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