Show Lovie the Money, Not the Door
Random thoughts while wondering what ever happened to Dave LaPoint:
Show me Some Lovie Dept.: It appears, at least according to Lovie Smith's agent, that the talks between Lovie Smith and the Bears to extend his contract have stalled. According to the agent, who of course made sure he spoke to ESPN, Lovie will become a free agent after the 2007 season unless things turn around quickly.
The Bears, who are trapped in a 50's time loop, do not want to easily fork over the jack necessary to keep their coach. With a trip to the Super Bowl in his rear view mirror, most of his team coming back next year and the fact that he's an African-American, Lovie is at the peak of his earning power. He can demand whatever he wants and someone out there will eventually give it to him.
Several teams are ripe for a coaching change after next season. Tom Coughlin is on shaky ground with the Giants. Romeo Crennell has one more chance with the Browns. If Dallas regresses under Wade Phillips, Jerry Jones could have an itchy trigger finger. Jon Gruden is a bit tense in Tampa. And then, there are the coaches that move to other teams, like Lovie would, if the money and the power structure suited him.
The bottom line is that five million dollars a year in this situation is not an outrage, it's the going rate. And while a football coach is far less important than a doctor, firefighter, police officer or nurse, their shelf life and peak earning power is a lot shorter too. Someday, Lovie won't be so hot and have to settle for a lot less money.
If the Bears do not open the vault, Lovie will walk and the Bears will have to rebuild, maybe with another stiff like Dick Juron or (please no) Ahhhh Dave Wannstedt. Or, a college coach that gets in over his head (Nick Saban). Or a recycled guy who is cheaper because he has not had too much success (Denny Green, Mike Sherman, Mike Tice, Dom Capers et. al) Or, someone like Coughlin who gets launched and is looking for work.
Ted Phillips, it's time to show Lovie the money instead of the door. He's your first coach since Ditka that's actually earned it.
Slow Motion Dept.: I remember when Aramis Ramerez was playing for the Nashville Sounds in the late nineties . I asked one of the Sounds guys why a player who could hit the ball so hard wasn't up with the Pirates. "He's lazy" the guy told me, "He turns it on when he wants to."
Almost ten years later, guess what?
Payin is Racin' Dept: In today's NASCAR, money talks and cheaters walk.
Our House is a Very, Very Fine House Dept.: It's good to be King.
One Dog Night Dept.: How 'bout them Salukis?
Overlooked Dept.: If this were football, people in Alabama would actually care.
Argue With An Idiot Dept.: While thousands sneak over our boarder every year and a war rages in Iraq, While gas prices inch back towards $3 a gallon and companies fork over millions in bogus lawsuits, Hillary Clinton and Barach Obama decide to put campaign backers on the debate floor.
Point the Finger Dept.: The Anna Nicole trial rages on. Mama has decided that her daughter was brainwashed by her lawyer/boyfriend/lover. She's sure her daughter wouldn't have been a pill popping, boozy, air headed blond without the help of Howard K. Stern.
And the judge in the trial is spending all his time mugging for the cameras instead of dispensing justice.
Again cameras+courtrooms=EVIL.
Just Shoot Me Dept.: Dick Cheney wants to take Nancy Perlosi on a hunting trip.
Fed Ex Dept.: K-Fed has finally decided that having his children living with a crazy woman is not a good idea.
Grey Matter Dept.: You've seen his last two shows crash to earth faster than Soyuz parts, yet Taye Diggs will become part of the new Grey's Anatomy spin off. The working title of the show is: Addison: Three episodes and out.
In the Bag Dept.: Looks like Roundy's, the people that own Pick & Save grocery stores here in Wisconsin are up for sale.
Good, maybe the new owner will actually provide people to bag my groceries. Nothing like paying full price and crushing your own eggs.
Food Fight Dept.: Our daily article on Rachel Ray, or, as we like to call her, Martha Stewart without the record. Actually, Sandra Lee is much closer to Martha Stewart and I wish someone would lock her up.
Simon Says Dept.: Before you read too much into this, remember it's showbiz.
Quoteable Dept.: Muse from the U.S. Poet Lauriet
Bozo Dept.: Am I a clown? Do I amuse you? Apparently not.
Falling Prices Dept.: Walmart opens in India and is immediately greeted by protesters. Must be the buy one get one free special on Bubba Burgers.
Duck the Issue Dept.: The new AFLAC ad wonk who was going to do away with the AFLAC duck has now reversed course. The ad wonk is a former ad wonk for Coca Cola. Does 1985 mean anything to you, sir?
