Bears' Angelo: Playing time has 'got to be earned'

Bears' Angelo: Playing time has 'got to be earned'

September 30, 2010 5:12 PM | 2 Comments

By Brad Biggs
Jerry Angelo said Thursday that "play time is not a given" and it's his hope that message hits home with Tommie Harris.
The Bears general manager announced on the team's Web site that his thinking mirrors that of the coaches, who wanted to get a look at defensive tackle Marcus Harrison on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers. Harrison had been inactive for the first two games, and Harris was sidelined to make room.
"We feel that Tommie can still play at a high level," Angelo said. "We felt his play at this point didn't warrant us from looking at other players, in particular Marcus Harrison, who we also want to continue to see and develop.

"Play time is very important to players, and they have to understand that play time is not a given. It's got to be earned, and that's based on performance. That's the bottom line with all players. If it isn't, there is no accountability."
That's where the problem is for the Bears. They believe Harris still can perform at a high level, but admitted he is far from that point. That is why they didn't hang a uniform in his locker Monday night at Soldier Field. He has been participating in practice and he didn't miss time in the offseason. If practice isn't making him better in the eyes of the coaches or Angelo, what will?
Angelo said before the season started that he expected Harris, a three-time Pro Bowl performer, to return to all-star form.
"Players hold us accountable for their livelihoods and careers," Angelo said. "When you're not even-handed in evaluating performance, then you're not fair to the team and/or doing your job as one of its caretakers."


http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com...be-earned.html

Angelo impressed with Bears' perseverance in victory


Last Updated: 9/30/2010 11:53 AM





ChicagoBears.com senior writer Larry Mayer sits down with general manager Jerry Angelo to discuss the most pressing issues involving the Bears every week. This unique feature will provide you with inside information directly from Jerry that you can’t get anywhere else.

LM: Given the Bears’ rivalry with Green Bay and how the Packers are being touted as a Super Bowl contender, what impressed you most about Monday night’s big victory?


http://www.chicagobears.com/userfile...side093010.jpg
Greg Olsen celebrates his nine-yard TD reception with Lance Louis and Frank Omiyale Monday night. JA: “The thing that impressed me most was the way we hung tough throughout the game. We kept our poise and didn’t panic, and we played really hard. Those are the things I took away from that game. If you hang in there in a tough game—which it was—good things can happen, and they did. We made some clutch plays when we needed to—the blocked field goal, the strip by Brian [Urlacher]—and then made some plays on offense to put us in position to win the game. It’s a testament to the character of the team.”

LM: Lovie Smith said the decision to deactivate defensive tackle Tommie Harris Monday night was “performance based.” What’s your take on the situation?

JA: “We feel that Tommie can still play at a high level. We felt his play at this point didn’t warrant us from looking at other players, in particular Marcus Harrison, who we also want to continue to see and develop. Play time is very important to players, and they have to understand that play time is not a given. It’s got to be earned, and that’s based on performance. That’s the bottom line with all players. If it is isn’t, there is no accountability."

LM: Tommie Harris wasn’t the only one whose playing time was affected Monday. Receiver Devin Aromashodu also was inactive and cornerback Zackary Bowman was replaced by Tim Jennings in the first quarter. As a general manager, how important is it for your coaches to hold players accountable for their play on the field?

JA: “It’s the essence of what coaches have to do in our game. Everybody has to be held accountable, and accountability is largely based on performance. Players hold us accountable for their livelihoods and careers. When you’re not even-handed in evaluating performance, then you’re not fair to the team and/or doing your job as one of its caretakers. We have strived to operate in this fashion since I have been here and throughout Lovie’s entire tenure. This is nothing new and it is understood by all of us, including our players."

LM: The signing of Jennings didn’t garner much attention during the offseason, not after the Bears inked Julius Peppers, Chester Taylor and Brandon Manumaleuna on the first day of free agency. What did you like about Jennings that led to his acquisition?

JA: “He’s very competitive. We watched a lot of tape on Tim with the Colts. The familiarity with our scheme played a part in it as well. But he was very competitive in every area. He is a very aggressive player, good tackler and special teams player. There wasn’t one area that you didn’t see a competitive guy with talent. He’s got a good play history and he’s a young player, so he met our criteria. It was good to see him respond when he was thrown in there Monday night, particularly in a game of that magnitude. But he’s been in a lot of big games. He’s not foreign to that kind of atmosphere.”

LM: It’s difficult for rookies to get on the field, especially seventh-round picks. But J'Marcus Webb rotated in at right tackle at times against the Packers. What type of potential does he have?

JA: “The sky’s the limit with him. J'Marcus has got tremendous potential. I think coach [Mike] Tice getting him in the game Monday night and getting his feet wet was a great thing for him—and it will be for us as well. Even when he makes a mistake, his size and athleticism enable him to recover and still get the job done. Hopefully he’s got a passion for this game and a hunger to be great. If he does, he’s going to be a very good player for us."

http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=7137

Bears' Angelo: Playing time has 'got to be earned'

September 30, 2010 5:12 PM |

By Brad Biggs

Jerry Angelo said Thursday that "play time is not a given" and it's his hope that message hits home with Tommie Harris.

The Bears general manager announced on the team's Web site that his thinking mirrors that of the coaches, who wanted to get a look at defensive tackle Marcus Harrison on Monday night against the Green Bay Packers. Harrison had been inactive for the first two games, and Harris was sidelined to make room.

"We feel that Tommie can still play at a high level," Angelo said. "We felt his play at this point didn't warrant us from looking at other players, in particular Marcus Harrison, who we also want to continue to see and develop.


"Play time is very important to players, and they have to understand that play time is not a given. It's got to be earned, and that's based on performance. That's the bottom line with all players. If it isn't, there is no accountability."

That's where the problem is for the Bears. They believe Harris still can perform at a high level, but admitted he is far from that point. That is why they didn't hang a uniform in his locker Monday night at Soldier Field. He has been participating in practice and he didn't miss time in the offseason. If practice isn't making him better in the eyes of the coaches or Angelo, what will?

Angelo said before the season started that he expected Harris, a three-time Pro Bowl performer, to return to all-star form.

"Players hold us accountable for their livelihoods and careers," Angelo said. "When you're not even-handed in evaluating performance, then you're not fair to the team and/or doing your job as one of its caretakers."

posted this last night.