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At least from this authors perspective this is why Bill Polian wasn't on the Bears "short list" of potential GM candidates. But in addition to that he also addresses why the Bears have gone about their GM hire the way they have and who appears to be running the show at Halas Hall. It's interesting and it confirms what some have suspected about what's going on in Bearsville.
Why the Bears appear disinterested in Bill Polian
By Adam Oestmann, Thursday at 4:55 pm
Oh yeah, almost forgot that reason: because they're both kinda creepy looking. A few Bears fans asked me on twitter earlier today why the Bears had not interviewed former Colts’ GM, and six-time NFL executive of the year, Bill Polian for their general manager vacancy.
I gave the lazy answer of course: “numerous reasons.” To which, I got the appropriate response: “Well why don’t you elaborate on those ‘numerous reasons,’ you a-hole.”
It’s possible the response wasn’t quite worded that way, but who can remember these days?
So, off the top of my head, here goes …
Ted Phillips clearly isn’t interested, and it looks like he really may be running the show: Let’s be clear on something: the Polians are good friends with the McCaskey family—more importantly, current Chairman of the Board George McCaskey. And it’s not as if Bill doesn’t want to come to Chicago; he was and is interested in the job. No interview means Teddy’s not buying what Billy’s selling and George isn’t forcing his hand.
The Polians are a package deal: You want Bill? You’re taking his son Chris, too. And NO ONE wants Chris. (Just a touch more on that below)
Bill Polian was essentially fired for the same reason Jerry Angelo was—bad drafting and failure to secure adequate enough depth to overcome the loss of his starting quarterback: Think about it … Jay Cutler doesn’t break his thumb, Angelo is drafting for the Bears in 2012. That’s not to say you couldn’t have made a case to fire him anyways—you could have done that three or four years ago—but it still wouldn’t have happened. Same goes for Polian.
As far as the drafting goes, it’s apparently really easy to hide behind Peyton Manning: Take a look at the Polian’s draft record from the last six years. There are less than a handful of solid players chosen through the first three rounds of six NFL drafts. That doesn’t jive with Phillip’s emphasis on college scouting/drafting.
Sidenote: Granted, consistently making the playoffs and winning a Super Bowl doesn’t exactly net high draft picks …Polian is used to being in charge: Don’t get me wrong; from what I’ve been told by people in the Bears organization is that the plan is to attempt a run in 2012—I’ve said this. If that doesn’t happen, the GM would theoretically have the power to make wholesale changes. Lovie’s job is not secure after this season. And, no, he’s not all powerful. But, in order to make the 2012 run, the Bears are definitely limiting themselves a little bit by saying the new guy has to gel with Lovie. I’m not sure the Polian-Smith combination would be one of productivity. Long story, short: Bad fit. I would probably agree with that one.
Second sidenote: Bill Polian, personally, has hit on some mondo draft picks in his day. Guys like Dwight Freeney, Dallas Clark, Robert Mathis, Edgerrin James, Reggie Wayne and Bob Sanders were all Polian picks. Is it maybe more than likely that his son Chris, who was promoted by Bill in 2005 (I believe … don’t make me do research for this post), has been the problem in the draft? Mayhap so.
(If this is the case this paragraph confirms some of what I've been saying about the method to the Bears madness in this GM hunt. The team can't get back in the hunt for a championship in 2012 if in addition to a new GM they hire a completely new coaching staff as well. If that happens the next time you might see the Bears in an NFCC Game would probably not be until 2014 or 2015 as the team rebuilds itself around a new HC and staff. I think Phillips and McCaskey perceive that fans may not appreciate these results and to me there's no doubt a rebuilding of the team would take place if a new HC were hired. So for one season, and one season only, the mandate to Lovie and the GM is get along and get this team back to a championship level NOW! If that doesn't happen sportsfans Lovie is history too and the rebuilding will begin in earnest. Then we can plan on saying goodbye to quite a few of Lovies "core players" and supporters and some very popular Bears may not be finishing what's left of their careers in Chicago)
Keep in mind, folks, I didn’t write this so I could explain to you why I think the Bears shouldn’t consider Polian for the job. It’s my attempt at answering your questions as to why they have not—at least as of yet—interviewed him. Do I think the guy was worth an interview? Um, hell yes I do. But I wouldn’t be upset if they chose to go in a different direction after doing so.
The fact that they have not scheduled Bill tells me Philips is running the show and has no interest whatsoever.
(This and comments by others have me believing that Lovie has far less say in the final decision than has been represented by the press. I do truly believe this is Ted Phillips show. The turn around in fortunes after Cutler was injured paved the way for him to do what we all felt has been needed for several years, fire Jerry Angelo, and he finally had enough of a reason to do it. Make no mistake, Ted Phillips is a money man and keeps his job by making certain the McCaskey purse isn't raided for no good purpose. For the last two years Angelo spent foolish amounts of money on players we got zip from and that is another reason why in Ted Phillips mind Angelo had to go. I think one more year of Angelo at the helm with the cap excess we have and any number of our own UFA including Forte to re-sign and Ted decided to pull the plug before anymore of the McCaskey money was squandered. FWIW this is my take on what being revealed in this article)
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