0 Comments

Ted Phillips, “X Factor”

| January 7th, 2010

When the New York Giants finished their season at 8-8, John Mara addressed the New York media with the ferocity of a rabid wolverine.  “I’m less than 24 hours after the end of the season,” he said, “so I’m sure I’ll cool down at some point and try to make intelligent decisions going forward. But obviously I’m not very happy right now. And they know that.”  “They” were two men responsible for a Super Bowl championship only two years earlier: Tom Coughlin and Jerry Reese.


When the Washington Redskins were winding down another in a series of disappointing campaigns, Daniel Snyder fired his most-trusted personnel man (Vinny Cerato) and brought in Bruce Allen (architect some terrific ballclubs in the last decade).  Within seventy-two hours of season’s end, the old coach was out and a Super Bowl champion was in.  Snyder – and nobody else – had had enough.

The Chicago Bears, in my opinion, have no owner.  They have no accountability.  They have Ted Phillips – the CEO & President who until forty-eight hours ago was quite fond of saying he has no influence on the football operations.  Until forty-eight hours ago.  Now Teddy NoGame is going on radio stations and making comments about on-field issues.  And he’s getting specific:

“There’s no doubt that when a player like (Devin) Aromashodu plays in a few games and shows the kind of talent he had, it makes you wonder why he didn’t play earlier. We understand that.”

Who does?  You?  Since when are you qualified to comment on the ability of football players?    I guess the answer is…forty-eight hours ago.  Without a word being spoken by someone who bears the name McCaskey, are Bears fans now to assume that Ted Phillips speaks for the ownership of the Chicago Bears? Is Ted Phillips now responsible for everything that happens within the Chicago Bears organization?  If the Bears open next season 0-5, will Ted Phillips have the authority to expel Jerry Angelo and Lovie Smith from their offices at Halas Hall?


Fans will be somewhat excited about the announcement of two new coordinators.  They will wait to see what changes are made along the offensive line, defensive line and at safety.  But what this organization requires is a father figure.  A papa.  A guy that fans can turn to each other and say, “Don’t worry about it.  X won’t stand for this.  X will fix this.”

If X is Ted Phillips, he can’t disappear at the start of the 2010 season.  He needs to be presently authoritative.  He needs keep the pressure on.  If X is Ted Phillips, I think we’re all in an awful lot of trouble.