Full Court Press

I don't know:two years in a row and our Defense let us down both times. In the Superbowl it was a team effort but there has to be a reason that we didn't adjust in both games. We don't know if it's just the McCaskeys trying to be cheap. It has to be a distraction to have a guy jet out and go to every head coach opening. I'm not one to believe in easy distractions but he didn't seem to want to be here very much. It's no secret that Lovie lets his coordinators do their job without putting in his two cents. In my opinion it's a double edged sword to go for so many jobs and not get them. It makes you wonder if,maybe, he's not that highly thought of and why do we think so much about him when no one else does. It's like having a wife throw herself at a bunch of dudes and all of them are turning her down. Maybe you have a person that only you and their mother would love. Maybe they think that Rivera is a product of great players and he has an inability to get the most out of them. They fired the D line Coach,Don Johnson, because he failed to get those guys fired up. The main reason Marty got fired in San Diego is he wanted his brother as a coordinator and didn't want to work with who his G.M. wanted. Plenty of Coaches accepted being fired instead of ridding themselves of a coordinator or a position coach. Sometimes there are things that we don't know about that lead to many situations.

It was a team effort that loss the SuperBowl, not just the offense or Defense or "The Quarterback". I can really call if the Bears made a mistake or not, but I do know that two years in a row (in the Playoff last year, and in the Superbowl this year) the Defense could not get off the field. people blamed the offense inability to get first downs in the first half contributed to the Defense getting worn down. However if you watch the game, the Colts moved the ball with ease and controlled the clock the entire game, without hardly any adjustments being made. That could be said for the offensive side also. Anyway, back to Rivera: One thing I've noticed that he has interviewed for 8 head coaching jobs, and couldn't land one. So maybe the guy is a little overrated. Personally, I think the Bears should've kept him, but got rid of Wade Wilson and get someone who can coach Rex Grossman instead of trying to be his buddy.

I was wondering if Lovie and Angelo would had the guts and the answer is yes they have guts to spare. Rivera just wasn't the right person same as the offensive coordinator (Terry Shea) they let go a year ago. I expect the team to be much stronger, hungrier and win the superbowl next year.

By the way, have everyone in Chi stopped doubting Angelo yet?

Ron Rivera was Lovie Smith's assistant defensive coordinator and wasn't totally in charge like Ron Turner is on offense. And, he went to the well too often in trying to be a head coach and now he's out of job altogether. Plus, his 'bend-but-don't break' defensive philosophy didn't work too well with a defense which should have been attacking more frequently.

Both the offense and defense during the SB were too conservative. The SB is winner take all leave everything you have out on the field. The Bears failed to do that. On the defensive side that blame lays squarely on Rivera's shoulders. The D didn't look anything like it did in the NFC championship game. With the rain falling and poor field conditions Manning should have been getting pressured like Brees had gotten two weeks earlier. Apparently Rivera hasn't got the b***s to lay it all out on the field. So long Ron.

My opinion of Hardaway is this, for a man that is in the public 'eye and ears" and who has made millions from the public and fans that he represents should be a bit more intelligent than to voice his opinion so emphatically. If that is his opinion and truly how he feels then that is his right, however, don't cry or whine about exclusivity when it comes to endorsements or being banished from what you made a living at (basketball) when he wished that gays be banished not only from the USA but from the earth. What a mouthful from a black man that was given the opportunity to be an analyst even though he "SSSTTTUTTTTERRRSSS" like a buzzsaw. Like they say "opinions are like noses" everybody has one. This was one assist he failed to make. I am a strong BLACK MAN and I do not share in Hardaway's opinion and in how he let that interview take him out the game. He must be campaigning to be the next O.J. He had to know that he F___ up, or he never would have apologized, (so quickly, or at all)

Wade Wilson should have been let go and Rivera kept. Anyone who says defense wins games needs to keep in mind that offense, special teams, as well as the defense can and need to score points. Although the Bears defense gave up some big plays (Bush's 88yd TD, Wayne's 53yd TD in the Super Bowl for example), the offense failing to score points puts heavy pressure on the defense. And that pressure just caused the Bears to collapse as they did in the Super Bowl. I am sure many or all of the members of the defense would agree.

