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Bears’ Plans Regarding GM Ryan Pace Finally Come To Light

By
Erik Lambert
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ryan pace

By this point Bears GM Ryan Pace looks safe. His young roster made sure of that with their win over the Cleveland Browns. Head coach John Fox is likely gone. However, plans seem to indicate that Pace will have another chance to hire the next head coach. At the same time this doesn’t exactly clear matters up. Not entirely anyway.

Pace may end up hiring the next coach, but does that guarantee he sticks around beyond 2018? Everybody remembers what happened with Lovie Smith. Phil Emery stuck with him for a year, then kicked him to the curb in favor of Marc Trestman. This could just be the reverse situation. The new coach pairs with Pace for a year and then they switch general managers.

Would the Bears be willing to take that sort of risk yet again after what a disaster it became four years ago? Well it turns out they may have learned their lesson after all. According to Ian Rapoport the Bears have plans to make sure they have stability at the top once the new head coach is in place.

GM Ryan Pace likely to get contract extension to match coach

This revelation makes a certain logical sense. No coach will want to come to Chicago if he thinks there’s a likelihood change will happen in the front office at the first sign of trouble. Pace will be in the fourth season of a five-year deal in 2018 as things stand. Odds are the next coach will get a four-year deal like Fox did back in 2015. This means Pace is likely to get a two-year extension on his.

That means the two deals would essentially expire at the same time. So if things went wrong they’d both be out on the same timeline. It’s a good way to ensure stability while also keeping the money structure in order. Both men will know they’re joined at the hip moving forward, given the proper time to finish this ongoing project of the past few years.

Mt. Carmel’s Frank Lenti: “I’m Not Retiring”

By
Matt Eastman
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CHICAGO —  Contrary to what Mt. Carmel’s administration led everyone to believe, legendary head football coach Frank Lenti is NOT stepping down. He’s actually being pushed out.

According to Lenti’s press release, he has no intention of retiring and may pursue coaching high school football at some point in the future.

“While I had hoped to honor the commitment I had given the Mount Carmel football student-athletes and families that I would coach them thru their time at Mount Carmel, the administration has decided otherwise. Contrary to what some may have heard, I am not retiring. I love coaching high school football and may pursue that at some point in the future. I will honor my commitment to Mount Carmel and will resume my daily duties in the Development Department for the time being.”

Mount Carmel released an official statement Friday afternoon, which was in direct contradiction to what was really unfolding. According to Lenti, he had no intention of his coaching career at 64th and Dante coming to an abrupt end.

It’s very rare for a coach with a resume the likes of Lenti to not be given the opportunity to go out on his own terms. A chance for him to be recognized amongst his peers and thank all those who helped him along the way.

According to a source, Jordan Lynch wanted to be brought in as the offensive coordinator and serve under Lenti for a year before making the transition to head coach. It seems Administration thought otherwise.

For Lynch, this brings an incredible opportunity to takeover one of the state’s most prestigious high school football programs; however, it appears there may be a somewhat of a dark cloud hovering over the events that lead up to his hiring.

“I’m incredibly excited to be returning to the Caravan,” Lynch said in a release. “I learned so much during my years at Mount Carmel, and will always be grateful to the great coaches who taught me character and what it means to sustain a winning tradition.

‘I can’t wait to get started.'”

Something doesn’t smell right here.

Jordan Lynch Will Replace Frank Lenti As Head Football Coach At Mt. Carmel

By
Sports Mockery
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jordan lynch bears

According to several sources, the Mt. Carmel Caravan will have a new head football coach in 2018 and his name is Jordan Lynch. The former Heisman Trophy finalist will replace a legend that has brought 11 state championships to the school since his tenure started in 1984.

A 1969 graduate of Mt. Carmel, Lenti was quoted by the Chicago Tribune in August of 2016 saying “I haven’t thought at all about retirement. As long as the Carmelites don’t kick me out, I plan on being here.” Ironically enough, his legacy with the Caravan will now reportedly end with rumors swirling that the idea to “push him out” has been in the works for a while. Our sources indicate this isn’t necessarily the way Lenti wanted things to end, but Mt. Carmel has made their decision.

As a first team All-American, setting several Northern Illinois records along the way, Lynch excelled at the collegiate level followed by a short stint with the Chicago Bears. He is expected to breathe new life into the Caravan and continue the winning tradition Lenti has created.

