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‘A complete reset’: Chicago Bears are challenging Jaylon Johnson to earn the trust of new coach Matt Eberflus

Since the day he joined the Chicago Bears a little more than two years ago, Jaylon Johnson has emphasized the biggest prerequisite for top-tier cornerbacks.“Have a short memory,” he said again Tuesday.AdvertisementSo perhaps it was apropos that when Johnson was asked about making notable individual growth during a 2021 season full of failure by the Bears defense, he couldn’t remember the pronounced struggles.“What made our pass defense not very good?” Johnson asked with genuine curiosity. “It’s easy to say we weren’t good. But I want to know the numbers.”AdvertisementWell, for starters, Bears opponents posted a 103.3 passer rating, the highest allowed by any NFL defense.Only the Washington Football Team and Indianapolis Colts allowed more touchdown passes than the 31 the Bears gave up.The Bears also finished in the bottom five in interceptions (eight) and yards allowed per pass attempt (7.6) despite allowing only 191.6 passing yards per game.[ [Don’t miss] The Bears are back at Halas Hall for OTAs. Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of their roster. ]So what was that experience like for Johnson, emerging as a reliable cover corner on a defense that had its issues?“I mean, I felt like I was struggling too,” he said. “At the end of the day, we’re all in this together. We just have to be on one page. I feel like a lot of things (last season) were more mental than physical.”Fair enough.Now its on to the future and into the latest phase of the Bears’ massive reboot, which is continuing with the first week of organized team activities in Lake Forest. Johnson took the practice field Tuesday with a lot of new faces around him. He has a new head coach in Matt Eberflus, a new defensive coordinator in Alan Williams and a new defensive backs coach in James Rowe.The Bears also used last month’s draft to make upgrades to their secondary, adding cornerback Kyler Gordon and safety Jaquan Brisker with second-round selections. Both rookies project to be Week 1 starters.AdvertisementJohnson is observant enough to realize there’s a whole lot of starting over again happening at Halas Hall — even for established veterans.[ [Don’t miss] Bears 2022 schedule: Here’s who they’ll play — and our predictions for each matchup ]“It’s a complete reset,” he said. “Everything I’ve done in the past with the other coaches, with the other staff, it really doesn’t mean anything.“I mean, the film is not going to lie to you. But at the end of the day, they want me to show them what I can do in person.”So what can Johnson teach the new coaching staff in the next month during OTAs and minicamp?“It just comes down to work ethic,” he said. “It’s just earning that respect as a hard worker and doing extra. I mean, right now it’s not too much about production. It’s really about knowing your assignment and playing hard.”Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson works out Tuesday, May 17, 2022, during organized team activities at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)Johnson was impressive through large stretches of 2021, raising his hand to shadow the opponent’s top receiver when necessary and showing he’s more than capable of growing into an NFL standout. His interception total (one) through two seasons leaves something to be desired, but he earned respect throughout the locker room last year with his competitive edge, to-the-point voice and tone-setting approach to practices and games.AdvertisementOn multiple occasions, former Bears safety Tashaun Gipson endorsed Johnson as an emerging star with the potential to become a top-five cornerback in the league. But at least for now, Eberflus is challenging Johnson to prove himself every day.After saying Tuesday that Gordon has been “lighting it up” in practice this week, Eberflus called Johnson “a work in progress,” emphasizing that the third-year cornerback has plenty to work on.When pressed for specifics, Eberflus stressed the need to see Johnson play with his own eyes more frequently.“I want to see him in person,” Eberflus said. “I’ve got to have time on task. So I don’t really know how to answer that question right now. … I’ve got to see the guy cover. I’ve got to see how he takes his angles, how he plays the ball. I’ve got to see all those things before we’re going to start diving into the details of that and coaching him.”[ [Don’t miss] 7 questions for 7 positions as the Bears prepare for OTAs — the next step in the offseason program ]Johnson noted vast differences in the system Eberflus and Williams are installing from the ones he played in under coordinators Chuck Pagano and Sean Desai during his first two seasons. For starters, in the Bears’ new scheme, cornerbacks will have their eyes on the quarterback more often while asked to master the nuances of zone coverages.But after feeling a breakthrough in Year 2 with his comfort level and confidence, Johnson feels certain he can cross the necessary bridges quickly.Advertisement“I feel as confident as ever,” he said. “I don’t feel like there’s anything I can’t do.”He also acknowledged the enthusiasm he felt three weeks ago when the Bears used their top two draft picks to add to the secondary.“(I was) excited just to have some high-level guys come in and be able to contribute,” Johnson said. “They’re ballhawks. They’re ball hungry. That’s definitely a good thing, knowing they’re aggressive.”ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 11 Meet the Chicago Bears’ 2022 NFL draft class. (Jae C. Hong/AP)To that last point, Johnson expressed a the-sooner-the-better attitude toward getting Gordon and Brisker on the field and locked in with the starters.“I’d throw ‘em in the fire if you’re asking me,” he said. “I mean, they’re our first two draft picks. I feel like we’ve got to see what they can do right now. And then we can know what the attitude and what the vibe is heading into camp.“If I was the coach, I wouldn’t ease them into it. I would throw them out there.”AdvertisementAs the Bears continue their transition, they need Johnson to play a prominent role and continue to push himself. That process must accelerate in May and into June so that Johnson can earn the coaching staff’s full trust before training camp.

