Should Bears Fans Have Faith in Their Management? Volume III

I said 50-74%

I have faith that this squad can go far, but I still have a lot concerns that hold me back. Lovie is doing well calling the defense but will he let an important assistant like Dave Toub walk after the season like he did to Ron Rivera? Will JA get himself together and realize taking injury prone “1st round talent” guys in the 5th round doesn’t help much other than get guys who can’t stay healthy. The team still has a few question marks; safety, CB, back-up RB, o-line and to me it’s questionable whether or not these things will be addressed properly. Lastly, I want to see this team put together a whole solid game before I sell myself completely on them. I am sick of all the slow starts and come-from behind stuff against bad teams.

by Sam Householder on Oct 12, 2009 9:29 AM CDT reply actions

The Bears are middle of the pack

They don’t out-draft many teams… and they don’t out coach many teams either. And, up until the changes of this offseason, they continually had one of the least experienced coaching staffs in the league.

There are certain teams in this league who have a consistent competitive advantage over the rest of the league… whether it’s coaching (Patriots, the new and old Broncos, Giants, Eagles, Titans and Steelers)… drafting (Ravens, Colts and Chargers), or unique talent (Peyton Manning). Forgive me if I left anyone out.

The the only competitive advantage that the Bears have had in recent history was the unique kick return talent of Devin Hester for a two year span, which they’ve nullified by making him a WR.

To Lovie Smith’s credit: his philosophy is to force turnovers. And, since he’s been the coach of the Bears, we’ve led the league in forced turnovers during that timespan.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 12, 2009 10:21 AM CDT reply actions

And our high rate

of finding deep round starters… however with that being said, we can bust with the best of them on 1st rounders.

But i went75% because I think with all the turnover today’s NFL demands, they have done an above average job keeping the squad together, for the most part. They don’t tolerate acting a fool off the field, and want to generate turnovers, our Defensive scheme is good, our players just can’t always execute it.

I enjoy that they pride themselves on a strong defensive front, fearsome MLB, and running the football, and have stuck with that philosophy.

I would have went higher, but a team without cheerleaders, can never be 100%

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Oct 12, 2009 10:51 AM CDT up reply actions

Finding deep round starters shouldn't really be credited as an advantage to the Bears

Consider that we’ve failed way too often in the high rounds… and because of those failures, somebody has to earn the starting job.

When a 5th or 6th rounder is outplaying your 2nd or 3rd rounder… how can you consider than a draft advantage?

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 12, 2009 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions

It has to an upswing

to the fact that we either can’t find good 1st round talent, or trade out of it.

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Oct 12, 2009 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Here's something worth taking a look at

There’s a lot of Pro-Bowls on this list

Colt’s recent #1 picks
2009 1 1 27 27 Donald Brown RB Connecticut
2008 1 2 28 59 Mike Pollak C Arizona Stated
2007 1 1 32 32 Anthony Gonzalez WR Ohio State
2006 1 1 30 30 Joseph Addai RB Louisiana Statetian
2005 1 1 29 29 Marlin Jackson DB Michigan
2004 1 2 12 44 Bob Sanders DB Iowa
2003 1 1 24 24 Dallas Clark TE Iowa
2002 1 1 11 11 Dwight Freeney DE Syracuse
2001 1 1 30 30 Reggie Wayne WR Miami (FL)
2000 1 1 28 28 Rob Morris LB Brigham Young
1999 1 1 4 4 Edgerrin James RB Miami (FL)
1998 1 1 1 1 Peyton Manning QB Tennessee

Raven recent #1 Picks
2009 1 1 23 23 Michael Oher T Mississippi
2008 1 1 18 18 Joe Flacco QB Delaware
2007 1 1 29 29 Ben Grubbs G Auburn
2006 1 1 12 12 Haloti Ngata DT Oregon
2005 1 1 22 22 Mark Clayton WR Oklahoma
2004 1 2 19 51 Dwan Edwards DT Oregon State
2003 1 1 10 10 Terrell Suggs DE Arizona State
2 1 19 19 Kyle Boller QB California
2002 1 1 24 24 Ed Reed DB Miami (FL)
2001 1 1 31 31 Todd Heap TE Arizona State
2000 1 1 5 5 Jamal Lewis RB Tennessee
2 1 10 10 Travis Taylor WR Florida
1999 1 1 10 10 Chris McAlister DB Arizona
1998 1 1 10 10 Duane Starks DB Miami (FL)
1997 1 1 4 4 Peter Boulware DE Florida State
1996 1 1 4 4 Jonathan Ogden T UCLA
2 1 26 26 Ray Lewis LB Miami (FL)

