The Seat In Which Lovie Smith Sits Is Room Temperature
When does beating Green Bay and an appearance in the Super Bowl lose its charm? Is it after back-to-back frustratingly mediocre seasons or will it take an epic letdown in the debut season with your new franchise quarterback to do the trick?
Battlerednation.com ranks all 32 NFL head coaches in order of their perceived job security and Lovie Smith is, no surprise, middle-of-the-road at 15th:
“Bears ownership has never seemed enamored with Lovie Smith, even after he led the team to the Super Bowl in 2006. Since that Super Bowl appearance, Chicago hasn’t sniffed the playoffs and if that continues this year, Smith could be out of work. ”
I’d say that they sniffed the playoffs last year, coming one last-game loss short of a berth; But, Smith does have work to do in 2009.
Between taking over defensive play-calling, enjoying one of the best offseasons of any team in recent memory, and considering the aging condition of his defense’s superstars, there isn’t a whole lot of–how do you say?–tolerance floating around these parts.
As far as out of work, let’s not kid ourselves: Unless the Bears wholly choke (six or less wins) in any of the next three seasons, Smith is likely to ride out the remainder of his extended contract.
Now, shhhh!–If you will, it’s about time for Lovie to talk ambiguously.
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