Lovie Tries to Bury Past to Insure Legacy
Random thoughts while wondering what ever happened to "No Neck" Williams:
Lovie or Leave Me: It seems like success is the ultimate lever for power. Here's Lovie Smith, less than a month removed from going to the Super Bowl, firing (yes, Lovie, firing) his defensive coordinator and then telling the media that "you have to trust my instincts as a head coach."
Turns out, Ron Rivera was a company guy doing everything he was asked, even some things against his better judgment. It was not that he was the defensive version of John Schoop, but that he wore number 59 on the 1985 Bears.
After all the talk and all the comparisons, Lovie had enough and wanted to distance himself once and for all from the 1985 team, which, included Rivera. Chico now goes down in history as having his Bear career end because he was determined to be "collateral damage."
Now, if Lovie had gone out and picked up a stud defensive coordinator (Jim Bates, Jim Johnson, etc.) everyone would have said "Wow, that's great. We get it." But instead, Lovie elevates his buddy, Bob Babich, who has never been a coordinator before. I guess we have to trust Lovie's instincts, and time and success will decide how good they are. So far, you really can't argue with them, except in big games when he won't pressure the quarterback.
Lovie's constant refrain in defending his team was "look at the record." That's exactly what Bear fans will be doing from here on out.
Blackball Dept.: I'm not a big fan of Gary Barnett, but Dennis Dodd hits it right on the money. Barnett said the wrong thing and is now paying the price. How many other coaches have been given a second chance after really screwing up? Eddie Sutton nearly brought down Kentucky basketball and he went on to coach Oklahoma State. Todd Bozeman had to wait ten years to come back because of an NCAA ban. Bruce Pearl had to toil at D2 for many years before he caught on with UWM and then Tennessee because of a recruiting scandal (and there is a good case that he was blackballed at the D1 level for a long time.) Then there are Bob Knight, Bob Huggins, Jerry Tarkanian and my favorite, Mike (Lap Dance) Price. There are even coaches with losing records who get recycled.
It makes you wonder if it is the universities who do not want Gary Barnett because of the insensitive way he handled an incident with a female kicker or the NCAA, led by the politically correct Miles (Zero Tolerance) Brand that is keeping Barnett out of work. Is the mere mention of Barnett's name as a candidate for a head coaching job enough to get campus women's groups in an uproar and thus steer the administration to an easier path?
Barnett is a competent coach and what happened with Colorado is not as bad in reality as it may seem on paper.
It's sad to think a man who has spent his life coaching football may never be able to do it again. And, for all the wrong reasons.
Opportunity for Diversity Dept.: Doesn't congress have better things to do than worry about who is coaching college football teams?
Weekend at Bernie's Dept.: Coming soon to an independent League near you.
Truth in Accuracy Dept.: Here's an idea what Tim Hardaway is going through right now. Even the critics are coming back to center on it. Make it known, I never left center on it.
Bracket Buster Dept.: Here's an update on February's favorite sport: Handicapping the brackets in the NCAA tournament. Since Wisconsin lost last night, this is already cold copy.
Head Case Dept.: White Sox relief pitcher Boone Logan admits he had a "mental breakdown" last year because of the pressure of pitching at the big league level. Not a smart thing to admit to when you want to pitch at the big league level. When the manager raises his arm and brings you in, you are supposed to throw strikes, not ball up and suck your thumb.
The Sox are willing to give him a clean slate, but given how Sox manager Ozzie Guillen likes toughness, this kid may be pitching in Charlotte for the rest of his life.
Top Ranked Dept.: How did the 8 NFL teams that hired new coaches do? Here's how. And by the way, the Norv Turner hiring in San Diego appears to be deja vous all over again.
Good Night and Good Luck Dept.: While Nero fiddles, Tony Blair picks up his pieces and goes home.
How clueless does one have to be to continue to ramp up a war when even the one guy in the world who has supported you all along has stopped supporting you?
