CHICAGO -- The Chicago Bears completed their first round of the interviewing process for their general manager position on Friday with Kansas City Chiefs director of college scouting Phil Emery.
The Bears interviewed New England Patriots director of pro personnel Jason Licht, San Diego Chargers director of player personnel Jimmy Raye, New York Giants director of college scouting Marc Ross and director of player personnel Tim Ruskell earlier in the week.
Unlike a few of the other candidates, Emery is a known commodity inside the Bears organization, as the veteran collegiate talent evaluator served as an area scout for the club from 1998-2004.
After leaving Chicago, Emery became the Atlanta Falcons' director of college scouting for five seasons (2004-08).
During Emery's tenure running the college scouting department in Atlanta, the Falcons' notable draft picks included quarterback Matt Ryan, guard Justin Blalock, wide receiver Roddy White and wide receiver Laurent Robinson.
In 2010, the Chiefs used the No. 5 overall selection to take safety Eric Berry, who became the first Kansas City rookie to be named to the Pro Bowl since Hall of Fame linebacker Derrick Thomas in 1989.
Two of Emery's peers in the NFL scouting fraternity described him as a "grinder" who "refuses to be outworked."
Emery was also the director of strength and conditioning services for Navy from 1991-98.
Jeff Dickerson covers the Bears for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN 1000.