Looks like there's bad blood between Rivera and Lovie Smith

[Sam Mills Fan]

http://blogs.charlotte.com/panthers/2011/09/lovie-smith-decision-to-let-rivera-go-was-not-personal.html

Rivera was not Smith's first choice as defensive coordinator when he arrived in Chicago in 2004. Smith wanted to hire Rod Marinelli, but Tampa Bay would not let him out of his contract.

So the Bears front office encouraged Smith to bring in Rivera, who played his entire nine-year career with the organization. Rivera was the coordinator for three years, including in 2006 when the Bears went to the Super Bowl.

But Smith chose not to renew Rivera's contract after the Super Bowl season. Instead, he promoted Bob Babich, and Rivera was hired as a linebackers coach in San Diego.

When a reporter asked Smith about not retaining Rivera, Smith said: “I'll tell you, we're really living in the past today.”

“Ron Rivera did a great job for us when he was here,” Smith added. “Each year, you as a head coach decide on what direction you're going forward. That's what I decided. I went in a different direction there.

“No more than that – nothing personal. I wasn't disappointed in the job he did here. It's worked out for both of us.”

Lovie Smith's remarks on Greg Olsen are at the link too and it reads like he took a shot at Olsen too by saying he's just a pass-catching tight end.

With as often as we trade with Chicago and as often as our players go there and vice versa, it seems like there's bad blood between lots of people on both teams, both players and coaches. Should be fun on Sunday.

[PackPanther]

I agree. Did you listen to the press call with J. Peppers on panthers.com. I really made me sick how much of a asshole Pep is. I mean I really hope we go out there and crush that whole team

[Cat'sGrowl]

I am completely convinced Lovie fired Rivera to protect himself. Lovie's been on the hot seat since he went to Chicago. Having Rivera there made it hotter.

[Cat'sGrowl]

If Lovie wants a war sunday, we'll give him one.

[Car123]

He was scared Rivera might get promoted to head coach.

Thanks for releasing him though. :D

[dimbee]

*yawn*

I don't read bad blood anywhere in anything Lovie said about Chico or Olsen.

*shrug*

[4Corners]

He was scared Rivera might get promoted to head coach.

Thanks for releasing him though. :D

this

[rayzor]

good bit of reading between the lines there, dontcha think?

oh well...SMASH! KILL! DESTROY!!!!!!

[rayzor]

*yawn*

I don't read bad blood anywhere in anything Lovie said about Chico or Olsen.

*shrug*

didn't see that either.

[Doyle]

I am completely convinced Lovie fired Rivera to protect himself. Lovie's been on the hot seat since he went to Chicago. Having Rivera there made it hotter.

I agree. Managers of any kind will fire people so the finger isn't pointed at them.

[Sam Mills Fan]

*yawn*

I don't read bad blood anywhere in anything Lovie said about Chico or Olsen.

*shrug*

No bad blood between Lovie and Olsen, just said Olsen sucked. Olsen said in one of his first interviews when he got here that he was pretty displeased with the Bears organization with how it went down.

And I sure got some bad blood subtext from what he said about Rivera though. Whenever someone refuses to talk about why someone was let go and they use the "went in another direction" line, there's usually something there below the surface that they don't want to discuss publicly.

[CRA]

He was scared Rivera might get promoted to head coach.

Thanks for releasing him though. :D

That make sense. Rivera in Chicago with a the 85 Bear ties, and consecutive seasons w/ a top notch D as the DC for the Bears??

Who would want that temptation for the front office. Probably a smart move by Lovie.

[Sam Mills Fan]

And if you don't think Rivera has a beef with the guy that fired him after he turned that defense into a Super Bowl caliber one so he was forced to move to the other side of the country to take a lower position, you're kidding yourself.

[Sam Mills Fan]

Rivera was fired after the Super Bowl season. Surely Lovie Smith wasn't on the hot seat right after winning the NFC Championship Game right?