Johnny Knox is Showing Off At OTAs
by Adam T on Jun 8, 2009 9:33 AM CDT
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Buried among all the bits of info coming out of OTAs, like a random "Cutler connects with Hester in stride" story and the "Bears continual search to throw everybody at the safety position except for the grounds crew", is this small story about Johnny Knox.
Knox thus far has been the most impressive rookie the Bears have.
Knox, who is arguably the fastest player on the field, has shown sticky fingers in almost every practice, catching anything within his grasp and rarely having a bobble, let alone a drop. He's still got a long way to go before he gets on the field once the regular season begins, but Knox will challenge for playing time in three and four-wide receiver sets if he continues to show the same sure hands and run-after-the-catch ability. "It's coming along each day," Knox said. "I have to take my time and just have to get the feel of the quarterback, but I am feeling really comfortable each day."
The Bears wide receiving corp is still thier biggest question mark. Hester should continue to improve and Cutler will only help there, but after that the Bears have a bunch of rookies and a second year guy. Anything a rookie can give us is a huge deal.
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I can just picture this now...
The north end-zone at Soldier Field will be known as “Knox-ville.” It will become a tv-camera favorite much like the Dawg pound… with fans wearing Knox jersey’s and hanging large signs below the 1st row. Johnny will be doing the Bears version of the Lambeau leap 8 times a year into that endzone:)
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
I could go for that
He stays healthy and it could happen.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
He'll be out there ASAP
It’s going to be far too tempting to field two guys out there in passing situations with 4.3 speed. There’s a lot to like about this kid- along with having vacu-hands, apparently he’s an able and willing blocker in run situations.
I heard somewhere that he’s already doing “timing route” exercises with Cutler while not actually being lined up in first team drills. I’ll try to post the link. Just a little side practice on some things. You gotta love to hear that.
Hmmm.
Knox, who is arguably the fastest player on the field
It’s not that I don’t believe this but j/w was Knox at the combine? If so what did he run? And what was Hester’s number again?
by Sam Householder on Jun 8, 2009 10:01 AM CDT reply actions
Knox was 4.34 at the combine
New guy here. Been reading for a while. I’ve become kind of a Johnny Knox fan. Hope he pans out.
http://www.nfl.com/combine/top-performers?tabIndex=0
Here they say 4.26 Wow…
Wiki says Hester’s official best is 4.27
Knox ran a 4.26 at the combine... the fastest in 2009.
Hester ran a 4.27 at his Pro Day at Miami (his combine numbers were less than stellar).
Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.
As a whole,
The OTA’s are going very well (getting excited). If Knox can be a solid contributer in his first year, I just may recommend to JA, “trade the first 2 picks every season”.
Knox...
initially i was wary… another abilene christian guy… but it occurs to me that the bears “unique” focus one abilene christian may have allowed them to find a diamond in the rough…
Abilene Christian's RB
Bernard Scott, was also drafted by the Bengals last year. The Bears definitely put the Abilene Christian program back on the map with when they drafted Manning, but Knox wasn’t a complete unknown. The post-draft reports noted that many teams were interested in him.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
Good hands and speed
Maybe he will take over punt returns to make the team.
Fielding punts is a lot different than catching a pass.
I’d rather have him be a move-the-chains guy with great YAC numbers instead.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
Oh yeah..
I’m feeling the same way about Knox. Take a look at two vids for further affirmation.
First the latest highlights from CB.com showing the Bears O in action. If I didn’t know better I’d think Knox was the #1 receiver based solely on this highlight reel. Notice the sweet, little juke he makes after one catch:
http://www.chicagobears.com/multimedia/multimediapopup.asp?mm_file_id=1505&play_clip=Y&rn=5
Second, for the poster asking about whether Knox was fast at the combine: Look at this video (no need for me to comment, it speaks for itself but the simul-cam feature is pretty awsome:)
Commenting on the chicagobears.com video,
I’m not the biggest Metal fan in the world. But when coupled with football highlights, PURE GOLD.
Does anyone know why
all the rookie WRs were wearing track pants instead of shorts. Is it a rookie haze?
