Cirque de LeBron - A Circus Fit for a King

Originally, this was going to be a piece focusing on a series of possible outcomes for Decision LeBron Thursday night at 9 on ESPN, written with tongue firmly in cheek. We were going to laugh together, imagining LeBron sitting at a table with baseball caps of each of the potential suitors, like he was a high school recruit. We would chuckle, imagining Stuart Scott as Ryan Seacrest, keeping us hooked until 9:59 PM as he and a panel of NBA experts fawned over LeBron. We would shudder at the sight of James wooing the likes of Mikhail Prokhorov and Dan Gilbert over romantic candlelit dinners as if he were the Bachelor. But, then something struck me, and stopped me dead in my tracks. It was a tweet Tuesday night from the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Brian Windhorst, a man who maybe knows LeBron better than anyone in the media:

@PDcavsinsider Suddenly it is clear to me. LeBron has changed. A new website. Starting Twitter. This announcement. This isn't the guy I know.

Of course, Windhorst is referring to the announcement that James will be creating his own hour-long special on ESPN Thursday night with the sole purpose of announcing his free agency decision. But, that sentiment, that LeBron has suddenly become a different person, has literally been a chilling thought that has slowly sunk in since Tuesday night. Suddenly, LeBron James, the most recognizable athlete in the country, needs a website and a Twitter account to communicate with the masses? Ohio isn't big enough for the King's special, but neither is Bristol, CT...so, he has to host it in the most preppy suburb in the country - Greenwich, CT? A suburb of...New York City? The most famous athlete in the world today needs to become more famous? Something doesn't feel right about this. Clearly, LeBron James is dead and King James has been born in all his royal glory.

LeBron can't just announce his free agency decision like every other free agent in the history of sports, that's not fit for a King. He needs to have Stuart Scott and Jim Gray blow smoke up his a$$ (as if he hasn't been told how great he is since he was 12 years old) for an entire hour. And please, let's not be naive and pretend that this is about raising some money for charity. If LeBron gave two drops in a bucket about charity, he could write a check this second for $10 million and give it to any charity he wanted with no press conferences, no ESPN. No, this "special" is about one thing - inflating LeBron's ever-growing ego. As readers know, I have as little respect for Brett Favre as any other athlete on the planet; but even the Old Man wouldn't stoop to this level to garner attention for himself.

We haven't even factored in what decision the King is even going to make tomorrow night. But, really, we don't need to, because this entire circus has damaged the "brand of LeBron" perhaps irreparably. Think about this farce of a production Thursday night. Is there any scenario where the King doesn't come off as a selfish, self-absorbed egomaniac? Let's say he returns to Cleveland. What's the point of creating an hour special from just outside New York City to celebrate your loyalty to Cleveland, Akron, and the state of Ohio? It makes it seem as if Cleveland isn't big enough for the "brand of LeBron." Like Cleveland should just feel fortunate they are worthy of LeBron for another season, or two, or three, or six. If LeBron were staying, wouldn't it make more sense to humbly announce that you were resigning with the Cavs like Kevin Durant just did with the Thunder? Wouldn't it make sense to not completely put yourself on a pedestal above your teammates and organization? But of course, doing that wouldn't be fit for a King.

Instead, let's imagine LeBron does leave Cleveland on national television. Could you imagine a bigger insult to an entire fan base? Has a professional athlete ever hogged an entire hour of national tv just to break up with his current team? Wouldn't that just be driving a stake through the heart of one of the most downtrodden fan bases in the country? Wouldn't that be the most embarrassing event in your hometown's long sports history... a history you've claimed to be acutely aware of throughout your career? Wouldn't the hometown boy turning his back on everything he's known, without delivering his promised championship, be worse than the Browns being stolen? Wouldn't that be a death knell for a fragile Cleveland economy? If LeBron went through with that, Cleveland fans would have a right to hate LeBron James with a fury felt by no other single person in the world of sports. Don't worry though, I'm sure Jim Gray will be there to soften the blow and remind you all the proceeds of the commercials have gone to charity and that LeBron is still committed to the community of Akron. After all, a historic announcement like this has to be made in a style that's fit for a king.

There will be time enough to analyze the winners and losers the day after, to determine if LeBron made the right choice with his free agency decision. We'll be able to predict how many titles he'll win on his potentially new team. Economists can forecast if LeBron will grow his kingdom enough to become the first billionaire athlete, his true motivation behind tomorrow's decision. Years from now, sports fans across the nation will remember where they were when they were glued to ESPN, like the mindless peasants that sports fans have been forced to become, bowing to the feet of athletes like King James and entities like ESPN.

