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

[dimbee]

The Bears were coming off a Super Bowl appearance. Chico's contract was up. He had interviewed for a large number of HC jobs that year and the year prior. Lovie didn't renew his contract so he could have his own guy (he didn't hire Chico) run the D (though Babich was horrible as DC). Not bad blood. He just wanted his own guy in there.

Some historical insight for those who don't follow the Bears as closely.

[SauceBoss]

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

Is that you personally? Who's this "we"?

[rayzor]

wasn't "fired" contract ran out. lovie went another direction with a guy he knew playing a type of defense he felt better about. he didn't hire rivera...he inherited him. lovie came from the tony dungy/tampa2 school. rivera came from the more aggressive jim johnson school.

just business.

i'm sure he really wants a win going back there and i'm sure he wishes that he could have spent more time there, but as far as bad blood...meh...whatever.

[csx]

He was scared Rivera might get promoted to head coach.

Thanks for releasing him though. :D

That makes no sense. If they wanted to make him the head coach they could just hire him as head coach. Being the DC doesn't make any difference in that equation.

[BeasonBeastingBacks]

Stuff like this makes me glad I found the huddle

[MadHatter]

wasn't "fired" contract ran out. lovie went another direction with a guy he knew playing a type of defense he felt better about. he didn't hire rivera...he inherited him. lovie came from the tony dungy/tampa2 school. rivera came from the more aggressive jim johnson school.

just business.

i'm sure he really wants a win going back there and i'm sure he wishes that he could have spent more time there, but as far as bad blood...meh...whatever.

I agree with you that it was just business from Lovie's side.

However, I GUARANTEE you there is bitterness on Rivera's side.

He was let go and replaced by one of his position coaches. He then had to take a step back as LB coach in SD.

It has worked out for Rivera, but I am sure that Lovie is not on his Christmas Card List.

[Cat'sGrowl]

That makes no sense. If they wanted to make him the head coach they could just hire him as head coach. Being the DC doesn't make any difference in that equation.

It's called hiring from within. Rivera being there allows them to keep consistency with the way things are ran, but you get a more brilliant mind in Rivera overseeing things. Tell Rivera to leave, and he's not as close to home and not as tempting.

[chknwing]

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

Told you I did. JP has always been a d!ck.

[Carolina Husker]

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

lol

[csx]

It's called hiring from within. Rivera being there allows them to keep consistency with the way things are ran, but you get a more brilliant mind in Rivera overseeing things. Tell Rivera to leave, and he's not as close to home and not as tempting.

Makes zero sense.

Speculation for the sake of speculating.

[rayzor]

I agree with you that it was just business from Lovie's side.

However, I GUARANTEE you there is bitterness on Rivera's side.

He was let go and replaced by one of his position coaches. He then had to take a step back as LB coach in SD.

It has worked out for Rivera, but I am sure that Lovie is not on his Christmas Card List.

:lol: ok...if you say so.

btw...just saw this tweet.

KelliBartik Former Bears LB& asst coach-now Panthers HC Ron Rivera-has coached against Bears before. He's 5-and-0 against his old team(4W-Philly/1W-SD)

oh...if you aren't following @KelliBartik on twitter, you should. seems like she's more on the ball than person and others.

[Peppers90 NC]

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?

you gotta know the difference between firing and not renewing a contract before you keep assuming things, but you can look however you wanna look.

people still say fox was fired here and those idiots have no credibility either.

[SmootsDaddy89]

Let's rape his dog.

[rayzor]

let's rape his dog.

grrrr.........