Lesson Learned Dept.: Scooter Libby still hasn't learned that it's not exposing Valerie Plame that is the problem, it's the lying about it under oath and covering it up part. Scooter is a good soldier and I hope Dick Chaney is paying him a fortune to take the bullet.
Good News Dept.: New Orleans continues to move forward. God bless them all.
Spin Off Dept.: Coming Soon: Another series bound to be repeated ad nauseum on Lifetime Women's channel. Memo to Shonda Rhimes: Ever hear of After M*A*S*H?
Limited Tolerance Dept.: Oh to be as smart as judgmental people who think everyone enjoying the Internet is trailer trash, a degenerate or some kind of social leper. Check the mirror, pal.
Law & Order Dept.: Barney is not only not your friend, he carries an agenda in his ticket book.
At Long Last Finally Dept.: The Supreme Court smacks down unreasonable jury awards. Torte reform is a huge issue which is largely ignored because it benefits large companies and because the majority of congress makes their living as lawyers.
Until we get serious torte reform and limit outrageous jury awards, the companies will pass the costs of doing business and paying off wackos on to consumers. So, if the companies get screwed, we get screwed right along with them.
You can't put a price tag on suffering, And if you could, I doubt it would be ten million dollars.
Jump the Shark Dept.: If you enjoy "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip", enjoy it quickly. It appears to be headed for the TV graveyard in the not so distant future.
I think West Wing was so good, people assumed this show would be as good, which it is not. The only guy that can get away with multiple shows that are similar but different is David E. Kelley. The difference between Sorkin and Kelley is Sorkin is smart and makes sure you know it while Kelley is smart and doesn't mind being silly.
Dummy Up Dept.: A wax likeness of TV cooking maven Rachael Ray will be unveiled tonight in New York. It will not be considered lifelike unless the hands move. (Congrats to our friend Mike Johnson at TV Food fan for breaking this yesterday.)
Dream Gig Dept.: I wish I had known these auditions took place yesterday because I would have tried out for this part. I am qualified seeing as how I've been sitting around for six months waiting for the phone to ring.
Lovie or Leave Me: It seems like success is the ultimate lever for power. Here's Lovie Smith, less than a month removed from going to the Super Bowl, firing (yes, Lovie, firing) his defensive coordinator and then telling the media that "you have to trust my instincts as a head coach."
Turns out, Ron Rivera was a company guy doing everything he was asked, even some things against his better judgment. It was not that he was the defensive version of John Schoop, but that he wore number 59 on the 1985 Bears.
After all the talk and all the comparisons, Lovie had enough and wanted to distance himself once and for all from the 1985 team, which, included Rivera. Chico now goes down in history as having his Bear career end because he was determined to be "collateral damage."
Now, if Lovie had gone out and picked up a stud defensive coordinator (Jim Bates, Jim Johnson, etc.) everyone would have said "Wow, that's great. We get it." But instead, Lovie elevates his buddy, Bob Babich, who has never been a coordinator before. I guess we have to trust Lovie's instincts, and time and success will decide how good they are. So far, you really can't argue with them, except in big games when he won't pressure the quarterback.
Lovie's constant refrain in defending his team was "look at the record." That's exactly what Bear fans will be doing from here on out.
Blackball Dept.: I'm not a big fan of Gary Barnett, but Dennis Dodd hits it right on the money. Barnett said the wrong thing and is now paying the price. How many other coaches have been given a second chance after really screwing up? Eddie Sutton nearly brought down Kentucky basketball and he went on to coach Oklahoma State. Todd Bozeman had to wait ten years to come back because of an NCAA ban. Bruce Pearl had to toil at D2 for many years before he caught on with UWM and then Tennessee because of a recruiting scandal (and there is a good case that he was blackballed at the D1 level for a long time.) Then there are Bob Knight, Bob Huggins, Jerry Tarkanian and my favorite, Mike (Lap Dance) Price. There are even coaches with losing records who get recycled.
