WEBVTT - How the Bears offense is taking shape at training camp | Bears, etc. Podcast 0:00:00.680 --> 0:00:06.120 Cut over that DJ Moore zode touchdown, touchdown Paars I 0:00:06.160 --> 0:00:08.119 am Jeff jonihat Wlitz. 0:00:07.920 --> 0:00:09.280 Is on Donnie Go. 0:00:12.000 --> 0:00:13.840 What was like playing for coache Good done. 0:00:14.520 --> 0:00:16.439 I don't want to answer any questions like that pressure 0:00:16.480 --> 0:00:30.360 coming is a big trouble. Dottie gos motest Sweat. 0:00:25.360 --> 0:00:26.760 Yes, Bears, et cetera. 0:00:26.960 --> 0:00:29.160 Brought to you by Miller Light with the voices of 0:00:29.240 --> 0:00:31.440 the Bears, Jeff Joniac and Tom Thayer. 0:00:32.760 --> 0:00:35.720 Nearing kickoff between the Bears and the Buffalo Bills week 0:00:35.800 --> 0:00:38.199 after a weekend of nostalgia and can't Ohio with the 0:00:38.240 --> 0:00:42.919 enjronments of Steve McMichael, Devin Hester, and Julius Peppers. Welcome in, everybody, 0:00:42.920 --> 0:00:44.839 I'm the voice of the Bears. Jeff Joniac with Super 0:00:44.880 --> 0:00:48.080 Bowl winning Bears guard Tom Thayer. This episode of the Bears, Etc. 0:00:48.360 --> 0:00:51.080 Podcast brought to you by Miller Lte. The work is 0:00:51.120 --> 0:00:53.519 getting done. What needs to be done yet? But of 0:00:53.640 --> 0:00:56.840 most important is that Saturday noon kickoff in Orchard Park, 0:00:56.880 --> 0:00:58.240 New York against the Buffalo Bills. 0:00:58.280 --> 0:00:59.800 Expecting to see starters play. 0:01:00.440 --> 0:01:02.400 As of this taping, we don't know how many snaps 0:01:02.640 --> 0:01:05.160 for the starting quarterback and the starting offensive defense but 0:01:05.440 --> 0:01:07.319 we do expect them to play, and we're excited about that. 0:01:07.400 --> 0:01:08.240 Tommy, how you feeling? 0:01:08.319 --> 0:01:10.640 You know, I think there's an extra edge of seriousness 0:01:10.680 --> 0:01:12.959 that leads up to the first preseason game now in 0:01:13.000 --> 0:01:15.160 the NFL, especially after you play in the Hall of 0:01:15.240 --> 0:01:18.520 Fame game and none of the starters did play, because 0:01:18.520 --> 0:01:21.199 every time you put what you perceive as a starter 0:01:21.440 --> 0:01:25.679 on the field, it means the evaluation begins. And so 0:01:25.880 --> 0:01:28.480 now you're a guy that's pretty secure in your position. 0:01:28.600 --> 0:01:31.440 You've been around the NFL a little while. Are you 0:01:31.520 --> 0:01:34.040 still up to the responsibilities that it takes to play 0:01:34.080 --> 0:01:36.760 your position? Are you a young guy that has just 0:01:36.800 --> 0:01:39.040 come a board of football team as a free agent 0:01:39.120 --> 0:01:41.440 or as a draft choice, and are you living up 0:01:41.480 --> 0:01:44.959 to the expectations that the general manager and the head 0:01:45.000 --> 0:01:49.040 coach and the team has set for you. And there's 0:01:49.120 --> 0:01:52.440 every snap is serious, whether you're in practice or in 0:01:52.480 --> 0:01:53.440 the games itself. 0:01:53.760 --> 0:01:56.560 On the podium Wednesday, Shane Waldron, the offensive coordinator, his 0:01:56.680 --> 0:02:00.960 weekly visit, all the touch points the media, asking questions 0:02:01.160 --> 0:02:03.600 of all the hot topics. Certainly it's always going to 0:02:03.640 --> 0:02:06.840 be about Caleb Williams, the offensive line, Nate Davis. We 0:02:06.920 --> 0:02:08.600 got a chunk of it from the podium. We'll get 0:02:08.600 --> 0:02:11.799 Tom's reaction, but here's Shane Waldron this week at Hallis Hall. 0:02:12.120 --> 0:02:12.280 Yeah. 0:02:12.280 --> 0:02:14.800 I think as the O line has some different moving 0:02:14.840 --> 0:02:17.440 parts right now as we you know, try out different combinations, 0:02:17.480 --> 0:02:20.120 work with different things that I think in the long 0:02:20.200 --> 0:02:22.080 run will help us for the full season when you 0:02:22.120 --> 0:02:25.360 get that debt depth built up right there. And then 0:02:25.400 --> 0:02:28.280 for Kalo that allows him to take leadership roles with 0:02:28.320 --> 0:02:30.200 different guys that are in there, you know, work on 0:02:30.240 --> 0:02:33.880 his communication with different groups, different centers, different guards that 0:02:33.880 --> 0:02:36.400 have rotated in tackles, and so I think all that 0:02:36.440 --> 0:02:38.799 does is help us as a team build our communication, 0:02:39.200 --> 0:02:41.480 whether it's player to player, uh, you know, with the 0:02:41.520 --> 0:02:43.360 quarterback to the O line or vice versa with the 0:02:43.360 --> 0:02:45.280 O line to the quarterback. And you know that's going 0:02:45.320 --> 0:02:47.320 to be so important as the season goes, especially when 0:02:47.360 --> 0:02:49.120 it comes to the protections and the idea and of 0:02:49.160 --> 0:02:51.320 everything that we do and and how we want to 0:02:51.760 --> 0:02:53.519 attack a defense. So it's been great for us and 0:02:53.520 --> 0:02:57.280 it'll be great down the road in the season. IKS 0:02:57.320 --> 0:02:59.880 what you're saying that's problem with this the protal to 0:03:00.160 --> 0:03:02.440 come mine with everyone healthy or with moving out it's 0:03:02.480 --> 0:03:05.000 both a learning the experience for Kala. Yeah, I think 0:03:05.040 --> 0:03:07.160 it just it helps with his communication, lets him learn 0:03:07.200 --> 0:03:09.440 different guys, his players that are around him. You know 0:03:09.520 --> 0:03:11.720 what what the different styles are, and you know how 0:03:11.720 --> 0:03:14.120 to community, how to communicate with those guys, you know, 0:03:14.240 --> 0:03:16.720 inevitably in a game, knowing that, hey, there might be 0:03:16.760 --> 0:03:18.679 different players that played throughout the season. 0:03:18.560 --> 0:03:20.560 With that, with that a line in a little bit 0:03:20.560 --> 0:03:23.080 of flux, is there any concern playing him behind it 0:03:23.120 --> 0:03:23.880 in Saturday's game. 0:03:24.200 --> 0:03:26.000 I think we got a good depth. I think Simo 0:03:26.080 --> 0:03:27.640 and hass have done such a good job of moving 0:03:27.639 --> 0:03:31.360 those guys around building that depth. We got frontline players 0:03:31.360 --> 0:03:33.640 that can play at a starter level. We've got guys 0:03:33.639 --> 0:03:35.120 that are playing with that second group and some of 0:03:35.120 --> 0:03:36.920 the guys rotating in a third group that can all 0:03:36.920 --> 0:03:39.320 operate at a high level. And the trust is there, 0:03:39.320 --> 0:03:41.640 and I think we can operate, you know, as an offense, 0:03:41.680 --> 0:03:44.600 depending on how we mix and match different guys. When 0:03:44.600 --> 0:03:46.880 we get to that point talking about tomorrow, what the 0:03:46.880 --> 0:03:48.000 preseason is going to look like. 0:03:48.320 --> 0:03:51.160 We see many big connections, say by the offense, but 0:03:51.320 --> 0:03:54.400 just from my it didn't look like a good day 0:03:54.680 --> 0:03:55.400 for the offense. 0:03:55.480 --> 0:03:57.040 What did you see from the offense. 0:03:57.320 --> 0:04:04.400 Yeah, I saw DeAndre Swift, Khalil Herbert, Travis Homer. You know, 0:04:04.440 --> 0:04:05.760 I can go through a you know, a group of 0:04:05.800 --> 0:04:09.440 those explosive plays and so feeling good about those, knowing that, hey, 0:04:09.440 --> 0:04:11.320 some of the shots down the field, you know, didn't 0:04:11.360 --> 0:04:13.480 connect on some of those. But the thing we love 0:04:13.520 --> 0:04:16.600 and shows up in the Hall of Fame game, you 0:04:16.640 --> 0:04:19.320 know when you talk about different points in training camp 0:04:19.360 --> 0:04:21.599 and and guys that get the ball in their hand 0:04:21.640 --> 0:04:24.400 and run after catchability, And to me, those are the 0:04:24.400 --> 0:04:27.120 things that really come to life as an offense grows 0:04:27.320 --> 0:04:29.960 in the games in practice, you know, you know, not 0:04:30.000 --> 0:04:32.599 getting frustrated if we don't connect on a deep shot, knowing, 0:04:32.600 --> 0:04:35.040 hey we've stretched the defense vertically right there. But then 0:04:35.080 --> 0:04:37.000 we can come back and play a fishing football, connect 0:04:37.120 --> 0:04:40.040 drives together and then get the ball in our playmaker's hands. 0:04:40.240 --> 0:04:42.720 Kale about those those deep because we saw the deep shots. 0:04:42.720 --> 0:04:44.640 But I mean, like, is it. 0:04:45.279 --> 0:04:47.680 Yeah, I think and like every one of those that happen, 0:04:48.000 --> 0:04:50.480 you know, it takes all eleven. So you know, sometimes 0:04:50.560 --> 0:04:53.680 it can be a little bit cleaner in a protection. Look, 0:04:53.720 --> 0:04:55.960 sometimes we might be a little bit clearer in our route. Look, 0:04:56.000 --> 0:04:58.040 sometimes it might be the quarterback being a little bit 0:04:58.040 --> 0:04:59.839 cleaner with his feet. So you know, every one of 0:04:59.839 --> 0:05:02.640 those plays are individual when it comes down to, you know, 0:05:02.680 --> 0:05:05.640 the why of a play not connecting perfectly. And so 0:05:05.720 --> 0:05:07.560 for us as an offense right now, that's where we're 0:05:07.560 --> 0:05:10.000 striving to get, you know, all eleven every single time 0:05:10.240 --> 0:05:12.240 we get to one of those you know, deeper shot 0:05:12.279 --> 0:05:15.279 plays and giving us a chance and then like Caleb 0:05:15.320 --> 0:05:17.600 did today, Tyson did a great job of it today. 0:05:17.600 --> 0:05:20.359 If the defense puts an umbrella over the coverage structure 0:05:20.400 --> 0:05:22.800 right there, finding it, check down, finding a completion, and 0:05:22.839 --> 0:05:27.520 stay in efficient. I have not yet I saw a. 0:05:27.440 --> 0:05:29.440 Lot of Caleb when something would go wrong, come and 0:05:29.520 --> 0:05:31.680 talk to you or talk to Eberflus or kind of 0:05:31.760 --> 0:05:32.880 talk through what happened. 0:05:33.120 --> 0:05:35.040 Are you seeing him making those corrections? 