2014-15 NFC North/NFL Thread

[brandx]

I heard a very interesting point in regards to Virginia's death.

The inheritance tax may be a huge blow to the McCaskey's cash flow, and could force them to sell the remainder of the franchise to Patrick Ryan.

That's what I was referring to earlier with the infighting. Some of the kids want to keep the team in the family and some will want the $$$ from selling the team. Virginia's got 11 kids plus I think there are some kids from Halas Jr. as well. As of now, there is NO concensus with them.

[brandx]

Definitely could be an issue. The McCaskey's don't have outside business interests and are not independently wealth. There's also issues in regards to the percentage of team ownership after Virginia's death, since the shares of the franchise will be split 11 ways. This article outlines some of the challenges: http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-07-28/sports/ct-spt-0728-bears-chicago-sports-20130728_1_mccaskeys-bears-many-family-businesses

13 ways.

[🏀]

Hub Arkush said the other day that the Ryan's are the preferred buyer of the team, if they sell, and likely wouldn't open up to offers.

[RJax55]

That's what I was referring to earlier with the infighting. Some of the kids want to keep the team in the family and some will want the $$$ from selling the team. Virginia's got 11 kids plus I think there are some kids from Halas Jr. as well. As of now, there is NO concensus with them.

That makes sense. I thought you were referring to the football operation with the infighting.

[brandx]

That makes sense. I thought you were referring to the football operation with the infighting.

No prob.

[DegenerateDish]

It's been a while since I've been on here, but had a few minutes this afternoon to catch up on the interweb.

When Virginia passes away, the McCaskey family, under NFL ownership rules, will have no owner. No one child or member of the family will own each of a percentage to be a principal owner. Of the top of my head, and someone can correct me, I believe it's 10%. I think I posted it a few months back. The Bears have already worked with the NFL to ensure that a solution can be reached when this comes up (from what I've heard).

Someone would have to give something up, either one of the kids, or the Ryan/McKenna team.

I can tell you first hand from working with members of that family, albeit now 14 years ago, the majority of them still have no business running an NFL team nor want to. Some of them enjoy it (George, Brian to name a couple), but I believe they will collectively decide to sell.

If it's not Ryan/McKenna that becomes majority owner, I'd bet the first thing the new owner does is try to hold the city hostage on the awful stadium agreement (that heavily favors the city).

Hope everyone is doing well.

[RJax55]

It's been a while since I've been on here, but had a few minutes this afternoon to catch up on the interweb.

When Virginia passes away, the McCaskey family, under NFL ownership rules, will have no owner. No one child or member of the family will own each of a percentage to be a principal owner. Of the top of my head, and someone can correct me, I believe it's 10%. I think I posted it a few months back. The Bears have already worked with the NFL to ensure that a solution can be reached when this comes up (from what I've heard).

Someone would have to give something up, either one of the kids, or the Ryan/McKenna team.

I can tell you first hand from working with members of that family, albeit now 14 years ago, the majority of them still have no business running an NFL team nor want to. Some of them enjoy it (George, Brian to name a couple), but I believe they will collectively decide to sell.

If it's not Ryan/McKenna that becomes majority owner, I'd bet the first thing the new owner does is try to hold the city hostage on the awful stadium agreement (that heavily favors the city).

Hope everyone is doing well.

Was looking forward to your comments about this. Praying for your family.

Do you think that George has enough cloud in the family to hold onto the team? I've been under the impression that Virginia moved him up because she thought George could do that.

[DegenerateDish]

Thanks man, very much appreciated.

Once Virginia passes, it's going to get messy. Virginia more or less has tasked George with sorting it out as the lead. I'll put it this way, if there wasn't a lead McCaskey, things would probably wind up in court quickly.

My guess, and it's just a guess, is the family has a specific plan for the 30% share that Virginia owns/controls. Publicly, the family is going to say they're keeping the team. That's just smart and sound business. Privately though, there's way too many hands in the cookie jar, and too many people who have no real knowledge of owning an NFL franchise. As the family gets older too, the shares get more diluted as they are passed on to grandkids (like after Tim McCaskey passed a few years ago).

