Brown on coaching style: "I just believe in being authentic, being myself" |
CHICAGO—Interim offensive coordinator Thomas Brown brings a totally different personality to the Chicago Bears' offense. The previous offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron, seemed to like energy.
That could never be said of Brown, who brings energy and authenticity to the locker room while also keeping a player-centered focus. “I just believe in being authentic, being myself. Definitely, I think everything about personalities, myself (and) anybody else is developed over time. I think being in specific roles, being in front of groups, you learn to find your voice, learn to figure out what works for you but also it’s ultimately about the audience. How do you bring the best out of the people you’re communicating with and talking to? … It’s about understanding, still being my authentic self but also when I deliver, I’m never going to lie to you. I’m going to tell you the truth. But, how I deliver it is based on what brings the best out of you,” Brown said. “I think it’s about finding a balance. (We’ve) made some great improvements and great strides, but being good is not to be confused (with) being good enough. So, I can be better. (Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams) can be better. The entire group can be better. So, I think it’s about finding that balance and also what each individual player needs.” Williams needed a play-caller who would teach him to have no fear—to take calculated risks without being reckless. This is a central part of Brown’s approach to coaching. However, Brown also feels the Heisman winner has not even come close to unleashing his true potential. “It was very obvious we had no fear at all, which is I think the way we want to have him be able to play. I think about being aggressive and taking calculated risks. So, aggressive is not being reckless. It’s two different things. So, not putting the ball in jeopardy. He’s (done) a really good job of taking care of the football, obviously making some tight window throws which is why you get drafted No. 1 overall, to make those big plays and I think when it comes to end of the game, end of the half, he’s delivered in a big way which I think sometimes goes unnoticed because of the result,” Brown said. “In my opinion (he) has not even scratched the surface of how good he can be and it’s my job, my focus, continue to try to find ways to make him the best he can be, hold him accountable, but also the entire group. So, it’s not just about him. It’s not a one-man show, myself as a coach or him as a quarterback. It’s about us all working (collectively) together to get the best result on game day.” Another thing that has helped Williams and the rest of the offense is getting wide receiver DJ Moore involved. Moore has 14 receptions over the last two games, including his second 100-yard game of the season in Chicago’s overtime loss against the Minnesota Vikings. His 106 receiving yards in that game were a season-high, and he is now leading the team in receiving yards with 566. “I think it’s easy to get him involved in the game. I think regardless of what (play) coverage wise try to play against him to take away possible throws, if you hand it to him, give him a bubble behind (the) line of scrimmage, you got to tackle him in space and that guy’s pretty dynamic when you get the ball in his hands,” Brown said. “So, it’s screens, quick game, throws, obviously vertical down the field throws, any way you can get our guys in space I’m all about.” It may not feel like it from watching the Bears this season, but they actually have two receivers with over 500 receiving yards. Rookie receiver Rome Odunze is second in Chicago in receiving yards with 518 yards. Odunze has been a bit more volatile, with two games over 100 receiving yards and five games under 40 receiving yards. His overall performance has been impressive, and Brown has taken notice. “Rome’s an absolute baller. It’s been that way from day one. So, I love his overall approach. I think he’s (an) extremely mature player, especially for his age. He’s been a no-nonsense guy when it comes to what we ask him to do whether it’s be involved in a run game and blocking, be involved in pass protection,” Brown said. “Obviously, being able to kind of be accountable when it comes to the game on the line. It’s two games in a row with fourth down calls (and) he’s made plays and again, it’s been aggressive plays and never fled with that mentality. But, he does it everyday in practice. To me, there’s a direct correlation between what you do throughout the week and what happens on game day.” Odunze could play an important role when Chicago takes on the Detroit Lions this Thanksgiving (11:30 a.m./CBS). The Lions are one of the best teams in the NFL thus far and Odunze has proved himself to be a reliable security blanket at times for Williams.
