Chicago Bears: 3 Players who will benefit from new coaching staff

Tarik Cohen, Running Back

In addition to Shaheen, Tarik Cohen was another surprise pick Pace made that now looks like a good pick. Cohen had the nickname “Human Joystick” and showed why from his first steps on the field. At 5-6, 180 pounds he is undersized, but he possesses some of the quickest moves in the league. Trying to get a hand on him and bringing him down is a difficult task for defenders.

The ones who slowed Cohen down in 2017 seemed to be the Chicago Bears coaching staff. What frustrated many, Cohen wasn’t put out in the open space enough times. A few times they had him try to run through the middle of the line. Did the coaches want to end his career early?

Cohen broke out in Week 1 against the defending NFC Champions, the Atlanta Falcons. He had five carries for 66 yards on the ground and eight catches for 47 yards and a touchdown. The Bears nearly pulled off an upset, but in their last four plays inside the Falcons’ 5-yard line Cohen was on the bench.

Cohen was also on the bench on key drives in other games. Fox and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains explained that the rookie didn’t know all the plays in a two-minute drill. That may be the case. On the other hand, having him on the field gives the defense something else to think about, possibly freeing up another player.

I wished the coaches used him the way the New Orleans Saints used Alvin Kamara. Kamara had 120 carries for 728 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground and 81 catches for 826 yards and five touchdowns. Compare that to 87 carries for 370 yards and two touchdowns and 53 catches for 358 and a touchdown.

Fox preferred a traditional running game, and that’s what Howard gave him. Fox didn’t know what to do with Cohen’s gifts.

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With Nagy and Mark Helfrich like to use an up-tempo offense and like to spread the defense. This bodes well for Cohen. He’ll have much more space to move in, and that utilizes his skills fully. He’ll blow by just about anyone one-on-one. Have him go from the backfield or line him up at the slot and he’ll be one of the Bears’ biggest weapons.

Yes, these new coaches are in Chicago to help Trubisky. Their job is also to get the offense going. These three players should have big seasons in 2018 and help the fans forget the struggles of the last few years.