Will be very interesting to see how it plays out long term.

[brandx]

Welcome back Dish. I hope and pray your son is doing well.

The Bears biggest problem is that an accountant is in charge. Sure, Emery is the GM, but he reports to an accountant and that is not a recipe for success. They need a separation of powers similar to GB. If they want to keep Phillips, fine. But they need a  man with equal powers to Phillips to run the football side of things. He needs to be a football lifer (a la Wolf or Thompson) and needs complete autonomy in football affairs.

It would do no good to get rid of Emery when Phillips would be picking the next GM.

[jesmu84]

Welcome back Dish. I hope and pray your son is doing well.

The Bears biggest problem is that an accountant is in charge. Sure, Emery is the GM, but he reports to an accountant and that is not a recipe for success. They need a separation of powers similar to GB. If they want to keep Phillips, fine. But they need a  man with equal powers to Phillips to run the football side of things. He needs to be a football lifer (a la Wolf or Thompson) and needs complete autonomy in football affairs.

It would do no good to get rid of Emery when Phillips would be picking the next GM.

+1

[GGGG]

So it looks like Arizona may have lost Drew Stanton as well.  I was thinking that this could give the Packers some breathing room if they lose Sunday (which they very well might) as long as they win their final two games.

At worst, they would own the tie breakers against Philly (head to head) or Dallas (conference record).  And even if Arizona manages to keep even with Green Bay, and that will be tough for them, being the #2 with Arizona as the #1 wouldn't be all bad.

The problem is that I am guessing that Seattle runs the table (v. SF, @ AZ, v. StL) and will finish 12-4.  And I don't want to play there again. 

So I am thinking that the Packers can't have a loss Sunday.

[hairy worthen]

So it looks like Arizona may have lost Drew Stanton as well.  I was thinking that this could give the Packers some breathing room if they lose Sunday (which they very well might) as long as they win their final two games.

At worst, they would own the tie breakers against Philly (head to head) or Dallas (conference record).  And even if Arizona manages to keep even with Green Bay, and that will be tough for them, being the #2 with Arizona as the #1 wouldn't be all bad.

The problem is that I am guessing that Seattle runs the table (v. SF, @ AZ, v. StL) and will finish 12-4.  And I don't want to play there again. 

So I am thinking that the Packers can't have a loss Sunday.

Seahawks will lose at least one more game. Possibly against SF, maybe Arizona if the Cardinals can figure out a way to score over 10 points, or maybe even St Louis. St Louis impresses me. Fischer has done a great job with that team. If they get a QB, they will be formidable in the future.

[tower912]

As Detroit and Green Bay move towards their season finale in Lambeau, let me toss this little stat out there.   Matthew Stafford has never won a road game against a team with a >.500 winning percentage.   Detroit needs to win the next two weeks against the Vikings and Bears or they will be sitting home this year.   They need them both because I don't think 10 wins will be enough. 

[hairy worthen]

As Detroit and Green Bay move towards their season finale in Lambeau, let me toss this little stat out there.   Matthew Stafford has never won a road game against a team with a >.500 winning percentage.   Detroit needs to win the next two weeks against the Vikings and Bears or they will be sitting home this year.   They need them both because I don't think 10 wins will be enough. 

Dallas has Philly and Indy still on the schedule. They could easily go 10-6, not sure who would go to the playoffs between Detroit and Dallas if they both finished 10-6.  It will be a mute point because Detroit will go 11-5 and be the wild card team with Arizona at 11-5. I can't see the lions winning at Green Bay unless the Packers have everything wrapped up.

[RJax55]

 Detroit needs to win the next two weeks against the Vikings and Bears or they will be sitting home this year.   They need them both because I don't think 10 wins will be enough. 

