April 26, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; General manager Phil Emery during a Chicago Bears press conference announcing their first-round selection of guard Kyle Long from Oregon University at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Reid Compton-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears GM Phil Emery appeared on Sirius XM radio and talked about a number of Chicago Bears issues now that the draft is in the rear view mirror and the offseason program is well underway.  Have a listen and let’s dissect Phil’s words after the jump:

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Dec. 30, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) walks off the field after defeating the Detroit Lions 26-24 at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The waiting is the hardest part.  Waiting for rookie camp to open, OTAs, June cap casualties, training camp, preseason and finally the opening kick-off of the 2013 NFL season.  As Chicago Bears fans, our waiting is magnified, because we are eager to see what impact the Marc Trestman regime has on our Beloved.  Are we beginning a new Ditka-like era of dominance with an all too quick fall from grace?  Will it be a Wannstedt-like era of mediocrity and shame all too recognizable with comparisons of football players to puzzle pieces that “fly around the field” with too many “ah-ah-ah’s” thrown in?  Are we beginning another Lovie-like era with its slow southern drawl and teams just good enough to save coaching jobs?  Or, is this something new entirely?

Regardless of what form the new regime takes, one aspect is markedly different from all of the others.  This regime is starting with a franchise-caliber quarterback in Jay Cutler.  None of the previous regimes had that luxury and by all accounts, Emery and Trestman are betting big on Jay Cutler.  Betting big without a contract extension?  How can that be?

The Bears currently sit with Cutler as the only NFL quality starting quarterback on its roster.  Sure, Josh McCown is a nice back-up and Matt Blanchard has some tools, but he is not ready for the big stage.  The Bears have invested significantly in its O-line this offseason through free agency and the draft all in the spirit of keeping Cutler upright.  I won’t go into whether or not they have just added more chicken shit into the mix in the hopes of making a great chicken salad or not, but they have clearly made the O-line a point of emphasis.  It is almost to the point where I think the competition for those 8 or 9 roster spots can do nothing but ensure that we will have the best O-line Jay Cutler has ever taken a snap behind in his tenure as a Bear.  By my count there are 15 OL-men on the roster and 9 of them having starting NFL experience, so the competition will be fierce and under OL guru, Aaron Kromer, let’s hope the cream rises to the top.

By investing this much on the O-line and by not drafting or bringing in anyone who would compete with Cutler, Emery and Trestman are pushing all their chips into the middle of the table and come hell or high water, Jay Cutler is going to be their starting QB for the long-term.  What remains to be seen is how much money that costs the Bears after this season and Cutler’s contract is up.  I cannot see a scenario where Cutler plays himself out of a job or where this new regime after ONE season will “go in a different direction” at the most important position on the field.  No, I think that time has passed and the gauntlet has been laid down…this is Jay’s team, post the Urlach-a-lypto now and Emery and company are going to fix what’s broken around him.

Hmmm…fixing what’s broken around a franchise quarterback seems like such a novel concept and I wonder why it took so long for management to figure that out…

CAN I GET AN AMEN?!?!?!?!?!?

The DeCon has spoken, so let it be written, so let it be done…

Jan 17, 2013; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery introduces new head coach Marc Trestman during a press conference at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

The Bears made another unorthodox selection in the first round of the draft in selecting Kyle Long, a guard out of Oregon.  I don’t necessarily think it’s a bad pick, but I thought they left a lot of talented players on the board and might have missed an opportunity to parlay the #20 pick into multiple selections.   (more…)

Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

To quote the scholar Brittney Spears , “Oops he did it again.”  Chicago Bears Phil Emery made another curious selection in his second year as the point man of the Chicago Bears draft.  Last season, he surprised everyone and took a surprising tweener DE Shea McClellin and this season they reached to take Oregon guard Kyle Long.  (more…)

Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bears GM Phil Emery addressed the assembled media to conduct his annual pre-draft press conference.  He touched on many of the items we’re dying to know more about as the Bears prepare for next week’s draft.  Let’s head out to the Twitterverse for some of the highlights from the best beat writers:  (more…)

May 23, 2012; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery in attendance during organized team activities at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

This is just a general post asking your opinions on how you feel our new GM is doing this offseason. Do you think his signings have been good?

In my opinion, he is doing a fantastic job, signing players for positions that the team needs new players. He has signed a very good left tackle, an up and coming tight end, a good blocking tight end, and a few linebackers. The signing of Matt Slauson should be extremely beneficial. As Boomer said, he is durable and he is entering his prime. What has impressed me most about the signings of Slauson, Williams, Anderson, and some others is that the contracts are small; he is not wasting a lot of money on controversial players. If these players don’t work out, at least it doesn’t really hurt the future.

Also, I really love the idea of bringing in Trestman. He looks younger than 57, and he is very intelligent. When he said that Devin Hester is meant to be a return man, that specifically made me realize that he knows what he’s doing. So my question to you is, how do you feel about the signings?  Do you think Emery has done a good job to this point? Comment below!

Newest Chicago Bears Martellus Bennett and Jermon Bushrod introduced at Halas Hall (Photo courtesy of AP)

Phil Emery was like a proud papa on Wednesday, showing off his latest acquisitions when he introduced free agents Martellus Bennett and Jermon Bushrod.  As he stood at the podium, you could sense the excitement in Emery’s voice.  He reiterated the goal, as he always does when he speaks, is to win championships.  Not win.  Not win a champion.  Win championships, plural.

You can say what you want about Emery, but at the very least, he sees the same things that we as fans see.  He doesn’t stand up there and talk down to us pretend that what we’ve been watching isn’t real.  These signings are a perfect example.  The Bears had a clear need at two key offensive positions and Emery and the Bears addressed them.

Last season, the Bears needed a #1 wide receiver, so Emery pulled off the Brandon Marshall trade.  This season, despite seemingly zero salary cap room, Emery and Cliff Stein found a way to bring in two guys who perfectly fit what the Bears need.

Bennett showed the “flaky” personality that outsiders warned us about, but listening to him speak at the presser and then on local radio appearances afterward, you can tell this guy likes to work hard and play hard.  He is serious about his craft and just wants to WIN.  So what if he calls himself “the black unicorn” and like bears second only to dinosaurs.

Bushrod, on the other hand, showed a quiet confidence and humility that is the polar opposite of Bennett.  Yet when he took to the lectern, before issuing a stack of “thank yous” he admitted he Bennett would make for a good locker room.  He is focused on getting better and winning.

Two guys with very different approaches but the same mentality.  The same mindset as the GM – winning championships.

What do you think Bears fans?  Are these winning moves to put the 10-6 Bears over the hump and lead them to championships?  What other moves would you like to see the Bears make?  Let’s see your comments.

BEAR DOWN!!!

Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Chicago Bears general manager Phil Emery speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been awfully quiet at Halas Hall the last few days.  While other teams have been re-structuring deals to get under the cap, making big trades re-signing their own free agents, the Bears have been on radio silence.  Someone make sure the phone lines to Halas Hall didn’t get cut during that fancy remodeling project that’s underway in Lake Forest.

The Chicago Bears are entering a crucial period for the new regime.  Phil Emery is entering his second offseason as GM and now he’s got his hand-picked head coach in Marc Trestman as they try to re-shape a 10-6 team into a consistent playoff team.