Bears hire Chuck Pagano to be Defensive Coordinator

[Mikefive]

I think if you have a competent GM (Pace is) and a quality OL coach, you can draft OTs in later rds and see them work out. Whether the majority will or not, that is a good study. I just looked at Tackles from the final 4 and 2 other teams in the playoffs, 12 tackles total. Out of those 12, there are 3 1st rd guys, 3 2nd rd guys, 2 3rd rd guys, a 5th, a 7th and an UDFA. It can be done and I would expect Pace is a guy who could find that diamond in the rough.

I think you guys are lacking in situational perspective. If you draft a guy in R3 to play RT and he sucks and one of the backup guys like Coward (who are backups for a reason) don't make a fortuitous improvement, then you're going into a season with Super Bowl aspirations with a CLEAR weakness in being able to protect your QB from the word go. That's unforgivable if you're the GM, when you had a guy who was reasonable that you could've re-signed.

It's more understandable to make the same kind of 'draft in R3 and hope' move in a development year when you don't have high expectations. But you don't do that going into 2019 coming off a 12-4 year. R3 guys have roughly a 30% chance of eventually becoming quality starters. Sure, you hope Ryan Pace is better than that. But that's nowhere close to a sure thing.

[wab]

You...build the team through the draft. If you don't think your front office can replace Bobby Freaking Massie in the draft, then again, I ask, why are those guys in charge.

[Umbali]

You...build the team through the draft. If you don't think your front office can replace Bobby Freaking Massie in the draft, then again, I ask, why are those guys in charge.

You dont have much draft capital this year to build through the draft. Seeing what decisions are made in FA is going to be the key to begin to predict which draft decisions are made.

[G08]

I have a feeling it'll be some combo of RB/OT with our first two picks.

[Funkster]

Fellas, we’re getting way off topic here. This is a defensive thread

Bears defensive UFA:
Adrian Amos
Bryce Callahan
Aaron Lynch
Marcus Williams
Nicholas Williams

Bears defensive RFA:
DeAndrea Houston-Carson

Bears defensive ERFA:
Roy Robertson-Harris
Isaiah Irving

[Mikefive]

You...build the team through the draft. If you don't think your front office can replace Bobby Freaking Massie in the draft, then again, I ask, why are those guys in charge.

There's a rather substantial difference between "build the team through the draft" and planning and expecting a draft pick selected in the 80's to be not only be a competent NFL starter, but also to be that out of the gate in his rookie year. From what you've posted here on this subject, I don't see another option unless it's Coward, a complete unknown.

[Knuckles]

I was really worried when Fangio was hired as HC of Denver because I expected the Bears to do the good old boy thing as usual and hire someone that might not be the right guy but is a good pal to someone in power. I'm glad however that they went out and got the right guy for the job once again. I don't think this defense misses a beat next year and might be even more fun to watch. I like the idea of blitzing a little more and creating more opportunities for our LBs and Ss to get in on the action. There's just so much talent there.

They might take a little longer to gel this season just because there's going to be some new stuff they'll need to get used to but overall I think they might be a little scarier to play against.

[crueltyabc]

I think there's a third option we're not discussing where the Bears replace departing expensive FAs with adequate mid-priced FA and also target that position in the draft. I'll say though that I'd rather not lose two guys in a position group. If Callahan walks I want Amos to stay, if Long is waived to save money, I'd like Massie retained. Pace has put us in a good spot where these positions of need are not super crucial or expensive positions.

Bringing Pagano into it because thread topic:

I'm looking at his Ravens roster and see that his CBs were both 180lb type guys, and his SS was 225. If these are his preferred body types that helps Bryce and hurts Amos if you believe he has input into what Pace does.

[MoFugger]

Amos is going to get a pretty good payday. It's not going to be some Blockbuster deal, but I don't think the Bears will be interested in competing for him. Pagano did not take this job to be a babysitter oh, and the one thing this roster does not match is what he likes to do in the secondary.

Let's also keep in mind that the draft is coming up, and IIRC this is a talent laden draft for safeties. I think it's possible that teams will look to the draft to find a CF rather than overpay for a good, but not great player.

