Please Jerry Angelo, just quit it!!!

[Howling Mad]

Lets take a look at Jerry's draft resume. We all know how good he can be with defensive picks, but his offensive picks. Ouch.

When I first started this little collection of drafted players I thought about how I was going to point out defensive and offensive guys who made the pro bowl. Defensive guys are bolded, but offensive, I didn't do anything... well, because Angelo has never drafted an offensive pro bowler.

More of a reason to spend big money on an offensive threat in free agency. What a concept.

Taking a look at two key drafts where Jerry used the first 3 picks on offensive talent, he struck out. Not on a full count either, he whiffed, bad, and he fell down after he swung.

2001 - Terrel, Thomas, Gandy
2005 - Benson, Bradley, Orton, Currie (he had used the first 4 picks on O)

The only one that was even close to being productive was Anthony Thomas. In 2001 he ran over 1000 yards, a year in which Jim Miller successfully passed for 2000 yards. I say successfully because we won 13 games that year, and it wasn't just the defense. (unlike 06) In 03 A-train rushed for barely over 1000 yards, but he was our only offense, we had Kordell freakin' Stewart as our QB.

Am I making an excuse for his success, yes I am, look at his stats after he left the Bears.

The only draft pick Angelo has drafted that even has a chance to be successful next year is Bernard Berrian, and we let him walk. Surprise. I don't think hes worth the money he was paid, so I'm not too bitter.

Please Angelo, pick up the pattern. You can't draft offensive talent, spend some money in free agency so we can enjoy an offense in Chicago.

Take a close look, the odds are against Greg Olsen.


Here are his draft picks



2001

David Terrell Wide Receiver Michigan O

Anthony Thomas Running Back Michigan O

Mike Gandy Tackle Notre Dame O

Karon Riley Defensive End Minnesota D

Bernard Robertson Tackle Tulane O

John Capel Wide Receiver Florida O



2002

Marc Colombo Tackle Boston College O

Roosevelt Williams Cornerback Tuskegee University D

Terrence Metcalf Guard Ole Miss O

Alex Brown Defensive End Florida D

Bobby Gray Safety Louisiana Tech D

Bryan Knight Linebacker Pittsburgh D

Adrian Peterson Running Back Georgia Southern O

Jamin Elliott Wide Receiver Delaware O

Bryan Fletcher Tight End UCLA O



2003

Michael Haynes Defensive End Penn State D

Rex Grossman Quarterback Florida O

Charles Tillman Cornerback Louisiana-Lafayette D

Lance Briggs Linebacker Arizona D

Todd Johnson Safety Florida D

Ian Scott Defensive Tackle Florida D

Bobby Wade Wide Receiver Arizona O

Justin Gage Wide Receiver Missouri O

Tron LaFavor Defensive Tackle Florida D

Joe Odom Linebacker Purdue D

Brock Forsey Running Back Boise State O

Bryan Anderson Guard Pittsburgh O



2004

Tommie Harris Defensive tackle Oklahoma D

Tank Johnson Defensive Tackle Washington D

Bernard Berrian Wide Receiver Fresno State O

Nathan Vasher Cornerback Texas D

Leon Joe Linebacker Maryland D

Claude Harriott Defensive End Pittsburgh D

Craig Krenzel Quarterback Ohio State O

Alfonso Marshall Defensive Back Miami (FL) D



2005

Cedric Benson Running back Texas O

Mark Bradley Wide receiver Oklahoma O

Kyle Orton Quarterback Purdue O

Airese Currie Wide receiver Clemson O

Chris Harris Safety Louisiana-Monroe D

Rod Wilson Linebacker South Carolina D


(undrafted)
Robbie Gould Penn State Chicago Bears K



2006

Danieal Manning Safety Abilene Christian D

Devin Hester Cornerback Miami (Florida) *

Dusty Dvoracek Defensive tackle Oklahoma D

Jamar Williams Linebacker Arizona State D

Mark Anderson Defensive end Alabama D

J.D. Runnels Fullback Oklahoma O

Tyler Reed Guard Penn State O



2007

Greg Olsen Tight end Miami (Florida) O

Dan Bazuin Defensive end Central Michigan D

Garrett Wolfe Running back Northern Illinois O

Michael Okwo Linebacker Stanford D

Josh Beekman Offensive guard Boston College O

Kevin Payne Safety Louisiana-Monroe D

Corey Graham Cornerback New Hampshire D

Trumaine McBride Cornerback Ole Miss D

Aaron Brant Offensive tackle Iowa State O

[Cliff Levingston]

He signed Marty Booker, so quitcherbitchin!

[Chewie]

Boy are you going to be sorry you wrote that when Grossman and Bradley BLOW UP THIS MOTHER IN '08 ! Seriously, those offense picks ARE brutal. I suppose an argument could be made that Colombo, Wade, and Gage found more success upon leaving the Bears but it's the picks like Terrell, Benson, and Grossman that will define his tenure.

I see good things with Olsen but I almost feel bad for the guy that he had the misfortune of being drafted by the Bears. In another offense with a real QB he could be special. After all, Jerry Rice wouldn't be a HOFer had he been a Bear.

[NLK]

Grossman will be the deciding factor whether Angelo is better than average GM or worse. It'll be Angelo's commitment in Rex (i.e. giving him help to develop) that will be the deciding factor. Receivers are a dime a dozen, if Jerry is wise, he'll find a gem in the draft or get one via Free Agency after the 2008 season.

