to change things (benching people/different scheme etc.) so I'm fully open to this experiment - because lets be honest that's what it is.

SameOleJay · 09-01-2015 10:24AM

I’m not sure there are many teams who have drafted as well as New Orleans the last decade. That’s not to say it reflects great on him… we have no idea of his influence.

It’s so frustrating. It’s a huge call for the franchise and I have no idea how to feel about it. Let’s see the head coaching decision anyway. Bowles with a strong OC and I’ll be very happy.

kennyb3 · 09-01-2015 12:06PM

I see Trestman was passed over for OC by the Bucs!

Realt Dearg Sec · 09-01-2015 12:13PM

kennyb3 wrote: »

I see Trestman was passed over for OC by the Bucs!

Someone in Tampa is clearly paying attention.

EDIT: http://www.theonion.com/articles/speculation-mounting-over-which-fired-nfl-head-coa,37718/

padraig_f · 09-01-2015 05:54PM

Watched Pace's press conference, initial impressions....likeable guy, comes as dynamic, aggressive, action-oriented. Very focused on winning. I get the impression that whatever's done will be done with urgency.

Referred a lot to his time with the Saints and in particular going from a 3-13 team after Hurricane Katrina to being in the NFC Championship a year later (probably appealed to the Bears after the season just gone). There was no talk of a 3 or 4-year plan, I get the impression the intention is to turn this around quickly. When asked about his contract-length he again referred to wins and losses.

Don't know that he gave a whole lot away. One of the points of emphasis was on building through the draft, which you expect a lot of guys to say. Asked about his draft-philosophy, he said it was to get guys in free agency that would allow them to select best-player-available in the draft.

Asked what he valued in a head-coach, he referred again to Sean Payton, coming from the Bill Parcells school, he had a strong sense of discipline, and charisma to lead players.

Said initial focus was 100% on the coach. And after that I got the impression it would be self-scouting of the current roster and staff.

Overall I came away with a positive impression, certainly very charismatic and you get a sense of energy from him. It remains to be seen how good his judgment is, but if he can transmit his energy to the staff & players, things will be going in the right direction.

Realt Dearg Sec · 10-01-2015 03:43PM

I'm done reading anything into what new guys say in the off season, they all talk a good talk so I just don't care. We'll see who he hires, how he drafts, and what we look like, the press conferences tell us nothing much. He does have a great jawline though, which is as close to a valid opinion on his ability to lead as I've been able to formulate. He has the jawline of a leader.

I see Rex Ryan has said that wherever he goes as HC, he wants Trestman as his OC. Certainly explains the Bears' lack of interest. I wasn't gone on the Rex circus coming to town anyway, as much fun as it might be.

kennyb3 · 10-01-2015 08:07PM

Exactly, all he's donei is move his jawbone so far. Let's see his actions! First stop being HC hire.

Hidalgo · 10-01-2015 08:23PM

You'd expect Pace to give good media interviews if it's true that his job interview swung the pendulum.
Talk has been talked. Let's see if he can back it up with action

padraig_f · 10-01-2015 09:05PM

I like watching the press conferences, I always learn something. I think it's better to watch them rather than read the quotes, where things can get lost in transcription. It doesn't guarantee success or not, but you get an idea of what their approach will be.

The thought occurred to me watching it 'Cutler can't be too comfortable watching this', same for Marshall and anyone else who underperformed last year. This is one advantage of going with someone with no ties to the club, there's an implict mandate to do a clean sweep. Cutler and Marshall may well survive, but if they do, it'll be on merit.

Wasn't sure at the time if they should've got rid of Emery, but in hindsight it was right. Had he stayed he'd be in job-protection mode, would've gone for a safe coach and would've kept the core of the team.

Possibly as well for Ballard to an extent, with previous ties to drafted players. The Pace thing might not work (I still have concerns about his lack of experience), but you have to give the ownership credit for one thing, they did what the fans wanted: blew the whole thing up.

alaimacerc · 11-01-2015 02:00PM

Realt Dearg Sec wrote: »

I see Rex Ryan has said that wherever he goes as HC, he wants Trestman as his OC.

