Most of the talk at Matt Eberflus’ Wednesday press conference centered on Justin Fields and the stagnant Chicago Bears passing game. That isn’t a surprise, mere days after the quarterback threw for only 70 yards in Green Bay. Eberflus acknowledged the performance wasn’t what the coaches hoped for and adjustments are needed. Still, he didn’t seem overly panicked about the situation. The team remains confident Fields can figure things out with more time and work.
However, Chicago’s defense couldn’t avoid Eberflus’ harsh criticisms. The head coach was asked about the poor tackling performance the unit put on against the Packers. It was a significant factor in why they ran for over 200 yards. One reporter asked him what the problems were and if the coaching staff was a bit more tolerant of such issues early in the season. Eberflus was quick to shut that down.
He will never, ever be tolerant of players executing below his standards.
Matt Eberflus continues to set the tone for this team.
He isn’t calling specific guys out. That isn’t what good coaches do. His job is to make sure everybody gets the message. The tackling on Sunday night was terrible. It also won’t be acceptable moving forward. It comes down to technique issues. Eberflus said guys are coming in way too high on their attempts, allowing strong backs like Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon to run through them. The best way to get runners on the ground is by taking out their legs.
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Players better learn to execute that way. Otherwise, Matt Eberflus will find somebody who will. He will never sacrifice his standards for anybody. Either you do it the right way, or you don’t play. That might seem harsh, but it’s how things must be done. Grading on a curve in the NFL is the fastest way to losing your job. Hopefully, everyone in that defensive locker room got the message.
Send a message to Getsy too. His stubbornness, and arrogance with stupidity will lead to a Nagy situation ultimately. This is Chicago not GB. Enough said
Blocking and tackling are fundamental in both the offense and the defense. When it is lacking as it was in Green Bay, we see the results. And it isn’t pretty!
If you can’t see what you are tackling, you’re technique is incorrect. Saw too many tired guys “reaching” out with their arms instead of squaring up and delivering a blow then wrapping up and driving their legs. I still think that first phantom call affected the level of aggression needed to get to the outside and contain the outside zone runs. I’ll never understand why if Green Bay is so good they need all the hokey calls they get.
Roquan, just another guy out there. Not worth the money or trouble.
Michael B., I don’t think there was a lack of effort. There definitely was a lack of discipline and some players taking wrong angles as well as poor tackling fundamentals. I believe that is what irked Flus more than anything…the very thing they’ve been working on since Day 1…fundamentals. Watching the tape, the interior DL actually did their jobs for the most part. It’s the DEs, LBs and Gordon who really failed in the run game defense. Well, Gordon failed all over the field, but that is what happens when you miss the majority of OTAs and training camp. He’s… Read more »