madlithuanian

It'll be interesting where he goes... It's not all about speed.

Sounds good to me!

Too true! Yeah...it's really Housh that I want a serious look at. We have enough loot I believe, and lose no picks... He won't be a savior...but he should be a huge improvement...

That is a great story! I'm glad you shared that!

Oh I hear ya bradjock! I don't trust Steltz and Payne to get it done together. I didn't Manning either. Yet this management seems to insist on those kinds of moves...or lack thereof. I think we will be in big trouble...

You said it!

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=518351 Mike Florio Profile | Archive | E-mail Florio Bears coach, GM are at a crucial crossroads E-MAIL PRINT COMMENTS 18 WATCH THIS TOPIC Posted: February 16, 2009 Last year, four downtrodden franchises made stunning turnarounds. And one of them made it to the Super Bowl. For most of the other 28 NFL teams, the appropriate reaction should be, "Thanks for nothing." With parity and the salary cap already eroding the five-year plan to three, at best, owners could be getting even more impatient in the wake of the resurgences of the Falcons, Dolphins, Ravens and Cardinals, whose coaches have a combined five years of experience. With a quartet of big-name coaches plotting potential returns to the game in 2010, head coaches and general managers will feel the heat this year. Bill Cowher, Mike Holmgren, Mike Shanahan, and/or Jon Gruden will seek final say over the draft and the roster. The best way, then, to set the table for one of those four will be to fire both the coach and the GM. Chicago is one of the potential hot spots. GM Jerry Angelo has been on the job for nearly eight years, and coach Lovie Smith just completed his fifth season at the helm. The Bears have made the playoffs only twice since '02, despite residing in a generally depleted NFC North. Two other times, the Bears finished last, behind even the Lions. Meanwhile, the Bears have done little under Angelo's watch to compile a consistent winner. The best player, linebacker Brian Urlacher, already was on the team when Angelo arrived. Though some key additions have come through the draft, such as linebacker Lance Briggs, defensive tackle Tommie Harris, cornerback Nathan Vasher, cornerback Charles Tillman, tight end Greg Olson and running back Matt Forte, Angelo has bombed on Day 1 picks like running back Cedric Benson, quarterback Rex Grossman, offensive tackle Marc Colombo, defensive end Michael Haynes, defensive end Dan Bazuin, defensive tackle Tank Johnson and wide receiver Mark Bradley. Complicating matters for Angelo and Smith is the fact Benson, Colombo, Johnson and Bradley have played well after leaving Chicago. Devin Hester, drafted as a cornerback and kick returner, represents a rare non-bust. But the Bears tried to make too much of a good thing, converting him to wide receiver in the hopes he'd become another Steve Smith. Instead, Hester has been mediocre on offense and the sluggish transition has caused him to lose his magic in the return game. For all the struggles with the draft, free agency has been an even bigger problem area for the Bears. Angelo & Co. have watched players like linebacker Rosevelt Colvin and receivers Justin Gage, Bobby Wade and Bernard Berrian walk away. The biggest acquisition has been offensive tackle John Tait. Given his reported retirement, the only remaining noteworthy free-agent signed by Angelo will be guard Roberto Garza. Then there's the whole rap sheet thing. Brushes with the law have arisen with guys like Benson (drunk driving of a car ... and a boat), Johnson (weapons charges and probation violation), Briggs (leaving the scene of an accident) and cornerback Ricky Manning Jr., who allegedly beat the gigabytes out of a guy who had a laptop at an L.A.-area Denny's, only days after signing an offer sheet to join the team. And while no criminal charges were ever filed, center Olin Kreutz broke tackle Fred Miller's jaw during a 2005 fight at an FBI shooting range. Although the legal issues didn't create much of a ruckus they occurred, it's the kind of thing that can grow belated legs if/when the fans and media begin to clamor for change. And change, the buzzword of a certain Chicago-area politician who has done fairly well for himself, could become the Bears' mantra for 2009. To borrow another one of said Chicago-area politician's terms of choice, there's still hope for Angelo and Smith. But it is all riding on what they do in '09. Via free agency, Angelo must bring in a quarterback who inspires confidence inside and outside the locker room. A true No. 1 wideout, from free agency or the draft, also is a must. Regardless of what the Bears do in the offseason, the fates of Angelo and Smith likely will be tied to wins and losses. Mike Florio writes and edits ProFootballTalk.com and is a regular contributor to Sporting News.

Our recycling bin is loaded with those kinds of players...

That quote speaks volumes! Guys like Belichick and Parcells want football players, not track stars... I'll take speed if I can get it, but i want a football player first and foremost. Tough, gritty, football smarts. If he's fast, it's like free dessert with the meal. Most these guys aren't that slow...

I'd be all for it! Could it really hurt? Say what you want about Urlacher...Lewis is the best out there...still. He plays mad and mean...like Butkus did. I think lewis learned from his mistake from what I've heard. I have a few freinds from Baltimore that said that incident truly changed him for the better off the field...besides working out which he's always been a lunatic about. You know you'd only have him a few more years...and we have the loot I believe. Maybe Url can learn something... It is fun thinking about in a Madden-esque way! Don't think Angelo would though....

Agreed on all counts!

I mentioned this earlier about the "guy coming off the bench"... http://www.talkbears.com/forums/index.php?...art=#entry58700

I didn't agree w/ Chile on going up for a WR...just that we would not trade up. I definitley wouldn't have issue w/ OT or a few other spots going up. I fear WR is too risky a position to trade away picks for. If you take one fine...just don't give up much to get one...unless you have a rarity. Which I don't see right now especially with all the injury talk. I really don't have issue this year trading down. It really depends on what's there for us... Just generally speaking, this management will never trade up...

flea, ostrgoth beat you too it! http://www.talkbears.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=4055

Agreed!

I'm not worried. Rosenfels has really only looked good when coming off the bench. Like many QB's...not prepping for the #2, and the #2 being calm and cool since he didn't prepare...usually comes up with a strong showing. Then practice and pressure sets in...and bad results follow. Everyone loves the guy off the bench!

It's time to finally trade up!

This staff showed a similar attitude after the SB, and they blew it. But I agree that, you can't trust what they are saying.

Good points Lucky...your questions need answering by this team...

Bingo! And if that's the case why is Smith still on payroll?

And from all the musings from the papers, it appears that Angelo is intent on only working from in-house... Could be asmokescreen and we'll make a bigger plash than the Fridge diving into a kiddie pool... But, our recent history makes me think we're going to do it internally...

...and tack in the loss of Mike Brown's leadership...and man oh man, is safety a concern!

I do think Maualuga is a bit better, but I think he'll definitely be gone...thus giving the Bears a small shot at seeing Laurinaitis fall to 18.

I think you and I are taking glasses from the same beer tap!

Thank you Mr. Tait! When you came here, we were in desperate need, and we couldn't have made it to the SB w/o you... St Clair is a MUST...