It was a subtle change in the Bears’ running game in Sunday’s 31-3 victory at Atlanta, but it signaled a major step in the development of rookie running back Anthony Thomas.
Before last week, coaches prepared game plans that inserted Thomas in designated situations.
Offensive coordinator John Shoop sidestepped identifying what any of those situations might be, but it was that limited role that accounted for Thomas catching a pass on the first play against Minnesota, then never taking another snap in the game.
The “Thomas plan” changed Sunday, and it did so in a way that moved Thomas closer to a shot at being the No. 1 tailback in an offense trying to center on the run.
Coaches scripted Thomas into selected series rather than dropping him in on plays based on down and distance, field position or play selection.
That meant that Thomas was replacing starter James Allen for that possession, not simply enabling Allen to rest. It will happen again.
“[Thomas] will get more playing time,” said coach Dick Jauron. “He’ll be scripted in all the time. So we’re really excited about where he can go and what he adds to us.”
Thomas responded by gaining 57 rushing yards, most by a Bears back this season, in 11 carries, a 5.2-yard average. He also ran 32 yards on a burst off the right side for the Bears’ final points. It was the longest run from scrimmage by a Bears back since third-down back Glyn Milburn ran 49 yards in the Nov. 7, 1999, win at Green Bay.
Thomas is averaging 4.7 yards per carry (66 yards in 14 carries), nearly double the average of Allen (48 carries, 115 yards, 2.4 average).
But Thomas, who missed most of training camp with a knee injury sustained at the end of the first exhibition game, won’t be starting just yet. That injury may be the reason he isn’t starting yet.
“I’m healthy now and just trying to get stronger and to play better,” Thomas said. “My injury, missing a couple of games, that was the main [reason coaches limited his play], just making sure that I got to the NFL tempo, because it’s a different level from preseason to the regular season.”
At the University of Michigan, the 226-pound Thomas was the main hammer in the Wolverines’ offense, with 924 carries in four seasons. Despite the preseason injury, Thomas insists he is ready to be the featured back the Bears want, someone who carries 20 to 25 times a game.
“I think I’m ready for it,” Thomas said. “I’ve conditioned myself. I know all the plays, exactly what’s going on, and I’m ready.”
The Bears are ready for more of Thomas if his fourth-quarter touchdown run was any indication of what is to come.
Before that 32-yard run through a right-side hole opened by guard Chris Villarrial and tackle James Williams, Thomas had gained 25 yards in seven carries. Most of his runs were for little or no gain, most of the yards coming on an 18-yard run in the second quarter.
But Shoop’s philosophy of running the ball involves staying physical, with the hope that eventually the defense will crack. The touchdown run was exactly that kind of situation, taking advantage of huge size advantages at the point of attack and a big, straight-ahead back going into the hole with no hesitation.
“It’s just an off-tackle play,” Villarrial said. “[Thomas] knew where it was, hit the hole and the rest was history. That felt great.”
For now Allen will remain the starter, although Jauron indicated flexibility in thinking of who will get the bulk of the work. Allen had 12 carries Sunday to 11 for Thomas, and the question now becomes who will carry the ball more.
“We’ll stay with James [starting],” Jauron said. “I have great confidence in James. That being said, Anthony will be in there, though. He’s going to play, and he’s going to play more.”