But sadly, fans may also remember July 8, 2010 as the day a small portion of what makes sports special died. We'll remember the day where the collective success of the team was cast aside for the fame of the individual. We'll remember the beginning of an era where athletes don't just nickname themselves as kings, but actually believe they are royalty, meant to rule over the common masses with a stroke of their mighty hand. See, King James might think he's doing a favor for his followers by flooding his ego with the eyes of millions of viewers on him and the fate of entire cities resting on his every word. But, what he'll really accomplish tomorrow night, no matter where he decides to rest his heavy crown, will be the permanent severing of the connection between fan and athlete. If only, it were fit for a King.

NBA Free Agency Update 7/6

Free agency is sorta kinda officially underway (free agents can't sign until 7/8). Already, some teams have made their moves with terrible signings, some teams have convinced their stars to stay home, but all of the big fish are still left in the pond... even that LeBron guy. So what do we make of the Summer of 2010 so far? Y2 and I will go back and forth and analyze the deals, rumors, and possibilities of NBA free agency!

3 Stars Who Stayed Put

1) Paul Pierce - Boston - 4 yrs $61 Million

Y2: Pierce, the Celtic captain, reupping with Boston was the biggest slam dunk of the offseason feeding frenzy. For a player who has matured into one of the great Celtics in their rich history, Pierce deserves saluted for recognizing his historical importance with this franchise. Would Bird or McHale or Cowens or Havlicek left the Celtics to sign with the Nets for more money? Of course not. Pierce knows this team has one more run left in them and that his resigning with the Celtics cements his legacy as one of the greats.

2) Dirk Nowitzki - Dallas - 4 yrs $80 Million

Y1: Nowitzki, like Pierce, gave his team somewhat of a discount to stay in Dallas. Dirk was really never going to leave and at his age (32), it was unlikely that a marriage with the Nets or Knciks to rebuild around an old star would work. And, let's face it, a Nowitzki-Wade/Lebron marriage was never happening. So, Dirk will continue to be loved in Dallas... and continue to not win a title.

3) Joe Johnson - Atlanta - 6 yrs $119 Million

-Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. On both parts! Atlanta gave a max deal and tied their franchise to a guy that was 17/57 and averaged 10 points per game in the 4 game sweep at the hands of Orlando. You know, the one where the Hawks lost by 25 points per game!!! The one where Joe Johnson bashed the fans of Atlanta while his team was playing like dogs! The Joe Johnson Hawks have clearly maxed out and extending the marriage for 6 years will only drive the both of them further to mediocrity. Johnson would have been much better served joining Amare, Bosh, or heck even Amir Johnson than going back to Atlanta for more playoff beatdowns.

3 Worst Deals

1) Amir Johnson - Tornto - 5 yrs $34 Million

Give the Toronto Raptors credit for being so determined... determined to be the big losers in the Summer of 2010. They've already got a head case on the books in Hedo Turkoglu for years to come. They may let Chris Bosh walk away for nothing. And now, the Raptors sign... Amir Johnson? A player who has averaged 4 PPG and 4 RPG in his illustrious 5 year career. While Johnson has decent athleticism, he is not a player worthy of such a commitment. He's had his chances (playing at least 60 games his last 3 years), but hasn't made a noticeable impact for either Detroit or Toronto. This type of signing is typical of the desperate nature some teams feel this time of year.

2) Darko Milicic - Minnesota - 4 yrs $20 Million

-Darko! How did one of the most infamous draft picks of our lifetime just get a $20 Million contract? Oh, that's right... David Kahn is still the GM of the Timberwolves. Apparently, he finally found a team in Minnesota where he felt at home and let him blossom into a star. Oh, what numbers did he produce for the 15-67 TWolves? 8.3 PPG and 5.5 RPG in 24 games and 18 starts. Don't worry, that's way above his career average of 5.6/4.1. Shrewd signing Kahn, shrewd.

3) Drew Gooden & John Salmons - Milwaukee - 5 yrs $32 Million & 5 yrs $39 Million

-Some will support what the Bucks have done, locking up two solid players to play alongside Brandon Jennings and Andrew Bogut. But, for a young team with real potential, it would have been nice to see them follow the OKC model of patience building around young talent. Instead, they reached for the lowest-hanging fruit, resigning Salmons, and giving Drew Gooden the opportunity to play for his 45th team. Not exactly the way to break into the Eastern conference elite.

