Teammate Shares Responsibility for Braxton Jones' 2022 Struggles
Braxton Jones was undoubtedly one of the standout stories for the Chicago Bears in 2022. As a 5th round pick from Southern Utah, he defied expectations and emerged as their starting left tackle during training camp. Despite a roster lacking in talent and optimism, Jones held his own against more experienced defenders and showcased impressive run-blocking skills, earning recognition as one of the best left tackles in the NFL.
However, like any rookie, he had his share of flaws, most notably struggling with power rushes in pass protection. His lack of anchor strength led to several instances where the pocket collapsed from his side, resulting in sacks or Justin Fields having to scramble.
While Jones has taken ownership of this issue, a fellow 5th round pick from the same year, Dominique Robinson, believes he also played a part in the problem. Robinson, a defensive end, showed flashes of potential but failed to sustain them throughout the season. He attributes this to his lackadaisical approach in developing his pass rush skills, particularly his power game, which he ignored even during training camp. Jones believes that this attitude had a detrimental effect on both of them.
However, the good news is that both Jones and Robinson have recognized and addressed this issue. Robinson has made it a priority to utilize his power game more frequently in this year's training camp. During the offseason, he sought guidance from former All-Pro edge rusher Robert Mathis, who had an impressive 123 sacks in his career. Mathis' expertise, coupled with his experience in a variation of the Tampa-2 defense that Bears' coach Matt Eberflus employs, provided Robinson with valuable tips on evolving his game and maximizing his power.
What's interesting is that Robinson has the physical strength to be a formidable force on the field. He impressed with 25 bench press reps at the combine and showcased a 41-inch vertical jump. The fact that he neglected to utilize this power last year is perplexing. Fortunately, Jones has made it a point to ensure that it won't happen again, and the defense will undoubtedly benefit from Robinson's improved power game in the upcoming season.
As training camp continues, both players will continue to grow and develop, pushing each other to new heights. With their determination and commitment to improvement, the Bears' defense looks poised to be even stronger when the real games kick off in September.
| POLL | ||
29 JUILLET | 38 ANSWERS Teammate Shares Responsibility for Braxton Jones' 2022 Struggles Is Braxton Jones a good starter? | ||
| Yes | 29 | 76.3 % |
| No | 9 | 23.7 % |
| List of polls | ||
