Phil Emery "All Business" As He Is Introduced As New Bears GM

New Bears GM Phil Emery during his introductory press conference yesterday “was all business as he described a vision to have the Bears compete for multiple championships, a word he referred to often,” according to Brad Briggs of the CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Emery said that the “first order of business will be preparing for free agency as he sets out to close that gap with the Packers and Lions in the NFC North.” Bears Dir of Player Personnel Tim Ruskell “was relieved of his duties before Emery was introduced” yesterday, clearing up “any questions of whether he would run a good ol' boys network as Ruskell hired him as the Falcons' college scouting director in 2004.” Emery “was clear he's a fresh start from Angelo” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/31). The Chicago Tribune’s Biggs said, “You got to have an open mind with Phil Emery coming in and giving him an opportunity. There's a lot of stuff he said that made a lot of sense. ... Now he has this opportunity, a five-year contract. It's his game and he can run with it.” Yahoo Sports Radio's Jason Goch said, "Maybe it is surprising, I guess, for outsiders that the Bears didn't try to go with someone with more experience, because this is like that Jerry Angelo route. But the Bears organization wasn't going to do it that way, and how appealing is this job when you already have (coach) Lovie Smith in place?" ("Chicago Tribune Live," Comcast SportsNet Chicago, 1/30).

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: In Illinois, Mike Imrem wrote yesterday’s news conference “was an opportunity for Emery to score credibility points -- but, speaking only for myself, he didn’t do much in that area.” Instead, Emery “essentially gushed over Smith and the entire Bears’ operation.” Emery “likes the McCaskey ownership.” He likes the way club President & CEO Ted Phillips "conducted the interview process.” He “likes the Bears’ scouts.” He “likes Smith,” and he “likes Smith’s assistant coaches.” He also “likes the core of players on the roster.” Imrem notes to fans, “each of those is a hard sell on the credibility scale, some more than others.” Emery “did and said little during his debut media briefing to inspire confidence or bolster Bears’ credibility” (Illinois DAILY HERALD, 1/31). ESPN CHICAGO’s Jon Greenberg wrote, “I thought Emery was perfectly cast for a role as a football guy, but to the meatball Bears fans listening on the radio and watching on TV, I’m afraid Emery’s first impression was lacking” (ESPN.com, 1/30). In Chicago, David Haugh writes much of the public “listened to Emery and equated uninteresting with incapable, but be careful before jumping to conclusions.” Judge Emery’s “substance, not his style” (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/31). Also in Chicago, Rick Morrissey writes, “You asked him about who would have the final say on the draft, and he said it would be a consensus.” You also “asked him about coach Lovie Smith’s future with the team, and he talked about teamwork.” Emery sounds like a man “who can work with anyone who is put in front of him” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 1/31).