3 Headscratchers

1) Richard Jefferson Leaves The Spurs... and $15 Million

-Richard Jefferson might be the greatest poker player the world has ever known, walking away from $15 millioin and the Spurs. Sure, his agent probably told him it was a great idea to cash in before the next collective bargaining agreement, but would any GM commit to RJ for any length of time after his game regressed so clearly this past season? Wait, this is the NBA, where teams give money away to fledgling talent.

2) The Suns Build Around... Channing Frye and Hakim Warrick?

-The Suns evidently could not reach an agreement with Amare Stoudemire - so they went to Plan B. Channing Frye (already on the Suns bench and nothing more than a 3 point specialist) and Hakim Warrick. Yes, I loved Warrick at Syracuse and he would be a good energy guy off the bench. But, he's never going to be Amare Stoudemire. Good luck Alvin Gentry, you'll need it.

3) Chris Bosh Being Chris Bosh

-By far the most confusing player in this entire drama is Chris Bosh and his impending divorce with the Raptors. First, Toronto makes waves that they won't help Bosh leave by participating in a sign-and-trade. Next, Bosh pins his free agency to the coattails of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, basically insisting he'll follow them like a lapdog wherever they want. But, when reports surface today that the Raptors will relent and unite Bosh with James in Cleveland via a trade, "sources" intimate Bosh doesn't want to play in Cleveland.

Can someone please make up Chris Bosh's mind? He wants to play with a contender, but he wants a max deal, which he can only get through a sign-and-trade. He wants to play with LeBron, then he wants to play with Wade, then he wants to play with both. Never has a player inflated his own standing as a "superstar" so completely without any on-court achievements. Sure, Bosh is a nice player, but is he as good as Pau Gasol? I don't think he is. And with this diva act he's pulling this offseason (refusing to communicate with Toronto, wishing to play with another big man who can do the "dirty work", perhaps milking his decision for a documentary) it really makes me wonder if the team who doesn't end up with Chris Bosh might be the big winner in all of this hoopla.

Star Watch

*Amare Stoudemire

-The best fit for Amare was always going to be New York, where he signed a 5 year deal for $100 Million range. Umm... not exactly the guy that you tanked two years to get. Yipes. Now the pressure is really on the Knicks to find another piece to pair with Amare. Amare thinks that if he doesn't get LBJ this Summer that he'll get Carmelo Anthony and Tony Parker next Summer? Well Knicks fans, there's always the Summer of 2015 when John Wall becomes a free agent!

*Dwyane Wade

-Wade was thought to be the one sure bet amongst the big 3 targets. But, his flirtation with his hometwon Bulls may throw a monkey wrench into Pat Riley's plans for a troika of stars in South Beach. Expect Wade to be tempted by joining the Bulls with Bosh, but its more likely he stays loyal to Riles and tries to recruit players to add to Miami's 2 man roster.

*Chris Bosh

-Y2 is right, Chris Bosh is starting to annoy me. His constant twittering and pandering to the media is getting on my nerves (and evidently that of Toronto). Evidently, he's making a movie/documentary about the whole free agency process too, great. He seems more concerned with making a name for himself off the court than anything else. He wants to ride the coattails of Wade and LeBron to fame and championships. Bosh has shown up with Wade more than a few times (they share the same agent, although maybe he just finds Wade by coincidence during these meetings with teams) so it looks like that he'll join up with him in either Chicago or Miami. Right now, I would lean towards Chicago as the destination for both.

*LeBron James

-LeBron has heard all of the suitors come and go like it was some bizzare cross of the Bachelor and a series of congressional hearings. Two teams seem to have played themselves out, the Clippers because they're the Clippers, and the Knicks, with or without Amare. That leaves the Nets, Bulls, Heat, and Cavs. By all accounts, the Cavs Family Guy-style cartoon pitch hit close to the King's heart. But, with every passing day, all of Ohio grows more and more nervous. A quick decision would seem to favor sticking with the Cavs. But, it seems James is going to be deliberate as always, waiting to get a sense of where Bosh and Wade will land to make a decision. One thing is for sure, the Cavs could follow James around for the next week with planted fans and signs, but it won't make the King's decision for him. If anything, it comes off as desperate and tacky. Watch where James goes this next week. If he leaves Cleveland, I mean physically leaves the city, then he's gone. Maybe Dan Gilbert should just build a fence around all of NE Ohio. But, the sense that LeBron is trying to recruit Bosh to Cleveland might be the most convincing sign yet as to where LeBron will go.

