It is so easy to forget that building a winning team in the NFL requires good players in all three phases. It’s not only offense and defense. History shows good special teams can often be the difference between a Lombardi trophy and heartbreak. That is why every roster move can be crucial to the organization’s overall success. Nobody thought much of anything when the Chicago Bears claimed rookie cornerback Josh Blackwell off waivers. They felt it was merely GM Ryan Poles churning the bottom of the roster and looking for depth.
Other NFL teams don’t seem too happy about it. According to special teams coordinator Richard Hightower during his weekly presser, other coordinators have complained to him about how good Blackwell has been and how they failed to recognize the Duke product’s capability first. Indeed the rookie has made an impact from the moment he stepped on the field as a gunner. Blocking him is a nightmare. It’s been so good that Hightower and others can see big things in his future.
The Chicago Bears 2022 undrafted class is quite exciting.
Blackwell’s emergence on special teams isn’t the only good story happening. Jack Sanborn is the star of the group, emerging as a legitimate middle linebacker on defense. His play in recent weeks showed somebody that could play in the league for a long time. Then there is another rookie cornerback, Jaylon Jones. He’s stepped up as injuries hit the position and looked surprisingly competent. QBs have targeted him 35 times this season for a pedestrian 92.3 passer rating and no touchdowns. He also has a forced fumble to his name, like Blackwell.
To see three rookie steps up like that despite not getting drafted is a good sign for the Chicago Bears. It means they have people in charge that can identify talent in less obvious places. That is what good teams must do if they want to build a winner. This process will continue in 2023. Poles intends to build this roster with homegrown talent. So he will likely stay aggressive on the college circuit, looking for more players like Blackwell. Perhaps he will carve out a role as the next Sherrick McManis.
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The Bears had some impressive player development leading up to the 1985 team.
McMichael was discarded by the Patriots. Gary Fencik was an Ivy League Wide Receiver converted to safety. HOF MLB Mike Singletary was selected in the Second Round. Richard Dent was a very late draft pick. Offensive Lineman Mark Bortz was a Defensive Lineman in college. I believe Jerry Vainisi did a great job for the Bears. Jim Finks, deserves appreciation, leaving frequent Super Bowl participant, Minnesota Vikings and beginning the long turnaround for our Bears. The Vikings haven’t been participating in Super Bowls without Finks.
Wes,
Right process — wrong person.
Any discerning football fan can see the Bears GM is a genius. The fans who complain fail to see the building process going on is from the ground up. It takes time to build a champion this way and unlike the former GM who plugged different players in to fill holes, Poles is rebuilding a core of young players mainly through the draft. Based on the obvious talent he’s gotten to build around the next off season will turn this team around.
Here’s a list of the OL “talent” that GM, Ryan Poles acquired this year, for the 2022 Chicago Bears: Lucas Patrick Dakota “Bull” Dozier Julien Davenport Michael Schofield Riley Reiff Shon Coleman Willie Wright Braxton Jones Zachary Thomas Doug Kramer Ja’Tyre Carter Alex Leatherwood The facts reveal the rookie GM for what he is. And, even the most ardent “fanboy” has to wonder whether he’d still be interested in the Bears if it weren’t for the selection.of QB, Justin Fields (by former GM, Ryan Pace). Anyway, the last “Ryan Poles clown car” is leaving for Halas Hall in fifteen minutes.… Read more »
I don’t care if any Bears made the pro bowl, it’s more of a popularity contest than anything else. Roquan played like a pro bowler for 3 seasons before he got a selection. It’s the only area in the NFL where players are rewarded for their past performances. These young guys stepping up is great to see and I’d love to see them develop into potential starters on defense. Both Jaylon Jones and Blackwell have looked great at times at CB this year.