A lot of fans judge GMs the same way the judge players (on field results) but with GMs, that's a really bad and dangerous way to do things. GMs obviously don't play; they select the guys who do and the coaches who coach them. The "thing" you want to judge your GM on is his thought process and his overall methodology to doing that, not just results. The problem I've had with Pace (and continue to have with him) is that he constantly doesn't understand the concept of value. That's what I look for in a GM; how good are they at valuing their assets and how good are they at valuing other team's assets whether it be draft picks or players?
I mean how many major signings has Pace made where that exact same player was available for peanuts, the Bears never made a serious offer, that guy goes to a new team and now all of the sudden the Bears are interested at a much higher price? Taylor Gabriel, Prince Amukuamura, Cody Parkey, Cordalle Patterson, and a few others over the years are all the personification of that. That's why I had such positive feelings about the HHCD signing because there was Pace trying to find value and trusting in his ability that if it works out and HHCD becomes too expensive, he'll get the comp pick and then replace him via FA or the draft next year.