If we are going to change defensive schemes then...

[AZBearsFan]

...this coming offseason is the time to do so.

To be clear, I'm not driving the "Fire Lovie" bus nor am I even sure if I want to be on it. But this is the offseason that makes the most sense if it's going to happen.

Think about it. Urlacher is up after this year and may retire. At minimum we need to add a long term replacement now, and unless the new guy is a Urlacher-like athletic freak the player will need to be a fit to the scheme meaning adding a guy to fit for Lovie in 2013 and then potentially changing schemes in 2014 may mean the relative waste of a high draft pick. Melton is a UFA after the season, and if he isn't a fit for a new scheme (he's ideal as a 3-technique but not sure where he fits in other schemes) then he'd be a very expensive misfit after getting extended. This year's #1 pick (the first of this front office's regime) is a better fit as a pass rushing OLB than a cover 2 DE. Our other young starters (Paea, Conte & Wright, and to a lesser extent Wootton) would all fit in multiple schemes, and the aging vets under contract (Peppers, Briggs and Tillman) would all transition to other schemes adequately.

As much as it is a pain that basically half of our defense is out of contract either this or next year it would be advantageous if a scheme change were to happen at the end of this season. We would certainly have less low-cost flexibility for at least the next few offseasons after this coming one to implement a new scheme.

Again, I'm not pushing Lovie out the door and still expect us to win 2 or 3 of our final 4 games (should beat MIN, AZ and DET in my opinion and finish 11-5). Just something to think about.
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[ConVict90]

I honestly feel our defense is heading in the right direction so don't mess with it if it's not broken right? We're on track for 50+ turnovers and most of the credit is given to Lovie (not taking anything away from Marinelli). The defense this year has been one of the best we've seen in years whether you want to admit it or not after today's loss. Yes our vets are aging and we need to find replacements but I don't think it's as urgent as most fans are making it out to be. We still have one more quarter of the season left and once we get the injured guys back I truly feel we will make a impact this year.
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Adopt a Pro Bowl Bear ~ Timayy Jennings

[Pack4life7]

Oh how quickly things change.

Lovie isn't going anywhere and niether is the Cover 2. Both are far from the problem.
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Ted brought us Clay

[TexasBearsFan]

[DaMike]

I really hope we don't change schemes.

[ConVict90]

[AZBearsFan]

I think you guys are misinterpreting my post. I am not at all saying to fire the head coach right now or to change schemes right now. What I am saying is if they are going to change schemes that doing so this off-season will allow them to do that without having that in between misfit players season that accompanies a lot of scheme changes because the young players are compatible in multiple schemes and because Urlacher is on his way out and because scheme specific Melton is a free agent.

Firing the head coach is only going to help things if the new players match the new scheme as well as the current players match the current regime's scheme. Otherwise we're looking at change for the sake of change which is not a good thing IMO.
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[WindyCity]

I asked Jeff Dickerson and he reiterated what we are talking about that if for some reason, however unlikely at this point, the Bears don't make the playoffs that Lovie will be fired.

If we miss the playoffs this season, again not likely, we will have made the playoffs 1 time in 6 years and that gets any coach fired.
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Thanks to chisox

[Madmike90]

[topwop1]

[Madmike90]

[WindyCity]

[Madmike90]

[ChicagoAl]

[ChicagoAl]