Lenti shared the following quote with Sports Mockery:

“While I had hoped to honor the commitment I had given the Mount Carmel football student-athletes and families that I would coach them through their time at the school, the administration has decided otherwise.  Contrary to what some may have heard, I am not retiring.  I love coaching high school football and may pursue that at some point in the future. I will honor my commitment to Mount Carmel and will resume my daily duties in the Development Department for the time being.”

More information, along with formal press releases are expected from both sides shortly.

The Biggest Hurdle In Trading Mirotic Is A Self Inflicted Mistake

By
Patrick Mooney
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bulls insider suggests michael reinsdorf fire gar forman john paxson

With the Chicago Bulls winning 9 of their last 11 games, many fans are both excited and worried.

A young team is showing impressive progress, much earlier than expected, and that’s worth getting excited about. However, the Bulls have gone from having the #1 pick to having the #9 pick since the return of Nikola Mirotic.

Mirotic has returned from his face injury looking better than we’ve ever seen him, he’s led the team in scoring at over 17 ppg during this 11 game stretch and he’s doing it effortlessly and confidently.

With 48 games left in the season, there’s still plenty of time for the Bulls to get their #tank back on. The best way to do that is to trade away players who are helping them win now that aren’t apart of the future plans. That list currently includes two players, center Robin Lopez and Mirotic, who are both free agents after the 2018-19 season. None of the Bulls young bench pieces are untouchable, but I don’t see GarPax dumping Portis, Valentine or Nwaba as a throw-in in a trade. The best way to get value (say, a mid-teens/early twenties 1st round pick) while expediting the tank process would be to package Mirotic and Lopez together, rather than selling them off in separate deals.

Having said that, there’s one major obstacle standing in the Bulls way… the full no-trade clause they gave Mirotic in his contract that he signed in September.

There wasn’t a free agent bidding war that forced the Bulls to dish out a no-trade clause in order to ensure Mirotic would sign with them, he didn’t sign until the day before training camp. According to multiple reports, it was essentially the Bulls competing against themselves for his services. There is no excuse for Mirotic to have the contractual right to block being traded.

Now, ironically, the Bobby Portis punch debacle could end up helping the Bulls in the long run. Despite their apparent reconciliation, hope remains that the incident impacted Niko to the point where he would waive his no-trade clause if the right trade was presented to him.

But that could change at any moment, and he isn’t eligible to be traded until January (another weird clause in his contract). Maybe he really has forgiven Portis and moved on. Maybe he isn’t lying through his teeth when he talks about his love for the city and the organization that took a chance on him in the draft. I don’t think this is a cut-and-dry situation that many are making it out to be.

Regardless of what happens this season with Mirotic, it will be his decision, not the Bulls management’s. The process is just as important as the results, and GarPax did not execute this part of the process correctly.

 

Insider Reveals Whether Bears Head Coaching Job Is In Demand

By
Erik Lambert
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bears head coaching job

The Chicago Bears head coaching job is about to become available for the third time since 2013. Marc Trestman failed in two years at it. John Fox has failed in three. Now GM Ryan Pace, presuming the rumors are true, will have his second and likely last chance to get it right. That’s why fans have obsessed over the long list of candidates expected to be available in the next couple weeks.

There is one lingering fear. What is the perception of the Bears job outside Halas Hall? Some national source have indicated Chicago is on par with the Cleveland Browns, easily the worst job in the NFL. Is that true? Recently on Mully And Hanley (670 The Score) top insider Ian Rapoport was posed that question.

It turns out that most candidates don’t view the Bears as anything close to the Browns. In fact the position is held in high esteem for a number of reasons.

Indeed the Bears job represents the NFL at its most traditional. It’s one of the original franchises. There is almost none like it in the world. Never mind the fact that it’s in a top market city where loads of money can be made. Ask Mike Ditka. Suffice to say a coach’s career can be made if he has success there.

That leaves one question. Where do they stand on Trubisky?

Young QB provides added gravity to Bears head coaching job

It would seem he’s made a good first impression among many of the coaches around the league. Enough to where they feel that his floor in the NFL is that of a competent Pro Bowl quarterback that can help the team win a lot of football games.

