WEBVTT - D'Andre Swift on playing with Bears' offensive weapons | Bears Weekly Podcast 0:00:01.040 --> 0:00:05.240 Welcome in Tom Bears Weekly powered by IGS Energy by 0:00:05.360 --> 0:00:09.360 Chicago Bears Network production. Bears Weekly is brought you by 0:00:09.520 --> 0:00:15.080 Advocate Healthcare, Athletico Physical, Apparently, C D. Gallady, Connie's Piazzer, 0:00:15.440 --> 0:00:20.640 IGS Energy, and Meller Liked. Here are your hosts, Jeff Chiliac, 0:00:20.760 --> 0:00:24.320 aka the Mayor of Bearsville and his sidekick, Tom the 0:00:24.480 --> 0:00:25.919 Surfmaster Thayer. 0:00:27.400 --> 0:00:31.159 Well A week from tonight in Canton, Ohio playing the 0:00:31.160 --> 0:00:34.239 Houston Texans the Bears in the Hall of Fame game 0:00:34.320 --> 0:00:36.240 heard right here at ESPN one thousand of the Bears 0:00:36.320 --> 0:00:39.600 Radio Network. Seven o'clock the kickoff and Tom Thayer is 0:00:39.600 --> 0:00:41.720 ready to go. The Super Bowl winning Bears guard here 0:00:41.760 --> 0:00:43.680 as we begin the march of the regular season with 0:00:43.760 --> 0:00:46.960 pads coming on tomorrow morning on day six of training camp. 0:00:47.600 --> 0:00:50.120 And thanks to our producers Dan Brilly and Jordan Treadup 0:00:50.120 --> 0:00:53.280 and in the ESPN studios Kendra Smith, the executive producer 0:00:53.280 --> 0:00:55.960 of the Bears Radio Network is Eric Ostrotski. Coming up, 0:00:55.960 --> 0:00:59.400 We'll visit with for Bears running back DeAndre Swift in 0:00:59.440 --> 0:01:02.160 our second segment and we'll get the latest from practice today. 0:01:02.200 --> 0:01:05.680 Time is grinning ear to ear because pads come back. 0:01:06.240 --> 0:01:09.760 Well, I was gonna say, Jeff, slow your role because 0:01:09.760 --> 0:01:13.600 you're already talking about the Hall of Fame game, which 0:01:13.640 --> 0:01:17.679 is gonna take place next Thursday. But in the schedule 0:01:17.720 --> 0:01:22.479 of events and their role of importance, tomorrow is probably 0:01:22.560 --> 0:01:26.400 the most important day since the draft took place, since 0:01:26.520 --> 0:01:31.640 OTA started mandatory mini camp, the beginning of training camp. 0:01:32.120 --> 0:01:35.240 But now finally we get to see what this is 0:01:35.319 --> 0:01:39.720 all about. We get to see real padded football where 0:01:39.760 --> 0:01:43.880 collisions conclude the play and not just a whistle or 0:01:44.000 --> 0:01:46.440 somebody running by with no pads on. 0:01:46.920 --> 0:01:48.160 Are they teases nowadays? 0:01:48.200 --> 0:01:51.280 Don't they a lot of practices before the pads come on? 0:01:51.400 --> 0:01:53.760 And it's league wide, it's not, it's not anything different, 0:01:53.800 --> 0:01:55.800 but wow, they do tease you a little bit. Now, 0:01:56.560 --> 0:01:59.720 you know, some false some false security, I would think 0:01:59.800 --> 0:02:03.840 in certain situations by without the pads, because that's when 0:02:03.840 --> 0:02:07.240 you learn, how do guys carry their pads? Are they 0:02:07.280 --> 0:02:09.480 as quick? Do they run as fast? Are they as 0:02:10.240 --> 0:02:13.839 physical with the pads on? And all these things are 0:02:13.840 --> 0:02:15.919 going to make a difference now, and that's where your 0:02:15.919 --> 0:02:18.040 evaluation comes in. The first thing you