0:05:35.240 --> 0:05:37.880 Yes, I think yeah. His daily improvement has been great 0:05:37.880 --> 0:05:40.200 to see. I think he's so competitive, you know, he's 0:05:40.240 --> 0:05:42.840 he cares so much about being great, and he puts 0:05:42.839 --> 0:05:45.760 in the hard work, so it's not a surprise at 0:05:45.800 --> 0:05:47.599 each day he gets a little bit better and some 0:05:47.720 --> 0:05:49.760 of the you know stuff as he grows within the 0:05:49.800 --> 0:05:52.520 offense and and within some of the different levels of 0:05:52.560 --> 0:05:55.560 communication from the coach to quarterback to the world of 0:05:55.600 --> 0:05:58.760 huddling and and and those things. Uh, seeing his daily 0:05:58.800 --> 0:06:02.120 improvement and making strides and never taking a you know, 0:06:02.120 --> 0:06:05.000 it's not a one step forward, two steps back type 0:06:05.000 --> 0:06:07.040 of process. It's been a hey, if there's been a 0:06:07.080 --> 0:06:10.000 bump in the road the next day. For example, I 0:06:10.000 --> 0:06:11.480 think as an offense, we didn't take care of the 0:06:11.480 --> 0:06:14.680 football well enough three days ago. I guess we'll be 0:06:14.720 --> 0:06:16.120 with the player's day off, and then we come back 0:06:16.160 --> 0:06:19.320 the next day next practice and we're battling. Our defense 0:06:19.360 --> 0:06:21.960 does a great job of getting after the football, and 0:06:22.000 --> 0:06:25.400 we play a clean, clean game from the quarterback position, 0:06:25.480 --> 0:06:29.240 all four quarterbacks on through. So seeing one thing, you know, 0:06:29.360 --> 0:06:32.960 one day, and then that ability to correct and make 0:06:33.000 --> 0:06:35.560 it better the next day and keep stacking those days 0:06:35.920 --> 0:06:36.680 is what we're seeing. 0:06:37.040 --> 0:06:39.080 And at this point, another thing you see the show 0:06:39.160 --> 0:06:40.919 is just because there's so many cameras on them and 0:06:41.400 --> 0:06:44.040 you're picking up audio, you know he might throw and 0:06:44.560 --> 0:06:47.000 you know are just kind of like, you know, the 0:06:47.040 --> 0:06:49.760 frustration element of growing, like how do. 0:06:49.680 --> 0:06:53.280 You see his demeanor as he deals with the. 0:06:53.200 --> 0:06:56.680 Inevitable, you know, challenges that come with training camp and 0:06:56.720 --> 0:06:57.720 getting ready for a week one. 0:06:58.000 --> 0:06:59.919 Yeah, I think he has a very even keel to me. 0:07:00.240 --> 0:07:02.919 But it's also a game of emotion, so there's gonna 0:07:02.920 --> 0:07:05.520 be some instant reactions. There's gonna be some uh some 0:07:05.680 --> 0:07:07.919 times where you know, everyone that's out there, all the 0:07:07.960 --> 0:07:09.960 all the players are out there so competitive, the coaches 0:07:10.000 --> 0:07:12.120 are so competitive, you know, there might be an instant 0:07:12.160 --> 0:07:14.480 reaction of you know, didn't get that one, and then 0:07:14.520 --> 0:07:16.640 how quickly can you bounce back right now for the 0:07:16.680 --> 0:07:18.800 next play. And that's what I've really seen out of 0:07:18.840 --> 0:07:20.960 Caleb and seeing out of you know, all the young 0:07:21.000 --> 0:07:23.760 guys that we've had roams had similar things where you 0:07:23.800 --> 0:07:27.960 see those guys. For young players, their ability to learn 0:07:28.000 --> 0:07:29.720 and grow from each play and then move right on 0:07:29.760 --> 0:07:32.400 to the next play, I think has been something you know, 0:07:32.440 --> 0:07:34.640 going back to the previous question that's helping their growth 0:07:34.640 --> 0:07:36.960 and will continue to helping their growth and development. At 0:07:37.000 --> 0:07:38.520 this point in the training camp, where do you feel 0:07:38.560 --> 0:07:39.360 most confident what. 0:07:39.360 --> 0:07:40.720 You guys are doing to an offense? 0:07:41.160 --> 0:07:44.200 I think right now, with the level of communication from 0:07:44.200 --> 0:07:46.600 where it started in OTAs to where we're at now 0:07:46.600 --> 0:07:49.160 in training camp, I think, uh, you know, when you 0:07:49.200 --> 0:07:52.440 get a new group, you know, some new coaches, some 0:07:52.480 --> 0:07:55.240 coaches that we're here and we're we're you know, uh, 0:07:55.440 --> 0:07:57.880 figuring out everyone's rhythm, figuring out our new players, the 0:07:57.920 --> 0:08:01.920 style of players, uh, that community and our operation. Seeing 0:08:01.960 --> 0:08:04.440 the growth that it's made every single day and being 0:08:04.480 --> 0:08:07.239 on pace for you know, getting ready for that regular 0:08:07.280 --> 0:08:10.000 season opener is something that we're proud of as a staff, 0:08:10.000 --> 0:08:11.320 and I know the players have put in a ton 0:08:11.360 --> 0:08:13.240 of work to get to the level where we're at 0:08:13.320 --> 0:08:13.640 right now. 0:08:13.840 --> 0:08:16.040 We talked about the depth of the offensive line and 0:08:16.080 --> 0:08:19.600 you're obviously please please with that, But how how much 0:08:19.640 --> 0:08:23.200 longer can you guys go in this camp but out 0:08:23.640 --> 0:08:26.200 unless you guys do know, without knowing who the center 0:08:26.320 --> 0:08:27.760 is and who the right guard is. 0:08:28.160 --> 0:08:30.400 Yeah, I think for us, you know, competition is going 0:08:30.440 --> 0:08:32.600 to bring out the best in everybody, and I think 0:08:32.640 --> 0:08:36.320 every single competition that's involved in training camp has its 0:08:36.320 --> 0:08:39.800 own individual timeline. And for us right now, because those 0:08:39.800 --> 0:08:42.360 guys are operating at such a high level at center, 0:08:42.400 --> 0:08:44.720 and then Ryan's been able to go in at the 0:08:44.760 --> 0:08:47.000 guard spot with Nate dealing with a little bit of 0:08:47.000 --> 0:08:50.079 injuries right there, you know, it's been a smooth transition 0:08:50.120 --> 0:08:52.280 as far as the communication, so it makes you feel 0:08:52.320 --> 0:08:54.840 confident that we can go ahead and keep participating or 0:08:55.000 --> 0:08:56.720 keep playing the way we're doing right now. We are 0:08:56.800 --> 0:08:59.320 right now, and then when that time is right, you 0:08:59.320 --> 0:09:00.960 know it'll be right and we don't have to set 0:09:00.960 --> 0:09:02.760 an exact time on it. You know it's going to 0:09:02.760 --> 0:09:05.839 obviously before you know, before that opening kickoff there on 0:09:06.600 --> 0:09:08.360 the opening game. But right now, I feel good about 0:09:08.360 --> 0:09:10.640 where we're at, and because of the professional level of 0:09:10.679 --> 0:09:13.600 those guys that are competing at those spots, you think 0:09:13.640 --> 0:09:17.200 will continue to see Vayala's out of the running back position. Yeah, 0:09:17.200 --> 0:09:18.679 this has been a great chance for Vayalis. 0:09:18.679 --> 0:09:18.959 He did. 0:09:19.440 --> 0:09:21.120 You know, He's done an excellent job as a as 0:09:21.120 --> 0:09:24.840 a core special teams player, did a great job at receiver, 0:09:25.040 --> 0:09:27.480 you know, getting to know the offense. And then for 0:09:27.600 --> 0:09:29.679 us just seeing a guy that's explosive with the ball 0:09:29.720 --> 0:09:31.960 in his hand, trying to figure out different ways that 0:09:32.120 --> 0:09:36.040 potentially could be during the season or during these preseason games, UH, 0:09:36.160 --> 0:09:38.040 to check him out at running back and knowing he's 0:09:38.240 --> 0:09:40.080 had a little bit of that in his history, and 0:09:40.120 --> 0:09:42.440 then for us just as a staff, feeling the best 0:09:42.440 --> 0:09:44.439 thing for him is to do it in a block 0:09:44.559 --> 0:09:47.079 right now, So really taking this block where we get 0:09:47.080 --> 0:09:49.600 the chance to get him in the running back room 0:09:49.640 --> 0:09:51.880 with Chad Morton and you and Chris had done such 0:09:51.880 --> 0:09:53.760 a great job with him at receiver and now seeing 0:09:54.000 --> 0:09:56.800 letting him you know, show his skill set there and 0:09:56.840 --> 0:09:59.760 then be able to you know, come back after this 0:09:59.760 --> 0:10:02.600 this Bill's game here and then reconvene and see what 0:10:02.840 --> 0:10:05.240 the next step would be again with you know, trying 0:10:05.240 --> 0:10:07.880 to maximize his skill set and also putting him in 0:10:07.960 --> 0:10:09.760 that best position to showcase that. 0:10:10.520 --> 0:10:13.000 With the extra reads. You guys have a camp. How 0:10:13.000 --> 0:10:15.319 helpful is that for kill to get that muscle you're 0:10:15.320 --> 0:10:16.320 talking about this growth? 0:10:16.920 --> 0:10:19.079 Just like I know, how difficult is the process as 0:10:19.080 --> 0:10:20.280 a quarterback NFL? 0:10:20.800 --> 0:10:21.160 How much? 0:10:21.200 --> 0:10:21.800 I mean that's you. 0:10:21.880 --> 0:10:23.160 Probably just have to do it right. 0:10:23.200 --> 0:10:25.760 There's like the other film stuff helps. 0:10:26.480 --> 0:10:28.679 Yeah, I think the the benefit of being in early, 0:10:29.559 --> 0:10:32.280 you know, obviously the practice is obviously the meetings, but 0:10:32.400 --> 0:10:33.960 then I think, you know, being able to be on 0:10:34.000 --> 0:10:36.439 the sideline for the Hall of Fame game and watch 0:10:36.520 --> 0:10:40.240 Tyson and uh Brett operate, Austin get in there, uh 0:10:40.320 --> 0:10:43.480 and and have a chance to see the defensive structure here. 0:10:43.600 --> 0:10:46.280 The play calls process it from the sideline, but get 0:10:46.320 --> 0:10:48.480 a chance to see, you know, what that what that 0:10:48.559 --> 0:10:51.160 game action is actually like and getting a feel for, 0:10:51.520 --> 0:10:53.480 you know, knowing that our goal in practice is to 0:10:53.520 --> 0:10:55.320 make this as hard as we can so that way 0:10:55.559 --> 0:10:57.800 when the game time comes around, it's a let's slow 0:10:57.880 --> 0:10:59.679 down a little bit. You got some TV timeouts, You 0:10:59.760 --> 0:11:02.559 got all the different things where it's not as as 0:11:02.679 --> 0:11:05.320 chaotic as practice in terms of you know, right onto 0:11:05.320 --> 0:11:07.439 the next drill, right onto the next situation, got to 0:11:07.480 --> 0:11:10.040 check a scoreboard that's in the corner there. So all 0:11:10.080 --> 0:11:12.920 those things, you know, combined, I think is a huge 0:11:13.520 --> 0:11:15.120 help to be able to be in early for that 0:11:15.400 --> 0:11:17.480 for the quarterback position and then be able to excel 0:11:17.520 --> 0:11:17.920 from there. 0:11:18.559 --> 0:11:19.120 You called the one. 0:11:19.160 --> 0:11:21.920 You've talked about Caleb's growth and what you're seeing from 0:11:22.040 --> 0:11:24.839 Pall eleven. But given the rickety nature of the passing 0:11:24.840 --> 0:11:26.960 game the past couple of practices with the defense missing 0:11:27.040 --> 0:11:30.000 four or five starters, what are you seeing from Caleb specifically, 0:11:30.040 --> 0:11:32.959 either on film or in the practice that tells you 0:11:33.280 --> 0:11:35.840 he's closer to getting this all to come together. 0:11:35.679 --> 0:11:36.360 Than we might think. 