Yahoo! Lovie, Angelo sign contract extensions!

According to Don Pierson at the Trib:

Smith was given a four-year extension through 2011 and Angelo a six-year extension through 2013, the Bears announced. The deal features $22 million in new money, so Smith will be paid a total of $23.45 million for next five years for an average of $4.69 million per season. After all the drama, the two sides agreed on a reasonable contract. The $4.69 Million includes the last year of his original contract, the pay rate during the extension is $5.5 million/year. This is a really big day for the Bears, as these signings will do a few things for the organization:

• decrease their reputation for being cheap
• secure their braintrust for the next 5 seasons
• ensure continuity for the nucleus of young players on the team
• check off the last 2 of the top 4 offseason priorities - deciding what to do with Briggs, Smith, Rivera, and Angelo
• allow them to focus on free agency and the draft

Yes!