Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2017 22:21:38 GMT -6
Bears won't see improvement until Ted Phillips is gone
Matt Eurich - Nov 29, 12:39 PM
Link: 247sports.com/Bolt/Chicago-Bears-wont-see-improvement-until-Ted-Phillips-is-gone-111376563
The only way the Chicago Bears get better is by replacing Ted Phillips.
Ted Phillips appears to be a made man within the Chicago Bears organization.
The President and CEO of one of the most well-known sports franchises in the world, Phillips has been in charge of the organization since February 10, 1999. He became just the fourth president of the organization and the only one not related to the Halas family. The organization has also been overseen by George S. Halas, George "Mugs" Halas, Jr. and Michael McCaskey.
George S. Halas was the founder of the organization and eventually handed operation over to his son Mugs. George Jr. joined the front office in 1950 and became the team's president in 1963. He passes away in 1979. McCaskey, the son of Halas's daughter Virginia, took over as the president between 1983 and 1999 before Phillips' hiring.
Phillips, known more as a "money man" than an X's and O's type, has done a great job of helping the McCaskey make money, but during his tenure with the organization the team has only had a couple bright spots.
Since the 2000 season the Bears have made the playoffs just four times. The Bears did go to Super Bowl XLI after the 2006 but eventually lost to the Indianapolis Colts in Miami. After losing in the NFC Championship game after the 2010 season, Chicago has not been back in the playoffs. Since 2010 the team has finished third in the NFC North two times, second one time and in last place in each of the last three seasons.
The Bears currently sit in last place in the division this year with a 3-8 record.
Phillips helped oversee the hiring of Phil Emery as general manager in 2013 and then turned to a special adviser in 2015 in Ernie Accorsi to help him find a new general manager and a new head coach. Phillips' decision to go with outside help alone should have been enough to prove he is not fit for his job overseeing the football side of the organization.
If the Bears want to truly push their team back toward prominence in the NFL, they need to make changes at the top. Since Phillips has clearly aligned himself positively inside the McCaskey family, it would be wise for Chicago to look at what the Chicago Cubs did to overhaul their organization.
Crane Kenney oversaw baseball operations within the Cubs organization but was far better on the business side of things. The Cubs brought in Theo Epstein as the president of baseball operations, Kenney slid over to be the team's president of business operations and the organization slowly crept its way back into prominence in the league.
Making a similar move will be difficult because few around the NFL hold the same clout Epstein did when he joined the club, but over the years it has become evident Chicago needs someone in place at the top who can oversee all football operations, leaving Phillips to deal with the business side of things.
Until Chicago pushes Phillips away from football decisions the team will continue to struggle to get wins on Sundays.
Author:Matt Eurich @matteurich
Matt Eurich - Nov 29, 12:39 PM
Link: 247sports.com/Bolt/Chicago-Bears-wont-see-improvement-until-Ted-Phillips-is-gone-111376563
The only way the Chicago Bears get better is by replacing Ted Phillips.
Ted Phillips appears to be a made man within the Chicago Bears organization.
The President and CEO of one of the most well-known sports franchises in the world, Phillips has been in charge of the organization since February 10, 1999. He became just the fourth president of the organization and the only one not related to the Halas family. The organization has also been overseen by George S. Halas, George "Mugs" Halas, Jr. and Michael McCaskey.
George S. Halas was the founder of the organization and eventually handed operation over to his son Mugs. George Jr. joined the front office in 1950 and became the team's president in 1963. He passes away in 1979. McCaskey, the son of Halas's daughter Virginia, took over as the president between 1983 and 1999 before Phillips' hiring.
Phillips, known more as a "money man" than an X's and O's type, has done a great job of helping the McCaskey make money, but during his tenure with the organization the team has only had a couple bright spots.
Since the 2000 season the Bears have made the playoffs just four times. The Bears did go to Super Bowl XLI after the 2006 but eventually lost to the Indianapolis Colts in Miami. After losing in the NFC Championship game after the 2010 season, Chicago has not been back in the playoffs. Since 2010 the team has finished third in the NFC North two times, second one time and in last place in each of the last three seasons.
The Bears currently sit in last place in the division this year with a 3-8 record.
Phillips helped oversee the hiring of Phil Emery as general manager in 2013 and then turned to a special adviser in 2015 in Ernie Accorsi to help him find a new general manager and a new head coach. Phillips' decision to go with outside help alone should have been enough to prove he is not fit for his job overseeing the football side of the organization.
If the Bears want to truly push their team back toward prominence in the NFL, they need to make changes at the top. Since Phillips has clearly aligned himself positively inside the McCaskey family, it would be wise for Chicago to look at what the Chicago Cubs did to overhaul their organization.
Crane Kenney oversaw baseball operations within the Cubs organization but was far better on the business side of things. The Cubs brought in Theo Epstein as the president of baseball operations, Kenney slid over to be the team's president of business operations and the organization slowly crept its way back into prominence in the league.
Making a similar move will be difficult because few around the NFL hold the same clout Epstein did when he joined the club, but over the years it has become evident Chicago needs someone in place at the top who can oversee all football operations, leaving Phillips to deal with the business side of things.
Until Chicago pushes Phillips away from football decisions the team will continue to struggle to get wins on Sundays.
Author:Matt Eurich @matteurich