Optimist-Pessimist: GM Search Edition
by Sam Householder on Jan 20, 2012 3:00 PM CST
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It's been nearly three weeks since the Bears fired Jerry Angelo and this week has been the first real movement we've seen in the openings. Interviews have finally been happening and most fans seem happy enough with the candidates and the fact that there is finally movement.
However, this slow-moving process is not without problems; fans saw two candidates they really wanted; Reggie McKenzie and Eric DeCosta, drop out before the search started. So I'm going to do my optimist-pessimist look at the search and try and weighs the pros and cons of how the search is going. As usual feel free to weigh in.
Pessimist: The Bears taking their sweet time is classic McCaskeys. They want to seem like they are being thorough so that when they settle on Tim Ruskell it can be justified with "well we went through all the candidates and explored all our options." If they had really done that they would have moved faster and gotten an interview with Reggie McKenzie and tried harder to get Eric DeCosta to at least talk to them. This whole thing is a sham to install Jerry Angelo 2.0, aka Ruskell. In the meantime he is the interim guy meaning he's probably screwing up our talent evaluations as we speak. Other teams will have their GM positions filled by the time the Bears are just finishing up interviews in all likelihood meaning all the better to settle for Ruskell. "Now the draft is only two months away, no use in bringing in an outsider when he's been the interim and is more ready for the draft than any outside guy could be at this point" will be the excuse. Ruskell will also be a Lovie yes man and continue to settle for the mediocrity we've seen the last eight years.
Optimist: The Bears taking their time is a good thing. They are spacing out the interviews to give them time to thoroughly talk with each one and then examine how the interview went and figure out the best road to take with the candidates. They are interviewing Ruskell who, so far anyway, is the only full qualified candidate with a clear drafting record. Ruskell is not merely a JA 2.0, he's his own man and while his record in Seattle isn't superb, most of the guys he drafted are at least still on NFL rosters, which is more than can be said for Jarron Gilbert, Mark Bradley and Michael Haynes among other JA picks. They have talked to all the right guys, no one was going to get DeCosta to interview so shutty on that one and Reggie McKenzie was destined to be a Raider. The Bears are going about this the right way and it seems to me that the Bears are going to get the best candidate. Their will be new ideas in the front office before long. There is plenty of time for a new guy to come in and evaluate and be ready for the draft.
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I'm more with the Optimist side of thinking
When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jan 20, 2012 3:06 PM CST reply actions
I think people
are freaking out about Ruskell a little too much. If he ends up GM, it won’t be end of the world. Especially if he’s given an interim title or his contract is tied to Lovie’s so that when Lovie goes (either by being fired if we don’t make the playoffs in 2012, or leaving when his contract is up after 2013) he goes and we get to start over with a clean house.
The last time he was building a team for a Cover Two defense he did it so well they nicknamed that D the Tampa Two. The roster he helped build in Tampa won a SB in 2002 and the roster he helped tweak his first season in Seattle went to the SB.
Yes, his final years in Seattle sucked but almost any GM would have been handcuffed with a control freak like Mike Holmgren (who was just fired as GM but remained as Coach and was extremely bitter about that), but I think more people look at that and react instead of stepping back and looking at the whole picture.
The whole picture says Ruskell wouldn’t be a horrible choice. He actually makes the most sense. That doesn’t make him the best option, just the one that makes the most sense.
In short, in life, as in a foot-ball game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard!" Theodore Roosevelt
Typically speaking I'm an optimist
and always tend to give players and organizations the benefit of the doubt. For instance, I held out hope that Hanie would improve even though the evidence said otherwise.
However, I’ve got such a bad feeling about how things are going at Halas hall right now that your “Optimist” potion reads like satire to me.
That having been said, I really hope my impressions are wrong.
I'm in the Elephant if I know what is going on side of thinking.
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
Cage the elephant?
on side of thinking wise.
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
And Borderlands just might find its way back into
my game queue with that reminder. God I love that game.
Cacti are prickly.
by crackedcactus on Jan 20, 2012 4:55 PM CST up reply actions
And I was thinking of the band...
Now I’m super confused….
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
Borderlands used their song for the opening of the game.
Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked, if you are wondering.
Cacti are prickly.
by crackedcactus on Jan 21, 2012 10:25 AM CST up reply actions
Thank you
I was beginning to think I was incredibly out of touch. Still might be but not because of the band….
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
Bought it used the other day
love it, can’t wait for the next one
WCG's Resident Nickelback and Boy Band fan
Also rated Worst WCG Blogger by Dr. Steven Schweickert's extensive "Total BR" (Blogger Rating)
"Oh Dilfer, give me the strength...
to be as bad a WCG Contributor as you are an announcer/authority on anything. Peace be with you. " (JoetheBoss)
Why is the pessimist AND the optimist focusing on Tim Ruskell?
Couldn’t the optimist focus on better candidates?
If we are considering Ruskell, I also want to nominate the waste basket of the GM of either the Steelers/Ravens. Those trashcans would be more likely to be able to draft then Ruskell.
