On October 16th, Boss's day, the biggest gift basket for Bears coach Lovie Smith better come from newly defrocked defensive coordinator Bob Babich.  Babich, promoted from linebackers coach to d-corr after Smith jettisoned Ron Rivera  (for apparently no good reason) has recently has had several of his job responsibilities removed in the wake of a season where the Bears defense looked awful against both the run and the pass.

In most companies, an employee who performs far below expectations or is in over his head (as Babich apparently was) would be fired or at very least, given a formal demotion and loss in pay.  But in Lovie's world, Babich keeps his rank and pay grade, he just won't be calling plays anymore.  Which is what a defensive coordinator does, I understand. 

Smith himself will take over calling the defensive shots.  This begs the question, is this the beginning of the Lovie Smith downfall?  Great coaches don't hang on to bad assistants.  Smith has fired the majority of the defensive staff but has chosen to hang on to Babich because he is a friend.  I can tell you from experience Lovie, that loyalty only gets YOU fired.  If someone isn't doing their job, it's time to show them the door.  Or punt them way back to the curb and reduce their salary and responsibility making sure they are aware of it.. 

While handling it in this fashion makes Smith a charitable man, there is no charity in the NFL.  Taking on more responsibility is not what NFL coaches are supposed to do.  They are supposed to delegate items like play calling to competent, well paid assistants so that they, the head coach, can concentrate on the big picture.  Coaches who take their eyes off the prize to perform tasks like play calling usually get fired sooner rather than later.

If this is true, Lovie Smith's charity could turn into his own.