Practices

[BearFan PHX]

I heard Adam Jahns on Silvy and Waddle today talking about how Ben Johnson has been vocal and exacting on the field with the team.

If you didn't hear it, he recounted a story where Caleb got through 5 reads, and finally dumped it off to Roschon Johnson on a swing pass, and he got a first down, maybe closer to 15 years on the play. But Johnson wasn't happy. He watched Caleb go through the progression, and yelled "FASTER" at Caleb in the middle of the rep. He felt one of the earlier reads was open for a better outcome, and Caleb was too slow getting to him, and he ended up covered.

Gentlemen, THIS is what we've been waiting for. More than anything else. A coach who demands rhythm.

Caleb is good enough to get the ball to outlet receivers and make first downs on talent, but running an offense in rhythm against NFL defenses is so hard for any quarterback. Having coaches that demand that the QB does it correctly what it's ALL about. Xs and Os offensive genius? Cool. But unless it gets executed at tempo it's meaningless, and devolves into sandlot football.

And it's kinda cool to have a guy in Caleb that can beat NFL defenses at sandlot football - that's gonna be good for a lot of amazing pays when things break down.

But imagine something we havent seen in Chicago: an NFL offense that operates in rhythm. A play caller who calls plays in a rhythm, and gives looks to set up defenses.

Are we going to have a modern football offense? With competence?! 

[AZ54]

I watched all the press conferences.  Again the keyword from the players is “Details”.  These coaches demand everything be done right.  A reporter asked Ben where that focus comes from.  Is it innate to who he is or something he learned from other coaches.  His answer:   It’s more about learning from where I’ve seen other coaches fail and not wanting to make those same mistakes.  He added that he’s seen more bad football than good. 
 

Ben Johnson is not one of these guys from a “coaching tree”.   He’s building his own tree.  
 

other observations:

YouTuber Matty Dubs said something interesting after the first OTA practice:  During a simple Handoff drill rotating QBs and RBs Caleb was first in line with Swift.  Bagent/Roschon, Keenum/Homer, Reed/Wheeler then Caleb/ Monangai   He said the coaches will line them up so the starting QB gets the most reps with the top two RBs.  I thought that sounds logical but it’s also the first practice.   Now we’re in minicamp and that same drill had the same lineup.  Add in all the chatter about Monangai looking good on the last drive today not just running but also catching passes.   Even on drills Monangai catches cleanly with his hands.  I’m thinking we’ve got our #2 RB   

Trapilo continues to impress.  I expect he’ll be with the first team to start training camp.  Ben Johnson said for the LT it’s all about having the best pass blocking anything they get from that player in run blocking is a bonus. Kiran is struggling. 

[BearFan PHX]

9 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

I watched all the press conferences.  Again the keyword from the players is “Details”.  These coaches demand everything be done right.  A reporter asked Ben where that focus comes from.  Is it innate to who he is or something he learned from other coaches.  His answer:   It’s more about learning from where I’ve seen other coaches fail and not wanting to make those same mistakes.  He added that he’s seen more bad football than good. 
 

Ben Johnson is not one of these guys from a “coaching tree”.   He’s building his own tree.  
 

other observations:

YouTuber Matty Dubs said something interesting after the first OTA practice:  During a simple Handoff drill rotating QBs and RBs Caleb was first in line with Swift.  Bagent/Roschon, Keenum/Homer, Reed/Wheeler then Caleb/ Monangai   He said the coaches will line them up so the starting QB gets the most reps with the top two RBs.  I thought that sends logical but it’s also the first practice.   Now we’re in minicamp and that same drill had the same lineup.  Add in all the chatter about Monangai looking good on the last drive today not just running but also catching passes.   Even on drills Monangai catches cleanly with his hands    I’m thinking we’ve got our #2 RB   

Trapilo continues to impress.  I expect he’ll be with the first team to start training camp.  Ben Johnson said for the LT it’s all about having the best pass blocking anything they get from that player in run blocking is a bonus. 

Yeah, he's not a go along with the crowd guy, he sees what he sees and calls it like it is - kind of like we do on this board. The truth is the truth!

I noticed the Caleb getting his second rotation with Monangi too as soon as film came out. it sure does sound ike they like him for RB2. Who knows, maybe they want him for RB1, and Johnson for RB2.

