1920 Football Drive: Building a Championship Culture

[UOK]

[wab]

Gervon Dexter is a freaking MASSIVE man.

[Hema2.0]

Stop posting these! The last thing I want to do is wish the summer away! It has my blood pumping!

[Arkansasbear]

Sure it's mostly fluff stuff, but it's the time of year for that.

[wulfy]

Stevenson is grabby! Going to get some flags thrown at him on Sundays.

[Arkansasbear]

Stevenson is grabby! Going to get some flags thrown at him on Sundays.

I noticed that too.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Sure it's mostly fluff stuff, but it's the time of year for that.

Um, UOK beat you to the punch by 3 hours...

viewtopic.php?t=17320&sid=9be1160f7d6d0 ... 720cde426a

Snap!

[dplank]

I loved watching this. My main takeaway is how absolutely massive Wright and Dexter are. Good lord.

[dplank]

Gervon Dexter is a freaking MASSIVE man.

He’s a monster

[HisRoyalSweetness]

That was a great watch. Thanks UOK.

Here's an article that's tangentially related in that it also talks to the culture shift Poles is leading:

Honesty? In football? That’s crazy talk…
By Laurence W. Holmes

Lying season in the NFL has come to a close and the Bears have walked away with the league’s greatest truth-teller, Ryan Poles. In my years of covering the league, I haven’t seen an executive in the sport be as honest as Poles has been on the record. Sure, a team exec may text you some info, call you or even tell you face-to-face something that is contradictory to what they’ve said publicly, but those exchanges are usually “off the record” or “on background.”

Poles’ penchant for honesty has been difficult to adjust to. Perhaps 20 years of covering this league has left me jaded, but I’m enjoying watching Poles be so open about personnel and strategy. Most general managers and definitely their coaches, hold onto that information like it’s Gollum’s “Precious.” What’s happened with Poles has been refreshing.

Last week, Poles jumped on the radio show with myself and Dan Bernstein. In the 20-minute interview we touched on a lot of subjects, which Poles gave good answers to, but I wanted to understand why he was so willing to discuss the Bears both locally and nationally throughout the draft process. For weeks it seemed like Poles was everywhere spreading the gospel of how the Bears do business.

“It’s just the way I’ve kind of always been,” Poles said. “You know there’s a time and place where there’s family business that you can’t share, but I think it’s important to go through the thought process.”
...

So far in his tenure, Poles has been willing to meet Bears fans halfway.

“I just think approaching it with truth and transparency is the way, especially for our great fan base to kinda understand what we’re thinking,” Poles said.

“There’s going to be times when I’m going to be right and I’ll be happy about that and there’s going to be times when I’m wrong and I’m going to have to own it for what it is.”

This is so antithetical to what we’re used to. The spy games of football in general and the NFL in particular have become standard operating procedure. It’s so common that we hardly bat an eye when a coach or exec serves up cliched answers to pertinent questions. We’ve been operating under the assumption that everyone isn’t being forthcoming, which is why the interim between the end of the college season and the draft has been lovingly dubbed: “lying season.”

Poles isn’t going to tell us everything on his mind and I don’t expect him to. But inside this interview he left enough breadcrumbs to let you know that he thought the Bears locker room wasn’t in a place to absorb Jalen Carter and the baggage he may carry onto a team. I don’t know if that was the right decision, but I do appreciate that Poles wasn’t afraid to give the public a sincere answer on why he didn’t make the move. Everyone gets to be on the same page and that’s a good thing.

“It’s just the way I operate,” Poles said.

League sources continue to tell me that this isn’t an act. It’s who Poles is. If his ability to scout matches his earnestness with which he talks about his choices, then Bears fans are in good hands. It seems as if I’ll have to do some unlearning when it comes to him. Hopefully it’s all true because I’d like to live in a space where I can simply be skeptical instead of defaulting to cynical.

Full article: https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2023 ... onest-talk

[thunderspirit]

Okay, I am hype.

[Hero]

OMG! I just watched this on my 65" TV. Let's fuckin goooo! Cunningham looks like he picked Wright. As a matter of fact there are a lot of scouts that are solely tied to some of those picks. Good data to have when they suck or become starters.

[The Grizzly One]

[dplank]

That was a great watch. Thanks UOK.