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 12, 2009 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions

I would surreptitiously like to change to 50 percent

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Oct 12, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions

It's impressive... isn't it.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 12, 2009 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions

Yes

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Oct 12, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Now... look at ours since '96 (to parallel the Ravens)

And, I should’ve done the Colts to ’96, when they drafted Marvin Harrison in the 1st…

2009 1 3 4 68 Jarron Gilbert DE San Jose State (no 1st round pick)
2008 1 1 14 14 Chris Williams T Vanderbilt
2007 1 1 31 31 Greg Olsen TE Miami (FL)
2006 1 2 10 42 Danieal Manning DB Abilene Christian (no 1st round pick)
2005 1 1 4 4 Cedric Benson RB Texas
2004 1 1 14 14 Tommie Harris DT Oklahoma
2003 1 1 14 14 Michael Haynes DE Penn State
2 1 22 22 Rex Grossman QB Florida
2002 1 1 29 29 Marc Colombo T Boston College
2001 1 1 8 8 David Terrell WR Michigan
2000 1 1 9 9 Brian Urlacher LB New Mexico
1999 1 1 12 12 Cade McNown QB UCLA
1998 1 1 5 5 Curtis Enis RB Penn State
1997 1 2 8 38 John Allred TE USC (no 1st round pick)
1996 1 1 13 13 Walt Harris DB Mississippi State

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 12, 2009 12:05 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm well aware of our drafts

but i still say Cutler was our draft this year.

but sitll missing on 12 of 16 years or so, is definitely not good.

"I'm sorry Josh, I'm with Chicago now, you need to stop calling me" -JerBear50 as Jay Cutler

by BearNecessities on Oct 12, 2009 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Nope... not good at all.

And, it makes such a HUGE difference. I see 8 total BUST picks in there, up to 2005. If we had just hit on even 2 of those crappy picks with Pro Bowlers… we’re probably in the playoffs 3 more times.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 12, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions

He's Our #1 in 2010 As Well

Based on the above list it is obvious the Bear’s draft braintrust suffers from some sort of intermittent disorder that allows them to put in their thumb and pull out the occasional Harris, Olsen or Urlacher, but more often then not results in an Enis, Haynes or McNown.

I do find it interesting that Grossman, Colombo and Benson have all found employment and even some success since exiting our town.

by Bearonco on Oct 14, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions

On that entire list

The most glaring thing: 4 of the 1st round picks were out of football completely after a few years I mean… they weren’t even good enough to hang around the league on a bench somewhere. Horrible.

McNown played two seasons in the NFL
Haynes and Enis played 3
Terrell managed to be on a roster for 1 game with the Broncos in year 5.

And, that doesn’t even count Rashaan Salaam, who we picked in 1995.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 12, 2009 12:17 PM CDT up reply actions

Angelo has done a decent job of finding players in late rounds, but

sometimes I think he lets that cloud his judgement. It seems like he gets so caught up in trying to find these hidden gems that he overlooks the more obvious or appropriate pick sitting right in front of his face. Just because someone turns out to be a good player, it doesn’t necessarily justify reaching on them when they could be had a round or two later.

"The time has come to get deeply into Football. It is the only thing we have left that ain't fixed." - HST

by JerBear50 on Oct 12, 2009 11:10 PM CDT up reply actions

about average

I am mostly ok with our draft picks – it’s a crap-shoot for most teams, so I don’t necessarily “blame” the Bears for a miss here and there. More often than not, our draft picks are performing well.

The addition of Cutler and Marinelli this offseason should give the coaching staff and front office a higher grade than in years past.

I am not impressed with our in-game or halftime adjustments. Defensively, I feel the Bears don’t make adjustments as they should, and often end up getting beat by the same scheme or player in the second half as the first. I feel they stick to the game plan, even if the plan is failing.

I don’t even know where to start with our offense. While I will begrudgingly give Ron Turner a little credit for improving this year, I am a firm believer that he is an idiot, and will eventually be fired (or not resigned) – with or without Lovie. The apologists will say RT hasn’t had any talent or weapons. Instead of "doing more with less" (is that too much to ask?) we consistently underachieve offensively. How are Orton and Benson doing these days?

by Fire Ron Turner on Oct 12, 2009 11:10 AM CDT reply actions

Yeah, Turner is inept...

