NFL Free Agency 2011: Grading the Chicago Bears' Transactions Thus Far

Wow.  Just... wow.

Just take a look at the reaction all over the Internet to what Jerry Angelo, Mike Martz and the Bears have done since the lockout was lifted.

For every over-approving, apologist comment, there's a sandwich board-wearing doom crier shouting that this is the end of the Bears.

Who's right?  Who's wrong?  Who knows?

Look, let's face it.  It's safe to say that it is unfair to judge a transaction before we actually see the results.  But debate is the bread and butter of the Internet, and I'm not here to squash that.  While we may not be able to say what will definitely happen, we can most certainly give our take and see who's right in the end.

Which leads me to my take on the events thus far.

Greg Olsen Traded to Carolina for a Third-Round Draft Pick

Preface—I know the first slide isn't a free agent, but it was a transaction that occurred yesterday and it led to another acquisition, so I'm including it anyways.

My honest opinion? This was not a great move.  While the Bears got fair market value for the former first-round selection and the Bears leading receiver over the past four years (given the free agent market for tight ends, the Bears didn't have much leverage), they most certainly will not get as much out of the third-round pick in the immediate future as they would have out of Olsen.

I count this move as a coaching failure by Mike Martz.  Rather than adjust his game plan to fit his best receiver, as GB did to incorporate Jermichael Finley more into their offense, Martz chose to get rid of the debate.

Because the trade equals a net loss for the Bears in the immediate future after we listened to George McCaskey tell us that the teams's philosophy is "win now," I'm giving this transaction a D-.

Bears Sign Tight End Matt Spaeth

To fill the hole left by Olsen, the Bears brought in former Steelers tight end Matt Spaeth, who is supposed to be a blocking tight end who can also catch.  Certainly seems more like a Martz-style tight end, right?

Except that while he was rated better as a run-blocker than Olsen by Pro Football Focus (-4.9 to -9.9, respectively), Olsen was actually a better pass-blocker than Spaeth, registering an even 0.0 to Spaeth's -2.9.  If Olsen was released because he wasn't much of a blocker, why bring in another player who is an inferior receiver and effectively equal blocker to Olsen?

I'm not high on this signing.  Spaeth is a better blocker than the released Manumaleuna, but as a replacement for Olsen, the signing falls flat.  I give this pickup a D.

Bears Re-Sign Anthony Adams, Nick Roach and Caleb Hanie

All of these are good signings.  

Anthony Adams is the most underrated defensive tackle in the league, in my opinion, and helped the Bears lead the league in line-yards allowed between the guards.  He's not going to get to the QB a bunch, but he will set up Lovie's defense by crushing the run at its heart.

Nick Roach was promised a starting SAM spot and he re-signed for two years.  Roach has been an adequate occasional starter and exceptional backup for the Bears.  Considering that the Bears were short at the position and have more pressing needs, this was also a wise move.

Caleb Hanie, despite the fanbase's popular opinion, was not getting a starting job anywhere.  Signing his tenure was a smart move for him and a smart move for the Bears, who now do not have to train the second-string quarterback in the system.

Could the Bears have upgraded at these positions?  Maybe.  But these were wise moves with more important needs still requiring attention.  We'll give these in-house signings a B+.

Bears, as of Yet, Have Not Signed a Free Agent Interior Linemen

Patience is a virtue, but as we watch the cream of the crop get signed away by other teams, nothing is more frustrating than watching the Bears miss out.  

There are still starting-quality linemen available, so take heart.  But that is no guarantee that Angelo and the Bears will nab one.  But the sky isn't falling yet, either.

The Bears were rumored to be in the mix for Willie Colon, so it appears they are interested in nabbing a lineman.  But we also know that Angelo will not overpay for one.  For all the negative thrown out there about Angelo—much of it earned—he is fantastic at avoiding hamstringing the Bears with overpriced player contracts.  While  he may not have all of the best GM qualities, he is one of the best in the business with cap and contracts.

I address this point because it begged addressing, but I won't assign a grade to a non-move with possibilities still open.

Bears Sign Defensive End Vernon Gholston

Gholston came into the league highly respected and leaves the Jets a bust.  But is that Gholston's fault, or the fault of the team that drafted a classic 4-3 defensive end into their 3-4 defense when nearly every scouting report out there stated that he might have trouble transitioning to a 3-4 offensive linebacker or defensive end.

Gholston was miscast, and he paid for it as much as the Jets did.

But does that mean that the Bears are getting a superstar for their D-line?  Who knows?  Rex Ryan had nothing but good things to say about Gholston.  But does that mean that he will revert to his nightmarish form when returned to his natural role, or will he just be a nightmare for the Bears?

Fortunately, he came cheap to Chicago.  That makes Gholston a low-risk, high-reward deal.  If he becomes the defensive monster that he was envisioned as when he was drafted sixth overall, then the Bears got a steal.  And if he falls flat, the Bears didn't spend much.

Defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli is fantastic at coaching up defensive linemen, so Chicago was the perfect fit for Gholston.  If he was going to succeed, he stands the best chance here.

But did the Bears need another defensive end?  Pepper, Idonije and Wootton are all worthy, at least.  But I think this was more a case of taking a low-risk chance on a fantastic return possibility.  An offer they couldn't refuse, in other words.  For picking up a non-need player that stands at least a chance at giving Chicago a stellar return on their investment, I'll give this a C+.

Bear Sign Wide Receiver Roy Williams

I'll probably get panned for this, but here goes.  If, as I mentioned before, the teams philosophy is "win now," then Roy Williams was the best available wide receiver Chicago could have signed. 

I'll wait for that to sink in...

Why, you ask? Because Roy Williams has produced at a Pro Bowl level under this offensive coordinator complex scheme.  

"But... but... but, Roy sucked in Dallas and there are other receivers who have more talent!"

I know, I know.  Both of those things are true.  But, to be fair, Williams wasn't a good fit for Dallas to begin with and it was another case of Jerry Jones grabbing the shiny puzzle piece without thinking about whether that piece actually fit in his puzzle.

More importantly, while there may be more talented receivers in free agency, none know Martz's system.  As we saw last year, with a full offseason to learn the new playbook, the Bears receivers were still trying to work out the kinks midway through the season.  Any new receiver we brought in would have just a few weeks to learn the system before the season started, making them far less effective.

Williams already knows the system and will be ready for Week 1.  This gives him a distinct advantage over other receivers the Bears could have signed.

For these reasons, I give this acquisition an A. (Let the flaming begin)

Conclusion

The Bears also signed all of their draft picks, including punter Adam Podlesh, who special teams coach Dave Toub called a younger version of Brad Maynard, and they re-signed depth running back Kahlil Bell and nabbed ST/wide receiver Sam Hurd.  I'm not going to grade special teams moves, as it's nearly impossible to do so fairly.  People want to see impact players signed and are generally unimpressed by even the best special teams signing.

Also notable was that the Bears lost Danieal Manning to the Texans and Rashied Davis to the Lions.  They will both be missed by fans.  Brandon Manumaleuna was also released, much to the fans' delight.

I felt that Davis should get one more picture here, even if just for his team spirit, so the last slide belongs to him and his fantastic head artwork.

And now the soapbox is yours!  Let it all out.  Are the moves utterly stupid?  Complete genius?  Somewhere in between?  Step right up and tell us all about it!