When Matt Eberflus arrived as the new head coach, he made one thing clear. The Chicago Bears would start operating with a changed identity. It would involve a specific mindset. To help players understand what he wanted, he crafted the plan into an acronym: H.I.T.S. It stands for Hustle, Intensity, Takeaways, and Smarts. Players were expected to run hard on every play, operate with controlled ferocity, force or limit turnovers, and not make dumb mistakes. It might come across as corny, but it was a philosophy that had served Eberflus well for years. The trick was getting players to buy in. Jaylon Johnson was one such example.
The third-year cornerback had a strong season in 2021. He’d emerged as one of the best players Chicago had on defense. He was used to operating a specific way regarding training, practice, and playing. Changing those ways wasn’t easy to accept. Johnson admitted as much during his recent press conference, stating he didn’t think much of the H.I.T.S principle when Eberflus first preached it.
Jaylon Johnson needed time to accept his new reality.
This revelation might explain why the cornerback was briefly demoted during spring practices. The coaches sent a message that they didn’t care what status he held with the previous regime. If Johnson wanted to play defense for them, he’d have to do it their way. He accepted the new reality and was soon given back his rightful spot in the starting lineup. It appears the adjustments in playing style are working too. He’s been active in coverage throughout training camp, getting his hands on lots of footballs.
This is a big season for Jaylon Johnson. The third year is when a player starts thinking about a contract extension. If he can put together a productive 2022 campaign, a handsome reward might be waiting for him in the off-season. That was even more incentive to embrace H.I.T.S. The philosophy has served other cornerbacks well. Kenny Moore reached the Pro Bowl last year for Indianapolis. Byron Jones did the same in Dallas under Rod Marinelli. Charles Tillman became a borderline Hall of Famer under Lovie Smith.
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Johnson can become a star in this system. He must be willing to make the sacrifices.
Watch your mouth. Peanut is a HOF cornerback. Period
Borderline? Borderline HOF? Give it a few years. Peanut belongs.
Well bears_down, why you always posting negative comments? If you’re so down on the bears all the time why you waste your time reading these articles? Maybe get a hobby or spend your time in a more constructive way dude.
Well Bill K because he wasnt running the whole team. Are you new to football? I mean it is well know the Authoritarian system they implemented gets stale and it fails much sooner if they dont win. I am not saying they wont win just saying if they dont in 4 years you will be posting stuff like I posted. Dont be mad that you are behind in the learning curve
Bears_Down,
If these “so-called” tactics like HITS seem to work less over time, why was the Colts D consistently one of the best in the NFL under Flus’ for four years in a row?
4 years is a lifetime in the NFL…