Cacti are prickly.
by crackedcactus on Jan 20, 2012 3:27 PM CST reply actions 1 recs
I know, right? What a bunch of horrible picks he's been part of!
Especially when drafting for a team run similar to Chicago. Look at some of these losers he’s drafted!
Matt Schaub
Warrick Dunn
Mike Alstott
Warren Sapp
Derrick Brooks
John Lynch
DeAngelo Hall
Ronde Barber
Al Harris
Wastes of space, all of them!
In short, in life, as in a foot-ball game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard!" Theodore Roosevelt
Most of those picks were a long time ago.
His recent picks do not look so rosy.
by Mike Mueller on Jan 20, 2012 3:52 PM CST up reply actions
He wasn't the guy in charge (GM) for any of those picks...
…they’re all Rich McKay, as far as I can tell.
Why not make a list of the guys he picked as GM? Otherwise known as “Lofa and the Losers”?
If we’re going to make a list of picks that GM candidates have ‘been part of’, I’m sure that the lists of Raye, Ross and Licht would look equally as impressive, if not kick that list’s ass outright.
Ruskell was the GM in Seattle, and he was in control when that team went in the toilet. If we’re going to hire somebody based on their time as Director of Player Personnel or Director of Scouting, I’d prefer it to be someone just coming from those positions, rather than someone who inherited a Super Bowl team as GM after it was already built by Ted Thompson, was working for a billionaire for whom money was little or no obstacle, and still managed to run the ship into the rocks.
by Sweetness Lives On on Jan 20, 2012 4:41 PM CST up reply actions
Do you believe
the rift with Holmgren had nothing to do with that franchise going into the rocks? By some reports, Holmgren’s ego exploded after the SB and the prestige of being one of just a few head coaches to take two different teams to the SB. As I mention below, he refused to play Jason Babin (he played in 4 games in 2 seasons) after Ruskell traded for him.
Ruskell has worked with Lovie in the past to build a great defense, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that our defense saw a turnaround in 2010 after he came aboard. As Director of Player Personnel he would have played a significant role in bringing Peppers here and a big hand in our draft this year, which was pretty decent.
I just think he’s unfairly maligned.
In short, in life, as in a foot-ball game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard!" Theodore Roosevelt
Let's do the math
Mike Holmgren + Ted Thompson = NFC Champions
Mike Holmgren + Tim Ruskell = gradual decline of franchise to #4 pick in the draft
Sure, Mike Holmgren should take responsibility for the state of the franchise from 2005-2009, but he seemed to work well with a better GM. I’d be interested to know if there’s a single Seahawk fan who thinks that Ruskell has been “unfairly maligned”.
Or, let’s look at it in terms of Tim Ruskell fitting the Bears’ needs….judging from recent posts and comments here from die-hard Bears fans:
Dominant, or at least #1, WR: As I’ve written in other comment threads, Ruskell couldn’t find a WR to save his life in Seattle. He traded a first-round draft pick for Deion Branch and then, if that wasn’t bad enough, signed him to a 6-year $39 million contract extension. Branch played in 51 games over 5 seasons for the Hawks, and never had more than 53 catches for 725 yards. He was traded back to the Pats for a 4th-round pick.
Ruskell’s attempt to find a WR on the open market resulted in signing T.J. Houshmandzadeh to a five-year $40 million contract with $15 million guaranteed. TJ irritated everyone, even Matt Hasselbeck, and was released one year later.
Offensive (hopefully Left) Tackle: Even though Walter Jones was getting long in the tooth when Ruskell took over in 2005 (Walter’s 9th season), he never had any (apparent) plan in place to replace him. In 37 draft picks over 5 drafts (2005-2009), Ruskell selected ONE OT – Ray Willis (4th, #105, 2005) – a journeyman, at best.
Backup QB: Same type of story here as OT. Matt Hasselbeck is getting old and gradually missing games, and the best that Ruskell could do for a backup plan was Seneca Wallace. Ouch. Wallace was last seen starting 3 games for the Browns this season, with a 51% completion rate, 65.4 rating and 5.3 yards per attempt.
Cornerback: This is probably the one area where Ruskell can’t be completely maligned as he picked Kelly Jennings (1st, #31) and Josh Wilson (2nd, #55) with top picks in consecutive years for the Seahawks. They’re both still playing, but neither could be considered a stud nor lock-down corner, and they’re both on different teams now. Jennings was traded for a 7th-rounder, Wilson for a conditional pick.
I don’t think it’s a coincidence that our defense saw a turnaround in 2010 after he came aboard. As Director of Player Personnel he would have played a significant role in bringing Peppers here
One big reason the Bears’ defense saw a big turnaround in 2010 was Julius Peppers, but Ruskell had absolutely NOTHING to do with that.
Julius Peppers was signed on March 5, 2010. Tim Ruskell was hired eight weeks later, on April 30, 2010. Like I said, let’s do the math.
