Agree with BRick and goodkat. Sounded like an actual GM. We'll see.

Didn't his discussion of the offensive line strike you as a bit bizarre? On the one hand, he praised Carimi's performance, favorably comparing him with a player from Baltimore who might've been another option for the Bears. On the other hand, he also lauded Jonathan Scott. The problem here is that he failed to mention that the only reason Scott was signed--off the scrap heat--was that Carimi and Webb were abysmal early in the season. Scott eventually took over at right tackle because Carimi was so bad, in fact, that Tice benched his pet #1 draft pick. Additionally, in his overall evaluation of the offensive line, Emery declined to discuss run blocking (at least from what I heard). This allowed him to claim that there was a negligible difference between the 49ers offensive line and the Bears. The problem here is that the 49ers are widely recognized as one of the best run-blocking lines in the league. This is what facilitates their passing game, especially in play-action. The Bears were a very poor run-blocking team for most of the season and thus failed miserably in their attempt to establish play-action. I think most NFL observers would agree that there is a significant gulf between the Bears offensive line and that of the 49ers; Emery's attempt to argue otherwise undermines his credibility.

There were other troubling aspects of the press conference--such as his almost robotic use of third-rate business school cliches (synergy, areas of excellence, etc), his wholehearted embrace of Cutler, and his outline for the way he's going to conduct his coaching search. But I thought Emery's analysis of the offensive line provided particularly dramatic evidence that he may not be able to think clearly about his team.

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Good post TM. You point out some clear contradictions and concerns.

I guess to put in it a more negative light, Emery sounded like a guy who had practiced a lot to say what the fans wanted to hear. It seems to have worked.

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You do not talk to me like that! I work too hard to deal with this stuff! I work too hard! I'm an important member of the CSFMB! I drive a Dodge Stratus!

There are some legitimate concerns pointed out. However it also shows that no matter what the man said/did there are going to be people pick it apart and be negative about it.

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"He is a loathsome, offensive brute
--yet I can't look away."

If you're referring to me, I disagree that I was "picking apart" Emery's statements. His assessment of the offensive line was glaring in its incoherence.

I am simply approaching his tenure as GM with what I think is an appropriate level of skepticism given his lack of pedigree and achievement in the NFL, and what has been several decades of poor leadership by the McCaskeys and Ted Phillips.

Maybe Emery will prove to be a great GM, maybe he won't. But I see no reason to assume that Emery will succeed given his moves thus far.

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