by Jason Collins


Let me start with a question...How undesirable is working for the Chicago Bears and Lovie Smith that you CHOOSE to coach in Oakland? For the Raiders. For Al Davis. With Tom Cable. Ummmmmmm...Wow!

Hue Jackson, former Ravens Quarterbacks coach, did just that. He said "His heart was in California." And apparently his brain in Indonesia. Hue was scheduled to interview with the Bears for their Offensive Coordinator position, but instead decided to agree to coach the Raiders in the same capacity.

I hope that the rumors are true, and the Bears are just going through the motions as so that they can inquire on the availability of Saints Offensive Coordinator Pete Carmichael after the Superbowl.

Candidates such as Jeremy Bates, Ken Zampese, and Rob Chudzinski have been ruled out. Mike Martz must feel good that he's the only guy who openly expressed interest in working with Lovie, Jay, and the Bears, but has been religated to "in case of emergency" choice. Quarterbacks love Mike Martz. Just ask John Kitna how much he was helped by being coached by Martz. "I've learned more from Mike Martz in a year then I have my whole career," he was quoted as saying.

The only explanation is that they're going after Carmichael, who actually doesn't call the plays during the game, but obviously has brought out the most in all of his
offensive players. They have a bunch of young, unrecognized receivers who can play with the best of them. When Lance Moore is the one who spends the most time on your bench...You're deep at receiver. Another feather in his cap is the offensive line and tight ends. Who here has heard of tight end David Thomas before this season??? Exactly. This kid has been making big plays since coming from New England. The Saints offensive line keeps Brees clean, and we know how dangerous Jay Cutler is when he has time to throw.

In short...I hope this search ends soon. And the Bears can do waaaaaaay worse than Mike Martz. Wait, they already have...Ron Turner.

P.S. I do love the choice of Mike Tice as Offensive Line coach.

On to defense. Same story. Ineptitude. Perry Fewell, a great choice, allowed to be wooed to New York. Not even an attempt to get Mike Nolan. Really??? Maybe here too, there will be a candidate that will come free that we didn't expect to, and they will make their move. But I doubt it. I really think Fewell was an obvious choice, and they blew it.

Who does that leave? Got me. Maybe an unproven position coach on one of the top defensive teams this year? Jerry Angelo should be ashamed. They should've locked down Fewell or Nolan when the opportunity presented itself.

Then again, their is absolutely no job security with this gig (even less than normal). You're only guaranteed one year...That's a tough one to commit to.