Ryan Poles Deserves Cigar After Rookie Class Mauled Patriots
People conveniently forget what Ryan Poles inherited when they decide to shout at him for being dumb and ignorant. The guy had five draft picks when he took over as Chicago Bears GM. Five. Through a series of trades, he turned that into 11. He knew he wouldn’t have a 1st round pick, so he tried to compensate with quantity over quality, trusting his front office and scouts to do their jobs well.
Through the first seven games of 2022, it’s becoming apparent the 36-year-old knows what he’s doing. His rookie class not only contributed to the Bears’ 33-14 thrashing of New England on Monday night, they were central to it. Every time a big play was being made, there was a rookie either making it or being a crucial part of it. It wasn’t just the high draft picks, either. The late-rounders and even the undrafted guys got in on the action. It was a night that gave Poles some well-deserved vindication.
Ryan Poles pieced together one hell of a rookie class.
Jaquan Brisker: 7 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass defense
What a grab by @JaquanBrisker! ????
????: #CHIvsNE on ESPN pic.twitter.com/5pvbjijn97
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 25, 2022
Everybody could see Brisker was becoming something special before the season began. His size, range, and versatility were evident when he stepped on the field for training camp. Now he’s fourth on the team in tackles, second in sacks, and snagged his first interception in epic fashion in front of a national audience on Monday night. Poles said he doesn’t second guess himself for passing on guys like George Pickens or Alec Pierce for the offense in the draft. It’s getting easier to see why.
Kyler Gordon: 1 INT, 1 pass defense
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED?!
????: #CHIvsNE on ESPN pic.twitter.com/w3HXtNSnzd
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 25, 2022
As Brisker blossomed, Gordon became the easy punching bag for Ryan Poles critics. He’s the top pick in the draft and was brutal in his first three games. Now even that is no longer a safe haven. The rookie allowed only 18 yards on three catches against New England and made them seriously regret the fourth and final target when he one-handed an interception that probably should’ve been a pick-six.
Braxton Jones: 2 pressures allowed and 78.1 run block grade
25 yds to the house ????
????: #CHIvsNE on ESPN pic.twitter.com/00jqMXGw1u
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 25, 2022
The rookie left tackle had a tough game against Washington. Montez Sweat gave him some problems. So he faced a stiff test against Matthew Judon and the Patriots. Not only did he hold up much better, but he also delivered the crucial block on the game’s most decisive play. That was him sprinting out into space to spring Khalil Herbert for the go-ahead and, ultimately, game-winning touchdown.
Dominique Robinson: Tipped pass that led to INT
Sterling Weatherford, Jack Sanborn, Trestan Ebner, Josh Blackwell: 4 special teams tackles
Another takeaway for the defense! ????
????: #CHIvsNE on ESPN pic.twitter.com/mFqiwBDm2B
— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) October 25, 2022
Robinson wasn’t a huge factor in the pass rush Monday since New England got the ball out fast most of the night. However, that didn’t stop him from using his excellent length to gift Roquan Smith his second interception of the year. Meanwhile, three undrafted rookies and a 6th round pick all contributed to an excellent special teams performance that saw the Patriots average just 22.6 yards per kick return and 6.0 yards per punt return. More super work by Ryan Poles and his scouts.