Tag Archives: Chicago

NFL

Bears to Hire Johnson

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One of the hottest names in recent coaching cycle history, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, is finalizing a deal to become the 19th head coach of the Chicago Bears.

Johnson, 38, began his NFL coaching career in 2012 as an offensive assistant with the Miami Dolphins. He climbed the Miami coaching ladder, eventually becoming their wide receivers coach in 2018. Johnson joined Detroit in 2019 where he started as a quality control coach before becoming their offensive coordinator in 2022.

Under Johnson’s tutelage, former number one overall pick Jared Goff led the Lions offensive to multiple top five finishes in total offense including the number one spot in 2024. Now he takes over a team led by another former number one overall pick in Caleb Williams.

The addition of Williams, along with wideouts Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, to an offense that already had a number one option in wide receiver D.J. Moore gave Bears fans hope that they’d escape the dismal performances they’d grown accustomed to. However, Williams didn’t develop as quickly as the team hoped. That, paired with multiple offensive coordinators and head coaches, along with below average offensive line play led the Bears to another disappointing season.

Now enter Johnson, a former walk on quarterback at North Carolina. Though his offense in Detroit featured star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and other stud pass catchers, the roots of the Detroit offense were heavily entrenched in its top tier offensive line, grit, and a two headed monster at running back.

While the open air stadium Bears offense played like a finesse dome team, the dome dwelling Lions were built like a blue collar three yards and a cloud of dust team that loves to punch you in the mouth. Given their struggles and lack of identity, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Johnson carry that identity to the Windy City.

Johnson’s work with Goff, his offensive ingenuity, and the type of offense he ran in Detroit make this a home run hire for Chicago and will allow Williams to develop into the type of player the Bears thought they’d get when they took him at number one in last years draft.

With promising players on defense, weapons outside, and Williams at quarterback, a rebuilt offensive line could have the Bears trending upward quickly in an extremely competitive NFC North.

Browns, Draft, NFL

2018 NFL Draft Positional Rankings: Defense

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*All rankings final and based upon at least three watched games as well as combine and pro days.

EDGE

  1. Bradley Chubb, NC State
  2. Harold Landry, Boston College
  3. Marcus Davenport, UTSA
  4. Sam Hubbard, Ohio State
  5. Josh Sweat, Florida State

Interior D-Line

  1. Maurice Hurst, Michigan
  2. Vita Vea, Washington
  3. Da’Ron Payne, Alabama
  4. Taven Bryan, Florida
  5. Harrison Phillips, Stanford

Linebacker

  1. Roquan Smith, Georgia
  2. Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech
  3. Leighton Vander Esch, Boise State
  4. Rashaan Evans, Alabama
  5. Micah Kiser, Virginia

Cornerback

  1. Denzel Ward, Ohio State
  2. Jaire Alexander, Louisville
  3. Josh Jackson, Iowa
  4. Mike Hughes, UCF
  5. Carlton Davis, Auburn

Safety

  1. Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
  2. Derwin James, Florida State
  3. Ronnie Harrison, Alabama
  4. Jessie Bates II, Wake Forest
  5. Justin Reid, Stanford
Browns, Draft, NFL

2018 NFL Draft Positional Rankings: Offense

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*All rankings final and based upon at least three watched games as well as combine and pro days.

Quarterback

  1. Baker Mayfield,Oklahoma
  2. Sam Darnold, USC
  3. Josh Rosen, UCLA
  4. Lamar Jackson, Louisville
  5. Josh Allen

Running Back

  1. Saquon Barkley, Penn State
  2. Derrius Guice, LSU
  3. Ronald Jones II, USC
  4. Nick Chubb, Gerogia
  5. Sony Michel, Georgia

Wide Receiver

  1. DJ Moore, Maryland
  2. Courtland Sutton, SMU
  3. Calvin Ridley, Alabama
  4. Christian Kirk, Texas A&M
  5. Anthony Miller, Memphis

Tight End

  1. Mike Gesicki, Penn State
  2. Dallas Goedert, South Dakota State
  3. Hayden Hurst, South Carolina
  4. Mark Andrews, Oklahoma
  5. Troy Fumagali, Wisconsin

Tackle

  1. Mike McGlinchey, Notre Dame
  2. Connor Williams, Texas
  3. Tyrell Crosby, Oregon
  4. Kolton Miller, UCLA
  5. Orlando Brown, Oklahoma

Interior O-Line

  1. Quenton Nelson, Notre Dame
  2. James Daniels, Iowa
  3. Isaiah Wynn, Georgia
  4. Will Hernandez, UTEP
  5. Billy Price, Ohio State
Browns, NFL

Haden Says Goodbye to Browns, Hello to Steelers

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Berea— Earlier on Wednesday, the Cleveland Browns terminated the contract of seven-year veteran and two-time pro bowler Joe Haden. The move saved the Browns $7 million, leaving them to pay just $4 million of the $11.1 million he was owed for the 2017 season. Of course they would only owe that money if Haden signs a deal for less with another team.

Enter the Pittsburgh Steelers who signed Haden to a three-year, $27 million contract just after 4 p.m. eastern time on Wednesday. The deal is basically a one-year deal worth $7 million that allows the former first round pick to play with a winning team for roughly the same he would’ve been paid to play for the rebuilding Browns.

Haden, who three years ago may have been the best cornerback in the league, has dealt with a number of injuries that have slowed him down. The injuries to his groin and legs have restricted his change of direction ability and forced him to change the way he plays. If he can get his mind and body right, a big if, he can be a huge addition for the Browns AFC North rival.

In a statement, Browns Executive Vice President of Football Operations, Sashi Brown said,

We want to thank Joe for all he has done for this organization both on and off the field. He has been a great teammate and true asset to the Cleveland community.

These are very difficult decisions, we have the utmost respect for Joe, and in my eyes, he will always be a Cleveland Brown.

Haden added a statement on his Instagram account, stating,

I’d first like to take the time to thank Browns fans all around the world from the bottom of my heart for making Cleveland a happy home for the past seven years. I want to thank my coaches, the organization, and especially my teammates who have become family.

My god doesn’t make mistakes and I know the future is bright.

Good luck Joe. It’s been a pleasure.

For more of my thoughts, check out the video below where I discuss Haden, Cam Erving whom the Browns dealt to Kansas City for fifth-round pick, Chicago, and Cody Kessler.