LAKE FOREST, Ill., — Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson is putting players on notice after a 0-2 start to the season. Following a 52-21 throttling at the hands of the Detroit Lions in Week 2, Johnson is hoping to get more out of his roster, saying they will have more competition for playing time.
"The way that we've talked about it as a coaching staff going into this week is we're going to have a lot more competition," Johnson said on Monday. "I've alluded to it before, what these guys look like when the ball's not in their hands. That's a big deal for us."
When the head coach got here his phrase "no block, no rock" caught the attention of those following the team. And it's what you do when you don't have the ball that is as important as when you do have the ball.
After watching the film, Johnson noted some plays he didn't like and changes could be coming.
"There were some plays there yesterday that we weren't quite as pleased with what that looked like on tape," Johnson said. "So, we're going to find out this week at practice who wants to practice hard and who wants to be a little bit more involved with the game plan here going into Sunday."
The head coach didn't go into specifics but one has to wonder if getting rookies Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III involved more is in the plans. So far, the two have combined for just six targets and two receptions.
That's not ideal for your top two picks of the draft, including one going No. 10 overall. With no real consistent flow in the offense as well as other options at their respected positions, getting those two involved has been a bit of a puzzle for Johnson. That could could soon.
"I knew that first game, the tight end position wasn't going to be featured as much," Johnson said. "I was hopeful that this game, we would bounce back a little bit more, both with (TE) Cole (Kmet) and Colston. I think Luther's slowly gaining the trust as we go here. We're trying to get him more packages as we're going. "
Digging yourself into an 0-2 hole is never a good thing but if it helps wake up some players on the roster, then so be it. But this week could be a reality check for some as they look to get this thing on track before it spirals even more out of control.
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