Post by Deleted on Jan 4, 2018 4:44:01 GMT -6
Real Talk: Do Bears have the proper vision and sales pitch for their coaching search?
Dan Wiederer and Rich CampbellContact ReportersChicago Tribune
Link: www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-bears-real-talk-coaching-search-20170103-story.html
The Bears will begin their third search for a head coach since 2013, and there’s no question they will put an emphasis on finding someone with an offensive background who can bring out the talents of quarterback Mitch Trubisky. But just because they will prioritize an offensive coach doesn’t rule out coaches with other backgrounds.
A new year has arrived for the sputtering Bears and new results will again be demanded.
After finishing last in the NFC North for the fourth consecutive season, the Bears on Monday made a foregone conclusion official by firing John Fox and launching into their third coaching search since the start of 2013. They did so with Ryan Pace still general manager and the recipient of a contract extension.
At an afternoon news conference New Year’s Day, Pace joined President Ted Phillips and Chairman George McCaskey to express disappointment in the last three seasons. The Bears’ 14 wins in that span are ahead of only the Browns (four) and 49ers (13), but the Pace-Phillips-McCaskey triumvirate pushed to express an optimistic vision for what’s ahead.
How effective were they at communicating the Bears’ direction? Was Pace truly worthy of an extension after overseeing three double-digit-loss seasons? How do the Bears expect to find their way out of this wilderness?
Dan Wiederer and Rich Campbell sound things out in this edition of “Real Talk.”
Dan Wiederer: Monday was an odd day at Halas Hall. The word I keep coming back to is “dull.” While it had been established for some time that the Fox firing was imminent, the finality of that decision left the locker room unsettled in the morning, which is to be expected.
But then, with an uncertain yet exciting coaching search ahead, the news conference failed to generate much confidence in the organization’s direction. It was a missed opportunity to reassure a justifiably frustrated fan base that things are in good hands. Thus, a city’s contagious anxiety remains.
The decision to give Pace an extension through 2021 might seem an odd reward for a still-unproven GM with a 14-34 record. But you and I both know it was more of a business decision than a prize, a move that will better position the Bears to be at their most competitive as they join the hunt for a new coach. As Phillips asserted after the news conference, it conveys to candidates that the organization is fully behind Pace as its leader and aligns the GM’s ticking clock with the likely four-year contract the next coach will receive. Through that lens, the extension makes practical sense even if it seems to some to be imprudent.
Rich Campbell: Back up a bit. You say the news conference failed to generate confidence in the Bears’ direction. But after the fourth straight double-digit-loss season, what could Pace, Phillips and McCaskey have possibly said to inspire reasonable minds? News conferences are just words. Rational Bears fans know that by now, having grown weary of annual rhetoric about the quest to improve. (And how, not to mention their habitual lying)
Any confidence people have in the Bears’ vision and direction should be derived from what quarterback Mitch Trubisky did in 12 starts. I almost wrote “rookie” there, but he’s not one anymore. And it’s as clear as ever that he and Pace are the heart of the Bears, soon to be joined by the new coach.
After Pace’s extension, the franchise’s fate depends on Trubisky. After an encouraging first season, the Bears are determined to find a coach who will maximize his potential as an athletic, accurate pocket passer — even if Pace opted not to explicitly acknowledge that Monday.
Wiederer: Look, I’m not one who believes a news conference is the be-all, end-all for establishing a team’s direction. And there was no way the Bears’ announcement and explanation of what happened Monday — the Fox dismissal, the nod of approval for Pace — was going to supersede those developments. But that news conference, in my opinion, was a tone-setter for the start of 2018 and the all-important coaching search that is now launched. And it seemed the Bears missed their opportunity to trumpet what they truly believe in and what they’re seeking in this next stage of their climb.
Oftentimes those gatherings, whether it be for significant firings or hirings, feel momentous. This one didn’t — at all. It felt like a team that has been in last place for four consecutive seasons was dusting off its old book of vague assurances and hollow promises. (My point exactly. Nothing has changed. DDSOS)
I’d be surprised if the message resonated with a majority of fans. More importantly, I’m not sure it was the kind of sermon that would have prospective coaching applicants rushing to get in line. Let’s just hope the Bears’ sales pitch to coaching candidates is stronger.
