Practice What You Preach

Bears’ head-coach Ben Johnson got all Tom Thibodeau-y while addressing the media at Halas Hall yesterday. “We go back to square one,” he informed reporters.” It’s back to the bottom again, and we’ve got to build this thing back up.” Danger, Will Robinson, Danger! [above and following quotes in today’s Tribune] You can’t start next season until the current one ends on February 8. By striking this “let’s get cracking” note, Johnson comes off as Tom Thibodeau 2.0, someone incapable of living in the moment. Thibodeau wore out his players wherever he went, always intent on winning the game at hand, then ignoring the win once it was achieved to focus on the next game on the schedule, November or May, it didn’t matter. Johnson may wear himself down in the same way. Practice what you preach, Coach. Johnson also said he told quarterback Caleb Williams he needed to “get out of football a little bit.” Indeed, Williams has been spotted around town this week at Blackhawks’ and Bulls’ games. Some of that would help Johnson prevent burnout.