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Ryan Pace the right choice for Bears GM - Is-Hub Arkush: No guarantee the hiring signals a Super Bowl, but it gives the Bears a fresh new approach and, most importantly, suggests George McCaskey knows exactly what he's doing [Video].
How did Ryan Pace beat out Chris Ballard? - Adam L. Jahns: Ballard’s own experiences with the Bears and his desire for to limit Ted Phillips' involvement might have hurt his chances, according to team sources. Is-Hub Arkush: Ballard an excellent candidate, but was just wrong one for Bears ... [Video].
Ballard 'may have scared' Bears in interview - Steven Goldstein: "Chris knows the problems that are within the organization and had ideas on how to clean them up, and I'm hearing that they didn't necessarily like hearing that," said Greg Gabriel. Moon Mullin: Red flag?
Pace seems like good choice for Bears in the long run - David Haugh: Ideally, Pace would have a deeper background in college scouting and more experience, but you don't hire a 37-year-old GM expecting to win next season. You hire an executive that young and bright with the hope of building for the next decade.
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Chicago Bears hire Ryan Pace as new GM
Bears hire Pace as general manager - Larry Mayer: The Bears on Thursday hired Ryan Pace as their new GM. Pace spent the past 14 seasons with the Saints, the last two as their director of player personnel.
Saints praise Bears for landing Pace - Larry Mayer: The Saints congratulated the Bears on hiring Ryan Pace Thursday, calling him an "outstanding member" of their organization. Bears lauded for hire ... but not by Matt Miller [with Audio] ... [Video].
Bears hire Ryan Pace as GM - Michael C. Wright: Hiring of Ryan Pace as general manager on Thursday marks the club's second move at the position in three years.
Bears strike fast for GM with Ryan Pace - Moon Mullin: Instead of opting for a long-time NFL fixture, the Bears have gone for someone believed to be a star in the making who has been considered the top football evaluator on the staff of Saints GM Mickey Loomis.
New Bears GM the youngest in NFL - Bob LeGere: The Bears named 37-year-old Ryan Pace, formerly the director of player personnel with the Saints, as the sixth GM in team history on Thursday.
Saints will miss Ryan Pace - Mike Triplett: The 37-year-old, who becomes the youngest GM in the NFL, was so valued that the Saints created a new position for him when he received his latest promotion in July 2013. David Just: Eight things to know about Pace. Steven Goldstein: 6 things to know. Ryan Wilson: Played at Eastern Illinois.
Ryan Pace known for contagious, passionate style - Rich Campbell, Dan Wiederer: Pace brings to Halas Hall an accomplished reputation, boosted by how his longtime employer, the Saints, and other colleagues value his talents, character and work ethic.
New Bears GM 'started from ground zero' - Patrick Finley: The Bears have acquired a man considered, in both team and agent circles, to be one of the brightest young executives in the game.
[Video] ESPN - Adam Schefter and Mark Dominik discuss why the Bears decided upon Ryan Pace.
Bears change the course by hiring Pace - Dan Durkin: Despite rhetoric from Ted Phillips that the team will compete for a Super Bowl in 2015, the reality is that the Bears are in need a fresh perspective and a voice who can enact change in both culture and overall football operations philosophy.
Pressure is on new Bears GM - Jon Greenberg: Ryan Pace's experience should bring optimism to the Bears, but he has plenty of work to do.
Ryan Pace will face roster issues galore - Dan Wiederer: New GM may decide to stick with Jay Cutler for his first season given the likely unpleasant alternative; also has to assess if any of his young linebackers are worth keeping.
Bears' youthful GM gets a chance to do it his way - Brad Biggs: Pace has more options than Phil Emery did at the outset. It's what he does with his choices in coming days and months that will determine the organization's path.
Pace's first challenge: Hiring the right coach - Mark Potash: The good news is that he’s at least going to get the opportunity from Day 1 on the job. Jerry Angelo didn’t. Neither did Phil Emery.
GM in place, Bears must pick up Pace - Barry Rozner: New GM Ryan Pace needs to draft well and draft well for several years to dig out of this massive hole, and he must be given the time and freedom necessary to make it work.
Let's make sure we give Pace a chance - Rick Telander: Go outside your small sphere of knowledge when your historic business is foundering. Pace is untried, as callow as a baby bird, but his credentials are impressive.
Maybe, just maybe, Bears got it right this time - Mike Imrem: The tendency is to believe the Bears got this wrong, too, but there are reasons to believe new GM Ryan Pace is a good hire.
Some good signs in Bears' hiring of Ryan Pace - Steve Rosenbloom: The Bears' new GM isn't someone from their past, and are filling their GM and coaching positions in the right order. Question is, did Pace get the kind of control he'll need to turn around the Bears?
[Video] SportsTalk Live - Bears hire Ryan Pace as new GM.
[Video] SportsTalk Live - Why Chris Ballard didn't get the Bears GM gig.
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Chicago Bears' head coach search continues
Bears interview Todd Bowles - Larry Mayer: With new GM Ryan Pace participating, the Bears on Thursday interviewed Cardinals DC Todd Bowles, the third candidate thus far for their head-coaching position.
Bowles' reputation built on tough defenses - Bob LeGere: Cardinals DC Todd Bowles' interview with the Bears for their head-coaching position isn't his first. The former NFL safety has earned a reputation for coaching defenses that are difficult to run on and score against.
Coach search will accelerate after Bowles meeting with new GM - Dan Wiederer: The Bears' search for a new coach will take on a more direct approach with Pace in place as GM and now revising his own list of candidates.
Read this, Todd Bowles - Steve Rosenbloom can't handle the ongoing strain of writing sensible columns, demonstrates for potential Bears head coach what kind of negative sports columnist trolling he'd have to face if he gets the Bears job.
Kyle Long a fan of Chris Ballard's hair would like Bears to be balanced on offense - Michael C. Wright: Asked whether he preferred a run- or pass-oriented head coach to replace recently fired Marc Trestman, Kyle Long said the Bears have the pieces to employ a balanced attack.
[Video] SportsTalk Live - Who do the Bears look at for head coach?
[Audio] - Moon Mullin: Why Toub may not be head coach material.
[Video] ESPN - Adam Schefter discusses why the six NFL head-coaching positions remain open.
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Bearsss
Larry Mayer's Chalk Talk - Larry discusses which Bears players are set to become unrestricted free agents, which Bears rookie has the brightest future, and if any Bears will be added to the Pro Bowl.
Roster analysis: O-line - Not-Hub Arkush: Injuries reveal good depth, but led to Bears O-line's struggles.
Tim Jennings 'late for parent-teacher conference' - Dan Cahill: Police report says Jennings refused to take a breath test; his apology denying DUI was later removed from his Twitter account. Dan Wiederer: Also refused nine-step walk and the one-leg stand sobriety tests.
Draft preview - Moon Mullin: Would FSU's Jameis Winston be worth the risk for Bears at No. 7? [Audio]
Ex-barely-a-Bear news - Not-Hub Arnold: Former Northern Illinois QB, Bears RB Jordan Lynch to sign with CFL's Edmonton Eskimos.
Check WCGer Sackman's selection of Bears-themed tops here, or some t-shirt designs here.
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Polish sausage
...will return tomorrow.
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