Tag: mike singletary

Comparing the 1985 Chicago Bears and 2000 Baltimore Ravens defenses

In regard to all-time NFL defenses, once again we have just two on this elevated plain: the 2000 Baltimore Ravens and 1985 Chicago Bears.

Michael Jordan vs Lebron James. Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo. Babe Ruth vs Hank Aaron. We all love a great binary G.O.A.T. (greatest of all-time) sports debate. When they are only two entities residing at the highest level of the pantheon, the comparison/contrast just happens naturally.

In regard to all-time NFL defenses, once again we have just two on this elevated plain: the 2000 Baltimore Ravens and 1985 Chicago Bears.

Popular lore usually goes with the Bears, but the numbers strongly favor the Ravens.

Baltimore set a NFL record, for a 16-game season, by giving up just 970 rushing yards (60.6 per game) that season. It was good for 186 fewer yards than the next lowest team, the New York Giants, who they beat in the Super Bowl that season.

The Ravens also allowed just five rushing touchdowns and an eye-popping 2.7 yards per rush, both league bests. They also set another record for a 16-game NFL season by allowing just 165 points (33 points fewer than the Bears) all season.

When you factor in the four postseason games, Baltimore’s defense allowed 188 points in total, or 9.4 points per game.

What’s especially notable here is how the Ravens total number of points allowed in 20 games is still 10 fewer than the Bears points allowed (198) in 16 games. They also allowed a full yard lower per rush than the Bears, whose opponents averaged 3.7 yards-per-carry against them.

The 2000 Ravens were also superior when it comes to allowing fewer total yards (168) and total rushing yards (349). They’re also better in yards per play and total passing touchdowns allowed.

This isn’t even really a contest, at this point, but Chicago was superior in total takeaways 54-49. Given that the numbers are so dominatingly in favor of the ’00 Ravens, why do so many people still think the ’85 Bears were the better defensive squad?

’85 Bears Had Many More Colorful Characters

Recording the iconic “Super Bowl Shuffle” tune, and doing it during mid-season no less, made these guys the epitome of being cocky, but backing it up.

It was a very different time, when football players weren’t hamstrung by individual brand managers, so they had more license to be interesting back then. While Baltimore had equal or better players, they didn’t have public personas to match the Fridge, Punky QB and “Mama’s Boy Otis.”

The ’85 Bears Had a Better Overall Team

Also, that specific Chicago team had a much better offense, as it featured “Sweetness” Walter Payton, who many consider the G.O.A.T. among running backs.

There is halo effect here in that people who only follow football on a cursory level just naturally assume that the better team must have had the superior defensive unit. Only those who dig deeper and look closer (like you, the reader of this article!) can see the differentiation.

Bears Defense Saved Their Best for Last 

Chicago won their two NFC playoff games 21-0 and 24-0, supplementing that with a 46-10 win in the Super Bowl. That’s good for an extremely dominant 91-10 (+81) postseason point differential.

Baltimore had to play an extra postseason game, and won those four by the following scores: 21-3, 24-10, 16-3, 34-7. On aggregate that is 95-23  (+72). While these numbers are quite similar, the shutouts carry more metaphorical weight. With that in mind, Chicago’s legacy gets a boost from a recency effect of sorts, as their defense’s best work came at the very end.

’85 Bears react to Steve McMichael being named to Pro Football Hall of Fame

Steve McMichael is the seventh member of the 1985 Bears to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Chicago Bears great Steve McMichael has done his waiting, but he’s finally joining his 1985 Bears teammates in football immortality. McMichael was one of three Bears named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2024, along with Devin Hester and Julius Peppers.

McMichael becomes the seventh member of the ’85 Bears to be inducted into the Hall of Fame — joining Walter Payton, Mike Singletary, Dan Hampton, Richard Dent, Jim Covert and Mike Dikta.

McMichael is the fourth player from the legendary ’85 Bears defense, widely considered to be the greatest ever, to be enshrined.

“For Steve to be in the Hall of Fame, it means that we’re together again in a place that no one can take away from him,” Singletary told the Sun-Times. “In the football world, he’s finally home.”

McMichael has been waiting a long time to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and unfortunately time isn’t on his side. McMichael has been battling ALS for the last couple of years. He revealed his diagnosis in April 2021, and he’s now full paralyzed and lost his voice.

“It’s a victory with an asterisk,” former Bears safety Gary Fencik said. “We’re happy and celebrating success, but we’re also looking at Steve’s condition.”

McMichael spent 13 seasons with the Bears, where he was a member of the 1985 Super Bowl team. McMichael was a two-time First Team All-Pro, three-time Second Team All-Pro and two-time Pro Bowler. His 92.5 sacks ranks second in franchise history, behind only fellow Hall of Famer Dent (124.5).

