Ruben Brown-G-Free Agent 2004: Former Bears guard Chris Villarrial was a fixture at the position from 1996-2003, but he was entering unrestricted free agency in 2004, and the Bears chose not to match the Buffalo Bills’ big-money offer. Instead they chose to sign Buffalo’s castoff at the position, Ruben Brown, who had played in eight [...]
Brandon Manumaleuna-TE-Free Agent 2010: The boneheaded signings of Chester Taylor and Manumaleuna in 2010 went hand-in-hand. Manumaleuna ostensibly was demanded by offensive coordinator Mike Martz when he came to town, the tight end having been drafted by Martz in St. Louis. Manumaleuna was nothing more than a third offensive tackle to block for Martz’ frequent [...]
Muhsin Muhammed-WR-Free Agent 2005: Following his departure from the Bears in 2008, Muhammed uttered a famous quote that “Chicago is where receivers go to die.” Until 2012 at least he may be correct, but even prior to the opening of free agency in 2005 Angelo pounced to sign Muhammad after his release from the Panthers [...]
Chester Taylor-RB-Free Agent 2010: Taylor was second on the list of three successive failed players at the backup running back position. Because former Lion Kevin Jones couldn’t stay healthy, and starter Matt Forte was coming off a somewhat disappointing sophomore season, the Bears threw $7 million guaranteed at Taylor when he became a free agent. [...]
Ricky Manning Jr.-CB-Free Agent 2006: The Bears returned to the playoffs for only the second time in eleven years in 2005. They hosted one of the NFC Divisional Playoff games that season, and in this one appearance they were shocked at home in a loss to the Carolina Panthers. The main reason? Carolina receiver Steve [...]
Brandon Meriweather-S-Free Agent 2011: I lauded this pickup when it happened. Meriweather was the New England Patriots’ first-round draft pick in the 2007 draft and a former Pro Bowler. But Meriweather was also known to be undisciplined and reckless on and off the field. Angelo snatched up Meriweather and gave him a lucrative one-year contract [...]
Adam Podlesh-Punter-Free Agent 2011: Chicago’s previous punter Brad Maynard had a successful ten-year run with the Bears after he was signed away from the New York Giants prior to the 2001 season. Maynard provided precision pinning of opponents inside their 20 yard line, if not big leg strength. But as of 2011 it was clear [...]
Hard to believe as of today, only 13 more business days remain until the Bears open training camp! As I’ve been lamenting to many who have asked me the last several weeks, of course I love when football season starts. But I love Summer as well, and when football starts we know it’s a short [...]
Cedric Benson-RB-Texas-Round 1 2005: With the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft, the Bears selected Cedric Benson. My personal favorite pre-draft line about Benson was that he was built like (former Saint and Dolphin) Ricky Williams, but wasn’t as good and had more potential for problems. And the pundits were right. Benson was in [...]
Michael Haynes-DE-Penn State-Round 1 2003: The biggest busts are reserved for the failed first-round picks. Haynes was selected with the 14th overall pick, their top pick in the draft that year, after leading the Big Ten conference in sacks the previous year. The Bears could have stayed with the 13th pick and taken a solid [...]
