One thing we’re already learning about Ben Johnson is the man isn’t afraid to be direct. He stated on his first day as head coach of the Chicago Bears that his intent was to win and win now. Not only that, but he called out the locker room by saying they need to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. It was a clear message that nobody should feel safe with their current situation. Not after a 5-12 season. That said, Johnson isn’t foolish. He knows he’s about to work with some really good players on both sides of the ball. One that has him particularly excited is DJ Moore.
The wide receiver has remained highly productive through some tough times in Carolina and Chicago. Despite some questions about his effort last season, he was still their most dependable target. That was despite Johnson’s assessment that he was never used properly in the two years he played under Matt Eberflus and his coaching staff. He went into details about what he meant on Waddle & Silvy for ESPN 1000, while also sending a message to Moore about what is expected of him moving forward.
Ben Johnson clearly did his homework on DJ Moore.
People wouldn’t know unless they looked that the Bears receiver was actually 6th in the entire NFL in yards after the catch with 588. He was the third-best among wide receivers. It is amazing the Bears didn’t do more to exploit that aside from lots of bubble screens. Where were the slants, shallow crosses, and quick outs? It seems Johnson was wondering the same thing. That is a clear signal the new offense will be geared around exploiting this obvious advantage.
The blocking comment was the most interesting part. Now before people jump to conclusions, he isn’t calling out DJ Moore for being a poor blocker. He actually had a solid grade last season among receivers with at least 200 blocking snaps, tying for 9th in the league. It feels more like Johnson was using him as a conduit to send a message to the rest of the locker room. Things will be different in this offense. If they want the ball, they better be prepared to contribute in every facet.
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@Airdalevfa86 — That last Green Bay game is exactly what I mean. I just didn’t express myself very well. DJ Moore was the “ultimate weapon” in such games — because just as the Lions Amon-Ra St. Brown has done consistently –.DJ was fully engaged, confident in himself, as welll as in his teammates — and ready to win! Tony Romo pointed out in one of the Lions wins, that Amon-Ra just kept working: making blocks for his teammates; running his decoy and primary routes at full speed — just grinding until the moment Goff needed him to make the game-clinching… Read more »
@TGena For me, that was an excellent response. Some really great points that I didn’t think of. The one part we’re a little off, and maybe I’m just recalling one event, is the ‘ultimate weapon’. I seen that man take MANY big hits on those bubble screens or WR-arounds and still get up and catch some big time passes late in games. The last Green Bay game comes to mind. He caught that luck pass for a first down I think. (The one that the defender missed coming over his back late in the game). And then, of course, that… Read more »
@Airdalevfa86 — That was a well-stated post! The response that I offer will not invalidate any of your factual statements — but rather, will shed just a little light on what it feels like to play with a player such as DJ Moore — and why HC Ben’s “tough love” plan offers DJ Moore an opportunity to “become epic” across the entire league. Let’s agree that DJ Moore is unique. He is simultaneously, the Bears best “running back” and their best wide receiver. What he is not (yet) is: ▪︎ the best teammate he can be (particularly in his role… Read more »
With his top 10 YAC, DJ should be utilized like the Lions St. Brown running slants, screens, digs, drags, crossers and flat routes to make use of Moore’s ability to recognize and exploit open space in defenses.
We still need a reliable burner WR. Scott is not that guy.
I’m not a GREAT football mind. I do know the game well (I think) and I do learn A LOT from some fine people on line (never in person) – Especially when it comes to finances, trades, draft, schemes, etc. That has helped me immensely. What I’m not usually swayed on however is player opinion. I will speak for myself here and say that DJ Moore, to me, is THE BEST WR the Bears have EVER had. And for 7 years this great receiver has been stuck in sh*t. Yeah, he still puts up numbers, but my Lord, one more… Read more »