If I was a coordinator, I would be an offensive coordinator. There is nothing for me like scoring points and solving the defenses. Moreover, there is nothing like seeing the defense on my team playing with fire and rejuventation after we score a touchdown. More so when we are routing the other team. If there is any doubt about this, remember how the Bears dealt with Seattle. The offense scored points thus taking pressure off the defense. Even though Seattle didn't have Alexander at the time, the rout was on.

The Bears let the wrong coordinator go and let the wrong coordinator stay.

You know Roman, I have been a Rex Grossman fan. I was impressed and I had hoped they had drafted him. Once in the league, he was too hurt to play until last year. I personally backed him all season and the playoffs, even the Big Game. Until recently, I had his back, then I put it all in perspective. Brady was a rookie in the playoffs, and he led them to the Win. Rothleisberger was a 2nd year player, and led them to the Win. Kurt Warner did not have a lot of NFL experience, and led them to the Win. Grossman needed to make plays and he didn't. Which leads me to the point.

The defense did not play well, 2+ drives of over 7 minutes, the defense held, but could not get off the field. That I blame Rivera, and him not putting his players in position to succeed. I don't blame the loss on him, but he had his share.

I don't think it was a his fault, but I am not upset they let him go.

While it certainly isn't a tragedy to see Rivera make an exit, Ron Turner is the one who should definitely be heading out of town. That Super Bowl game plan and play calling stunk. Maybe we'll get lucky and he'll join his brother in San Diego.

It was the right move. I like Chico but he spent the last month of the season looking for another job instead of getting the defense ready for the Super Bowl. Just a couple of days after he did not get the Dallas job he claimed that he really wanted to stay with the Bears. Then he turns around and tries to go to San Diego.
The D looked like they were not at all prepared against the Colts and they were giving up a lot of points and yards in the 2nd half of the season. It is Lovie's defense and he delegates responsibility to his coordinators. Rivera did not get it done and he was way to busy looking out for Ron Rivera.
Sign Briggs, give Lovie his money and play less of the cover-2 and they will be just fine.

I think Ron got booted out because of few reasons, he did not seem to be very focused before the superbowl if you read his interviews, he indicated he could not wait to get the superbowl behinde him so he could get on with the interviews, he also mentioned he did not think it was fair that he had to wait so long. Secondly, the defense did not make any adjustments during the game to stop Manning and his offense and seemed content to let them drive the length of the field and score. I think a better DC would have done a much better job with all the talents the Bears have on the defense.

i am not going to bears games if rex grossman is our quarterback he is irresponsible

Not a whole lot wrong with Rivera's defense. Young guys D. Manning, M. Anderson, Tommie Harris, Tank Johnson seemed to step up big. You don't beat Seattle 38-7 without doing a lot of things right. Lovie Smith seems to be spinning his wheels with Grossman and going in reverse with this Rivera thing. If anything needs a serious recalibrating, it is the offensive game planning.

"It's like having a wife throw herself at a bunch of dudes and all of them are turning her down."

Heehee! Always love your perspective, Mr. D. And I agree: Mr. Rivera was supposed to get another offer. He didn't. Having him continue with the Bears after so many interviews would be a considerable distraction to the team. Jermaine is right, too-- I thought the D would've handled Peyton Manning much better than it did, and neither our offense nor defense made appropriate adjustments during the Super Bowl. Rex Grossman shouldn't take all the blame, though I'm starting to believe that a new QB coach would help. I think Rex could benefit from a fresh perspective--he seems locked into some pretty bad habits. BTW, my friend, who's much more knowledgable about football than I am, thought that the touchdown interception Rex threw in the 4th quarter was a play that should not have been called. He said that the play would only work if the defense went man-to-man, and it didn't. With double coverage, the throw would've had to be absolutely perfect, and, alas, it wasn't. Perhaps Rex didn't recognize the defense in time to abort the throw. My friend thought it was a low percentage call and not a good idea in that situation. What do you think?

