Five Key Issues Facing Emery Now...................

**soulman** · 01-30-2012, 04:17 PM

Bears general manager Phil Emery worked his way to the top

BY SEAN JENSEN sjensen@suntimes.com January 29, 2012 8:48PM

New Bears GM Phil Emery insisted the Falcons draft receiver Roddy White with the 27th pick in 2005. | Getty Images

Updated: January 30, 2012 2:15AM

Phil Emery didn’t ride the fast track to become an NFL general manager. His journey took him through non-traditional outposts such as Mt. Pleasant, Mich., Georgetown, Ky., and Silver City, N.M. “I’ve joked with [the Emerys], ‘I’m not sure there’s not a state they’ve been in, and a school,’ ” Atlanta Falcons president Rich Mc*Kay said Sunday. “That’s Phil’s commitment. He just keeps working. And he’s reached this level because of this work ethic. “He earned it. And he’s very, very good at what he does.”

McKay knows all about Emery, who will be introduced as the Bears’ general manager Monday. Emery was with the Falcons from 2004 to ’09, and McKay said the only thing he hasn’t done is campaign.

“We have people who are self-promoters, who deal through the media or others. They like to get things out there about themselves,” McKay said of some NFL scouts and executives. “But he’s not in that club, and he has no desire to be a member. He’s all about the work, not the publicity that comes with it.” (This is the impression he left me with as well following his press conference. He spoke often about the teamwork involved in making decisions but left no doubt that the buck stops with him)

Kansas City Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli said that Emery ran his team’s draft meetings and that he had a key role during the draft. With the Falcons, McKay said *Emery tirelessly developed the team’s college scouting program. (This is what we were looking for in a GM and it's obvious he's been a "hands on" type of guy in two organizations before coming to Chicago)

“His body of work should be well respected,” McKay said. “He’s sitting in that seat, running that room. That’s a big job.”

McKay marveled at the number of hours Emery worked. “That’s kind of how he’s wired,” McKay said. “But beyond that, he’s a really good football evaluator. In the basics, he’s as good as it gets. Very organized, very hard-working, very diligent guy.” (Once again that's what we were after. The biggest weakness in Lovie Smith is not his coaching ability but his ability to properly evaluate talent. I think all too often he chose guys who were athletic and fit his system but they weren't always good football players. I see that changing now)

One of his strengths, McKay said, is Emery’s refusal to pre-judge a player. Instead, he’ll research a player, then make an educated assessment. In 2005, Emery insisted the Falcons take Roddy White with the 27th pick, although the receiver played at Alabama-Birmingham.

“Phil worked every possible angle on that player, and he got it right,” McKay said. White is a four-time Pro Bowl selection who has topped 1,000 receiving yards in five consecutive seasons and has 45 touchdown catches. McKay said the Bears’ organizational structure puts Emery in a position to succeed. (This is very good news because one of the first things he needs to do is go out and find the Bears their own Roddy White. Based on this if he decides to pick a WR in the first round I'll go with it even though I think we should be going a different direction)

“In Chicago, you have a really good salary-cap manager,” McKay said, referring to Cliff Stein. “[President] Ted Phillips understands our system as well as anyone. Then you’ve got a coach [Lovie Smith] who has been really successful. “I think it’s a really good situation for him. And the most important thing is, he’s really comfortable with all those people.”

But McKay quickly offered a warning. “That doesn’t mean he’ll just agree,” McKay said. “He will not be a man who just says yes. He’ll be one to challenge people to make the right decisions.” (And once again I can say that this is the impression he left with me during that press conference. The man is meticulous and you could see that by the way he phrased his answers. He gave just enough to let you know he knew what he was doing without actually spelling it out)

**GSH Monsters** · 01-30-2012, 04:22 PM

Originally Posted by soulman

Good points one and all. There are certainly times when it does seem like Ted Phillips is a de facto GM. Giving the permission to spend the money didn't give JA license to spend it poorly though. I think these last couple of years since Martz was hired were pretty dysfunctional with an OC needing all of what he needed to make his system work and a GM who never wanted him anyway making only a half-hearted effort to supply it.

I think there are very few NFL GM's who have complete and total control over the checkbook and certainly Emery, who it's been said has little expertise regarding cap matters and contracts, won't have that privilege either. Ted Phillps still stands guard at the door to the vault and Cliff Stein is the teller who helps determine how that money is paid out.

Emery is exactly what Phillips said he was looking for. One of the best pure talent evaluators and personnel guys in the NFL. My guess is they don't want a guy who's too business saavy. That's his job and he's actually pretty good at it.

True it didn't give him permission to spend it poorly but insight into who says how much to spend and when IMO. I also think JA relied on Martz for input on the free agent acquisitions of Manumaleuna, Collins, trading Olsen away all trying to give Martz what he needed for his system. I don't think J.A. was trying to screw Martz as I'm sure he knew it would bite him in the end, I think it was a G.M. trying to get players for a particular offensive system in a hurry and due to the Cutler trade earlier had limited resources "draft picks" to do so. Martz was hired due to the fact Turner was let go and Phillips making his speech pretty much saying it was a make or break upcoming season making it hard to bring a new O-Coordinator under those circumstances and no one else wanted the job. Much the same situation they are in now with finding a passing coordinator/Q.B. coach. J.A. didn't create these situations Phillips did.

I sure don't see Phillips as business savvy more a bean counter trying to run a Pro Football team to me, the Forbes article link below explains why I see things this way.
How The Chicago Bears Fumbled Away A Fortune - Forbes.com

**soulman** · 01-30-2012, 05:24 PM

Originally Posted by GSH Monsters

True it didn't give him permission to spend it poorly but insight into who says how much to spend and when IMO. I also think JA relied on Martz for input on the free agent acquisitions of Manumaleuna, Collins, trading Olsen away all trying to give Martz what he needed for his system. I don't think J.A. was trying to screw Martz as I'm sure he knew it would bite him in the end, I think it was a G.M. trying to get players for a particular offensive system in a hurry and due to the Cutler trade earlier had limited resources "draft picks" to do so. Martz was hired due to the fact Turner was let go and Phillips making his speech pretty much saying it was a make or break upcoming season making it hard to bring a new O-Coordinator under those circumstances and no one else wanted the job. Much the same situation they are in now with finding a passing coordinator/Q.B. coach. J.A. didn't create these situations Phillips did.

I sure don't see Phillips as business savvy more a bean counter trying to run a Pro Football team to me, the Forbes article link below explains why I see things this way.
How The Chicago Bears Fumbled Away A Fortune - Forbes.com

I remember reading that article. In fact I may have even posted it way back then. I think it's a pretty accurate way of looking at it. There's is no way that other franchises such as Dallas or New England should be worth more than an NFL Charter Franchise located in the second largest NFL city.

As fans we've been through 30 years of mismanagement which began when Ginny allowed Michael to run the team against the old man's wishes. It only took her about 20 years to figure out what a bad decision that was. We have to face the fact that the Bears are one of the more conservative operations in the NFL and often it's nothing ventured nothing gained. As much as anything that's why the franchise has not grown in value as much as it should have.

It's somewhat like I used to tell my clients. You can play it safe and stay in T-Bills and after taxes and inflation lose about 2% per year as far as your "real return" goes or we can take some risks in the short term that will turn out better in the long run. The Bears have been strictly T-Bill investors for years and years.

**GSH Monsters** · 01-30-2012, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by soulman

I remember reading that article. In fact I may have even posted it way back then. I think it's a pretty accurate way of looking at it. There's is no way that other franchises such as Dallas or New England should be worth more than an NFL Charter Franchise located in the second largest NFL city.

As fans we've been through 30 years of mismanagement which began when Ginny allowed Michael to run the team against the old man's wishes. It only took her about 20 years to figure out what a bad decision that was. We have to face the fact that the Bears are one of the more conservative operations in the NFL and often it's nothing ventured nothing gained. As much as anything that's why the franchise has not grown in value as much as it should have.

It's somewhat like I used to tell my clients. You can play it safe and stay in T-Bills and after taxes and inflation lose about 2% per year as far as your "real return" goes or we can take some risks in the short term that will turn out better in the long run. The Bears have been strictly T-Bill investors for years and years.

Just trying to say in so many words if J.A. was fired for spending some coin on players that didn't pan out, Phillips has cost the McCaskeys way more in the long run in lost revenues from the stadium deal alone.

Just have to wait and see how Emery pans out but listening to his speech told me what I already knew about the Bears management structure being a collaboration with more than 1 person to point the finger at.

**soulman** · 01-30-2012, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by GSH Monsters

Just trying to say in so many words if J.A. was fired for spending some coin on players that didn't pan out, Phillips has cost the McCaskeys way more in the long run in lost revenues from the stadium deal alone.

Just have to wait and see how Emery pans out but listening to his speech told me what I already knew about the Bears management structure being a collaboration with more than 1 person to point the finger at.

No doubt. There is no football savvy "overlord" in that organization and there hasn't been since your namesake died. We don't have a Parcells or a Holmgren to run the whole show so things get compartmentalized each piece adding to the whole.

I'm curious about just how much of what he learned from the former Pats guys he's worked with will find it's way into the way he structures things. I also wonder what the outcome of his first real battles with Phillips and Lovie over players and contracts will be? Just how forceful can he be when needed?

Phillips did cost the McCaskey's money by not insisting on a bigger venue and more control over it's usage but to them he's still a hero since he got it done after Mikey had screwed it up so badly. I think my biggest issue with Ted Phillips is that after all this time I'd have thought he'd have taken the time to become a more knowledgeable football guy than he appears to be.

If that were the case I think more would have been done sooner when the team not only fell in the Super Bowl but retreated from being competitive for the three years following. It's almost a shock to me that he was able to extend his contract along with Lovies after that happened. On most other teams both would have been gone.

**GSH Monsters** · 01-30-2012, 07:35 PM

Originally Posted by soulman

No doubt. There is no football savvy "overlord" in that organization and there hasn't been since your namesake died. We don't have a Parcells or a Holmgren to run the whole show so things get compartmentalized each piece adding to the whole.

I'm curious about just how much of what he learned from the former Pats guys he's worked with will find it's way into the way he structures things. I also wonder what the outcome of his first real battles with Phillips and Lovie over players and contracts will be? Just how forceful can he be when needed?

Phillips did cost the McCaskey's money by not insisting on a bigger venue and more control over it's usage but to them he's still a hero since he got it done after Mikey had screwed it up so badly. I think my biggest issue with Ted Phillips is that after all this time I'd have thought he'd have taken the time to become a more knowledgeable football guy than he appears to be.

If that were the case I think more would have been done sooner when the team not only fell in the Super Bowl but retreated from being competitive for the three years following. It's almost a shock to me that he was able to extend his contract along with Lovies after that happened. On most other teams both would have been gone.

Aint that the truth!!!

That's what I'm waiting on to see how Emery deals with Phillips and Lovie of course we probably will never hear but defiantly would love to be a fly on the wall. I think it probably was J.A's downfall not being assertive enough.

Agreed Phillips cost the McCaskeys a ton and Ginny seeing this as their savior, I'm sure Phillips has learned some but no where near the savvy of the above mentioned GSH, Parcells or Homgren and the big Problem IMO as he does have final say in all major decisions.

I concur and thought at the very least something should have been done with both J.A. and Lovie in 09 and then the mess that was created and the hiring of Martz and now IMO the mess they've found themselves in now by not letting Lovie go with J.A. Trying to find someone to take the passing coordinator/Q.B. position which could ultimately be another one year deal depending on how much control Emery is given after the 2012 season and it's outcome. After all they are paying Lovie good money to do as he said "beat G.B., win the division and ultimately win a Superbowl" and so far he has failed and I think it comes down to the money aspect for Phillips, not wanting to eat the rest of Lovies contract.

**soulman** · 01-30-2012, 08:27 PM

I'd guess you're right about Lovies contract. I had no idea Angelo made as little as he did so eating that was manageable but eating $10 mil was too much to swallow. Besides other then Jeff Fishers or maybe Joe Philbin I don't know that there were many very good replacements anyway.

Lovie is pretty much in "win or else" mode this year. By this time next year he and Emery will either be working on another extension or Emery will be hiring or will have hired a new HC. It's gonna be one way or the other and no matter how much respect he may have for Lovie his mandate is to get the Bears back in contention no matter what that takes.

There can't be too much more to it than that. If Ted Thompson could cut loose of Mike Sherman who had a better record than Lovie then Lovie's not safe next year either unless he brings in a winning team.

**Dagan81** · 01-30-2012, 08:35 PM

It won't be a matter of whether or not Lovie will be around after this year. The fact is this: either he puts up or shuts up. He either wins or loses his job. Emery is probably going to do some wild shit with the draft and free agency this offseason to make it to where the Bears will at least contend for one of the Wild Card slots next year. He's already been given free reign over the entire scouting department, over player personnel, and he's even fired Tim Ruskell for good measure. He is separating himself as far away from Jerry Angelo as he possibly can, and he will do so successfully, turning the Bears into a winner, IMO.

I frankly am glad that the Bears didn't move to another venue to play their home games, though I would have rather kept Soldier Field looking like it did before the renovation and do the renovation in such a way that inside the stadium, you could still see the old Greco-Roman columns. I'm an architecture buff, so what can I say?

GSH, I think that George McCaskey is going to have a big say in a lot of situations from here on out seeing as how Phillips is apparently on a short leash with him, or so rumors say. The days of where Phillips counts beans rather than investing money in the proper places to help the Bears' organization grow may be behind us now. Things are about to get a whole lot more interesting in the coming months.

**4DaBERS** · 01-30-2012, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by Dagan81

It won't be a matter of whether or not Lovie will be around after this year. The fact is this: either he puts up or shuts up. He either wins or loses his job. Emery is probably going to do some wild shit with the draft and free agency this offseason to make it to where the Bears will at least contend for one of the Wild Card slots next year. He's already been given free reign over the entire scouting department, over player personnel, and he's even fired Tim Ruskell for good measure. He is separating himself as far away from Jerry Angelo as he possibly can, and he will do so successfully, turning the Bears into a winner, IMO.

I frankly am glad that the Bears didn't move to another venue to play their home games, though I would have rather kept Soldier Field looking like it did before the renovation and do the renovation in such a way that inside the stadium, you could still see the old Greco-Roman columns. I'm an architecture buff, so what can I say?

GSH, I think that George McCaskey is going to have a big say in a lot of situations from here on out seeing as how Phillips is apparently on a short leash with him, or so rumors say. The days of where Phillips counts beans rather than investing money in the proper places to help the Bears' organization grow may be behind us now. Things are about to get a whole lot more interesting in the coming months.

I have mixed emotions about how Soldier Field ended up. From a spectator standpoint, I think they did a great job, but from an Historic Architecture standpoint, I continue to be disappointed. That said, whether you like what you see or dislike it, the illustrious Mayor of the City of Chicago gets the credit/blame. Wow, I think this thread just got sidetracked a bit. Sorry.

**Dagan81** · 01-30-2012, 08:58 PM

Originally Posted by 4DaBERS

I have mixed emotions about how Soldier Field ended up. From a spectator standpoint, I think they did a great job, but from an Historic Architecture standpoint, I continue to be disappointed. That said, whether you like what you see or dislike it, the illustrious Mayor of the City of Chicago gets the credit/blame. Wow, I think this thread just got sidetracked a bit. Sorry.

lol, no worries. Threads regularly get hijacked around here. Eventually, everything comes full circle, but we tell dirty sex jokes and everything else on this site. I can't really do that on The Yankees Board.com because there are women who go on that site and, really, that would NOT be good to go throwing the word, "FUCK," around liberally like I like to do.

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