Unfairly maligned? Hell, I think he gets waaaaaayyyyy more credit than he deserves.
by Sweetness Lives On on Jan 20, 2012 5:53 PM CST up reply actions 5 recs
Ruskell destroyed the Seahawks
Most of the players on Seattle’s Super Bowl team were acquired under Ted Thompson’s direction.
Not Tim Ruskell.
Ruskell was replaced by John Schneider in Seattle. Schneider and Reggie McKenzie were the co-director of football operation under Thompson in Green Bay.
should be front paged.
skeletons don't like closets.
by Where Triples Go to Die on Jan 21, 2012 6:00 AM CST up reply actions
all is not lost.
We could be Dolphins fans..
"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders
It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!
~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders
At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool
or Bills fans
WCG's Resident Nickelback and Boy Band fan
Also rated Worst WCG Blogger by Dr. Steven Schweickert's extensive "Total BR" (Blogger Rating)
"Oh Dilfer, give me the strength...
to be as bad a WCG Contributor as you are an announcer/authority on anything. Peace be with you. " (JoetheBoss)
You can go watch TO play there!
Cacti are prickly.
by crackedcactus on Jan 21, 2012 10:29 AM CST up reply actions
IFL.
Not Arena. IFL last I knew is something different.
Weekend contributor and official editorial lackey/waitstaff at Windy City Gridiron
If a people-avoiding gaming hermit is on Twitter, I should be too. Follow me!
by Steven Schweickert on Jan 21, 2012 11:24 AM CST up reply actions
Whups. Thought that was were TO was going to take his exceptional talents.
I’d bring popcorn for him.
Cacti are prickly.
by crackedcactus on Jan 21, 2012 1:25 PM CST up reply actions
Hey Kev H
ted phillips is doing a great job at this gm search thingy eh?
skeletons don't like closets.
by Where Triples Go to Die on Jan 20, 2012 3:37 PM CST reply actions
the guy was brought here to get a stadium deal done
time to part ways.
skeletons don't like closets.
by Where Triples Go to Die on Jan 20, 2012 3:39 PM CST up reply actions
I'd be kind of nice to have a GM to go to Mobile
with the rest of the scouts & coaches to check out the Senior Bowl next week.
Cautious optimism
Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan
Phoenix Suns, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Coyotes, Arizona Rattlers fan
[I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
Leading the NFL in swagtangibles
holgrem
was he with ruskell the whole time he was drafting? whats the dealio on that sitch
Holmgren
was with him through 2008 and by many accounts was a huge d-bag to Ruskell. So much so that Ruskell traded to get Jason Babin and Holmgren refused to even put him on the field so he had to be released.
In short, in life, as in a foot-ball game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard!" Theodore Roosevelt
Emery once worked for ANGELO!!!!
He’s an Angelo disciple. Sound the sirens, grab the pitchforks and head to Halas Hall….
Update on the GM search can be found here
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
Emery is solid , lets not go off the deep end .
" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson
by MidWayMonster54 on Jan 20, 2012 5:09 PM CST up reply actions
I would like to call all my fellow lemmings to the ledge!
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
Red 2 checking in
WCG's Resident Nickelback and Boy Band fan
Also rated Worst WCG Blogger by Dr. Steven Schweickert's extensive "Total BR" (Blogger Rating)
"Oh Dilfer, give me the strength...
to be as bad a WCG Contributor as you are an announcer/authority on anything. Peace be with you. " (JoetheBoss)
lock s-foils in attack formation
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
Red October checking in
Cacti are prickly.
by crackedcactus on Jan 21, 2012 10:30 AM CST up reply actions
The best part of hiring Ruskell
is it will be easier to do a top to bottom house cleaning in a year or two when this mess crashes and burns.
You might be giving the MCaskeys too much credit there lol
by frenchbears113 on Jan 20, 2012 6:53 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
Thats gonna take another 10 years though
look how long it took them to get rid of Jerry. We’re gonna have to wait till Mike McCaskey’s son takes over.
Uh, ... could we speed this up a bit?
This nonchalant pace of picking a GM ignores the fact that Free Agency is rapidly approaching.
All this talk about Drafting is really a mote point unless we know how many gems and which positions we might score on.
That just might, (Huh? Maybe?), change the whole complexion of the draft, … Yes?
Unless, of course, we want to wait and let everyone else pick them good GM prospects over ahead of us.
We are, in fact, very experienced at working the slag heap :(
So let’s get a GM in place A.S.A.P. so he can crowbar Virginia’s safe open and get us some serious FA dollar$ … and score 2 (maybe 3 ) studs in the Pep mold when the FA bell rings.
THEN we go get some more Gems in the Draft!
Almost forgot, … Go Bears!
pbanachi
3 FA
in the pep mold?
not sure is serious..
Sure I'm dreamin!
But we need at least 2 serious FA’s.
WR & OL at least. … (and a DB makes 3 )
pbanachi
Ruskell's doo
Looks like Karl Rove prior to male pattern baldness
GM
Have they considered Bill Cowher as GM, A monkey could have drafted better than JA and after a year on job, Bill can clean house, and we can dream of a better team.
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