Bears HC Ben Johnson is bringing a high-level of intensity during the start of OTAs and it's exactly what the players needed to see in Chicago
The Chicago Bears wrapped up the second day of organized team activities on Wednesday and it was the first practice with media allowed in attendance.And the intensity of head coach Ben Johnson was on display holding all 91 players on the roster accountable for every little mistake.That kind of energy and mentality, this early in […]
The Chicago Bears wrapped up the second day of organized team activities on Wednesday and it was the first practice with media allowed in attendance.
And the intensity of head coach Ben Johnson was on display holding all 91 players on the roster accountable for every little mistake.
That kind of energy and mentality, this early in the offseason, is exactly what this team needed compared to how things looked last season.
"I don't really like to get into comparisons and stuff like that, but the intensity level of Ben Johnson I feel like is very evident," veteran safety Kevin Byard told the media. "A couple times where he's stopping practice, you can definitely hear him out there."
Such an environment from a first-year head coach is encouraging to see. When the Bears set out to find their next head coach, finding a "leader of men" was one of the top character traits requested by the players and the organization.
With Ben Johnson, everyone on the outside knew the Bears were getting a sharp offensive-mind, but no one knew what to expect from Johnson's leadership ability when it came to commanding a full roster of players.
"He's our leader, man. It's even across the board," newly acquired defensive tackle Grady Jarrett explained. "The standard is the standard. What I can say is, him and [Dennis Allen], they're not coming off of it. It's our job as players to put our best foot forward every day to reach what's expected of us. I'm excited for the standard he's setting for everybody across the board."
Hearing that from a 10-year veteran like Jarrett carries even more weight when considering all the different coaches and regimes he's been through in his career.
"This ain't a program where you try to be a guy's friend, pat them and hopefully they buy in. You gotta get with it," Jarrett added. "I've been around for a long time and that's the kind of culture you have to set early. When the expectations are high, that's what you want [as a player]."
Even for a player like newly-extended left guard Joe Thuney, who's played for some all time great head coaches in Bill Belichick and Andy Reid, the first impressions of Ben Johnson's culture he's setting have been outstanding.
"Everybody just seems to be really intent, intense, and focused," Thuney said. "That's something I want to be a part of. It's just guys working for each other and everyone just trying to improve bit by bit. It's a process and it's early. But, I think guys like working here."
Multiple players from various positions on both sides of the ball have now noted that Johnson's attention to detail has been specific and deliberate. He wants every player to understand their specific role on each given play and he's not afraid to call anyone out if they step out of line.
"We're just communicating that it's not good enough and we need a little bit better," Johnson explained on Wednesday when asked about the mistakes in practice.
Following the NFL Draft, Ben Johnson noted that some players might feel uncomfortable coming back into the building with the added pressure. But, it's great to see everyone seems to be falling in line and helping set this new culture. Johnson certainly seems like the kind of guy who can turn things around in Chicago based on all the early reviews.
