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Pace considers Bears a perfect fit - Larry Mayer: The only way that Ryan Pace was going to leave a job he loved with the Saints was for a perfect situation like the one he found in Chicago.
Pace's debut doesn't dispel doubts but does allay fears - David Haugh: As first impressions go, Pace's substance trumped style and his smarts were more apparent than savvy — good signs for NFL executives judged by results more than rhetoric.
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Chicago Bears introduce new GM Ryan Pace
Bears' triumverate agreed: Pace 'was the guy' - Bob LeGere: George McCaskey and Ted Phillips were in agreement immediately after inerviewing Ryan Pace that the 37-year-old was clearly the best choice to become the sixth GM in franchise history.
Helping hand gives Bears a better chance for success - Mark Potash: With Ernie Accorsi around to filter the messages, the Bears appear to have a better GM prospect this time. and from a better pool of candidates.
Pace focusing on hiring head coach - Larry Mayer: At his introductory press conference Friday, the new Bears said that hiring the right head coach is at the top of his to-do list. Intends to get to know Jay Cutler; entire roster to be evaluated as team heads back to basics of playing in a cold-weather climate.
Who is Ryan Pace? - Greg Gabriel: Ryan Pace may be only 37 years old, but he was on the fast track to the front office and is more than ready to try to turn the Chicago Bears franchise around.
From EIU to Bears GM, Pace proud of his path - Bob LeGere: Promising a commitment to hire the right head coach, a full evaluation of the current roster, and an emphasis on building through the draft, Pace outlined his rebuilding plan Friday. Tribune: In his own words. Fred Mitchell: EIU-to-NFL path a familiar one.
Hiring head coach tops priority list for new GM - Michael C. Wright: Ryan Pace says he's focused on hiring a coach and will wait before making decisions about anyone on the roster, specifically Jay Cutler. Jeff Dickerson: Plans meeting with Cutler.
Pace to have full control of Bears' football operation - Not-Hub Fishbain: New GM will still be reporting to Ted Phillips but the Bears are Ryan Pace's team now, with some front-office collaborating.
Pace plans to accelerate Bears rebuilding - Dan Wiederer: What was learned from the GM's debut news conference, and what should you know about the team's road ahead?
Ryan Pace aces first Bears media test - Is-Hub Arkush: The real work is yet to begin, but it took less than an hour for the new GM to put to rest questions about age, maturity, experience and know-how. [Video]
Pace seems to fit the bill for Bears - Is-Hub Arkush: We still know less than one percent of all that we need to learn about Ryan Pace, but it sounds like this is as much an Accorsi hire as a Philips or McCaskey hire.
New GM looks the part, now must prove himself - Jon Greenberg: The roster isn’t rife with talent, and there are some expensive questions to answer. There are schematic questions, philosophical quandaries. But really, the only acceptable result is to win.
New GM a worthy leap of faith because, well, what else is there? - Rick Morrissey: Bears fans should be hopeful, but they need to keep in mind that this could be a two- or three-year project, thanks to the missteps of the previous GMs. [...and, really, that's as much as there is worth reading from Morrissey's article. - Den]
New GM knows exactly what to say -- and not say - Mike Imrem: Two days on the job and Ryan Pace hasn't done anything goofy yet. For the Bears, that's a great start [...and that was Imrem's most useful insight - Den]. Steve Rosenbloom takes a dump on your cornflakes.
McCaskey not as easy to doubt after Pace hire - Tim Baffoe: George McCaskey seems to show genuine desire to break from the reputation of Old Bears because that reputation is one of underachieving Ditkas and win-nothing Urlachers and folly and failure.
Bears not worried about Pace's age - Michael C. Wright: The Bears are banking on Ryan Pace to have the same success as another young GM, Seattle's John Schneider.
Pace no stranger to dealing with, overcoming adversity - Not-Hub Arnold: Despite his youth and lack of experience in the role, Pace said Friday he will rely on past experiences – both good and bad – to help shape the start of his career with the Bears. Rich Campbell: Has experience rebuilding team from adversity.
[Video] ChicagoBears.com - New GM Ryan Pace sits down in-studio with Jeff Joniak for his first interview as a member of the Chicago Bears.
[Video] SportsTalk Live - First impressions of new Bears GM Ryan Pace.
[Video] SportsTalk Live - What Ryan Pace will bring to the Bears.
[Video] SportsTalk Live - How much control will Pace really have?
[Video] SportsTalk Live - Adam L. Jahns, on where the Bears go from here
Photos - Daily Herald: See Ryan Pace introduced as the new GM in a Friday morning press conference at Halas Hall. More from Hub-or-not-Hub.com.
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Looking ahead: head coach search & building through the draft
History with Sean Payton gives Pace blueprint for next head coach - Not-Hub Arkush: Inheriting a team that, like the 2005 Saints, many think requires a total rebuild, Ryan Pace said he has a clear vision for some of the attributes he hopes to find in a head coach.
Pace wants coach in the Parcells-Payton mold - Brad Biggs: New GM seeks discipline and energetic charisma from his head coach; familiarity with former Bills coach Doug Marrone makes him a candidate but Bears also interested in Lions DC Teryl Austin.
Quinn, Gase coaching candidates for Bears - Michael C. Wright: Broncos OC Adam Gase and Seahawks DC Dan Quinn are still coaching candidates for Bears, as is Lions DC Teryl Austin. Moon Mullin: Pace has final say.
View from the enemy - Brad Biggs: Lions believe Teryl Austin has what it takes to be successful head coach. Michael Rothstein: Endorsement from Lions GM Martin Mayhew.
[Video] SportsTalk Live - Bears taking a look at Teryl Austin for head coaching job.
[Video] - Moon Mullin: Pace needs to find a head coach to rally the troops.
Now the Bears' coaching search will pick up the Pace - Chris Boden wonders why Carolina DC Sean McDermott hasn't been getting more consideration after a four-game win streak to win a second straight division title.
Ex-East Leyden coach extols his former QB, Mike Shanahan - Neil Hayes: Jack Leese said if the Bears choose his former QB, they will know exactly what they’re getting: 100%.
Pace 'evaluating' scouting department - Jeff Dickerson: With the Senior Bowl and NFL combine right around the corner, the new GM must hit the ground running.
Pace empowered to enact his vision for Bears - Dan Durkin: Ryan Pace said the team would be creative in building the roster. And at the heart of the matter is building a foundation through the draft.
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Bearsss
Roster analysis: Defensive ends - Not-Hub Fishbain: Willie Young the bright spot for 2014 Bears DEs, with next year's group heavily dependent on how he and Lamarr Houston rehab their respective injuries.
Bears could return to prominence soon - Rick Telander: The Bears went 5-11 this season. Can they return to title quality in one year, as George McCaskey said they should? Yes. And, they should.
Bears mailbag - Michael C. Wright: Don't write off Jay Cutler just yet; Bears would have limited options to replace their starting QB if they parted ways with him this offseason.
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Polish sausage
Mueller report: NFL had not seen elevator video before punishing Ray Rice - Tom Pelissero: However former FBI director's findings suggest league's investigation had significant deficiencies.
NFL's Mueller Report into Ray Rice scandal less than satisfying - Andrew Brandt: The NFL’s internal investigation into its handling of the Ray Rice situation is a mild rebuke that the league hopes will allow it to move on. But fundamental questions, including how the NFL could have so mismanaged the case in the first place, remain up in the air.
Mueller Report underscores Roger Goodell's deceit - Michael Rosenberg: From the moment this scandal blew up on him, Goodell has tried to shift the conversation away from his own failure. He wants it to be about the NFL’s domestic-violence policy, because that can be fixed. He wants to present himself as the solution to the problem without fully acknowledging he was the problem.
Know thy enemy: Packers - Rob Demovsky, Todd Archer preview Cowboys-Packers: The NFC divisional round playoff game features the most dominant home team in the NFL this season versus the league's lone unbeaten road team. Paul Imig: Aaron Rodgers is probable, Packers won't change offensive approach ... Tom Pelissero: Rodgers gives Packers a familiar toughness.
Know thy enemy: Lions - Dave Dye: Lions willing to use franchise tag on Ndamukong Suh, speculated to become the highest paid defensive player in the game. Michael Rothstein: GM thought TEs would do more. FOX Sports: 10-year-old jobbed out of PS4 because he is a Lions fan.
Cheerleaders - The best of the Wild Card round cheerleaders, courtesy of NFL.com. Plus, frankly, every cheerleading squad should do this after any win.
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