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My favorite teams
Pace and company can continue to build off this positive momentum. Here’s a nice article.
“BY JAMES FOX
MARCH 16, 2018
COMMENTS 0
Jerry Seinfeld once said, “People don’t turn down money! It’s what separates us from the animals.” He’s a comedian and most of what comes out of his mouth is done with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek, but this axiom is more truth than fiction.
Money is usually the great equalizer, especially in professional sports. The 2017 free agency period for Bears General Manager Ryan Pace seemingly proved that money isn’t, in fact, everything, however. The organization didn’t just dip their toes into the murky waters of free agency. They offered a substantial coin to many available parties. Pace has offered significant dollars to the likes of A.J. Bouye (CB), Stephon Gilmore (CB), Janoris Jenkins (CB) and Kenny Stills (WR) in recent off-seasons but none of them ultimately reached Halas Hall with contract agreements.
Bears fans were furious that the team apparently “struck out” in free agency, but what we should have learned is that situation plus money trumps just money. It’s become quite evident in hindsight that Chicago just wasn’t an enchanting destination last year. John Fox was a dead man walking and the entire league knew it. The Bears were a bad team with a tenuous coaching situation and uncertainty at the quarterback position. That isn’t a recipe for success.
Nonetheless, money had to be spent and players had to be procured. The Bears still had needs and solving those puzzles with the free agent market became a much more difficult exercise. Mike Glennon, Quintin Demps, Markus Wheaton, Marcus Cooper, and Dion Sims all proved to be overpaid future cap casualties. Prince Amukamara agreed to terms to return to the Bears for multiple seasons in this free agent period and he’s the lone bright spot in Pace’s 2017 class.
Luckily for the fans of Chicago, contract structure has been a strength during the Ryan Pace regime and many of those mistakes will no longer be haunting anyone’s dreams. In his tenure, Pace has typically tried to patch together rosters with stop-gap signings until a long-term asset can be acquired via the draft. Teams that draft and develop their own talent are typically the ones left standing at the conclusion of seasons.
That method alone is a long and arduous process though and timely strikes in free agency are often necessary to sustain success. Teams can’t be built in free agency. It’s just not practical and there’s generally a reason why players have been cast off in the first place. Important elements of a winning organization can absolutely be obtained in a timely fashion though.
The NFL’s charter franchise entered the new league year with gobs of salary cap space and the fewest rostered players in the league. They also have a promising young quarterback whose salary is a pittance. It was imperative for Pace to spend smart money. In an attempt to fix a moribund offensive infrastructure and surround his young quarterback with weapons, Pace made five additions to the offense at the start of the new league year. Former Jacksonville receiver Allen Robinson was the big prize signing a 3-year-deal with $25 million guaranteed to be the No. 1 option in a re-made offense. It was a massive signing and could shift the fortunes of the franchise in a big way.
As for the other additions, tight end, Trey Burton and wide receiver Taylor Gabriel got paid a pretty penny as well to add a new dimension to Matt Nagy’s offense. Career backup Chase Daniel also entered the fold as the safety valve to Trubisky and the club spent money to fix their ailing kicking situation by adding former Dolphins kicker Cody Parkey as well. Teams don’t always want to be the big winners in free agency but in this case, it was a much-needed jolt. And many around the league agree.”
Continued at the link below....
https://theloopsports.com/2018/03/16/bears-free-agency-proving-that-chicago-is-an-attractive-destination-again/
“BY JAMES FOX
MARCH 16, 2018
COMMENTS 0
Jerry Seinfeld once said, “People don’t turn down money! It’s what separates us from the animals.” He’s a comedian and most of what comes out of his mouth is done with his tongue firmly planted in his cheek, but this axiom is more truth than fiction.
Money is usually the great equalizer, especially in professional sports. The 2017 free agency period for Bears General Manager Ryan Pace seemingly proved that money isn’t, in fact, everything, however. The organization didn’t just dip their toes into the murky waters of free agency. They offered a substantial coin to many available parties. Pace has offered significant dollars to the likes of A.J. Bouye (CB), Stephon Gilmore (CB), Janoris Jenkins (CB) and Kenny Stills (WR) in recent off-seasons but none of them ultimately reached Halas Hall with contract agreements.
Bears fans were furious that the team apparently “struck out” in free agency, but what we should have learned is that situation plus money trumps just money. It’s become quite evident in hindsight that Chicago just wasn’t an enchanting destination last year. John Fox was a dead man walking and the entire league knew it. The Bears were a bad team with a tenuous coaching situation and uncertainty at the quarterback position. That isn’t a recipe for success.
Nonetheless, money had to be spent and players had to be procured. The Bears still had needs and solving those puzzles with the free agent market became a much more difficult exercise. Mike Glennon, Quintin Demps, Markus Wheaton, Marcus Cooper, and Dion Sims all proved to be overpaid future cap casualties. Prince Amukamara agreed to terms to return to the Bears for multiple seasons in this free agent period and he’s the lone bright spot in Pace’s 2017 class.
Luckily for the fans of Chicago, contract structure has been a strength during the Ryan Pace regime and many of those mistakes will no longer be haunting anyone’s dreams. In his tenure, Pace has typically tried to patch together rosters with stop-gap signings until a long-term asset can be acquired via the draft. Teams that draft and develop their own talent are typically the ones left standing at the conclusion of seasons.
That method alone is a long and arduous process though and timely strikes in free agency are often necessary to sustain success. Teams can’t be built in free agency. It’s just not practical and there’s generally a reason why players have been cast off in the first place. Important elements of a winning organization can absolutely be obtained in a timely fashion though.
The NFL’s charter franchise entered the new league year with gobs of salary cap space and the fewest rostered players in the league. They also have a promising young quarterback whose salary is a pittance. It was imperative for Pace to spend smart money. In an attempt to fix a moribund offensive infrastructure and surround his young quarterback with weapons, Pace made five additions to the offense at the start of the new league year. Former Jacksonville receiver Allen Robinson was the big prize signing a 3-year-deal with $25 million guaranteed to be the No. 1 option in a re-made offense. It was a massive signing and could shift the fortunes of the franchise in a big way.
As for the other additions, tight end, Trey Burton and wide receiver Taylor Gabriel got paid a pretty penny as well to add a new dimension to Matt Nagy’s offense. Career backup Chase Daniel also entered the fold as the safety valve to Trubisky and the club spent money to fix their ailing kicking situation by adding former Dolphins kicker Cody Parkey as well. Teams don’t always want to be the big winners in free agency but in this case, it was a much-needed jolt. And many around the league agree.”
Continued at the link below....
https://theloopsports.com/2018/03/16/bears-free-agency-proving-that-chicago-is-an-attractive-destination-again/
