Evan Vitale Consulting: Chicago Bears hire Ernie Accorsi as a consultant

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Chicago Bears hire Ernie Accorsi as a consultant – Windy City Gridiron

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The Chicago Bears have made a move to bolster their credibility as they begin their search for a new head coach and general manager. Long time NFL general manager Ernie Accorsi was hired as a consultant by the Bears.

When the Chicago Bears decided to fire head coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery, they knew hey had an ace in the hole in Ernie Accorsi. Before the Bears made the call on Trestman and Emery, Chairman George McCaskey called Accorsi to gauge interest in becoming a consultant for the team’s coaching and GM search. Accorsi agreed and the Bears had peace of mind that Accorsi’s 40 plus years in the NFL would give them.

From Sam’s press conference recap earlier today.

Accorsi has an extensive career as an executive. He was with the Baltimore Colts when they drafted John Elway and wanted to keep him (Check out the ESPN Documentary “From Elway to Marino” for more on that). He also was with the Browns and got them Bernie Kosar. He last worked as a GM with the New York Giants and hired Tom Coughlin and pulled off the Philip Rivers for Eli Manning trade, one of the biggest and most complex trades in recent NFL history.

Accorsi last served as a consultant for the Carolina Panthers when they were looking for a new general manager. The Panthers plucked Dave Gettelman from the Giants’ front office to become their GM. Jordan Raanan of NJ.com believes Accorsi may go back the the Giants well again.

He was brought on by the Panthers in 2012 when they hired Dave Gettleman from the Giants to be the general manager. Connect the dots and it could mean looking within the Giants organization once again.

Vice president of player evaluation Marc Ross is well respected in league circles and has been interviewed for general manager jobs in recent years. Ross is responsible for the drafting of rookie phenom Odell Beckham Jr. this year with the 12th pick in the draft.

Assistant general manager Kevin Abrams is also a candidate to keep in mind. Abrams has been with the Giants since 1999.

At Chicago’s press conference earlier today team president Ted Phillips had this to say.

“I think what we have now with Ernie coming in is someone consistent, who is giving us a voice on a daily basis who’s on our side and doesn’t have any other agenda to try to push their own people,”

The 73 year old Accorsi definitely has the experience to be the lead voice in making the important decisions on head coach and general manager, but the final say so won’t be his. Accorsi will gather a group of candidates and the Chicago brain-trust of McCaskey and Phillips will make the hire.

When consulting for Carolina, Accorsi suggested the following candidates.

Another Giants official was a candidate for the Panthers and could be for the Bears: Marc Ross, their vice president of player evaluation.

Other finalists Accorsi collected for the Panthers job included Carolina interim Brandon Beane; Titans vice president of player personnel Lake Dawson; Vikings assistant GM George Paton; and Montreal Alouettes vice president Jim Popp, Marc Trestman’s old CFL boss.

For those of you hoping for a football czar type to oversee the Bears, that isn’t what Accorsi was brought in for. Once the GM and coaching search is over, so to is his consulting job in Chicago.

What do you guys think about Ernie Accorsi consulting for the Bears?

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