Cubs News: Kmet on change in offensive culture under Thomas Brown |
CHICAGO - Tight end Cole Kmet is one of the only players on the active roster who was with the Bears the last time they played a Thanksgiving game. That matchup was also against the Detroit Lions back in 2021, and the Bears won 16-14.
The Lions are very different than they were back in 2021 as they are now one of the best teams in the league and incredibly aggressive, something that will play in their favor on this short week for both teams when the Bears play the Lions on Thanksgiving this year (11:30 a.m. / CBS). “They’ve probably been the league’s best in both offense and defensive categories. They rank highly in a lot of those things, in a lot of those areas. So, just a good opportunity for us. I think we’re all confident with the game plan that we got, the matchups that we have and we’ll see what we can do,” Kmet said. “The most violent team going into a game usually wins and it’s hard to bring that violence considering how guys’ bodies feel after (Sunday) and the turnaround of that. But, that’s what you got to bring if you want to win these games.” Through the first 11 games of the season, the Lions have outscored their opponents by 177 points and have won in dominant fashion on multiple occasions. In their past two games, opponents have scored a combined 12 points while they have a combined 76 points. They often play with a lead, which Kmet believes greatly benefits their defense and their style of operation. “When you’re playing from a lead like they are, you’re able to do a lot of different blitz and pressures and you can be a little bit more aggressive in the coverage just because you got that leeway with the scoreboard that they’ve had at times,” Kmet said. “So, definitely their offense gives them that ability when they’re able to put up points very quickly in the game and get a two, three score lead. Now, as a defense, you can play I think a little more aggressively. (They have) fed into that and they do a lot of different things.” Chicago’s offense has not been the greatest this season. However, it has been better under interim offensive coordinator Thomas Brown the past two weeks. Brown brings a mentality and energy to the offense that the previous offensive coordinator, Shane Waldron, simply did not possess. “His ability to bring the intensity and that type of culture to an offense,” Kmet said. “I know when he was here, he was a never-go-down type of guy and a never-quit mentality and always pushing the pile forward or staying up to get that extra one or two yards.” While Brown’s presence has undoubtedly benefited the entire offense, one person it has really helped is rookie quarterback Caleb Williams. His command of the offense and ability to make checks at the line of scrimmage, make post-snap reads, and get the ball out to the right place at the right time have improved Brown’s offense. Kmet said he has noticed it the most in the huddle. “For me, it’s the confidence in the huddle. I think that’s been the main thing … For me, that really stands out and when (Williams) understands and knows what the play call is, it gets in quickly and (we get) to the line of scrimmage, he’s able to make checks if necessary and able to read out the defense and play fast,” Kmet said. “I think he’s just been able to get into a flow much better and as a result, we’ve been able to convert more first downs and get drives going and then be able to get everyone involved from there.” Williams will need that confidence when facing the Lions. After two close games against the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings, the Heisman winner will make his third attempt at a first-division win as an NFL quarterback.