Who Really is LeBron James?

The sports world now waits with bated breath as the hour approaches midnight on July 1st. NBA free agency begins, and perhaps the biggest free agent in the history of sports, LeBron James, is opening himself up to all suitors. We've heard the rumors, stories, and predictions as to where the King will reign this upcoming season. With all of the questions surrounding his impending free agency, it's impossible to know where he'll ultimately call home. But, wherever he does land will answer the most intriguing question of all, who really is LeBron James?

Is LeBron a hometown savior?

-If the answer is yes, Lebron will stay in Cleveland with a maximum contract for the maximum length in order to work towards retiring as a Cavalier. All along, Cleveland fans have pinned their hope on Flight #23 ending the championship drought that has hung over their city for over 40 years. And while LeBron certainly has become a citywide, statewide, and nationwide icon without delivering that championship, staying in Cleveland and winning that elusive title would make him an eternally divine figure in the history of Cleveland sports. The importance of being the savior for his hometown fan base can't be underestimated, no matter how many max slots teams like Miami and Chicago have. No championship would mean more to the King, or any fan base in the country, than a Cavs championship.

Is LeBron a puppet for other interests?

-If the answer is yes, Cavs fans should kiss goodbye to LeBron. The reason Cavs fans can feel uncertain over the King deserting his team is the influence of his other "team". Just minutes after being eliminated from this year's playoffs, LeBron already seemed more in tune with his cast of thousands advising him than his Cavs team that had just been upset. This crew of agents, businessmen, cronies, and the elusive, but influential World Wide Wes (seen above holding insane Ron Artest at Malice in the Palace) will certainly have an influence over LeBron's decision. If reports are to be believed, World Wide Wes has the ear of LeBron and is pushing him towards a bigger market, specifically Chicago. Meanwhile, his childhood friend and business partner Maverick Carter was rumored to be pushing LeBron to L.A. and the Clippers. So, who will ultimately make this decision? Will LeBron be tempted by these outside sources of influence to shun his hometown team for supposedly greener pastures? If so, he may only be accepting an apple from a serpent.

Is LeBron not afraid to walk in the shadows of greatness?

-If the answer is yes, then LeBron James will sign with the Chicago Bulls. The Bulls have the young talent in Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah that the Cavs do not. They have the ability to sign another elite player (Bosh, Boozer, Amare, Joe Johnson), which Cleveland does not. There's one thing that would be held over LeBron's head the moment he walked through the door in Chicago.

That's right, Michael Jordan, the greatest basketball player who's ever lived. From his entrance into the NBA, to his choice of #23, LeBron has seemed to embrace the inevitable comparisons with MJ. But, playing in a building where his statue waits outside its doors? Living up to that comparison each and every night? Knowing that anything short of 6 championships would be viewed as a failure? That might be a crown too heavy for even the self-described King to wear.

Is LeBron a businessman first, a basketball player second?

-If the answer to this question is yes, LeBron will be calling the greater New York area his home. Much has been made about LeBron James's interest in becoming the first billionaire athlete (although with Tiger's wife about to rake in $750 million in a divorce settlement that might be debateable). LeBron not only counts other pro athletes amongst his friends, but also rap mogul/Nets part-owner Jay-Z (who along with LeBron have referred to themselves as the "Two Kings") and investor Warren Buffett. There's some doubt that LeBron's first priority is basketball, instead of building the brand of LeBron. If LeBron's priority is his business, he'll sign with the biggest market (the Knicks) or the owner who can build his brand worldwide, the Nets and Russian owner Mikhail Prokhorov. However, each of these options will only prove LeBron is not about the championships, because these teams won't be competing for titles anytime soon, with or without the King.

Is LeBron just a prima donna attention hog?

-If the answer to this question is yes, then we won't find out LeBron's ultimate destination anytime soon. The King has truly boarded on Brett Favre territory in the last several weeks with all of the stories leaked and the sources reporting his every whim. Some say it's because LeBron never got to feel the joy of being recruited in college. I say it may be because some people just like being the center of attention. At least LeBron and his "team" had the good sense and the decency to the people of Ohio to not go on a jet-setting tour of the country. The odds are though, that this saga will not be ending soon after we hit midnight on July 1st. This means LeBron will be front and center of the sports universe long into the summer months, which might make the King and his court of jesters happier than anything.

