Bears couldn't make tough call on Tucker

While the Chicago Bears have decided to keep Mel Tucker as their defensive coordinator, and fire linebackers coach Tim Tibesar and defensive line coach Mike Phair, I think those two got the short end of the stick.

I remember a game in which chunks of yardage were being ripped off against the Bears defense, and one of my buddies, who is nicknamed "concrete head," called me and said, "Boy this defense (stinks) -- they have to get rid of Tucker."

My response was not, "No way, let's fire Mike Phair!"

Seriously, why does the manager of this defense -- the worst in franchise history -- stay?

I guess the Bears are like most businesses -- the underlings get the boot when things don't go right, not the head dog.

Look, it's fine if you want to keep Tucker, but to get rid of the other two guys is like firing the flight attendants after a plane crashes.

I would have kept them all if I was Trestman, but I guess someone's head had to roll.

Remember, Brian Urlacher retired, Lance Briggs was injured for a good part of the season and the other linebackers were just not that good.

When it comes to the defensive line, there's Julius Peppers, who was more like an onlooker, making $16 million a year.

Sometimes the head coach has to make the tough call, and since Trestman couldn't, the boss of the worst defensive unit in Bears' history stays.

So get ready "concrete head," we might have more of the same.

Rodman's world:

I loved Dennis Rodman when he was with the Chicago Bulls. We hung out a few times, and my wife and I even had dinner with him on one occasion.

I knew when I watched his angry outburst on TV last week that he was drunk. People acted surprised, but not me.

I have some advice to Dennis, who inside is really a good-hearted guy. Please stay away from North Korea for awhile. They are using you, and you are letting them.

If the head guy, Kim Jong Un, was really your buddy, there should have been some positive movement toward the release of imprisoned American Kenneth Bae.

Rodman came back predictably empty-handed and empty headed.

Do me a favor old friend, go to Disney World or Branson and catch the Osmonds show. Or maybe go to a basketball game but NOT in North Korea. You have been there four times -- don't make it an uneven five.

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• Mike North's column appears each Tuesday and Friday in the Daily Herald, and his video commentary can be found Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at dailyherald.com. For more, visit northtonorth.com.