Strange things happened during my visit to Jacksonville almost three months ago.

I saw a lizard in a tree. I saw everyday people wearing Blaine Gabbert jerseys. I saw Bears third-string running back Armando Allen rush for a 46-yard touchdown.

Like I said, strange things happened.

As I watched the Bears clobber the Jaguars, 41-3, beneath an impeccably blue Florida sky, I never could have imagined a late-season nosedive that would cost Lovie Smith his job. Nor could I have imagined that the man behind the Jaguars’ overmatched defense would be lured to lead the Bears’ defense in 2013.