Newly appointed Bears GM Ryan Pace "spoke for nearly 40 minutes Friday in the Mugs Halas Auditorium and offered little insight into his thoughts on a roster" of which he has "final control" (Brad Biggs, CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/11). In Chicago, Rich Campbell wrote Pace "spoke only in generalities Friday about how he will apply his philosophy to the Bears, but his enthusiasm and confidence at least provided a peek" at why Bears President Ted Phillips, Chair George McCaskey and consultant Ernie Accorsi "gave Pace total control of the football operation" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/10). Also in Chicago, David Haugh wrote nobody "walked out saying, 'Wow,'" but nobody "exited going, 'Uh-oh,' either." Pace "never rambled, efficiently rationing his words." But "to say his message resonated within every Bears fan or that he removed their doubts would be exaggeration." Haugh: "As first impressions go, Pace's substance trumped style and his smarts were more apparent than savvy" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/10). The TRIBUNE's Steve Rosenbloom wrote Pace "came across as bright and energetic. And honest" (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 1/9). ESPN CHICAGO's Michael Wright noted Pace's age "became a constant topic of conversation." Pace said, "Yeah, I'm 37. But I've seen a lot in those years" (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 1/9). McCaskey said, "Ryan just stood out. The thoroughness of his presentation. ... He's a very charismatic individual" (ESPNCHICAGO.com, 1/9). McCaskey: "Our goal is to return the Bears to greatness, and we took an important first step (with Pace)." In Chicago, Adam Jahns wrote this is McCaskey's "era in Bears history" and his "sinking ship to rescue" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 1/11).
THE CONSULTANT: In Chicago, Dan Wiederer reported Accorsi "will stick with the Bears through their coaching search" and be "a sounding board, a dynamic Pace welcomed as he dives into the process" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 1/10). Phillips said, "I’ll tell you this: Ernie Accorsi, what a valuable asset. Great man. Great insight. What he does best in my opinion through this process is ... get right to the core of what we should be looking at from a football perspective" (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 1/10). McCaskey said of Accorsi, "I think when the process is concluded, he’ll want to get back to doing the things he enjoys doing and let Ryan take off on his own." He added, "He's a phone call away. And Ernie said he’d be willing to do that” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 1/12).