Here's an article that's tangentially related in that it also talks to the culture shift Poles is leading:

Honesty? In football? That’s crazy talk…
By Laurence W. Holmes

Lying season in the NFL has come to a close and the Bears have walked away with the league’s greatest truth-teller, Ryan Poles. In my years of covering the league, I haven’t seen an executive in the sport be as honest as Poles has been on the record. Sure, a team exec may text you some info, call you or even tell you face-to-face something that is contradictory to what they’ve said publicly, but those exchanges are usually “off the record” or “on background.”

Poles’ penchant for honesty has been difficult to adjust to. Perhaps 20 years of covering this league has left me jaded, but I’m enjoying watching Poles be so open about personnel and strategy. Most general managers and definitely their coaches, hold onto that information like it’s Gollum’s “Precious.” What’s happened with Poles has been refreshing.

Last week, Poles jumped on the radio show with myself and Dan Bernstein. In the 20-minute interview we touched on a lot of subjects, which Poles gave good answers to, but I wanted to understand why he was so willing to discuss the Bears both locally and nationally throughout the draft process. For weeks it seemed like Poles was everywhere spreading the gospel of how the Bears do business.

“It’s just the way I’ve kind of always been,” Poles said. “You know there’s a time and place where there’s family business that you can’t share, but I think it’s important to go through the thought process.”
...

So far in his tenure, Poles has been willing to meet Bears fans halfway.

“I just think approaching it with truth and transparency is the way, especially for our great fan base to kinda understand what we’re thinking,” Poles said.

“There’s going to be times when I’m going to be right and I’ll be happy about that and there’s going to be times when I’m wrong and I’m going to have to own it for what it is.”

This is so antithetical to what we’re used to. The spy games of football in general and the NFL in particular have become standard operating procedure. It’s so common that we hardly bat an eye when a coach or exec serves up cliched answers to pertinent questions. We’ve been operating under the assumption that everyone isn’t being forthcoming, which is why the interim between the end of the college season and the draft has been lovingly dubbed: “lying season.”

Poles isn’t going to tell us everything on his mind and I don’t expect him to. But inside this interview he left enough breadcrumbs to let you know that he thought the Bears locker room wasn’t in a place to absorb Jalen Carter and the baggage he may carry onto a team. I don’t know if that was the right decision, but I do appreciate that Poles wasn’t afraid to give the public a sincere answer on why he didn’t make the move. Everyone gets to be on the same page and that’s a good thing.

“It’s just the way I operate,” Poles said.

League sources continue to tell me that this isn’t an act. It’s who Poles is. If his ability to scout matches his earnestness with which he talks about his choices, then Bears fans are in good hands. It seems as if I’ll have to do some unlearning when it comes to him. Hopefully it’s all true because I’d like to live in a space where I can simply be skeptical instead of defaulting to cynical.

Full article: https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2023 ... onest-talk

This approach is part of what has won me over, great article thx for sharing. Being open, honest, and willing to make and own mistakes shows confidence and maturity. When you see people obfuscate and deflect, it’s a signal that they are full of shit. This goes for every part of life IMO, including things like work or social media.

I am such a fan of Poles now it’s kinda scary. And he’s EARNED that from me (not that he gives a crap lol), but I didn’t just assume he was the goods. I watched him, criticizing what I didn’t like and praising what I did, and have now concluded to the best of my ability that Poles is an absolute gem. I hope he’s our GM for the next 20 years.

I hope Flus can do the same, jury is still out on him for me.

[UOK]

Literally posted this the minute it came out.

viewtopic.php?t=17320

C'mon, people. Good lord.

[Otis Day]

Awesome video. Thanks for putting on here.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

Gervon Dexter is a freaking MASSIVE man.

He's listed at 6'6" and 312 lbs. I will bet money he plays at 290 lbs or under. They will have him lining up all over the DL. NT, 3-Tech, maybe even DE. At Florida he was playing a 2-gap scheme. Read and react thing. Here he's going to be in a 1-gap scheme and to rush the passer or tackle the ball carrier. His get off will get dramatically better after he drops 20 lbs.

[Moriarty]

Gervon Dexter is a freaking MASSIVE man.

He's listed at 6'6" and 312 lbs. I will bet money he plays at 290 lbs or under. They will have him lining up all over the DL. NT, 3-Tech, maybe even DE. At Florida he was playing a 2-gap scheme. Read and react thing. Here he's going to be in a 1-gap scheme and to rush the passer or tackle the ball carrier. His get off will get dramatically better after he drops 20 lbs.

