Chicago Bears Re-Sign a Legend and a Future Star To Prepare for Playoffs

One year ago, I was a harsh critic of Jerry Angelo and Lovie Smith.

This year, I am proud to say I am eating crow and loving every bit of it.

After their win against the Jets, the Bears on Monday re-signed two players—one a Bears legend, another a rising star on an already talented defensive line.

Patrick Mannelly, a sixth-round pick in 1998 from Duke, has played the most games for a Chicago Bear in the franchise's 90-year history, with 204 appearances. His contract was a two-year extension through 2012.

He would have been an unrestricted free agent after the 2010 season and said that he is excited for the next two years, especially if the Bears keep playing the way they are right now.

When Mannelly missed a preseason game versus the Raiders with a neck stinger, backup long snapper Desmond Clark struggled with snapping. The punter, Brad Maynard and the kicker, Robbie Gould, both missed kicks or couldn't handle the snap from Clark.

Mannelly is veteran presence who has been elected special teams captain since the NFL began to publicize team captains.

Matt Toeaina, from Oregon, was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals and was a typical Jerry Angelo practice-squad find from them. He has blossomed into a starter on a Bears defensive line anchored at the ends by Julius Peppers and Israel Idonije.

He signed a three-year extension through 2013 and is also happy to remain a Bear. He said that it's nice to know he's safe in Chicago and that he and his family love everything about Chicago.

He has bumped Tommie Harris out of the starting lineup this year, his first with regular playing time.

In typical Bear fashion, this move may go under the radar with the national media, but Jerry Angelo knows that continuity is important and his policy on rewarding Bears first before going after other free agents and letting Bears hit the open market still holds true today.