do, you go 0:02:18.120 --> 0:02:20.280 right to the one on ones between the offense and 0:02:20.320 --> 0:02:21.280 a defensive line. 0:02:21.919 --> 0:02:25.480 Yeah, just starting from the point of the players. For me, 0:02:25.880 --> 0:02:29.000 it took me three days of practice to become comfortable 0:02:29.000 --> 0:02:31.800 in my paths, no kidding, because there's so many difference 0:02:31.840 --> 0:02:35.400 of feelings. The way your helmet feels with your shoulder pads, 0:02:35.400 --> 0:02:38.320 on the way you can bend and get in your stance. 0:02:38.080 --> 0:02:40.240 Not as easy as when you're out of pads. 0:02:40.680 --> 0:02:44.440 And then all just breaking in your helmet that got 0:02:44.480 --> 0:02:47.880 reconditioned or it's a new helmet from the offseason. You 0:02:47.919 --> 0:02:50.320 need to get a little sweat into your shoulder pads 0:02:50.639 --> 0:02:52.720 so they form fit around your body. 0:02:52.880 --> 0:02:54.160 So those types of things. 0:02:54.200 --> 0:02:56.399 It takes a couple of days, and I hope it's 0:02:56.400 --> 0:03:00.359 hot and sweaty out because it helps those pads kind 0:03:00.360 --> 0:03:03.840 of form to whatever your body shape is. And then yeah, 0:03:03.960 --> 0:03:06.680 then you talk about the reality of real football. 0:03:07.120 --> 0:03:08.920 I love I want to see one on ones. 0:03:09.360 --> 0:03:12.680 There's guys that I have a peak interest in, and 0:03:13.120 --> 0:03:16.320 I think Jabon Dexter Senior is probably the most talked 0:03:16.320 --> 0:03:20.320 about guy in training camp thus far this season outside 0:03:20.320 --> 0:03:24.680 of Caleb, because he has such a high expectations. But 0:03:24.800 --> 0:03:27.760 now we're gonna see the performance portion of it and 0:03:27.880 --> 0:03:30.920 how all the details and everything he did inside the 0:03:30.919 --> 0:03:35.360 weight room throughout the offseason pertains the actual football. 0:03:35.800 --> 0:03:39.160 And then nine one seven or Undro's that's also a 0:03:39.160 --> 0:03:41.920 big one. Can't really determine how the running game is 0:03:41.960 --> 0:03:42.360 without that. 0:03:42.920 --> 0:03:46.680 It's probably the most physical portion of team practice. It 0:03:46.760 --> 0:03:50.360 is nine on seven because it's the amount of offense 0:03:50.400 --> 0:03:54.080 and defensive players. It used to be nine offensive players 0:03:54.120 --> 0:03:58.200 against seven defensive players. And then when Buddy Ryan introduced 0:03:58.200 --> 0:04:00.600 the forty six defense and he hadded the straw and 0:04:00.600 --> 0:04:03.320 the safeties, and then it became more of a nine 0:04:03.360 --> 0:04:06.120 on nine drill. So it has changed a little bit. 0:04:06.440 --> 0:04:09.560 But once you get the teamwork, there's more of a 0:04:09.600 --> 0:04:13.720 tempo to teamwork. But one on ones nine on seven's 0:04:13.960 --> 0:04:17.480 it's more of a super aggressive period that you can 0:04:17.520 --> 0:04:23.599 get the finer details of interplay between offense and defensive lineman, 0:04:23.680 --> 0:04:24.760 tight end and linebacker. 0:04:24.960 --> 0:04:25.080 Right. 0:04:25.160 --> 0:04:28.440 So that being said, in phase a stack of practices, 0:04:28.600 --> 0:04:30.640 coach Eberfluchle likes to refer to the miss stacks. 0:04:31.320 --> 0:04:33.440 What was accomplished, In your opinion. 