Ryan Poles has a measured approach regarding roster building. One thing he harps on a lot is the need to focus your resources on what he dubs the “premium positions.” These spots on offense and defense often have the greatest impact on a team’s success: quarterback, offensive tackle, edge rusher, and cornerback. It’s never wise to invest huge money or draft picks at positions that can be more easily filled on the cheap. Running backs and off-the-ball linebackers come to mind. So it must’ve taken some serious work to convince him that offering a large contract to Tremaine Edmunds was a good idea. Credit for that must go to Matt Eberflus.
Gabby Hajduk of Chicagobears.com did an in-depth look at the relationship between the GM and his head coach. One of the things discussed is Eberflus’ sharp eye for talent and what it can do in correlation to his team’s schemes. Poles had evaluated the two-time Pro Bowl linebacker from Buffalo. He loved the physical talent and the still-considerable room to grow. However, he wasn’t sure about pulling the trigger. So he asked Eberflus for his opinion. The head coach didn’t need long.
One of Eberflus’ evaluations that stood out to Poles this offseason was his assessment of linebacker Tremaine Edmunds, who signed with the Bears March 13. From a front office perspective, Poles saw length, speed, playmaking abilities, youth and consistency.
When Poles took the name to Eberflus, the coach “quickly came back” and said, “this guy fits my scheme; he’s going to make us better.”
That type of conviction with a player and the alignment between the front office and coaching staff is when Poles feels comfort in “moving forward and using a draft pick or spending money.”
Matt Eberflus is already being rewarded for that sales pitch.
Edmunds has been one of the biggest standouts of training camp. That size, length, and speed were a constant presence during drills. Yet it didn’t end there. Teammates were also taken by his leadership. Edmunds wasn’t afraid to get vocal when necessary and has seemingly picked up the scheme faster than one would expect. It isn’t hard to see what Eberflus envisioned with the linebacker. Many compared him to Brian Urlacher coming out of Virginia Tech. Urlacher was a Defensive Player of the Year in this same defense under Lovie Smith.
Edmunds may not quite be the once-in-a-generation talent Urlacher was, but his impact can potentially be in a similar range. Matt Eberflus understood that. While the $18 million per year is a high price, it’s still only the fourth-largest among linebackers. Chicago will still have the second-most cap space next year. This is an investment that should help a young team grow into a genuine playoff contender. You need blue-chip talents to win in this league. Edmunds is one, even if it’s at a non-premium position.
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Duh. If you’re going to run a Tampa 2 type of defense you absolutely need a linebacker corps that is sideline to sideline and is good in coverage. Id want Edmunds too. Guy is ferocious, plays hard and healthy.
OK, so as expected, most of this “scheme fit” business is coming from Eberflus. That’s fine, Poles is giving him the guys he wants.
Now it’s on Eberflus to go out there and make his “scheme” work by making good game plans, and making the right calls on the field. Let’s start by beating the Packers.
If for some reason the defense doesn’t get it done, let’s remember this isn’t all on Poles. He’s trying to get the guys his coaches want.
. . .still waiting for y’all to identify something I said that isn’t true.
David is absolutely correct.
TGena. FYI: people stop reading your comments usually after the first sentence. Congratulations. You earned it.