Campbell: Again, it was all just words. Nothing that happened Monday was surprising; it was anti-climactic. I can’t imagine what they could have said to have coaching applicants knocking down the door — maybe broadcasting an outrageously high salary? More realistically, applicants will be attracted to the job because they see potential in Trubisky.
Now, I agree the Bears’ rhetoric Monday was familiar, and in the context of their sustained losing it was uninspiring. But as it related to Pace, the Bears had two choices: Stay the course or start over. And I understand why Phillips said Pace “has earned the opportunity to see his plan to fruition.” Trubisky had a promising first season. Ownership likes the way Pace conducts himself, conducts business and communicates with them. (Yes of course. The now have him totally under control and well coached in the Phillips/McCaskey bull shit of how things are done around Halas Hall)
I suspect many fans were bummed to learn Phillips will be participating in the coaching interviews as what he called a “support resource.” McCaskey opted not to change the power structure that high up in the organization, which certainly would have qualified as accountability for the losing. We’ll never know the exact dynamic between Pace, Phillips and McCaskey in these coaching interviews. While the three of them called it “collaborative,” Phillips and McCaskey seem deferential to Pace. (Bummed does not even come close! And come on Rich. Get a ****ing clue will ya'! The exact dynamic is Teddy Bears and GMcC run this show and THEY will have the final say so you must "collaborate". It's like the Mafia. Nothin' happens unless the "Boss" says it happens)
Wiederer: Nothing that happens for the Bears in 2018 will be as pivotal as the next few weeks and Pace’s quest to land a new coach, a new offensive coordinator and a new system to launch Trubisky toward stardom. Outside of choosing his franchise quarterback, this will be the second-most significant decision Pace makes in the entirety of his GM tenure. So, yeah, no pressure. (No shit Shamus)
And for those wondering if the Bears GM might make a bold dice roll on a younger coach with no experience as a head coach or little experience even as a coordinator (John DeFilippo and Matt Nagy), remember that his top picks in each of the last three drafts (Kevin White, Leonard Floyd, Trubisky) have been players selected on promise and potential more than proven production.
Last April, Pace pushed his chips to the center of the table with his belief in Trubisky. This week, McCaskey and Phillips did the same with their confidence in Pace. Now, as you noted, the quarterback and GM are the stars of the Bears’ show and will belong on center stage for the entirety of 2018. Soon, they will be joined by a new leader who must set the direction for returning this franchise to relevance. Can the Bears get it right? (Magic 8 Ball says with Phillips and GMcC involved; "The Outcome Is In Doubt".
Campbell: Given the systemic losing, it’s understandable for fans not to give them the benefit of the doubt. And in some ways the answer to that question is out of the Bears’ control. As we’ve explained, the Bears not only have to identify the right guy, they must convince him to be part of the program. (Most correct thing you've written Rich)
It was interesting to read our colleague Brad Biggs’ poll of 20 front-office employees, head coaches, coordinators and position coaches across the league. They ranked the six head coaching vacancies in order of attractiveness; the Bears’ ended up fifth. Just as importantly, it’s clear that opinions and perceptions of each job vary from person to person, so there’s work to be done in finding the right fit.