But in the words of Dick Jauron, “Ultimately every decision goes through the head coach.”

by Big Ike on Oct 12, 2009 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions

Put me down for 50-74%

I think the Bears can be very successful with the players they have. But, Lovie’s leadership is questionable. Sure he’ll crack a smile when the Bears win. But, We have close games vs. inferior teams because we still play like Grossman’s our quarterback. Open up the playbook already. If we take shots down the field maybe Forte can get on track.

by Big Ike on Oct 12, 2009 11:38 AM CDT reply actions

We just don't really have a superior coaching advantage over anyone.

I wish that was different. But, all in all… we’ve stayed competitive, which is much different than in years past (Jauron and Wanny years).

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 12, 2009 11:51 AM CDT up reply actions

Let me add...

With the football history we have, and the fanbase we have… we deserve to have a Bill Belicheck or a Parcells, or a Walsh running a dynasty here. In fact… I vote our next head coach be named Bill. LOL.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 12, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions

I went 75 to 94 percent mainly because I feel that Bears Management doesnt get the respect they deserve. Especially since Jerry Angelo went out and acquired Jay Cutler. Ive read some other comments from fellow Bears fans that talked about other teams and the consistent success they’ve had. Teams like the Eagles, Steelers, Colts, Patriots, etc. The one thing all of those teams has in common is a franchise qb. Angelo went out on a limb this offseason and stated that quarterback was the most important position on the team. Then he went out and made the Cutler trade happen. I will agree that he’s struggled with first round picks, but he’s consistently made solid moves later on in the draft. As for Lovie Smith, look at what he’s accomplished as a head coach. In my opinion he’s very underrated as a NFL head coach. Taking the Bears from where they were when he was hired, then taking them to the Super Bowl, winning two division titles. I think now that they have Jay Cutler, we will see that consistency of the “so called” elite teams.

by tylow23 on Oct 12, 2009 11:57 AM CDT reply actions

There's a converse to the "Jerry Angelo doesn't draft No. 1's well" idea.

And it’s that he’s squeezed a lot of value out of lower round selections. There are countless examples.

Alex Brown was an SEC Defensive Player of the Year who fell all the way to the 4th round. Lance Briggs was an all-conference selection who made it to round 3. Johnny Knox was an unheralded small-school wideout who slipped to the fifth round and is making a contribution as a rookie. Devin Hester was a speedster who was drafted in the late second round. Kyle Orton, while unspectacular, did a lot better than most 4th round QB’s. Matt Forte was a second-rounder who wound up becoming an integral part of the running game. The examples go on and on.

Heck, Angelo even managed to atone for taking Dogname 144guy with the Cutler trade. For those things, he’s well worthy of a 75-94 grade.

by V. Money on Oct 12, 2009 12:35 PM CDT reply actions

See, here's where I disagree with the lower round praise.

Yes, Angelo has found starters and a few pro-bowlers (Briggs, Vasher, Hester) in the lower rounds. The same can be said for almost all teams in the NFL… with the exception of the consistently bad teams, who don’t send too many guys to the Pro-Bowl.

However, for every good lower round pick made by Angelo, there are a multiple number of lower round selections who are currently not even rostered in the NFL… on any team. That’s also probably a pretty common thread among all teams.

So, by giving Angelo credit for his lower round picks, you’re just rewarding him for accomplishing what most teams team accomplish throughout several years of drafts. And, Angelo has now completed 8 drafts.

Success in the draft is very correlated to the 1st round. If you are consistently busting on those high picks, you’re forced to replace that miscue by re-drafting that position again in the following years, or over-paying in free agency. It sets you back 2 steps everytime… especially at the key money positions in the league (LT, DE, QB, CB)

Plus, some of the “good picks,” are often categorized by players like Kevin Payne, Danieal Manning, or Al Afalava. While they may have been starters on the Bears, that doesn’t mean they would be considered starters by other teams. We have such a lack of talent at safety, that lesser quality players are starting for us. So, we keep on drafting safeties, to replace the previous missed pick. And… we keep on running in place at the position. A position that is vital to the Cover 2 defense… the “2” stands for the 2 safeties.

