A post later in the season was titled "what happened?" because earlier in the season it did not look like the team was going to go on an epic losing streak. At some points early-mid season they were looking highly competitive and looking pretty unlucky. But then, an incremental subtraction through trades and IR that nearly ensured the team would (could) not win down the stretch. I was surprised by the "what happened" post because I thought it was clear that Poles was executing his plan and then as the season (and losing) went on he went into overdrive to get the most out of it.Ditka’s dictaphone wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 2:07 am It wasn’t a “tear down”, it was a “stealth tank”.
The art of tanking without “tanking”.
I’ve no idea how we absolutely gubbed the Patriots and then lost 10 straight. We were competitive for 3 quarters in most of those 10 and then fell apart in Q4 just enough to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
I understand the insistence that what Poles did was easy won't go away, and recognize people want (or need) to say "easy tear down" because it helps them stay on the fence about the new GM. I don't feel a need to be on the fence when I've seen enough so far to give a great grade so far. Being unable to know what is going to happen in the future doesn't hamper my ability to assess what has happened so far... to understand why & assess whether I think the GM had good plan and how he did. The current status to me proves it was a good plan.
Some of the criticism to justify lower grades seems a bit obtuse to me. I find it odd to criticize the GM's FA moves when they were deliberately executed according to his plan that included NOT bringing in some of the players that people are complaining about him not bringing in. I understand his plan, and LIKE his plan. He did what he did for darn good reason. Comments like "...but he COULD have done THIS" entirely miss the point. His plan included NOT bringing in high priced guys or "point stars" (e.g. like Amari Cooper) to artificially sweeten a season that was going to be sour regardless... him not bringing in FA and hurting his visibility around what he had "in hand" was a plus.
Poles did not "obviously" set about to lose. I believe they started out intending to "see what we have" but also compete while they could. The team with Roquan and Quinn wasn't completely torn down to start the season, and in spite of some early learning by JF1 (and Getsy) they were 3-4 and actually playing better than that record. Eddie and the DBs were playing very well. The young Oline was expected to get better (and did). The comeback vs the Vikes was amazing and was (along with the Steeler game last year) all the proof anyone needed that JF1 was THAT guy. The team played well against Commanders too - putting 400 yards of offense on that team, and shutting them down on D (unfortunately the TD just weren't coming that game). Then New England game everything was clicking...not just JF1 but the D as well. Despite all the claims of "teardown" and the fact that they were leaning on a really amazing mix of rookies and 2nd year players... Poles had fielded a .500 (ish) team through early mid season. The Bears looked pretty good against the Cowboys even without Quinn (until the end) and Dolphins the entire game without Roquan. Those are really good teams. They traded punches with Philly the entire game - a lot of teams can't. It wasn't just JF1 - the D played inspired ball... a testament to the coaches, culture and Poles being able to find nobodies who can actually play.
I like the fact that Poles had a plan, and he stuck with it. Even though the team was showing competitiveness, after the NE game he went into the next stage of his plan and traded assets he didn't want for what he could get. He was prioritizing the future over the present - that included trading key defensive players and embarking upon the most conspicuous use of IR I've ever seen. It was comical the teams they were fielding toward the end of the season, where they were basically just running out the clock on the '22 season - having learned everything they needed to learn & having only one goal which was to get the highest pick possible. Mission accomplished.