“I’m not sure Steve really saw himself as a special player, but the greatest asset that Steve McMichael brought to our team was consistency,” Singletary said. “He was not really concerned about stats. The most important thing was that you always knew, come hell or high water, Steve was gonna do his job.

“For a middle linebacker, I always knew he was gonna be where he was supposed to be, and that takes all the second-guessing out of it. It makes you play that much faster. It makes all the difference in the world.”

McMichael’s wife, Misty, has said the push for the Hall of Fame has been inspiration for him to keep fighting.

“It’s gonna mean the world to them,” said Jim McMahon. “Maybe now he can let go. How he’s survived this long, I don’t know. He’s been through so much, and he’s still here. Hopefully now he hears great news and he can go in peace.”

Will Alex Smith’s concerns apply to Commanders in 2023?

Alex Smith had some interesting comments about defensive-minded head coaches and their development of young quarterbacks. He speaks from experience.

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Will Alex Smith’s recent comments apply to Sam Howell this upcoming season?

Smith knows something about overcoming adversity as an NFL quarterback; even more, he knows about severe adversity in real life such as almost having your leg amputated.

Smith quarterbacked Washington in the 2018 and 2020 NFL seasons. Previously he had been with the 49ers for 7 seasons after they drafted him and 5 seasons with the Chiefs, the last of which he mentored current star Patrick Mahomes.

Smith voiced his concern this week (on SiriusXM’s NFL Radio) for young NFL quarterbacks who are forced to play under a defensive head coach. He questioned how well a defensive head coach can develop a young quarterback.

“There is a different mentality, from my career, when you play for an offensive head coach that wants to light up the scoreboard and outscore the opponent,” Smith said.

“There’s a different mentality you have, especially as a young quarterback versus a defensive head coach, when really the [coach’s] mentality is, ‘Hey, don’t screw up, don’t turn the ball over, don’t put us in a bad situation.’ … That’s a huge difference in a mentality and a mindset for a young quarterback, especially if it’s a bit rocky to start.”

It’s no secret Smith was drafted by the 49ers in 2005, and his first head coach was former Washington defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. Nolan was the head coach for Smith’s first seasons (2005-2008) before being replaced by former Chicago Bears middle linebacker Mike Singletary (2008-10).

Three more seasons with the defensively intense Singletary before Smith had himself an offensive-minded head coach in Jim Harbaugh in 2011.

After two seasons with Harbaugh (2011-12), Smith went to Kansas City playing for head coach Andy Reid from 2013-17. So, is there any reason to doubt that Smith is not merely speaking abstractly? He is speaking from his many years of experience in the NFL.

But might much of this depend upon how much the quarterback coach and offensive coordinator build a relationship with the quarterback? For instance, yes, Ron Rivera a former linebacker for the Chicago Bears is Sam Howell’s head coach here in Washington.

Yet, if Rivera truly gives control of the offense over to Eric Bieniemy, then isn’t it up to Bieniemy and quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard to build as much a rapport as possible with Howell? This is after all Bieniemy’s opportunity to take on more leadership with an NFL offense. Isn’t this why he departed Kansas City and future Hall-of-Famer Patrick Mahomes?

I could be entirely wrong (it wouldn’t be the first time) but Alex Smith’s experiences with his defensive head coaches do not have to necessarily be a very similar experience for Sam Howell. Bieniemy and Pritchard could go a long way in preventing Smith’s experiences from being repeated with Howell.

 

Justin Fields: the next Josh Allen? Mike Singletary thinks it’s possible with these offseason moves

USA TODAY Sports sits down with legendary Bears LB Mike Singletary to discuss the future with Justin Fields.

What does legendary Chicago Bears linebacker Mike Singletary think of the team’s decision to trade away their first overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft? 

“It’s a fantastic move.”

That decision reinforces Chicago’s commitment to Justin Fields as their franchise quarterback. But there’s still more that they need to do to support him, says Singletary. 

In his conversation with Sports Seriously’s Mackenzie Salmon, Singletary emphasized the need for a stronger offensive line. Not only would it help protect him from injury, but he went on to argue that a better line will buy him time to make stronger plays. 

Singletary even went on to say that Fields has the talent to “change the game” and compared him to Bills QB Josh Allen.

The ten-time Pro Bowler also applauded the Bears acquiring Panthers WR D.J. Moore.

“The Heart of the Defense” as Singletary was known, like most Bears fans, can’t wait for the season to kick off, and is optimistic about the season. 