The Bears made a huge mistake. In my opinion, Rivera was a better head coaching candidate and Smith knew it so he eliminated the competition. Rivera provided the Bears a bargaining chip in case Lovie asked for too much. The saddest part is the Bears and Lovie showed no class in waiting to this point to let him go. And personally, I've never been a big fan of Lovie's defense or his intelligence. He never did much with St. Louis. He is 0-2 in Super Bowls. Lovie, not Rivera, refused to Shadow Steve Smith with Vasher because the Cover-2 didn't allow for it. Yet this season, the Cover-2 DOES allow for it. Then Lovie wouldn't let Ron be more aggressive against Peyton (I have inside info confirming this). Lovie lacks the intelligence to make in-game adjustments and this trait showed up in St. Louis and now Chicago. As they say, it's not what you know but who. Was Lovie really the best candidate when he was hired? No. But he was cheap and followed the Angelo Tampa Bay tree. Asked today if the Bears are better now, Lovie refused to answer. Well, that speaks volumes. If he isn't confident enough to say yes, then maybe it's time for Lovie to go.

No one really knows the answer to this question because no one really knows how Rivera's defensive philosophy differed from Smith's. Did he blitz more than Lovie would have liked? did he stray away from Lovie's Cover 2 more than Lovie would have liked?

these are the questions that need answers and I hope some reporter enlightens us.

The Bears D is a completely different D with Tommy Harris and Mike Brown in there.

What is clear is that Lovie in effect "fired" Rivera. I'd love to know exactly "why" and specifically what "philosophies/team direction" things they differed with.

My question is that the newspapers in this town each have several guys covering the Bears EVERY DAY...how did they not see this coming? A national web site broke the story yesterday!

If it was a personal conflict of some sort that got Rivera dismissed, so be it. People get let go from jobs more often because of personal issues than they do for lack of performance.
As far as his performance as defensive coach goes, he retains a very impressive calling card and after a year or two at San Diego, a better opportunity will present itself and he'll look at being let go by the Bears as a good thing, if he doesn't realize that already.
As far as what's next for Lovie and whether this move makes the Bears a better team, no one can say, yet. My personal opinion is that Rivera's departure will hurt the feelings of a portion of the fan base more than the defensive team performance.

I'm so depressed! I cannot believe the Bears let Ron Rivera go. I can't imagine why - the defense wasn't good enough this year? Not consistent enough? Didn't win enough games for us? I still feel like Rex kicked me in the gut, like he owes me a personal apology for screwing up the Super Bowl, and now I've got to deal with this? And to think they kept the offensive coordinator...and the QB coach....and the QB!!!!!! It's going to be a long off season. Maybe I'll feel better if they hire Mike Singletary.

This firing isn't as big of a deal as people are making it out to be. This is "Lovie's D" not Rivera's. They take away the potential of having to shell out money for both Lovie and Rivera. Babych is very familiar with Lovie, whom he has worked with for 20 some-odd years. I also think, since it was Lovie's call, that they were tired of Rivera looking, and looking, and looking for work elsewhere. It's a distraction. Plus, if Rivera is such a great coach, why has he been turned down by 8 different teams? Just some food for thought.

Remember the main reason they gave for firing Jaroun is he wasn't going to fire Shoop. How many people accepted that that was the reason and moved on. In Dallas they say that Parcells was saying "We" when it came to the upcoming season up until the day he quit. We will never know the real reasons why people are fired or let go. Tiki Barber was on the NFL network just before the pro-bowl game and he was actually talking like he was coming back and then strongly denied he would. He kept saying "we,we, we". How can you say someone was fired when they didn't have a contract? Ditka didn't get fired with any time left on a contract. They just told him his services were no longer needed. It's not so bad losing a coordinator if his philosophy isn't much different to a head coach. They'll just move on. Lovie didn't fire his competition. Next year if the head coach position is open Rivera will have ample time to do what he did with the Bolts that he did with the BEARS. If he can make the Chargers LBs look better he'll get everything he has coming to him. IF Chico is "the Man" someone will hire him as their head coach. I'm sure he will TRY to find out the NEXT time a job opens up.

