Dear Ted Phillips,

Ted Phillips, Bears President

Please dont fuck up this Lovie Smith thing. This is not a request - it's an order. To make the case for getting Coach Smith a new contract as soon as humanly possible, let's take a look at what goals he set for himself and the team when he was hired in January 2004:

1. Beat the Packers
Mission accomplished in his 1st year as head coach

2. Win the NFC North Divisional Title
Mission accomplished in his 2nd year as head coach

3. Win the Super Bowl
Mission 1/2 accomplished - went to the Super Bowl in his 3rd year as head coach, lost to the Indianapolis Colts.

In addition to the timely accomplishment of these goals, we have learned that Coach Smith is a shining example of the new breed of NFL head coaches. Rather than emulating the Parcells/Coughlin/Gruden school of task-mastering, hard-ass screamers, Coach Smith emulates, rather embodies, the Dungy school of nurturing and encouragement. Coach Smith knows how to relate to his players, and knows how to get the best out of his players. Now, Coach Smith might not be in the realm of the "brainiac, mad scientist" coaches like Belichick, but Coach Smith also wont be caught fucking another man's wife.

Re-sign This Man

So, let's review - we've got a high character coach, who relates well to and gets the most out of his players. He's also a coach who isnt afraid to set goals, and then does what's necessary to accomplish those goals. The Bears organization hasn't re-signed this man why? It had Goddamned well not be because he's black, or because we lost Super Bowl XLI. Let's remember that the last time we played in the Super Bowl was January 1986. 21 long, shitty years ago.

Lovie Smith has the ability to be Chicago's version of Bill Cowher - a man who provides the probability of reaching the Playoffs almost every year, and also a man who can effectively handle rebuilding years, which are inevitable and normal. In other words, Coach Smith brings a winning record and attitude, along with the stability that the Bears franchise has lacked for too many years.

Ted Phillips - pay this man his money. Right fucking now.