What are the Chicago Bears doing? The Bears have gone from Super Bowl contenders to one of the most disastrous NFL franchises around. Tank Johnson’s four month prison sentence is just the latest in the comedy of errors that is the Bears off season.
Rivera’s Dismissal
It began with the dismissal of defensive coordinator Rivera. Rivera, supported by Lovie Smith, organized one of the most feared defenses in the NFL during his tenure with the Bears. To show their gratitude, management low-balled Rivera and allowed him to talk with other teams.
Business is business, but this move just didn’t make sense. Bears GM suggested that Lovie was the true designer of the vaunted defense and that Rivera’s absence would not jeopardize the defense. Even if this were true (which it is not), this move would distract Lovie from focusing on the much needed improvements to the offense.
Love Smith’s Negotiation
To further complicate matters, the Bears even tried to play hardball with Lovie. If it were not for Lovie’s loyalty and commitment to his player, he certainly might have bolted as well. If the Bears felt no sense of loyalty to Rivera, it would seem that they certainly would have been willing to reward Lovie. Clearly that was not the case.
The Lance Briggs Fiasco
The straw that breaks the camel's back is the disrespect that the Bears showed Lance Briggs. Brian Urlacher will always be the star of the Bears defense, but Lance Briggs played a very strong Robin. For his Pro Bowl contribution to the Bears defense, he was reward with nothing. Additionally, when he wanted to quietly go away, the Bears refused to release him.
One would think with the previous two issues in the news, the Bears would have tried to shy away from negative press, but no. Over a two week time period, Lance Briggs went from unhappy to downright furious with the Bears. How did the Bears get to this point? By being cheap, plain and simple.
The football season is over and everyone’s focus should be on the draft. Unfortunately for the Bears fans out their, they need to keep their eyes on the past as well as the future. Football is a business, a very profitable one at that. Share some of that wealth with the people who work tirelessly to put the fans in the seats.