“There’s no place like Chicago, I mean Chicago fans, man, they get hungry. Everybody gets involved,” said an excited Singletary.

Check out some other great nuggets from Singletary by clicking on the link above.

Mike Singletary wants to coach the Bears

Mike Singletary said Bears management has struggled because “they don’t know football,” and he believes he can help get them on track.

The Chicago Bears are searching for a new head coach following the firing of Matt Nagy a couple of weeks ago. While it appears they’re nearing the end of their search, there’s someone else who wants to throw their name into the ring — Bears great and Hall of Famer Mike Singletary.

Singletary spoke to The Athletic‘s Dan Pompei, where he shared his desire for a second chance to serve as a head coach in the NFL. And there’s no place he’d rather coach than in Chicago.

Singletary apparently called Bears Chairman George McCaskey a couple of weeks ago to express his desire for a chance to interview for the job.

“You know why I’m calling,” Singletary told McCaskey. “I’m ready to lead this team to a championship.”

But, per Pompei, McCaskey was noncommittal about an interview.

Singletary said the management has struggled because “they don’t know football,” and he believes he can help get the franchise back on track.

“I believe I can be one of the greatest coaches ever, a better coach than I was a player,” the Hall of Famer said. “There’s no doubt in my mind. I’ve had experience, and more importantly, I’ve failed. I really believe now is the time for Mike Singletary and the Bears to come together again and for them to trust me again with the organization.”

But it doesn’t sound like it’s in the cards for Singletary…at least this time around. The Bears already have three finalists for head coach, and new general manager Ryan Poles appears close to choosing his guy.

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Mike Singletary says 49ers, Steelers had trade in place for Ben Roethlisberger

Mike Singletary said the #49ers could’ve traded for Ben Roethlisberger in 2009, but he turned it down.

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The history of the 49ers and the NFL nearly took a dramatic turn in 2009 during Mike Singletary’s first year as the team’s head coach. Instead of rolling forward with former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith, San Francisco had the option of trading for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Singletary in a story with The Athletic made the franchise-altering decision to reject the trade. Via The Athletic’s Dan Pompei:

Quarterback Alex Smith was in his fifth season in Singletary’s first full year as head coach. The former first pick of the draft had been a massive disappointment, and moving on would have been best for all. But Singletary liked Smith, saw his potential, and knew he had worked with four coordinators in his first four years. He wanted to give him a chance, and he told him he would.

Then, 49ers owner John York, CEO Jed York, director of player personnel Trent Baalke and other executives called Singletary to a meeting. They had a trade in place with the Steelers for Ben Roethlisberger, who had recently been accused of sexual assault. Singletary vetoed the deal.

He felt an obligation to Smith, and he also believed he needed to stand for what he had been preaching.

“I had been telling the team I wanted a team of character,” he says. “I felt I had to be true to that. But if I could do it again, I’d do it differently.”

Singletary lists a slew of mistakes he made during his head-coaching tenure, but given that he’d operate differently if given the chance to do it again, it’s hard to imagine one is more damaging from an on-field perspective than the decision to veto a trade for Roethlisberger.

San Francisco struggled at the quarterback position during Singletary’s two seasons as head coach. In 2009 the 49ers completed 59.1 percent of their throws for 3,293 yards, 23 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Smith started 10 games that year. Shaun Hill started the other six.

Things didn’t get better in 2010 with Alex Smith (10 starts), Troy Smith (six starts) and David Carr (one game) completed 56.4 percent of their throws for 3,613 yards with 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.

In that same two-year span Roethlisberger, who was 27 in 2009, completed 64.5 percent of his passes and averaged 3,764 yards, 21.5 touchdowns and 8.5 interceptions per season in 27 games. Since 2009 he’s also been to six Pro Bowls and gone to the playoffs eight times. He would’ve been a dramatic improvement under center for San Francisco.

Singletary’s reasoning for shying away from the trade was sound. Not wanting to take on a player accused of sexual assault is a logical decision. Sticking with Smith and trying to piece together a QB room with Hill and Troy Smith as backups is still an issue worth regretting.

What-ifs are always going to be part of sports, and a Roethlisberger trade may not have saved Singletary or brought the 49ers a championship. It’s a question worth pondering though since the ripple effects would sent tidal waves of change across the NFL over the past decade.

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Report: The Bears are losing RB coach Charles London to the Falcons

The Chicago Bears are looking at replacing more than one member of Matt Nagy’s coaching staff this offseason.

