Roberto Garza-G-Free Agent 2005: Garza was signed as a free agent by Angelo prior to the 2005 season. At the time the Bears were grooming 2002 third-round pick Terrence Metcalf to take the starting right guard job, and the signing of Garza was widely panned as Garza had suffered knee injuries and was missing cartilage. [...]
Frank Omiyale-OL-Free Agent 2009: Angelo steadfastly refused to build the offensive line through the draft during his tenure. Granted, his very first pick was an offensive lineman (Marc Colombo in 2002). But aside from 2008 first-round pick Chris Williams, Angelo only selected linemen in the mid to late rounds of the draft, and rarely at [...]
Robbie Gould-K-2005: I’m so enamored with this player that looking back, maybe this should be higher. This was absolutely one of Jerry Angelo’s best finds. Kickers are certainly important. When a team finds a great kicker, they can be critical to a team’s success. When a kicker is bad, it greatly impacts the team’s fortunes. [...]
Roy Williams-WR-Free Agent 2011: At least the Bears didn’t do what Dallas did when they gave up first and third-round draft picks for the enigmatic receiver. Williams had enjoyed success in Detroit under Mike Martz, making the Pro Bowl in the 2006 season. He was a flop in Dallas, and when the Cowboys released him [...]
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 [...]
