The thoughts. Of the Tribune's lead sports columnist -- and Hoff who's at Sun Life Stadium for northern Illinois. Battling Florida State let's start with the Bears David I was extremely impressed. With Phil Emery -- candor. His willingness to stand there as long as the media wanted to talk to him and I thought as he took people through his decision making not only -- lobby. Always looking for the next head coach the -- line why he didn't address that I was exceptionally impressed how about you. Well I think that the following it online and Chicago Bears dot com you couldn't help but be impressed -- how many times have we walked away. From a press conference a house -- shaking your header rolling your eyes. And wondering where's the plan you know what they just say and how to interpret that there is no ambiguity. There was assertiveness and I think that when you look at what Phil Emery did today. He accomplished what you set out to do and explaining his decision to fire Lovie Smith he made it very understandable. He said you know you couldn't miss the playoffs five times in six years you could have that kind of an offense over nine seasons and say you're getting closer to the Super Bowl. I think people wanted to hear him articulate his plan. This was Phil memories trust me moments and he succeeded and I think he impressed a lot of people in Bears fans came away looking that thing you know what. They have confidence that this guy's gonna hire the right head coach. When you look at who they all hire. Are you in the camp where go get the hot coordinator. Or are you in the -- go get a proving guy who at least has been a head coach at some level before but they're division one college or in the National Football League. I don't know that you want to limit yourself and at the sound like Emery but I think that you'll know it when you see it and I think that's hard to articulate because. A lot of guys like Mike Smith and Atlanta I'm not sure anybody would have expected him. To be the kind of head coach he has evolved into and he won the interview and he has been successful. And dynamic in and that speaks for itself the success he's had in Atlanta. And I know Phil Emery is very familiar with taking a leap of faith that a guy that a lot of people don't know. The guys that the -- of the game interviews with those are names that nobody in them. Question NFL jockey really will recognize. I think college head coaches are intriguing. For other reasons Phil -- articulated today guys who have organizational skills guys that administrative skills guys who -- good with the media in managing people. The -- that the image to pop it in my head immediately was Brian Kelly because that -- is -- a great job at Notre -- doing just that. Not saying he's going to be a candidate not saying he won't be. But I think Phil -- is open to all and any possibilities. For the right guy. Right Kelly Chip Kelly Nick Saban -- got to find out if the Richards to John gruden Mike Holmgren bill -- you've got to find out if they aren't. You've got to keep the door wide open for all sorts of possibilities and what we've heard today was the general manager Willie did just that. You know I've been exceptionally critical of the Bears lack of addressing their offensive line in the previous offseason. Listen to Phil Emery today as he painted a picture of why. He took -- John Geoffrey where Shea McClellan as opposed to Riley Reid for another player that might be on the board and what happened in free agency. It doesn't excuse the fact that they were caught with a suspect offensive line which you can understand the thought process and I think it. Probably relax a lot of fans the thought process that he articulated so well today I agree. Well he definitely explained it laborious detail -- out with just let somebody did ask about the fiscal cliff. Because we have been there all day but I applaud him for doing that because again that's the type of transparency. That have been missing. A house call and frankly don't see a lot in the NFL and you know the more you listen to Phil -- explain why. You know he didn't go after offensive linemen because he couldn't because guys were retiring in. All of that explanation but the more you wonder what the Bears put this guy out front center more often it's the guy that manages perception. Very well he was in control he was it command and really you weren't. I've been critical to end I don't know -- triplets do but I think that you listen to what he had to say. And you understood it was justifiable and I think that's what you want to hear from the GM the guy who honestly explain himself. As reasons to defend his decisions and isn't afraid to face the music.