Film Study: Bears LB John Timu earns more playing time
Film Study: Bears LB John Timu earns more playing time
WRITTEN BY ADAM JAHNS POSTED: 12/21/2015, 03:33PM
Bears LB John Timu tackles Vikings RB Adrian Peterson. (AP)
Coach John Fox’s first season with the Bears will be a losing one after the Vikings manhandled them at TCF Bank Stadium.
This week’s “Film Study” looks at rookie linebacker John Timu’s strong performance and right tackle Kyle Long’s struggles.
Timu tackles
Considering he was just on the practice squad and was making his first career start, Timu had an exceptional game. He was aggressive taking on blockers and looked instinctual maneuvering through traffic.
Timu played primarily in the Bears’ base 3-4 defense and was on for 38 of their 62 defensive snaps. According to coach reviews, Timu had a team-best nine tackles, including eight solo stops and one for loss. He also had two other tackles for loss negated by penalties.
One of the most impressive aspects of Timu’s day is how he soundly tackled Vikings star back Adrian Peterson. He tackled Peterson twice for one-yard losses in first half, but both plays were overturned by offside penalties.
Every tackle Timu made but one came within three yards or less. Timu had a three-yard tackle for loss on Peterson in the third quarter.
Timu’s best stop came in the first quarter, when he pursued Peterson left-to-right and made a strong tackle after Peterson turned the corner. Peterson only gained three yards, but was looking at more.
Timu also nearly snuffed out a 30-yard screen pass to back Jerick McKinnon before it took off, but was impeded by guard Mike Harris, who appeared to get away with a brief hold.
“I saw a guy that’s instinctive, much like I kind of thought he would be,” coach John Fox said Monday of Timu. “He’s earned that opportunity. I thought he did a pretty good job.”
