My Friends,

Let's get the snarky stuff out of the way first.

Bunky Bob is still around, but secondary coach Steve Wilks was let go because of a job allegedly not well done behind a nonexistent pass rush and the fact he disagreed with Bunky Bob's way of doing things. To me, that's an endorsement of Wilks for a promotion, not dismissal. Add to that Rod Marinelli stopped by Halas Hall today to "visit" with Lovie Smith, but his agent says Rod will take his time in making a decision on where to land. This comes from the camp of the coach who led the 32nd-ranked defense in the league. Read: "last."

So what we have is the head coach who fired the coordinator of the league's 5th-ranked defense still employed.

And the coordinator who replaced him, the one who masterminded the fall to 21st in the league, still employed.

And the guy who led the league's bottom feeding defense saying he'll think about it.

And Matt Millen is out there looking for work. Maybe the Bears can bring him in to draft a wide receiver.

Truthfully, though, Marinelli would be a great addition, if only to coach the defensive line. He's the guy who took Simeon Rice and turned him from a situational pass rusher into a three down Pro Bowl defensive end. Think Mark Anderson as his newest reclamation project.

Marinelli is also the guy who tutored Warren Sapp in his most disruptive years. Think a rejuvenated Tommie Harris and a young Marcus Harrison on the come.

I think all those "wings" Millen drafted while at the pride's helm left Marinelli without much to work with on the defensive side of the ball. Dumping DT Shaun Rogers didn't help, either. Given Marinelli's history, a more limited role (read: defense only), and the fact that he and Lovie are more like peers than Lovie and Bunky Bob (who I liken to Batman and Robin), I think Marinelli would be a fantastic addition to the Bears staff.

As for Bunky Bob? Now that Mike Haas has moved on, doesn't Halas Hall need somebody to handle lunch orders?

Just leave Matt Millen wings off the menu.

LBF
1/2/2009