Author: Anthony Stalter (Page 571 of 1503)

      Report: Lovie Smith to return in 2010

      January 5, 2010 /

      Bear fans won’t be receiving a belated Christmas gift this year as the Chicago Tribune is reporting that Lovie Smith is expected to return to the sidelines in 2010.

      Smith met with team president Ted Phillips and general manager Jerry Angelo on Monday, and the sweeping changes that many fans have been hoping to see are not expected to happen. There may be changes, and Smith noted in his postgame news conference Sunday at Detroit that change comes every year, but it will be far from a housecleaning.

      Smith could be given a win-or-else mandate from management. He is signed through 2011 and with $11 million remaining on his contract, the McCaskeys were thought to be unlikely to part with the coach who took them to Super Bowl XLI three years ago. It will be interesting to see what type of role Phillips has taken in what are football decisions.

      This isn’t the news Bear fans were hoping for when black Monday rolled around. Smith is just 23-25 as a head coach since he led the team to the Super Bowl a few years ago and the Bears have missed the playoffs the last three seasons. One would have thought that his Super Bowl credit has been used up by now.

      The Bears’ immediate future doesn’t looking promising. They’re without a first round pick in each of the next two drafts after trading for Jay Cutler, and they don’t have a second round pick in 2010 because they traded it to the Bucs for Gaines Adams. The offensive line is a complete mess, the defense is aging and outside of Cutler and Lance Briggs, there isn’t a ton of marquee talent on the roster.

      Is Smith a strong enough personality to overcome these disadvantages and lead the Bears back to the playoffs? After what the Bears showed this season, I highly doubt it.

      NFL

      Bills ax entire staff, including Perry Fewell

      January 4, 2010 /

      The Bills fired their entire coaching staff on black Monday, this according to Jay Glazer via his Twitter account.

      I heard on ESPN Radio that Fewell is welcomed to interview for the head coaching position, which I thought was kind of interesting. “You’re fired Perry, but if you want to stop by Ralph Wilson’s office on the way out and interview for the head coaching position you held for the past couple weeks, then be our guest.”

      Considering the Bills’ overall lack of talent, I thought Fewell did a nice job filling in after Bill Jauron was fired. He’s a solid defensive coordinator, so losing him hurts the Bills in the end. He will certainly get a look elsewhere and I think he’d be a nice fit for a team like the Bears.

      It’ll be interesting to see who the Bills wind up with, because it probably won’t be Bill Cowher. ESPN.com reported earlier today that Cowher is unlikely to coach in 2010 and even if he were, why would he go to Buffalo outside of it being the ultimate reclamation project. I just don’t see it.

      NFL

      Holliday, Cardinals nearing a deal

      January 4, 2010 /

      According to FOXSports.com’s Jim Bowden via his Twitter page, the Cardinals and free agent outfielder Matt Holliday are closing in on a $98.5 million contract.

      The Holliday may be over for most, but not St.Louis……Cards – Holliday closing in on 98.5m dollar deal

      What’s interesting about the number figure Bowden references is that Holliday and agent Scott Boras were seeking over $100 million. “Settling” wouldn’t be the right term considering the free agent would still land $98.5 million, but it is interesting that with Jason Bay off the market that Boras couldn’t land Holliday a contract in excess of $100 mil.

      Get the deal done already – Holliday is a perfect fit for St. Louis.

      MLB

      Report: Cowher unlikely to coach in 2010

      January 4, 2010 /

      According to a report by ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter and Chris Mortensen, former Steelers’ head coach Bill Cowher is unlikely to return to the sidelines in 2010.

      Despite being part of a meeting with the Buffalo Bills last week, it does not appear as if Bill Cowher will coach in the NFL next season, a source close to the situation told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

      Sources recently told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen it is believed that owner Ralph Wilson Jr. and team president Russ Brandon met last week with Cowher to gauge his potential interest in returning to coaching.

      Cowher reiterated on CBS’ “The NFL Today” on Sunday that he is “not going to talk about any jobs during the regular season.”

      The Bills also met with Mike Shanahan after Dick Jauron was fired in November.

      I wonder how much this has to do with the job openings that are immediately available to Cowher. It appears that Mike Shanahan is headed for Washington, so with that job off the market Cowher is left with Buffalo and maybe Tampa Bay as choices. He’s been linked to the Panthers in years past, but Carolina has already publicly stated that John Fox and his staff will be back in 2010.

      Who knows though – things could change quickly. It’s the first day after the regular season, so more firings could be coming soon. I wonder if the Bears’ job could entice Cowher if Chicago decides to part ways with Lovie Smith (and the McCaskeys open up their wallets, of course).

      NFL

      Ochocinco to have MRI on his injured knee

      January 4, 2010 /

      Chad Ochocinco couldn’t extend his knee this morning after suffering an injury before the Bengals’ game against the Jets on Sunday night. He’s scheduled to have an MRI today, but is still expected to play against the Jets this Sunday in Cincinnati’s Wild Card game against the Jets.

      Via his Twitter account, Ochocinco blamed Giants Stadium for his injury:

      @Lizz_Lockeroom-its fat, it was a mini ice skiating rink outside the hashes during warm ups-I bust my ass-MRI at noon-can’t extend my knee

      It sounds like Ochocinco will play, but who knows how the injury will respond throughout the week. If for some reason he can’t go, the Bengals would be without their top receiver for their most important game of the year. That said, the Jets have the best secondary in the league and Ochocinco would likely be shutdown by Darrelle Revis anyway.

      Would Cincinnati be better off with Ochocinco in the lineup? Of course, but they’ll have to beat the Jets by establishing the run and playing good defense. Ochocinco won’t/isn’t going to be the X-factor come Sunday.

      NFL

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