Post by jamaisvu on Dec 6, 2016 19:19:08 GMT -6
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There is nothing like losing to stir gossip in NFL circles. It's not unusual to hear one whopper after another. And when dubious stories are repeated often enough, they can be mistaken as truth.
With that warning comes a surprisingly widespread belief in NFL circles that Bears coach John Fox will be parting ways with one of his coordinators in the offseason. And it is not the guy you think it is.
Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is rumored to be winding down his time with the team as part of a massive overhaul anticipated at the end of the season. It sounds like a tall tale when you consider the Bears' problem has been a lack of continuity because of injury and suspension, along with a number of less-than-stellar game plans on offense.
Most observers expect changes at quarterback, and Dowell Loggains has appeared on shaky ground virtually since the day he was promoted to offensive coordinator. The idea that Fox is displeased with Fangio or the coordinator is unhappy in his job sounds absurd but has been the subject of speculation for over a month.
"It has to be some kind of philosophical thing like you saw in Minnesota,'' one league source said. "It's so out of left field, it might be absolutely correct.''
The Minnesota reference is to the resignation earlier this season of offensive coordinator Norv Turner, who left the team just as the Vikings started to fall apart after a hot start. Turner's decision was a response to philosophical differences with coach Mike Zimmer.
Turner is an offensive guy who likes to attack with long passes off play action and was a student of the Don Coryell school of football. Zimmer is a defensive-minded head coach who prefers running the ball and using a short passing game.
It's unlikely the Bears would substantiate any conflicts within the coaching staff, so there will be no telling the veracity of the rumors until after the season. Fox and Fangio both come from a defensive background with the Bears running a 3-4 front in large part because it is Fangio's specialty.
Fox had always run a 4-3 scheme as a coordinator and head coach although he used a flexible front more often in Denver than in previous stops. The Bears have been building their team and drafting players to fit a 3-4 system, so it is unlikely they would change scheme.
The Bears' strength lies in its defensive front seven, where guys like Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Pernell McPhee and Leonard Floyd are best suited to a 3-4. Philosophical differences may refer to how often they use pressure packages or disagreement on coverage schemes.
Fox, insiders say, will return for a third season despite the team's failures this year. He will be reworking his offensive staff and now may also be looking at changes in his defensive staff. It's unknown if respected defensive assistants like Ed Donatell, who came with Fangio from San Francisco or Clint Hurtt, a carryover from the last administration, would want to stay without Fangio.
Fox came to the Bears with a reputation as the mayor of NFL coaches with endless lists of guys who wanted to work with him. Jobs in Chicago won't be as attractive if he enters a third year with a losing record and expectations waning.
With Fangio, the defensive players have remained believers despite all the losing. Without him, might they become agnostic?
There are always two enemies in the NFL — the one within as seen with doubt and a loss of confidence. And an equally dangerous opponent outside spreading rumors and disharmony to break a team apart.
The truth will unfold one way or the other.
There is nothing like losing to stir gossip in NFL circles. It's not unusual to hear one whopper after another. And when dubious stories are repeated often enough, they can be mistaken as truth.
With that warning comes a surprisingly widespread belief in NFL circles that Bears coach John Fox will be parting ways with one of his coordinators in the offseason. And it is not the guy you think it is.
Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is rumored to be winding down his time with the team as part of a massive overhaul anticipated at the end of the season. It sounds like a tall tale when you consider the Bears' problem has been a lack of continuity because of injury and suspension, along with a number of less-than-stellar game plans on offense.
Most observers expect changes at quarterback, and Dowell Loggains has appeared on shaky ground virtually since the day he was promoted to offensive coordinator. The idea that Fox is displeased with Fangio or the coordinator is unhappy in his job sounds absurd but has been the subject of speculation for over a month.
"It has to be some kind of philosophical thing like you saw in Minnesota,'' one league source said. "It's so out of left field, it might be absolutely correct.''
The Minnesota reference is to the resignation earlier this season of offensive coordinator Norv Turner, who left the team just as the Vikings started to fall apart after a hot start. Turner's decision was a response to philosophical differences with coach Mike Zimmer.
Turner is an offensive guy who likes to attack with long passes off play action and was a student of the Don Coryell school of football. Zimmer is a defensive-minded head coach who prefers running the ball and using a short passing game.
It's unlikely the Bears would substantiate any conflicts within the coaching staff, so there will be no telling the veracity of the rumors until after the season. Fox and Fangio both come from a defensive background with the Bears running a 3-4 front in large part because it is Fangio's specialty.
Fox had always run a 4-3 scheme as a coordinator and head coach although he used a flexible front more often in Denver than in previous stops. The Bears have been building their team and drafting players to fit a 3-4 system, so it is unlikely they would change scheme.
The Bears' strength lies in its defensive front seven, where guys like Akiem Hicks, Eddie Goldman, Pernell McPhee and Leonard Floyd are best suited to a 3-4. Philosophical differences may refer to how often they use pressure packages or disagreement on coverage schemes.
Fox, insiders say, will return for a third season despite the team's failures this year. He will be reworking his offensive staff and now may also be looking at changes in his defensive staff. It's unknown if respected defensive assistants like Ed Donatell, who came with Fangio from San Francisco or Clint Hurtt, a carryover from the last administration, would want to stay without Fangio.
Fox came to the Bears with a reputation as the mayor of NFL coaches with endless lists of guys who wanted to work with him. Jobs in Chicago won't be as attractive if he enters a third year with a losing record and expectations waning.
With Fangio, the defensive players have remained believers despite all the losing. Without him, might they become agnostic?
There are always two enemies in the NFL — the one within as seen with doubt and a loss of confidence. And an equally dangerous opponent outside spreading rumors and disharmony to break a team apart.
The truth will unfold one way or the other.
