Following defensive coordinator Alan Williams’ resignation in September, the Chicago Bears fired running backs coach David Walker on Wednesday, leaving coach Matt Eberflus without two assistants.
Walker was a member of the Bears for two seasons. After Matt Nagy was replaced by Eberflus after the 2021 season, he was hired.
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Eberflus stated, “As the head coach, we are building a programme.” “As a staff and organisation, we have expectations to meet both on and off the pitch. And those requirements weren’t fulfilled.
With a franchise-record 3,014 yards of rushing last season, the Bears led the NFL behind quarterback Justin Fields (1,143 yards) and running backs David
Khalil Herbert (731) and Montgomery (801). Despite Herbert and rookie Roschon Johnson’s injuries and Montgomery’s March signing with Detroit, they are sixth in the league this year.
Omar Young, the wide receivers and assistant quarterbacks coach, assumes the role of running backs coach.
Montgomery (801) and Khalil Herbert (731). They are sixth in the league this year despite the injuries to Herbert and rookie Roschon Johnson as well as Montgomery’s signing in March with Detroit.
Running backs coach Omar Young takes over from assistant quarterbacks coach and wide receivers coach Omar Young.
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De Beer wants to win more derbies.
After enjoying a wet, windy, and successful first encounter with a Welsh derby at the BKT URC, Tinus de Beer, the new fly-half for Cardiff Rugby, is hoping for different circumstances and a different kind of game this weekend, along with another victory over local rivals.
The South African playmaker made four shots on goal last Sunday, helping the Arms Park visitors defeat the Dragons 16–9 at Rodney Parade.
He will then travel west to experience more of the Derby Day atmosphere and the Scarlets game on Saturday night.
He says that following a heartbreaking home loss to Benetton in Round 1, the hard-fought victory over the Dragons was much appreciated. “It was an entirely different group of boys in the locker room,” the Pretoria native, 27, remarked.
When we arrived the previous week, there were heads hanging. We were aware that we let the game get away from us. We took that lesson to heart, turned the tide, and prevailed. The boys’ victory meant a lot to them. We had been talking about this, our derby, for the entire week.
It was really difficult outside due to wind, rain, breakdowns, and contact points. You mostly just rely on the forwards in those circumstances. As we say back home in South Africa, the forwards bring the piano, and the backs play it. We backs just played the piano, but the forwards deserve all the credit for carrying the piano during breakdowns, scrums, and lineouts!
It was truly memorable to win my first league game while wearing a Cardiff jersey. Our outcome was achieved as the boys persevered until the very end. We’re going to play the Scarlets, and the boys and coaches both appear happy. I’m glad we got the four points. We have to perform better because that is another important game for us.
“We are looking to play an exciting game of rugby. If the wind and the rain allows that, hopefully we can put more tries on the board. That’s ultimately why we play the game, to be exciting, to be brave and pounce on opportunities. Maybe this week we can do that.”
Having missed two successive penalties in the second half against the Dragons, De Beer held his nerve to land the kick that took Cardiff clear. “As a kicker, you have got the elements to deal with, the wind, it’s raining. I think it’s just going back to the basics,” he said.
“That’s why we practice it week-in, week-out, Monday to Friday. It’s just having confidence as well. You miss a few, but you keep knocking on that door. You have to be brave and step up and take those kicks. You get one, you lose one, that’s just how it goes. I was really thrilled I could get that last one for the team to give us that buffer.”
Born, raised and educated in the South African capital of Pretoria, De Beer has had a passion for rugby from a young age. “I probably started playing at about six or seven,” he recalls. “I think the first present I got was probably a rugby ball. I just fell in love with the sport from day one, from since I can remember.
“Obviously I am not that big now, but at a young age I was really skinny, so there wasn’t really a place for me in the forwards. So it was basically between scrum-half and fly-half and I just thought I would have a crack at fly-half. I just love playing there, being in control of things.”
Coming up through the Blue Bulls system, he represented South Africa at Schools and U20s level, going on to have spells with the Griquas and Pumas.
Now he is looking to make his mark in Wales. “I always wanted to go abroad and play rugby there,” he explained. “When I had the contract from Cardiff in front of me, it was an easy decision. It’s a great club, rich in tradition and rugby heritage.
“So many well-known performers have performed here, including Jonah Lomu. Signing with the team felt like a dream come true.
Based on his early performances, De Beer appears to be a very good addition. When he has the ball, he challenges the line and plays a great offloading game. Against the Dragons, he demonstrated the entirety of his kicking repertoire with a series of deft dinks over the top, raking touchfinders and probing cross-kicks.
“A few years back, I was completely just a kicking fly-half, driving the team forward with the boot,” he says, reflecting on how he has changed as a player.
However, I had to discover the hard way that’s not how the game is intended to play. A fly-half with the ability to run and kick as well as make wise decisions early on is now sought after by more teams.
“I have focused a lot of my attention on the attacking aspect of the game, not ignoring the kicking side, but approaching running and kicking with greater openness. I believe it’s important to strike a healthy balance between the two. In the end, that’s what a proficient fly-half is.I’ve picked up a lot of knowledge over the years. I am now much calmer and more mature.
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