To your earlier point, Pace will have to be much more persuasive and inspiring in interview settings than he was Monday. I have no doubt he will be. (That's a whole lot of trust to be placing in the guy who just confirmed that without a shadow of a doubt he is still Phillips and GMcC's little monkey Gidget)
Wiederer: It struck me when McCaskey was asked about his sales pitch to candidates that he started with this: “First of all, we’re what the league refers to as a ‘legacy franchise.’ We’ve been there from the start. We’re approaching our centennial, as well as the league’s.” (And the fool still won't get off that kick even though "The Monsters of the Midway was over 75 years ago. THIS is the kind of arrogance I keep talking about)
This was yet another reminder that the Bears’ self-examination too often comes across as overly nostalgic. Eighteen years into the 21st century the rest of the NFL doesn’t care as deeply about the origins of the league, the Bears’ dominance of the 1940s or, quite frankly, the ’85 Bears for that matter. It’s incredible the organization still doesn’t have a better grip on that reality. (Amen, amen, amen, amen)
So, to your point, Pace may have to be triply persuasive with how he tries to sway possible coaches during the interview process. We know what the GM has to sell — the Bears have a young and improving quarterback who had an encouraging rookie season, a top-10 defense with a nice nucleus of difference-makers who will be around next season and beyond, cap room to be aggressive in free agency and a top-10 pick in the draft yet again. They have an opening here to strike if they make a series of smart and calculated moves. (IMHO Pace is not in the best position to negotiate unless GMcC and Phillips are giving him an unlimited budget and how likely is that?)
To be fair to McCaskey, he did go on to say that ownership would give the next coach “everything he needs to succeed.” Now it’s a matter of making good on that vow. (How GMcC interprets that sounds no different than his assurance the hire is 100% Pace's choice.....more bull shit from the Liar in Chief)
Campbell: It’s worth noting that the new coach won’t arrive with a clean slate. The Bears’ 14-34 record with Pace as GM is significant prologue. (Yup, win now is gonna loom large)
Pace and Phillips made the fair point that those three disappointing seasons were characterized by extensive roster turnover, and I believe the roster is in better shape overall than it was three years ago. But it’s time for the rebuilding efforts to produce wins. The new coach has to win — now. The grace period is negligible.
For as much as we’ve held up the Rams, Eagles, Jaguars, etc., as examples of teams who have suddenly sprung upward in the NFL pecking order, Bears fans who are tired of losing can hold their team to that standard after some painful but necessary seasons turning the roster over.
And that’s a good final reminder: Whomever the Bears hire, we won’t know the impact until games begin again in September. Snap judgments serve no purpose. Only wins can fix the Bears, and the next chance to accumulate those remains a long way off.
dwiederer@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @danwiederer
rcampbell@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @rich_Campbell
Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2018, Chicago Tribune
Dan Wiederer and Rich CampbellContact ReportersChicago Tribune
Link: www.chicagotribune.com/sports/football/bears/ct-spt-bears-real-talk-coaching-search-20170103-story.html
The Bears will begin their third search for a head coach since 2013, and there’s no question they will put an emphasis on finding someone with an offensive background who can bring out the talents of quarterback Mitch Trubisky. But just because they will prioritize an offensive coach doesn’t rule out coaches with other backgrounds.
A new year has arrived for the sputtering Bears and new results will again be demanded.
After finishing last in the NFC North for the fourth consecutive season, the Bears on Monday made a foregone conclusion official by firing John Fox and launching into their third coaching search since the start of 2013. They did so with Ryan Pace still general manager and the recipient of a contract extension.
At an afternoon news conference New Year’s Day, Pace joined President Ted Phillips and Chairman George McCaskey to express disappointment in the last three seasons. The Bears’ 14 wins in that span are ahead of only the Browns (four) and 49ers (13), but the Pace-Phillips-McCaskey triumvirate pushed to express an optimistic vision for what’s ahead.
How effective were they at communicating the Bears’ direction? Was Pace truly worthy of an extension after overseeing three double-digit-loss seasons? How do the Bears expect to find their way out of this wilderness?
Dan Wiederer and Rich Campbell sound things out in this edition of “Real Talk.”
Dan Wiederer: Monday was an odd day at Halas Hall. The word I keep coming back to is “dull.” While it had been established for some time that the Fox firing was imminent, the finality of that decision left the locker room unsettled in the morning, which is to be expected.
But then, with an uncertain yet exciting coaching search ahead, the news conference failed to generate much confidence in the organization’s direction. It was a missed opportunity to reassure a justifiably frustrated fan base that things are in good hands. Thus, a city’s contagious anxiety remains.
The decision to give Pace an extension through 2021 might seem an odd reward for a still-unproven GM with a 14-34 record. But you and I both know it was more of a business decision than a prize, a move that will better position the Bears to be at their most competitive as they join the hunt for a new coach. As Phillips asserted after the news conference, it conveys to candidates that the organization is fully behind Pace as its leader and aligns the GM’s ticking clock with the likely four-year contract the next coach will receive. Through that lens, the extension makes practical sense even if it seems to some to be imprudent.
Rich Campbell: Back up a bit. You say the news conference failed to generate confidence in the Bears’ direction. But after the fourth straight double-digit-loss season, what could Pace, Phillips and McCaskey have possibly said to inspire reasonable minds? News conferences are just words. Rational Bears fans know that by now, having grown weary of annual rhetoric about the quest to improve. (And how, not to mention their habitual lying)
Any confidence people have in the Bears’ vision and direction should be derived from what quarterback Mitch Trubisky did in 12 starts. I almost wrote “rookie” there, but he’s not one anymore. And it’s as clear as ever that he and Pace are the heart of the Bears, soon to be joined by the new coach.
After Pace’s extension, the franchise’s fate depends on Trubisky. After an encouraging first season, the Bears are determined to find a coach who will maximize his potential as an athletic, accurate pocket passer — even if Pace opted not to explicitly acknowledge that Monday.
Wiederer: Look, I’m not one who believes a news conference is the be-all, end-all for establishing a team’s direction. And there was no way the Bears’ announcement and explanation of what happened Monday — the Fox dismissal, the nod of approval for Pace — was going to supersede those developments. But that news conference, in my opinion, was a tone-setter for the start of 2018 and the all-important coaching search that is now launched. And it seemed the Bears missed their opportunity to trumpet what they truly believe in and what they’re seeking in this next stage of their climb.
Oftentimes those gatherings, whether it be for significant firings or hirings, feel momentous. This one didn’t — at all. It felt like a team that has been in last place for four consecutive seasons was dusting off its old book of vague assurances and hollow promises. (My point exactly. Nothing has changed. DDSOS)
I’d be surprised if the message resonated with a majority of fans. More importantly, I’m not sure it was the kind of sermon that would have prospective coaching applicants rushing to get in line. Let’s just hope the Bears’ sales pitch to coaching candidates is stronger.
Campbell: Again, it was all just words. Nothing that happened Monday was surprising; it was anti-climactic. I can’t imagine what they could have said to have coaching applicants knocking down the door — maybe broadcasting an outrageously high salary? More realistically, applicants will be attracted to the job because they see potential in Trubisky.
Now, I agree the Bears’ rhetoric Monday was familiar, and in the context of their sustained losing it was uninspiring. But as it related to Pace, the Bears had two choices: Stay the course or start over. And I understand why Phillips said Pace “has earned the opportunity to see his plan to fruition.” Trubisky had a promising first season. Ownership likes the way Pace conducts himself, conducts business and communicates with them. (Yes of course. The now have him totally under control and well coached in the Phillips/McCaskey bull shit of how things are done around Halas Hall)
I suspect many fans were bummed to learn Phillips will be participating in the coaching interviews as what he called a “support resource.” McCaskey opted not to change the power structure that high up in the organization, which certainly would have qualified as accountability for the losing. We’ll never know the exact dynamic between Pace, Phillips and McCaskey in these coaching interviews. While the three of them called it “collaborative,” Phillips and McCaskey seem deferential to Pace. (Bummed does not even come close! And come on Rich. Get a ****ing clue will ya'! The exact dynamic is Teddy Bears and GMcC run this show and THEY will have the final say so you must "collaborate". It's like the Mafia. Nothin' happens unless the "Boss" says it happens)
Wiederer: Nothing that happens for the Bears in 2018 will be as pivotal as the next few weeks and Pace’s quest to land a new coach, a new offensive coordinator and a new system to launch Trubisky toward stardom. Outside of choosing his franchise quarterback, this will be the second-most significant decision Pace makes in the entirety of his GM tenure. So, yeah, no pressure. (No shit Shamus)
And for those wondering if the Bears GM might make a bold dice roll on a younger coach with no experience as a head coach or little experience even as a coordinator (John DeFilippo and Matt Nagy), remember that his top picks in each of the last three drafts (Kevin White, Leonard Floyd, Trubisky) have been players selected on promise and potential more than proven production.