Does anyone know if Steve Mariucchi is willing to leave the NFL network and come and tutor Rex like he tutored Brett to the Superbowl? He can come here and start off small and work his way up to whatever. If he can get through to Rex he would deserve to be anything here ,including Mayor. You know once Rex get it right something else with the BEARS will be wrong. When we last had a great Offense our Defense sucked. Something is always missing when it comes to the BEARS.

At first I was disappointed about the departure of Rivera, but after reading up on the topic and thinking about it logically I feel that it will work out for the best. And I don't think it was Lovie Smith's fault as some of you implied. Lovie Smith doesn't sign the checks or negoititate contracts.The Bears management is very tight with its money. Rivera does deserve a raise, and I'm sure San Diego gave him one, His replacement will likely be this guy Babich, who is the current assistant coach/linebackers coach, has been around Lovie Smith for a while and is a good coach himself. He coaches two of the best linebackers in the NFL today.Like Roman said the current Cover 2 defense is Lovie's brain child anyway. If anything maybe Babich will implement a more aggressive defense with more blitz packages. Sometimes a new look and new ideas are just what a team needs to go from Good to Excellent. While it is a disappointment to see such a class act like Rivera go, he has to look out for his future. And while his departure might affect the feelings of players and fans, the Bears defense will still be as good, if not better next year.

I dunno, after last years loss in the playoffs to Carolina, I wanted Rivera's head, because of the D's inability to adjust, and let one man beat them. This year the whole team failed to show up for the big one. I don't feel it was Rivera's fault any more than Lovies, or Turners. They all share in the loss with the players. It's said that Lovie turns the game over completely to his coordinators, and doesn't interfere once the game starts. I don't get that. What's the point of being a head coach if your not going to override your subordinates when you see the game plan not working out????

Do you think Rivera would have been fired even if the Bears had won the Super Bowl? It seems likely based on everything I've read today.

Roman responds: It would have been an even tougher PR hit than it is now, but apparently it would have happened.

Now we KNOW who the BEARS thought LOST the Super Bowl, don't we? How is Rivera more cupable than the other coaches? Yes, defense win Super Bowls, but it would be nice if the offense would have done ANYTHING POSITIVE with the ball and put points on the board, regardless of how few chances they got.

I have to presume it was Rivera's and the Defense fault for being on the field almost twice as long as the opposing teams defense? OOPS, that is right, the damn offense kept turning the ball back over to the other team, though the defense would get a turnover of make a stop.

Lets save the golden boy which Smith stands behind, but won't give a high price second stringer a look-see when (How GROSS can you get MAN) is screwing up. I have an opinion and if this is Ron's treatment for getting to the Super Bowl, and calling a defense the Head Coach loves (or is that lovie?), why in the hell is Ron Turner still with a job? Oh that's right, every DAMN body in the viewing audience saw the inept offense and wouldn't dare hire this idiot!!

I guess the defense didn't help win its share of games during the season when a knuckleheaded quarterback has ratings of 0.0, 1.3, 10.2 and oh who wants to be tortured again?...*sheesh*...I presume the defense never played competitive ball consistently throughout the year, despite injuries to Tommie Harris and Mike Brown, huh?

Oh HELL NAW, despite Hex numbers, the Bears still won two out three of those games! And the defensive coordinator gets fired!!

Lovie, if you can stand up for the players, there is no way Ron Riveria should not still have his job with the Bears.

