Yes, THAT C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Besides Javon Wimms punching him, C.J. also got the immortal Anthony Miller ejected from a playoff game.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson most definitely has been productive when on the field.
He’s big [5’11, 210], long and rangy. Still relatively young [27]. Versatile: can cover, tackle, blitz – play FS, CB, and NB. This helps with the uncertainty of both Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson [NTM J.J.]. Playing for Dennis Allen on the Saints also greatly expedites his learning curve which is, uhhhmm, about 4 days.
He absolutely contributed to the Eagles’ SB run; they still love him in Philly [fits right in], but now C.J. has become a journeyman, and it isn’t for lack of talent, so what gives?
Character flags.
He’s a mouthy agitator on the field, and who the hell knows what off it, but Allen [who greenlit drafting him] and Ben Johnson apparently believe they can manage him.
I like this signing. It’s a high upside-immediate need move that didn’t cost any draft capital or major cap.
If C.J. wears out his welcome in a month, well, hopefully by then Stevenson and Gordon are healthy.
This also is more evidence that B.J. seems more in charge of roster build than Ryan Poles. As we all know, most Bear GMs only want Boy Scouts. Now, this could simply be ‘any swinging d*%k’ desperation at DB, but it could foreshadow that future Bears may not have to be Ned Flanders.
In addition Bears signed DE Jonathan Garvin to PS [probably because Shemar Turner was put on IR with a torn ACL while Dominque Robinson is sidelined for a few weeks with a high-ankle strain].
Garvin’s 6’4, 257, 26 yrs old and was the 242nd overall pick in ’20.
Chicago signed native CB Dallis Flowers. 6’1, 196, UFDA, 28 who also returns kicks [ran a 4.43].
TE Steven Carlson [mostly a blocking TE/FB] also back.
Overtime:
‘Caleb won’t bust. He’s too talented for that. The bigger fear is that he turns into Kyler Murray or Trevor Lawrence – a QB who fails to live up to expectations but still starts. A guy who’s going to cost $45M/yr to be the 15th best QB’ – Danny Parkins
I honestly don’t know what’s the best solution to get Caleb Williams out of this funk. Y’all know my M.O.
Sit them as rooks for as long as humanly possible, preferably a whole year like Mahomes. Needless to say, this assumes competent coaching and continuity which Poles failed to provide Caleb.
However, plenty of QBs who started day 1 have prospered [Peyton, Burrow, et al], so playing through the rough times is equally viable.
I sorta suspect the benching Caleb so he can learn ship has sailed [like his accuracy. Zing!]
In for a penny, in for a pound, comes to mind.
That being said, if B.J. decides Caleb needs to sit for a few games, then fine. For those arguing Caleb can’t learn anything from a brief sabbatical or a younger player, Sam Darnold partially credited his turn-around to learning from a younger Brock Purdy, specifically about being more of a point-guard as opposed to an ESPN highlight. Sound familiar?
Most likely outcome will be Caleb keeps taking his lumps and hopefully progressing.
Either way, I just want Caleb to ball.
It would suck major azz to know Maye, Daniels and Bo were better options.
Helllllooo drafting Cendrunk instead of Rodgers, Trubisky over Mahomes….
With that in mind