Chicago Bears: Explaining The Mastery of Ryan Pace

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Jan 3, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox in the second half of their game against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

Uses connections

Part of securing good players in free agency isn’t about what you know, but who you know. Often the easiest way to get players to buy into signing a contract is because they’d be reunited with a familiar face whom they trust and like. What Pace has done over the past week is a perfect reflection of that.

Danny Trevathan came to the Bears because it filled a need but also because head coach John Fox was the one who drafted him in Denver back in 2012. Big right tackle Bobby Massie? Turns out he’s good friends with Bears’ Pro Bowler Kyle Long. The two have known each other since high school and work out together every off-season. If a coach or player already on the roster has an inside edge to help get another good coach or player, then there is zero crime in exploiting it to the utmost.

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