Ben Johnson provides first glimpse of how he handles the helm

Fast forward to this week. Used to game-planning to face opposing defenses over the last three years, Johnson now is experiencing the different role he spoke about on that January day when the Bears brought him to Halas Hall to meet Chicago media for the first time.

Games mean something and he'll still need to work with the game plan, but now he is the head coach and presiding over the full 53-man roster.

"Shoot, you have the whole team, so you're worried about actives, inactives, seeing the big picture," Johnson said Wednesday.

Another responsibility is meeting with the bosses, apparently.

"Had (president/CEO) Kevin (Warren) stop by yesterday, and we talked for a little bit, and had (GM) Ryan (Poles) stop by yesterday, and we talked for a little bit," Johnson said.

"Conversations that normally don't occur, as a coordinator, they're popping up on a weekly occurrence now, which is a good thing."

Discussion subject matter sounds like it was a game-planning report in the broadest of terms.

"We talked about the alignment with (chairman) George (H. McCaskey) and Kevin and Ryan, and we're all on the same page in how we want to attack the season, attack this week.

"We'll formulate the game plan from there."

For Johnson, though, it's game-planning from three standpoints now, with defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, special teams coordinator Richard Hightower and his offensive staff including coordinator Declan Doyle.

"To me, it's integrating the three phases, which I haven't been a part of that game planning process (in the past)," Johnson said. "I've seen it and look to carry out my orders, per se, but now, it's coming up with a plan to attack that (opponent) and come out with the W at the end of the day."

If does this Monday and sets the city on fire, he'll be back on Tuesday morning trying to repeat the process.

It's what the guy calling the shots does.