Da Bears? Duhh, Bears? Dumb Bears? Whichever way, really...
Whether they fire Marc Trestman (which they should), release or trade Jay Cutler, or make personnel changes, the Bears are bound to have a busy off season. And since they're officially eliminated from playoff contention, their off season begins in 2 weeks. That might give them just enough time to do some major damage control. One thing about Chicago and it's sports fans, is that they hate losing, with a passion, and want to win. And aside from the Blackhawks, they haven't had much of that lately.
After their off season moves and acquisitions, I, like many people, thought the Bears would have a relatively good season...I had them making the playoffs as a wildcard. Instead, their season couldn't have gone more opposite. You could make the argument that injuries are the reason for this disappointing season (to put it lightly). But it doesn't change their losing record. After all, if you're a good team, with a good coach, and a desire to win, you can overcome injuries; maybe not all of them completely, but better than this. In the NFL, you live and breathe the saying, "next man up."
In my honest opinion, I think this season says more about Trestman and Emery than it does Jay Cutler. And I've never been a Cutler apologist. But benching the man for Jimmy Clausen? C'mon. I remember Clausen in Charlotte. I swear my grandpa has never laughed more in his life. I think he was 1-9 as a starter? Annnnd he hasn't won an NFL game in 4 years. But Marc Trestman is supposedly benching Cutler and starting Clausen to show that "the system is not the problem." You're right coach...the problem is you.
I'm not a Bears fan in the slightest, but I can't help but feel sorry for them after this lackluster season and performance. I miss the old Lovie Smith days. Aside from poor clock management, he was actually a good coach. Jay Cutler was a better quarterback under Smith than he's been with Trestman. Let's be completely honest, the entire offense was performing better (on a consistent basis) with Lovie Smith.
Best for the Bears?
Fire Trestman, Kromer, maybe Emery, and keep Cutler. Give him another season or two.
Potential Coaching candidates:
A more defensive-minded coach might be in their favor.
-Someone like current Seahawks defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn, comes to mind.
-Or Cardinals defensive coordinator, Todd Bowles.
-Though his previous stint as an NFL head coach, failed, pretty miserably I might add, Gregg Schiano might have success in Chicago. Why? Given the talent and depth on the Bears' roster, he would have more to work with than he did in Tampa Bay. The Bears defense is a couple of healthy players (and a good head coach) away from returning to top of the ranks status. Chicago's offense is again, loaded with talent, but lacks leadership. And that's on Cutler and Trestman, as well as offensive coordinator, Aaron Kromer. If I'm a Bears fan, Schiano wouldn't be my first choice, but I wouldn't be completely against it, either.
-Gotta throw Jim Harbaugh's name around here, too. Not much to say here. He had a good run in San Francisco, but now his time has come and gone. My thoughts are that it will be the same story, different team, 3 or 4 years down the road, if he stays in the NFL. He does have a history with Chicago, and could give the Bears a few good seasons. Even if they do somehow land Harbaugh, I can't picture a Super Bowl championship in the next say, 2 years or so. But hey, just a playoff win would be a welcome upgrade at this point.
If the Bears take a different route by getting rid of Cutler and keeping Trestman...
Potential Teams for Jay Cutler:
-the Titans. I think this one makes a lot of sense and I'm actually in favor of it.
-the Rams. St. Louis is a good quarterback away from making serious noise in the NFC. Their defense already does. Putting Cutler in a new system, with a strong defense to bail him out...it might just be meant to be.
-the Bills. I personally don't want a whiny, pissed off Cutler in our division, but hey, it makes sense. The Bills are another team that's a few pieces away from being legit contenders. They already have the defense, and they have some play makers on offense, now they just need, how to put this, well, someone who's not Kyle Orton under center.
-the Texans. Imagine what Bill O'Brien could do with Jay Cutler. He would fix his attitude problem, and he might just be the best mentor/coach that Cutler has ever played for. I know that Trestman is supposedly a quarterback guru, but he hasn't proven that with Cutler. When it comes to Bill O'Brien, he could do it. Give him an experienced quarterback, with a little mobility, and a strong arm, and he could teach him the rest, the mental part of the quarterback position.
I feel weird if I don't end every post with "go Pats", so...
Go Pats!
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