Odd sort of comment, isn't it? He wants the HC title (and salary, obvs). But whoever he does the great favour of allowing to hire him also has to hire another recent NFL HC to run the other side if the ball? So he doesn't need to be worrying about small fripperies like putting points on the board.

I realize that handegg's the wrong sport to be following if one is allergic to gigantic egos, but Ryan's a step above and beyond.

Realt Dearg Sec · 12-01-2015 10:46PM

Fox to Chicago? Might be good to have some experience at HC with such a young GM?

Realt Dearg Sec · 13-01-2015 03:57AM

Rumours the above might come to pass, he's closely linked to both Pace and Accorsi

Check out @Rich_Campbell's Tweet: https://twitter.com/Rich_Campbell/status/554847585614446592?s=09

SameOleJay · 13-01-2015 12:08PM

This is just typical. We get rid of the failing coach and it turns out to be the off-season with the most enticing set of vacancies I can remember.

What are we, probably fourth or fifth in the pecking order as a draw?

I want Bowles/Quinn and a strong OC.

padraig_f · 13-01-2015 01:58PM

Not a fan of John Fox myself, noticed several times a lack of attention to detail that cost them in games. Like when the Ravens beat them in Mile High 2 years ago on the way to their Super Bowl, only thing they had to guard against was the deep ball, and they left defenders deep on an island. That was a game they never should've lost.

He probably gets the team competent, then they come unstuck in the playoffs at best. Was looking at his record there...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fox_%28American_football%29#Head_coaching_record

73-71 with Carolina. 8-8 in the season before Manning arrived. He's basically a .500 coach without Peyton Manning.

Realt Dearg Sec · 13-01-2015 02:42PM

Martellus and Long having a little tiff on Twitter. Presume long started it as a joke and Bennett, being a moody hoor, can't take a joke...

Check out @MartysaurusRex's Tweet: https://twitter.com/MartysaurusRex/status/555007949991452675?s=09

Hidalgo · 13-01-2015 02:55PM

padraig_f wrote: »

Not a fan of John Fox myself, noticed several times a lack of attention to detail that cost them in games. Like when the Ravens beat them in Mile High 2 years ago on the way to their Super Bowl, only thing they had to guard against was the deep ball, and they left defenders deep on an island. That was a game they never should've lost.

He probably gets the team competent, then they come unstuck in the playoffs at best. Was looking at his record there...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fox_%28American_football%29#Head_coaching_record

73-71 with Carolina. 8-8 in the season before Manning arrived. He's basically a .500 coach without Peyton Manning.

Didn't he take over Carolina after a 1-15 season?
I think he would definitely be a swing in the right direction and improve but his ceiling might be too low long term

padraig_f · 13-01-2015 05:48PM

Hidalgo wrote: »

Didn't he take over Carolina after a 1-15 season?
I think he would definitely be a swing in the right direction and improve but his ceiling might be too low long term

Did he, yeah? I wasn't following the NFL back then, was going more on the record. Still saw enough in the last few years in Denver I didn't like.

At least with Kubiak, you could say he didn't have the QB with Schaub. Fox had everything, and still didn't win. I couldn't see the Bears accumulating more talent than the Broncos had in the last 3 years.

Maybe getting back to respectability is appealing to some, but to me you should go for a home run with this stuff.

padraig_f · 13-01-2015 06:13PM

Reaction from Broncos fans is pretty telling too, they seem to be generally happy he's gone.

http://www.reddit.com/r/CHIBears/comments/2sa6an/john_foxs_schemes/

Bronco fan here to drop some knowledge on Mr. Fox here.

He runs a base 4-3 man-press if I recall correctly, I think he can make Kyle Fuller look really great in that scheme.

But, John Fox is not your ideal HC. I know he looks appealing considering you guys just had a big failure with a rookie HC. We too had a big want for an established and experienced HC after the failure with Josh McDaniels.

