There were many problems with the Chicago Bears’ offense last year. Honestly, there have been problems with the offense for many years. Fans can count the number of times that side of the ball was superior to the defense on one hand in the past 40 years. It always starts there whenever people discuss why the team hasn’t had more success. Lucas Patrick understands the situation he is stepping into.
He stepped out of a pretty sweet situation with the Green Bay Packers. Few organizations have enjoyed more offensive success in the past three decades than them. Part of it was having the great fortune of back-to-back Hall of Fame quarterbacks. However, it goes beyond that. One player alone, even a quarterback, doesn’t define offensive success. It takes a collective effort of 11 guys. The new Bears center was asked on 670 The Score what helped Green Bay remain consistent on that side of the ball and what his new team needs.
“It boils down to accountability. I think the really great offenses that I’ve been a part of and others who I’ve heard coaches were a part of, every guy was accountable for his job. By doing so, every guy was then accountable for the guy next to him because they felt a greater ownership of what they had to do. So that’s what I’m trying to bring to this Bears team. I’m a guy that you can count on, day in and day out. I’m (going to) do my job and execute it as hard and to the highest athletic ability that I have.”
Lucas Patrick hunts. And finishes. pic.twitter.com/z4vhx6v0nf
— Zach Kruse (@zachkruse2) October 2, 2017
Lucas Patrick getting after it. Relentless & physical player with value as a swing IOL. pic.twitter.com/wHDDOJxMZS
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) August 23, 2021
Subscribe to the BFR Youtube channel and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
Lucas Patrick hit the nail on the head.
One of the biggest criticism of former head coach Matt Nagy was how his offense lacked accountability. No matter how many mistakes players made during games or in practice, it never felt like the coaches did anything about it. Jobs weren’t threatened. Playing time wasn’t reduced. Everything continued as if nothing was wrong. Nagy expected the players to learn from their mistakes and be better next time. He failed to understand that isn’t how it works. Some players might have the maturity to hold themselves to a high standard. In truth, most of them don’t. That is why leadership is needed.
Olin Kreutz was a perfect example. Nobody was allowed to go half-speed with him on the field. If they did, they wouldn’t survive the rest of the day. Lucas Patrick hopes to play a similar role. He can’t fix all the offensive problems on his own. What he can do is hold other guys to a high standard. When they make mistakes, he will call them out on it. No loafing is allowed. Either fix the problem or get off the field.
This is probably why Luke Getsy wanted to bring him in from Green Bay. He knew what the veteran could do for the Bears locker room.
Love the attitude brewing on both O and D
I love Lucas’ attitude. He knows what it takes to be on a winning offense. If he can rub off on other players and hold them accountable that would be great. We won’t know how good this offensive line will be until they begin to play together. Hopefully with some positive surprises!
I am looking forward to having a defense again that does not allow loafs. Guys like Urlacher, Briggs, Tillman and Brown used to enforce it even during film study. 11 to the football. If you go back and watch the young Lovie defenses they were fast and swarming to the ball. Haven’t seen that energy around here in a long time.
I like the talk but have heard it all before. The Oline is still a weakness and still is counting on late round picks and not that great vets. I do think they will be better than last year I mean really it will be hard to not improve
Touchdowns.
Bears offense needs touchdowns.