Getting to Know New Bears General Manager Phil Emery
by Steven Schweickert on Jan 29, 2012 11:00 AM CST
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PrintReading through the comments in yesterday's Emery announcement thread, I get the impression that Phil Emery - who I've confused in Google-searching with Blackhawks backup goaltender Ray Emery on more than one occasion (...what?) - is receiving a mixed reception as either the front-office equivalent of Tyler Hansborough, a workaholic who works hard at working really hard, or as the savior to all things Beardom with an incredible eye for talent... which may or may not come about through working really really hard.
With all that being said in quite possibly the longest run-on sentence in blogging history (which given the Internet is probably an accomplishment in and of itself)... I suppose I fail to see why being a hard-working, nose-to-the-grindstone workaholic is a bad thing when it comes to the front-office positions of keeping the football team staffed with guys with actual ability at their actual positions.
So the phrase "hard worker" was attributed to current ex-GM Jerry Angelo. It was also attributed to another guy who, so far, has built up a pretty solid team up north: Ted Thompson.
Thompson spent eight years with the Packers in various personnel roles between 1992 and '99 before returning as general manager in 2005. Emery brings a similar reputation as a blue-collar scout and workaholic who figures to spend a good portion of his years on the road personally scouting college players.
So I guess he'll need a free-agency coordinator. Sarcasm aside, under Thompson's model, last year's Super Bowl champion Packers (a notion that still makes me gag reflexively) included 49 players that Thompson brought on, be it free agency, draft or trade market. Even accounting for that taking place over a five year stretch, that's still a lot of turnover.
But certainly Thompson had carte blanche to fire whomever he wanted, hire whomever he wanted and make every change immediately, right? Well, when Thompson was brought on, not only did he retain much of the front office staff, he stuck with coach Mike Sherman for a season (taking note, Lovie-bashers?) before canning him and hiring Mike McCarthy. So keeping Lovie for another year doesn't automatically mean the end of all worlds is coming immediately.
And aside from retaining Lovie for 2012, according to Sean Jensen, the Bears' won't tie his hands in any sense - he'll get to retain any scouting staff, including Tim Ruskell, that he so chooses.
Which could be an interesting nugget in itself.
But it'll be curious to see what Emery does with Ruskell. In 2004, Ruskell provided Emery his break in the NFL, naming him the college scouting director of the Falcons. Ruskell, at the time, was the Falcons' assistant general manager.
But one league source who worked with Emery said the Bears new GM won't be threatened by Ruskell, who, before joining the Bears, had been the president and general manager of the Seattle Seahawks. Not lacking in confidence, Emery will make an informed decision with one overriding idea in mind: what's best for the Bears.
Odds are that Ruskell will not be retained and could be let go before the veteran free agency period that begins in March.
You'll also note another Ted Thompson comparison in there relating to his work ethic and teammate demeanor, as well as...
Three league sources said Emery possesses a clear vision for shaping a franchise, one he articulates clearly without superficiality.
Dan Pompei also jumps on the Emery-train...
A GM should be able to think outside the box. More than anything, he has to see a big picture. And that's really why Emery will be introduced as the Bears' new GM on Monday.
In two interviews, Emery impressed team President Ted Phillips and Chairman George McCaskey with his vision, his command of the room and the depth of his plan.
The Bears were looking for passion and commitment. They wanted someone who could communicate well but also someone who could listen. They wanted a strong personality.
It sounds like Emery can really talk a good game. Let's hope he can deliver for the Bears. And if so, maybe in Google searches I'll stop typing Ray instead of Phil.
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Call me crazy, but....
I don’t think it would be such a bad idea to retain Ruskell. Jerry did have one of his best drafts in recent memory with Ruskell on board. I don’t think that is just coincidence.
by Joeb'n777 on Jan 29, 2012 11:28 AM CST via mobile reply actions
I think Ruskell can be successful when not in a GM role
"I'm too drunk to taste this chicken" - Colonel Sanders
It's all about THE []_[] baby!!!
~"Smile when u being attacked,laugh when they talking boutcha,wave when they hating on u and Pray when they leave u alone Somethings wrong!"~ Deion Sanders
At least FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER before you judge me fool
by suckmyditka on Jan 29, 2012 12:48 PM CST up reply actions
mmmm....possible.
We’ll definitely see.
Cacti are prickly.
by crackedcactus on Jan 29, 2012 4:13 PM CST up reply actions
Inside the Combine with Phil Emery
A very good video with Emery as he gives a little insight on how the KC Chiefs approached the NFL Combine and Draft process.
by Paydirt75 on Jan 29, 2012 11:38 AM CST reply actions 3 recs
Awesome clip.