Fox is a players coach and a great guy, but he's not the type to inspire and light a fire under your ass. He doesn't gameplan properly, as you can see the Broncos have been out of the playoffs in the divisional round 3 out of the 4 years hes been here. He plays very safe and very vanilla, so you will never lay down the gas pedal and completely curbstomp a team like the Pats or Seahawks, which I guess isn't that great of a deal, but sometimes it's nice to have a game where you completely dominate.

He had Peyton Manning at QB with timeouts left in the Baltimore division game at home in 2012, with a considerate amount of time left, he took a knee to end the game and go into OT instead of trying to score some sort of points.

He was also given the greatest offense of all time last year and was completely shut down on the biggest stage of sports. We reloaded and were given some great new players this year via draft and free agency, got knocked out in the divisional round.

Hes a good coach, but he's like the Andy Dalton of coaching. Good enough to make you considerate, not good enough to win superbowls and compete year after year. Its a difficult thing to do to completely flop with a team as stacked as ours was this year, Fox found a way to do it.

Just giving you guys a taste, we called his style of football "Foxball". Its not very fun to watch.

Man, I'll be depressed if we go with Fox. It'll mean we'll have a mediocre coach, and a GM with poor judgment.

padraig_f · 14-01-2015 04:50PM

So where are we?

Bowles to the Jets....guess he wasn't top of the Bears list.

Gase to SF....probably makes more sense for them.

Del Rio to the Raiders...seemed like he would've been a decent candidate, but never saw him mentioned in connection with the Bears for whatever reason.

Left...

Doug Marrone...don't know too much about him, don't have strong feelings either way looking at his record.

Dan Quinn....I like, but will likely be tied up til February.

John Fox....interviewing today. Getting talked up a lot as the favourite.

Mike Shanahan/Kyle Shanahan. If we got Kyle Shanahan as OC with Fox, it'd soften the blow a bit.

Also in competition with the Broncos and Falcons now. It's not looking like a brilliant situation, if we're 2nd or 3rd on that list.

SameOleJay · 15-01-2015 11:31AM

I’d be satisfied with Fox if the co-ordinators were right.

Poor Dan Quinn must want the Seahawks to collapse one of these years or he’ll be stuck forever. If Denver and Atlanta sort theirs in the coming days then I’d wait on Quinn. If not, I’d settle for Fox; again, provided the co-ordinators are good.

Oat23 · 15-01-2015 05:26PM

Looks like Fox got the job.

https://twitter.com/PAEA92/status/555776128385048577

The coaching staff/co-ordinators are the deciding factor for me on this hire. Lets wait and see.

padraig_f · 15-01-2015 05:44PM

Oat23 wrote: »

Looks like Fox got the job.

https://twitter.com/PAEA92/status/555776128385048577

The coaching staff/co-ordinators are the deciding factor for me on this hire. Lets wait and see.

Maybe Paea is just reading twitter too? (still holding out hope it's not true).

Ah yeah, if we get some hotshot co-ordinators I'll be appeased about Fox, someone you could promote in a couple of years if things don't pan out.

padraig_f · 15-01-2015 06:28PM

Might swing it...

Jim McMahon ‏@JimMcMahon 19m19 minutes ago

@ChicagoBears I'd come out of retirement to help my buddy fox mke that team super bowl champs again #Chicago #greatestfans#alwaysHOME#mytown

Oat23 · 15-01-2015 07:08PM

Interesting...

Last time this guy posted talking about a source he was correct as well. Said Brian Gaine was in Chi interviewing long before any other reporter got word of it.

https://twitter.com/dabearsblog/status/555802141911425026

Realt Dearg Sec · 15-01-2015 09:42PM

He has to be in, it's everywhere, I'm ok with it, by all accounts his big thing is the quality of coordinators he can bring. We'll see, but that was obviously one of the major problems with trestman. I'm still holding off till 2016 before I'm convinced but it can't be worse than last year, seriously.

Oat23 · 16-01-2015 08:29PM

Fox confirmed

https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/556183516019302400

How Bout Dem Bears?

Comments