Show me Some Lovie Dept.: It appears, at least according to Lovie Smith's agent, that the talks between Lovie Smith and the Bears to extend his contract have stalled. According to the agent, who of course made sure he spoke to ESPN, Lovie will become a free agent after the 2007 season unless things turn around quickly.
The Bears, who are trapped in a 50's time loop, do not want to easily fork over the jack necessary to keep their coach. With a trip to the Super Bowl in his rear view mirror, most of his team coming back next year and the fact that he's an African-American, Lovie is at the peak of his earning power. He can demand whatever he wants and someone out there will eventually give it to him.
Several teams are ripe for a coaching change after next season. Tom Coughlin is on shaky ground with the Giants. Romeo Crennell has one more chance with the Browns. If Dallas regresses under Wade Phillips, Jerry Jones could have an itchy trigger finger. Jon Gruden is a bit tense in Tampa. And then, there are the coaches that move to other teams, like Lovie would, if the money and the power structure suited him.
The bottom line is that five million dollars a year in this situation is not an outrage, it's the going rate. And while a football coach is far less important than a doctor, firefighter, police officer or nurse, their shelf life and peak earning power is a lot shorter too. Someday, Lovie won't be so hot and have to settle for a lot less money.
If the Bears do not open the vault, Lovie will walk and the Bears will have to rebuild, maybe with another stiff like Dick Juron or (please no) Ahhhh Dave Wannstedt. Or, a college coach that gets in over his head (Nick Saban). Or a recycled guy who is cheaper because he has not had too much success (Denny Green, Mike Sherman, Mike Tice, Dom Capers et. al) Or, someone like Coughlin who gets launched and is looking for work.
Ted Phillips, it's time to show Lovie the money instead of the door. He's your first coach since Ditka that's actually earned it.
Slow Motion Dept.: I remember when Aramis Ramerez was playing for the Nashville Sounds in the late nineties . I asked one of the Sounds guys why a player who could hit the ball so hard wasn't up with the Pirates. "He's lazy" the guy told me, "He turns it on when he wants to."
Almost ten years later, guess what?
Payin is Racin' Dept: In today's NASCAR, money talks and cheaters walk.
Our House is a Very, Very Fine House Dept.: It's good to be King.
One Dog Night Dept.: How 'bout them Salukis?
Overlooked Dept.: If this were football, people in Alabama would actually care.
Argue With An Idiot Dept.: While thousands sneak over our boarder every year and a war rages in Iraq, While gas prices inch back towards $3 a gallon and companies fork over millions in bogus lawsuits, Hillary Clinton and Barach Obama decide to put campaign backers on the debate floor.
Point the Finger Dept.: The Anna Nicole trial rages on. Mama has decided that her daughter was brainwashed by her lawyer/boyfriend/lover. She's sure her daughter wouldn't have been a pill popping, boozy, air headed blond without the help of Howard K. Stern.
And the judge in the trial is spending all his time mugging for the cameras instead of dispensing justice.
Again cameras+courtrooms=EVIL.
Just Shoot Me Dept.: Dick Cheney wants to take Nancy Perlosi on a hunting trip.
Fed Ex Dept.: K-Fed has finally decided that having his children living with a crazy woman is not a good idea.
Grey Matter Dept.: You've seen his last two shows crash to earth faster than Soyuz parts, yet Taye Diggs will become part of the new Grey's Anatomy spin off. The working title of the show is: Addison: Three episodes and out.
In the Bag Dept.: Looks like Roundy's, the people that own Pick & Save grocery stores here in Wisconsin are up for sale.
Good, maybe the new owner will actually provide people to bag my groceries. Nothing like paying full price and crushing your own eggs.
Food Fight Dept.: Our daily article on Rachel Ray, or, as we like to call her, Martha Stewart without the record. Actually, Sandra Lee is much closer to Martha Stewart and I wish someone would lock her up.
Simon Says Dept.: Before you read too much into this, remember it's showbiz.
Quoteable Dept.: Muse from the U.S. Poet Lauriet
Bozo Dept.: Am I a clown? Do I amuse you? Apparently not.
Falling Prices Dept.: Walmart opens in India and is immediately greeted by protesters. Must be the buy one get one free special on Bubba Burgers.
Duck the Issue Dept.: The new AFLAC ad wonk who was going to do away with the AFLAC duck has now reversed course. The ad wonk is a former ad wonk for Coca Cola. Does 1985 mean anything to you, sir?
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