Not only does it give us a better picture of Emery as a person and administrator, but also sheds light on some very interesting info about the combine and player scouting in general.
"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."
by GriggsBriggs on Jan 29, 2012 1:28 PM CST up reply actions
Thank you, great find
"Brian Urlacher, coasting down the right sideline. A Sunday stroll into the endzone."
The Pompei article makes me feel even more hopeful
He seems to have the scouting and the administration angles down pat. I think that his history at the Naval Academy (“responsible for the development, administration and supervision of all strength and conditioning activities for 4,000 Midshipmen”, according to ChicagoBears.com) shows that he is an excellent administrator.
The Bears have one of the best contract negotiator/salary cap gurus in Cliff Stein. And as adamant as I was that Ruskell shouldn’t get the GM post, I wouldn’t be dumbstruck if Emery ‘demoted’ him to Director of College Scouting. It seems to me that Emery’s biggest challenge in a short timeframe will be the Pro Personnel organization. I’m interested to see who Emery will hire as Director of Pro Personnel/Scouting.
But it’s the vision and the ‘depth of his plan’ that intrigue me the most. In short, he should have already introduced not only a plan for the franchise, but some specific plans to address Matt Forte and the WRs, for example.
by Sweetness Lives On on Jan 29, 2012 11:42 AM CST reply actions
but, but, but...
I got nothing… Good post.
When Mike Ditka calculates pi it's decimal representation ends.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jan 29, 2012 12:34 PM CST via iPhone app reply actions
The title of this article aside, I still don't feel like I know Phil Emery
I read quotes from other articles about him here, and I read about Ruskell. I read about his vision and command of a room – all of which I had read elsewhere.
I guess time will tell.
"Losers always whine about their best. Winners go home and f**k the prom queen."
I agree, however...
I think this is his first real big shot to prove if he has what it takes to outfox the other 31 GM’s in the league.
No pressure.
Cacti are prickly.
by crackedcactus on Jan 29, 2012 4:15 PM CST up reply actions
Very good, informative post
and your run on sentence prowess is most, Iah say, most impressive.
"And furthermore, I think Carthage must be destroyed."
I wonder how Emery will handle...
Lovie Smith’s input on draft-day decisions. Angelo’s better drafts were before 2006 (think Tillman, Briggs, Hester,
A. Brown, etc), before Lovie was given greater input into the drafting process as part of his (then) new contract. It has been rumored that Dan Bazuin and Michael Okwo were championed by Lovie, and we know how those picks turned out.
E.F.K.
rumored?
input?
what does that mean? after 2006 Lovie was making the draft picks so George should have fired him and keep Jerry?
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
When the Bears extended Lovie in 2006 it was written into his contract...
that he would be given a much larger role in draft-day decisions. In terms of Bazuin and Okwo, Lovie was said to have liked them based on their measurable stats.
Don’t take what I said out of context. Nowhere in that comment did I say anything about firing Lovie, or that Lovie was making the draft picks. I was merely wondering how Emery will handle Lovie’s input into who he wants to see drafted.
E.F.K.
no you said Jerry's record was pretty good until Lovie got some input in 2006
You then went on to say it was rumored that Lovie wanted Bazuin and Okwo.
Rumored, You might as well say what will the draft day rumor about Lovie be under Emery.
I am going to start a rumor right now and say Emery will listen to Lovie and then do what he thinks best, just like Jerry did.
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
I heard from Ed
that Emery will be just like Angelo. Must be true.
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
that's my rumor and I'm sticking to it.
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
What kind of day was it?
It was a day filled with those event that alter and illuminate men’s lives, and you were there… Or something like that….
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
and then there are the years from which I remember nothing whatsoever.
I know where I was and what I was doing in a general sort of way but, I have no particular memory or anything that happened. Large chunks of time so depressingly boring that no details remain with me.
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
I have no general recollection of 1980-1984 specifically.
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
Reagan's first term
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
Are you dense?
Scroll up the screen. Now read what I said. No where did I say Jerry’s record was pretty good. I said “Angelo’s better drafts were before 2006”.
As to using the word “rumored”, I used it because neither you nor I was in the Bears’ draft room when those players were selected, therefore neither you nor I can speak in absolutes when referring to who actually picked a player. The prevalent rumor was that, or you could say it was reported that, Lovie had major input in determining who Jerry Angelo selected after 2006, and among that input Lovie was said to have really driven the decision to draft Okwo and Bazuin.
Are you done taking my thoughts out of context or do I have to explain myself more clearly?
Back to my original point: I wonder how much value Emery will give to Lovie’s opinions when it comes to drafting players, as it would be indicative of whether Emery was brought in as a ‘yes man’ for Lovie or if Emery is allowed to reshape the Bears into his image of a winning franchise.
E.F.K.