The Chicago Bears are looking at replacing more than one member of Matt Nagy’s coaching staff this offseason. While the Bears are currently searching for Chuck Pagano’s replacement at defensive coordinator, Chicago is due to lose a couple of offensive coaches.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Atlanta Falcons are expected to hire Bears running backs coach Charles London. London would join new head coach Arthur Smith’s coaching staff as quarterbacks coach.

London isn’t the only coach the Falcons are taking from the Bears. Passing coordinator Dave Ragone is expected to join Atlanta as their new offensive coordinator, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

There have also been rumblings of defensive line coach Jay Rodgers leaving Chicago for the Los Angeles Chargers, where he would reunite with former Bears outside linebackers coach and new Chargers head coach Brandon Staley.

That would leave the Bears with four openings on staff, including defensive coordinator. Chicago has interviewed several candidates already, including Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon, former New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator James Bettcher and Bears legend Mike Singletary.

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Report: Bears DL coach Jay Rodgers expected to depart for Chargers

With the Bears in the midst of a search for a new defensive coordinator, they’ll also be in the hunt for a new defensive line coach.

With the Chicago Bears in the midst of a search for a new defensive coordinator to replace a retired Chuck Pagano, it sounds like they’ll also be in the hunt for a new defensive line coach.

According to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs, defensive line coach Jay Rodgers is expected to reunite with former Bears outside linebackers coach Brandon Staley, who was hired as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. Biggs didn’t specify the specific role, but it could be defensive coordinator.

Rodgers has overseen some impressive defensive line units and has been integral in the development of the likes of Eddie Goldman, Bilal Nichols, Roy Robertson-Harris and Nick Williams, among others.

It was previously reported that passing game coordinator Dave Ragone could be headed to the Atlanta Falcons, where he’s a favorite to land the offensive coordinator role under new head coach Arthur Smith.

Also according to Biggs, Bears running backs coach Charles London could also be headed to the Falcons.

The Bears are currently searching for a defensive coordinator to succeed Pagano, and they’ve already conducted some interviews. According to The Athletic, Chicago has interviewed former Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants defensive coordinator James Bettcher, Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon and Bears legend Mike Singletary for defensive coordinator this week.

Rodgers, along with safeties coach Sean Desai, was once thought to be a favorite in-house candidate to land the defensive coordinator position, but that doesn’t sound likely now.

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Report: Bears interviewed Mike Singletary for defensive coordinator position

According to The Athletic, Chicago interviewed former defensive legend Mike Singletary for their vacant defensive coordinator position.

The Chicago Bears are on the hunt for their next defensive coordinator following Chuck Pagano’s retirement, and there have been several intriguing candidates. But none more intriguing than a former Super Bowl champion that knows a thing or two about great defenses.

Chicago has interviewed Bears legend Mike Singletary for their defensive coordinator vacancy, according to The Athletic’s Adam Jahns.

Singletary played his entire 11-year career with the Bears from 1981-92. Singletary hasn’t coached in the NFL since 2016, when he served as a defensive assistant for the Los Angeles Rams.

Singletary first got his coaching start as linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens before  spent several years in San Francisco, where he served as assistant head coach and linebackers coach with the 49ers from 2005-08. Singletary also served as San Francisco’s interim head coach in 2008 before being promoted to head coach from 2009-10.

Then in 2011, Singletary reunited with former teammate Leslie Frazier in Minnesota, where he served as his special assistant and coached the linebackers from 2011-13.

According to Jahns, the Bears interviewed Indianapolis Colts defensive backs coach Jonathan Gannon on Tuesday and James Bettcher on Monday for the defensive coordinator vacancy.

It’s also reported that defensive line coach Jay Rodgers and safeties coach Sean Desai are the favorite in-house candidates to succeed Pagano as defensive coordinator.

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Vote for Houston to beat Denver in Round 1 of the Homegrown Legends Tournament

The No. 1 Houston Texans take on the No. 16 Denver Broncos in Round 1 of Touchdown Wire’s Homegrown Legends Tournament. Vote to ensure the Texans win.

Raise your hand if you knew the Houston Texans were also taking on the Denver Broncos this week.

In Touchdown Wire’s Homegrown Legends tournament, they are. A continuation of the Homegrown Legends series that imagines NFL greats going home as virtual players for their hometown NFL teams, the legends teams will take each other on in 32-team, single-elimination bracket broken up by conference.

Check out how dominant the Texans are. Andrew Luck is throwing to Cliff Branch, or Vince Young is running the option with Eric Dickerson in the backfield. On defense, Michael Strahan and Brian Orakpo are getting after quarterbacks while Mike Singletary and Casey Hampton shut down the run.

But the Broncos could give Houston a run for money. After all, Denver does have Christian McCaffrey in the backfield.

Vote now to ensure the Texans get a win this week.