Bears Go Safe Route, Select Phil Emery as Next GM

In the least surprising news you’ll hear today, the Bears have selected Phil Emery to succeed Jerry Angelo as their next general manager.  Emery emerged after the Bears interviewed 4 other candidates including Tim Ruskell, Jimmy Raye III, Marc Ross and fellow finalist Jason Licht.

Emery is viewed as the safe choice because he andthe Bears are familiar with one another, having  been a regional scout in Chicago from ’98 – ’04.  Yes, he had a hand in the drafts that brought Brian Urlacher, Mike Brown, Peanut Tillman and Tommie Harris here among others.  He also had a hand in the drafts that brought Cade McNown, Curtis Enis, Michael Haynes and Rex Grossman too.  Go here to see Emery’s draft record from Chicago to Atlanta and most recently with the Chiefs, click here.

The hope is that he has more hits than misses to turn the Bears roster over.  The aging defense has suffered too many draft misses and re-drafting the same positions over and over and over again.  How many safeties did Jerry Angelo draft?  How about defensive ends and linebackers?  If he had hit on just a couple of these choices, the Bears wouldn’t have to open the checkbooks to try to fix their problems with expensive free agents.

Emery will need to infuse some young talent on the defense to shore up the secondary, find a more consistent pass rusher opposite Julius Peppers and find Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs’ eventual replacements.

On offense, the need is more desperate.  Emery needs to find some playamkers next for Jay Cutler and newly promoted offensive coordinator Mike Tice.  Needs at wide receiver, tight end and along the offensive line are clear and immediate.  He’ll also have to deal with the Matt Forte contract situation and decide to either franchise tag him, extend him or let him walk.

It will be a busy time for Emery.  I hope he’s ready for the challenge.