Comments on: Jerry Angelo’s Worst Acquisition

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 15:21:40 +0000

I would argue that Caleb Hanie was actually a worse decision since Todd Collins was more of an impulse decision while Hanie was a disaster years in the making. The Bears went into the 2010 pre-season without a veteran backup. Caleb Hanie got hurt during pre-season, forcing the bears to dip into the free agent market. Not sure if the 38 year old Todd Collins was the best option, but it was a very short list of options. He saw limited action during the final pre-season game. That being said,Collins was 10 of 31 passes for 68 yards and 5 INTs with 0 TDs. Caleb Hanie’s tenure in Chicago reflects even worse on Bears management. Going into the 2009-2011 season, only the Bears would have an undrafted free agent in their number 2 slot who had never started a game in the NFL. At times, he looked good in pre-season and I had nothing but high hopes for him. You may laugh at this, but because his contract was ending, I actually feared the prospect of him playing well enough to create a QB controversy or demanding a huge contract like that Flynn from Green Bay. However, after having years to develop, Hanie did not look NFL ready during his 4 starts. Had Hanie played well, he would have been signing a huge contract. Instead, he regressed and was benched in favor of some dude who had previously been coaching HS football. I’ve heard talk of it being because Hanie wasn’t well suited for the Mike Martz offense. Had Chicago actually won the 2010 NFC championship, Caleb Hanie would have gotten his first NFL start in the Super Bowl against the Steelers, setting the stage for a humiliating defeat. Now he has a chance at being the number 2 guy in Denver. Maybe after signing Peyton Manning, Denver couldn’t afford a veteran backup. That could back to haunt them.

By: Mike N.

Mike N. — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 21:22:50 +0000

Roy, to your point, Martz deserves an “honorable mention” in terms of worst acquisitions. He was the dumbass that had Collins ranked ahead of (a then serviceable) Hanie. Had the Bears turned to Hanie right off the bat they might have won that NFC Championship Game. Not saying for sure, but when you look at how they both faired, you could make a credible argument..

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 19:39:34 +0000

Completely agree. This is probably top 5 on the list of all-time bad Bears acquisitions. Was not shocking to me that all the guys Martz wanted did not play here for long.

By: Jesse Lopez

Jesse Lopez — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:18:14 +0000

Hell, I think in the 2010 NFC title game the Bears might have had better luck with Phil Collins

By: Roy Taylor

Roy Taylor — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 14:11:22 +0000

Thanks Mike. It’s a little odd. Very small acquisition, little money. But to me it’s #1 because had someone other than Collins been there in the NFC Championship game….a Super Bowl was on the line….and we lost.

By: Mike N.

Mike N. — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 12:16:25 +0000

Roy, no disappointment here: I concur with this choice. One game alone made him the immedate contender: Against a bad Carolina team I think he tossed 4 INT’s.. Fortunately thanks to Forte the Bears still won.