Sometimes the best sound bytes are the ones you probably weren’t supposed to hear. These often involve when coaches are talking to each other about players during a practice. Former Chicago Bulls GM Rod Thorn tells an iconic story of how shortly after selecting Michael Jordan 3rd overall in 1984, he attended a team practice. It was there a coach went up to him and stated, “Boy, you sure didn’t screw this draft up.” It happened again when cameras caught former quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo and offensive coordinator Bill Lazor fawning over Justin Fields. Well, now Luke Getsy is the guilty party.
Cameras followed the offensive coordinator and other coaches during rookie minicamps back in May. It was there they caught Getsy having a conversation with head coach Matt Eberflus. The topic was running back Roschon Johnson. Getsy thought he had a good idea of what the 4th round pick could do after watching tons of film on him. It turns out Johnson has far exceeded his expectations. Enough to where he is convinced Johnson will make a big impact in the NFL.
Luke Getsy has worked with some pretty good running backs.
It, of course, starts with Aaron Jones in Green Bay. There was also Eddie Lacy and Jamaal Williams. Going back even further, he spent a year watching Dion Lewis at Pitt. Getsy has seen all variations of running backs in his young career. For him to say Johnson will be a good player is noteworthy. The rookie has made positive impressions in almost every practice, and this is before they even get into pads. Many experts have already predicted Johnson will emerge as the starting running back before the 2023 season is over.
That is saying a lot considering two proven guys, Khalil Herbert and D’Onta Foreman, are ahead of him. His biggest window to fulfilling that prediction lay in his versatility. Johnson is a good runner, but he’s also a good receiver and pass protector. Herbert and Foreman can’t make claims to those last two traits. Luke Getsy seems to already have visions of what he can do with this young man forming in his head. All of this while Johnson showcases his intelligence and leadership in the locker room.
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I’ve said it before that when the Bears drafted Roschon, the writing was on the wall for Herbert. Don’t be surprised if the Bears trade Herbert before the deadline this year, especially if holdouts and injuries happen during training camps. Roschon was drafted to be the guy and Ebner is a Poles pick and most likely will be moved to the practice squad or made inactive.
Well, I wouldn’t call it ‘gushing’ but the buzz about Roschon is pretty universal. He’s going to be one hell of an RB.
My comp for him is Matt Forte. Deceptively fast. Equally dangerous as a runner and receiver. Perhaps more power. Great pass blocker. Intelligent. And a great teammate.
I have high hopes for him. I can see him starting out as 3rd on the depth chart and being number 1 by seasons end.
Keeping fingers crossed.
Everything sounds great this time of year!