I think Forte was wearing track pants too???
by CutlerDabears on Jun 8, 2009 6:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe it was just chilly
Not everything needs to have a big meaning.
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
Hey, both Urlacher and Kreutz washed their hands after taking a leak!
Discuss.
:-D
"They tried to take out the quarterback, and if they managed that, they tried to take out the backup." - Bears SB20 TE Emery Moorehead, on the mentality of *that* defense
Sorry
Wow. That sounded really bitchy.
Sorry. Didn’t mean for that. :-P
How much longer til football?
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
Nah, it didn't sound bitchy
"They tried to take out the quarterback, and if they managed that, they tried to take out the backup." - Bears SB20 TE Emery Moorehead, on the mentality of *that* defense
Did you notice...
How many highlights on that video were pass completions using a planned roll-out? That was interesting since the boot-leg has been seldom used by the Bears— but we know that Cutler loves to throw on the run. If this is any indication, it seems like we are indeed going to see some new looks from the Offense this season and the fact that they are already practicing that before camp even starts is a good thing.
Also, just generally speaking, the practices look pretty intense considering these are only OTA’s…
Also... Hanie is very mobile as well.
It’s a good thing… our #1 and #2 QBs can both use the same playbook, and our O-line doesn’t have to make any radical protection adjustments.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
Great point
God. I’m so ready for football. :-(
There is no infinity button for failing in sports. At some point, things turn. They always do. - Bill Simmons
Touchdown Knox
A video is cool but you should see him seperate from defenders up close its like everyone is standing still except him, Dilusional Trip!
Have you seen him?
You say that as though you have seen him play in person or something?
And, I don’t think anyone who has looked at his measurables would doubt that getting separation against the comp he played in college would be an issue. The issue I foresee his getting off the line of scrimmage against NFL press corners with all the hand skills and leverage tricks they have perfected over the years.
Ditto
This is true of any rookie WRs coming into the league. Usually the tough transitions are getting through press-coverage and getting in/out of breaks quickly (separation).
"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus
"Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack." - Sun Tzu
Ditto x 2
I made a similar comment the other day. Let’s wait and see if he can break the jam off the LOS, and get into his route.
OTAs are the typical hype machine time for rookie skill position players at Halas Hall.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)
.
Getting off the los at first might be a challenge
but i dont think he will have a problem getting seperation after he gets that figured out. Cant wait to see him play!!
Hear about the blind hooker, you gotta hand it to her.
Rex Grossman has to be a test-tube baby, cause he's not worth a f---!!!
by Bears fan 4-ever!!! on Jun 8, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions
If he has trouble getting off of press...
Turner needs to use Knox like Royal and Jackson were used last year, lots of moving before the snap which makes it impossible to jam them.
Probably...
he will be a slot guy on three and four receiver sets, initially. If that’s the case, he won’t be seeing a lot of jamming at the line as he’ll be matched up with safeties usually. At least initially. Once again, two guys on the field with 4.3 speed is just phenomenal.
the very thought makes my toes curl!!!
again, purely speculation, but if he continues to impress, he might just see some playing time in those aforementioned 3-4 WR sets. by the time those safeties turn their hips, he’ll be gone!!! then what??? and hester, think, has matured GREATLY as a WR this offseason!!! sure, it’s little/no contact, no pads, yada yada… but i’m just so impressed with his hands! i’ve said it before that i wouldn’t mind going into this season with what we have, but i’m not gonna’ lie… i’ve officially fallen off the fence. ..seeing the way that bears jersey looked with the #17 on it seems too tempting to an acquisition to pass up. media states that JA said “NO”, but i’ve read and re-read those articles and to me, he’s saying “NOT NOW”… he even goes on to say that they will continue to monitor his situation… hmmm
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
Imagine this...
You’re a star WR in the NFL. You’re allowed to play only in the second half of the season. You have three teams vying for your services. Your primary objective this year is not income but rebuilding confidence in you as a franchise so that you can sign a lucrative long term contract in the off season.
