[CBFF] Angelo: Bears building, not rebuilding

[mactbone]

http://www.startribune.com/510/story/1039758.html
Angelo: Bears building, not rebuilding 

Chicago Bears General Manager Jerry Angelo understands the perception. Leading rusher Thomas Jones is gone, Pro Bowl linebacker Lance Briggs made it clear he wants out, and the coaching staff has been made over. 

"I know on the outside it looks like we want to dismantle the team," Angelo said Tuesday. "It has nothing to do with that. We want to keep this the best possible football team that we can. And that's what we're trying to do." 

A month removed from the Super Bowl, a soap opera seems to be playing out at Halas Hall. Coach Lovie Smith got a contract extension after his agent said negotiations stalled. Angelo got one, too, minus the public drama. 

The plot took two more twists this week, when Briggs lashed out and Jones got traded for a second-round pick. 

It may seem like little compensation for a back who ran for more than 1,200 yards each of the past two seasons, but it was a big statement on how the Bears feel about Cedric Benson, the fourth overall pick in the 2005 draft. The message: He's ready. 

"We like Cedric Benson and we felt it's his turn now, understanding what Thomas felt too," Angelo said.


 
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