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Angelo happy with the way Bears coming together
GM likes mesh of new players and players already on board
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http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/...8/63836553.jpg Bears general manager Jerry Angelo during training camp practice at Olivet Nazarene University. (Scott Strazzante/ Tribune / August 4, 2011)
Dan Pompei On the NFL 9:26 p.m. CDT, August 8, 2011
BOURBONNAIS — Just because the Bears didn't add an offensive line version of Julius Peppers does not mean their offseason plan was foiled.
In fact, the plan worked out very much how general manager Jerry Angelo hoped it would. Part of that plan was adding several veterans, and part of that plan included leaving room for young Bears to grow.
Story: Carimi 1 of 6 Bears being counted on to step up
http://www.chicagotribune.com/media/...733-187105.jpg Story: Bears don't waste time getting offensive line set
"We are happy with how it worked out," Angelo said Monday in his dorm room office on the campus of Olivet Nazarene. "I felt like we upgraded our football team. These players still have to come in, fit in and make their way. Based on what we've seen now, it's been a good mesh with these new players and the players we already had."
Angelo explained the team approached free agency thinking it could field a solid starting lineup with even if the Bears added no one. Included in that nucleus were a number of former draft picks the team is counting on to play bigger roles.
Given that there were many more available free agents than usual, the Bears tried to be open to what the market presented them.
"We weren't going to shut the door on anything, but if we could get good players at good values, that was appealing," he said. "It wasn't like we were out there looking for only blue light specials. We weren't saving up for a rainy day."
In fact, Angelo said the team's cash budget for players is consistent with what it has been in past years. And the Bears still have both cash and salary cap space to keep dealing.
"We're still looking, and there are some very good players out there," Angelo said. "It's an unprecedented time. But at this point, it's about getting a guy in a rotation, better depth. We're not going to find somebody who is going to come in here and push the top down. That's not going to happen. You're trying to make the middle or bottom better at this point."
In particular, the team is still looking at cornerbacks, linebackers who can contribute on special teams and defensive ends. The Bears brought in former Colts cornerback Kelvin Hayden for a visit and medical exam Monday.
The team's hope is that some good players currently on rosters will still be released, as recent additions Roy Williams, Marion Barber and Amobi Okoye were.
"There are eight new head coaches, and a few coordinator changes, so there will be some fallout there," Angelo said. "When you look at the wire, there will be some players who are square pegs in round holes who will be good fits for us."
The Bears were interested in some of the defensive ends who have signed with other teams but chose to spend their money elsewhere.
"It's a supply and demand business, and those guys have value," Angelo said. "It came down to allocation of funds. We felt we needed to look at other areas. We have Corey Wootton, and hopefully he's going to take a step."
Some of what the Bears did, or didn't do, can be traced to their commitment to player development. After talking with a few free-agent offensive linemen, the Bears chose to stand pat, other than signing Chris Spencer as a replacement for Olin Kreutz.
"We have a good history of picking up free agents at the position, and there is nothing wrong with that," Angelo said, pointing to Roberto Garza, John Tait, Ruben Brown and Fred Miller. "But we want to bring along young guys.
"Mike Tice has a great track record of developing young players. He is a great evaluator, a great teacher and developer of players. We want to take advantage of his expertise and that's why we want to start bringing these young guys along. Just because they are unknown doesn't mean they won't be good players. At some point the player has to start from the bottom and work his way up."
From the looks of it now, the Bears will be starting three blockers with very little experience, as rookie Gabe Carimi, second-year man J'Marcus Webb and third-year man Lance Louis all are running with the first team.
"We made our bed," Angelo said. "We have to make it work. You can't have stars at every position. It doesn't work that way."
The Bears are saving some of their cap space and cash for Matt Forte's contract extension. Angelo said the team has yet to begin negotiating with Forte, but the plan is to start soon.
In a normal year, either Forte would have been extended by now, or talks would have been tabled. NFL teams were not allowed to negotiate contracts during the lockout.
As for Forte's unrest and talk about sitting out exhibition games, which have been obvious in his public statements, Angelo said, "We've had a real good track record about extensions. I've told Matt to focus on being the best he can be and doing his job. We'll do the same."
It's all part of the Bears' plan.
dpompei@tribune.com
Twitter @danpompei
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A couple of comments stand out. Although he says they weren't just looking at "blue light specials" (I think he stole that description from me, LOL) it seems like that's about all he bought and from the rest of his comments about it now it still looks like that's all he's looking for.
No starters or potential starters guy we're just trying to make the middle and the bottom better. Waiver wire square pegs to fit in our square holes as opposed to someone elses round ones. CB's, LB's, and DE's for ST's but no Olineman. Mike Tice has to develop his own.
I guess the most telling comment is the one about the Oline where he says that "we made our own bed". True Jerry you did, but it's Jay Cutler who'll be on his back laying in it if the guys we're depending on can't protect him. You couldn't even get one FA vet lineman so we have to "make it work". We know we can't have stars everywhere Jerry but just one on the Oline wouldn't have been asking too much would it. You improved the skill positions but if the guys in the trenches can't get it done that won't make much difference. Excuses Jerry, nothing but excuses and lousy ones at that.
Now go extend Matt Forte and see if you can get that done without pissing him off. You've got cash and cap so go use some of it.
Guess I should be a bit kinder here and say that I'm thrilled with much of what was done to add players at positions of need like WR, Power RB, DE and DT, ST's and the re-signing of our own key UFA's but leaving the Oline in the hands of players with so little NFL experience and so little time playing together is one hell of a risk for a team trying to get to a Super Bowl.
I recognize the need for Oline to be developed from within but not adding at least one vet element either at OG or OT was foolish. Not only are we inexperienced on that line but we're also very thin depthwise. I hope this is one thing that they can do to better the line when the player cuts begin.........get some vet depth.