Chicago Bears begin changes, fire General Manager Jerry Angelo - NFL News
The Chicago Bears on Tuesday surprised everybody by firing their General Manager Jerry Angelo after eleven seasons at the helm amid a raft of changes in the Bears on field management team.
Angelo had been criticised for the lack of effective backups in the Bears roster leading to their 8-8 finish this year and failure to make the playoffs. The Bears by week 11 were cruising to the playoffs rounds but injuries to quarterback Jay Cutler and
running back Matt Forte turned their season upside down with the replacements failing to make an impact and leaving the Bears to lose five games in a row to end the season without a playoffs berth.
The Bears in a press release yesterday announced the sacking of Angelo and some of the back room staff while retaining Coach Lovie Smith as the head Coach.
Bears President Ted Phillips announced the decision while also ending rumours on offensive coordinator Mike Martz’s future by also confirming that he has been relieved of his duties. The President went on to give the job of finding a new general manager
to director of player personnel Tim Ruskell.
"It was almost 11 years ago that I hired Jerry Angelo as our general manager. I was proud of that decision then, and I think Jerry achieved a lot as our general manager in the last 10-plus seasons," Phillips said. "On a personal level, I knew him very well.
He's a wonderful man, high character. I've enjoyed every day working with him. I'm gonna miss him. But at the same time, we need more. The decision was made that we need to keep up the pace with our division rivals."
The Bears will begin the search for a new general manager immediately and President Phillips wants someone who has a clear vision for the players required and a strategy to put the Bears back in contention with the big boys of the National Football League.
Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher when asked about his opinion on the decision on Tuesday by ESPN was saddened by seeing Angelo go but went on to say that the decision could be in the greater good of the franchise. He also appeared surprised by the sudden
announcement of the decision but hoped that things will only get better for the Bears.
With no postseason to look forward to the Bears have ample time to restructure and get the best candidates for the positions required and bring something new to the table in the 2012 season.
Tags: