Update: Denver/Fangio agree to 4yr deal - Bears need a DC

[Otis Day]

I am not calling him a dick if he leaves. I said if he doesn't feel appreciated here (highest paid coordinator I believe, making $2+ mil a year), that would make him a dick.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

... I don't want to call him a dick -- I went that route last off-season -- but I can't ever hate on a dude who is chasing after a dream ...

Exactly. As much as we want him to stay, you can never begrudge people for trying to follow their star. PLUS, Vic Fangio is not the only successful DC that ever lived. At this point, I trust Pace and Nagy enough to find a rockstar replacement if it comes to that.

Bernstein on the SCORE was talking about this on Monday, I think. It's not like Fangio is going to leave and take the defense with him. Fangio and Mack aren't a package deal. We will still have the same defense as we had this year. And who's to say. Maybe a guy like Todd Bowles comes in here, and takes the defense to a whole other level (if that's even possible, and if it is, it may be illegal).

[Boris13c]

Fangio is such an important element to this Bears team ... he has the entire defense buying into whatever game plan he comes up with week to week, and executing it at a very high level

when was the last Bears team that had so many non-starters rotating into the defense and continuing to make plays like the starter they replaced? I am speaking primarily of the defensive line ... a few plays early in the season where guys I was not aware were on the roster came up with big plays got my attention ... and that level of effort remained constant all year

I was happy he built a decent enough defense last year with scraps and I am ecstatic with what he has done this year with some top line talent blended with young fresh guys

I don't want to see him leave, but I won't hold it against him if he jumps at one of the HC spots

[G08]

... I don't want to call him a dick -- I went that route last off-season -- but I can't ever hate on a dude who is chasing after a dream ...

Exactly. As much as we want him to stay, you can never begrudge people for trying to follow their star. PLUS, Vic Fangio is not the only successful DC that ever lived. At this point, I trust Pace and Nagy enough to find a rockstar replacement if it comes to that.

Bernstein on the SCORE was talking about this on Monday, I think. It's not like Fangio is going to leave and take the defense with him. Fangio and Mack aren't a package deal. We will still have the same defense as we had this year. And who's to say. Maybe a guy like Todd Bowles comes in here, and takes the defense to a whole other level (if that's even possible, and if it is, it may be illegal).

He's not taking the talent with him, but to see what Pace/Fangio did for this defense is staggering and I'm of the opinion they haven't even peaked yet. I'd hate -- HATE -- to see him leave because I think this could be turning into something special.

[AZ_Bearfan]

Why go to Miami where you will probably be fired in two years when you could stay in Chicago and be a legend in two years.

Bingo.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

... I don't want to call him a dick -- I went that route last off-season -- but I can't ever hate on a dude who is chasing after a dream ...

Exactly. As much as we want him to stay, you can never begrudge people for trying to follow their star. PLUS, Vic Fangio is not the only successful DC that ever lived. At this point, I trust Pace and Nagy enough to find a rockstar replacement if it comes to that.

Bernstein on the SCORE was talking about this on Monday, I think. It's not like Fangio is going to leave and take the defense with him. Fangio and Mack aren't a package deal. We will still have the same defense as we had this year. And who's to say. Maybe a guy like Todd Bowles comes in here, and takes the defense to a whole other level (if that's even possible, and if it is, it may be illegal).

He's not taking the talent with him, but to see what Pace/Fangio did for this defense is staggering and I'm of the opinion they haven't even peaked yet. I'd hate -- HATE -- to see him leave because I think this could be turning into something special.

I'm hoping that Fangio takes on the "finish what he started" mentality. But also understand that at 60, this is probably his last shot. Especially the way the league is trending. Admittedly, Fangio LOVES the city of Chicago. Personally I think that Denver would be a disaster (Elway is going to tell him who is QB will be, and how to run the offense), while Miami is an ownership disaster, and has a shitty fanbase.