Don’t forget that for all the heat Dalton has caught over the years, he’s a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback. He led his team to the playoffs four times. That’s certainly quite a baseline to work with. The best part is Trubisky should have significantly more upside. Not only is he a more accurate passer, he’s also more athletic. He can move far better than Dalton can. That alone makes him more dangerous.

It will come down to which coach the Bears ultimately choose. If they can find somebody who knows how to mold Trubisky properly, then he can fulfill the promise of being a #2 overall draft pick. In the mean time it’s nice to know the Chicago job remains in high demand.

The Bears Wide Receiver Problem Could Face Interesting Dilemma Soon

By
Erik Lambert
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bears wide receiver problem

The Chicago Bears wide receiver problem is a well-discussed topic at this point. They can’t expect Mitch Trubisky to become the quarterback they envision while throwing to Kendall Wright, Dontrelle Inman and Josh Bellamy. He badly needs better weapons. That leads to what’s coming in the 2018 off-season. At first glance it looks like a strong year for getting a receiver.

It’s especially true for the free agent market. Names like Jarvis Landry and Allen Robinson could headline a fairly deep group of talents. If the Bears are willing to spend, they could end up with some serious upgrades. At the same time this isn’t taking into account another key factor:  roster cuts. Every year there’s always one or two notable names who are released for one reason or another.

A name that may have worn out his welcome with one team but just might bring value to another. One such case is fixing to happen down in Dallas. If so it could create quite the dilemma for Bears GM Ryan Pace in his quest to find Trubisky weapons.

Could Bears wide receiver problem lead to Dez Bryant experiment?

It would seem the Cowboys have grown increasingly frustrated with their three-time Pro Bowl receiver Dez Bryant. After a solid run in 2016, his production value has taken a dip this year. He’s barely caught half the 124 passes thrown his direction with a number of huge drops and just 815 yards to show for it. He also has the embarrassment of not having a 100-yard performance in 21-straight games.

Not exactly the execution of a guy who fancies himself a #1 wide receiver. Now there’s buzz that the Cowboys may look to cut their losses in 2018.

It wouldn’t be a complete shock. Bryant will turn 30-years old next year and command $16.5 million against the salary cap. With key players like Demarcus Lawrence and David Irving needing new contracts, the Cowboys may look to sacrifice Bryant in order to ensure they have the space to secure both. It’s not like teammates are scrambling to make sure the receiver is well-loved in the locker room.

Even quarterback Dak Prescott seems frustrated with his recent struggles.

Would he be worth the risk for Chicago?

As stated earlier Bryant is approaching the tail end of his prime. He’s also known for being a bit of a handful in the locker room. At the same time one thing is clear. He would unquestionably be the top receiver on the Bears roster as it currently is. Would they be willing to brave the personality in order to possibly squeeze another couple good year out of him? Much of that may depend on who the next head coach is.

John Fox almost certainly would not have considered it. He’s always been a coach who avoids such personalities in his locker room. At the same time the potential benefit of pairing Bryant with Trubisky is so difficult to ignore. So much will be left to answer, but it must start with Dallas making their decision on whether to cut him.

At the same time, it appears that Bryant is at least keeping tabs on the Bears’ young QB. Take that for what it’s worth.

Vic Fangio Can’t Resist Jabbing Kyle Fuller While Praising His Season

By
Erik Lambert
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kyle fuller

Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is known for being a tough grader. He’s like the chemistry teacher in high school that’s almost impossible to get an A from. To do so requires maximum effort and a near-perfect performance. Fangio is never one to let his players get comfortable. He always feels they can get better. Perhaps that’s one of the key reasons why cornerback Kyle Fuller has flourished this season.

The former first round pick was a mixed bag in their first two years together. He had some good and ugly performances in 2015. Then 2016 was lost due to a knee injury. Most people, including Fangio, had no idea what to expect from Fuller at the start of 2017. What they got was a Pro Bowl-caliber year.

Fuller was often dominant this season. He’s got 65 tackles, two interceptions and 22 passes defended with one game left to play. Not even that explains how effective he’s been at times for that defense. Enough to impress his coordinator though? Well maybe a little.