If Monangai and Trapilo are successful, and Trapilo starts, then all the LTs and HBs we missed mean nothing. That would be an amazing achievement by the scouting department.

[Stinger226]

Braxton cant practice yet but he is attending. I think because of 3 yrs of starting at LT, he will be running with the first team when ready. As much as he has to improve, he will get to show if he has progressed. I suspect why Trapilo looks good because he is learning the playbook and moves well. When the pads go on the truth starts. I hope he does well. It seems obvious that Kiran has a long way to go , essentially this is his rookie year as far as practicing. 

I think when its said and done, whoever plays LT, we will be fine there. Playing next to Thuney has to help all of them. Monangai gets rave reviews by whoever you talk to. I think he has taken away the cry (we need to add a RB). I think he will shine once we start hitting, he has a great YAC stat and is physical. Plus, has never fumbled. 

Ben stated that it will probably be our biweek before we get the offense running smooth. That does not mean we cant win a couple of our first 4 games. We will run the ball and play good defense that will give us a chance.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

4 hours ago, Stinger226 said:

Braxton cant practice yet but he is attending. I think because of 3 yrs of starting at LT, he will be running with the first team when ready. As much as he has to improve, he will get to show if he has progressed. I suspect why Trapilo looks good because he is learning the playbook and moves well. When the pads go on the truth starts. I hope he does well. It seems obvious that Kiran has a long way to go , essentially this is his rookie year as far as practicing. I think when its said and done, whoever plays LT, we will be fine there. Playing next to Thuney has to help all of them.

I think the Bears will give Trapilo every opportunity to start if he is equal or close to Braxtons performance.  The faster they get Trapilo into the lineup the more he can learn and develop and the better off the Bears will be. The best case is if a team needs a LT before the trade deadline and makes an offer with a 2nd or a 3rd.  Then again, depth is important if Kiran cannot elevate his game. 

[Stinger226]

I think Trapilo is the future but  Braxton having 3 yrs of starter experience at least give him the spot until Kiran or Ozzy take it away. BJ says all spots are open but a rookie still has a lot ot learn , he has to prove himself having been a RT for the last two yrs.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

16 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

I think Trapilo is the future but  Braxton having 3 yrs of starter experience at least give him the spot until Kiran or Ozzy take it away. BJ says all spots are open but a rookie still has a lot ot learn , he has to prove himself having been a RT for the last two yrs.

Trapilo is currently taking the spot and he will continue early in training camp since Braxton will be limited.  Braxton has a lot of uphill work to do just to get to where he was before injury, let alone show he improved where he struggled.  If Trapilo struggles when they start hitting, then I can see them going back to Braxton.  The odds for Braxton are slim, hope he overcomes them, but my money is on the rookie being developed on the field so there are no questions if he can or not come offseason. 

[Stinger226]

BJ was talking about 4 players that stuck out during OTAs. Surprized seeing Dom on that list. Maybe we do have 4 DEs on the field.

Dom Robinson/DE

Ruben Hyppolite/TE

Joel Wilson/TE

Kyle Monangai/RB

 

[Mongo3451]

19 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

Caleb is good enough to get the ball to outlet receivers and make first downs on talent, but running an offense in rhythm against NFL defenses is so hard for any quarterback.

Rhythm and the ability to see it before it happens is everything for a QB.  Cutler, Trubisky and Fields didn't have either.  There's hope for Caleb to have one or both of those traits.  If not, see ya...

[BearFan PHX]

26 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

Rhythm and the ability to see it before it happens is everything for a QB.  Cutler, Trubisky and Fields didn't have either.  There's hope for Caleb to have one or both of those traits.  If not, see ya...

agree! and having Ben Johnson teach it probably gives Caleb the best chance he could ever have.

[DABEARSDABOMB]

6 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

agree! and having Ben Johnson teach it probably gives Caleb the best chance he could ever have.

He is setting a whole nother standard and really kind of showing Caleb and rest of the team - they got a lot to work on to get to level needed - I LOVE it!!! Dude just seems to be wired different. I hope Caleb is there next week for the rookie and younger player OTA and than in his month off basically is full bore working on all the things BJ pressed him on these past few weeks. We got to see that passion burn for Caleb to push himself cause it’s clear he has a ways to go (and he was NOT pushed hard enough last year - that is on him just as much as coaching staff - but we basically wasted a chunk of last year cause I think he missed a whole year of being pushed to grow and see what the standard really looks like). 

