Matt Eberflus built a reputation in Indianapolis when he took over as defensive coordinator. Most new coaches often start cutting loose players they deem as bad fits for their system. It’s a common NFL practice that goes back decades. He took a different approach. Eberflus was willing to adjust the system to fit the strengths of his players, even if it meant making some tough compromises. A flexible coach is often a successful one. This is good news for the Chicago Bears.
However, don’t get it twisted. Eberflus has high standards. He’s made that clear from the moment he took over in January. Every single player on the roster will be expected to give their absolute maximum commitment to the team moving forward. He even has an actual measuring scale that will enable the coaching staff to tell whether somebody is or isn’t doing this. It doesn’t sound like the man fears making tough decisions either. If a player isn’t willing to give their full commitment, he told Adam Hoge of CHGO that he is fully prepared to let them walk.
No amount of name-value will compromise the standard.
“This is the first time doing it with an entire football team, but we know it works. We know what the standards are. We have the coaches that have already bought into it that are going to implement the system player by player. And certainly, it’s not for everybody.
It just isn’t. I said it (at the Combine), really two things: Do guys love football? They’ll show that on tape. And are they willing to work hard? And are they willing to stretch themselves to a new boundary they haven’t taken themselves to before?
And if you have that, it will all work out. Certainly there will be guys that don’t buy into it. That’s OK. It’s not for everybody. Maybe you need to go to a different team.”
Say this for Matt Eberflus.
He isn’t afraid to use the media as a tool to get his message across. He has done that multiple times already, stating with crystal clarity that players better be prepared to work. They’re going to run. A lot. This new defense isn’t complicated to learn, but it’s also difficult. That is because it requires nothing less than 100% hustle, intensity, and intelligence to function at a high level. Eleven players must fly to the football.
If one or two are giving anything less than their all, everything breaks down. That can’t happen. Hence the measuring scale. Everybody will be graded. If Eberflus and the coaches get a sense certain players are unwilling to meet this standard, then they will be free to seek employment on another team. It is nice to see a head coach have his priorities straight. Cutting players should not be about scheme fit as it often was with Nagy. It has to be about whether they are ready to make the sacrifices necessary to be great.
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