The Chicago Bears completed their search for a general manager today, naming Phil Emery as the man for the job.
Emery, who served as the Kansas City Chiefs director of college scouting for the previous three years, is the replacement for Jerry Angelo, who was fired Jan. 3. Angelo was Emery’s boss previously when he worked as an area scout for the Bears. Emery is the fifth general manager in Bears’ history.
Bears president Ted Phillips said the team was putting a premium on talent evaluation. They got Emery to improve the franchise’s performance in the draft, which was a black mark against Angelo. Before working for the Chiefs, he was the college scouting director for the Atlanta Falcons, a place where Tim Ruskell hired him.
The Bears completed a second interview with Emery on Friday. He was selected over Jason Licht, the director of pro personnel for the New England Patriots. Emery will be introduced at a 2 p.m. (CST) press conference on Monday.
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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune
It's not like anyone really knows how the candidates would have panned out had they gotten the job, but Emery didn't seem like the guy in my eyes, sure hope I'm wrong.
I'm happy for the hire, but then again, my left pinkie toe would have been an upgrade over the previous GM.
Read about Phil Emery in Michael Holley's book, "War Room", to get a better understanding of what this man is about and his glowing reputation as a talent evaluator around league circles. Emery's mentor was the late Mark Hatley, former Bears Director of Player Personnel. Remember him? He's the guy who drafted Bears players such as Brian Urlacher, Mike Brown, Tony Parrish and Olin Kreutz.
Emery has had a hand in some really solid picks in his time with the Falcons and Chiefs (e.g. Matt Ryan, Eric Berry, etc.). He's well-versed in the "Patriot Way", having worked for years under former Belichik proteges Scott Pioli and Thomas Dimitroff. His specialty is evaluating college players; he built his reputation on it.
It annoys me when fans balk at his hiring because they see the Kansas City Chiefs attached to his name. The same fans who are groaning about Emery were pining for Jason Licht, only because he comes from the New England Patriots. In fact, Licht's body of work is open to far more negative scrutiny than Emery's. Licht had very little impact on building the Patriots Super Bowl teams; that was attributable to Belichik, Pioli and Dimitroff.
Personally, I'm excited about this hire. I think there's a bright future ahead for the Chicago Bears.
Only one thing is for sure: he'll have plenty of time to succeed or fail, at least 10 years knowing the Bears. If he knows what a QB is and what an Offense needs he's miles ahead of Jerry Angelo.
5 Easy steps to becoming a better bears GM
Step 1 Sign Forte
Step 2 DONT resign Roy Williams
Step 3 Cut Frank Omiyale
Step 4 Evaluate the WRs and Oline
Step 5 DONT resign Roy Williams
Right on musterfan! The idea of having someone,with a history of sucess, in charge of the draft is a relief. With cap room, extra draft picks and returning offensive lineman from injury the Bears are three impact players away from competeing for the NFC North Tailoring your scheme to your talents, wow! What a novel approach! To have an offensive coordinator with some common sense will be a welcome relief. Emery appears to be a no nonsense kind of guy that will provide a sensible coordinator(Tice) with the parts needed to man an addiquit offense, the Bears don't need spectacular. The addition of another pass rusher, cornor and a playmaking safety will make an already Super Bowl caliber defense only better. Ahh! I love this time of year. Pre NFL draft, a time for hope: pre NBA playoffs, a time for optimismand pre spring training,sorry got carried away, hell you can dream anyway!
Only the Bears would hire a General Manager after the coach is in place.
Last time , they hired a 'Headhunting" firm to hire their GM .
We need to dump Ted Phillips , and give the GM the power to hire and fire
the Head coach, Then go from there. Go Bears
Jan 28, 2012
05:04 PM
if the bears want to hire this guy, fine. but they'd better be right about this not being just another yes-man to the organization. from the outside it looks a lot like this could end up being another regime not unlike the "macphail-lynch-hendry" mashup cubs fans had to endure forever.