The Bears have done a terrible job of evaluating talent across on the NFL level both within the organization and through free agency. That is why they fired Bobby DePaul  (who’s title was Director of Pro Personnel). Since the Bears appeared in the Super Bowl, many questionable pro personnel moves have been made by the organization. This includes losing Bernard Berrian, trading Chris Harris, releasing Cedric Benson, trading Thomas Jones, signing Orlando Pace and Frank Omiyale on the offensive line and trading for Gaines Adams (OK, I understand it was a tragedy that he died but to be honest, he wasn’t showing much as a player). Plus, how could anyone honestly believe that the Bears secondary was any good going into last season. One of the most important things an individual can do is scout the organization from the top. Mr. DePaul did not seem to do much of that.

Greg Gabriel’s job was the scout college talent. He also was let go immediately after this year’s draft. With the exception of Johnny Knox from last season, there were few contributors from that draft class. Now granted they traded the first pick for Jay Cutler, but the Bears failed to get much talent. Now, in the Bear’s defense, it can take some players a few years to develop. But as it stands, last year’s draft was poor. This year’s draft was supposedly orchestrated by Gabriel before his departure. Jury is still out…

To solve all of the organization’s issues, they hired one person to do the job of DePaul and Gabriel. Tim Ruskell was an old running mate of Jerry Angelo’s from Tampa and now rejoins his pal in Chicago. Ruskell comes from Seattle with mixed reviews. He did win in Seattle and his previous stop of Atlanta, but there were some moves he made that Seattle could not forgive, including the loss of Steve Hutchinson to the Minnesota Vikings. I think the Bears needed a new perspective, and hopefully Ruskell can bring this to the table. However, I have a real difficult time letting Angelo off the hook for several of the fires burning at Halas Hall.

As a lifelong fan, I am heartbroken that the Bears went from a Super Bowl team to a mediocre product so quickly. To not even make the playoffs and invent ways to lose is pathetic. Changes needed to be made, but I am not sure these went high enough. When does the buck stop with the General Manager or team president? Jerry Angelo and Ted Phillips were both given free passes by the organization. Lovie Smith was protected by his overinflated contract. The press conference the Bears held after the season was beyond a joke and any reasonable person would have found the three stooges sitting on the stage as being condescending jerks. All I know is that Lovie had the brains to take over the defense last season and prove little value as the coach. Plus, his famous time out, challenge loss, additional time out loss series against the Packers was perhaps the dumbest thing ever done in Chicago football history. The Chicago Bears are lucky to have some of the best and most loyal fans in sports, but the attitude from the off season was ‘we know what we’re doing and you can go screw yourself if you disagree’.  OK, so some redemption on their part was made possible by a strong free agent class and getting back Chris Harris from the Panthers. But until we see this team in action, the Halas Hall crew have a lot to prove.

Your thoughts please!!!

The last two games have been a big disappointment to Bears fans everywhere. During the last two games against the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Bears have managed to let a significant lead disappear late in the game. Week two was gut wrenching in week two, but to have the same outcome in week three was heartbreaking.

If the Bears hope to have any chance this Sunday, Kyle Orton can’t afford to make any careless turnovers and Matt forte will need to average over five yards a carry, as in week one. If Chicago can get the run game going, look for Orton to take some chances deep to his favorite receiver Brandon Lloyd and hopefully find his tight ends Greg Olsen and veteran Desmond Clark.

Bears fans should be nervous this week, but hope for a week four turnaround.