Last April, Pace pushed his chips to the center of the table with his belief in Trubisky. This week, McCaskey and Phillips did the same with their confidence in Pace. Now, as you noted, the quarterback and GM are the stars of the Bears’ show and will belong on center stage for the entirety of 2018. Soon, they will be joined by a new leader who must set the direction for returning this franchise to relevance. Can the Bears get it right? (Magic 8 Ball says with Phillips and GMcC involved; "The Outcome Is In Doubt".
Campbell: Given the systemic losing, it’s understandable for fans not to give them the benefit of the doubt. And in some ways the answer to that question is out of the Bears’ control. As we’ve explained, the Bears not only have to identify the right guy, they must convince him to be part of the program. (Most correct thing you've written Rich)
It was interesting to read our colleague Brad Biggs’ poll of 20 front-office employees, head coaches, coordinators and position coaches across the league. They ranked the six head coaching vacancies in order of attractiveness; the Bears’ ended up fifth. Just as importantly, it’s clear that opinions and perceptions of each job vary from person to person, so there’s work to be done in finding the right fit.
To your earlier point, Pace will have to be much more persuasive and inspiring in interview settings than he was Monday. I have no doubt he will be. (That's a whole lot of trust to be placing in the guy who just confirmed that without a shadow of a doubt he is still Phillips and GMcC's little monkey Gidget)
Wiederer: It struck me when McCaskey was asked about his sales pitch to candidates that he started with this: “First of all, we’re what the league refers to as a ‘legacy franchise.’ We’ve been there from the start. We’re approaching our centennial, as well as the league’s.” (And the fool still won't get off that kick even though "The Monsters of the Midway was over 75 years ago. THIS is the kind of arrogance I keep talking about)
This was yet another reminder that the Bears’ self-examination too often comes across as overly nostalgic. Eighteen years into the 21st century the rest of the NFL doesn’t care as deeply about the origins of the league, the Bears’ dominance of the 1940s or, quite frankly, the ’85 Bears for that matter. It’s incredible the organization still doesn’t have a better grip on that reality. (Amen, amen, amen, amen)
So, to your point, Pace may have to be triply persuasive with how he tries to sway possible coaches during the interview process. We know what the GM has to sell — the Bears have a young and improving quarterback who had an encouraging rookie season, a top-10 defense with a nice nucleus of difference-makers who will be around next season and beyond, cap room to be aggressive in free agency and a top-10 pick in the draft yet again. They have an opening here to strike if they make a series of smart and calculated moves. (IMHO Pace is not in the best position to negotiate unless GMcC and Phillips are giving him an unlimited budget and how likely is that?)
To be fair to McCaskey, he did go on to say that ownership would give the next coach “everything he needs to succeed.” Now it’s a matter of making good on that vow. (How GMcC interprets that sounds no different than his assurance the hire is 100% Pace's choice.....more bull shit from the Liar in Chief)
Campbell: It’s worth noting that the new coach won’t arrive with a clean slate. The Bears’ 14-34 record with Pace as GM is significant prologue. (Yup, win now is gonna loom large)
Pace and Phillips made the fair point that those three disappointing seasons were characterized by extensive roster turnover, and I believe the roster is in better shape overall than it was three years ago. But it’s time for the rebuilding efforts to produce wins. The new coach has to win — now. The grace period is negligible.
For as much as we’ve held up the Rams, Eagles, Jaguars, etc., as examples of teams who have suddenly sprung upward in the NFL pecking order, Bears fans who are tired of losing can hold their team to that standard after some painful but necessary seasons turning the roster over.
And that’s a good final reminder: Whomever the Bears hire, we won’t know the impact until games begin again in September. Snap judgments serve no purpose. Only wins can fix the Bears, and the next chance to accumulate those remains a long way off.
dwiederer@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @danwiederer
rcampbell@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @rich_Campbell
Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2018, Chicago Tribune