The first team has a new new, unproven head coach who cares only about defense and is rebuilding its offense around a rookie QB. That team is also based in the same local as the one you just embarrassed yourself in and had to spend countless hours of court time in.
The second team has a totally new, unproven youngest-in-the-NFL coach, a totally new defensive scheme, has 5 different guys fighting for a QB role, a high profile TE who wants all the balls thrown his way and seems to be going nowhere.
The third team just acquired onf of the best young QBs in the league, has an open spot at the #1 WR spot, a talent speedster at the #2 spot, plays in one of the largest media markets in the country, is two years removed from the Superbowl and one of the elite defenses in the NFL….
Which one do you chose, given your objectives of making a difference for half a season and a playoff run in order to nail a lucrative post-season contract?
I tell you what: If he gets off easy in court next week, I think Iglesias may be taking some cash and changeing his number.
honestly, i think we share the same brain...
i just had that coversation with a friend of mine(who happens to be a bucs fan). also, with the proven leadership in our locker room, in addition to the fast rising leadership in cutler, i can see him being put in check here in chicago… although, that last reason may very well be our undoing.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
Defense
can’t be considered elite. Elite is classified as top-five; the Bears were like 23rd or 24th overall last season. Certainly, Cutler alone would give the “leg-up” in giving Chicago the most likely destination for Buress.
"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus
"Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack." - Sun Tzu
No doubt...
if I were Plaxico, I would sign with the Bears. I’m not sticking around the New York market and who the hell knows what’s happening in Tampa. It gives me a shot to prove my value/good citizenry with a playoff caliber team with a QB that can get me the ball in crunch time.
What’s even better in my mind is that the Bears can get him crazy cheap and not even have to worry about signing him next year. He is 31 after all. If things play out the way I think they will, I could see Brandon Marshall’s agent getting in touch come 2010.
by uli on Jun 8, 2009 1:41 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm looking for a new fence partner?
My old partner fell faster than a pass to R. Davis.
LMAO!!!
i was runnin’ the FB dive and got knocked backwards, lost my balance!!! my bad!
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
...just following your lead!!!
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.
All the comments and fp's about picking up a veteran WR
and when it comes down to it, I think the WR’s we have now will surprise everyone.
Hear about the blind hooker, you gotta hand it to her.
Rex Grossman has to be a test-tube baby, cause he's not worth a f---!!!
by Bears fan 4-ever!!! on Jun 8, 2009 12:36 PM CDT reply actions
Looking good
While everyone has been wanting a possession receiver, I bet Cutler can do a lot with two guys as fast as Hester and Knox. I think the Bears have had solid “possession receivers” with Clark and Olsen so adding some speed to draw out the field could lead to big things.
Rumor has it Alex Brown keeps Chris Simms' right index finger in his back pocket for good luck.
I really like Olsen as the possesion guy
we’ve seen Olsen split out before and I can imagine having two guys with great speed to take the corners deep would only help Olsen by giving him room to work underneath.
by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on Jun 8, 2009 3:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Question...
“Knox, who is arguably the fastest player on the field, has shown sticky fingers in almost every practice, catching anything within his grasp and rarely having a bobble, let alone a drop. He’s still got a long way to go before he gets on the field once the regular season begins…”
Does this make a whole lot of sense to anyone? He is fast & can catch? What would keep him from being on the field?
I know, I know… route running, blocking, knowing the offense… Beggers can’t be choosers and the Bears are practically begging for a receiver to step up. So if a rookie QB can step in for the Falcons and Ravens, I think the last thing on anyone associated with the Bears mind’s should the fact that Knox is a rookie.
Knox
Should replace Rashied this year. I would like to think a guy with his speed and demonstrated hands should be able to beat out that ass-clown.
But let’s see him do it against our #1 D in training camp, and then I’ll be sold.
I love summer, but the start of the season cannot come soon enough!
BEAR DOWN!
I'm really not trying to one up you but...
EVERY receiver on the roster should replace Davis this year.
Hester and Knox
Will be our counter to Berrian and Harvin. Guess what we win with the better QB.
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