Tower, don't worry about the Bears game. The Bears are currently in a full-out, Raiders and Redskins-like, meltdown mode. Here's the latest gem: http://deadspin.com/bears-oc-gives-tearful-apology-for-criticizing-jay-cutl-1670246085

[GGGG]

Tower, don't worry about the Bears game. The Bears are currently in a full-out, Raiders and Redskins-like, meltdown mode. Here's the latest gem: http://deadspin.com/bears-oc-gives-tearful-apology-for-criticizing-jay-cutl-1670246085

The very first comment under that.

"I'm a Lions fan, and this is the most dysfunctional thing I've ever seen in the NFC North."

[RJax55]

The very first comment under that.

"I'm a Lions fan, and this is the most dysfunctional thing I've ever seen in the NFC North."

Yeah, its bad. Simply, Marc Trestman is not cut out to be a NFL head coach. He lacks control, accountability and has garnered no respect with both his players and coaches.

[MU B2002]

Tower, don't worry about the Bears game. The Bears are currently in a full-out, Raiders and Redskins-like, meltdown mode. Here's the latest gem: http://deadspin.com/bears-oc-gives-tearful-apology-for-criticizing-jay-cutl-1670246085

And I thought the players had no respect for Trestman and Tucker.  Cromer might have stolen the show.

[GGGG]

From what I understand, Bruce Arians wanted that job, but the Bears insisted that he hire Mel Tucker.  And Mel Tucker was required to play the Tampa Two defense last year.

Seriously, what organization does this?  Where has stuff like this *ever* worked?

[RJax55]

From what I understand, Bruce Arians wanted that job, but the Bears insisted that he hire Mel Tucker.  And Mel Tucker was required to play the Tampa Two defense last year.

Seriously, what organization does this?  Where has stuff like this *ever* worked?

Why, simplistic thinking. "We can get rid of Lovie, but keep his defense. Results will be roughly the same." The vets on defense last year, Briggs, Peppers, Tillman, never brought into that. Doomed from the start.

[MerrittsMustache]

From what I understand, Bruce Arians wanted that job, but the Bears insisted that he hire Mel Tucker.  And Mel Tucker was required to play the Tampa Two defense last year.

Seriously, what organization does this?  Where has stuff like this *ever* worked?

The Bears actually wanted Arians to keep Rod Marinelli as DC and continue running the Tampa 2, which was ridiculous to begin with because Marinelli wasn't going to stick around without Lovie.

The Bears also made coaching candidates go through a mock press conference during their interviews. Apparently, doing a majority of the Colts' pressers while winning NFL Coach of the Year wasn't good enough.

Make no mistake, Arians wanted to be the head coach of the Bears, but the Bears botched it.



BTW, how is Kromer still employed by the Bears?

[RJax55]

BTW, how is Kromer still employed by the Bears?

Because there's no accountability under Trestman.

Frankly, I hope it gets worse. Sadly, I think the Bears are going to keep Trestman. However, stuff like this makes it very, very difficult for Phil Emery & co. to sell the idea of another year. Its one thing to lose games, its another to completely lose control of your team.

[GGGG]

The Bears actually wanted Arians to keep Rod Marinelli as DC and continue running the Tampa 2, which was ridiculous to begin with because Marinelli wasn't going to stick around without Lovie.

The Bears also made coaching candidates go through a mock press conference during their interviews. Apparently, doing a majority of the Colts' pressers while winning NFL Coach of the Year wasn't good enough.

That's right.  Thanks.

Forgot about the mock press conference.  Hilarious. 

[ChitownSpaceForRent]

I'll be more then a little upset if Trestman gets another year. Agree, it's one thing to lose games but Trestman has no control over the locker room. What a joke of a season. I feel bad for Forte.

[only a warrior]

I'll be more then a little upset if Trestman gets another year. Agree, it's one thing to lose games but Trestman has no control over the locker room. What a joke of a season. I feel bad for Forte.

Hear you Juan - as a Packers fan behind the FIB curtain, I at least want this rivalry to be competitive.  Not even close right now and it is sad how far the Bears have fallen.  I hope the next management team gets it right.