[CBFF] Jerry growing on Jerry

[Tom Shannon]

Don't forget the team he has under him.  Cliff Stein probably had more to do
with this than anyone.  I was sorry to read about this crap regarding some
members of the organization getting bigger SB rings than others.  Guys like
Greg Gabriel and Stein deserve all the credit they can get.

Tom S.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cbff-bounces at chicagobearsfanforum.com [mailto:cbff-
> bounces at chicagobearsfanforum.com] On Behalf Of Jerry Madsen
> Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 11:36 PM
> To: CBFF
> Subject: [CBFF] Jerry growing on Jerry
> 
> After reading ESPN's take on the Olsen signing, Jerry Angelo and his
> front office are really starting to grow on me.
> 
> Then again, I once had a planter's wart grow on me, so we'll see how
> long this love-fest lasts.
> 
> Jerry
> 
> ----------
> 
> Olsen, Bears work out unique five-year deal
> By Len Pasquarelli
> ESPN.com
> (Archive)
> Updated: July 3, 2007, 8:45 PM ET
> 
>  The Chicago Bears reached a contract agreement with top pick Greg
> Olsen, on Tuesday, making the former University of Miami tight end the
> initial first-round selection in the league to come to terms on his
> rookie contract.
> 
> 
> JC Ridley/WireImage.com
> 
> Greg Olsen had 38 catches for 444 yards last season at Miami.
> And in striking the deal, agent Drew Rosenhaus and Bears negotiator
> Cliff Stein relied on a creative structure that could pave the way for
> other first-round signings.
> 
> Olsen, the 31st player chosen overall in April, will sign a five-year
> contract with a maximum value of $10.696 million.
> 
> Rosenhaus and Stein were able to overcome some hurdles presented by a
> recent ruling in a case involving former Denver first-round wide
> receiver Ashley Lelie, limiting the amount of bonus money which a
> franchise could attempt to recoup if a player defaulted on his
> contract.
> 
> The contract will pay Olsen a signing bonus of $250,000 and a $720,000
> roster bonus in the first year, with a 2007 base salary of $285,000.
> 
> In 2008, there is an option bonus of $3.545 million, and there are
> reporting bonuses of $100,000 in 2009, $140,000 in 2010 and $125,732
> in 2011. The base salaries in the deal, after the first season, are
> $370,000 (2008), $460,000 (2009), $550,000 (2010) and $650,000 (2011).
> Olsen can earn an additional $2.921 million in incentives and
> escalators and a one-time playing time incentive of $578,700.
> 
> "It's a big relief, given that Greg has been with us throughout the
> offseason program," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo told the
> team-owned Web site on Tuesday night. "I mentioned to him and his
> family that he really built up a lot of good karma with the players
> and coaches [because of his attendance], and now this allows us to
> continue that momentum going into camp. When you don't get a deal
> done, or it drags into camp, all of that good will gets lost, and then
> it has to be rebuilt. So now, he can just continue to build on all the
> good things that he's done thus far and, obviously, we're excited
> about that."
> 
> Olsen, 22, is the latest in a long line of former Miami standout tight
> ends, a group that includes Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey and Kellen
> Winslow, among others.
> 
> In 33 games, including 26 starts, Olsen, who transferred to Miami from
> Notre Dame, posted 87 receptions for 1,215 yards and six touchdowns.
> Regarded as the top tight end prospect in the draft entering the
> combine workouts, he cemented his status with a superb audition for
> league scouts in Indianapolis.
> 
> At 6-feet-5 7/8 and 254 pounds, Olsen was clocked in 4.51 seconds in
> the 40-yard dash, a time faster than that registered by most of the
> wide receivers at the combine. He also had a 35 ½-inch vertical jump
> and his overall athleticism enhanced his draft stock. Olsen has
> acknowledged that, like most young tight ends, he will need to upgrade
> his blocking skills, but the Bears are confident he will play quickly
> and add another key dimension to their passing attack.
> 
> Chicago was the first team in the league to have all its draft choices
> under contract in each of the past two years. The agreement with Olsen
> leaves the Bears with just one of their nine picks this year,
> second-round defensive end Dan Bazuin of Central Michigan, without a
> deal in place.
> 
> Most teams in the league have yet to commence substantive negotiations
> with their first-round draft choices.
> 
> Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
> 
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