Bears One of Three Teams in On Plax ?

[Balance-a-Bull]

If you really want to win... sometimes you have a chance on top tier talent with excess baggage and manage them differently than anyone else if they can perform at an elite level at their position on Sundays.

The Bulls compromised and did it with Rodman .... who helped them win 3 championships....so it can be done with a coach understanding the players' nuisances and making adjustments.

I am willing to take chance on a high risk high reward player that will give us a better chance of winning...... than settling on low risk low reward player with good character that lessens your chance of winning.

We all have flaws.

I would still take a chance on Burress and give him incentive based contract. We have a chance to really make some noise with him on the team.

We do not have many options based on what is available and he is the best available (and still a top talent)....so if are intent on winning, we should at least give it a try.

[TNBT]

If you really want to win... sometimes you have a chance on top tier talent with excess baggage and manage them differently than anyone else if they can perform at an elite level at their position on Sundays.

The Bulls compromised and did it with Rodman .... who helped them win 3 championships....so it can be done with a coach understanding the players' nuisances and making adjustments.

I am willing to take chance on a high risk high reward player that will give us a better chance of winning...... than settling on low risk low reward player with good character that lessens your chance of winning.

We all have flaws.

I would still take a chance on Burress and give him incentive based contract. We have a chance to really make some noise with him on the team.

We do not have many options based on what is available and he is the best available (and still a top talent)....so if are intent on winning, we should at least give it a try.

I understand what you're saying, but I think the Rodman thing is different. With Dennis, we had a guy who, I believe, is the greatest coach of all time when it comes to managing and meshing players personalities and egos and forming them into a cohesive unit. Do you think Lovie (and the rest of the staff) are really on Phil's level in this area?

[Balance-a-Bull]

If you really want to win... sometimes you have a chance on top tier talent with excess baggage and manage them differently than anyone else if they can perform at an elite level at their position on Sundays.

The Bulls compromised and did it with Rodman .... who helped them win 3 championships....so it can be done with a coach understanding the players' nuisances and making adjustments.

I am willing to take chance on a high risk high reward player that will give us a better chance of winning...... than settling on low risk low reward player with good character that lessens your chance of winning.

We all have flaws.

I would still take a chance on Burress and give him incentive based contract. We have a chance to really make some noise with him on the team.

We do not have many options based on what is available and he is the best available (and still a top talent)....so if are intent on winning, we should at least give it a try.

I understand what you're saying, but I think the Rodman thing is different. With Dennis, we had a guy who, I believe, is the greatest coach of all time when it comes to managing and meshing players personalities and egos and forming them into a cohesive unit. Do you think Lovie (and the rest of the staff) are really on Phil's level in this area?

No.
I understand your point about the ability of Phil's staff to handle the situation.... and
I purposely did not mention Lovie and his staff as they not in the same zip code as Phil's staff.

I also hold the belief that Phil is the best coach of all time .... and maybe Lovie should contact him to get a few pointers on how to deal with egos and players of his ilk.

Phil is pondering retirement, so maybe he could teach some Coaching 101 classes about dealing egos like Jordan, Bryant or a Burress.

I was hoping that a combination of players and the coaching staff could handle the task of managing the situation.

We sometimes have to make bold moves to improve, I know their is a risk involved.....but sometimes you have to take them to get ahead.

If it does not work and we have to part ways , at least we tried......or if we manage to handle the situation well and it paid dividends .....we can be handsomely rewarded.

[Cliff Levingston]

The comments by Tim Hasselback give Cliff Levingston pause as well. Coughlin, although he's said to have mellowed out a bit, is one of the strictest coaches in the league yet Plaxico still pulled that crap. If Plax hasn't changed at all since then, Lovie seems like the kinda guy who'll let himself get walked all over.

You're right though Balance-a-Bull, you've got to take some chances if you want to win a superbowl. Cliff Levingston is pretty neutral on the subject now. If we get him then it better be on an incentive heavy contract. If not, no big deal; we'll get someone next season.

[TNBT]

No.
I understand your point about the ability of Phil's staff to handle the situation.... and
I purposely did not mention Lovie and his staff as they not in the same zip code as Phil's staff.

I also hold the belief that Phil is the best coach of all time .... and maybe Lovie should contact him to get a few pointers on how to deal with egos and players of his ilk.

