Personality matters to Emery - Dan Bernstein: If Emery’s own honesty, transparency and willingness to answer every last question yesterday is an indication, he wants the head coach to meet the media/fan relationship at least halfway.
Bears coaching search: Believe in Phil Emery - Ricky O'Donnell: Phil Emery has the tall task of replacing Lovie Smith, but the Bears GM proved in a dizzying press conference on Tuesday that he should have the trust of Bears fans everywhere.
Job posting: Head coach, Chicago Bears: Playoff experience helpful - Moon Mullin: Emery now embarks on his first-ever hiring of an NFL head coach with a plan, a timetable and an idea of how the new coach will work with his personnel structure.
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Head coach search
Bears’ hiring process likely to go deep into the playoffs - Moon Mullin: The Bears will not rush through their head-coaching vacancy like they did with Dave Wannstedt, but when they do get down to making a decision, Texans OC Rick Dennison may be in the mix.
Potential Bears head coaches - Sean Jensen with a closer look at some coaches who are and could be on the Bears radar.
Do the Bears have Mike Holmgren's number? - Steve Rosenbloom: The presumption is, Cutler can be developed into a big-boy QB. That’s near the top of Emery’s demands for the new coach. Find out if the guy who tamed Brett Favre and made him a winner can do the same with the Bears’ version of the early foolish and stubborn Favre.
NFL head coach tracker - Gregg Rosenthal breaks down all of the latest coaching news and reports.
Seven head coaches get gate; most for good reason - Steve Silverman: While it basically comes down to winning and losing, there are specific reasons each of the seven coaches were dismissed.
Dear John… I mean Lovie - Tim Baffoe: Well, this is never easy. Look, I think you’re a great guy. I do, really. Nine years! That’s a hell of a run. But it’s time.
Peyton Manning: McCoy 'ready' to become head coach - Brad Biggs: Denver OC Mike McCoy, who will interview with the Bears, is ready to become a head coach in the estimation of Peyton Manning.
Matt Bowen: The Players Page - Why wouldn't there be NFL interest in Oregon's Kelly? Pro offenses of today are all about tempo, speed and points.
[Audio] NFCN Blog - Kevin Seifert and Mike Sando point out that, although the Bears' next coach will preside over a significant roster overhaul, the presence of even a flawed Cutler will be attractive given the barren QB landscapes in many other NFL markets.
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Other Bears news
Hester's retirement talk not related to Smith's firing - Larry Mayer: Hester's unhappiness could stem from a lack of playing time on offense. In the final two games of the season in Arizona and Detroit he was rarely on the field and was not targeted with a pass.
NFCN Blog - Kevin Seifert: Hester implied that his failure to emerge as a consistent receiver -- or perhaps the failure of the Bears to cultivate those skills -- has taken the fun out of playing for him. If his feelings truly are unrelated to Smith's departure, then this issue runs deeper than reactive emotion.
NFL's team-by-team MVPs - Chicago's offense failed to help the team's sterling defense on several occasions this season, but don't blame Brandon Marshall.
NFCN Blog - Kevin Seifert with the 2012 NFCN QB report. Cutler was the league's most effective scrambler. So there's that.
2012 PFF All-Pro Team - Marshall and Tillman get some love.
ProFootballFocus: 32 Teams, 32 Observations - Only 30.9% of Adam Podlesh’s punts were returned, which was the lowest rate in the league.
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Polish sausage
Packers could delay Clements interview - Kevin Seifert: The Packers can delay the interview until after their season is over. That could be next week or it could be next month if they make the Super Bowl.
Know thy enemies - Albert Breer previews the Vikings-Packers wild card rematch as they meet for the third time in six weeks, with each team owning a win.
Know thy enemies - Kevin Seifert: With Ponder wilting under pressure, expect the Packers to blitz early and often.