Taking a look at the Bears’ 4 GM candidates

Just a mere eight days after Bears president and CEO Ted Phillips fired general manager Jerry Angelo, the team released its list of the four candidates who will be interviewed for the vacant job.

The Bears have received permission to interview Chiefs director of college scouting Phil Emery, Patriots director of pro personnel Jason Licht, Chargers director of player personnel Jimmy Raye and Giants director of college scouting Marc Ross. Current Bears director of player personnel Tim Ruskell remains a candidate to replace Angelo but is considered a long shot.

Additional candidates could be added to the list.

In the meantime, here’s a look at the four people on the Bears’ list:

Marc Ross:

The 38-year-old Ross is in his fifth season as director of college scouting, and he

has run the Giants’ draft for the past four years. None of his 2011 picks starts, but Ross’ previous three No. 1 picks, strong safety Kenny Phillips (2008), wide receiver Hakeem Nicks (2009) and DE Jason Pierre-Paul (2010) are major contributors.

Ross became the NFL’s youngest college scouting director when he was named to that post with the Philadelphia Eagles as a 27-year-old in 2000. He was an all-Ivy League wide receiver at Princeton in 1993 and ’94.

Phil Emery:

Emery began his NFL career as an area scout for the Bears from 1998-2004. He has been the Chefs’ director of college scouting for three years after holding the same position with the Atlanta Falcons from 2004-08.

The Chiefs’ 2010 draft brought three impact players: strong safety Eric Berry, running back Dexter McCluster and tight end Tony Moeaki, plus cornerback Javier Arenas. The 2009 draft didn’t help much, but the 2008 draft brought five starters.

Jason Licht:

Licht is in his 16th NFL season. He re-joined the Patriots personnel department in 2009, on the pro side, after previously spending four seasons (1999-2002) as a college scout with New England. In 2008, Licht served as a personnel executive for the NFC champion Cardinals after spending five seasons with the Eagles as vice president of player personnel (2006-07) and assistant director of player personnel (2003-05).

Jimmy Raye:

Raye oversees the Chargers’ pro and college scouting departments and assists on player personnel matters. He joined San Diego in 1996, spending four seasons as a scout from 1996-99 and eight as director of college scouting from 2000-07.

Raye was a wide receiver with the Los Angeles Rams in 1991 and later went to training camp with the San Diego Chargers in 1992 and Houston Oilers in 1993.

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