Sports

Orioles’ Matt Harvey suspended 60 games for drug distribution following testimony in Tyler Skaggs-Eric Kay trial

Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that Orioles pitcher Matt Harvey has been suspended 60 games without pay for violating the league’s joint drug prevention and treatment program.The suspension, retroactive to April 29, is for “participating in the distribution of a prohibited drug of abuse,” which came to light during Harvey’s testimony in the February trial of former Los Angeles Angels employee Eric Kay for the death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs.AdvertisementKay was found guilty of two felony counts and faces a minimum of 20 years in prison for distributing drugs to Skaggs, which led to the Angels pitcher’s overdose death in 2019. Sentencing is scheduled for June 28, according to ESPN.Matt Harvey’s 60-game suspension, retroactive to April 29, is for “participating in the distribution of a prohibited drug of abuse,” which came to light during Harvey’s testimony during the February trial of former Los Angeles Angels employee Eric Kay for the death of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs. (Ulysses Muñoz/The Baltimore Sun)Harvey, 33, was among the players who testified they received oxycodone pills from Kay while with the Angels, though Harvey also acknowledged that he had given oxycodone to Skaggs and used cocaine during his career.AdvertisementAt the trial, Harvey, who spent last season with Baltimore, said he believed his testimony would threaten his career.MLB said in February that it would conduct a review of the matter after the trial was completed, and it was reported a suspension was a possibility. In April, the Orioles signed Harvey to a minor league deal, with executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias acknowledging that Harvey was in a “very unique situation.”“Obviously, he’s in the situation he’s in right now because of off-the-field things,” Elias said last month. “But getting to know him last year, understanding his approach to what’s gone on, our point of view is that this was something that shouldn’t prevent him from having another chance with this organization, especially with the way he conducted himself last year.”A right-hander who started the 2013 All-Star Game and starred for the New York Mets before spending time with the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals and Angels, Harvey had a 6.27 ERA in 28 starts for the Orioles in 2021 after signing a minor league deal with them in spring training. Harvey had been pitching in extended spring training games in Florida.“We support all aspects of MLB’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program and their ruling in this particular case,” Elias said in a statement Tuesday. “I am glad that Matt now has the opportunity to put this part of his past behind him and pursue another shot with our organization after serving his suspension.”Before the Orioles’ second game of their series against the New York Yankees, they shuffled their bullpen.Baltimore recalled right-hander Logan Gillaspie and selected left-hander Nick Vespi’s contract from Triple-A Norfolk. To create roster spots, the Orioles optioned infielder Rylan Bannon and designated left-hander Logan Allen for assignment.Gillaspie, 25, was added to the Orioles’ 40-man roster this offseason after signing with Baltimore in June. He began his professional career in independent leagues, playing catcher, first base and shortstop in addition to pitching, before signing with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2019. In nine outings between Double-A and Triple-A this year, Gillaspie had a 3.14 ERA.AdvertisementAlthough they chose to protect Gillaspie from being exposed in the Rule 5 draft, the Orioles didn’t secure Vespi, an 18th-round pick in 2015. But because of the league’s 99-day lockout, the Rule 5 draft was canceled and Vespi remained with the organization. He didn’t allow an earned run over 14 1/3 innings with Triple-A Norfolk, striking out 21 batters.“I’ve been working on this day since 2015, so I’m excited that it’s finally here,” Vespi said. “Right now, I’m still a little numb.”Orioles prospects Robert Neustrom and Nick Vespi are facing an uncertain future. It’s only fueled them. https://t.co/KFhEbJgyMS— Baltimore Sun Sports (@BaltSunSports) May 12, 2022

Added manager Brandon Hyde: “He’s pitching lights-out in Norfolk. … It’s nice to see somebody who’s gone down and really dominated a level and really earned his way here.”One of five players Baltimore received from the Los Angeles Dodgers in return for Manny Machado in 2018, Bannon, 26, went 2-for-14 in his first major league stint. Allen, 24, made three appearances for the Orioles after they claimed him on waivers from Cleveland about two weeks ago, allowing three runs in 1 2/3 innings.Left-hander John Means was in Baltimore on Tuesday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery last month, stopping by the Orioles’ clubhouse and saying hello to teammates.First baseman Ryan Mountcastle (left wrist forearm strain) hopes to come off the 10-day injured list when first eligible this weekend.Outfielder Austin Hays was in the Orioles’ lineup for the first time since suffering severe cuts on his left hand when diving into first base Thursday. Shortstop Jorge Mateo, dealing with sore ribs after a collision with Detroit first baseman Spencer Torkelson on Sunday, won’t start until Wednesday at the earliest, Hyde said.Right-hander Dean Kremer (strained left oblique) will start Wednesday for Double-A Bowie to begin a rehab assignment. The Orioles hope to build him up to pitch multiple innings. “It’s going to take a while,” Hyde said.

Sports

Triton women’s softball team wins regional championship; on to nationals

Triton College’s women’s softball team celebrated its Region IV championship with its trophy Sunday in Freeport, Ill. With their latest title, the 49-7 Trojans booked a trip to the National Junior College Athletic Association national championships May 24 to 28 in Oxford, Alabama.Triton is riding on the strong right arm of pitcher and strikeout queen Alyssa Stramaglia. Stramaglia is 23-2 and pitched complete games on back-to-back days to clinch the regional title in Freeport.AdvertisementMelrose Park’s Stramaglia is an alum of Fenwick High School in Oak Park. Batterymate Lucy Goodwin of Oak Park, who has impressed with her clutch hitting, attended Oak Park-River Forest High School. Shortstop Celeste Boshold hails from Elmwood Park High School. And Northlake’s Breanne Deutscher sharpened her game at Leyden High School. Their coach is Christina Christopher.Triton College in River Grove is a two-year public community college that serves students from Oak Park, River Forest, Elmwood Park, River Grove, Franklin Park, Northlake, Norridge, Harwood Heights and other western suburbs in its district.