Lovie, you don't know what it means to be a TRUE BEARS FAN! Understand Lovie, this ain't Texas and that little hometown you are from. This is big city Chicago and we don't get angry when out coaches carry a chip on their shoulders. Matter of fact we relish in it. Maybe it might have been your nice guy persona that lost the Super Bowl.

Ron Riveria, you are always welcome in Chicago. You are a real Home Boy!!...

Good luck Ron in San Diego or where ever you go.....*Peace*

Why? Suddenly now we are hearing that Rivera and Lovie Smith didn't llike working together? The Bears sure kept that well under wraps all season, if it's true.

We get rid of Rivera (who held a team that put up 38 points against the Patriots) to 22 points late in the fourth quarter of the Superbowl, and we keep Grossman, the guy who threw away a chance at winning the Superbowl when the offense was moving the ball. Can someone please explain this logic?

Smith loses big games, Patriots vs Rams (as DC), Bears vs Panthers and Bears vs Colts. At least Rivera has a ring, where's Smith's?

This firing is jealousy of Rivera and his 1985 connections, pure and simple. He knows he was the second choice as head coach and he is trying to insulate and surround himself with "yes men" (eg. Babich) and is afraid of winners (eg Leslie Frazier).

Oh, by the way, get used to hearing "Rex is our quarterback" for the next 10 months.

I don't get it:who among us can go and apply for 8 job openings in two years and still have the boss think we are geeked to work there? I think it is absolutely silly to say that Lovie had a bone to pick with Rivera because he is an 85 alumni. Where did Rivera prove that he wanted to be here? This guy was off to every job opening but 1 in 2 years. If you apply for so many jobs and the people who work under you fail to do their jobs you do you get a better job? If Ron Rivera was hot "stank" he would've been more than an assistant coach somewhere. Same with Singletary. If everyone thought that the 85 guys were any good as head coaches it would have happened. Rivera helps to achieve the minority look-see that is required nowadays. They don't even have to bring in a black guy anymore because Chico helps them with that requirement and then they go and hire whoever they wanted in the first place. You have a team paying a college coach Superbowl-winning coach money to take over for them instead of hiring a guy with a big league pedigree who might've came for less. Name one college coach who has taken a pro team to even the playoffs in years? If Rivera was the man he would've shown it to guys who have a little more to gain than just a simple coach. Face it: he wasn't the guy they wanted and you can't blame the ones who tolerated him while he was going out looking to become something that a lot of guys want to be. He didn't want to be here and there were guys here who were more than happy to have the job he seemed to be running from. He made it easy for them to move on. I don't see 8 other teams along with 30 others who miss his services so where does that leave the BEARS? He was the one who made himself look like warmed over dog pee. I wonder if Sumarai Mike is digging his own grave in San Fran by getting rejected by every other team. How much longer will his team let him be like we let Rivera be for us? Do we still need to have our coaches with chips on their shoulders? When will you guys let go of that old adage about coaches being billy-bad-@$$. Mike Tomzach has a ring along with Andy Fredricks and what did they do to get it. A lot of great guys don't have rings and the last guy on the Steelers and Colts roster ain't hot crap compared to them just because they have one. Rhodes is still drinking the bubbly after his win and he forgot to park his car while he was doing it. Does that mean he is still a hero? Give that Lovie hating a rest. The man had the cojones to get rid of Shea after only one year. He can get a break about Rivera? If he didn't like Rivera I'm glad he was man enough to keep it in house. A coach with a chip on his shoulder probably would have blown it out of proportion. Another thing: why did he fire D-line coach Don Johnson? Was it because Miami Vice was big back in 85 and he didn't need that reminder? Am I silly enough for the conspiracy theorist?

re the bend don't break philosophy and how it entailed Rivera, Mr. Roscoe, I think the general consensus is that Rivera's philosophy was actually more aggressive and blitz oriented than Lovie's- just consider his background playing in the old Bears 46 scheme and then under Johny Johnson's blitz packages in Philly.

