Memo To Jerry Angelo: Get Your Checkbook Out

The Chicago Bears ended 2008 out of the playoffs. They have cut ties with Marty Booker and Mike Brown, and John Tait is expected to retire. Brian Urlacher's stats aren't what they used to be. Lance Briggs number are better than ever, but he was half-way out the door just a year ago. Kyle Orton was decent until his ankle got hurt. The answer to compete for the starting job at quarterback? Brett Basanez.  The Bears didn't send an offensive player, including Devin Hester, to the Pro Bowl. What's missing? Leadership. In the fall of 2008, the best thing going in Chicago was rookie running back Matt Forte. He broke almost every rookie running back record for the oldest franchise in the game, and established himself as an elite back. But he also touched the ball more than any Bear. And, toward the end of the season, he started to get nicked up. When he left the offense, as was put on display in the Saints game, the Bears offense sat on the sidelines with him. He was the Bears' offense ... (link)