Bears: "Talent Gap" Led to Angelo Firing
By Chuck Sudo in News on Jan 4, 2012 4:40PM
So what did we learn from yesterday's press conference with Bears President Ted Phillips and Chairman George McCaskey that addressed their firing of Jerry Angelo?
1. Lovie Smith is teflon like John Gotti.
2. Local pundits are now comparing Phillips to Cubs President Crane Kenney.
3. Everyone believes firing Angelo was a good start.
In a contrast to the press conference two years ago held by Phillips, Angelo and Smith as a show of unity and collective responsibility, Phillips stood alone yesterday as he and McCaskey said the major reason for Angelo's dismissal was a talent gap between the Bears, Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers. Phillips also went out of the way to emphasize that the decision to fire Angelo was his, and that he received approval from McCaskey's mother Virginia before he brought the ax down.
“He’s put his life’s blood into the Bears,’’ Phillips said Tuesday. ‘‘He’s a tireless worker, and I’m going to miss him. But at the same time, we need more.“The decision was made that we need to keep pace with our division rivals.”
Yesterday's presser also left little doubt as to the power wielded behind the scenes at Halas Hall by Smith. The most telling example of Smith's entrenchment was Phillips saying that Smith would have input in the search for a new GM. This news won't go down well for Bears fans who believe Smith should be held equally culpable for the team's recent woes. Those who look at the Bears with Smith's rose-colored glasses will point to his 71-57 record with the team and argue that he's done an excellent coaching job with the talent Angelo gave him.
Sun-Times columnist Joe Cowley expressed concern that Phillips appeared to be the ultimate man in charge.
"From onetime organizational bean counter to president & CEO, Teddy Ballgame seems to have the future of the Bears in his hands. And it’s that thought that should keep your pillows drool-free every night."It was the Cubs and Crane Kenney all over again. And Crane Phillips wasn’t hiding the fact that he’s the one who’s really in charge.
"Neither was McCaskey, pointing out that Crane Phillips’ decisions had the Virginia stamp of approval.
"Some prodigal grandson.
"Apparently, Teddy has a say in everything. He’ll definitely have a say in the next general manager. And that’s not a good thing."
The focus now turns to finding a new GM. Former Colts GM Bill Polian is at the top of reporters' lists, but there are questions as to whether he would want the job and how he would fit in with Phillips and Smith. Phillips said it's paramount that the new GM "understands Lovie's philosophy." If that means hearing the coach gloss over the teams failures over and over — we're still trying to remove our jaw from the floor from Smith's comment that we should "think about the team's 1-0 record heading into 2012 — then finding a new GM should be a snap.