2009 1 3 4 68 Jarron Gilbert DE San Jose State
2 3 35 99 Juaquin Iglesias WR Oklahoma
3 4 5 105 Henry Melton DE Texas
4 4 19 119 D.J. Moore DB Vanderbilt
5 5 4 140 Johnny Knox WR Abilene Christian
6 5 18 154 Marcus Freeman LB Ohio State
7 6 17 190 Al Afalava DB Oregon State
8 7 37 246 Lance Louis G San Diego State
9 7 42 251 Derek Kinder WR Pittsburgh
2008 1 1 14 14 Chris Williams T Vanderbilt
2 2 13 44 Matt Forte RB Tulane
3 3 7 70 Earl Bennett WR Vanderbilt
4 3 27 90 Marcus Harrison DT Arkansas
5 4 21 120 Craig Steltz DB Louisiana State
6 5 7 142 Zack Bowman DB Nebraska
7 5 23 158 Kellen Davis TE Michigan State
8 7 1 208 Ervin Baldwin DE Michigan State
9 7 15 222 Chester Adams G Georgia
10 7 36 243 Joey LaRocque LB Oregon State
11 7 40 247 Kirk Barton T Ohio State
12 7 41 248 Marcus Monk WR Arkansas
2007 1 1 31 31 Greg Olsen TE Miami (FL)
2 2 30 62 Dan Bazuin DE Central Michigan
3 3 30 93 Garrett Wolfe RB Northern Illinois
4 3 31 94 Michael Okwo LB Stanford
5 4 31 130 Josh Beekman G Boston College
6 5 30 167 Kevin Payne DB Louisiana-Monroe
7 5 31 168 Corey Graham DB New Hampshire
8 7 11 221 Trumaine McBride DB Mississippi
9 7 31 241 Aaron Brant T Iowa State
2006 1 2 10 42 Danieal Manning DB Abilene Christian
2 2 25 57 Devin Hester WR Miami (FL)
3 3 9 73 Dusty Dvoracek DT Oklahoma
4 4 23 120 Jamar Williams LB Arizona State
5 5 27 159 Mark Anderson DE Alabama
6 6 26 195 J.D. Runnels RB Oklahoma
7 6 31 200 Tyler Reed G Penn State
2005 1 1 4 4 Cedric Benson RB Texas
2 2 7 39 Mark Bradley WR Oklahoma
3 4 5 106 Kyle Orton QB Purdue
4 5 4 140 Airese Currie WR Clemson
5 6 7 181 Chris Harris DB Louisiana-Monroe
6 7 6 220 Rodriques Wilson DB South Carolina
2004 1 1 14 14 Tommie Harris DT Oklahoma
2 2 15 47 Tank Johnson DT Washington
3 3 15 78 Bernard Berrian WR Fresno State
4 4 14 110 Nathan Vasher DB Texas
5 4 16 112 Leon Joe LB Maryland
6 5 15 147 Claude Harriott DE Pittsburgh
7 5 16 148 Craig Krenzel QB Ohio State
8 7 14 215 Alfonso Marshall DB Miami (FL)
2003 1 1 14 14 Michael Haynes DE Penn State
2 1 22 22 Rex Grossman QB Florida
3 2 3 35 Charles Tillman DB Louisiana-Lafayette
4 3 4 68 Lance Briggs LB Arizona
5 4 3 100 Todd Johnson DB Florida
6 4 19 116 Ian Scott DT Florida
7 5 4 139 Bobby Wade WR Arizona
8 5 8 143 Justin Gage WR Missouri
9 5 36 171 Tron Lafavor DT Florida
10 6 18 191 Joe Odom LB Purdue
11 6 33 206 Brock Forsey RB Boise State
12 7 47 261 Bryan Anderson G Pittsburgh
2002 1 1 29 29 Marc Colombo T Boston College
2 3 7 72 Roosevelt Williams DB Tuskegee
3 3 28 93 Terrence Metcalf G Mississippi
4 4 6 104 Alex Brown DE Florida
5 5 5 140 Bobby Gray DB Louisiana Tech
6 5 30 165 Bryan Knight LB Pittsburgh
7 6 27 199 Adrian Peterson RB Georgia Southern
8 6 31 203 Jamin Elliott WR Delaware
9 6 38 210 Bryan Fletcher TE UCLA

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 12, 2009 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Well, first off...

…even if Angelo is average in this regard, it still isn’t easy finding talent in the first place. You have to do your homework to find guys that are there when all of the most hyped guys go off the board. Teams don’t sign their second-rounders on to lucrative contracts, which makes them more cuttable in the long run.

And success with 1st-rounders isn’t in a vacuum in any sport, but the maxim is particularly true in football. For example, David Carr was a top talent when he was picked 1st overall by the Houston Texans, and was followed up by Andre Johnson and Mario Williams in the next four drafts; given the high risk usually associated with their positions, getting Johnson and Williams has made the Texans look smart. Problem was, the Texans never gave Carr a quality offensive line during his time there, and while giving him one wouldn’t have guaranteed that he’d become a star, it didn’t help his chances either.

Of course, the success rate is naturally higher for first-rounders. But you can’t stock an entire team with team. Besides, you have teams like the Raiders and the Lions that don’t pay attention to the process beyond the first round and wonder why they end up in the lottery every single year. So it’s important.

by V. Money on Oct 12, 2009 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Well... I'm not saying the lower rounds of the draft aren't important.

Of course they’re important! That’s how you build a team… through the entire draft. Rounds 1 – 7.

All I’m saying is… in a “homeristic” point of view, many Bears fans always say, “Well, Angelo’s done poorly in the 1st round, but he makes up for it in the later rounds.”

His poor record in the first round should never be dismissed, or glossed over. The investments you make in the 1st round of a draft are very crucial to your success. Not only do they impact the W-L record… they impact your cash flow (signing bonuses), your salary cap structure, and the direction of your future off-season needs.

When you fail by selecting a bust QB, RB, WR, Lineman, etc in the 1st round of the draft, you’re forced to allocate even more bonus money within 2 or 3 years to try and correct the pick with another pick, or a free agent. It’s a double-whammy. You’re getting rid of a bust, who still impacts your salary cap… and may still be owed part of a guaranteed signing bonus. And, at the same time, you’re adding another guy to replace him, who will also impact the salary cap, and have a guaranteed bonus.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 12, 2009 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions

I tend to agree with you, but I'm still not totally convinced that our coaching staff does a good job

of developing talent that is drafted. That does ultimately go back to the GM, but since Lovie seemed to have been forced into adding some pro experience to his coaching staff, finally, I’m willing to cut Angelo a little more slack.

I’ve said it before, that if we make the playoffs, they should keep everyone intact, but if we don’t, the whole coaching staff should be launched and Angelo has a very short leash on the next hire.

by BearFan611 on Oct 12, 2009 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions

I won't deny that the first-rounders are important.

But I never implied that Angelo “made up” for his track record with No. 1’s by picking up anything later, either. Even with the Bears’ history of QB problems, he could have made things a lot easier on himself if he found a face of the franchise in the draft. Doing good in the draft doesn’t mean doing your best.

If he drafted his first rounders half as well as he did all the other picks, the Bears would be a lot better than 50-38 with Coach Smith. In a half-joking way, you can almost call the Cutler trade addition by subtraction in the sense that trading away two first rounders means that Angelo won’t mangle it up with his track record. It’s also somewhat fitting that Johnny Knox, the guy drafted with the fifth rounder he acquired, is turning out so well.

by V. Money on Oct 12, 2009 6:08 PM CDT up reply actions

LOL.

I would actually prefer to see the Bears deal away more of their 1st rounders in the future… for that very reason. We’re not good at making those selections… so trade them away for proven commodities, and it will minimize your draft failures.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 12, 2009 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions

Or, an even better idea...

…trade them away for multiple selections in later rounds so Angelo can work his magic. I’m amazed nobody’s thought of this earlier.

Just imagine the possibilities. If he does this, then the Bears’ll be able to party like it’s ’85.

by V. Money on Oct 13, 2009 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions

Sure...

If you want more Dan Bazuins, Garrett Wolfes, and Michael Okwos… or, you can trade your pick for a prove veteran like Anquan Boldin.

Your 1st round pick costs you X amount in signing bonus money, and a 4 or 5 year contract.

Trading that pick for Anquan Boldin, you’d have to re-sign him to a long term deal (which is why he wants to be dealt). So, he’d get a similar signing bonus, and 4 or 5 year deal. But, instead of getting an unknown rookie… you’re getting a proven veteran who can make an impact on day 1 for the same price. Well worth the trade.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.

by SackMan on Oct 13, 2009 9:40 AM CDT up reply actions

I was being slightly sarcastic.