Is LeBron a fraud?

-If the answer to this question is yes, then the fans of Cleveland and Ohio will make LeBron James the most hated sports figure in the entire state. For those living in their ivory towers in New York and Los Angeles, it seems like an easy decision to leave podunk Cleveland, OH for the bright lights and big city of a larger metropolitan market. The thing about LeBron though, is that he's aware of his city's history, his city's plight, and the affect his departure would have on his city. LeBron must know that if he were to leave, he would be more hated in Cleveland than Art Modell, the man who moved the Cleveland Browns! There's no way the fans of Cleveland could ever forgive their hometown son "quitting" on his team in the playoffs, and then leaving the city entirely.

This is the comforting thought Cavs fans will adhere to when they sleep at night in this time of uncertainty. Only someone who was born-and-raised in Ohio would understand the pain losing a once-in-a-lifetime figure like LeBron James would inflict on a community, not just in terms of sports, but in terms of its general health. If LeBron leaves Cleveland, not only are their hopes for a championship dashed, but millions of dollars will be lost for the franchise and city. But...and this is a big but. LeBron has always opined about his loyalty to one city...Akron. That's his hometown. That's the place he has a deep, spiritual connection to, not Cleveland. And as far as anyone knows, LeBron can be just as loyal to Akron from Chicago or Miami than he can be from Cleveland. That's the thought that may keep all of Cleveland awake at night.

Is he a winner?

-This is the one remaining question that won't be answered by LeBron's free agency decision. So far, the answer is a resounding no, LeBron is not a winner. Individual awards, MVP's, endorsements, and all of the other perks that come with being a global icon are fantastic and certainly fit for a King. But, only one thing will determine his legacy...winning championships. Currently, LeBron's total wins in the Finals is the same as you and me...none. If LeBron doesn't make the right decision at this career crossroads, then he may never win a championship, a fate that would place his career among the all-time failures in the history of sports. If LeBron does make the right choice, and does fulfill his potential to be one of the greatest champions in history, he will be placed in the Pantheon of sports history. Maybe the answer to this question isn't that important to the King, as long as he can reign over a worldwide kingdom. Whatever the answer to these questions, we'll know soon enough, because LeBron James is on the clock.

Those are our thoughts on LeBron's historic free agency, what are yours? Where will LeBron land when the dust settles? Keep up with RSS for all your LeBron analysis, along with our continuing coverage of the World Cup. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter too @RSS_Sports. Until then, it's bye for now!

Special Comment: The Worldwide Leader in Drivel

I'm not even a Cavalier, or NBA fan, and I am disappointed that LeBron was not able to make it to the finals and win a title. Why is that? Because we are about to undergo 2 months of unsufferable hell at the hands of the sports media. It has been about 24 hours since the Cavs were eliminated and already I am sick of all the talk. For God's sake; it was on NFL Live. N-F-L Live!!!! As bad as the Brett Favre saga was the past few seasons, it won't even measure up to the LeBron debacle. Cleveland is at the center of the sporting world for the next few months, for the wrong reasons, and it is going to be mindnumbing.

I have to complain some about the coverage provided by ESPN during the game last night. They keep speaking of a Cleveland Curse, where neither of their major sport teams have won a title since 1964 (ahem...Browns...ahem) and the curses that surround their approach to the titles (Red Right 88, Drive, Fumble, Jordan and Mesa) not to mention the other heartaches the city has endured (The Move, Cuyahoga River Fire). Cleveland is America's sports whipping boy because of the string of ring-less seasons, and deservedly so for that reason. The Drive happened in the 1986 season; Fumble in 1987. Get it right with your "crack" research staff. I think Schwab would have known that. I don't have any problem with bringing that stuff up, but when you are going to talk about it, get your information right.

ESPN is the leach on the underbelly of the sporting world. Already they have dozens of articles up prophetically quipping about where LeBron will end up (Heat, Knicks, Nets, Bulls, Cavs) and they all think they know what they are talking about. Avery Johnson knows, Mark Stein knows, Chris Broussard knows and this gives Bill Simmons another chance to bring his drivel upon us once again regarding the future of LeBron James (seriously, has anyone with less talent in writing been able to do so much with so little? If it wasn't so sad it would be a great story). Not to mention Mike & Mike, Cowherd, Van Pelt and all the talking heads in Bristol going non-stop saying why LeBron will do this and why he will do that. Just stop already; you don't know what he is going to do with his career. I know their East Coast bias makes them wish he ends up in New York or New Jersey so they can put him on TV about as much as the Yankess/Sox, but give it a rest. Talk about Tebow some more, or Favre for pete sake!!

