The 4-3 Bears have a week off. But coach Lovie Smith, whose tenure in Chicago could be coming to a conclusion if the Bears don’t return to the postseason for the first time since 2006, will spend his weekend away from football while watching football.
Specifically, he’ll be attending today’s Tulsa-Notre Dame game in South Bend.
Smith played college football at Tulsa, and his wife also attended the school.
“I’m pumped up,” Smith said, per Vaughn McClure of the Chicago Tribune. “Of course, Notre Dame is a great program. My wife and I are loyal, devoted Tulsa fans. So we’re excited that they’re playing close to here. . . . I’m going there as a Tulsa supporter but also as a football fan. I’ve got a weekend [free] and a chance to see a great college game.’'
Smith also may want to do some scouting, particularly for a quarterback. Then again, he won’t need a quarterback next year in Chicago. Either the one Smith has will turn it around and save Smith’s job -- or Smith will be looking for work elsewhere in 2011.
As to Smith’s current quarterback, Jay Cutler, it’s amazing that there’s no push to put him on the bench. Then again, that’s probably why G.M. Jerry Angelo resisted signing a proven veteran like Marc Bulger in the offseason. If Bulger were on the roster, Bulger probably would be on the field by now.
And Angelo would be looking like anything but a G.M. who should continue to have a job if the guy for whom he sent two first-round picks and Kyle Orton to Denver isn’t the best quarterback on his team.