Chicago Bears complete interview stage in search for new GM - NFL News Update
The Chicago Bears comprehensive search for a new general manager is still ongoing and news coming out of Halas Hall, the Chicago Bears headquarters, is that the team has completed the first round of interviews.
Kansas City Chiefs’ director of college scouting, Phil Emery, was interviewed for the position on Friday and was the final candidate out of the five leading names for the position completing the first step of the process.
The Bears also interviewed their own director of player personnel and current interim-general manager, Tim Ruskell, for the GM position.
Emery has been with the Chiefs for the past three years in his current position while also has experience as the director of college scouting with Atlanta along with having spent time as a scout for the Chicago Bears before taking up the role at the Falcons.
Emery was one of four outside candidates the franchise is considering for the role of general manager. The rest which were interviewed earlier in the week include New England Patriots’ director of pro personnel, Jason Licht, San Diego Chargers’, Jimmy Raye,
who performs the same role as Licht and New York Giants’, Marc Ross, who is the director of college scouting.
The Bears fired their previous general manager, Jerry Angelo, after the club failed to qualify for the playoffs as injuries ravaged the squad in offence.
Angelo was blamed for the poor performances of the replacements to the starting line-up that were signed under his watch.
Angelo was not the only one to be sacked as the Bears reorganised their staff with offensive coordinator, Mike Martz, and quarterbacks coach, Shane Day, also removed from their roles.
The Bears retained the services of head coach, Lovie Smith, while giving Tim Ruskell the post of the interim general manager.
Chicago has now completed the interview stage and will be deciding on the candidate who best suits their needs.
The new GM will have a tough task ahead of him and cannot bring in his own choice of head coach as Lovie Smith has been guaranteed the position for the upcoming 2012 season.
He would also have to decide on the future of star players such as running back, Matt Forte, who is in a deadlock with the Bears over a contract extension.
The Bears ended the regular season with a poor 8-8 record after their late collapse after season ending injuries to star quarterback, Jay Cutler, and running back, Matt Forte, ravaged the offence.
Chicago will now look to start anew in the 2012 season and hopefully avoid another repeat.
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