I think we need to put together a Fangio "Don't Go" video montage, replete with highlights from on the field, and at press conferences.

[skamanfrank]

FYI.... in the press conference happening now....

Fangio takes the podium and his first question:
Reporter: "How are you balancing your time between preparing for Philadelphia and your interviews
Fangio: "I've done zero on the second part. Zero. Zero. Zero"

A few questions later:
Reporter: "Flattering, to get job interviews?"
Fangio: "I guess. But I don't get flattered that much"


I know that it's just his manner, but he does not seem particularly bothered in any interviews right now ha!!

[G08]

FYI.... in the press conference happening now....

Fangio takes the podium and his first question:
Reporter: "How are you balancing your time between preparing for Philadelphia and your interviews
Fangio: "I've done zero on the second part. Zero. Zero. Zero"

A few questions later:
Reporter: "Flattering, to get job interviews?"
Fangio: "I guess. But I don't get flattered that much"


I know that it's just his manner, but he does not seem particularly bothered in any interviews right now ha!!

Vic Fangio said he’s done ‘zero’ work to prepare for head coaching interviews next week. ‘Maybe that’s why I’m here,’ he quipped

God I love him

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

FYI.... in the press conference happening now....

Fangio takes the podium and his first question:
Reporter: "How are you balancing your time between preparing for Philadelphia and your interviews
Fangio: "I've done zero on the second part. Zero. Zero. Zero"

A few questions later:
Reporter: "Flattering, to get job interviews?"
Fangio: "I guess. But I don't get flattered that much"


I know that it's just his manner, but he does not seem particularly bothered in any interviews right now ha!!

Vic Fangio said he’s done ‘zero’ work to prepare for head coaching interviews next week. ‘Maybe that’s why I’m here,’ he quipped

God I love him

He is something special on that podium, huh? The guy just has zero bullshit about him.

It sounds like a canned, coachspeak answer, "I am concentrating on the game in front of us on Sunday..." But with Vic, you know it's the absolute truth.

[AZ_Bearfan]

That's awesome

[Otis Day]

He cannot be interviewed until Monday and it has to be in Chicago if I heard correctly. In that case, he has probably not given it a thought, he has a game to worry about.

For assistant coaches on teams playing on wild-card weekend, they cannot interview for at all until after their team plays. Should that team lose, those assistants can interview for a head-coaching position without further limitation. In the event of a win, assistants can interview before the divisional round but only in their current employer’s home city. The assistant’s current team can also dictate which day the interview takes place.

https://www.acmepackingcompany.com/2018 ... dates-2018" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[wab]

I have this weird feeling in the pit of my gut, right next to the breakfast burrito, that Vic is 50/50 going to either stay with the Bears, or end up as the HC of the Broncos.

[AZ_Bearfan]

Maybe, just maybe Vic can see the future dumpster fire that Elway is creating in Denver. But if he did go to Denver, I bet at some point he punches Elway.

[Mikefive]

FYI.... in the press conference happening now....

Fangio takes the podium and his first question:
Reporter: "How are you balancing your time between preparing for Philadelphia and your interviews
Fangio: "I've done zero on the second part. Zero. Zero. Zero"

A few questions later:
Reporter: "Flattering, to get job interviews?"
Fangio: "I guess. But I don't get flattered that much"


I know that it's just his manner, but he does not seem particularly bothered in any interviews right now ha!!

Vic Fangio said he’s done ‘zero’ work to prepare for head coaching interviews next week. ‘Maybe that’s why I’m here,’ he quipped

God I love him

Me too. I've said for a couple years that Fangio is the best actual coach the Bears have had in maybe ever.

[Otis Day]

I just cannot see Elway and Fangio co-existing. I can see Elway hiring him and then trying to force things upon Vic. I can see Elway going all Jerry Jones on him and that would be the end of that.