I'd take that bet.
Why would they be excited about the scan showing potential to add significant weight if their plan for him is to drop significant weight?

[IE]

He's listed at 6'6" and 312 lbs. I will bet money he plays at 290 lbs or under. They will have him lining up all over the DL. NT, 3-Tech, maybe even DE. At Florida he was playing a 2-gap scheme. Read and react thing. Here he's going to be in a 1-gap scheme and to rush the passer or tackle the ball carrier. His get off will get dramatically better after he drops 20 lbs.

I'd take that bet.
Why would they be excited about the scan showing potential to add significant weight if their plan for him is to drop significant weight?

I agree with this (Mori) ... I think they love the theory they can pack productive weight/muscle on him and turn him into a 1T nightmare who nobody can move and yet he can continue to have sub-5.0 speed to get to the QB in a 1 gap scheme.

[thunderspirit]

I'm with Mori and IE.

I'd bet their ideal is that Dexter becomes a very good penetrating 1-technique. Think Linval Joseph a few years back, or maybe Leonard Williams or DaQuan Jones now.

Then they hope that helps free Pickens to become their 3-tech.

[wab]

I'm with Mori and IE.

I'd bet their ideal is that Dexter becomes a very good penetrating 1-technique. Think Linval Joseph a few years back, or maybe Leonard Williams or DaQuan Jones now.

Then they hope that helps free Pickens to become their 3-tech.

Linval Joseph is a good one. But honestly, I think they see a bigger Chris Jones. Someone that they can move around a lot.

[Arkansasbear]

I'm with Mori and IE.

I'd bet their ideal is that Dexter becomes a very good penetrating 1-technique. Think Linval Joseph a few years back, or maybe Leonard Williams or DaQuan Jones now.

Then they hope that helps free Pickens to become their 3-tech.

Linval Joseph is a good one. But honestly, I think they see a bigger Chris Jones. Someone that they can move around a lot.

I agree. Especially if he gets bigger, gets better at getting off at the snap AND keeps all his speed!?!?!?! Holy crap they will have him line across the whole line.

[IE]

Linval Joseph is a good one. But honestly, I think they see a bigger Chris Jones. Someone that they can move around a lot.

I agree. Especially if he gets bigger, gets better at getting off at the snap AND keeps all his speed!?!?!?! Holy crap they will have him line across the whole line.

I mean sure it makes sense to have that flexibility and they like players to be that way. I don't see much disagreement here on the role they envision. I think they do see Dex as building into a monster 1T. That doesn't mean a monster 1t who is really mobile couldn't move to 3T or even to edge in special packages. It's great to have a team full of guys who can do that.

But I think the main point or disagreement would be around what they see him building into... which I believe will be a 320 lb monster and not cut him down to 290 and on the edge a lot. I don't see it them making him lighter to make him more - I see them making him bigger and retaining his flexibility, and the comments about what his frame can handle support that notion.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

OK. You convinced me. Especially if he grows another inch over the next year-ish. I guess it's just hard for me to even imagine a player 6'7" 320 lbs, that is quick and explosive. Sounds like such a unicorn.

[The Marshall Plan]

Well worth the watch. Great stuff.

[wulfy]

I want to know what kind of Bourbon 'flus got for Poles.

Looked like Rabbit Hole by the shape of the bottle. I wish he had called me for a better recommendation.

[dplank]

I want to know what kind of Bourbon 'flus got for Poles.

Looked like Rabbit Hole by the shape of the bottle. I wish he had called me for a better recommendation.

I thought maybe Angel Envy?

[wab]

I want to know what kind of Bourbon 'flus got for Poles.

Looked like Rabbit Hole by the shape of the bottle. I wish he had called me for a better recommendation.

It looked like Heaven's Door Decades to me.

[wulfy]

On further review .... not Angel's Envy or Rabbit Hole .... I think @wab, might be right with Heaven's Door, but I don't think it's the Decades release - hard to tell.


Decades



Standard


yes, I'm analyzing bourbon bottles ....

[dplank]

Lol, such a great waste of time. I don't think it's Heavens Door. Because looking at the shape of the bottom of the bottle in FLus hands, it gets a little wider at the bottom but the Heavens Door bottle all keep narrowing all the way down to the bottom of the bottle.

It may be the angle he's holding it though, hard to tell