adam

I would not mind Ballard, and I don't think you can exclude someone just because they worked for the organization previously. I know there will be comparisons to Emery, but Ballard is currently a Director of Player Personnel for KC, a position Emery never held. Emery's ceiling was probably Director of Scouting. Additionally, Ballard has been a coach and coordinator (in college), another thing Emery never experienced. Ballard seems to be much more well-rounded, coaching on both sides of the ball, spending time as a DC, then Scout, Director of Pro Scouting, and then as the Director of Player Personnel. Emery spent 17 years as a Strength and Conditioning Coach. However, if there is a better candidate elsewhere, go with the best one, regardless of ties or affiliations.

Yeah, that rumor is picking up steam. Would make sense and I prefer him over some of the other candidates. Bowles now available with Cards out of playoffs. However, with Ballard's relationship and knowledge of Toub, that connection makes sense.

Cutler and the offense were only part of the problem, the defense and special teams were historically bad and accounted for most of the problems. 8 of the losses we allowed 27 or more. CAR is going to get blown out the next game but is amazing how good LB play can impact the entire game. Lovie firing Rivera was the turning point in the franchise. We have never recovered from that point.

Jets in the 2nd would be the only team ahead of us that would realistically take him, so I cant imagine it would take that much to move up ahead of them. Maybe Cutler and our 2nd for Titans 2nd? However, a 50% completion % (last 2 games) leaves a lot to be desired.

Looks like DeCosta and Ballard are the only two mentioned previously. Surprised to see another Texan on the list.

Our new HC is more than likely coming from this list. 6 out of the 7 hires last year were recommended by the panel. Surprised not to see Adam Gase. Here’s the list of current NFL coaches recommended by the panel: Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Vic Fangio Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Ray Horton Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott Pittsburgh Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak Green Bay Packers safeties coach Darren Perry Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton Here’s the list of college coaches recommended by the panel: UCLA head coach Jim Mora Jr. Stanford head coach David Shaw Texas head coach Charlie Strong Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin

With DeCosta declining (again), it seems like it is down to: Brian Gaine, Texans director of pro personnel (only 1 year in Houston, so his time in Miami is the only true measurement of success) Ryan Pace, Saints director of player personnel (has been in the Saints organization since 2001, but team really didn't get better until Payton/Brees arrived) Lake Dawson, Titans vice president of player personnel (I personally don't like the Titans roster) Chris Ballard, Chiefs director of player personnel (KC has a pretty good team, but Emery came from same staff)

Saw this on ESPN: I actually liked what he did in Buffalo.

I will pass on Collins, non factor tonight against Ohio State, literally made zero plays and OSU torched them.

Hell no, he looks horrible. I like Grasu though.

Friday, Jan 2nd - Dan Quinn - SEA DC Sat-Sun, Jan 3rd-4th - Adam Gase - DEN OC TBD - Todd Bowles - ARZ DC (can't interview until after team is eliminated from playoffs)

Happy New Years all, let's ring in the new year with a new GM and coaching staff.

I like the overall combination of positions, but I just can't see us taking back to back safeties in the first two rounds and starting two rookies back there. I would almost rather get one of them two and bring in a free agent to compliment with some experience. The top two picks almost certainly have to be defensive. I like Grasu in the 3rd, but I wouldn't take Everett. He has been burned a lot this year and some have considered shifting him to Safety. I love Ryan in the 5th (probably there due to ACL injury), and Anderson in the 6th is nice, coming from a winning program.

Apparently Marrone asked for an extension and was told no, so he opted out (and gets to keep $4 mil), wow: https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/550429987732750336 http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2308254...ts-and-reaction This just adds another team to the HC hunt, unless he decides to go to one of the other teams, then it would be a wash.

Kinda odd since he already turned down the job in 2012.

Looking at some early mocks, it seems that the consensus is that Mariota, Williams, Cooper, Gregory, and Winston will all be gone in the top 6, leaving only one other player drafted before we pick, probably from the group of: (Beasley, Ray, Scherff, Collins, Fowler, Thompson, Parker).

but I guess Mel Tucker gets the final interview and decision.

I hope so, he would be a great hire. I listen to him all the time on NFL Radio, and he is spot on every time with his assessments. I just hope they move fast because other teams are getting interviews, and I hate to lose time and prospective candidates for GM and HC. The SF job is pretty nice position, and with OAK, NYJ, and ATL open. We might be one of the worst destinations (due to the dysfunction of the organization). Could be seen as a good thing (only one place to go but up), or a bad thing (train wreck impossible to fix in 3 yrs).

What also is confusing is that other reports had said that the new coaching candidates were informed that Marinelli was part of the deal to have him not on the team anyway is baffling. Seems like not much has changed since the McGinnis non-hiring (who ended up going 17-40 with the Cards, lol).

I don't know if this was mentioned elsewhere, but I like the idea of getting as much professional assistance as possible. This looks promising, and since this panel was just formed, we obviously did not use it last time. http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post...or-new-gm-coach

Probably a joke from Emery on the way out.

Absolutely, but it doesn't sound like Marinelli was just sitting in the room when Emery was doing the interviews. It sounds like Emery narrowed down the final candidates to then have Marinelli provide his input, and then not use it, which is the odd part for me. Why do a final interview using Marinelli only to choose the one candidate that Marinelli didn't like?

Who is asking permission, and how are they doing this without a GM? https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/550042898096336896

This is from the Mullin article, it clearly states that Emery had Marinelli interview the three finalists: http://www.csnchicago.com/bears/bears-make...e-gm-phil-emery

Those picks are sickening to look at. Especially the 2nd and 3rd rounders. For the GM pick, I hope it is done soon too because this is the time where non playoff teams get the edge in off season prep. We are losing valuable time.