Why The Bears Should Fire Lovie Smith and Co.
Published by Jerry Burnes on November 22, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
It’s time for the Chicago Bears and head coach Lovie Smith to part ways. But not because of the struggles of the Bears thus far in 2009, but to save the career of superstar quarterback Jay Cutler.
Lovie should be demoted to defensive coordinator and the entire offensive coaching staff, Ron Turner included should be sent packing for greener (or lesser expectations) pastures.
These moves, should take effect immediately so the Bears can begin to reassemble a staff for the 2010 season, lead by new head coach Mike Shanahan.
In his many years at Denver, Shanahan was a successful drafter and developer of young talent. His running backs, no matter who it was, could rush for 1,000 yards. His offensive lines could block for the run and the pass.
More importantly, his offensive scheme could produce points and is one Cutler found his best success with. Shanahan’s drafting skills allowed him to take receivers such as Brandon Marshall and the “undersized” Hester-like receiver named Eddie Royal.
A high-profile, successful coach would allow the McCaskeys, if they so choose to spend money, to bring in quality free agents and rookie draft picks. Something Smith and Jerry Angelo have failed at miserably.
Under Shanahan, the Bears could more easily develop Matt Forte into the premier back he was expected to be this season. The offensive line, which has been set back another five years by Angelo, could be properly be rebuilt and receivers could be vastly developed like Royal was.
If the “football scientist” is correct and Cutler’s decision making is equally as bad as in Denver last season when he threw for 4,526 yards, 25 TDs and 18 INTs, then something changed in 2009. If it wasn’t Cutler, then it was the system, the receivers, the coaches, and his other surrounding players.
Let’s bring in the system and the coach that Cutler found success with.
***NOTE: The linked article is an ESPN Insider article. The excerpt, from KC Joyner, is pasted below:
“Cutler has never finished a season with a bad decision rate below 4.6 percent, and the 4.6 percent mark was still the worst in the league in 2008. Bad decisions are when a QB makes a mistake with the ball that leads to a turnover or a near turnover (e.g. staring at receivers, forcing passes into coverage, etc.) and Cutler made a ton of them in Denver. To put it another way, in his Broncos career, one of out 20 passes he put up were bad decisions. Cutler’s performance should not come as a shock to Chicago’s management.”
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