And the Bears could be one of those teams. It's not like we suck with late round picks. we had four major playmakers in this past year that the Bears took in the fourth round or later.
In free agency, we signed a wide receiver who was an undrafted free agent in 2012, got kicked off The browns!!!
But wasn't Taylor Gabriel an important part of this team???
Akiem Hicks is my favorite bear. He was a third-round pick who is now on his third team, and I don't think anyone would argue with me when I say that this should be his last.
Leno has never been a favorite of mine, but I'll be damned if that seventh-round pick didn't hold down the left tackle job as well as any pro bowler this year.
and it is because of that kind of management, that the Bears had the opportunity to trade for a guy like Khalil Mack.
Trust in our management. outside of Kevin White, they have given you every reason to trust them.

[Boris13c]

And the Bears could be one of those teams. It's not like we suck with late round picks. we had four major playmakers in this past year that the Bears took in the fourth round or later.

I think history shows the Bears are better with late round picks than first round picks

[G08]

Kevin Fishbain
‏@kfishbain

Per @caplannfl, Bears LBs coach Glenn Pires won’t return.

Waiting on Ed Donatell and defensive line coach Jay Rodgers.

I REALLY don't want to lose Jay Rodgers. I'd rather not lose Ed Donatell.

[G08]

Kevin Fishbain
@kfishbain

Per @FootballScoop, the Bears are “exploring hiring" Kansas State’s recently-hired defensive coordinator Ted Monachino, who worked with Chuck Pagano in Baltimore

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

Kevin Fishbain
@kfishbain

Per @FootballScoop, the Bears are “exploring hiring" Kansas State’s recently-hired defensive coordinator Ted Monachino, who worked with Chuck Pagano in Baltimore

As what? DB coach?

[wab]

I hated that 2011 Ravens team, so having a good chunk of the defensive staff makes me feel icky.

[Mikefive]

I hated that 2011 Ravens team, so having a good chunk of the defensive staff makes me feel icky.

Why?

[wab]

Why did I hate them? No real reason. I just don't like the Ravens.

[Otis Day]

So, is this Monachino going to pull a Kingsbury?

[G08]

Kevin Fishbain
@kfishbain

Per @FootballScoop, the Bears are “exploring hiring" Kansas State’s recently-hired defensive coordinator Ted Monachino, who worked with Chuck Pagano in Baltimore

As what? DB coach?

With the Ravens he was an OLB coach for 2 years and linebacker coach for 4 years. Final two years in the league he was Pagano's defensive coordinator in Indy.

So linebackers I would think. Maybe he takes Glen Pires job and Rob Ryan coaches the outside backers?

[Boris13c]

I figure anyone Nagy signs off on as someone he can work with and can get the job done is good enough for me

[BearsGuy]

I was really worried when Fangio was hired as HC of Denver because I expected the Bears to do the good old boy thing as usual and hire someone that might not be the right guy but is a good pal to someone in power. I'm glad however that they went out and got the right guy for the job once again. I don't think this defense misses a beat next year and might be even more fun to watch. I like the idea of blitzing a little more and creating more opportunities for our LBs and Ss to get in on the action. There's just so much talent there.

They might take a little longer to gel this season just because there's going to be some new stuff they'll need to get used to but overall I think they might be a little scarier to play against.

This is organizational awareness and strength here. Lots of orgs in the NFL would do the easy thing and get someone who has no business in a particular role because of connections.

[Funkster]

I figure anyone Nagy signs off on as someone he can work with and can get the job done is good enough for me

Love the simplicity of this post!

[The Marshall Plan]

I still don't know what to think of hiring Pagano. The Baltimore connection is great, but did he only have one year as DC? I don't get too worked up about the Indy thing because I don't think he had the players.

My mind was focused on Mike Nolan and Rex Ryan so Pagano came from left field at me. Hopefully he does even better than Fangio and there's a chance of it because the longer this unit sticks together and gels the better they'll be. We've also got some VERY PROMISING young guys (Jackson, Amos, Nichols, Roquan, RRH, and I'm sure I left out a few) that will only continue to get better.

[G08]

I still don't know what to think of hiring Pagano. The Baltimore connection is great, but did he only have one year as DC? I don't get too worked up about the Indy thing because I don't think he had the players.

My mind was focused on Mike Nolan and Rex Ryan so Pagano came from left field at me. Hopefully he does even better than Fangio and there's a chance of it because the longer this unit sticks together and gels the better they'll be. We've also got some VERY PROMISING young guys (Jackson, Amos, Nichols, Roquan, RRH, and I'm sure I left out a few) that will only continue to get better.