It makes you wonder if it is the universities who do not want Gary Barnett because of the insensitive way he handled an incident with a female kicker or the NCAA, led by the politically correct Miles (Zero Tolerance) Brand that is keeping Barnett out of work. Is the mere mention of Barnett's name as a candidate for a head coaching job enough to get campus women's groups in an uproar and thus steer the administration to an easier path?
Barnett is a competent coach and what happened with Colorado is not as bad in reality as it may seem on paper.
It's sad to think a man who has spent his life coaching football may never be able to do it again. And, for all the wrong reasons.
Opportunity for Diversity Dept.: Doesn't congress have better things to do than worry about who is coaching college football teams?
Weekend at Bernie's Dept.: Coming soon to an independent League near you.
Truth in Accuracy Dept.: Here's an idea what Tim Hardaway is going through right now. Even the critics are coming back to center on it. Make it known, I never left center on it.
Bracket Buster Dept.: Here's an update on February's favorite sport: Handicapping the brackets in the NCAA tournament. Since Wisconsin lost last night, this is already cold copy.
Head Case Dept.: White Sox relief pitcher Boone Logan admits he had a "mental breakdown" last year because of the pressure of pitching at the big league level. Not a smart thing to admit to when you want to pitch at the big league level. When the manager raises his arm and brings you in, you are supposed to throw strikes, not ball up and suck your thumb.
The Sox are willing to give him a clean slate, but given how Sox manager Ozzie Guillen likes toughness, this kid may be pitching in Charlotte for the rest of his life.
Top Ranked Dept.: How did the 8 NFL teams that hired new coaches do? Here's how. And by the way, the Norv Turner hiring in San Diego appears to be deja vous all over again.
Good Night and Good Luck Dept.: While Nero fiddles, Tony Blair picks up his pieces and goes home.
How clueless does one have to be to continue to ramp up a war when even the one guy in the world who has supported you all along has stopped supporting you?
Lesson Learned Dept.: Scooter Libby still hasn't learned that it's not exposing Valerie Plame that is the problem, it's the lying about it under oath and covering it up part. Scooter is a good soldier and I hope Dick Chaney is paying him a fortune to take the bullet.
Good News Dept.: New Orleans continues to move forward. God bless them all.
Spin Off Dept.: Coming Soon: Another series bound to be repeated ad nauseum on Lifetime Women's channel. Memo to Shonda Rhimes: Ever hear of After M*A*S*H?
Limited Tolerance Dept.: Oh to be as smart as judgmental people who think everyone enjoying the Internet is trailer trash, a degenerate or some kind of social leper. Check the mirror, pal.
Law & Order Dept.: Barney is not only not your friend, he carries an agenda in his ticket book.
At Long Last Finally Dept.: The Supreme Court smacks down unreasonable jury awards. Torte reform is a huge issue which is largely ignored because it benefits large companies and because the majority of congress makes their living as lawyers.
Until we get serious torte reform and limit outrageous jury awards, the companies will pass the costs of doing business and paying off wackos on to consumers. So, if the companies get screwed, we get screwed right along with them.
You can't put a price tag on suffering, And if you could, I doubt it would be ten million dollars.
Jump the Shark Dept.: If you enjoy "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip", enjoy it quickly. It appears to be headed for the TV graveyard in the not so distant future.
I think West Wing was so good, people assumed this show would be as good, which it is not. The only guy that can get away with multiple shows that are similar but different is David E. Kelley. The difference between Sorkin and Kelley is Sorkin is smart and makes sure you know it while Kelley is smart and doesn't mind being silly.
Dummy Up Dept.: A wax likeness of TV cooking maven Rachael Ray will be unveiled tonight in New York. It will not be considered lifelike unless the hands move. (Congrats to our friend Mike Johnson at TV Food fan for breaking this yesterday.)
Dream Gig Dept.: I wish I had known these auditions took place yesterday because I would have tried out for this part. I am qualified seeing as how I've been sitting around for six months waiting for the phone to ring.
Comments