It's the Small Things

Given the disastrous 2007-2008 season that has been followed up by an equally uninspiring free agency period has turned many Bears fans against Jerry Angelo. Just a little over a year ago most Bears fans wanted Angelo to lead this team forever. But as the team has struggled Angelo’s difficulties with 1^st round picks and refusal to bring in the flashy free agents have started to get under people’s skin. And yet… maybe we shouldn’t run him out of town just yet.

The recent string of new Cornerback deals got me thinking. It was not long ago that most people, myself included, figured either Charles Tillman or Nathan Vasher was gone. Since they are both Pro Bowl caliber players their new deals would likely break the bank. Additionally Angelo’s track record from Tampa suggested he never put too much money into one position. Then just before the start of the year both got new deals locking them up as a duo for the next 5 years. As smart of a deal as that may have seemed then it only seems smarter now. Here’s a rundown of this off-seasons big contracts at the Cornerback position:

• Marcus Trufant – 6 years/$50.2million ($8.3mil/yr)
• Asante Samules – 5 years/$57million ($11.4mil/yr)
• DeAngelo Hall – 7 years/$70million ($10mil/yr)

Now I think it’s fair to say that none of those players are markedly better than Tillman or Vasher if they are better at all and yet Tillman signed a deal for 6years/$41.5million and Vasher for 5years/$28million. I find it hard to believe that there is a $42mil difference between Hall and Vasher. And for all Hall’s flash Vasher actually as the same number of INTs (17) over the last 4 years even with missing most of this past season. Add in the recent Briggs deal and maybe this Angelo guy isn’t all bad.

for $70mil? ..... No thanks, I like what we've got.