Truthfully I'm hoping Jerry picks Joe Flacco as our 3rd stringer this year, I think he'll be the one that will ensure us some success in the future. 6' 6" and about 240 lbs., he can run, and throw deep (if Grossman doesn't pan out). I expect him to be nabbed up in the 2nd Round (probably at #44).

[Howling Mad]

I'd love to believe in Grossman, but after an extremely disappointing off season (so-far) I don't have much faith.

This guy has no weapons, and has peanut brittle blocking in front of him.

Also, two words, Cedric Benson.


If Angelo wants Rex to succeed he should have picked up some legit offensive talent.

[Howling Mad]

He signed Marty Booker, so quitcherbitchin!

^

(click my banging head)

[emperorjones]

5 pro bowlers in 6 years. That seems pretty good. I wonder how that compares to other GMs?

[Howling Mad]

^ All defense. I'll give him credit for that.

Its not like we drafted offensive players, let them go, then they became pro bowlers somewhere else.

The offensive players that sniffed some success as a Bear were, at the time, our only option.

Other GMs have drafted players that have become pro bowlers on other teams, meaning they did a good job scouting and making the initial decision of who to draft.

Can we say this about Angelo?

[NLK]

Well, I say this BEP, Angelo is smart one in regard which I didn't think he was. The MAN has picked in the last 3 or 4 drafts, picked Guys from colleges/universities from southern states. Everyone knows the SEC is one of the best conferences to find the cream of the crop players (this is coming from a person whos is anti-hee-haw, deep south etc.).

[Howling Mad]

yea I got what your sayin.

A ton of great talent comes from the south, but just because I fish in the same pond you do, doesn't mean I'm going to catch fish like you do.

Jerry Angelo has to improve his bait (scouting).

Or simply go to the store and buy that great catch if he can't catch it himself.

[Chewie]

Or simply go to the store and buy that great catch if he can't catch it himself.

Except Angelo is shopping at Wal-Mart. Get it? See how I rolled with that analogy ? Ah....never mind.

[emperorjones]

BEP, I agree with you. Angleo should not draft offensive players. Thats where i think all of our free agent money should go every year. Lets keep drafting defense.

What does BULL even PAX mean anyway?

[Cliff Levingston]

What does BULL even PAX mean anyway?

"Believe in Pax"

We need co-GM's. One for offensive decisions and another for defensive.

Or simply improve our scouts so Jerry can say "I want some offense here. Who should i draft?"... and said scout tells him.

[Howling Mad]

"Believe in Pax"

Yup, thats me!

Thanks, Cliffy.

We need co-GM's. One for offensive decisions and another for defensive.

Or simply improve our scouts so Jerry can say "I want some offense here. Who should i draft?"... and said scout tells him.

The co-GM thing isn't a half bad idea, especially when you have a GM that is obviously good at drafting defense, but picks his offensive talent out of a hat.

You'd figure replacing the offensive scouts is so obvious with our inept ability to draft good O guys, but I think there is too much loyalty going on with the Bears Admin, coaching, and scouts.

We still have Ron Turner as our offensive coordinator. Too bad that loyalty doesn't reflect on Ron Rivera, which I think is the main reason our D suffered last year.

[Howling Mad]

-= original quote snipped =-



Except Angelo is shopping at Wal-Mart. Get it? See how I rolled with that analogy ? Ah....never mind.

Chewie, I'm picking up whatchu puttin' down.


Another thing I gotta point out (which supports the Cliffy's co-GM thing) is that Angelo is great in mid rounds.

Rounds 3-5, he has hit gold, more so, than any other GM. Thats something that can't be ignored and I'll give him mad props for that.

Having said that, I am befuddled at how he can miss so bad in the early rounds where the chances of that player succeeding are greater.

Some will say there are more busts in the first rounds because they are expected to succeed, yes, I agree,

but,

Angelo has continued to miss year after year, that is hard to comprehend.

[Chewie]

What's funny is last year seems to be the inverse of what Angelo usually does. I think he struck gold in round 1 and rounds 3 thru 5 looked like reaches to me. Looking at the history, though, I see your point. How many Terrells, Bensons, Haynes, and Grossmans can you draft in the first round and still keep your job? These are the guys getting the big money rookie contracts, too, which makes the mistakes all the more glaring.

[Cliff Levingston]

How many Terrells, Bensons, Haynes, and Grossmans can you draft in the first round and still keep your job? These are the guys getting the big money rookie contracts, too, which makes the mistakes all the more glaring.

That's why he always wants to trade down; limit that cost and lessen the negative reaction for when he botches another first round pick.

[Chewie]

-= original quote snipped =-


That's why he always wants to trade down; limit that cost and lessen the negative reaction for when he botches another first round pick.

If Long, Clady, and Otah are off the board, you just might see a trade down in '08, too....

[NLK]

I JUST HEARD THE BEARS SIGNED....

WR - brandon lloyd (former 49er and redskin).

[TylerB]

Jerry Angelo did not draft David Terrell....that draft was Mark Hatley.

Colombo was a good pick, and would have been an excellent player if not for injury....He eventually came back from that injury to become a starting RT in Dallas...although it took 4 years.

Mark Bradley has even been productive when he has been given playing time. If anything you can say Angelo has drafted injury prone offensive players....Talent hasn't been the problem, they just can't stay healthy.

Grossman
Bradley
Benson
Colombo

Berrian has even had some durability issues but is clearly a good player and was a good pick.

Angelo is an outstanding GM, he took a losing team that wasn't good and made them a super bowl team. You don't just luck into that. The team fell back last season due mostly to injuries. Remember although the team was 7-9 in every single loss the Bears were within 7 points in the 4th quarter. Its not like the team was getting blown away each game.