BrooksMustGo

I'm taking a page from Billy's book, but I saw this on another board and it got me to thinking about Haslett's first season.

Riddle me this...
Was Haslett a better coach or just luckier in his first year?
Was our success in year one a result of Haslett and Mueller?
Or
Was Haslett just as bad then as he is now?
Was Ditka was really just a year away from turning things around?

Before we haul off and purge the coaching staff, I have to wonder whether 2000 was a fluke that Haslett can't ever repeat, or whether Ditka truly was only a couple of players away from being a contender?

Boogro

There are many things you can throw into the equation comparing 2000 season until now. For instance, Coaches Ron Zook and John Bunting are no longer here. As far as coaching goes, I defense was better then.

Glover, J. Johnson, N. Hand, S. Knight, and Mark Fields are all probably key losses to that D also. But that was really the only good year Hand had. Also on offence, we wasn\'t as explosive as we were in 2001, but the main thing with the both side of the ball is that when a player went down there was someone who stepped up. Blake went down and Brooks did fine. Horn and Jake Reed went down and Willie Jackson did good. Ricky went down and Lamar Smith did decent.

The biggest thing with the players is that when someone went down, there was someone stepping in and doing a good job. Last few years, we didn\'t have that. A lot of things are different and its hard to point to one thing, but I tell you one thing, I\'d like to see a Gruden, Belichick, Parcells, or any other top of the line coach this team just to see the difference. Obviously we can\'t see that so basically its all opinion. I can say this, Ditka was not one year away. The personnel we had was awful. Its as simple as that

ScottyRo

I don\'t really know the answer but as far as Ditka being a year away...that\'s laughable.

He ran this organization like he was working with his buddies and just having a good time rather than like ke was the boss running a company. I always got the feeling while he was coach that from the GM down the managment and personnel decisions made by this team was third rate.

It may only be second rate now, but the organization is a lot smoother and mature. It just may take even more before it turns into a playoff contending management team.

spkb25

when haslett came in in his first yeah he did away with nearly the entire team from ditka. ur arguments looses right there. u would have to go back n check bu they had i believ like close to 30 new guys. thats a lot. they picked up both blake n brooks.

CheramieIII

Hey SP, you are right. I went back and looked at the rosters and it appears he may have had more than 30 new players on the roster. Good point, I guess you ended that debate. Now you have to get another started.

lumm0x

I don\'t think Ditka was a year away. He was reading a different book let alone being on the right page. I truly think Haslett got lucky to be chosen to lead a team that Randy Mueller created in that first year. I think that he got alot of bounces and the team surprised alot of people. I used to respect him as a dc. I have a hard time maintaining that respect for a guy that can\'t get his defense fixed as a coach. Hell, take it over yourself and fix it if the dc can\'t do it. I have come to give more credability to Haslett\'s player evaluation. He has shown he does have an eye for talent. Not the elite in the league at this, but not a bottom feeder either. I would have thought with Jim\'s persona he would have walked the path of a Parcells/Cowher-esque mentality. Instead he seems to be a stepping stone for his players. He has the ability to be an intimidating figure. Unfortunately he set the wrong precedent and now it\'s too late to change that.

saintz08

The answer is :

Ditka had the love of ill tempered players , who had leadership skills .Although not always the most talented , what he did not have was the coaching on the field to produce the desired results . The longstanding question was answered , was Buddy the reason the Bears went to the Super Bowl .... YES

What fell in place for the 2000 season ??? A few factors .....

1. Weak schedule from the previous season
2. Better Coaching staff in place
3. On field leadership
4. No film on Brooks .Opposing coordinators blitzed Brooks and it played into his hands , because he could run ...
5. What later becomes 2 - 1000 yard backs on the roster .

\"Americans play to win at all times. I wouldn\'t give a hoot in hell for a man who lost and laughed.\" - George S. Patton
On another note, I\'ll take a bite of that crow 08. - Saintfan
Brooks is a moron!! - Halo