We've spent the last few weeks discussing whom the Bears will pick as their new coach. Whomever that man is, he will have plenty to do. The Bears have a bevy of talent, including a cornerback who took a benching as motivation to become one of the league's best.
Tim Jennings wins Grizzly Detail's most improved because his game jumped up several notches in 2012.
In 2011, Jennings seemed to get his hand on the ball often, but that wasn't enough for the Bears defense. Chicago's defense is based on taking the ball away. Jennings had 10 pass disruptions in 2011 and two picks. He was benched for a game.
If you've ever been dressed down, demoted, or otherwise had your bad work publicly recognized, you know how Jennings felt. He could have gotten angry and asked to get out of Chicago. But he didn't. He got to work.
Jennings spent time in the offseason working on his receiving skills. Though he's on defense, he wanted to develop the kind of hands that receivers have to turn his almosts into interception. He used the Juggs machine to practice catching the ball again and again.
It worked. Jennings had nine interceptions in 2012, the most in the league. He also had 21 broken up passes, more than double of his 2011 total. He got his hands on the ball more and earned his first trip to the Pro Bowl.
Remember Jennings the next time you have a bad day at work. Follow in his footsteps, and you may just end up with a promotion.
