Lovie on the Hot Seat? I dont think so...

by Joe Persinger
@BrewMastrJoe


I've noticed over the last few months Love Smith isn't in possession of a high approval rating amongst all NFL fans.  As I dug further into this, I found there was a small minority (maybe more) of Bears fans who also have allowed Lovie to fall out of their graces.

But why?

One of the biggest knocks on Lovie is that he has gone through his fare share of personnel staff.  He even had to fire himself once as defensive coordinator before bringing in Rob Marinelli.  Outside of this what could be the problem?

When the Bears brought in Lovie in 2004 it only took him 3 seasons to get the team to win the NFC Championship and a trip to the Super Bowl.  They lost to the Colts that year and entered the 2007 with a lot of optimism.

There was one problem.

A lackluster offense and the drafting skills of GM Jerry Angelo finally caught up with the team.  Ron Riviera departed and they were left with 1rst round busts and a mediocre defense.

3 seasons (2007, 2008, 2009) were disappointing that brought despair on Bear's fans.  None of those teams that Lovie coached dropped under 7 wins (accept in 2004, when they went
5-11), and just missed the playoffs in 2008.  Had they won against the Falcons and the Texans in 2008, they most likely would have made the post-season.

When Jerry Angelo flexed his GM muscles and acquired Jay Cutler from the fire sale in Denver, the storied franchise in Chicago's trend was on the up and up.

They went 11-5 in 2010 and lost the NFC Championship to their rival the Green Bay Packers.  Again, Lovie and the Bears were trending up until finding out earlier this year that our GM had allowed the game to pass him by.

I don't understand why, but a lot of what was Angelo's fault has fallen on Lovie's shoulders.  He didn't do anything wrong.

When they first brought in Lovie, I was really skeptical due to his lack of emotion.  He is stone faced, and no matter what is going on, good or bad, he has the same expression.

Then I grew up as an NFL fan.

The "over-emotional head-coach" is over-rated.  Ditka has made his living off that personality and some Chicago fans love it.  They must think it's part of the game.

It's just not Lovie Smith's personality.

Lovie enters his first season with new GM Phil Emery.  Emery will keep Lovie for this season, but the Bear's head coach is fair game next off-season.

Emery is a smart guy.  He knows Lovie is a successful NFL head coach and had led this team with class through the good years and bad.

Lovie, like Jay Cutler, has been surrounded by talent.  Given the staff that he has wanted, Lovie has to continue to coach this team to victory, showing he has the continuity to be the Bears head coach.