I guess we will find out tomorrow
Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that
by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jan 29, 2012 7:48 PM CST up reply actions
I'm smart enough to recogize rumor for what it is.
You know the McCaskey’s are there,. they don’t have to operate from rumors. They know the truth and decided to fire Jerry and keep Lovie at least one more year.
It would have been a lot less stressful for us fans if they would have just got out the broom and sweep out the FO and HC and declared that it was time to move in a new direction.
Well, maybe not, we would still be fighting over who the McCaskey’s should sell the team to etc.
The people who know the truth and own the team decided to eat 2years of Angelo’s contract and fire him, but keep Lovie for at least one more year.
If you want to make inferences and draw conclusions on rumor maybe you should question your own questions.
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
I do agree it would’ve been less stressful for us if the broom swept the front office clean. As to why they kept Lovie as head-coach there could be multiple arguments made, all of them plausible.
One argument is that Ted Phillips and the ownership, as you seem to be implying, saw Angelo as the real culprit behind the Bears problems and thus fired Angelo fired. This gives Lovie Smith the opportunity to prove that the lack of talent on this team was indeed Angelo’s problem in drafting, and not the coaches problem in developing players etc.
Another argument, equally as valid, is that Angelo was fired as a ‘sacrificial lamb’ to appease the fan-base, making it seem that Ted Phillips and the ownership is serious about accountability for the quality of product put on the field. However the head coach is also responsible for this product, yet Lovie wasn’t fired? It could be argued that Lovie wasn’t fired because the Bears didn’t want to eat his $11 million dollar salary through 2013 while also paying for a new coaching staff, whereas Angelo’s salary made it more financially attractive to fire him.
As for the truth? We’ll probably never know for certain. Sure the owners may say one thing publicly, but we are talking about a multi-billion dollar industry where media-spin is important and ulterior motives can be masked with the usual PR-bullsh**.
E.F.K.
let's be honest with ourselves
The McCaskey’s didn’t have to do anything.
Soldier field would still sell out next year. the fans know losing Cutler was a bad break and Hanie was not what everyone thought he was. They could easily have let Jerry and Lovie work to the end of their contracts and then made changes. They were not in danger of losing the fans and the money flowing in.
They felt they had to do something and given the information they have this is what they did. Could they have done better? better for who? for them or for us? Wish I knew.
I just can’t imange Lovie as the spider at the middle of a web. this is the guy who couldn’t think of anything better than “Rex is our quarterback”
But what do I know, I voted for Nixon.
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
I think Lovie is a smart guy, regardless of his ‘coach speak’ and stoic demeanor. whether he’s a good coach or not could be debated however.
But back to the money thing, sure the McCaskeys probably wouldn’t see their profit margins shrink all that much if they had kept JA, but they probably would’ve lost some fans. Additionally, the expensive crappy FA signings of Manumaleuna, Merriweather, Chester Taylor etc cost the McCaskeys a lot of money for little to no gain in the product, meaning aside from his salary JA cost the Bears a lot of money in wasted signings of inferior talent. furthermore, sure fans will probably still fill the stadium, but a winning football team certainly sells more merchandise etc than a losing one, and that effects the bottom line as well.
So basically all Im saying is the motive for firing JA could’ve been monetary in nature, or another equally plausible explanation is the Bears truly care about winning and think Lovie, at least for now, offers then the best chance to win.
E.F.K.
by DaBearBus on Jan 29, 2012 10:18 PM CST via Android app up reply actions
Around here we tend to like our "rumors" linked to actual reported news stories.
Tends to cut down on the speculation. Ed hates speculation. Ed hates lots of things. But Ed really hates speculation. I think it (ironically enough) goes against his “religion”.
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
you have Mr. Nobody's power of attorney do you?
or do you speak for all the nobodys, a family discount so to speak.
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
not caring overmuch about rumors was the point
why should some rumors just be accepted as “we can’t prove it but we know it’s true” and others not so much.
when you don’t know, you don’t know. speculation can be fun but rarely comes close to true events.
. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank
When it's written into Lovie Smith's contract that he has increased power in the draft-room,
and multiple sources from within an organization tell a reporter a story about how Lovie really wanted Bazuin and Okwo drafted, I would say it is a far-cry from random speculation and heresay. I used the word rumored because unless Lovie sits down, goes on record, and says “I did this”, we don’t know for sure. This doesn’t mean we can’t reasonably infer things based on evidence, reports, patterns, etc.
For instance astronomers and astro-physicists can reasonably infer how the universe was created, and have labeled one such theory the Big Bang. Since no human could have existed however and physically recorded the event, we cannot say with 100% certainty that the Big Bang actually happened. Another theory is that a Unicory and a Narwhal got drunk and their offspring was the universe. Both by definition are theories, but one is much more plausible than the other based on reasonable inference.