0:11:36.520 --> 0:11:38.280 Yeah, I think for us, when you watch him and 0:11:38.320 --> 0:11:40.400 you watch him go through his reads and his progressions 0:11:40.440 --> 0:11:42.760 right there. I think, you know, going to where the 0:11:42.760 --> 0:11:45.400 ball should go is happening way more times than not. 0:11:45.800 --> 0:11:47.840 And some of the things that you know haven't worked 0:11:47.880 --> 0:11:49.800 out have been just from a you know, a near 0:11:49.840 --> 0:11:52.120 miss here or an angle that you know wasn't feeling 0:11:52.120 --> 0:11:54.080 it the right way there. Okay, got it onto the 0:11:54.120 --> 0:11:56.240 next one. But he's been doing a good job. We're 0:11:56.240 --> 0:12:01.200 sticking within progressions, recognizing coverage structures. So seeing all those 0:12:01.200 --> 0:12:03.360 things is what really gives you the confidence moving forward. 0:12:03.480 --> 0:12:05.920 All right, Tom, anything stick out? Anything stick out to you? 0:12:06.160 --> 0:12:07.960 Yeah. One thing at this point what we do have 0:12:08.000 --> 0:12:10.600 in common is neither of us have seen hard knocks. 0:12:11.120 --> 0:12:13.679 So I think that's something I don't know if a 0:12:13.720 --> 0:12:16.440 coach has time really to sit down at that time 0:12:16.480 --> 0:12:19.480 of night and watch because you're so in the middle 0:12:19.520 --> 0:12:23.600 of team meetings or you know, group meetings, position and 0:12:23.760 --> 0:12:27.720 coaching meetings. You know, it's just that the understanding that 0:12:27.760 --> 0:12:30.600 the development of the offensive line is going to take time. 0:12:31.080 --> 0:12:34.120 If you have some injuries at certain positions, you've got 0:12:34.120 --> 0:12:37.319 to try to allow Chris Morgan to insert the players 0:12:37.640 --> 0:12:40.120 that he could be that he believes that could play 0:12:40.120 --> 0:12:43.360 at a starter's level, and I'm glad that the Bears 0:12:43.400 --> 0:12:46.040 have a choice of talent where you can take a 0:12:46.080 --> 0:12:49.240 guy like Ryan Bates and take him from center and 0:12:49.320 --> 0:12:52.959 moving into a legitimate starting offensive guard, and then having 0:12:53.000 --> 0:12:55.720 Coleman Shelton who can come in here and play at 0:12:55.760 --> 0:12:58.600 a high level at the starting center position. I know 0:12:58.760 --> 0:13:01.920 that the the reality of it is is you brought 0:13:02.000 --> 0:13:04.600 Nay Davison here to be the starting right guard, with 0:13:04.720 --> 0:13:08.760 Darnell Wright and Braxton Jones and Tevin Jenkins as such, 0:13:08.880 --> 0:13:11.320 but there's never a promise that those guys are going 0:13:11.400 --> 0:13:13.360 to be there. So I like the fact that there's 0:13:13.440 --> 0:13:16.920 competitiveness on the practice field that helped that's going to 0:13:16.960 --> 0:13:19.200 help to decide the fate of some of these positions. 0:13:19.320 --> 0:13:21.640 Chris Morgan met with the media today as well, little 0:13:21.679 --> 0:13:23.800 groups of offensive assistants for the first time here in 0:13:23.840 --> 0:13:27.360 the preseason. Defensive assistance next week, and he was asked 0:13:27.640 --> 0:13:31.120 a lot about that position, and he said, simply, we're 0:13:31.120 --> 0:13:33.640 going to play the best five, So there is competition. 0:13:34.080 --> 0:13:36.480 There is competition at every position, and that's how they 0:13:36.520 --> 0:13:39.400 approach it, especially here in the preseason. And so he says, 0:13:39.679 --> 0:13:42.319 there's time. I know we all feel a little bit 0:13:42.360 --> 0:13:45.680 of adjida, a little bit about who's not in there. 0:13:45.800 --> 0:13:48.320 But the fact of the matter is there are three 0:13:48.360 --> 0:13:52.280 preseason games, a preseason pre practice against the Bengals that 0:13:52.320 --> 0:13:54.680 will tell a lot, and then there's almost two weeks 0:13:54.760 --> 0:13:57.920 before the kickoff against the Tennessee Titans. So you'd like 0:13:57.960 --> 0:14:00.480 to have as many reps with each other, but they 0:14:00.520 --> 0:14:02.120 can't make it a panic scenario. 0:14:02.800 --> 0:14:05.080 No, But you know right now Jeff Coleman Shelton at 0:14:05.160 --> 0:14:08.400 center and Ryan Bates at guard have had more reps 0:14:08.440 --> 0:14:11.520 with this offensive line than Nate Davis has at right 0:14:11.600 --> 0:14:15.199 guard and Ryan Bates at center. So I think when 0:14:15.240 --> 0:14:18.160 you look at the steps of timing and organization by 0:14:18.200 --> 0:14:20.600 an offensive line, first of all, you have to have 0:14:20.640 --> 0:14:25.760 an understanding of the rhythmic non rhythmic verbal cadence of 0:14:25.880 --> 0:14:28.920 Caleb Williams and how he seeing the field and how 0:14:28.920 --> 0:14:32.200 it affects the timing of the snap. Then secondly you 0:14:32.320 --> 0:14:36.160 have to understand the specific timing of the organization of 0:14:36.200 --> 0:14:38.480 a run block. And then the running backs need to 0:14:38.520 --> 0:14:41.480 be able to have multiple reps where they can pre 0:14:41.600 --> 0:14:44.680 predict how the hole is going to open and where 0:14:44.720 --> 0:14:48.160 their opening is going to be created. And then thirdly 0:14:48.320 --> 0:14:52.640 is pass protection responsibilities, because it takes all five guys 0:14:52.680 --> 0:14:55.360 plus the tight ends, fullbacks and the other guys to 0:14:55.440 --> 0:14:59.240 have organized pass protection to make sure Caleb Williams has 0:14:59.600 --> 0:15:02.480 a lot amount of time to take advantage of this 0:15:02.560 --> 0:15:05.480 talented group of receivers the Bears have. So it's not 0:15:05.640 --> 0:15:08.400 just going out there and saying, Okay, we need multiple 0:15:08.440 --> 0:15:12.480 practices out of you guys. We need multiple practices, multiple plays, 0:15:12.480 --> 0:15:16.560 and multiple periods of the different types of responsibilities that 0:15:16.600 --> 0:15:20.080 we all have to have an organized group of eleven players. 0:15:20.200 --> 0:15:23.200 Tom, they're getting a lot of practice with the screen game. 0:15:23.760 --> 0:15:27.120 How important is that in terms of the continuity in chemistry? 0:15:27.160 --> 0:15:29.320 It looks to be a major part of the offense. 0:15:29.360 --> 0:15:32.680 And some well executed screens at practice this week to 0:15:32.960 --> 0:15:34.600 all the backs, a variety of backs. 0:15:35.520 --> 0:15:38.560 I love it, Jeff, You know because say, for example, 0:15:38.680 --> 0:15:41.280 you go to the Tennessee game, which is the first 0:15:41.400 --> 0:15:44.600 regular season game of the season, and you go, Okay, 0:15:45.200 --> 0:15:48.840 maybe we're a little bit more secure and fast pass 0:15:48.920 --> 0:15:52.720 protection than we are with long dropbacks. So now you 0:15:52.760 --> 0:15:55.840 think of that screen game, you think of play action passing, 0:15:55.920 --> 0:15:59.080 you think of three step drops. So all those can 0:15:59.120 --> 0:16:02.720 really play into the hand and assist Caleb Williams to 0:16:02.720 --> 0:16:04.640 be able to get the ball out of his hands 0:16:04.720 --> 0:16:07.840 quicker and for the offensive line not to have to 0:16:07.920 --> 0:16:12.080 sustain blocks as long. And whenever you have athletes getting 0:16:12.160 --> 0:16:14.840 on the edge in the screen game, man, you could 0:16:14.840 --> 0:16:18.360 those can compute into some big, big gainers. And it's 0:16:18.400 --> 0:16:21.160 the same thing with play action pass and three step drops. 0:16:21.240 --> 0:16:24.440 So you have to make sure that you go into 0:16:24.520 --> 0:16:29.160 that first regular season game with organized, confident protection for 0:16:29.240 --> 0:16:30.160 a young quarterback. 0:16:30.240 --> 0:16:34.200 Taste like middle time, Celebrate responsibly. Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 0:16:34.320 --> 0:16:37.000 Ninety six calories and three point two cars per twelve ounces. 0:16:37.000 --> 0:16:39.320 I really want to focus just on offense in this 0:16:39.400 --> 0:16:41.920 podcast because there is so much to it and so 0:16:42.040 --> 0:16:44.200 much That's why we started with Shane Waldron. He's the 0:16:44.200 --> 0:16:46.440 guy calling the plays, he's the guy that put together 0:16:46.520 --> 0:16:49.000 the playbook, and now the execution has to come. So 0:16:49.400 --> 0:16:52.680 everybody's watching everything about Caleb Williams and you haven't seen 0:16:52.720 --> 0:16:56.520 hard knocks, so hopefully you will and get some. I 0:16:56.560 --> 0:16:58.920 mean at some point you have to, right, you got 0:16:58.920 --> 0:17:01.320 to see so we could talk about and that's episode 0:17:01.400 --> 0:17:03.840 one of the bank. But in the beginning of that 0:17:04.040 --> 0:17:08.000 episode so much about the learning curve for Caleb Williams 0:17:08.040 --> 0:17:11.080 and reading body language and seeing his disappointment at times, 0:17:11.480 --> 0:17:15.720 but left out, in my opinion, was all the successes 0:17:15.760 --> 0:17:17.560 though as well. And I got to ask you from 0:17:17.560 --> 0:17:22.399 an offensive line standpoint, for those like the tackles Darnell 0:17:22.520 --> 0:17:25.960 Wright and Rexton Jones and Tevin Jenkins at left guard 0:17:25.960 --> 0:17:27.760 and Nate Davis when he was in there at right guard, 0:17:27.880 --> 0:17:30.720 new center situation, but some of the backups like Larry 0:17:30.720 --> 0:17:33.760 Borum competing as well here they got used to a 0:17:33.800 --> 0:17:36.840 certain way with Justin Fields knowing he's gonna probably leave 0:17:36.880 --> 0:17:40.560 the pocket. More often than not, Caleb will move, but 0:17:40.640 --> 0:17:44.080 he won't necessarily be leaving the pocket. He will roll 0:17:44.080 --> 0:17:46.520 out and make a play down the sidelines at the 0:17:46.560 --> 0:17:50.480 last minute. But as an offensive lineman, how much time 0:17:50.520 --> 0:17:53.400 will it take for them to understand what Caleb's doing 0:17:53.520 --> 0:17:57.000 or is it caleb responsibility to let make them feel 0:17:57.000 --> 0:18:00.879 comfortable in terms of that pocket protection even late in 0:18:00.920 --> 0:18:01.320 a snap. 0:18:01.880 --> 0:18:04.840 It's twofold here, Jeff. First of all, I think Caleb 0:18:04.880 --> 0:18:08.520 when he calls the protection in the huddle and then 0:18:08.520 --> 0:18:11.120 they break it towards the line of scrimmage, he has 0:18:11.200 --> 0:18:14.879 to understand the construction of the pocket, where does his 0:18:15.040 --> 0:18:19.840 vulnerabilities lie, Where does more of a lengthy opportunity to 0:18:20.000 --> 0:18:23.640 look downfield in the in the protection that's up there. 