Angelo discusses Forte, Bears’ defense
Jerry Angelo has concerns and questions about the team that entered Monday night’s game at 2-2.
But the Bears’ general manager said he doesn’t regret being unable to get a contract extension completed with running back Matt Forte before the start of the season.
“We did what I consider our very best,” Angelo said before the game. “I know they tried as well. We weren’t able to get it accomplished. He was our No. 1 priority. We spent a lot of time during the preseason trying to get it done. And right now our focus is on the season.
“I’ve been through a few of these. And when you take these things into the season, it’s not good for anybody. So I’m not saying that we can’t get it done. I’m not saying that. But right now our focus is on the season.”
Forte is off to the best start of his four-year career. His 634 yards from scrimmage through four games were second best in the NFL, and he had produced a whopping 51.5 percent of the Bears’ total yards. But that hasn’t led the two sides any closer to a deal.
“There really is nothing new,” Angelo said. “Ideally, we wanted to do it before the season. I can’t say where it’s going right now. Right now we don’t have to do anything. We just have to play good football. Eventually it will take care of itself.”
Forte had 5,365 career yards from scrimmage through Week 4, third most in the NFL since he entered the league. Angelo said he anticipated a productive season from Forte, but the Tulane product might be exceeding everyone’s expectations.
“We anticipated Matt having a great season like he’s having,” Angelo said. “I don’t want that message to get lost. We were trying to (get) something (done) before. The reason we went to Matt was because he was good.”
Forte will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent after this season, but the Bears could keep him from leaving by putting the franchise tag him.
Angelo also said he wasn’t disappointed but “surprised” that the defense had allowed 27 points or more in three straight games.
“I feel good that we’re going to play good defense,” he said. “But we’re not used to seeing what we saw (last year). They’re very talented. We’ve made some mistakes that are correctable. We’ve got to play better. That’s it. I’m going to treat that as an aberration.”
Angelo said the offense, and quarterback Jay Cutler in particular, cannot play to potential until the offensive line provides better protection.
“The only way any offense plays to its potential is if they trust each other,” he said. “All the good offenses I’ve seen, that’s the ability they have. The coaches trusted the plays they were calling and the players trusted in themselves to make those plays. It sounds easy, (but) it’s not easy.
“We haven’t been able to be successful or create that (run-pass) balance, and that’s the challenge that we face right now. I’m anxious to see us in a tough environment continue to do the things that we’re capable of doing and again doing them with consistency.”
Angelo said he has no regrets about trading for Cutler, even though he has yet to play like an elite quarterback for any length of time.
“I would do it all over again,” Angelo said. “You cannot play in this league without a quarterback, and then, where do you find these guys? When you make a decision, you want to base it on soundness.
“The decision was sound. Jay’s got to continue to improve, but everything we need in a quarterback Jay has. It’s about him coming together. It’s not about one guy; he needs help.”