E.F.K.
Proof is still required .....
" Everyone has a plan 'till they get punched in the mouth. " ~
Mike Tyson
by MidWayMonster54 on Jan 29, 2012 9:19 PM CST up reply actions
For the Big Bang theory??
Just kidding. Here’s an article outlining the power Lovie seems to wield.
John ‘Moon’ Mullin:
Here’s some quotes
John Mullin, of the Chicago Tribune, reports Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith feels rookie LB Michael Okwo is the prototype he is looking for at weakside linebacker.
Actually a lot of people have said Lovie had more power than Angelo when it came to the draft following the 2006 season. Pompei wrote stated today that Lovie had to sign off on most of the players. If true that is not a good thing. Brad Biggs has been talking about that for years as well, two of Lovie’s known favorites were Dan Bazuin and Mike Okwo who he insisted on.
Brad Biggs:
The Bears haven’t had a draft turn out so badly since they selected Dan Bazuin and Michael Okwo in consecutive rounds in 2007.
Mike Mulligan:
Regardless, linebackers shouldn’t be hard to find for this scheme, but the Bears are 0-for-7 at the position in eight drafts during the Angelo-Smith partnership. The list includes Michael Okwo, a third-round pick (2007), two fourth-rounders in Leon Joe (2004) and Jamar Williams (2006), a fifth-rounder, Marcus Freeman (2009) and this year’s sixth-round pick, J.T. Thomas.
E.F.K.
The second quote was on a comment board,
not ‘Moon’ Mullin.
Either way, once Lovie was given enumerated power in the draft-room in his first contract extension (after the Superbowl loss), our drafts on the defensive side of the ball have been dismal at best. Seeing as how Lovie is a defensive-minded coach, I think it’s safe to say most of Lovie’s input for drafts would probably be on the defensive side of the ball.
E.F.K.
Well played.
Except that the link isn’t to a Mullin article, none of those quotes are in the linked article either and the article in itself is pure speculation. Nothing on record. So, umm, I guess, poorly played after all. Find where it states in Lovie Smith’s contract that he has increased powers and you’ll give me the smoking gun. Until then? Gotta side with Ed. Wow, that was a lot easier than I thought….
Above all; keep 'em guessing, never let them lose their sense of confusion.
I know none of the quotes are to the article I linked. The article linked is an article supporting my thoughts, and the rest of the quotes are from other Bears beat-writers and columnists from other articles.
As to Lovie’s contract, Im sure most of us have work this morning, but if I have free time Ill do some more digging.
E.F.K.
by DaBearBus on Jan 30, 2012 7:29 AM CST via Android app up reply actions
Here's a link to an article written by our own Timothy Hockenmeyer
Dick Jauron had final personnel power as a clause in his contract, which made the hiring seem a bit weird. Many people like to tout that clause as reason to discount Angelo from the first two drafts he was a part of (2002 and 2003). I do not make that distinction, as Angelo most certainly had plenty of input into the drafting. He may not have wielded ultimate power, but he did have a say, much like Lovie Smith has had since his 2007 contract extension.
More:
But how has Angelo done in terms of drafting? Because of the muddied circumstances surrounding Angelo’s tenure, it’s hard to separate his performance individually. From ‘02-’03, he was not the final word on personnel. and from 2007 through the present, Lovie Smith has contractually granted powers in personnel moves, as well (though the actual weight of his opinion has never been defined outside of Halas Hall, and has been a matter of several heated debates on this very site.).
Link to a Moon Mullin article from 2007, after Lovie received his contract extension:
Quote:
Insiders say Smith is playing a more prominent role in personnel matters, such as the trade with Washington for safety Adam Archuleta, but DePaul remains a leading figure.
E.F.K.
Sure and ....
If Emery doesn’t have the power to fire Smith, then how does he have the power to override Smith’s own personnel/draft opinions? He doesn’t. Of course there is no quotes supporting this argument that would make Lovie look bad and the man is careful with what he says, just because your paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not after you.
by chicagocity on Jan 29, 2012 11:47 PM CST up reply actions
im not gonna pin any picks on lovie
but he does have to share in some of the blame in recent draft failures given the what was in his contract post 2006.
ed’s right we dont know how much or how little influence he had but its worth noting that he did have more power than in the past when it came to drafting players
maybe he learned or maybe emery and lovie will make a great team
As Long As He Drafts Better Than Angelo Ill Be Happy
Jerry Angelo always made my head spin every time he drafted some off the wall guy like the one who jumped out of the pool or someone with an injury history or got in some reject free agent from another team. If Emery can avoid those kind of boneheaded decisions then he should be okay.
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