Bears Chair George McCaskey originally gave "an emphatic 'no'" to the idea of signing DE Ray McDonald, who has been accused of sexual assault, but McCaskey was convinced after "a two-hour conversation the chairman characterized as 'difficult' and 'very candid,'" according to Patrick Finley of the CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. McCaskey "even received approval from his own mother," team Owner Virginia McCaskey. George McCaskey said, "In the end, she put her trust in me, and I’m putting my trust in [GM Ryan Pace]." Finley notes George McCaskey "had only intervened in a player personnel issue two previous times" -- when the Bears cut WR Sam Hurd in '11 after his arrest on federal drug charges, and when trading for WR Brandon Marshall in '12. The 49ers released McDonald on Dec. 17 for a “pattern of poor decision making” after he was investigated on suspicion of sexual assault. The case "remains open, but McDonald hasn’t been charged and is suing his accuser" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 3/25). McCaskey said, "I was impressed with how sincere he was and how motivated he is" (ESPN.com, 3/24). In Chicago, Mike Imrem writes, "Signing a player with this background doesn't exactly fit the image the McCaskeys profess to prefer for the family and the franchise." Imrem: "So, why would the Bears take on such a dubious character?" It could be that the Bears "thoroughly investigated the McDonald matters and concluded that he is innocent of any and all wrongdoing," or that the Bears "believe ... in second chances." The team "must think McDonald is worth the gamble on and off the field" (Chicago DAILY HERALD, 3/25).
CALCULATED RISK? In Chicago, Brad Biggs writes what "is significant is Pace is rolling the dice with McDonald in Year 1 of what looks to be a rebuild." It would be one thing if the Bears "were a playoff team on the verge of a breakthrough," but there "are needs all over" the team's roster. One thing that "can affect job security, though, is swinging and missing on character and no one can say McDonald doesn't arrive without warning signs." This move shows that Pace is "willing to extend himself for a player his coaches want and vouch for even if circumstances create questions." Biggs: "The upside is McDonald turns into a starter for a year, maybe longer if everything works out. The downside is Pace will have a mistake on his hands in a year when the risk maybe wasn't necessary" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 3/25). Also in Chicago, Steve Rosenbloom writes under the header, "Bears Don't Need Ray McDonald And His Troubled Past." Pace said that he "envisioned a team of high-character players who are tough, intelligent, instinctive and unselfish." Rosenbloom: "A 'pattern of poor decision-making’ doesn’t sound like high character to me" (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 3/24). The TRIBUNE's Rick Telander writes under the header, "Bears' Signing Of Ray McDonald Says Winning More Important Than Decency" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 3/25).
