RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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You probably knew this already, but it’s Caleb Williams’ second year of playing quarterback for Ben Johnson. And Dennis Allen’s second year of running the Bears defense for Johnson. And Ryan Poles’ second year of trying to give Johnson whatever he wants. And Bears fans’ second year of bowing at Johnson’s feet.
What’s not to love about Johnson, who led the Bears to an 11-6 season as a 38-year-old rookie head coach, won a division title and beat the Packers twice, including in a playoff matchup at Soldier Field ?
If there’s one thing Beardom would agree on as training camp gets underway, it’s that Johnson has his end of things locked down.
But does he? Is he really that far along in his own evolution as a head coach?
“Still feels like I’m drinking out of a fire hose, if that’s what you mean,” he said Tuesday at Halas Hall.
There’s still a heck of a lot coming at him and he’s just trying to keep up with it all, in other words. No extra charge for the translation.
Think about it, though: Johnson is in Year 2 at this. Compared with the Vikings’ Kevin O’Connell (Year 5), the Lions’ Dan Campbell (Year 6) and the Packers’ Matt LaFleur (Year 8), he’s still wet behind the ears, a greenhorn, the Carolina Kid. The division’s other coaches know a thing or two about a thing or two and are looking to knock the Bears and their intense, occasionally shirtless and profane hotshot of a coach down at least a peg. Johnson, better than anybody, must know it.
On the eve of camp practice No. 1, general manager Poles and Johnson took on questions and delivered answers that verged on the vaguely illuminating, hinted at truths and in some cases required — begged for, even — an expert’s translation.
What he said: “You guys will notice we’ve got two brand-new [practice fields], totally re-sodded.” — Poles
What he meant: “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it might be even nicer here than it is in Hammond, Indiana. By the way, please don’t mention the words ‘stadium fiasco,’ especially not while Kevin Warren is sitting right here in this room. It’s kind of a sore subject.”
What he said: “[Year 2] is a chance for us to create a new chapter of Bears football.” — Johnson
What he meant: “Look, I wouldn’t mind a redo of the last chapter, either, but anybody who thinks we’re going to rally like maniacs to win a jillion games in the fourth quarter again really doesn’t know how this whole NFL thing works.”
What he said: “It’s important to have that mindset that you’re always hunting. … We’re going to be hunting [as opposed to being the hunted] at all times.” — Poles
What he meant: “I'm not sure we can go back-to-back in this division, either, but have I mentioned the freshly sodded practice fields?”
What he said: “[Williams] has that ability to put on the Superman cape when the time calls for it.” — Johnson
What he meant: “You know what I’m already sick of? Needing that freakin’ cape all the time because we’re always losing. Sure, we had six fourth-quarter comebacks to win last season, and a seventh in the playoffs, but Tom Brady averaged exactly two of them over his career, right around the same as Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, John Elway, Dan Marino, Joe Montana … I could go on, but I’m out of breath.”
What he said: “[Left tackle] is going to be a great competition.” — Poles
What he meant: “Did I forget to go get a top guy at one of the most important positions on the field? My bad.”
What he said: “I really expect another layer of sophistication to occur within this building and with our players.” — Johnson
What he meant: “I will literally gnaw the face off of anyone who slows us down.”
What he said: “If there’s a guy that I’m really excited about, it’s [wide receiver] Luther Burden. … You can feel the fire inside of him.” — Poles
What he meant: “OK, so there’s some diva potential. And you know what? We’re here for it.”
What he said: “Now we’re at the point where [Williams] isn’t thinking about the play call, he’s not thinking about the cadence, the motion and all the ‘jigamarow’ before the snap.” — Johnson
What he meant: “That’s right, I said ‘jigamarow.’ If you don’t know what that means by now, I can’t help you.”
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