0:18:23.920 --> 0:18:28.080 Then the offensive line they have to under understand specifically 0:18:28.160 --> 0:18:32.120 their body positioning to make sure they're constructing the pocket 0:18:32.200 --> 0:18:36.800 efficiently and effectively. And as for the longest time possible, 0:18:37.119 --> 0:18:40.920 Caleb is not going to be a one covered run guy. 0:18:41.240 --> 0:18:45.160 He's going to be a first option, second option checkdown guy. 0:18:45.480 --> 0:18:49.040 So the longer that you can sustain that pocket, the 0:18:49.119 --> 0:18:52.199 longer Caleb is going to have to evaluate all the 0:18:52.240 --> 0:18:55.479 weapons that he sent down field, and they're not always 0:18:55.480 --> 0:18:57.760 going to be downfield. Some of them could still be 0:18:57.840 --> 0:19:00.960 in the backfield. He's got a talented group receivers at 0:19:01.000 --> 0:19:04.160 the backfield position that if that is where it has 0:19:04.240 --> 0:19:06.880 to go with the football, you can get as big 0:19:06.920 --> 0:19:09.600 as a play out of that as you will, you know, 0:19:09.680 --> 0:19:12.440 being able to find one of your talented receivers downfield. 0:19:12.560 --> 0:19:15.320 But it is you know, these guys going hand in 0:19:15.400 --> 0:19:19.160 hand and understanding the construction of the pocket and where 0:19:19.240 --> 0:19:21.359 the most stability in that pocket. 0:19:21.000 --> 0:19:23.440 Is, and they're layering in, They're layer in the new 0:19:23.480 --> 0:19:27.000 plays each week, adding to the arsenal that they plan 0:19:27.080 --> 0:19:29.480 on and veiling in the regular season. So some days 0:19:29.480 --> 0:19:31.919 won't look as good, some days will look better. And 0:19:32.160 --> 0:19:34.360 I do like what Nick Saban believes, and I've said 0:19:34.359 --> 0:19:38.360 it many times. Caleb Williams and all quarterbacks essentially are 0:19:38.520 --> 0:19:41.679 point guards. You're distributing the football, you're scanning the field, 0:19:42.080 --> 0:19:45.720 and especially mobile quarterbacks, and that's what that's what he 0:19:45.760 --> 0:19:48.159 has to play. He has to set up others and 0:19:48.200 --> 0:19:50.240 then when he needs to take a three point shot 0:19:50.560 --> 0:19:53.000 and throw the deep paw in a clutch moment, there 0:19:53.040 --> 0:19:56.800 you go splash like Steph Curry from deep. You know, 0:19:56.840 --> 0:19:58.480 that's the way the play has to be. 0:19:59.000 --> 0:20:02.000 Yeah, exactly right, you know, Jeff. A good analogy about 0:20:02.040 --> 0:20:04.520 being a point guard is point guard is like play 0:20:04.560 --> 0:20:08.600 action because Shane Waldron talked about the importance of making 0:20:08.640 --> 0:20:10.520 sure they have a stable of running backs that are 0:20:10.560 --> 0:20:15.160 really good at carrying the football offensive line. That's good 0:20:15.200 --> 0:20:18.639 that it's opening holes because the most favorable protection for 0:20:18.680 --> 0:20:22.000 any offensive line and any quarterback is play action passing. 0:20:22.400 --> 0:20:25.240 And that's when you need the deception and you have 0:20:25.359 --> 0:20:28.960 the aggressive run approach approached by the offensive line and 0:20:29.040 --> 0:20:32.119 then you have a more identified receiver where you're going 0:20:32.160 --> 0:20:34.840 to go with the football. So the running game is 0:20:34.840 --> 0:20:37.640 going to play an important role in the overall passing 0:20:37.680 --> 0:20:40.239 success of this football team. And that's one of the 0:20:40.240 --> 0:20:42.879 things I was really encouraged about the other night in 0:20:42.920 --> 0:20:45.600 the Hall of Fame game, is the balance of this 0:20:45.720 --> 0:20:48.680 offense is going to be equally as important as any 0:20:48.720 --> 0:20:50.480 other facet of this offense. 0:20:50.520 --> 0:20:54.159 Missy Heart Seltzer Flavors for every Vibe Celebrate Responsibly, Molten 0:20:54.200 --> 0:20:57.800 Corese Beverage Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Let's talk running backs because 0:20:57.800 --> 0:20:59.919 and I want to go individually. Here we got DeAndre 0:21:00.520 --> 0:21:02.919 Travis Homer, Roshawn Johnson, who's a little banged up at 0:21:02.920 --> 0:21:05.760 the moment. Khalil herbert Ian Wheeler is banged up and 0:21:05.840 --> 0:21:08.560 not working right now, trying to rehab whatever's bothering him. 0:21:08.560 --> 0:21:11.000 The rookie running back out of Howard. But the introduction 0:21:11.119 --> 0:21:14.040 now Veaylist Jones Junior at least this week. At the 0:21:14.080 --> 0:21:17.360 running back position, and I mean the running back position, 0:21:17.520 --> 0:21:20.919 he is dealing with pass protection, he is dealing with 0:21:21.080 --> 0:21:23.359 swings out of the backfield. He's dealing with running the 0:21:23.400 --> 0:21:26.520 ball between the tackles and he's dealing with running sweeps 0:21:26.560 --> 0:21:30.920 on the zone blocking excuse me, this zone running offense. 0:21:31.000 --> 0:21:33.320 So he's getting a taste of it all. We know 0:21:33.400 --> 0:21:36.639 what he has. He's got unique speed. He's got elite speed. 0:21:36.640 --> 0:21:42.000 He's a bigger body guy that can create a bounce 0:21:42.080 --> 0:21:45.760 off of contact. He has contact balance. We've seen that 0:21:45.920 --> 0:21:49.600 in the kick return game. He's had pass receptions that 0:21:49.640 --> 0:21:52.120 have been on the big play side of forty plus 0:21:52.240 --> 0:21:55.320 yards in his young career. How are you looking at this? 0:21:56.080 --> 0:21:58.600 Why are they doing this? And what do you think 0:21:58.680 --> 0:21:59.760 is going to happen with this? 0:22:00.840 --> 0:22:03.440 He's a courageous runner at the point of attack. He's 0:22:03.520 --> 0:22:08.640 willing to lower his shoulder and challenge a tackler if 0:22:08.680 --> 0:22:11.800 they don't. Some guys don't want to hit guys, and 0:22:11.880 --> 0:22:14.199 Vayless is a big guy, as you mentioned. But how 0:22:14.320 --> 0:22:16.240 quickly can you get the ball into the hands of 0:22:16.280 --> 0:22:19.159 a playmaker? And that's exactly what you're doing with a 0:22:19.200 --> 0:22:22.320 guy like Vaylas Jones Junior. If he's lined up five 0:22:22.400 --> 0:22:25.359 yards behind the quarterback in the backfield and it's a 0:22:25.400 --> 0:22:27.760 simple toss and you get the offensive line out in 0:22:27.760 --> 0:22:30.480 front of him, and then you let pick and shoes 0:22:30.520 --> 0:22:32.920 where the hole is going to open up. That's when 0:22:32.960 --> 0:22:36.000 you give him the opportunity of the playmaker that you 0:22:36.080 --> 0:22:39.840 know he's got the ability to be. So I like 0:22:39.960 --> 0:22:43.359 the fact that they're thinking outside the box of Dayless 0:22:43.480 --> 0:22:46.240 Jones Junior and what he can offer a football team. 0:22:46.640 --> 0:22:50.720 And he also increases his opportunities to make this football 0:22:50.760 --> 0:22:55.600 team other than just a kick returner or possibly you know, Jeff, 0:22:55.640 --> 0:22:58.840 the fifth wide receiver on a football team. If you're 0:22:58.920 --> 0:23:01.600 the third running back kind of football team and then 0:23:01.640 --> 0:23:04.360 all of a sudden you show reliability and blitz pick up, 0:23:04.800 --> 0:23:08.639 you're increasing your value all up and down the NFL board. 0:23:08.720 --> 0:23:12.240 So I think it's I like the creativity of the 0:23:12.240 --> 0:23:14.320 Bears coaches and thinking outside the box. 0:23:14.359 --> 0:23:16.800 And if you start with the notion now including the 0:23:16.920 --> 0:23:19.880 NFL officials that we're in talking to the media about 0:23:19.960 --> 0:23:22.600 rules changes, that they have boiled it down that the 0:23:22.760 --> 0:23:26.919 kickoff return is a running play and Baylis Jones Jr. 0:23:27.320 --> 0:23:29.959 Certainly is still competing for the kick return job, and 0:23:30.000 --> 0:23:33.680 it is a running play. The way it's constituted this year, 0:23:34.359 --> 0:23:37.200 it makes it makes a lot of sense. And and 0:23:37.200 --> 0:23:40.879 and frankly, you know, the the assertion that this is 0:23:40.920 --> 0:23:44.879 a bubble situation for Baylor's Jones. Yeah, because the Bears 0:23:44.920 --> 0:23:48.200 do have depth at receiver. Now there's a you know, 0:23:48.320 --> 0:23:51.480 the big three, unless there's an injury, are gonna be 0:23:51.520 --> 0:23:54.679 on the field more often than not. And then you 0:23:54.760 --> 0:23:57.840 have Tyler Scott and then you have many other choices. 0:23:57.880 --> 0:24:01.520 Colin Johnson's another one. So these there are ways to 0:24:01.600 --> 0:24:04.920 keep a talent on the field, keep them in, keep 0:24:04.960 --> 0:24:07.119 them engaged. 0:24:07.359 --> 0:24:09.400 Give them a possibility. He's going to get a few 0:24:09.400 --> 0:24:10.240 touches every game. 0:24:10.280 --> 0:24:12.399 Well, you know this thing, don't lose the fact that 0:24:12.520 --> 0:24:15.239 VELAs can line up as a wide receiver. And if 0:24:15.280 --> 0:24:17.679 you need a wide receiver side, say you put Colin 0:24:17.800 --> 0:24:21.119 Johnson and Vaylis Jones Junior on the same side, and 0:24:21.200 --> 0:24:24.639 but they're both going to have blocking responsibility. They're both 0:24:24.760 --> 0:24:27.240 super willing to do it. They have the bigger type 0:24:27.280 --> 0:24:30.920 of bodies that can angle attack defensive backfield and now 0:24:31.000 --> 0:24:35.159 you and create increase the running lane that there is 0:24:35.200 --> 0:24:37.480 to the outside. So that's what I'm saying. You know, 0:24:37.600 --> 0:24:42.280 Vayalas could be considered a four position player and it's 0:24:42.359 --> 0:24:45.200 really it's a really important role in the modern day 0:24:45.320 --> 0:24:46.520 NFL game day roster. 0:24:46.560 --> 0:24:48.800 All Right, I want to get your thoughts thumbnail on 0:24:48.840 --> 0:24:51.399 each guy as we go. DeAndre Swift certainly is a 0:24:51.720 --> 0:24:54.640 meeting and maybe surpassing expectations, and but his role will 0:24:54.680 --> 0:24:57.280 be in this offense. Certainly we know he can do it. 0:24:57.720 --> 0:25:00.640 He's got finishing speed, he's got the ability to catch 0:25:00.640 --> 0:25:04.040 the football, and he looks to me to steal the 0:25:04.040 --> 0:25:06.879 former baron Pittsburgh Steeler running back Meryl Hodges term a 0:25:06.960 --> 0:25:07.640 factor back. 0:25:07.720 --> 0:25:10.480 I believe that DeAndre Swift. 