Chicago's new GM will be tested in FA and the draft. Matt Bowen
I listened in on the press conference yesterday for new Bears’ GM Phil Emery. Standard answers from Emery and multiple deflections when asked about how the club would target players and fill the holes on the roster.
I want to see Emery work during free agency and the draft before forming an opinion on the new Bears' GM.
That’s expected even if the fan base wants an inside look at the Bears’ offseason plans under new leadership in the front office. Fans want to see change from the now departed Jerry Angelo.
And after that press conference, I was asked my opinion on the Bears new hire. Good move? Bad move? Could the team have done better?
My answer is simple: let’s see how it plays out first.
I heard very positive comments from people I trust in the NFL while down in Mobile last week for the Senior Bowl. A new GM that has a detailed scouting background and isn’t afraid to put in the work.
However, I’m still holding that opinion until I can get a glimpse on how Emery operates through free agency and the draft. Those are the answers we are looking for when it comes to evaluating a new GM in Chicago.
Maybe we see Emery go after a WR such as Vincent Jackson or Dwayne Bowe this March when free agency opens. A major need for a team that has a franchise arm at QB in Jay Cutler.
There is also the possibility of upgrading the left tackle position and the D-Line opposite Julius Peppers. Names such as Ohio State’s Mike Adams at LT or Melvin Ingram and Courtney Upshaw at the DE position if they are still hanging around at pick No.19 in the first round this April.
But regardless if the talent comes from veterans in March or rookies in the draft, I’m curious to see how Emery upgrades the roster in Chicago. His job is to shape this team to compete on a consistent basis with the Packers and Lions in the 2012 season and beyond. And it starts soon when the new league year kicks off.
Until then, I’m going to wait to hand out an opinion. Let’s allow Emery to get to work first.
Follow me on Twitter: @MattBowen41
All I hear is how he is very detail oriented and knows how to evaluate college talent. These are things that we really didn't see with Angelo from his early round draft picks. As a fan I am very excited with this hire.
This could be a tough year for new GMs simply because the cap won't be going up. That's going to take most teams without a ton of cap space mostly out of the free agent market and reduce them to resigning their own players and filling holes through the draft. While that may work out well in the long run, fans expecting big turnarounds for non-playoff teams may be a bit disappointed at the perceived pace of improvement.
Matt, I think you're right that Emery's actions in this offseason will provide the basis for judging him. Looking at his drafts with the Falcons and Chiefs, though, I think there's reason to be hopeful, even before we see what he does with the Bears. The majority of Emery's picks in rounds 1-3 are still starting for the team that drafted them, and of the ones who aren't, a good number are starters or contributors elsewhere in the NFL. That's a night-and-day contrast with Angelo's body of work in the early rounds of the draft.
I will say one thing, though: I don't think Bears fans should expect this first draft to be as good as it gets under Emery. He's already said that there won't be enough time to install his new grading/scouting system (the one that the Patriots use, which he learned under Dimitroff and Pioli) until after the draft is over. So even if he drafts well in April (which I expect he will) it may be that his second draft is where we start to see what he's really capable of.
What I am looking for first and foremost is a philosophical commitment to upgrading the passing game. The best thing Angelo did was bring in a franchise QB. The worst thing he ever did was not build around Cutler on offense. I want to see a new direction here.
WHy people thought he was going to come in with a 'hammer' is beyond me (Dan Bernstein), why would he start with that routine?
The biggest worry anyone can have is that the Peter Principle will be in play, and my gut says he has the goods to get better at what he does....
Only time will tell, so boys, take a chill pill.
KNow what would be cool Matt? an article on the "patriot way" Everything from their grading system to how they set up for the draft, There must be some one that has been fired from the Patirots that is willing to spill the beans.
How can anyone judge Emery, when he has been in 3 days. Give the guy a chance..Damn whiners and critics. The Bears Fans are actually the worse critics , with NOTHING TO BACK UP why the do not like him. Just some one to blame!
What Great GM , gives away his plans for what he will do. Seems stoooooooooooooooopid if he did. RIGHT? Just have faith that he will lead our BEARS TO VICTORY!
Lets see what his picks do next season and how effective his personnel moves are. Who decides to sign Forte, Emery? How will he cover the back-up QB position?
One thing he did say was that he thought of himself as a "team player". The GM orchestrates the team. He doesn't perform as a cog. Makes me wonder if he would have the authority to fire Lovie if need be.
He can be successful if he can upgrade the receiving corp and retools the defense
Jan 31, 2012
09:37 AM
Matt, you are right to withhold judgment, but I think we will need to see how many first/second round picks are still with the Bears 3-4 years down the road as well as how he juggles the lineup in the meantime. The Bears have so many problem areas, O and D lines, aging linebackers, so-so receivers, that whatever Emery does right now, he will be vulnerable to second guessing for not having done something else. Angelo's main problem was an inability to get first/second rounders that really made am impact.