Replacement for Lovie? How about Rivera
When the name "Ron Rivera" came up as a possible replacement for Lovie Smith on the "Boers & Bernstein Show" Monday on The Score, host Dan Bernstein was so taken aback, he feigned leaving the studio in disgust. (Or maybe he actually did leave the studio -- it was radio after all.) Bernsie has an aversion to anything '85 Bears -- or actually an aversion to the idea that anything '85 Bears can solve the current Bears' woes because they're '85 Bears.
But I don't know how we can dismiss any candidates for an NFL coaching job. Even the most ardent and veteran NFL observer would be challenged to find any rhyme or reason behind the success or failure of NFL coaching candidates. More "hot coordinators" fail than succeed. Bill Belichick's hiring with the Patriots in 2000 was mostly panned by the experts -- called "a move they'll regret" and "not worth the price" of a No. 1 draft pick they had to give the Jets to get him; a guy who couldn't win without Bill Parcells holding his hand. Was Belichick, who was 36-44 in five years with the Browns, that much more qualified than Rivera?
(AP)
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Bears 1st & 10
Well find a cure for the common cold before we can accurately predict who will make and who won't. Andy Reid was a quarterbacks coach at Green Bay when he was hired with the Eagles. (You or I could have coached Brett Favre in 1997 and 1998). If the Eagles had drafted Akili Smith instead of Donovan McNabb the same year would Andy Reid still be one of the best coaches in the NFL?
Mike Tomlin was a coordinator for one year in Minnesota when he was a surprise hire with the Steelers. Bill Cowher's defense in Kansas City went from second in the NFL in his first year as coordinator to 16th and 13th before the Steelers picked him over Dave Wannstedt in 1992. Wanny was actually the hotter guy.
So even a bright guy like Bernsie would be wise to keep an open mind -- even if it means considering a former '85 Bear in the unlikely event of a coaching change. It's not like Rivera's only credentials are his links to the Super Bowl Bears. He had the best defense in football his final year as coordinator with the Bears in 2006. And as defensive coordinator in San Diego, the Chargers have improved from 26th to 11th in total defense the last four weeks. Last year the defense improved from 23rd to 15th in points allowed after he was promoted at midseason.
So I'm considering everybody a candidate: from Jim Harbaugh to Mike Shanahan to Dennis Green to Mike Holmgren to Bill Cowher to good ol' Russ Grimm. You just never know.
And now, 10 observations from the Bears-Cardinals disaster: CLICK HERE FOR 1ST & 10