Thread: Bears record proves there's method to Angelo'

Bears record proves there's method to Angelo's madness

Offseason spending spree was really careful management of assets that paid off



The Bears bought themselves the No. 2 seed in the playoffs.

General manager Jerry Angelo, in a desperate attempt to save his job, gave away millions like a dying man who just won the lottery.

The McCaskey family decided to make it rain with million dollar checks.

It might make for a marketable screenplay, but it would be a Hollywood version of the truth.

According to an NFL source outside the Bears organization, the Bears ranked 21st in the league in cash spending as of midseason. They spent $114 million, or $34 million less than the Patriots, who led the league in player payroll.

What's interesting is the Bears actually spent $6 million less this year than last. And they spent the same amount this year as they did in 2008. Averaging the previous four years before this one, the Bears ranked 18th in the league in spending.

They actually are a good reminder that teams don't have to be among the league leaders in spenders to be among the league leaders in victories. The Patriots' payroll is bloated because of the contract extension that made quarterback Tom Brady the highest-paid player in the league.

There are examples of teams that spent big but lost big this year. Among them are the Cowboys, Redskins, Dolphins, Lions and Texans.

The roster the Bears put together isn't the result of unusual spending. It's the result of Angelo's vision and making the vision reality.

The Bears had kept their same basic core of players together for three years after their last Super Bowl appearance, but wanted to make a break from the past last offseason. Eight players who started the bulk of the games for the team this year had not been starters in the past.

"The approach was no different from years past, but we had to do more in terms of change," Angelo said. "After three years we felt like we weren't reaching our goals. We needed to make change. Change is never easy, but it our case it was necessary."

That included spending $20 million in 2010 cash on Julius Peppers, the prize of the free agent class. He was the centerpiece of the Bears' turnaround.

"Pass rush was a big part of what we wanted to do based on the philosophy of our scheme," Angelo said. "We wanted to do all we could to generate more rush."

How did the Bears afford Peppers without increasing their payroll? It was about budget appropriation, not budget expansion.

They typically have a number of their own players who are given significant contract extensions every year. They didn't have any of them in 2010. They also subtracted from the payroll when they didn't re-sign Adewale Ogunleye (he made $4.8 million last season), cut Alex Brown (he was due $5 million this year) and released Nathan Vasher (he was due $2.95 million this year).

"We acted not out of desperation, but soundness in all areas, including free agency," Angelo said. "It came with a lot of planning."

They were fortunate Peppers was available in a year when they needed him and they had the financial flexibility to sign him.

One of the reasons they were able to have success with him is many of their recent draft picks provided considerable production.

Six recent picks played their best football in 2010: offensive tackle Chris Williams, running back Matt Forte, wide receiver Earl Bennett, defensive tackle Henry Melton, nickel back D.J. Moore and wide receiver Johnny Knox. Three rookies — safety Major Wright, defensive end Corey Wootton and offensive tackle J'Marcus Webb — also made moves.

Seven of those homegrown products were drafted after the second round, making them excellent values for their salaries.

The Bears also have had veterans who don't have big price tags step up such as defensive end Israel Idonije, defensive tackle Matt Toeaina, cornerback Tim Jennings and safety Chris Harris.

That helped the team absorb the relatively high 2010 cash expenditures to free agents Chester Taylor ($7 million) and Brandon Manumaleuna ($6.105 million).

The Bears got more out of players this year because part of their vision was to improve the coaching and make a re-commitment to player development. In the past, it's possible that some of the young players who contributed this year never would have seen the field. This time, they were given opportunity and better coaching.

What the Bears ended up with is an effective blend of high-priced players and low-priced ones, experienced vets and developing young guys.

"It's not about collecting talent," Angelo said. "It's building a team."

He has done that well.

dpompei@tribune.com