0:25:11.160 --> 0:25:13.080 Is used to call himself the factor back of. 0:25:13.160 --> 0:25:13.600 No, No, No. 0:25:13.640 --> 0:25:16.360 He called him the ultra back. He was the ultar back. Yeah, 0:25:16.400 --> 0:25:20.159 the factor back, ultra back. But anyway, what's your opinion 0:25:20.240 --> 0:25:20.560 right now? 0:25:20.600 --> 0:25:23.400 You know, I've really been impressed with DeAndre Swift. He's 0:25:23.440 --> 0:25:26.320 got the innate ability as a running back to understand 0:25:26.400 --> 0:25:28.080 where and how the hole is going to open up. 0:25:28.280 --> 0:25:30.720 He's got the explosiveness when he gets to the second 0:25:30.800 --> 0:25:33.359 level that he can be physical at the third level 0:25:33.400 --> 0:25:36.639 with yards after initial contact. He's got some of the 0:25:36.680 --> 0:25:39.120 best hands at the running back position that I've seen 0:25:39.160 --> 0:25:41.879 in quite a while, because when you're breaking into a 0:25:41.960 --> 0:25:45.520 new quarterback, it's just not an easy pass to a 0:25:45.600 --> 0:25:49.560 running back. Usually you're on the move. For a swing pass, 0:25:49.920 --> 0:25:53.639 you're in a position on a quick screen that the 0:25:53.680 --> 0:25:56.440 ball is going to be delivered immediately. If it's play 0:25:56.480 --> 0:25:59.280 action pass, you have to go through a play action fake, 0:25:59.560 --> 0:26:01.440 and then you have to go out in your route 0:26:01.520 --> 0:26:05.400 with awareness. So all the responsibilities of a running back 0:26:05.440 --> 0:26:08.320 outside of just being able to run the ball, DeAndre 0:26:08.400 --> 0:26:11.199 swifts every one of them, and oh yeah, if he 0:26:11.280 --> 0:26:14.119 needs to pick up a blitzer, he's he's willing to 0:26:14.160 --> 0:26:17.720 do that, so and I think that's probably as important 0:26:18.040 --> 0:26:20.680 to put on notice as anything else that you can 0:26:20.720 --> 0:26:22.640 do as a complimentary running back. 0:26:22.720 --> 0:26:25.120 He's the lightest back. And then you go to Travis 0:26:25.160 --> 0:26:28.080 Homer Roshawn Johnson. They're two twenty one and two thirty 0:26:28.119 --> 0:26:31.240 one respective. Let's start with Rochean obviously sideline here, but 0:26:31.320 --> 0:26:33.560 we know he's a battering ram. He is willing to 0:26:33.600 --> 0:26:37.320 take and initiate contact, and you need the change of pace. 0:26:37.600 --> 0:26:40.160 You need those types of backs to run between the tackles. 0:26:40.720 --> 0:26:43.800 Travis Homer on third down is looking like he did 0:26:43.800 --> 0:26:46.360 in Seattle. He was not used in the old system. 0:26:46.680 --> 0:26:48.600 He was not used in the last couple of years 0:26:48.600 --> 0:26:51.520 in that regard, and I thought wow when he came 0:26:51.560 --> 0:26:54.320 from Seattle, because he did have some moments that caught 0:26:54.320 --> 0:26:56.960 your attention as a third down back. We know he's 0:26:57.000 --> 0:26:59.680 a special corese special teamer and a very good one. 0:27:00.440 --> 0:27:04.160 Are you encouraged by the variety that has afforded now? 0:27:04.400 --> 0:27:07.359 Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, who knows how to use Homer, 0:27:07.400 --> 0:27:08.560 he used him in Seattle. 0:27:08.720 --> 0:27:11.400 You know, I quickly wrote, Shawn Johnson's probably the best 0:27:11.720 --> 0:27:14.919 blocking running back that the Bears have. Going to Homer, 0:27:15.240 --> 0:27:18.359 He's just got to stay healthy, Jeff, It's a matter of, Yeah, 0:27:18.400 --> 0:27:21.240 this guy is one of the most physically gifted specimens 0:27:21.280 --> 0:27:23.879 on this football team. But you got to be able 0:27:23.920 --> 0:27:26.600 to stay healthy that you have multiple days in the 0:27:26.680 --> 0:27:29.119 role that they have designed for you, and then you 0:27:29.240 --> 0:27:33.159 have to show production when you're on field opportunity comes. 0:27:33.200 --> 0:27:37.400 So that's listen. I'm all for Travis Homer. However, it's 0:27:37.400 --> 0:27:39.840 about making sure that you can stay healthy. And over 0:27:39.840 --> 0:27:42.320 the last couple of years that we've had an opportunity 0:27:42.359 --> 0:27:45.399 to be around him, he's missed some time with injuries, 0:27:45.760 --> 0:27:48.840 and if he can put together a stretch that he's healthy, 0:27:49.000 --> 0:27:52.320 he'll be an immediate contributor on kickoff and kickoff return 0:27:52.680 --> 0:27:55.720 because he's capable of blocking and he's a willing tackler. 0:27:56.000 --> 0:27:57.280 And then there's Khalil Herbert. 0:27:57.320 --> 0:28:00.200 We absolutely know what type of player we have here 0:28:00.200 --> 0:28:02.600 in Khalil Herbert, and he's working very hard out there 0:28:02.680 --> 0:28:05.520 right now. A finishing back as well led the league 0:28:05.520 --> 0:28:07.120 and yards per carried two years ago. 0:28:07.720 --> 0:28:10.080 What is your opinion of Khalil Herbert right now? 0:28:10.359 --> 0:28:14.000 He's got a significant burst, he's super thick lower body. 0:28:14.520 --> 0:28:18.480 Whenever he lowers his shoulder pads, his tackling target becomes 0:28:19.000 --> 0:28:23.639 really small and there's always yards after initial contact. Listen, 0:28:24.080 --> 0:28:26.920 Khalil Herbert belongs in the NFL. Does he fit into 0:28:26.960 --> 0:28:30.680 this system? I hope so. But somewhere along the line, 0:28:30.760 --> 0:28:33.880 he is going to be in the NFL, and he's 0:28:33.960 --> 0:28:37.960 not an easy tackle. And he's another guy that missed 0:28:37.960 --> 0:28:40.480 a significant amount of time with an injury last year, 0:28:40.720 --> 0:28:43.440 but then kind of turned back into himself in the 0:28:43.520 --> 0:28:45.520 Ladder Star Ladder part of the year. 0:28:45.640 --> 0:28:48.200 And of course, if Curry blasting game, the six year 0:28:48.280 --> 0:28:51.840 veteran six feet two hundred and forty nine pounds, we 0:28:51.840 --> 0:28:55.320 were well familiar with his game as well as special teams. 0:28:55.960 --> 0:28:58.520 I want to see him have more opportunities to catch 0:28:58.560 --> 0:29:02.000 the ball. We've seen him make some incredible catches on 0:29:02.080 --> 0:29:05.960 wheel routes and downfield opportunities. I'm sure if you give 0:29:06.040 --> 0:29:10.400 him some screen chances with some big blockers in front 0:29:10.440 --> 0:29:12.480 of them, if you get them in the open field 0:29:12.520 --> 0:29:16.320 against a corner or a safety, he's willing to be 0:29:16.360 --> 0:29:20.600 a punishing running back. So but now you talk about fullback, 0:29:20.920 --> 0:29:24.120 h back, h back are more tight ends. Full backs 0:29:24.120 --> 0:29:27.760 are exactly what they're designed to be. So there's a 0:29:27.760 --> 0:29:31.320 little bit of competition between tight ends that can play 0:29:31.520 --> 0:29:33.200 h backs and full backs. 0:29:33.920 --> 0:29:35.720 We are brought to you my P and C Official 0:29:35.720 --> 0:29:38.200 Bank of the Bears, one of our partners that was 0:29:38.520 --> 0:29:41.840 in the viewing suite at Hallis Hall during practices this week. 0:29:41.920 --> 0:29:44.640 We have the privilege to speak to all these folks 0:29:45.000 --> 0:29:49.040 and their clients, other partners like doctor Pepper and Cannon, 0:29:49.080 --> 0:29:51.400 and we don't want to miss anybody. But we've really 0:29:51.560 --> 0:29:55.840 enjoyed it and Tom out of those conversations because we 0:29:56.480 --> 0:29:57.760 don't know what we're going to talk about. 0:29:57.880 --> 0:29:59.080 It just whatever's top of mind. 0:29:59.120 --> 0:30:02.080 We try to make them different every week, every day, 0:30:02.520 --> 0:30:06.640 and but my takeaway is that everybody's excited they they 0:30:06.720 --> 0:30:09.560 feel it just like anybody else, and it's more of 0:30:09.720 --> 0:30:14.360 just it's more than hope. They believe it, and it's 0:30:14.400 --> 0:30:16.920 the way it is in the building. We all feel 0:30:16.960 --> 0:30:20.200 the same way. We have great expectations. We don't know 0:30:20.240 --> 0:30:23.040 how it's going to turn out. But I know you 0:30:23.160 --> 0:30:25.520 like doing those two They take you down memory lane 0:30:25.520 --> 0:30:27.680 as being an eighty five Bear champion to certainly the 0:30:27.680 --> 0:30:30.520 Hall of Fame discussion with McMichael and Hester and Pepper's 0:30:31.000 --> 0:30:33.600 how have you enjoyed those and your interactions with these 0:30:33.640 --> 0:30:36.920 fans because they're also very very well educated about football. 0:30:37.480 --> 0:30:40.480 You know that there's a company for Ego, for example, 0:30:40.520 --> 0:30:43.920 that's in Aperville, so there's six degrees of separation from 0:30:43.960 --> 0:30:46.160 somebody that works in that company and people that I've 0:30:46.240 --> 0:30:49.720 grown up with. There's a girl that introduced herself there 0:30:49.760 --> 0:30:52.000 and her roommate in college was a family that I 0:30:52.040 --> 0:30:54.520 grew up here with in Joe. Yet, so I like 0:30:54.640 --> 0:30:57.080 meeting the fans of the Bears. But you know what, 0:30:57.120 --> 0:30:59.240 one thing that's been cool about the Bears this year, 0:30:59.280 --> 0:31:01.520 and I think it was the anticipation of the last night. 0:31:02.080 --> 0:31:05.480 Everybody wanted to see hard knocks and because you get 0:31:05.480 --> 0:31:08.000 some exposure to the Bears through the Hall of Fame Weekend, 0:31:08.080 --> 0:31:11.480 the Hall of Fame Game, the weekly, the daily coverage 0:31:11.600 --> 0:31:14.280 on the news that the Chicago Bears get. But now 0:31:14.680 --> 0:31:17.920 you're you're there the prime. You're the premiere of a 0:31:18.160 --> 0:31:21.760 eight of an HBO series that's going to be you know, 0:31:21.920 --> 0:31:26.200 have more episodes coming up that you get a little 0:31:26.240 --> 0:31:29.640 bit more exposure behind the scenes of Hallas Hall, just 0:31:29.720 --> 0:31:31.960 like the people that do get a chance to come 0:31:32.000 --> 0:31:35.600 into Hallis Hall and watch practice. You know, it's it is. 0:31:35.680 --> 0:31:37.840 It is a luxury and it's a great opportunity. 0:31:37.960 --> 0:31:40.160 Yep, they took you behind the scenes. For those of 0:31:40.200 --> 0:31:43.080 you who haven't seen it. One of the things that 0:31:43.160 --> 0:31:46.520 has made its way out on the Twitter verse and 0:31:46.680 --> 0:31:49.560 whatever is theo Benedette, You did. 0:31:49.360 --> 0:31:50.440 Hear about this? Correct? 