Will it be sad for Cleveland is LeBron left? Of course it would. Their native son leaving his hometown because they weren't able to win a title during his career there. Basketball may die in Cleveland and never be the same again. One would think that your ties to home would be stronger than the pull of the national spotlight of playing in New York. To me, it would be more pivotal to LeBron's legacy if he were to stay in Cleveland and help the title starved town win, but I don't see the happy ending winding up that way. I am not going to speculate and blow a lot of hot air like other people seem to in regards to this matter. LeBron will play where he best sees fit, but until then, we have the pleasure of watching the talking heads on the Worldwide Leader wax poetically about where he should go or where he will end up. Lord knows I won't be watching.

A Bear Market - Chicago's Free Agency Dilemma

With the success of Y1's Saints winning the Super Bowl, the favorite team of yours truly is about to embark on a pivotal point in their illustrious history. Only 3 short years ago, the Bears were in the Super Bowl, and even though they lost, the franchise looked set to begin an era of dominance at the top of the NFC. Now, the brain trust of Jerry Angelo and Lovie Smith are entering the most frenzied free agency period of all-time looking to make a splash to save their jobs. Will they strike gold and take the Bears back to the promised land? Let's look into the crystal ball...

Before we get into the Bears specifically, every NFL fan should know this will be the most unpredictable, craziest NFL offseason in history. With the uncertainty of the CBA and no salary floor or ceiling, teams have a wealth of options at their disposal. Greedy owners in struggling markets might sacrifice the good of the team to make a handy profit (think the Pittsburgh Pirates on horse steroids). Hypercompetitive moneybags like Daniel Snyder and Jerry Jones will drive dump trucks of money up to free agents' doors to win this season, future financial ramifications be damned. And everyone else... is anybody's guess.

Which brings us to Da Bears, the single most schizophreninic team to ever enter into free agency. Many have described them as the most desperate of all 32 NFL teams to make a big splash in free agency, while being universally regarded as one of the cheapest franchises in the league. However, GM Jerry Angelo successfully showed last season he and the Bears braintrust are willing to buck the stereotypes surrounding the McCaskey era of the Bears when he traded for potential franchise QB Jay Cutler. So, while it might be shocking to long-time Bears fans, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Bears go after the likes of Julius Peppers, Antrell Rolle, and Chester Taylor.

But, then again, Bears fans need to ask themselves if they trust a management team who has made every single wrong move since Super Bowl XLI. Whether it be firing Ron Rivera, trading Thomas Jones, releasing Cedric Benson, or worthless draft pick after worthless draft pick - forgive even the most optimistic fan from trusting Jerry and Lovie to recruit the right fit for free agency. Leave it to the Bears to find themselves without a draft pick in the first two rounds of the most talented draft in almost 30 years! And it's not like the rumored names the Bears are going after are surefire fixes to the numerous holes on this team.

What's to keep Julius Peppers from completely tanking after receiving the payday he's been searching for for years? Would Chester Taylor be a good fit in Mike Martz's offense? Why is the best idea to upgrade Jay Cutler's weapons trading his favorite target, Greg Olsen? What long term financial stability will the team have with all of these lucrative free agents signing in one offseason? Will Antrell Rolle make a difference on defense when Chicago will be on their 3rd defensive coordinator in three seasons?

Why are there so many questions? Because Lovie Smith and Jerry Angelo have done precisely nothing to inspire faith in their decision making... and that was before they were faced with the ultimatum to win this season, or else. So, what do they have to lose? Do you think for a second they have the long-term health of the franchise in mind? Of course not! The GM, coach, even Team President Ted Phillips are all going to try their hardest at midnight to sell their souls to the devil to win this season.

The only problem is that might not be good enough. Even if every player on the Bears long wish list came to Chicago, it's not a guarantee the franchise will return to glory (see Cutler, Jay). This free agency/rebuilding crisis is merely scratching the surface of the Bears' issues that run from owner to coach to Soldier Field groundskeeper. Be warned, instead of setting course for a return to the Super Bowl, the Bears may just be rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. And many more franchises may be in the same big boat.