With Baltimore Ravens director of player personnel Eric DeCosta and Atlanta Falcons director of player personnel Les Sneed already identified as candidates for the Bears general manager vacancy, here are four other candidates to monitor as Bears President/CEO Ted Phillips attempts to fill the void left by the recent firing of Jerry Angelo:
Arizona Cardinals Director of Player Personnel Steve Keim: Keim joined the Cardinals organization in 1999 and steadily rose through the ranks to become director of player personnel in 2008 after stints as Arizona's director of college scouting and east regional scout. During the years Keim focused on evaluating college players, the Cardinals drafted the likes of Thomas Jones, Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, Karlos Dansby, Darnell Docket, Antrel Rolle and Steve Breaston. Keim is credited with helping Arizona general manager Rod Graves build back-to-back playoff teams in 2008 and 2009, including the Cards' first ever Super Bowl berth.
Tennessee Titans Vice President/Football Operations Lake Dawson: Dawson played wide receiver collegiately at Notre Dame and was selected in the third-round of the NFL draft by Kansas City in 1994. Following his playing career, Dawson spent time in the Seahawks front office before he landed with the Titans as the Director of Pro Scouting in 2007. In his current role, Dawson is responsible for all day-to-day operations in Tennessee's pro personnel department.
Kansas City Chiefs Director of Player Personnel Ray Farmer: A former fourth-round draft choice of the Philadelphia Eagles in 1996, Farmer spent three seasons at linebacker for the Eagles until his career was cut short due to a knee injury. Farmer scouted for the Atlanta Falcons from 2002-2005 before joining the Chiefs.
Indianapolis Colts Director of Player Personnel Tom Telesco: He just completed his sixth year as the Colts Director of Player Personnel after working as the team’s Director of Pro Scouting from 2004-05. He has worked for Indy for the past 14 seasons, with a previous stop in Carolina from 1995-97. Telesco is reportedly a candidate to replace the recently fired Bill Pollian in Indianapolis.