Vic Fangio explains how Kyle Fuller has done so well this year

Fangio explains here that it was never a question of ability with Fuller. Being a top 15 draft choice he always had the talent. The big divide for him was playing with greater confidence in himself. To truly apply his entire mentality to getting better. Anybody who has watched Fuller this season can clearly see a young player who is carrying himself with a greater swagger and competitiveness than any time before.

So much in fact that Fangio couldn’t help but troll his young understudy a bit. He explained it through a story about what happened when they spent time together during the off-season.

Ouch. Telling the entire Chicago media that you basically owned one of your players in a round of golf. That’s ice cold. Then again Fangio has never minded the occasional barb at his players if he thinks it will motivate them further. This of course is just some harmless teasing, a sign of the strong relationship the two have. It’s also further proof that the Bears should try to do everything in their power to keep Fangio around.

His contract is set to expire this January, as is Fuller’s. Being able to retain the coordinator might go a long way towards convincing the cornerback to stick around as well. It will be interesting to see how Pace plays it.

The Bulls Are Reportedly Shopping Nikola Mirotic And We Should All Be Thankful

By
Matthew Milakovich
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nikola mirotic returns bulls practice

Following their win against the New York Knicks on Wednesday night, the Chicago Bulls have now won 9-of-11 after starting the season 3-20. They now officially have the best record in the NBA since Dec. 8 aside from only the Golden State Warriors…

Yeah, “what the fuck?” is exactly the question you should be asking yourself, you are correct. The Bulls kind of seem like this years’ Miami Heat, an obvious tank machine that can’t seem to keep itself from middling NBA Hell– the 15th pick.

TRADE. NIKO. NOW.

Things were all fine and dandy until Nikola Mirotic came back from having his face cremated, seemingly transformed into a man possessed. He has scored at least 20 points in five of the eleven games he’s played in, while averaging 17.5 points per game this season. This was not supposed to happen.

The ideal scenario for the Bulls entering the season was to tank.Tank.TANK and get a top three pick for what is expected to be a loaded draft come June 2018. DUH.

The plan was to ride this dysfunctional shit show straight to Marvin Bagley III. Now Mirotic and Portis are best friends, Lauri Markannen is better than anyone expected, Kris Dunn is a fucking monster, David Nwaba can play defense, and Zach LaVine isn’t even back yet.

It’s time to trade Niko and possibly Robin Lopez. NOW.

Winning provides some good lessons for a team with young players, sure. However, GarPax still have to have their eyes set on a top three pick this year. If they don’t, I hate them more than I could have ever dreamed previously, and that, just like the Bulls’ recent success, seemed impossible a month ago.

Shopping Nikola Mirotic

The good news is, Mirotic has elevated his trade value substantially since returning, which will make him a hot commodity on the trade market come January. And just like that, according to the Chicago Tribune’s K.C. Johnson, the Bulls have begun shopping Mirotic and Robin Lopez.

Here’s what Johnson wrote on Thursday:

And while management already has begun exploring the trade market on Robin Lopez and Nikola Mirotic and followed through on its conservative approach to LaVine’s return from left ACL surgery, these also are indisputable truths about where the Bulls’ rebuild stands.

Johnson went on to write that management will not judge this team solely on wins and losses but effort as well, and player development remains a big deal for this organization moving forward.

If the Bulls can somehow convince a playoff-contending team to surrender a late first round pick for Mirotic color me pink and draw rainbows and Unicorns all over me, because I’ll be happier than a pig in shit.

It’s Time To Give Scottie Pippen’s Brain A Rest When It Comes To Jordan V. LeBron

By
Matthew Milakovich
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scottie pippen happiest man alive michael jordan retired
CHICAGO, IL - FEBRUARY 15: Former players Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen of the Chicago Bulls share a laugh before a game between the Bulls and the Charlotte Bobcats at the United Center on February 15, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Once again Scottie Pippen is chiming in on the Jordan V. LeBron debate, saying “I’m picking [Jordan] over LeBron too,” per TMZ Sports, when learning that former President Barack Obama chose Jordan over James during an interview with Chicago’s own soon-to-be adopted son (looking at you Northwestern graduate Meghan Markle) Great Britain’s Prince Harry.

“Jordan,” Obama said when asked to pick between the two NBA greats Wednesday during the interview on BBC Radio 4 (h/t Madeline Kenney of the Chicago Sun-Times). “Although I love LeBron. I’m a Chicago guy.”