0:31:50.960 --> 0:31:53.479 Yes? Can you? 0:31:54.640 --> 0:31:54.800 Can? 0:31:54.840 --> 0:31:58.040 You have imagined doing that? And did did you back 0:31:58.080 --> 0:32:01.080 in the day? Did you rookies and were you considered 0:32:01.080 --> 0:32:03.560 a rookie even though you played several years in the 0:32:03.640 --> 0:32:07.000 USFL before you joined the Bears, a couple of years 0:32:07.000 --> 0:32:09.080 in the USFL, did you have to do anything in 0:32:09.080 --> 0:32:09.720 front of the team. 0:32:10.320 --> 0:32:12.120 So I haven't been a part of a rookie show 0:32:12.160 --> 0:32:14.880 since my freshman year of Notre Dame, and that was 0:32:14.920 --> 0:32:17.520 a nasty deal because you had to go up there 0:32:17.560 --> 0:32:19.920 as a freshman and you had to perform in front 0:32:19.920 --> 0:32:23.080 of the upper classmen. But the upper classmen would come 0:32:23.120 --> 0:32:25.600 in there and they would bring like a wet bag 0:32:25.640 --> 0:32:29.680 of toilet paper or some moist dinner rolls, and if 0:32:29.720 --> 0:32:32.080 you got up there and you were doing something that 0:32:32.120 --> 0:32:33.000 they didn't like. 0:32:33.040 --> 0:32:33.520 You were pelt. 0:32:33.600 --> 0:32:35.560 You got pelted. So what did you do? 0:32:37.080 --> 0:32:37.800 Or can you say? 0:32:38.440 --> 0:32:38.560 Now? 0:32:38.680 --> 0:32:42.440 It was something we made up a song to my 0:32:43.200 --> 0:32:46.880 wiener has a first name, it's Oscar in the Oscar 0:32:46.960 --> 0:32:50.520 Meyer song. But we made it up using the coaches' names, 0:32:51.080 --> 0:32:55.120 and a group of us mimicked the habits of the 0:32:55.160 --> 0:32:58.920 coaches that we barely knew at that point. And so 0:32:59.480 --> 0:33:02.360 luckily we had a good response from the upper classmen 0:33:02.880 --> 0:33:06.040 and we did get pelted, not that badly. But the 0:33:06.120 --> 0:33:08.960 thing about it is after the rookie show, all the 0:33:09.040 --> 0:33:11.120 freshmen have to stay around and clean up. 0:33:11.560 --> 0:33:15.040 Oh my gosh, knowing you, I know you dreaded having 0:33:15.040 --> 0:33:16.840 to get up there and do something like that. 0:33:16.880 --> 0:33:18.920 Well, I you know I did. I did dread it, 0:33:18.960 --> 0:33:21.080 but I didn't mind it because I was going up 0:33:21.080 --> 0:33:24.360 there with a couple of my other classmates at that point, 0:33:24.600 --> 0:33:29.000 Marks of Agnan and Bob Clasby and a couple of 0:33:29.040 --> 0:33:30.920 other guys that I was just getting to know. 0:33:31.200 --> 0:33:32.960 So I G you avoided in eighty five. 0:33:33.120 --> 0:33:34.040 I wasn't a rookie. 0:33:34.800 --> 0:33:37.640 Wow, you dodged a bullet, didn't you. 0:33:37.760 --> 0:33:40.760 Yeah. Someone said, you know, getting the cafeteria stand in 0:33:40.760 --> 0:33:42.640 the chair and singing, and I said, no, I'm not 0:33:42.680 --> 0:33:44.320 going to do it. I'm not a rookie. 0:33:44.400 --> 0:33:45.840 Nice taste like middle Time. 0:33:45.880 --> 0:33:48.200 Go to middlelight dot com slash bears Pod to find 0:33:48.200 --> 0:33:53.200 delivery options near you. Celebrate responsibly Miller Brewing Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 0:33:53.280 --> 0:33:56.400 Ninety six calories and three point two carbs for twelve ounces. 0:33:56.480 --> 0:33:57.480 Let's listen in to. 0:33:57.520 --> 0:34:00.200 Bear's rookie wide receiver Roma Doonday at the podium this 0:34:00.240 --> 0:34:02.920 week about his progress so far, right. 0:34:03.320 --> 0:34:06.360 I think I'll just try and take a lot, you know. 0:34:06.560 --> 0:34:08.319 I just I just tried to take in, you know, 0:34:08.360 --> 0:34:10.160 every every route that they run and what they see 0:34:10.160 --> 0:34:12.719 on different coverages. They probably annoy with me all the 0:34:12.960 --> 0:34:15.319 things that I ask him about. But yeah, I try 0:34:15.360 --> 0:34:17.800 and gain as much information as I can as possible, 0:34:18.000 --> 0:34:21.719 but as possible. But sometimes I look back, I'm like, man, 0:34:21.719 --> 0:34:23.600 I'm not even gonna ask a questions about that. Like 0:34:23.960 --> 0:34:26.520 whatever he did right there, that's that's something special for him, 0:34:26.560 --> 0:34:28.040 you know what I mean. And that's one thing that 0:34:28.120 --> 0:34:30.680 you uh, you Gardner too, Like you know, sometimes I 0:34:30.719 --> 0:34:32.719 watch King and sometimes I watch DJ and they do things. 0:34:32.800 --> 0:34:35.160 I'm like, Okay, I don't know if that's in my playbook. 0:34:35.160 --> 0:34:36.520 You know, I'm gonna have to figure out a different 0:34:36.560 --> 0:34:38.080 way to you know, get the route done. Because they're 0:34:38.080 --> 0:34:40.360 they're they're special in that way. They have, you know, 0:34:40.440 --> 0:34:42.560 such such unique traits to be able to do so 0:34:42.600 --> 0:34:45.200 many different things and comfortability to get open on any 0:34:45.200 --> 0:34:48.160 given route. So just learning those things and learning the 0:34:48.200 --> 0:34:51.160 different nuances that they that they do within a route 0:34:51.239 --> 0:34:54.160 and catching the ball that I try and emulate. But 0:34:54.480 --> 0:34:56.080 you know, got to find my own side within that 0:34:56.120 --> 0:34:56.879 as well. 0:34:58.080 --> 0:34:59.400 To DJ's extension. 0:35:00.200 --> 0:35:03.440 Oh man, that's that's crazy, you know what I mean. 0:35:03.480 --> 0:35:05.640 I was. I was super happy, you know, just the 0:35:05.880 --> 0:35:07.600 minimum time that we've we've got to spend each other. 0:35:07.680 --> 0:35:10.440 He's been a great mentor for me and you know, 0:35:10.480 --> 0:35:12.880 a great ambassador of this organization in this league as 0:35:12.880 --> 0:35:15.000 a whole great person on and off the field and 0:35:15.040 --> 0:35:17.319 a great player as well. So to me, I was like, 0:35:17.520 --> 0:35:19.800 you know, ecstatic. You know, I think he's the first 0:35:20.080 --> 0:35:23.040 player to have this first ten years guaranteed, right or 0:35:23.080 --> 0:35:26.160 something like that. Man, that's that's huge, you know, to 0:35:26.520 --> 0:35:29.879 have that happen, and he deserves it all. Honestly, he's 0:35:30.239 --> 0:35:32.560 I think he's continued to be underrated in this league. 0:35:32.680 --> 0:35:32.880 You know. 0:35:32.920 --> 0:35:34.200 I think if you turn on the tape and see 0:35:34.200 --> 0:35:37.760 what he's capable of doing is tremendous. So I'm glad 0:35:37.760 --> 0:35:38.880 that they finally got to settle. 0:35:39.960 --> 0:35:42.120 You came in pretty confident for this season. 0:35:42.120 --> 0:35:44.000 But anything you've seen or done in the last in 0:35:44.000 --> 0:35:46.400 the first couple of weeks or two plus weeks of practice, 0:35:46.640 --> 0:35:49.319 that have given you even more confidence that you can 0:35:49.360 --> 0:35:51.160 come in here and make an impact immediately. 0:35:51.560 --> 0:35:54.080 You've learned anything that you didn't know you don't. 0:35:53.920 --> 0:35:58.759 Just oh, I mean, I think I think all the 0:35:58.800 --> 0:36:00.840 skill sets that I kind of learned learning college, like, 0:36:00.880 --> 0:36:04.160 there's there's nothing that like kind of that I've gone 0:36:04.160 --> 0:36:06.360 against that was like like it's tough and it's competitive, 0:36:06.360 --> 0:36:08.560 for sure, but there's nothing out there where it's like, man, 0:36:08.600 --> 0:36:10.560 this is gonna be too much to overcome or you know, 0:36:10.600 --> 0:36:12.840 something like that, Like you know, it's just you know, 0:36:12.880 --> 0:36:16.120 different levels of competition and then different athleticism levels, and 0:36:16.200 --> 0:36:18.359 people knowing where where they're supposed to be at when 0:36:18.360 --> 0:36:20.560 they're supposed to be there, especially you know, defenses and 0:36:20.600 --> 0:36:23.680 coverage and zone coverage, man covers and know the responsibilities. 0:36:23.719 --> 0:36:24.719 So I want to. 0:36:24.719 --> 0:36:27.320 Say it's anything like unexpected, it's just more heightened and 0:36:27.440 --> 0:36:32.200 more you know, uh detailed within within any given play, 0:36:32.920 --> 0:36:36.000 uh coach Grub, my old coordinator, you should say, you know, 0:36:36.080 --> 0:36:38.560 be be the signal, you know, not the distraction. And 0:36:38.640 --> 0:36:40.359 you know there's a bunch of signals on this team, 0:36:40.560 --> 0:36:43.440 guys who you know are the beacon for people, and 0:36:43.719 --> 0:36:46.160 a bunch of you know, uh signals and beacons out 0:36:46.160 --> 0:36:50.000 there in the world that you know, they they radiate 0:36:50.040 --> 0:36:52.719 that energy, that that that sound, that noise, and you know, 0:36:52.800 --> 0:36:55.480 focusing on those things, I think it's most important. And 0:36:55.600 --> 0:36:57.840 of course number one beacon, you know, being God, you know, 0:36:58.160 --> 0:37:01.800 anything you do playing through him and going towards his 0:37:01.920 --> 0:37:02.879 like you'll probably all. 0:37:02.880 --> 0:37:06.080 Right, you were talking about the special things that Keenan does. 0:37:06.120 --> 0:37:07.560 What are some of the things that you see him 0:37:07.560 --> 0:37:08.160 do that think you. 0:37:08.120 --> 0:37:12.960 Just saying, oh man, keenan man uh. I mean, first 0:37:13.000 --> 0:37:15.480 of all, like him moving around at like his size 0:37:15.560 --> 0:37:20.120 is just crazy. Like his explosiveness, his agility, his route deception, 0:37:21.960 --> 0:37:25.160 his you know, speed deception, acceleration, all those different nuances 0:37:25.200 --> 0:37:28.560 within the route. He's he's mastered it. And you know 0:37:28.680 --> 0:37:31.600 it's it's so many subtle things within the route that 0:37:31.640 --> 0:37:34.759 he does that you know, it takes a you know, 0:37:34.880 --> 0:37:36.919 very keen eye to even you know, notice the things 0:37:36.920 --> 0:37:39.880 that he's doing. And and obviously no one's figured it 0:37:39.880 --> 0:37:42.920 out yet because they still can't guard him. So one 0:37:42.920 --> 0:37:44.880 of the most impressive things is his cuts too, Like 0:37:44.960 --> 0:37:46.799 he can cut on his outside foot, he can cut 0:37:46.840 --> 0:37:50.120 on his inside foot, and you know, he's staying off 0:37:50.160 --> 0:37:52.440 the grass and is able to maintain his balance, you know, 0:37:52.480 --> 0:37:55.120 every single time. So I think that's something that's very 0:37:55.200 --> 0:37:58.840 unique to him. But yeah, you're. 0:37:58.760 --> 0:38:02.520 Learning from Keen DJ. What's been the thing that just 0:38:02.560 --> 0:38:04.200 in this short time you've been able to add to 0:38:04.239 --> 0:38:07.040 your game that you feel you didn't have last season? 