Phillips doesn’t see Bears going after anothe
Phillips doesn’t see Bears going after another Peppers-like star
By Sean Jensen sjensen@suntimes.com .hideTime { DISPLAY: none}Mar 22, 2011 02:
NEW ORLEANS — The Bears deviated from their usual M.O. and signed the most coveted unrestricted free agent last year.
But the Bears are not expected to make a similar splash — whenever free agency starts this offseason — at least not on one player.
“Last year, we saw a special player who played a special position that fit our scheme,” Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said. “So in our minds, that was the right thing to do.
“Do I see that happening in this free-agency market? I don’t really see that at this point.”
Asked if the Bears would invest in a player like Julius Peppers, who landed his position’s biggest contract, team president Ted Phillips suggested they will likely spread the wealth.
“I don’t see us, right now, just putting our resources into one high-profile player,” Phillips said. “But I do see our budget being set up where we can have an impact in free agency to fill some needs and to re-sign some of our players.”
Phillips and Angelo said there could be a larger than usual pool of free agents on the market.
“Normally in free agency, there are a handful of players,’’ Angelo said. ‘‘Then there are maybe two or three [players] that people are saying are special. And there will probably be a dozen paid like they’re special but they’re not really special, based on the value of their positions.’’
Angelo said the Bears have a plan but the cement, while in place, isn’t necessarily dry.
Plus, with six teams hiring new coaches, there could be more veterans flooding the market.
“Just too many moving parts right now,” Angelo said. “You have to prepare for as many things and as many scenarios that might be presented. That’s the art of this. Be prepared to act, and not react. Much more challenging this year.”
NFL business has been halted as the league and players union work toward a collective bargaining agreement, but Angelo said his staff is plenty busy.
“Just the draft, if nothing else,” he said. “There’s a lot on our plate.”
The Bears will have a full allotment of draft picks this year, and they could use help along the lines.
“It’s a very good year for linemen,” Angelo said. “You have to play the course based on what it gives you. Right now, the linemen are good, particularly the defensive linemen.
“There’s a number of offensive linemen. I don’t think there are necessarily bell cows like there are on the defense, but still a good number of quality players.”
Angelo said there are four positions that are “not up to par,” and he’s not sure how that will affect the draft.
But Angelo is comfortable with defensive tackle Henry Melton as a potential starter.
“Obviously, the plan is for him to play more, and hopefully be the starter,’’ Angelo said. ‘‘He’s still a work in progress. But everything we saw this past year . . . we liked. He kept getting a little better, a little better, so the arrow is going up.
“Physically, he’s got everything you want in terms of size, speed, toughness. That’s not in question. Now, it’s just a matter of learning the position, and that will come with repetition of more plays.”
Asked if he feels any pressure with his early picks, Angelo said, “They can’t beat up on the first-round picks for the last couple of years because of the obvious reason.
“But, we feel real good. Our formula to draft well is very, very sound. I’m very comfortable with our philosophy and how we look at the draft.”
“It’s hard to think, ‘We’re going to hit a home run at 29.’ Very hard to do. And if you try to do it, you may, but if you don’t, then what are you left with? And I think that’s important because when we look at any draft, we want to come out with four starters.”
