What the Chicago Bears were missing from Tarik Cohen in 2020

Breaking down film on Tarik Cohen and the Chicago Bears

There is a lot to break down in this play. First, let’s start up front with the offensive line. Left tackle Charles Leno Jr. and left guard James Daniels will seal the backside of the formation. Next, center Cody Whitehair will pull right behind right guard Bryan Witzmann and climb to the linebacker.

Witzmann will block down on the defensive tackle and seal him because Tarik Cohen is designed to run right behind him. Whitehair and Witzmann executed what can be referred to as a pin and pull.  Lastly, right tackle Bobby Massie will reach the standup linebacker.

The action in the backfield is very important and Trubisky and Cohen execute it perfectly. The handoff between the QB and the RB is referred to as the mesh. It is a crucial part of the RPO. Instead of handing it off immediately to Cohen, Trubisky rides the mesh with his eyes upon Rams linebacker Mark Barron.

If Barron were to run with Cohen off the snap, Trubisky would have an open window to throw the ball to Trey Burton. Instead, Barron hesitates and it’s a clear handoff read for Trubisky. Nothing but daylight for Cohen. Barron eventually reacts to the run. But his path to the football is disrupted by his own man being blocked downfield. Also, with Cohen’s burst through the hole, it’s hard to catch him.