I do wish he had a greater sample size as being a defensive coordinator. In Indy, his defensive talent was awful and it showed on the field.

Still, his players LOVE him and play hard for him, so I can't hate on that. Selfishly, I hope he's a better game planner and play caller than he is a good human being.

[The Marshall Plan]

I still don't know what to think of hiring Pagano. The Baltimore connection is great, but did he only have one year as DC? I don't get too worked up about the Indy thing because I don't think he had the players.

My mind was focused on Mike Nolan and Rex Ryan so Pagano came from left field at me. Hopefully he does even better than Fangio and there's a chance of it because the longer this unit sticks together and gels the better they'll be. We've also got some VERY PROMISING young guys (Jackson, Amos, Nichols, Roquan, RRH, and I'm sure I left out a few) that will only continue to get better.

I do wish he had a greater sample size as being a defensive coordinator. In Indy, his defensive talent was awful and it showed on the field.

Still, his players LOVE him and play hard for him, so I can't hate on that. Selfishly, I hope he's a better game planner and play caller than he is a good human being.

Pagano supposedly likes to blitz a lot and that plays to a strength of ours. Imagine being a QB and genuinely not knowing if either Mack, Floyd, Roquan, Trevathan or a DB is coming and then using the others as decoys. We have the personnel for his blitzing schemes to be very successful.

[jamus34]

I didn't want to team to go anywhere near either of the Ryan brothers. Rex is a blowhard failure and while I did like Rob in his Oakland days his later career stops left a real bad taste in my mouth.

Nolan would have been interesting but in all honesty I have no idea what he's been doing the past 5 years or so.

Can't say I'm displeased with Pags. He didn't do great as a HC but he was saddled with a lot of hurdles; plus his own health battle.

[wab]

I'm lukewarm on Pagano. His defenses were terrible in Indy, but Grigson didn't do him any favors...the defensive players he drafted were terrible.

All of his draft picks were pretty terrible. Which I suppose is why he's no longer the GM.

But once Arians left, the Colts went from a perennial 11-5 team to an 8-8 and 4-12 team.

[Mikefive]

I'm fine with Pagano. Right now anyway. There were a lot of downward trending things happening in Indy that make it really hard for a 1st time HC guy. With the speed of our LBs and our DB's ability to match up man-to-man, this could be a really fun defense.

[Mr.Irrelevant]

I think Pagano is probably a great hire from a 2019 perspective.

My concerns are about going forward, as he is well thought of in the league and is already being interviewed for head coaching spots. I expect our defense will do well again this year and Pagano will be a top candidate for the 6 or 8 spots that come available in 2020. So I expect to be having this same conversation next year. After listening to the players talk about how great it was to be in the same system for the 4th year in a row and how they were finally really getting it, to be potentially changing systems again next year seems a big risk to take. Especially as that will be right in the middle of our Super Bowl window.

That's why I liked the idea of Donatell. I doubt'd he'd be going anywhere anytime soon.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

I'm lukewarm on Pagano. His defenses were terrible in Indy, but Grigson didn't do him any favors...the defensive players he drafted were terrible.

All of his draft picks were pretty terrible. Which I suppose is why he's no longer the GM.

But once Arians left, the Colts went from a perennial 11-5 team to an 8-8 and 4-12 team.

To be fair. Luck has been injured for the last two years. He's finally just coming back into form. Their OL was a train wreck for three years, and they lost some important starters on defense. I'm not sure it was Pagano's fault.

[VA_Mountain_Bear]

I have been warming to the hire as time has gone by. Not sure if it the sport's fans version of Stockholm Syndrome (start to like them as a hostage fan) or because I keep reading positive articles about him. I wish I saw a longer track record of success in one spot, but as many have said the talent in Indy during his time was weak. I really do like the idea of both sides of the ball shared the attacking mentality. My ONLY gripe in the Fangio years was the tendency to go into soft prevent mode with every lead in the 4th and let the other team eat clock and move slowly down the field, often to score some points in tight games. Our talent is well suited to a style that blitzes a bit more, or could have a variety of different players capable of blitzing from different positions and formations. I also worry about him jetting after the season to be an HC again. Perhaps hiring Ted Monachino as "senior defensive assistant", as well as OLB coach, is meant to be someone to groom up for that possibility?