[BearFan PHX]

2 hours ago, DABEARSDABOMB said:

He is setting a whole nother standard and really kind of showing Caleb and rest of the team - they got a lot to work on to get to level needed - I LOVE it!!! Dude just seems to be wired different. I hope Caleb is there next week for the rookie and younger player OTA and than in his month off basically is full bore working on all the things BJ pressed him on these past few weeks. We got to see that passion burn for Caleb to push himself cause it’s clear he has a ways to go (and he was NOT pushed hard enough last year - that is on him just as much as coaching staff - but we basically wasted a chunk of last year cause I think he missed a whole year of being pushed to grow and see what the standard really looks like). 

well the first step is to understand what it should look like, and it seems like we've had a bunch of coaches who don't. It's kind of shocking, but it feels like a lot of coaches in the NFL really dont understand the timing of an NFL offense. I dont know why that is, maybe they understand it in some way, a book way, but they clearly dont have the ability to get a team playing that way.

I think Johnson has a clear picture about what he wants to to look like, and that is really half the battle. To know what you want, and then demand it of a pretty good roster.

Teams like the Rams, last years' Lions, the Eagles, the Chiefs and a few others must just laugh at the rest of the league for being so awful.

I need to see it on the field, but i am so hopeful now.

[AZ54]

10 hours ago, BearFan PHX said:

well the first step is to understand what it should look like, and it seems like we've had a bunch of coaches who don't. It's kind of shocking, but it feels like a lot of coaches in the NFL really dont understand the timing of an NFL offense. I dont know why that is, maybe they understand it in some way, a book way, but they clearly dont have the ability to get a team playing that way.

I think Johnson has a clear picture about what he wants to to look like, and that is really half the battle. To know what you want, and then demand it of a pretty good roster.

Teams like the Rams, last years' Lions, the Eagles, the Chiefs and a few others must just laugh at the rest of the league for being so awful.

I need to see it on the field, but i am so hopeful now.

I think many coaches know what it should look like.  Coaching and leading people is are two different things.  Even copying someone’s management BKMs doesn’t necessarily equate to success.  Dennis Allen failed as head coach twice yet everyone here is glad to have him as our DC myself included.

 Ben Johnson decided he wasn’t ready to be a head coach last year.  He wanted a year to reflect on it and how he would approach the job.   He put deliberate effort into that with talking to coaches and other leaders.  He seems to have understood the difference in the leading part of the role and showed up day one knowing how he was going to handle that.  In the end some people have it.  Most don’t.  I hope he’s the one.  

[BearFan PHX]

11 minutes ago, AZ54 said:

I think many coaches know what it should look like.  Coaching and leading people is are two different things.  Even copying someone’s management BKMs doesn’t necessarily equate to success.  Dennis Allen failed as head coach twice yet everyone here is glad to have him as our DC myself included.

 Ben Johnson decided he wasn’t ready to be a head coach last year.  He wanted a year to reflect on it and how he would approach the job.   He put deliberate effort into that with talking to coaches and other leaders.  He seems to have understood the difference in the leading part of the role and showed up day one knowing how he was going to handle that.  In the end some people have it.  Most don’t.  I hope he’s the one.  

well this is all true, buy I also think that most NFL coaches, while at a pro level, really dont see the big picture, and that is in addition to the leadership thing youre talking about, and also organizational challenges that some coaches arent great at.

I mean, every OC knows that you time your routes and your drops to coincide, but I dont think they know how its supposed to look past a certain point of subtlety. I say that because I see so many teams that never seem in sync. When you watch the teams i listed earlier, Rams, Chiefs, Eagles etc you do see that everything works like a machine. Of course plays go bad, and defenders win reps and blow things up, which is why having an improviser like Caleb is such a benefit, but most teams are never in sync.

I used to be of the opinion that people in the NFL were all really good at their jobs, and I used to argue with Jason about that, and I've come around over the years to see that the really good ones are just light years above the rest.

I mean, look at Nagy. He was supposed to be a next level offensive mind. We know he had leadership issues, but he also just made a lot of bad strategic decisions. His plays werent deep, there was no rhythm to the playcalling. And Eberflus lost 6 games in 2 years over clock management type decisions that any of us would have done better.

Guys like Ben Johnson are rare. ANd he really seems to understand the small details that make all the difference?