0:38:08.080 --> 0:38:08.279 Oh? 0:38:08.400 --> 0:38:11.719 I think you know, especially within man covers, you know, 0:38:11.760 --> 0:38:13.880 the nuances of that route. I mean, we got a 0:38:13.920 --> 0:38:17.360 good bit of man covers that you do. But you know, 0:38:17.840 --> 0:38:21.560 I think learning from them, they're you know, always trying 0:38:21.560 --> 0:38:23.400 to make things look vertical. And that was the point 0:38:23.400 --> 0:38:26.080 that you know, wide receiver coaches in my past, you know, 0:38:26.160 --> 0:38:28.440 have emphasized as well. But at this point in the league, 0:38:28.560 --> 0:38:30.479 at this you know, all of them the league, everybody's fast, 0:38:30.480 --> 0:38:31.960 you know what I mean. The you know, the difference 0:38:32.000 --> 0:38:35.000 between speed is you know, milliseconds you know, or you know, 0:38:35.280 --> 0:38:38.359 however little it was no allows one that the other day. 0:38:38.400 --> 0:38:40.239 That's you know, the speed difference at this level. So 0:38:40.760 --> 0:38:44.000 you got to have you know, speed, you know, in 0:38:44.000 --> 0:38:46.920 and out of breaks, and you know, always streatening to 0:38:46.960 --> 0:38:49.640 go deep in that that that puts defenders in the buying. 0:38:50.360 --> 0:38:53.760 He continues to impress me Tom his intelligence about the game. 0:38:53.920 --> 0:38:56.799 He speaks like a veteran. Frankly, he's learning a ton 0:38:56.840 --> 0:38:59.799 from Keenan Allen and DJ Moore and everybody else. And 0:38:59.840 --> 0:39:02.359 I I think he's gonna flip like a slipper. It's 0:39:02.400 --> 0:39:05.920 gonna be a nice added bonus for the Bears here 0:39:05.960 --> 0:39:07.160 in twenty twenty four. 0:39:07.440 --> 0:39:10.080 You know, I think he comes from a good competitive 0:39:10.120 --> 0:39:14.160 college working atmosphere. So the jump to the NFL isn't 0:39:14.760 --> 0:39:17.560 too big for him. He understands that he can gain 0:39:17.600 --> 0:39:20.879 a lot of knowledge from the veteran receivers that he's 0:39:20.920 --> 0:39:24.120 working with. He understands that he's been developing a really 0:39:24.160 --> 0:39:27.400 good friendship with Caleb Williams, and he knows how important 0:39:27.719 --> 0:39:31.600 each of their development is step by step together is 0:39:31.640 --> 0:39:33.800 going to be in the all and how it plays 0:39:33.840 --> 0:39:36.960 out on this football team and throughout his career. And 0:39:37.360 --> 0:39:39.279 you know, Rome's a cool guy to listen to at 0:39:39.280 --> 0:39:44.040 the podium. You know he's you can hear the youthfulness 0:39:44.080 --> 0:39:48.080 in his approach and the way he answers questions. However, 0:39:48.920 --> 0:39:53.839 he respects the veterans that he's around in what he 0:39:53.880 --> 0:39:55.800 can take from each one of these guys. 0:39:55.960 --> 0:39:58.600 And he's an inch talleran and six pounds heavier at 0:39:58.680 --> 0:40:02.600 least on paper than Keenan Allen, who has got a 0:40:02.719 --> 0:40:07.680 really strong lower half of his body that clearly helps 0:40:07.960 --> 0:40:10.600 him play his position at the level he does in 0:40:10.640 --> 0:40:13.799 his ability to explode out of his routes, even at 0:40:13.960 --> 0:40:17.480 eleven years deep into his NFL career. So great guy 0:40:17.520 --> 0:40:20.279 to learn from. Anything else that sticks out in that 0:40:20.360 --> 0:40:22.440 conversation with Romadounza. 0:40:22.560 --> 0:40:27.239 I just think it's important when you are so congratulatory 0:40:27.640 --> 0:40:31.400 about the way they went about showing DJ Moore the 0:40:31.480 --> 0:40:35.800 love with giving him a new contract, and it's not envy, 0:40:36.000 --> 0:40:39.719 its respect and understanding that you know, he says, what now, 0:40:39.760 --> 0:40:44.320 this is ten years of guaranteed contract for a veteran 0:40:44.520 --> 0:40:49.520 like DJ Moore, But he also understands that it's out 0:40:49.600 --> 0:40:52.760 of performance and it's out of what you've been able 0:40:52.840 --> 0:40:55.799 to do as a player in the NFL that's got 0:40:55.840 --> 0:40:58.439 you to this point. And I think that's a nice 0:40:58.520 --> 0:41:02.000 reflection to have have from a rookie that's just come 0:41:02.040 --> 0:41:06.239 aboard from a group of receivers that are so talented 0:41:06.280 --> 0:41:10.920 and respected, that have Hall of Fame credentials. So I 0:41:11.000 --> 0:41:13.440 just like the fact that these guys are going to 0:41:13.520 --> 0:41:17.959 play an important role in the way we're talking about 0:41:18.040 --> 0:41:21.040 Roma Dunza in three or four years and where he's 0:41:21.080 --> 0:41:22.040 at in his career. 0:41:22.400 --> 0:41:24.239 I want to go to the offensive line, and I 0:41:24.280 --> 0:41:26.160 want to touch on a guy who has yet to practice, 0:41:26.239 --> 0:41:29.680 and that is Karanamagaji, the third round pick. Chris Morgan, 0:41:29.719 --> 0:41:32.279 the Bears run game coordinator an offensive line coach, was 0:41:32.280 --> 0:41:34.680 asked about him if he's going to be able to 0:41:34.680 --> 0:41:37.480 get into a training camp practice here before the regular season, 0:41:37.480 --> 0:41:40.960 he says, he hopes so, and he's very very excited 0:41:41.400 --> 0:41:46.360 about Karanamagaji, potential tackle candidate here also can play guard 0:41:46.520 --> 0:41:50.440 from Yale Quad Taar last October, recovering from that. But 0:41:50.600 --> 0:41:54.080 he's doing well in his rehab. He is getting stronger, 0:41:54.120 --> 0:41:56.200 he says, in the weight room, and he is very 0:41:56.239 --> 0:42:00.120 attentive and understands the playbook in the classroom and the 0:42:00.160 --> 0:42:03.279 assignments are So he's very excited about this player, are. 0:42:03.200 --> 0:42:06.560 You, Jeff. There's two guys on this offensive line that 0:42:06.600 --> 0:42:10.360 are only one position player, and that's Braxton Jones, a 0:42:10.440 --> 0:42:13.879 left tackle, and Darnell right the right tackle. Every other 0:42:14.080 --> 0:42:17.400 single person that we're talking about that are on the 0:42:17.480 --> 0:42:21.960 field are playing multiple positions, even Tevin Jenkins right guard, 0:42:22.040 --> 0:42:25.279 left guard. So when you look at a guy like Amagaji, 0:42:25.280 --> 0:42:28.640 who's gonna wear number seventy two jersey, he's got the 0:42:28.680 --> 0:42:31.440 template of an offensive lineman that you could put in 0:42:31.480 --> 0:42:34.960 there and play at multiple positions, and whether it's from 0:42:35.040 --> 0:42:37.360 center to tackle, he you know, he can line up 0:42:37.400 --> 0:42:39.879 at every one. And I'm going to be interested as 0:42:40.000 --> 0:42:42.839 much as Chris Morgan is when they finally do get 0:42:42.920 --> 0:42:46.200 him in pads to see how he makes that transition 0:42:46.360 --> 0:42:49.640 from the IVY League to the NFL. Other guys have 0:42:49.760 --> 0:42:53.719 done it successfully and I expect Amagaji to do it 0:42:53.760 --> 0:42:59.120 successfully as well. But super intelligent, a really good athlete. 0:42:59.680 --> 0:43:02.440 Get it some work in and see how he fits 0:43:02.480 --> 0:43:05.240 in and where do you determine him to fit the best. 0:43:05.640 --> 0:43:07.600 Tom, we got to talk about the hip drop tackle. 0:43:07.840 --> 0:43:09.239 I know it. 0:43:09.239 --> 0:43:12.919 It's something that you were outspoken about a year ago 0:43:13.040 --> 0:43:18.320 when it became a discussion point because of injuries. Frankly, 0:43:18.800 --> 0:43:21.719 it was taught once upon a time to tackle that way, 0:43:21.840 --> 0:43:24.880 and now it's going to be something that's going to 0:43:25.000 --> 0:43:28.800 draw you a flag. And even if it's not called 0:43:28.840 --> 0:43:32.879 on the field, upon review by the league, if it's 0:43:33.000 --> 0:43:38.240 considered and checks three boxes on the list of reasons 0:43:38.239 --> 0:43:40.600 why it'd be called the hip drop tackle, you will 0:43:40.600 --> 0:43:43.920 be fined after the game, even if you didn't get 0:43:43.960 --> 0:43:47.000 a flag in the game for this. It's a tricky 0:43:47.040 --> 0:43:50.120 thing at the moment. It's a bit subjective at times, 0:43:50.160 --> 0:43:53.839 but not if three factors and that is the way 0:43:53.880 --> 0:43:57.080 you wrap, leave your feet and roll on the back 0:43:57.120 --> 0:43:59.080 of the legs of a player while you're bringing him 0:43:59.080 --> 0:44:02.240 down to the ground a hip drop tackle. Your thoughts 0:44:02.239 --> 0:44:04.920 on this. The referees explained it in great detail this 0:44:04.960 --> 0:44:06.000 week up at Househall. 0:44:06.480 --> 0:44:09.719 Very sad, very sad for the game of football that 0:44:09.800 --> 0:44:13.920 they take such a reactionary game, a reactionary position, and 0:44:13.960 --> 0:44:16.000 they say, there's a guy up in the booth that 0:44:16.040 --> 0:44:18.399 can make the determination that I'm going to find you 0:44:18.800 --> 0:44:21.840 after the fact because the player you went to tackle 0:44:22.800 --> 0:44:26.360 didn't stop, and so as he's carrying his momentum to 0:44:26.400 --> 0:44:29.759 try to gain yards after contact, you happen to have 0:44:29.880 --> 0:44:32.680 your body that goes to as backside as you're bringing 0:44:32.760 --> 0:44:35.239 him to the ground. If you want to do that, 0:44:35.520 --> 0:44:39.319 then tell the defensive player, all right, you stop as 0:44:39.320 --> 0:44:42.120 soon as you get you make contact with the defensive player. 0:44:42.440 --> 0:44:45.640 I think it's a little ridiculous, you know, just like 0:44:45.719 --> 0:44:48.279 they're you know, all the other changes that they've made 0:44:48.320 --> 0:44:50.520 in the NFL. They think they're making it to make 0:44:50.560 --> 0:44:54.640 the game safer. That's ridiculous because now you have players 0:44:54.640 --> 0:44:58.640 that may be slowing down because they're already thinking, oh, 0:44:58.680 --> 0:45:00.759 I can't make this a hip drop. Oh I don't 0:45:00.800 --> 0:45:03.080 want to get fined in an enormous amount of money 0:45:03.480 --> 0:45:05.960 and it's like I said, it's a reactionary game, and 0:45:06.000 --> 0:45:08.520 I think it's unfair what you're doing to the game. 0:45:08.560 --> 0:45:11.120 I hope I explained it correctly. It's it's the swiveling 0:45:11.160 --> 0:45:14.239 of the hips. It's dragging down and then if if 0:45:14.440 --> 0:45:18.040 if your legs, ankle, or foot are trapped, that is 0:45:18.120 --> 0:45:20.920 considered you know, so they got to check three boxes. 0:45:20.960 --> 0:45:21.160 Now. 0:45:21.360 --> 0:45:24.360 Coach Iberflus, when we've talked about this in our podcast 0:45:24.520 --> 0:45:27.719 during the season last year, he doesn't coach that his 0:45:27.960 --> 0:45:33.000 is a hamstring tackle. So the ability to attack face 0:45:33.080 --> 0:45:37.800 up and get yourself in a position and staggered feet 0:45:38.080 --> 0:45:40.880 to drive yourself into the ball carrier. 