Pippen has been all over the place when it comes to the Jordan V. LeBron debate. Honestly, we should all just stop listening to him once and for all. He’s like the kid in class who just talks to talk and generally agrees with whomever decides they want to be his friend that day. He’s like Kevin Hart’s rendition of a “Yes Man” in Seriously Funny…

Remember when he told told ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith on First Take earlier this month, that James was “probably ahead” of Jordan.

And a week ago, Pippen told TMZ Sports that James “ain’t better than me until he gets six titles.”

In all reality, this argument has been a fool’s errand from the start. Jordan was a pure scorer and lock-down defender, we know that. James has traditionally been a more well-rounded facilitator and all-around player, we know that too. So why do we continue to talk about it?

Ratings and slow news days.

We know Jordan and LeBron are two different players, and we know Scottie may or may not be high AF on Xanax and apparently can’t decide who he is or who is better from day to day so let’s give Scottie’s brain a rest, ok?

Jordan was a six-time champion, five-time MVP, 14-time All-Star, nine-time first-team All-Defensive selection and a 10-time scoring champion. He averaged 30.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game.

James, meanwhile, is a three-time champion, four-time MVP, 13-time All-Star, five-time first-team All-Defensive selection and one-time scoring champion. He’s averaged 27.2 points, 7.3 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 1.6 steals in his career.

Vital Facts to Remember About the Last Chicago Bears Coaching Search

By
Erik Lambert
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bears coaching search

It may sound like a broken record, but it’s no less true. This upcoming Chicago Bears coaching search is the most important the organization has faced in years. For the first time in what feels like forever they seem to have a legitimate presence at quarterback. Yes Jay Cutler was good in his own way, but this is different. Cutler was a QB in his prime trying to get a veteran team one more shot at a title. Mitch Trubisky is a young kid trying help a roster of mostly other kids grow into men.

For that to happen a particular type of coach will be needed. One that can simultaneously motivate, discipline and develop. It’s not an easy balance to strike. Especially if a veteran like John Fox couldn’t do it. All the pressure is on GM Ryan Pace who is expected to lead this search. Most people already know about most of the candidates involved. So here’s a brush up on key information about what happened during the last search.

Not only that but how things also might be different this time around.

#1 – Bears coaching search didn’t start until four days after season

Something that is so often overlooked about the previous search is how behind schedule Pace was when he took over. The regular season officially ended on January 3rd of 2015. Pace wasn’t hired until January 7th. By that time other teams already had a head start on the Bears in terms of zeroing in on proper candidates. Pace could only do so much research and interviewing in so little time to catch up.

#2 – John Fox was fired five days later

After five days it appeared like the Bears were beginning to whittle down their list. That’s when the Denver Broncos dropped a bombshell. John Fox, the man who’d led them to four-straight division titles was fired. It was at this point that team advisor Ernie Accorsi, who knew Fox personally, recommended the Bears move quickly to secure the long-time veteran. Ownership signed off on the idea and so Pace met with him.

#3 – Bears hired him just four days later

Things moved quickly after that. Rather than taking their time to make sure of their decision, the Bears locked Fox up to a four-year deal on January 16th. It had taken Pace just nine days in total to make the decision on his first head coach. All without any time prior to his own hiring to do proper vetting and research on candidates. It is this reason that is so crucial to what’s ahead.

Is patience and preparation a virtue?

One thing that is so often overlooked in a coaching search is patience. So many teams aren’t willing to wait, to make sure they’ve covered all their bases. The two most prominent hires of 2017 were Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan. Both exhibit the value of patience and advanced planning.

The Rams had fired Jeff Fisher three weeks before the end of the 2016 season. This gave them an extra month to line up the candidates they wanted to talk to. Even then when the regular season ended on January 1st they still took 12 days before deciding to go with McVay as their guy. For the San Francisco 49ers, it was even greater.

Shanahan was busy going to the Super Bowl with the Atlanta Falcons. So he wasn’t allowed to leave the team save for interviews between games. The 49ers could’ve just let it go and tried for somebody else. Instead they waited until February 6th after the Super Bowl before making his hire official. That’s 37 days. San Francisco has now won four-straight games and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo looks like a budding star.

This is something Pace and the Bears brass might want to keep in mind when the search goes active next week.

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