[Mikefive]

It's easy to see why a guy like Nagy would interview well. His positivity and charisma would come across in flying colors. But from the same perspective, I think a Fangio interview would be something like the opposite. He's pretty dry as coaches go. And you get the feeling that he thinks before he speaks. Combine that with his no-BS attitude, I'd expect him to answer some questions in a way that would be unsatisfactory for GMs. "In situation X, would you be willing to tap dance your way thru interviews in order to deflect blame from...."

Of course, Bill Belicheck got hired twice. So I'm not saying some GM won't look past his gruffness and make the move with Fangio. But I think there's a good chance that his demeanor isn't what teams are generally looking for and that he won't survive the interview processes.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

I find it hard to believe that Fangio's personality and demeanor would lend itself to a HC position. He's a brilliant defensive mind, and 10 years ago, he probably would have been at the top of the list for open positions. But in this new NFL, it's clear that owners are looking for young, offensive minded coaches. Additionally, if Elway already ran Fox out of the building (a defensive minded HC) for being too conservative and stodgy, why in holy hell would he go back to the same type of coach in Vic Fangio? I don't see it.

[G08]

I find it hard to believe that Fangio's personality and demeanor would lend itself to a HC position. He's a brilliant defensive mind, and 10 years ago, he probably would have been at the top of the list for open positions. But in this new NFL, it's clear that owners are looking for young, offensive minded coaches. Additionally, if Elway already ran Fox out of the building (a defensive minded HC) for being too conservative and stodgy, why in holy hell would he go back to the same type of coach in Vic Fangio? I don't see it.

The thing is we don't know what kind of offensive philosophy Fangio has. Defensive coaches, traditionally, like to run the ball, bleed the clock and do just enough in the passing game to win.

Maybe Elway wants Fangio to run that defense and say hey, I have Gary Kubiak here who knows how to establish the run game and make plays in the passing game. Let him do his thing like Nagy let you do your thing on defense here and you can call the rest of the shots.

Might be tough to pass up, especially if Von Miller is still there next to Bradley Chubb.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

I find it hard to believe that Fangio's personality and demeanor would lend itself to a HC position. He's a brilliant defensive mind, and 10 years ago, he probably would have been at the top of the list for open positions. But in this new NFL, it's clear that owners are looking for young, offensive minded coaches. Additionally, if Elway already ran Fox out of the building (a defensive minded HC) for being too conservative and stodgy, why in holy hell would he go back to the same type of coach in Vic Fangio? I don't see it.

The thing is we don't know what kind of offensive philosophy Fangio has. Defensive coaches, traditionally, like to run the ball, bleed the clock and do just enough in the passing game to win.

Maybe Elway wants Fangio to run that defense and say hey, I have Gary Kubiak here who knows how to establish the run game and make plays in the passing game. Let him do his thing like Nagy let you do your thing on defense here and you can call the rest of the shots.

Might be tough to pass up, especially if Von Miller is still there next to Bradley Chubb.

So the message from Elway to Vic is; "I will make you a head coach in name only. We will take care of the offense, you handle the defense." Really, there are more playmakers on this defense than there are on the Broncos.

How is that different from what he has now? Other than the paycheck (which McCaskey can rectify).

[G08]

I find it hard to believe that Fangio's personality and demeanor would lend itself to a HC position. He's a brilliant defensive mind, and 10 years ago, he probably would have been at the top of the list for open positions. But in this new NFL, it's clear that owners are looking for young, offensive minded coaches. Additionally, if Elway already ran Fox out of the building (a defensive minded HC) for being too conservative and stodgy, why in holy hell would he go back to the same type of coach in Vic Fangio? I don't see it.

The thing is we don't know what kind of offensive philosophy Fangio has. Defensive coaches, traditionally, like to run the ball, bleed the clock and do just enough in the passing game to win.

Maybe Elway wants Fangio to run that defense and say hey, I have Gary Kubiak here who knows how to establish the run game and make plays in the passing game. Let him do his thing like Nagy let you do your thing on defense here and you can call the rest of the shots.

