Let's take GM's word over coach's
Jerry Angelo didn't exactly have a tough act to follow.
Monday, Lovie Smith held his end-of-season news conference, also known as a media lobotomy.
Tuesday, Angelo held his version and received generally rave reviews just short of a standing ovation and women throwing panties at him.
You could say this was a little like the Rolling Stones following an accordion player, but comparing Smith's delivery to polka music would be too insulting to the polka.
Angelo isn't quite Barack Obama behind a microphone, but it seemed that way after listening to Smith a day earlier.
As you might know, Angelo is the Bears' general manager and Smith is their head coach.
A couple of times every week during the season, Smith speaks without saying anything. Meanwhile, Angelo says more while rarely speaking.
Tuesday was Angelo's opportunity to let out a season's worth of observations, and he hit all the high notes that Bears fans wanted to hear.
Most interesting was Angelo being effusive in praise of former Lions coach/currently unemployed Rod Marinelli but much less complimentary of Bears defensive coordinator Bob Babich.
Smith on Babich: "We'll evaluate everything."
Angelo on Babich: "When you're not playing consistent football, it's just not good enough. There are things we'll get into."
My guess: Don't be surprised if Marinelli, close to both Smith and Angelo, comes here with a title something like assistant head coach and an emphasis on the defense.
Another head in the head-coaching mix and another opinion on the defensive side would be welcome, don't you think?
Smith on quarterback Kyle Orton: "Of course Kyle is our quarterback.
Angelo on Orton: "Until Kyle puts a good year together, we can't be sure."
My guess: Angelo hasn't been successful drafting or developing a premier quarterback for the Bears and knows "it's all about the quarterback - we have to get the quarterback position solidified."
That could mean Angelo is hoping Orton will improve tremendously, but more likely it means the GM has his doubts and is on the lookout for the next Bears quarterback.
Smith on the Bears in general: "When you're 9-7, you're close."
Angelo on the Bears in general: "Lovie is a great leader. All great leaders create hope."
My guess: Neither coach nor general manager is satisfied with a 9-7 record, but Angelo is the one who isn't about to try to fool folks into thinking improvement from 7-9 last season represents progress more than glorified mediocrity.
Every year is a new short story rather than a new chapter in an old story. The Bears started this one 0-0, not 7-9. They'll start the next one 0-0, not 9-7.
In all matters, I preferred Angelo's take to Smith's. Bears fans probably did, too.
At least my interpretation was preferable: Babich's impact will be minimized, Orton isn't the quarterback unless it turns out that way, and the Bears aren't any closer to the Super Bowl than they were at the end of last season.
Or perhaps that's just what I want to believe Angelo was acknowledging after I stopped believing just about everything Smith says anymore.
By training camp in July, maybe before, we'll have a better idea or know for sure what each of them meant.