NFL Notebook: Bears fire GM Angelo

The Chicago Bears borrowed a page from the Indianapolis Colts in end-of-season house cleaning: fire the GM and keep the coach.

Chicago won four division titles and reached the Super Bowl while Jerry Angelo was general manager. The Bears also crumbled in a big way this season.

Now Angelo's out. Coach Lovie Smith, however, will remain.

Angelo was fired following a team collapse marked by injuries to Jay Cutler and Matt Forte and a drug scandal involving Sam Hurd.

A questionable draft record and an inability to fill big holes, particularly on offense, led the ouster of Angelo, who had been on the job 11 years.

"I think Jerry achieved a lot as general manager," Bears president Ted Phillips said. "He's a wonderful man, high character. I've enjoyed every day working with him. He's put his life's blood into the Bears."

The Bears also fired offensive coordinator Mike Martz after two seasons in Chicago. "After meeting with Mike this afternoon, we both felt it was best to move in different directions," Smith said.

Chargers

San Diego president Dean Spanos didn't feel he had to issue any ultimatums when he made the unpopular decision to bring back coach Norv Turner and general manager A.J. Smith despite the team missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season. "Everybody knows in this business that you've got to win," Spanos said. "That's the net bottom line. You don't have to say that." Feeling that he has a good team with a marquee quarterback in Philip Rivers, "Keeping this intact gives us the best chance to win and change this thing as quickly as possible," Spanos said.

Eagles

Chairman Jeffrey Lurie said coach Andy Reid will return for his 14th season in Philadelphia, though he left open the possibility for changes on the coaching staff. Speaking to reporters for the first time since training camp, Lurie expressed his displeasure with the team's 8-8 record and explained in detail why he chose to retain Reid after weeks of serious deliberation. "This was, without question, the most disappointing season since I've owned the team. It's completely unacceptable." However, Lurie added, "There's no doubt in my mind, if our focus is on trying to win a championship next year, the best coach for that is Andy."

Vikings

Minnesota elevated Rick Spielman to general manager, streamlining a nebulous power structure and making the first move toward reviving a team that matched the worst record in franchise history. Spielman was promoted from his previous role as vice president of player personnel, which he held since his hire in May 2006. He will now have final authority over all roster-related decisions, in addition to his previous duties running the scouting departments and the draft.

Dolphins

Miami made clear its intentions were to go after a big-name coach. They held true to their words when they announced they interviewed Jeff Fisher Tuesday. Fisher arrived at the team facility aboard owner Stephen Ross' helicopter, leaving the complex in the early afternoon.

Saints

New Orleans placed rookie running back Mark Ingram on injured reserve, ending his season. Ingram, who won the 2009 Heisman Trophy at Alabama, missed New Orleans' last four games because of a sprained toe on his left foot.

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First published on January 4, 2012 at 12:00 am

Source: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/12004/1201119-66-0.stm?cmpid=sports.xml

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