Bears CEO Phillips: We're ready for free agency
Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips rebuffed the idea that Monday's firing of pro personnel director Bobby DePaul will hinder the team's efforts in free agency, which begins at 11:01 p.m. Chicago time on March 4.
"Not at all," Phillips said Friday. "The reality is a lot of the plan was already in place. We won't miss a beat. We're looking forward to the combine (which starts next Wednesday at Indianapolis) and then the start of free agency."
Phillips was vague when asked the reasons for DePaul's firing, but praised his work for the Bears the past nine years.
"There just comes a time where change is necessary," Phillips said. "We felt it was here. Again, it doesn't diminish what he did for us over the years.
"Bobby was a tireless worker here for nine years. He added a lot of value (to the roster). He was a very astute evaluator. ... My guess is that he is going to land somewhere quickly and add value to another team."
Former Seahawks president of football operations and general manager Tim Ruskell has been mentioned as a possible replacement for DePaul, since he worked with Bears general manager Jerry Angelo for 14 years in Tampa. Phillips said that's a conversation he expects to have with Angelo soon.
"They're focused on the combine right now," Phillips said. "At the right time, I'm sure I will be sitting down with Jerry to talk about how he wants to move forward."
Phillips said the uncertain landscape of the NFL's labor agreement will not have a great affect on the way the Bears do business in free agency, although the pool of unrestricted players will be significantly shallower this year since six years of service are required rather than four.
The 2010 season will be uncapped, allowing teams to spend as much, or as little, as they desire. And the specter of a lockout looms ominously for the 2011 season.
"Whether it is a capped or an uncapped year, I think the budget we have set will be very competitive," Phillips said. "I feel good that whatever we want to do as part of our plan. You've got to compete with 31 other clubs, so assuming we can win the battles that we want to win, I think we will be able to improve our team in free agency, (and we're) counting on the draft, too. We have always been pretty good in the past at acquiring players later on (in free agency) that end up having an impact."
Some teams with the strongest revenue streams may take this unique opportunity to try to buy a winner by spending lavishly on free agents, but for the Bears, it seems it will be business as usual.
"(Our budget) really has nothing to do with the (potential) lockout," Phillips said. "It's just what we feel the situation warrants each and every year. It didn't play a big role other than the fact that we're not going to be one of those handful of teams that sometimes goes hog wild in free agency.
"You know our strategy has always been kind of balanced in free agency and (we) work through the draft and every other area to try to add players to the team. It's not all about free agency. I think the reality that success, at least in the NFL, is not based on how much money you spend in free agency."
Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers is considered the jewel of this year's free-agent class, a player who could immediately improve an entire defense. But he'll get a deal worth at least $15 million a year with about $40 million guaranteed.
Phillips was asked if the Bears could get in game with stakes that high.
"Within the context of what our budget is, Phillips said, "I think we have a lot of flexibility. We can't talk about individual players (yet). I can tell you we are in the midst of putting the finishing touches on what our plan is. Come March 5, we'll see what situation we pursue."