Phil is pondering retirement, so maybe he could teach some Coaching 101 classes about dealing egos like Jordan, Bryant or a Burress.

I was hoping that a combination of players and the coaching staff could handle the task of managing the situation.

We sometimes have to make bold moves to improve, I know their is a risk involved.....but sometimes you have to take them to get ahead.

If it does not work and we have to part ways , at least we tried......or if we manage to handle the situation well and it paid dividends .....we can be handsomely rewarded.

I understand what you're saying, and for the most part I agree with you. I just wanted to present that article and see what your opinion was.

[SportsWorld]

The New England Patriots had a 16-0 season after taking a (what was considered at the time) pretty big risk in Randy Moss. Obviously Plaxico isn't Randy Moss, but he was a huge part of that Super Bowl winning Giants team 2 years ago.

[emperorjones]

If Plax hasn't changed at all since then, Lovie seems like the kinda guy who'll let himself get walked all over.

I actually think Lovie's style commands more respect from the undisciplined types. He's like that disappointed parent that never raises his voice but just makes you feel bad inside

[Posey H8er]

If Plax hasn't changed at all since then, Lovie seems like the kinda guy who'll let himself get walked all over.

I actually think Lovie's style commands more respect from the undisciplined types. He's like that disappointed parent that never raises his voice but just makes you feel bad inside

Exactly what I was going to say. It's harder for players to respect a coach who yells his ass off at them before they know them on a personal level.

[Balance-a-Bull]

Here is an article posted a few days ago on Yahoo Sports about the Plax situation.

Based on the information provided in the article we should have the upper hand in landing him based on superior QB play and chance of winning.

We just need to offer the better (incentive -based) deal.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=y ... &type=lgns

NFP: Bears, Bucs best fits for Burress

By Matt Bowen, The National Football Post Jun 17, 2:24 pm EDT

On Monday in New York, a judge delayed the trial of former New York Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress(notes) until late September, and there’s talk now that he might not face an actual trial until 2010, setting off wide speculation that he’ll play NFL football in 2009.

But where? Is there a team that will take on the risk that Burress might miss time due to either the legal system or the disciplinary action that could be handed down by the league office? That’s what we have to wait for, folks.

Photo Burress had 35 receptions for the Giants last season.
(The Star-Ledger/US Presswire)

Once commissioner Roger Goodell makes a decision one way or another about suspending Burress in 2009, I believe it will turn into a race – a money race – to get him into uniform because of a simple, well-known fact in the NFL: Several teams could use the services of a red zone receiver like Burress.

At this time of the offseason, the talent level available on the free-agent market is slim – almost nil – when it comes to finding a player who can provide an impact to your team in the upcoming season.

However, Burress breaks that mold. He has Pro Bowl talent and a Super Bowl ring, and despite what you think about his off-the-field actions, he can produce – and that’s the bottom line on Sundays.

In saying that, let’s look at some possible destinations for Burress in 2009.

Chicago Bears: It’s no secret the Bears could use a Pro Bowl threat on the outside to go along with new quarterback Jay Cutler(notes). This is a run-first team, but outside of their dynamic tight ends and running back Matt Forte(notes), their receiving corps is lacking in experience and overall talent. Yes, Cutler would benefit, but I believe that wide receiver Devin Hester(notes) could develop into a great talent who could be used in the intermediate passing game, where he would get the ball in space, and in matchups he would win with Burress as the No. 1 option in Chicago.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs have a new coach in Raheem Morris – a young coach who should be willing to take chances – and they could use a talent like Burress to complement receiver Antonio Bryant(notes) as he builds on his breakout season of 2008. Yes, Tampa Bay needs to figure out who will be under center on opening day between Byron Leftwich(notes) and Luke McCown(notes), but whomever they chose will be that much more effective with Burress and Bryant together on the outside. I like that combo – and would hate to face the pair.

[Chewie]

If Plax hasn't changed at all since then, Lovie seems like the kinda guy who'll let himself get walked all over.

I actually think Lovie's style commands more respect from the undisciplined types. He's like that disappointed parent that never raises his voice but just makes you feel bad inside

Let it all out, emperor. Clearly this thread has hit close to home for you.