Bears not exactly shooting for the stars

Aspire higher.

That isn't a suggestion for a Bears' marketing campaign next season because it wouldn't fit what they do or are comfortable with.

Everyone inside Halas Hall insists that they do have lofty goals but Lovie Smith's contract extension — two more years added to this one — contradicts the assertion.

To prove me wrong the Bears will have to win a lot more games the next few years under Smith than they did the past few, with at least one of them being in the Super Bowl.

Are you optimistic that will happen? Me neither but we can hope, I guess.

Smith's extension must be based on wild speculation because it sure couldn't be based on prior performance.

General manager Jerry Angelo cited continuity and stability as the benefits of retaining Smith through 2013.

Angelo didn't mention the tripod's third leg: Mediocrity.

Smith's record during his first seven years as head coach is 63-49, which averages out to 9-7 per season.

Mediocre.

Smith is 3-3 in the postseason, including a victory last month over the only losing team ever to make the NFL playoffs.

Mediocre.

The Bears did reach a Super Bowl under Smith, but nine other NFC teams also did during the past decade and four of the others won it.

Mediocre, here anyway.

During Smith's seven seasons in Chicago he has made the playoffs three times.

Mediocre.

Since Smith's last contract extension following the Super Bowl in 2007, his record is 34-30 over four seasons.

Mediocre.

It's said that the cost of excellence in the modern era of sports isn't expensive but the cost of mediocrity is.

The Bears reportedly paid Smith $22 million the past four years, or $5.5 million per season.

Whoa: Not so mediocre!

Just ask Bears' fans about money matters. Last season their tab to attend games in Soldier Field ranked among the five highest in the NFL.

Then Friday, mere hours after announcing Smith's extension, the Bears snuck in that each seat in Soldier Field will cost between $5 and $30 more next season.

Apparently, ticket prices are where the Bears aspire higher.

The increase alone likely will cover whatever Smith's new contract guarantees him.

Timing is everything and Smith's is impeccable. He has a knack of saving his best results for when his next contract negotiations approach.

You think the Bears would have extended Smith last year when they had missed the playoffs the previous three seasons before lucking into last month's NFC championship game?

Smith's strategy — in finance, not football — is one we all should employ: Have three subpar years, turn it on in Year 4 and reap a windfall.

Seriously, what were the Bears afraid of? That they would have an outstanding 2011 season and Smith would be in demand around the league? Did they fear that the coach they supported through seven years of mediocrity would abandon them?

OK then, Lovie, bye-bye.

If Smith leaves, wouldn't whomever replaces him be able to average a 9-7 record over the next seven years?

Angelo said Friday, “We have a good plan in order,” which would be exciting if it didn't include extending Lovie Smith's contract at this time.

Doing so only indicates that the plan simply is continuity, stability and mediocrity.

Aspire higher, fellas.

mimrem@dailyherald.com