Is Eberflus the cause of the Bears biggest issue? This season we have already heard several players quoted on how coach Eberflus’s camp is vastly different then Matt Nagy’s. Darnell Mooney, and Jaylon Johnson to name a few. How in the world could that be a bad thing?
Nagy was soft
As we hear more on how Matt Nagy ran his training camp it sounds more like a 6th grade summer camp then an NFL training camp. That combined with sitting players the entire preseason it’s evident Nagy wasn’t getting his men prepared properly. This isn’t an issue with new coach Matt Eberflus. His men will certainly be prepared. The one’s that are healthy week one anyhow. With how things are shaping up they could be short quite a few players come opening day.
How much is too much?
Not only has coach Eberflus put Nagy’s camp to shame, but he has one of the hardest camps going. I’m all for whipping players into shape but is coach Eberflus going too far? The Bears have the second most players on the injury report as of August 20th. You could say that’s tied to how coach Eberflus is running his camp. Calling guys out for their effort like Eddie Jackson, who the very next day after being ripped by Eberflus was in on the tackle that injuried N’keal Harry. Asking guys to step up the intensity. Hard hits aren’t the only cause of injuries. Non contact injuries often occur when a player is fatigued and lazy. Not always the case, but more times the not. You also hope this doesn’t cause any locker room issues. So far that monster has yet to show it’s head.
It’s part of the game
You can’t say for sure that coach Eberflus’s camp is a direct correlation with the Bears injuries. It certainly could be a factor though. There isn’t a handbook on home to run a camp so who’s to say his is right or wrong, but I do like his style. I also like what he’s doing with guys in the preseason to this point, He’s the exact opposite of Nagy. Injuries are part of the game. Watching Hard knocks with the Lions, it seems they are running a camp similar to Eberflus’s and they don’t have as many injured players. Injuries can be a fluke thing, and that very well could be what’s happening to the 2022 Bears. I like Eberflus a lot so far and I’m not saying the injuries are on him, I’m also not saying he’s free of guilt.
Be yourself, coach Eberflus
Regardless if he is or isn’t at fault for the injuries he shouldn’t change. He needs to coach his style. Coaching is a lot like dating, in the sense that you need to be yourself and stay true to yourself. Otherwise eventually you will get exposed doing things your not comfortable with. Eberflus is a breath of fresh air after the Nagy Era. I’m in his corner and think he will do well here. I hope the injuries don’t become a staple of his camps.