0:45:41.320 --> 0:45:41.600 Uh. 0:45:41.640 --> 0:45:43.880 So that's how he teaches it. He doesn't teach it 0:45:43.920 --> 0:45:47.160 any other way. But yeah, I mean, I didn't play 0:45:47.160 --> 0:45:49.239 the game. So you take, you take. 0:45:49.360 --> 0:45:53.840 We're gonna play hypothetical Jeff and Tom. And hypothetical Jeff 0:45:54.080 --> 0:45:58.359 is his name is Jeff Zonka, and my name is 0:45:58.440 --> 0:46:02.799 Tom Singletary, and Jeff Zonka is carrying the football, and 0:46:02.840 --> 0:46:07.120 I'm in an open field position, and between you and 0:46:07.160 --> 0:46:11.000 the goal line is me, this linebacker. So now as 0:46:11.040 --> 0:46:13.520 you put your head down to gain the extra yards 0:46:13.560 --> 0:46:18.560 after contact, as I absorb that punishing hit by Jeff Zanka, 0:46:19.040 --> 0:46:23.000 my body kind of swings around and I and that's 0:46:23.440 --> 0:46:25.840 the only thing that I'm doing is holding on to 0:46:25.960 --> 0:46:28.400 you for dear life. And then all of a sudden 0:46:28.440 --> 0:46:31.880 you fall forward and my body falls on the back 0:46:31.920 --> 0:46:34.719 of you. So now I'm going to get penalized for 0:46:34.800 --> 0:46:39.200 that instead of saying, okay, Jeff Zanka, don't lower your 0:46:39.239 --> 0:46:42.000 head as soon as you've seen me facing you up, 0:46:42.040 --> 0:46:44.680 and you stop and lay down right there, and then 0:46:44.960 --> 0:46:47.279 we'll do it like rugby. We'll put the ball down 0:46:47.320 --> 0:46:51.960 and go to a scrum. So I'm just yeah, whether 0:46:52.000 --> 0:46:55.640 you teach it or you don't teach it, the instantaneousness 0:46:55.719 --> 0:47:00.520 of contact is unpredictable. So yeah, called me old and 0:47:00.600 --> 0:47:06.760 all that. But you know, Larry's Aunka, Pete Johnson, Tony Dorset, 0:47:06.800 --> 0:47:12.200 Walter Campbell, Earl Campbell, Adrian Peterson, all these types of 0:47:12.239 --> 0:47:16.520 guys that Eric Henry. It's it's an emergency situation when 0:47:16.520 --> 0:47:19.160 you're trying to tackle these guys, even the Barry Sanders. 0:47:19.400 --> 0:47:22.239 You can't stay in a perfect tackling position when you 0:47:22.280 --> 0:47:26.439 tackle Barry Sanders, Walter Payton's gonna drive his helmet right 0:47:26.480 --> 0:47:29.400 into your chest and run you over, just like Earl 0:47:29.440 --> 0:47:34.000 Campbell did in the Highlight against the RAM. So just 0:47:34.040 --> 0:47:38.400 the instantaneousness of football and you're trying to make a 0:47:38.440 --> 0:47:42.200 post you know, a post evaluation of a tackle. 0:47:42.680 --> 0:47:45.040 Yeah, well, we went through this discussion when they started 0:47:45.040 --> 0:47:48.399 with the you know, the helmet to helmet and how 0:47:48.440 --> 0:47:52.000 often that happens. And I raised a question to those 0:47:52.040 --> 0:47:55.960 guys yesterday and I said, you know, how many of 0:47:56.360 --> 0:47:59.920 because the running backs could also anybody who initiates contact 0:48:00.040 --> 0:48:02.319 with the crown of their helmet, including a running back 0:48:02.360 --> 0:48:04.319 who's trying to get him maybe into the end zone, 0:48:04.360 --> 0:48:06.880 he lowers his head and it happens to be helmet 0:48:06.920 --> 0:48:09.400 to helmet contact, you could get flagged. And I wondered 0:48:09.440 --> 0:48:11.720 how many running backs And he couldn't answer that question 0:48:11.760 --> 0:48:16.440 because I haven't seen much of it. And but you know, 0:48:16.480 --> 0:48:19.120 he says people have adjusted, and that's the point they 0:48:19.120 --> 0:48:21.239 were trying to make. Is now, they didn't come up 0:48:21.280 --> 0:48:24.200 with this rule. It's the Competition committee, obviously in the 0:48:24.239 --> 0:48:29.520 name of health, and so they've changed, they've altered the 0:48:29.520 --> 0:48:33.120 way this is now being approached, and they haven't seen 0:48:33.280 --> 0:48:36.480 a preponderance of helmet to helmet anymore. 0:48:37.640 --> 0:48:40.040 Well, you know, all these rule changes could be made 0:48:40.080 --> 0:48:42.120 by a guy a lot of guys that have never 0:48:42.160 --> 0:48:45.719 played football before, and it doesn't going to change my mind, 0:48:45.719 --> 0:48:48.319 and I'm going to agree with it. I still think, 0:48:48.480 --> 0:48:50.920 you know, football, like Dicka said, if football is a 0:48:50.960 --> 0:48:55.040 collision sport, it's not a contact sport. And so when 0:48:55.080 --> 0:48:59.840 you challenge the cur the courage and the courageousness of 0:48:59.840 --> 0:49:05.720 all offense and defensive players, sometimes that contact is not pretty, 0:49:06.160 --> 0:49:09.120 but you know, it is what it is, and I 0:49:09.120 --> 0:49:12.799 guess changes will be made. I would be furious, though, Jeff, 0:49:12.840 --> 0:49:15.080 if I got a fine slip. I showed up on 0:49:15.120 --> 0:49:17.680 a Wednesday and I get a fine slip because some 0:49:17.800 --> 0:49:20.320 guy up in the booth determined that I made a 0:49:20.400 --> 0:49:21.560 hip drop tackle. 0:49:22.440 --> 0:49:26.120 Busy Heart Seltzer Flavors for every Vibe, Celebrate Responsibly, Molten 0:49:26.200 --> 0:49:29.000 Course Beverage Company, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. All right, let's look at 0:49:29.040 --> 0:49:31.600 the Buffalo Bills. I'm not sure who they're going to 0:49:31.640 --> 0:49:35.040 play it again, early taping here before the game, Bears 0:49:35.120 --> 0:49:38.600 leve on Friday, play on Saturday at noon in Orchard Park. 0:49:38.640 --> 0:49:41.600 And the fans, they love it out there. They're crazy fanatics. 0:49:42.400 --> 0:49:45.399 They will be loud and proud even in the preseason game, 0:49:45.400 --> 0:49:48.719 and it'll be fun to see. That's a perennial A 0:49:48.800 --> 0:49:52.600 Division contending team in the AFC East that has not 0:49:52.640 --> 0:49:54.920 been able to get over the hump with the Kansas 0:49:54.960 --> 0:49:57.960 City Chiefs in the AFC and the Baltimore Ravens and 0:49:58.000 --> 0:50:00.799 the AFC, so a tough AFC. You know who the 0:50:00.840 --> 0:50:05.000 premier teams are in that AFC. Throw the Miami Dolphins 0:50:05.000 --> 0:50:07.400 in there as well with their speed at receiver into 0:50:07.480 --> 0:50:10.520 a But how do you feel about playing the Bills? 0:50:10.680 --> 0:50:12.520 And you'll be seeing a lot of Mitch Trubisky, the 0:50:12.560 --> 0:50:13.520 former Bears quarterback. 0:50:14.200 --> 0:50:17.080 You know, they're a premier football team in the AFC, 0:50:17.120 --> 0:50:19.759 considered a real Super Bowl contender with one of the 0:50:19.800 --> 0:50:23.600 top three to five quarterbacks in the NFL and Josh Allen. 0:50:23.640 --> 0:50:26.360 They're on the cusp of building a new stadium. So 0:50:26.480 --> 0:50:29.440 when you're talking about the Buffalo Bills, it's a unique 0:50:29.480 --> 0:50:32.920 atmosphere to go into play. They support their team in 0:50:32.960 --> 0:50:36.200 the preseason as well as the regular season, so when 0:50:36.280 --> 0:50:39.920 you talked about the communication inside the stadium, it's going 0:50:40.000 --> 0:50:41.839 to be more difficult than it was at the Hall 0:50:41.920 --> 0:50:45.560 of Fame. Game or what they faced that practice. There's 0:50:46.000 --> 0:50:49.640 a kind of a coach that may be on the 0:50:49.640 --> 0:50:53.000 hot seat already that these guys better perform, and they 0:50:53.040 --> 0:50:58.160 better perform from the beginning of preseason into the regular season. 0:50:59.000 --> 0:51:01.279 And like you said, it's we don't know who's going 0:51:01.360 --> 0:51:04.000 to play, but I would imagine that they're going to 0:51:04.080 --> 0:51:06.800 have starters that are going to be out there unless 0:51:06.800 --> 0:51:10.200 there's an injury scenario that we're not aware of yet. 0:51:10.400 --> 0:51:14.120 Yeah, they've had to get younger on defense because they 0:51:14.480 --> 0:51:17.319 paid Josh Allen Stefan Diggs is gone. They made a 0:51:17.320 --> 0:51:20.440 trade obviously with the Houston Texans for that, but the 0:51:20.440 --> 0:51:23.840 big safeties that made such a dramatic impact on that 0:51:23.960 --> 0:51:27.240 defense are gone. Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde no longer 0:51:27.239 --> 0:51:30.839 the safety. So younger guys moving up the chain, and 0:51:31.560 --> 0:51:34.200 at some point, when you're paying your quarterback that kind 0:51:34.200 --> 0:51:37.400 of money, that's going to happen. Von Miller trying to 0:51:37.440 --> 0:51:40.080 work himself back after a year last year we played 0:51:40.080 --> 0:51:42.440 eleven games, did not have a sack coming off acl 0:51:43.000 --> 0:51:43.680 the year before. 0:51:43.719 --> 0:51:47.160 Tommy, Yeah, he's one of the guys that I wouldn't 0:51:47.160 --> 0:51:49.839 expect to play if I'm the head coach or if 0:51:49.840 --> 0:51:52.960 I'm the GM of the Buffalo Bills, Von Miller is 0:51:53.000 --> 0:51:55.920 not going to see the field most likely into the 0:51:55.960 --> 0:51:59.279 regular season. However, they have some other pass rushers and 0:51:59.320 --> 0:52:02.280 defensive line I'm in that you have to be concerned about. 0:52:02.600 --> 0:52:06.480 And when you talk about roles changing on a defense, 0:52:07.320 --> 0:52:09.560 you know you're gonna see some guys out there that 0:52:09.640 --> 0:52:12.000 are going to be flying around because they're going to 0:52:12.080 --> 0:52:15.319 be fighting for the respect of their coaches so they 0:52:15.400 --> 0:52:19.680 can climb up that ladder of being considered a starter 0:52:19.800 --> 0:52:20.800 instead of a backup. 0:52:20.960 --> 0:52:22.799 All right, that's going to ramp us up or Brought 0:52:22.800 --> 0:52:25.759 to you by PNC Official Bank of the Bears and 0:52:25.920 --> 0:52:28.919 by Miller Lte Tommy. We'll talk to you next week 0:52:28.960 --> 0:52:31.640 on the podcast, but we'll talk to you Saturday afternoon 0:52:31.960 --> 0:52:35.839 from Buffalo Special. Thanks to you for listening, and please 0:52:35.840 --> 0:52:39.160 subscribe now in the Chicago Bears official app, Apple, Spotify, YouTube, 0:52:39.239 --> 0:52:42.320 or wherever you get your podcast and tom homework Assignment. 0:52:42.760 --> 0:52:45.480 Find a way go see episode one of Hard Knocks. 0:52:45.960 --> 0:52:48.080 I'll come over your house. I don't have HBO. 0:52:48.239 --> 0:52:50.680 You're welcome anytime. Thanks for listening to everybody. 0:52:50.719 --> 0:53:04.400 Bear down Less first