Chicago Bears GM Phil Emery Talks About Kyle Long Selection

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.

As usual, Chicago Bears GM Phil Emery had a good story to tell about the selection of Long.

"“We’re very excited that Kyle Long is a new member of the Chicago Bears,” said general manager Phil Emery. “Kyle is a very good football player. He is the type of athlete and player that we have targeted; a fast, tough, dynamic athlete, a productive athlete.”"

Emery called Long a rare athlete at the position:

"Emery said he’s not worried about Long’s lack of play time, especially at the Division I level.“I’d be concerned if he wasn’t the person that he was and he wasn’t the dynamic athlete that he is,” said the Bears general manager.Emery revealed that the Bears compute an “athletic index score” that measures the athleticism of all draft prospects and Long recorded the highest score ever by a guard.“He’s the No. 1 guard in the last 12 draft classes, and that’s as far back as we go,” Emery said. “He rates as rare. That’s his rating. In our scale, nine is rare and he rates as rare.”"

If you get a chance, check out Phil Emery’s full presser video from the Chicago Bears website for a lot more info on some of the methodology the Bears used in selecting the versatile Long.

How do you grade the selection?  Vote in our poll and post your Comments on the newest Chicago Bear.