Quick Takes Edition 3

Notre Dame #11 (4-1)

That was a tough loss to Ohio State on Saturday night for a couple of different reasons. The main (and justified) knock on the Irish is there inability to beat what I call Tier 1 programs. This generally speaking would be (not taking their 2023 records into account) your Alabamas, Clemsons, Michigans, and Ohio States. That criticism (perhaps) might have been directed at Brian Kelly. With the understanding that Marcus Freeman gets a free pass in season one was understandable, but this year was an opportunity to change the narrative. Notre Dame did not. Instead they reinforced it that much further. Granted that’s not a final edict on Freeman. Of course not. It’s only year two, and the program has shown remarkable progress in his short tenure. However, I still contend Notre Dame lost the game on Saturday night – the Buckeyes did not win it. It was shades of 10/15/2005 and the Reggie “Bush Push” against Southern Cal. In both matches the games weren’t lost on the final play at the goal line (that was a fait accompli). Instead the game was lost by passive defenses on 4th and long prior to the goal line play. That is the type of narrative, the type of legacy, Freeman needs to address. It might be a cliche, but it’s often true – prevent defense prevents you from winning. That’s exactly what happened on Saturday night. While I do expect Notre Dame to bounce back against Duke that’s not at issue here. The Ohio State and Southern Cal games were noteworthy tests – barometers – of where the program is at. While it is much improved the needle on the end result hasn’t. Their next opportunity to do that is USC.

Chicago Bears (0-3)

13-straight losses. This has become less about the players (ironically because they’ve the ones on the field), and more about a failure of an organization. I talk about the Yankees failing a lot at different levels in the front office – and that’s true, but the Yankees have had a different problem where they’re overpaying several free agents, overestimating their value, and underestimating their younger players. Too scared to insert them into the lineup (until after they’ve been eliminated from the playoffs) in favor of paying free agent veterans above their value. That’s the Yankees problem, but they can scout and they can draft. The Bears can do neither. Nor can develop players to get them to the next level. Best example is Justin Fields and Josh Allen. Allen is in the mix as one of the top QBs in the league, but the same criticism leveled against Fields could easily be said about Allen if the roles had been reversed and Allen drafted by the Bears and Fields by the Bills. The problem is it’s an endless cycle for the Bears. Since George Halas the Bears have had 12 head coaches. The Pittsburgh Steelers have had 3 by comparison – Noll, Cowher, Tomlin. All successful. All with Super Bowl wins to their resume. While all professional sports franchises have their peaks and valleys their are some that just stay mired in the valley. The Bears are one of them. Every handful of seasons there is a front office makeover, but it rarely accomplishes anything because, as a whole, the ownership group and those with the real power haven’t the real knowledge what makes a successful professional team. While each situation is unique, yes, they wrongfully assume that success in business, having countless billions in the bank where they can afford a professional team translates to sports success. It doesn’t. Some billionaires are good sports minds, but being a billionaire doesn’t make you a good sports mind.

So it is with the Bears. Just in the last ten seasons the Bears have had four head coaches, and the last dozen seasons four general managers. Each general manager and coach constitutes a regime change. Each regime change creates a change of philosophy on drafting, style of play, and overall identity of the team. The Bears have had so many over the last decade they hardly have an identity anymore. They are no longer the Monsters Of The Midway, that tagline was for different teams in different eras. It doesn’t represent the organization of today. Maybe it’s something they need to get back to if not reflect on?  Only then they can then target the job candidates necessary to achieve that because throwing stuff to the walls to see what sticks in the last decade hasn’t worked. The Pittsburgh Steelers have an identity – win or lose – and know who they are. Same with the New York Yankees and Montreal Canadiens. I said last week that there is going to be a big push on pushing Poles and Everflus out by Halloween. It’s already begun, and it may happen before that now.

Buffalo Bills (2-1)

A strong showing against the Commanders, yes, but that game was unusually close (odd to say at 16-0) for a very long time prior to the inevitable collapse by Washington. This in contrast to Miami dropping 70 on Denver – and the Dolphins being the next opponent. This is the Bills’ defense test game. We know the Bills’ offense is strong, and following a clear the air meeting regarding on field decision making with Allen, there has been a noticeable (positive) change with a lack of recklessness. However, the true test is on the defense against a formidable offense. Also, it’s a test for the Dolphins as well – they aren’t playing the Broncos this week, and to legitimize their aura as a offensive juggernaut they will need to dominate Buffalo. The advantage I give to Buffalo is home field. I think it makes a world of difference this week.

Buffalo Sabres (Pre-season 2-0)

I haven’t watched a single minute, but from the news I’ve read the organization has high expectations. I disregard any pre-season record. The pre-season is meant as an evaluation period, but for the Sabres it does mean a fresh start. They have had a lot more in common with the Bears then you think. Both professional organizations floundering with little if no identity. It would seem based off last year’s performance and the work put in the off-season that they may, finally, be on an upward trend. They may not be a Stanley Cup contender or in the finals, but it’s the change in culture and identity that is important. To do that you need the right personnel in the front office (take note Bears!), and following consistent misses on hires they may have actually found the right mix with coach and GM. I usually say April baseball and October hockey is nothing to grow overly excited about. It is the infancy period of the season and there are too many games to be played. However, what is important in April and October respectively is the trend line. After about three to four weeks, is this the team you’re going to have? Is this the type of team you’re going to be? Do you consistently win or lose single point games? That’s what’s important the first few weeks at the start of the season. For the Sabres it might be good to be optimistic, but the proof will be has the hard work on culture change as well as roster changes translate to wins?