When he arrived in 2022, Ryan Poles didn’t try to hide his overall disdain for what former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy and GM Ryan Pace had built. Nothing about their operation suggested they ever had a firm grasp on how to build an actual winning organization. That was why he tore the entire roster they built down and eventually traded the quarterback they put their jobs on the line to acquire. Now, the Bears look like one of the most complete teams in the NFL, with a rookie quarterback who has already accomplished more than Justin Fields.
If you wanted a reminder of why Poles runs a smarter operation, he provided one shortly before the Bears’ matchup with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. He was asked in an interview with Jeff Joniak on ESPN 1000 about the team’s plans for the upcoming game in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Poles stated the team would leave immediately on Monday. Why? To ensure players could acclimate to the massive time zone difference. Back in 2019, Nagy chose to arrive two days before the Bears’ London matchup with the Oakland Raiders.
The team came out flat in the first half, falling behind 17-0. They ended up losing 24-21. The Raiders, by contrast, had arrived at the beginning of the week.
Ryan Poles has the common sense not to sabotage his team.
Asking players to adjust their body clocks to a six-hour time difference in two days is absurd. Anybody who has traveled overseas for an extended period understands it takes around a week to become accustomed to the difference. That loss to the Raiders was the turning point of the Bears’ season and perhaps Nagy’s entire tenure as head coach. They were 3-1 at that point, still looking like the team that won the division a year ago. The defeat started a losing streak of four straight games that ruined their hopes of getting back to the playoffs. It also kickstarted Nagy’s decision to start meddling with the quarterback position.
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There won’t be any of that for Ryan Poles. If the Bears lose next Sunday to Jacksonville, it won’t be because of poor preparation. They will have a full week to enjoy the sights of London and practice in its time zone. This is a game they know they should win. The Jaguars are 1-4 and barely escaped with their first win on Sunday. It is not a good football team. Then again, the same was said about the Raiders five years ago. We’ll see if the schedule choice makes a difference.
The decisions surrounding this game is . . . for a game. This does not make “genius.” But the past several years of driving draft picks into brick walls without coaching was tough.
Maybe people learn and get better if ego doesn’t take over. I’m not a fan of firing, but people and teams HAVE to get better. The plan for Dexter was good, DRobinson, not so much.
@TGena That’s a powerful rebuttal! You must have been in debate in school. What was your LSAT score? I will show and tell you mine if you show and tell me yours.
@Rocketrider — Who knows where you came up with the delusion that Ryan Poles is “[w]idely considered one of the best up and coming GMs in the league” — maybe Erik Lambert — huh? Read the article posted online by the NFL Staff of “The Athletic” (September 26, 2024) entitled: What are the Top 10 front offices in NFL? Here’s how 40 executives and coaches voted Then, tell us how many times the name “Ryan Poles” appears. Spoiler Alert: Zero! ___________________ The New York Times posted an article from “The Athletic” authored by Ben Standig from (8/29/24) entitled: NFL agents… Read more »
Whatever sally….you don’t know the first thing about Ryan Poles. You never met him, and have 0 idea about his traits.Stop trying to act like you know things you have no idea about…..you agree with the biggest Dumbo hater on this site. LOL both of you think you know something about football but neither do. Just arrogant know it alls. Stay in England We have enough know it all losers in this country.
BTW: as many of you know, all those things you should do before, during, and after such a flight do not help all people or help very little. Just a few other little things, with or without jetlag: careful walking across streets especially with the red double decker buses and all sorts of fast bikes, cycles, etc. And, if you rent a vehicle, note that you will be driving on the left side of the road. Cannabis is not all that legal here as well. I do not want any Bears fans getting killed or injured, except for about a… Read more »