The bend don't break philosophy is ALL Lovie, ALL Tampa 2. I have deep suspicions about this defense but Lovie has earned the right to do it his way. (and every head coach should have that right to start with)

as to Rex, everyone forgets this was his defacto rookie year, and yes, he's not Tom Brady, and will probably never be, but he took some entirely underserved potshots from the media last year. I wasn't entirely impressed by Ron Turner, after teams figured out they like to throw the fly pattern to Bernard Berrian.

if everyone were honest with themselves they'd admit that the Bears weren't really a Super Bowl team this year, they were merely a good team in a very weak division, the NFC. They were super fortunate to get by Seattle. the best four teams in the NFL this year were all AFC teams.

Griese would have probably been a better choice for just last year, but they're taking the long term view. Next year with everyone back and hopefully healthy, there will be very few excuses. (which also applies to Rex)

So first everyone bashes Grossman, then people want to bash Lovie. Wait WHAT? But I thought we were talking about Rivera? And I thought we talking about a team who just made it to the Superbowl. The way some of you talk it feels like the Bears are a team in the gutter or something. So now some people want to let Lovie go? Thats what I read in one of these posts. Seriously what is wrong with people? Yes, it sucks that Rivera is gone, but that doesn't change the fact that we still have an outstanding group of young players. I can't believe all of the pessimism I read and hear about. Lets look forward to a good offseason and a hungrier, healthier team next year.
Roman, quick question for you, do you have any news or rumors, about the contract negotiations with Lovie? Last time I heard they were still nowhere close?

I get the feeling that some jughead fans will continue to be upset until Singletary is the defensive coordinator, Jim McMahon the O coordinator and Da Coach as the COACH!!!
People...listen to me...it was 21 years ago...GET OVER IT...BREATHE!!!!

Roman responds: Just as being on the '85 team doesn't qualify a candidate to be a coach, it shouldn't preclude him, either. Why wouldn't Singletary be a good head coach, let alone a coordinator. If Norv Turner and Wade Phillips can get head coaching jobs after failing in previous tries, why not Singletary?

The bears don't make many mistakes, they just make the same ones over and over again.

This is lovie's firing, angelo said it wasn't his call. I thought lovie sounded arrogant with his "we're 15 and 4 and rex is our quarterback" chant but his "trust me as head coach to make the team better" is plain hubris.

Rivera handled things with class, lovie looks disloyal and jealous of the attention rivera was getting. Lovie's lack of experience as a head coach for a major market team is obvious in how badly he handled this staff change. He has demonstrated his lack of experience and ability before with poor game clock management, bad game planning and inability to make adjustments. Lovie just gets repeatedly outcoached. He hasn't handled the media or player personnel decisions well, and now he has embarrassed the team nationally by firing the coordinator of the bears highly ranked defense, after touting him all season as a worthy head coaching candidate.

How much does lovies word look to be worth now? How much loyalty can players and other staff expect from lovie in the future? How much credibility with the media and with the other general managers in the league will lovie have after pumping and dumping rivera so abruptly?

Lovie is the one that looks bad and if briggs decides to sit next season, the bears won't be able to say a word about loyalty, and if thomas jones doesn't play and asks for a trade, who could blame him? How secure do you think tank johnson feels now that his two primary coaches got axed? How do you think the other players on defense feel about being part of the loyal bears family now?

Rivera is lucky he is out from under lovie, now he won't have to stomach the soft hitting, strip the ball, prevent defense lovie likes. Lovie has overplayed his hand and if the bears fall short again next year, he'll be the one on his way out of town, or "going in a different direction with the same philosophy" as he describes it. Angelo has cleverly distanced himself so he won't get swept out too.

If Grossman was still making high school type mistakes late into the season -- i.e. footwork, wrong reads, bad decisions -- What, exactly, was the purpose of the quarterback coach??

There was a moment in the super bowl when Urlacher gestured to the sidelines out of apparent frustration after Indy hit a man coming out of