Conventional wisdom regarding offensive line play in today’s NFL is obvious. Everything hinges on how well they protect the quarterback. That is hardly a surprise. Quarterbacks are the single largest driving force behind team success. Keeping them upright is crucial. Caleb Williams would agree after getting sacked 68 times last year. To that end, the revamped Bears offensive line is improved this year. Williams is on pace to be sacked only 30 times, which is a massive improvement. However, it doesn’t sound like Ben Johnson is happy about that.
The Chicago Bears head coach said all the right things when asked about how he prioritizes offensive line play. Being able to block guys one-on-one is a big thing for him. However, the coach’s actions tell a different story. Braxton Jones wasn’t benched as the team’s left tackle because of his protection issues. It was because he blew multiple assignments in the run game. Johnson didn’t hide his displeasure with the line’s overall performance at his latest presser. It sure sounds like he’s putting guys on notice.
“It’s hard to evaluate any of our backs right now when you turn on the tape and there are some free runners in the hole where the play is designed to go. I take it personally because I actually spend more time on the run game than I do on the passing game. Not only trying to create explosives in the running game but being sound.”
Ben Johnson is staying true to his personality.
Players and coaches who know him have all said the same thing. Ben Johnson doesn’t want to win. He wants to dominate. He wants to humiliate the opponent. To do that, you must own the line of scrimmage. There is nothing greater than imposing your will through sheer force on the ground. Johnson did it for years in Detroit. Unfortunately, the Bears lack the wealth of talent up front that the Lions possess. They had three 1st round picks on that line. Chicago has one (Darnell Wright). Johnson is trying to make things work with late round picks, former undrafted free agents, and older veteran additions.
It is incredibly difficult to build a successful unit that way. Still, these guys should at least be able to control the efficiency of their play. That is what’s driving Johnson crazy more than anything. He can live with a lack of talent. Poor fundamentals are something else entirely. Jones was a message to everybody else. Be on top of your responsibilities; otherwise, this head coach won’t hesitate to make changes.
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