GM explains coach's 'optimism'

Bears general manager Jerry Angelo was adamant about refusing to accept the mediocrity of a 9-7 season at Tuesday's news conference.

But he wasn't bothered by coach Lovie Smith's assertion a day earlier that the current team was "close" despite missing the playoffs.

"Every year we expect to win, and we're not satisfied with mediocrity," Angelo said. "We never will be satisfied with mediocrity.

"It was very disappointing the way the season ended, particularly when we went into the last game having some control over our destiny. It didn't work."

But Angelo said he and Smith were on the same page as far as their assessment of where the team is and how far it needs to go.

"Lovie is a great leader, and all great leaders create hope," Angelo said. "He does not want anybody, our fans (or) our players ever thinking there isn't hope. I know that's what he meant. After the (Houston Texans) game, we were visibly upset, very, very disappointed."

Better beware: Citing his history of cutting high-priced veteran players who weren't performing, GM Jerry Angelo served notice that some current Bears could be ex-Bears in the coming months.

"I'm not hesitant to cut anybody," said Angelo, who parted ways with running back Cedric Benson, quarterback Brian Griese, wide receiver Mark Bradley and safety Adam Archuleta most recently. "I don't let money get in the way of doing what's right for this football team.

"Egg on my face doesn't bother me. Pain in the locker room - meaning guys who aren't producing and aren't good karma for this football team - does. I've always said this: The only thing worse than making a mistake is justifying it."

Fine foundation: Though Jerry Angelo plans on improving the roster during the off-season through free agency, the draft and possibly trades, he expressed confidence in the nucleus of a team that has failed to make the playoffs the past two seasons while going a combined 16-16.

"I feel very confident that we have a good core of players and a team in place," he said. "I'm very confident. We'll add players, obviously, but if we didn't add anybody, we're still going to be a good football team. I feel very strongly about that."

Good as Gould: Kicker Robbie Gould won his second NFC special-teams player of the month award after connecting on all 8 field-goal attempts in December, including back-to-back game-winners in overtime.

Gould is just the fourth kicker in NFL history to hit game-winning, OT field goals in consecutive weeks, joining the Eagles' David Akers (2000), the Seahawks' Norm Johnson (1990) and the Raiders' George Blanda (1975).

Gould connected on a franchise-record 89.7 percent of his field-goal attempts (26 of 29), breaking his single-season team record of 88.9 percent in 2006 (32 of 36).

He also won the NFC award in October 2006.