Although not all No. 1 picks are created equal.

by V. Money on Oct 13, 2009 10:43 AM CDT up reply actions

Al Afalava…that doesn’t mean they would be considered starters by other teams…. lesser quality players are starting for us.

in the words of Anton Chigurh “You don’t know what you’re talking about, do you?”

If you want to crown em...

by JohnnyTruant on Oct 13, 2009 10:14 PM CDT up reply actions

75-80%.

they lose 40% because of bad 1st round picks(with a rare exception) and Ron Turner’s debatable playcalling sometimes..but somehow Angelo digs gold out of the 2nd thru 6th rounds..so they negate the 1st round issue and gain 15-20 back on the management front. And Marinelli has done wonders for our D line apparently..which helps the coaching front cover up the occasional epic fail of Turner :)

by Pretender85 on Oct 12, 2009 1:43 PM CDT reply actions

I hold out hope for another Bill

Cower, that is – but he’ll never come, not with this kind of ownership. The Rooneys make the McCaskey’s look like amateurs, which they are, and always have been.

by Waylon on Oct 12, 2009 4:37 PM CDT reply actions

25-49%

I think the Bears will have a better winning percentage than the category I’ve voted, but, at this point, I can easily foresee them finishing just above the Lions in the division. But that’s not the point of this post, my point is that I think the Bears Franchise has a number of negative issues to address: (1) Franchise honesty – when the team conveniently didn’t disclose Tommie Harris & Lance Briggs surgical procedures until well after the fact, (2) Mediocre drafting perfomance as listed in many posts above; especially galling are the many high draft picks that disappear from the NFL after just a few years, (3) Poor coaching personnel decisions that have turned the defensive secondary into a revolving-door department, and a disappointing tendency to continually start players not based on merit, but rather how much they’re being paid, their draft status or just general stubborness (4) Poor coaching in general – from offensive play calling to just plain lack of teaching football fundamentals such as proper tackling, (5) Lack of accountability-this entire franchise is one “good ole boys network” with little effort being made at making certain that management, coaching and players know what’s expected of them & then holding them personally accountable for their performance instead of issuing the usual “publicity speak” and platitudes we see in the press releases and on TV.

I could go on and on, but I’ll just sum it up by saying the Bears are a long way from being a first-class football organization.

by prbart140 on Oct 12, 2009 11:39 PM CDT reply actions

Honestly it doesn't matter what round...

many of the Bear’s picks have been. We could argue about expectations and salary concerns, but, IMO, that is missing the point. The Bears coaching and management have simply spent so much time trying to "outsmart’ everyone, they simply swing and miss too often. Case in point, Dan Bazuin. The Bears easily could have picked up this guy in the supplemental draft, but they chose him in the 2nd round. This was the draft pick they got for Thomas Jones. Even if they believed he was “hidden” talent, why waste 2nd round picks on dubious potential? Next up in the same draft, Garrett Wolfe. Again, why. He’s a “highly specialized” talent (i.e., he’s too small to be consistent at RB) that they could have drafted in much later rounds. Now they cannot simply admit that the pick was wasted, not because Wolfe is good or bad, but because of the opportunity cost. But this is ultimately pinned on management because they are the final word for drafting.

Again and again, former Bears players perform at a high level for other teams. While not every player drafted can handle the pressures of the NFL initially, too many high round picks flame out or end up cut. Take Cedric Benson for instance. He was a true first-round bust for the Bears. I do believe the Bears had to cut him because no one else wanted to trade for him, but that’s the big problem. The Bears coaches were not able to teach, coach, or motivate him to use his talents. The Bears got nothing for all of their efforts and his sustained success for the Bengals shows he has the basic talent. Yes, it can be argued that he lacked the mental toughness coming into the NFL, but isn’t that what coaching is supposed to help overcome?

Smith et al, continue to say they are “teachers” and the word is used by many “football experts” to describe them; so what are they teaching? In the end, the Bears are not bringing in the proper talent and then fail to develop the talent they do bring in. Instead the arrogantly insist on never admitting their mistakes so much to a fault, that they keep missing out on the obvious failures.

Again, IMO, the management needs to stop taking such high risks in the first 3 rounds and the coaches will have to admit that some players are not as good as they had hoped and simply need to fill their roles or be replaced by better talent.

There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots.

by LostInSTL on Oct 13, 2009 7:42 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs