Thread: Emery Press Conference

Originally Posted by BigClaws

I agree, albeit at a very general level.

It's obvious to me that he has a direction he wants to go, but he doesn't necessarily want to share it yet. He still has has a whole organization to evaluate, so I wouldn't expect specific examples of what he is going to do.

I like everything I've heard... he has all the right answers. But Jimmors said it best, actions is what will determine his success.

Not only that but he rattled them off without hesitating or losing eye contact with his questioned or the group. It's only natural that he's gonna keep some things close to the vest. What I was looking for is an impression of whether the man has a definite plan of action or whether he was gonna come out with a "we'll see" kind of press conference. My impression was of the former, not the latter.

Originally Posted by Jimmors

How about this....we wait until after the draft before we critique his job performance? Is that kosher with everyone?

I mean, if you guys are looking for some good speaking skills to excite you, i can post some youtube clips from The Rock, so you can smell what he is cooking.

Yep. I don't what you all were expecting. Did you think he'd come out today with a flow chart and a power point presentation telling us exactly what he planned on doing with every single issue he has on his plate? He said enough to convince me he has a plan and not just making things up off the top of his head to satisfy the questioner. I'm willing to wait to see how that plan unfolds before I criticize him for being less than completely revelatory about those plans. Why tip your hand this early? I don't think he owes anyone that at this point in time.

Originally Posted by Slipscreen

but he's not a strenght and conditioning coach

You obviously haven't seen Gridiron Gang.

I'm just pissed because the guy has been here a whole day and we haven't won a SB yet.

I don't care what he said, as long as he did so in an intellegent manner with an air of command. It doesn't matter who we would have selected, none of them would say anything of substance. That's just the way it is.

Emery: 'Our goal is to win championships'
By Brad Biggs, Tribune reporter

2:52 p.m. CST, January 30, 2012
Four weeks after the Chicago Bears set out to find a new direction, the club on Monday introduced the man it is entrusting to lead it at Halas Hall.

Phil Emery becomes the fifth general manager in franchise history, replacing Jerry Angelo, who was fired 27 days ago. Emery received a five-year contract.

"I know we found the right guy," Bears president Ted Phillips said at an afternoon news conference. "He brings a wealth of experience and most of all he brings leadership."

Phillips said Emery "has learned from a lot of great people," and cited Angelo as one of the people he grew under.

Emery, who served previously as an area scout under Angelo, will have to distinguish himself from his former boss with superior performance in the NFL draft, an area the Bears have struggled for years.

Emery thanked Angelo, former Bears personnel chief Mark Hatley and Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, among others, for what they did to boost his career.

"I'm very pumped up about the opportunity to lead this franchise," Emery said. "This is the premier franchise in the NFL with the premier fan base in a great sports city. I have been here before (as a Bears scout)."

Emery said he looked forward to working with Lovie Smith and expressed admiration for his leadership skills and ability to remain calm under stress.

"I am excited about working together with coach Smith," Emery said. "I am excited be around him and his staff as we build toward championships. I know this scouting staff. I have first-hand knowledge. ... This is one fine scouting staff and what we're going to do moving forward is to add to it."

Addressing the current Bears makeup, Emery said, "This team has a very good core of playmaking players. ... My job moving forward is to continue to build this team so we can be consistent winners. To do that, we've got a lot of work to get started."

Emery said the first priority was pro free agency.

"As we move through free agency we will move to the combine and toward the college draft," he said. "We will focus on the draft after the free-agency plan.

"Bottom line, regardless of where they come from, our goal is to win championships."

Asked about specific team needs, such as a capable backup to quarterback Jay Cutler, Emery said, "When it comes time to publicly assess our needs we will not do that because I feel that is a competitive disadvantage."

Regarding running back Matt Forte and possible use of the franchise tag, Emery said the tag was a tool but wouldn't indicate whether he would employ it in this case, calling that "an internal matter."

"I do know Matt the player and Matt the person," Emery said of Forte. "When I was at Atlanta, we had the opportunity to evaluate him extensively. He's a fine player and a fine teammate."

In reply to a question about the aging Bears defense, Emery said, "It's not a numerical number, it's whether you're still making plays. If it was a matter of counting gray hairs, I wouldn't be standing here today."

Emery said he would rely heavily on input from coaches and scouts in making free-agency and draft decisions.

"There will be many voices," he said. "Listening to voices that you task with expertise is awfully important for moving forward. Sometimes you have to listen to outside voices to get where you need to go. ... This is a team process."

Copyright © 2012, Chicago Tribune

Emery: 'Our goal is to win championships' - chicagotribune.com