Most teams then should hire chimps. there are LOTS of misses in both rounds.
Any GM who can’t consistently find starters in first and second rounds is going to get fired, and probably sooner than later. You sure can’t “build through the draft” if you’re missing much in those rounds. Pro Bowl players get traded for second round picks, and not just by Poles.
There is definitely an element of luck (both good and bad) involved in pro sports. But in fairness, Poles has made a number of brilliant moves. Regarding the draft and the first and second rounds, GM's miss about half the time on those players. The Bears have had their misses over the years. Poles has made some brilliant moves in 26 months... for a rookie GM he was a quick learner. Right now he is looking like the best ascending young GM in the NFL. He seems to be building a great team - from scratch. He took the team from cap hell to being solid financially now. He is about to draft a quarterback that many many people believe will be one of the best to play the game. We don't know if that will or will not actually happen (as far as how his career will pan out). But Poles is bringing this exciting young QB to the Bears in 19 days. He has paired him with a Hall of Fame wide receiver - arguably the best route runner in the entire NFL - Keenan Allen... to pair with D.J. Moore, another incredible talent. He got Montez Sweat for a 2nd round pick, a guy experts say is better than ANY edge player in this upcoming 2024 draft. And he got us Caleb Williams and D.J. Moore in a trade down in the draft. Dude is the master chess player. What he has accomplished in 26 months is amazing. I believe this guy will go down as the best GM in Bears history before his tenure here has ended. He so reminds me of Jim Finks moves building the 1985 team... that build began years before 1985. I get that same vibe right now with Poles. He is building something for the ages. This is a great time to kick back and enjoy watching the Bears rise from the ashes to being great again. I'm thinking this offense will be the best we have seen here in many years... maybe in a half century or so. Not this rookie season for Caleb, but soon. It's coming.
As I said, Poles has picked off the low-hanging fruit, thanks to getting lucky with two #1 picks and trading away two Pro Bowl players. The acid test will be (1) can he produce a Super Bowl ready team 2025-26, and (2) if not, can he survive and do anything post-2026.
Meanwhile, I am trying to arrange his match with Magnus Carlsen.
As I said, Poles has picked off the low-hanging fruit, thanks to getting lucky with two #1 picks and trading away two Pro Bowl players. The acid test will be (1) can he produce a Super Bowl ready team 2025-26, and (2) if not, can he survive and do anything post-2026.
Meanwhile, I am trying to arrange his match with Magnus Carlsen.
Really? He played no part in it? Just lady luck?
You know that's crazy, right?
The lucky #1’s bring Williams, Moore, Wright, and more.
His two best chess moves outside of what came directly from the #1’s are Brax and Sweat.
The lucky #1’s bring Williams, Moore, Wright, and more.
His two best chess moves outside of what came directly from the #1’s are Brax and Sweat.
I know you don't believe that is all luck. After this draft the Bears roster for 2024 should be one of the best we have seen here in a long time. We have had some good defense rosters here over the years. But Poles is building a solid offense to go with a solid defense. That's what it is going to take to be competitive at a championship level. You have to have a good offense. This is shaping up to look like a very special O.
