NEWSLETTER
Thomas Brown met the media today after leading his first practice as the Chicago Bears interim head coach, and while winning the press conference means very very little in the grand scheme of things, what he had to say was very refreshing.
I won’t get too heavy into details – Patrick already handled that and did a great job covering Brown’s media availability – but there was one quote that stuck out to me that was really refreshing to hear.
Brown was asked about what he wanted this team’s style to be under his lead. Brown gave a lengthy answer about the need to play violent, physical, and disciplined, and to maximize opportunities. One line from that answer really stuck out to me:
When we have an opportunity to excel on game day, go cut it loose, play with no fear.
Thomas Brown
Thomas Brown Wants An Aggressive Mentality
I’ve been writing about here or talking about on our Bears postgame shows since last year that too often over the last two seasons the Chicago Bears have played more just not to lose than to win. We saw that multiple times this season, highlighted by the Packers game and sitting on a timeout and 34 seconds on the clock.
I think the most glaring example of it was in Week 18 last year when the Bears were coming off a blowout win over Atlanta where both sides looked great. They couldn’t make the playoffs, but they were going into Lambeau Field with a chance to eliminate Green Bay. Instead of letting it rip with nothing to lose, they played (and coached) overly conservatively and lost a 17-9 clunker.
Actions speak louder than words, but I hope that over the next five weeks, we see the Thomas Brown-led Bears abide by that mantra. Cut it loose, have no fear. Brown is coaching for a shot at a permanent head coaching gig. Players are playing for new contracts and jobs next year. I really want to see this team just let things rip over the next five games. I’m not saying to play dumb and careless, but let’s take some chances. Go for it on a fourth down near midfield. Try to make a big throw in a tight window. Send some extra pressure when a quarterback is getting into a rhythm. Play to WIN.
By this point, I sound like a rambling meatball fan. But seriously, it was just so refreshing to hear a head coach sound confident and ready to go for it. Over the last three years, we didn’t hear a single press conference like this, and that conservative, hesitant mindset spilled over into gameday. My biggest hope after what we heard today is that Brown’s message and mantra of having no fear also spill over into gameday.
I want to watch a Bears go for knockouts and not just try to win by decisions. There are five more games in this season. Let’s start having some fun and cutting it loose. Teams almost always take on the mindset of their coach. And if Thomas Brown is ready to coach with no fear, I think this team will follow suit on the field. Let’s have some fun the rest of the way!
