Tag: bears cornerbacks

Kyle Fuller, Jaylon Johnson have become dynamic duo at CB for the Bears

Through the first five games, Kyle Fuller and Jaylon Johnson have already proven to be quite the dynamic duo for Chicago’s defense.

[jwplayer UTBPGNYc-ThvAeFxT]

There were a lot of questions surrounding the cornerback position heading into the 2020 season. With Prince Amukamara’s departure and some injuries at the position, it was rookie Jaylon Johnson that got the start opposite two-time Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller in Week 1.

And through the first five games, Fuller and Johnson have already proven to be quite the dynamic duo for Chicago’s defense.

Defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend has praised Fuller and Johnson for their ability to play well in isolation, where they’ve found success through these first five games.

“You’re gonna know those guys are gonna be in man-to-man situations,” said Townsend, “but if you look at what they’re doing, we’re keeping guys from scoring touchdown passes, and that always goes [back] to those guys being on an island, along with a great pass rush and some other things that help. But you always know where those guys are. They’re doing what they’re supposed to do.”

In five games, Fuller has allowed a 57.2 quarterback rating *best in the NFL among players with 20-plus targets) and a 42.9 completion percentage (third best in the NFL). He’s also forced two turnovers — an interception and a fumble.

Then there’s the rookie. Johnson’s impact has been nothing short of spectacular. Through five games, he’s allowed a 76.2 quarterback rating (fifth best among players with 20-plus targets) and a 44.7% completion percentage (fourth best in NFL). All that being the second-most targeted cornerback in the NFL.

Luckily, Johnson’s had some good role models to lean on in his young rookie season, including the likes of Fuller, Buster Skrine and Eddie Jackson.

“They’re tackling well,” said Townsend. “You see how those guys tackle, how they throw it in there. It just goes to how those guys play. With Jaylon being such a young guy and with the group we have with Eddie [Jackson], Gip [Tashaun Gipson Sr.], Buster [Skrine], Kyle, all of those help him become a better player, which makes the tandem [with Fuller] even better.”

The duo of Fuller and Johnson has been one of the biggest strengths of this team through five games. And things are certainly looking up from here.

 

 

Kyle Fuller, Jaylon Johnson have become dynamic duo at CB for the Bears

Through the first five games, Kyle Fuller and Jaylon Johnson have already proven to be quite the dynamic duo for Chicago’s defense.

[jwplayer UTBPGNYc-ThvAeFxT]

There were a lot of questions surrounding the cornerback position heading into the 2020 season. With Prince Amukamara’s departure and some injuries at the position, it was rookie Jaylon Johnson that got the start opposite two-time Pro Bowler Kyle Fuller in Week 1.

And through the first five games, Fuller and Johnson have already proven to be quite the dynamic duo for Chicago’s defense.

Defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend has praised Fuller and Johnson for their ability to play well in isolation, where they’ve found success through these first five games.

“You’re gonna know those guys are gonna be in man-to-man situations,” said Townsend, “but if you look at what they’re doing, we’re keeping guys from scoring touchdown passes, and that always goes [back] to those guys being on an island, along with a great pass rush and some other things that help. But you always know where those guys are. They’re doing what they’re supposed to do.”

In five games, Fuller has allowed a 57.2 quarterback rating *best in the NFL among players with 20-plus targets) and a 42.9 completion percentage (third best in the NFL). He’s also forced two turnovers — an interception and a fumble.

Then there’s the rookie. Johnson’s impact has been nothing short of spectacular. Through five games, he’s allowed a 76.2 quarterback rating (fifth best among players with 20-plus targets) and a 44.7% completion percentage (fourth best in NFL). All that being the second-most targeted cornerback in the NFL.

Luckily, Johnson’s had some good role models to lean on in his young rookie season, including the likes of Fuller, Buster Skrine and Eddie Jackson.

“They’re tackling well,” said Townsend. “You see how those guys tackle, how they throw it in there. It just goes to how those guys play. With Jaylon being such a young guy and with the group we have with Eddie [Jackson], Gip [Tashaun Gipson Sr.], Buster [Skrine], Kyle, all of those help him become a better player, which makes the tandem [with Fuller] even better.”

The duo of Fuller and Johnson has been one of the biggest strengths of this team through five games. And things are certainly looking up from here.

 

 

Bears rookie Jaylon Johnson among highest-graded CBs through Week 2

Bears rookie CB Jaylon Johnson has jumped out to an impressive start in his two NFL games, and he’s garnered some recognition from PFF.

Chicago Bears rookie Jaylon Johnson was the seventh cornerback taken in the 2020 NFL Draft, and he certainly hasn’t forgotten that there were six others taken ahead of him. It’s something that has motivated him even more, determined to prove those six teams wrong.

And, so far, he’s doing just that.

Johnson is the third-highest rated cornerback in the NFL — not just among rookies — with a 80.3 grade, according to Pro Football Focus, trailing just Green Bay’s Jaire Alexander and the Giants’ James Bradberry.

Johnson has jumped out to an impressive start in his two NFL games, where he’s allowed three catches on seven targets (42.9%) for 55 yards. His five pass break-ups are the second-most in the NFL and he’s allowed a 64.2 passer rating when targeted, which is better than the six cornerbacks drafted ahead of him.

Johnson will face his toughest test yet when he goes against the Atlanta Falcons’ high-powered offense, which is averaging 32 points per game (5th in NFL) and 350 passing yards per game (2nd). He’ll also face a passing attack that features stars Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, who have combined for over 400 receiving yards and four touchdowns in two weeks.

Twitter reacts to Bears selecting CB Kindle Vildor

Kindle Vildor joins 2nd-round pick CB Jaylon Johnson as the other defensive back selected by the Bears in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Defense has been the focus for the Bears over their last three selections, as general manager Ryan Pace chose to draft Georgia Southern cornerback Kindle Vildor with the 163rd overall pick.

Vildor joins second-round pick cornerback Jaylon Johnson as the other defensive back selected by the Bears in the 2020 NFL Draft.

He also joins a crowded cornerback room, who will likely see plenty of time on special teams. The former Eagle had two interceptions and six pass breakups in 2019, despite missing time with an ankle injury.

See what fans and experts had to say about the latest Bears draft selection:

How do you feel about the Bears selecting Vildor in the fifth round?

5 CB prospects Bears should watch at NFL Scouting Combine

The Bears have a hole at cornerback following the release of Prince Amukamara, which figures to be a top priority heading into the draft.

The Bears have a hole at the cornerback position following the release of Prince Amukamara, who was one of the team’s first cap-casualties of the offseason.

Chicago has already signed CFL free agent Tre Roberson, who will be given a shot to win the starting job opposite Kyle Fuller. The Bears also have Kevin Toliver on the roster, who figures to get a shot. But the Bears will likely make cornerback a top priority during the NFL Draft.

With that said, here are five cornerback prospects the Bears should watch at the NFL Scouting Combine next week:

1. Jeff Gladney, TCU

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

The Bears should keep an eye on TCU cornerback Jeff Gladney, who draft stock has risen in a talented cornerback class. In 2019, Gladney had 31 total tackles, 0.5 sack, one interception and a career-best 14 pass breakups, which was tied for eighth-best in the country. Gladney is an athletic corner, a good tackler, especially on the perimeter, and puts himself in position to make a play on the ball.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5