Alaskan Grizzly

Was going to comment on Bienemy and whether he’s the right guy for even coaching RBs. Really though the scheme has to work for all the individual parts also succeed. It appears they’re figuring out the passing game, so maybe the running game is next? Generally speaking, Swift hasn’t been as good when he plays under Johnson than when he doesn’t. If he can get 1,000 yards for the Eagles and almost another 1,000 under Flus is he really the problem?

Anyone have a thought about this and why he’s in the doghouse? Understanding that he’s still sorta in concussion protocol (wearing the guardian helmet) could he be the answer at RB needed when it comes to hard charging yards? He’s more of a pounding style runner, or so I thought.

I have to ask a few questions. First, besides the early season injury to Johnson why is he not playing? I’ve seen him with the guardian helmet out playing on special teams so he’s at least good to go there. And heard the rumor he was in the dog house so what does that mean? He was much ballyhooed coming out of college because he was less worn out than Bijan Robinson when they both played for Texas. What happened to that shine? Secondly, so far with just Swift and Monongai running out of the traditional RB set, each is averaging between 3.3 and 3.6 yards respectively. (If you figure in the jet sweeps and screens to WRs then a different result - anyhow). Is that evidence of poor performance of the runners or the scheme? Remember that the overall stats for Swift when he’s played for Johnson have dipped so is that anything to consider?

I think a big key may have been Johnson holding players accountable for all the mistakes the first two weeks. Much better on the penalties .

I can see him gone next year especially if Burden progresses.

Wright is a huge liability at corner. Surely they have someone better that could be backup to Johnson.

I think if the penalties go down significantly this weekend that will be a sign he’s able to not only call out players but hold them accountable. Small victories.

I’m curious—could the contact Swift is encountering be because the offensive line isn’t doing its job? In other words, the pre-contact yardage might just be the distance from the backfield to wherever the line is blocking. To me, it seems like Caleb is scrambling just as much as he did last year. This might be a question for Adam, but how do the other running backs on the Bears perform when they’re handed the ball? One player I’d be particularly interested in is Moore. I know he’s a wide receiver, but he’s one of the NFL leaders in YAC due to his elusiveness. In a running back role, it would make sense that he’d be just as elusive and gain more yards after contact.

Not sure where else to put this but a Detroit friend of mine shared a screen grab he found. It was sorta funny and I'll paraphrase. 'Caleb Williams texted Bears punter Tory Taylor in April 2024: "You're not going to punt too much around here." Since that time, Taylor has punted a league leading 92 times. His total yards punting are 4,177 to Williams' passing yards of 3,958.' The question I have is, who will rack up more yards this year and who's getting to 4,000 first?

FWIW, Swift's first year with Johnson as OC while in Detroit (2022) had him gain 542 total yards (5.5 avg) on the ground. The year before he totaled 617 (avg 4.1). In 2023 he was traded to the Eagles where he got 1,049 yards (4.6 avg) and was selected for the Pro Bowl. Last year with the Bears he gained 959 yards (avg 3.8). So far he's averaging 4.0 and has 116 total (53 vs Vikings and 63 vs Lions - so he's "improving"). The question I think should be where is Johnson's focus? Running or passing? The Bears drafted a TE this year #10 overall and barely use him. And I think (eye test) there have been more overthrows to Kmet than catches. For a coach that pushes the '12 personnel' concept, I'm still trying to figure it out.

The positive spin to this is that KC is also 0-2. After tonight either Harbaugh's Chargers or Pete Carroll's Raiders will have the sole lead on the AFC West. I haven't seen a lot of games outside of Chicago's so far but the little I did see I'm surprised to see the Giants at 0-2. Had it not been for the leg of Dallas' kicker and being able to 'easily' knock in 60+ yard FGs, the Giants would at least .500.

I’m glad you inferred the list is long because man is it. I suppose in that context, yes Caleb is doing ok…🤷🏻‍♂️

…And Montgomery runs where he wants with reckless abandon.

Our “generational” QB continues ro struggle after the scripted plays. I’ll admit he’s not sailing as many throws as he was last week but a big part of that is because Johnson is keeping the game conservative (as the commentator pointed out). Then there was that 20 yard INT but who’s counting? Thought Johnson was supposed to be some sort of offense genius? Who's holding who back? The player or the coach?

FWIW I like McCarthy. Seems like a solid kid. And to remind us of a quote from Harbaugh: McCarthy is “…an elite competitor and the best quarterback in the draft.” Harbaugh believed McCarthy plays the position better than any other QB in the 2024 draft class. Guess we’ll see. He showed some serious grit tonight and adapted to what was given him.