Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2017 21:57:24 GMT -6
I read this and since i agreed with it , I posted it.
John Fox's return as Bears coach inspires little optimism
Jan 2, 2017
Jeff DickersonESPN Staff Writer
MINNEAPOLIS -- Chicago Bears coach John Fox received a vote of confidence from general manager Ryan Pace before the team lost its 23rd game in two seasons Sunday.
“One thing I really want to stress is, in order for us to develop these younger players, you really need a coaching staff that’s on board with preparing them and playing them,” Pace told the team-controlled radio pregame show on Sunday.
“I think John’s done a good job in leading our team and his staff in assisting that development. I also think he’s done a good job with just instilling the right culture we want in the locker room. Those aren’t small things.”
Perhaps, but winning is all that matters in the NFL, and Fox’s record in Chicago is 9-23.
Yes, the Bears had 19 players go on injured reserve in 2016, but even at full strength, the Bears looked like a 6-10 or 7-9 team.
That’s not good enough. Not even close.
Fox’s past achievements in Carolina and Denver look nice on his résumé, but they have no bearing on his current situation. Bears fans, who haven’t seen their team make the playoffs since 2010, have no interest in hearing Fox reminisce about winning a playoff game with Tim Tebow or going to the Super Bowl with Jake Delhomme. All fine stories, don’t get me wrong -- but people in Chicago want to hear about the Bears.
Fox struggles in that regard. His words don't resonate with the paying customer because, frankly, he says almost nothing of substance. People don’t want to listen to the head coach talk in circles. They want something to buy into. And if you do talk in generalities, you had better win. Fox has not -- at least not here.
Fox is better than former head coach Marc Trestman, though his record after two years is not.
And there is hope that young players such as Leonard Floyd (injured), Eddie Goldman (injured), Jordan Howard, Danny Trevathan (injured), Cameron Meredith and Nick Kwiatkoski will continue to develop.
After that, good luck finding positives.
Still, the Bears need a dose of stability. The McCaskey family's decision to green-light the dismissals of former coach Lovie Smith and former GM Jerry Angelo started the downward spiral. They were never going to pay another coaching staff to simply walk away, especially not a high-priced one. Fox alone is rumored to have $10 million left on his deal. That may not sound like much in NFL terms, but the Bears do run a business.
So, Fox gets another year. If the Bears fail to show significant improvement in 2017, it'll likely be time for a new plan. The hope is the situation improves, but given the franchise's track record, you cannot blame the fans if they prepare for the worst.
John Fox's return as Bears coach inspires little optimism
Jan 2, 2017
Jeff DickersonESPN Staff Writer
MINNEAPOLIS -- Chicago Bears coach John Fox received a vote of confidence from general manager Ryan Pace before the team lost its 23rd game in two seasons Sunday.
“One thing I really want to stress is, in order for us to develop these younger players, you really need a coaching staff that’s on board with preparing them and playing them,” Pace told the team-controlled radio pregame show on Sunday.
“I think John’s done a good job in leading our team and his staff in assisting that development. I also think he’s done a good job with just instilling the right culture we want in the locker room. Those aren’t small things.”
Perhaps, but winning is all that matters in the NFL, and Fox’s record in Chicago is 9-23.
Yes, the Bears had 19 players go on injured reserve in 2016, but even at full strength, the Bears looked like a 6-10 or 7-9 team.
That’s not good enough. Not even close.
Fox’s past achievements in Carolina and Denver look nice on his résumé, but they have no bearing on his current situation. Bears fans, who haven’t seen their team make the playoffs since 2010, have no interest in hearing Fox reminisce about winning a playoff game with Tim Tebow or going to the Super Bowl with Jake Delhomme. All fine stories, don’t get me wrong -- but people in Chicago want to hear about the Bears.
Fox struggles in that regard. His words don't resonate with the paying customer because, frankly, he says almost nothing of substance. People don’t want to listen to the head coach talk in circles. They want something to buy into. And if you do talk in generalities, you had better win. Fox has not -- at least not here.
Fox is better than former head coach Marc Trestman, though his record after two years is not.
And there is hope that young players such as Leonard Floyd (injured), Eddie Goldman (injured), Jordan Howard, Danny Trevathan (injured), Cameron Meredith and Nick Kwiatkoski will continue to develop.
After that, good luck finding positives.
Still, the Bears need a dose of stability. The McCaskey family's decision to green-light the dismissals of former coach Lovie Smith and former GM Jerry Angelo started the downward spiral. They were never going to pay another coaching staff to simply walk away, especially not a high-priced one. Fox alone is rumored to have $10 million left on his deal. That may not sound like much in NFL terms, but the Bears do run a business.
So, Fox gets another year. If the Bears fail to show significant improvement in 2017, it'll likely be time for a new plan. The hope is the situation improves, but given the franchise's track record, you cannot blame the fans if they prepare for the worst.