Running Game an Issue

[adam]

More specifically, Swift. 

The Bears are a top 5 rushing unit BEFORE contact, meaning the OLine is actually doing a great job at run blocking, yet Swift is bottom 5 after contact.

So the run game is completely dependent on making a gaping hole that anyone can run through. 

RB will need to be addressed. Still can't believe Poles waited until the 7th to address it with a bunch of RBs on the board in the first few rounds.

[Pixote]

Yes, I agree. However, I was also upset that the Poles didn't select Kaleb Johnson in the 2nd or 3rd round of the draft when he was still available, before he eventually went to Pittsburgh. I just checked. Kaleb has undoubtedly had a rough start. 2 carries total for two games for -1 yd, and muffed a Kick Return that gave SEA a TD. I'd make a lousy GM. LOL

[Bears4Ever_34]

1 hour ago, Pixote said:

Yes, I agree. However, I was also upset that the Poles didn't select Kaleb Johnson in the 2nd or 3rd round of the draft when he was still available, before he eventually went to Pittsburgh. I just checked. Kaleb has undoubtedly had a rough start. 2 carries total for two games for -1 yd, and muffed a Kick Return that gave SEA a TD. I'd make a lousy GM. LOL

Funny, because Kaleb Johnson was the one guy I absolutely did not want from the RB position. He was a product of a great OL, and that was clear to me after watching a few minutes of his highlights. The majority of his best runs were him not getting touched at all, or at least not until he reached the second level. I thought he looked slow and lacked the lateral agility necessary to be anything more than a complimentary back in the NFL. Steelers look like they've already given up on him.

[adam]

3 hours ago, Pixote said:

Yes, I agree. However, I was also upset that the Poles didn't select Kaleb Johnson in the 2nd or 3rd round of the draft when he was still available, before he eventually went to Pittsburgh. I just checked. Kaleb has undoubtedly had a rough start. 2 carries total for two games for -1 yd, and muffed a Kick Return that gave SEA a TD. I'd make a lousy GM. LOL

Jeanty has also looked terrible, but there are others drafted after Trapilo and Turner who are looking solid.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

Watching Swift, he doesn't trust the gap.  He will dance, bounce outside, or go any direction he feels his speed can take him.  Maybe when the oline gels to the this offense, the run game will improve.  

[Mongo3451]

Roschon Johnson is apparently in the doghouse.  When BJ was asked about his role in the offense, BJ said "he has a role on special teams".

[Alaskan Grizzly]

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.  

[AZ54]

On Wed  Ben said the lack of TE usage is on him.  He said he’ll work on changing that.  I still think our play sheet is limited as the players are getting comfortable with the offense.  It’s easier to add more for a home game because they don’t have to deal with crowd noise.  We’ll see how it goes this week.