Joniak's Journal: Bears Rookie LB John Timu Impressive Against Vikings
By Jeff Joniak--
(CBS) The Bears (5-9) visit the Bucs (6-8) for a noon contest Sunday. Here are my observations leading up to the game.
First impression
A nine-tackle debut at inside linebacker for undrafted rookie John Timu caught the attention of teammates and coaches. A former three-time captain from the University of Washington, Timu diligently worked his way into an opportunity and was instrumental in slowing down the Vikings' rushing attack last Sunday. WBBM Bears Radio analyst Tom Thayer kept thinking of former Dolphins star linebacker Zach Thomas when he watched Timu play the run.
On Monday night on the Bears Coaches Show on WBBM, linebackers coach Glen Pires remembered back to his days of coachingThomas in Miami, so he has good context on the comparison.
"Something that you look for and I think you noticed in the game was before the ball was snapped Timu's body language," Pires said. "He was calling out formations, he was recognizing pre-snap awareness, Zach was a master at that. He did a terrific job during the week in preparation, and John has those qualities. That's what I was looking for. How was he going to be prior to the snap? His body mannerisms and his communication were excellent and he kept that going for the entire game."
No one's saying Timu is going to be the next Thomas. But as a former fifth-round pick of the Dolphins in 1996, Thomas was undersized at 5-foot-11, 242 pounds and played with fire and instincts. He also played mentally faster than his foot speed. Timu is 6-foot, 247 pounds and also plays with fire and instincts and is mentally faster than his foot speed.
Second thought
Six-year veteran safety Sherrod Martin, 31, has played 10 games on special teams, collecting five tackles. He's on a team of young players learning how to cover kicks and punts.
"When things are going good you've got to keep fighting, you've got to keep grinding to get better," Martin said. "When you're facing adversity, you've got to keep grinding, you have to keep getting better. So at the end of the day, it's a non-stop grind and always trying to improve."
The coverage units have steadily improved over the course of the season. Martin played for Bears coach John Fox in Carolina as well, so he knows exactly what Fox wants in terms of toughness from his players.
"I'm pretty tough," Martin laughed. "I take toughness as -- most people think just physical -- I take it mentally. Sometimes when you see young guys get discouraged, you have to let them know you might not get the snaps during the week, but you still have to pay attention, you still have to learn the game, you still have to catch on so when your number is called, you are mentally tough so you are still on that grind and you are not holding yourself back."
Third degree
During Lovie Smith's nine years as coach in Chicago, the Bears led the NFL in forcing offenses into three-and-outs. This season in Tampa, his Buccaneers are last in the league forcing three-and-outs only 16.5 percent of the time. Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio's unit is fourth in the league in three-and-outs, forcing them at a 25.5 percent clip.
It's a big jump from last season for the Bears. Where the Bears are lacking currently is in making big plays defensively. They've forced only 12 fumbles, recovering seven. They've swiped only 10 passes, ranking 27th in interception percentage. They are 31st in the league on third down. The Bears are also last in the league in forcing negative runs, with just a rate of 5.5 percent.
Fourth-and-short
Knowing how much Smith demands takeaways, it no doubt pains him to have any game without one. The Buccaneers are winless in six games without an interception this season but 6-2 with one or more. They are 2-5 without a fumble recovery but 4-3 with at least one. Under Fox, the Bears are 2-5 without a takeaway, 3-4 with at least one.
Jeff Joniak is the play-by-play announcer for the Bears broadcasts on WBBM Newsradio 780. Follow him on Twitter @JeffJoniak.