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Given the mediocre play by the Bears' defense the past two seasons, many fans used to the team's defensive dominance were screaming for Bob Babich's head. Afterall, we Bears fans don't expect to see our team's D in the lower third of the league -- they were 21st of 32 in '08. But while most of the team's defensive position coaches have been relieved of duty or left for other jobs, Babich remained as defensive coordinator.
On Tuesday, however, Bears head coach Lovie Smith finally shook up his defensive staff a bit more and announced that he'll take over defensive play calling in 2009. Babich will again be tasked with coaching the linebackers -- his position back when Ron Rivera was defensive coordinator. While retaining his defensive coordinator title, Babich was effectively demoted by Smith.
Meanwhile, former Lions head coach Rod Marinelli accepted the Bears' offer to join the staff as defensive line coach and assistant head coach. The Bears also recently hired Jon Hoke to coach defensive backs to round out his rebuilt staff.
So is this move one of genius or one of desperation? With all these changes, the Bears defense has to improve next season. If it does, the Bears could find themselves in the playoffs once again. If it doesn't, Lovie's job will most certainly be on the line.
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With all this scrutiny on our defense, at least we can be relieved that our offense is good. Yup, no problem there last year. And to think, every single person from the offensive juggernaut that was the 2008 Bears will be back for 2009 - including whoever coached the wide receivers to NFL superstardom.
My thoughts exactly. I haven't been screaming for Babich to go, I've been screaming for Turner's head all season. I think a lot of this has to do with Lovie's history as a D coordinator. Seems too focused on what we used to do well and what he can do well, and not working enough to improve what we are only slowly beginning to fix, our offense.
Because letting Bernard Berrian go and making Hester our main WR was part of the fix?
I like the coaching moves. Hey... howsabout NOW we spend some $ on players, ya know, like maybe on the side of the ball that scores points.