Might be tough to pass up, especially if Von Miller is still there next to Bradley Chubb.

So the message from Elway to Vic is; "I will make you a head coach in name only. We will take care of the offense, you handle the defense." Really, there are more playmakers on this defense than there are on the Broncos.

How is that different from what he has now? Other than the paycheck (which McCaskey can rectify).

Paycheck, promotion, there's only 32 of these jobs on the planet man. IF it really is a life-long dream of his, that is tough to pass up IMO. Don't get me wrong, I hope he never leaves

[southdakbearfan]

Elway had a defensive/conservative guy in Fox and we all saw him get out of that. Then he brings in an offensive guy like Kubiak and wins. Kubiak retires and he brings in a defensive guy in Vance. I don't see Elway going for a defensive guy at all unless that guy has a top notch offensive guru in his hip pocket. I don't think Fangio has that.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

I find it hard to believe that Fangio's personality and demeanor would lend itself to a HC position. He's a brilliant defensive mind, and 10 years ago, he probably would have been at the top of the list for open positions. But in this new NFL, it's clear that owners are looking for young, offensive minded coaches. Additionally, if Elway already ran Fox out of the building (a defensive minded HC) for being too conservative and stodgy, why in holy hell would he go back to the same type of coach in Vic Fangio? I don't see it.

The thing is we don't know what kind of offensive philosophy Fangio has. Defensive coaches, traditionally, like to run the ball, bleed the clock and do just enough in the passing game to win.

Maybe Elway wants Fangio to run that defense and say hey, I have Gary Kubiak here who knows how to establish the run game and make plays in the passing game. Let him do his thing like Nagy let you do your thing on defense here and you can call the rest of the shots.

Might be tough to pass up, especially if Von Miller is still there next to Bradley Chubb.

So the message from Elway to Vic is; "I will make you a head coach in name only. We will take care of the offense, you handle the defense." Really, there are more playmakers on this defense than there are on the Broncos.

How is that different from what he has now? Other than the paycheck (which McCaskey can rectify).

Paycheck, promotion, there's only 32 of these jobs on the planet man. IF it really is a life-long dream of his, that is tough to pass up IMO. Don't get me wrong, I hope he never leaves

To your point...there are only 32 NFL Defensive Coordinator positions on the planet as well. He can go and be a freshman, moderately paid head coach. OR he can be the best, and highest paid Defensive Coordinator in the league.

[Otis Day]

A DC is still an underling, a HC is the big kahuna. I don't know too many people with strong egos that want to be a lifelong assistant. If he wasn't interested in becoming a head coach, he wouldn't take the interview.

[KOP_Snake]

Please, someone take him. Dude choked big time. On the last drive to surrender a TD. Also let his defense play with 10 guys on the touchdown before. Fangio has failed us today.

[IotaNet]

I’m not going to pile onto Fangio ... but what in the world happened on that last drive???

[southdakbearfan]

They gave up 16 points! I will take that every single game all year long, playoffs and superbowl and take my chances every time.

[MoFugger]

They gave up 16 points! I will take that every single game all year long, playoffs and superbowl and take my chances every time.

And same here, drink any other game.
but there was one drive that the Bears defense had to pin their ears back and get after the quarterback.
Instead, they were in a cover- shell

[MoFugger]

I will drive Vic fangio to whatever interview he wants to take. He has done a phenomenal job with this defense,
But it is time to move on.

[wab]

I will drive Vic fangio to whatever interview he wants to take. He has done a phenomenal job with this defense,
But it is time to move on.

Your irrational hate for Fangio is weirder than my irrational hate for Leno.

They were the best defense in the NFL. This is the first time in 8 games that they’ve given up more than one touchdown.

[thunderspirit]

Your irrational hate for Fangio is weirder than my irrational hate for Leno.

They were the best defense in the NFL. This is the first time in 8 games that they’ve given up more than one touchdown.

+1.