Johnny Knox is confident when the preseason ends he will be back in the starting lineup for the Bears, but offensive coordinator Mike Martz says the speedster isn't ready. The demotion of Knox behind newcomer Roy Williams creates an interesting situation. By no means does it remove Knox — who played on 88.2 percent of the snaps in 2010 — from the offense entirely, but it dramatically reduces his role at wide receiver. If he can't displace Williams for the Sept. 11 opener against the Falcons, there's a better than fair chance he will push for a new home, according to a source. This is a guy, after all, who thought he would be talking contract extension before the end of the season and now has to surpass a competitor coming off three mediocre seasons with the Cowboys. "He just has to get better. He has to play better," Martz told the Tribune on Wednesday. "That's all. It's just like when Johnny came in, Earl (Bennett) was the starter. We pushed Earl aside for Johnny because of the speed. We kind of gave that job to Johnny. That wasn't really earned. And once you get in this league, you should earn. "He just was not ready, not because he can't do it or he's not talented. The preparation, the consistency that's required … he does a lot of good things, but they have to be good all the time. That's what Roy is. "You just don't get there in a year. Not at the 'X' (primary) receiver. That's the position. Not only does he have to prepare better. Just with everything, he has to be a perfectionist. And young players feel like it's given to them, when it's not. So he's learning that, just like everybody else." Source: Chicago Chronicle
As long as Knox plays until he hears a whistle and doesn't give up on plays, he'll be fine. Thats the only knock I have on him.
