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CHICAGO (AP) — At least three potential candidates for the Chicago Bears' GM job have emerged.
Longtime former NFL scout John Wooten told The Associated Press he recommended Baltimore Ravens director of pro personnel Vince Newsome, New York Giants vice president of player evaluation Marc Ross, and Tennessee Titans vice president of player personnel Lake Dawson to team consultant Ernie Accorsi.
He said he spoke Monday night with Accorsi. Wooten is the chairman of the Fritz Pollard Alliance Foundation, which promotes the hiring of minorities in the NFL.
The Bears fired general manager Phil Emery and coach Marc Trestman following a 5-11 season on Monday.
One of those guys has a great chance to get the job," Wooten said. "I really think so. They have the personality. They know their administrative skills. They are top evaluators themselves, and that's what you're looking for — top evaluators."
Whether the Bears will interview the candidates recommended by Wooten remains to be seen. Wooten expects Accorsi to conduct a wide search for GM but to move quickly because the coaching job also needs to be filled.
Newsome originally joined the Ravens' personnel department in 1993. He has spent the past five seasons in his current role and is part of one of the most respected NFL front offices.
Ross has a college scouting background and has been with the Giants since 2007. Dawson has worked more on the pro personnel side.
Bears chairman George McCaskey and President/CEO Ted Phillips will ultimately decide who to hire, but Wooten praised bringing in Accorsi to help with the searches.
"I thought it was an outstanding move by the McCaskeys and Ted Phillips to do it because, No. 1, you get a guy that knows the business," he said. "He knows the league, he knows the business, he's been a winner, trained by one of the best people that I know in George Young. Ernie has shown his ability to make great selections."
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