0:04:34.400 --> 0:04:38.200 They understand the speed of the game with the understanding 0:04:38.400 --> 0:04:40.640 of all the mental part of it that they've been 0:04:40.680 --> 0:04:43.520 teaching these guys now for a couple months. You got 0:04:43.560 --> 0:04:46.960 to put that into practice, and so I expect the 0:04:47.000 --> 0:04:50.400 speed of the practice to continue as it was with 0:04:50.520 --> 0:04:54.039 no pads on, and I do have high expectations for 0:04:54.120 --> 0:04:57.240 that because it's not where they're going back to relearn 0:04:57.279 --> 0:04:58.360 the mental part of it. 0:04:58.600 --> 0:05:01.000 They've just been able to reinf force it over the 0:05:01.120 --> 0:05:01.880 last week. 0:05:02.279 --> 0:05:05.479 But now it's it's in the UH in the real football, 0:05:05.800 --> 0:05:09.600 and there's a lot of time instances that change in 0:05:09.680 --> 0:05:13.600 full pads. So I'm excited to see it tomorrow and 0:05:14.400 --> 0:05:18.280 I hope the crowd that surrounds the field is enthusiastic, 0:05:18.640 --> 0:05:21.720 and I hope they contribute to the volume of noise 0:05:21.839 --> 0:05:23.280 that the players can hear. 0:05:23.920 --> 0:05:27.080 Today. Kader Gordon not available. 0:05:27.320 --> 0:05:32.120 He's working through some uh some stiffness in his body. 0:05:32.320 --> 0:05:34.560 They don't have to tell you where or what what 0:05:34.560 --> 0:05:37.359 what the issue is. And Braxon Jones is still rotating 0:05:37.400 --> 0:05:41.160 at left tackle as he's ramping himself up. Other than that, no, 0:05:41.360 --> 0:05:44.400 nothing serious in the injury department, thank goodness. Knock on wood. 0:05:44.720 --> 0:05:49.000 Uh Kayla Williams getting high marks for overall accuracy and 0:05:49.040 --> 0:05:52.719 how he's moving in the pocket so far. A lot 0:05:52.760 --> 0:05:55.480 of work in the red zone today, UH and so 0:05:55.560 --> 0:05:57.720 there were wins. There were wins by the offense, there 0:05:57.720 --> 0:06:00.000 are wins by the defense, and a lot of pressure 0:06:00.080 --> 0:06:01.400 from Montese Sweat today. 0:06:01.440 --> 0:06:02.920 That's for sure good. 0:06:04.160 --> 0:06:06.360 But again, you know, but you know my argument with 0:06:06.440 --> 0:06:09.880 no pads between offensive defensive linemen. I think no pads 0:06:09.920 --> 0:06:13.400 gives defensive line a false sense of security and it 0:06:13.440 --> 0:06:17.200 makes offensive linemen a little bit more insecure. So when 0:06:17.240 --> 0:06:20.359 you add the physical element of pads, do it. I 0:06:20.400 --> 0:06:24.800 still expect Montes Sweat to shine unlike a lot of others. 0:06:25.160 --> 0:06:28.880 But I think when you add what Darnell Wright can 0:06:28.960 --> 0:06:31.520 do in full pads and you allow him to be 0:06:31.600 --> 0:06:35.640 the big body, talented athlete football player that he has has, 0:06:35.839 --> 0:06:37.320 it'll be more confrontational. 0:06:37.480 --> 0:06:40.280 Got to also give a thumbs up to the secondary 0:06:40.400 --> 0:06:43.200 overall from the time this started, they're they're playing at 0:06:43.200 --> 0:06:47.240 a very high level. If they are completing passes, it's 0:06:47.279 --> 0:06:51.240 in small windows. They are on it at every at 0:06:51.240 --> 0:06:53.400 every stage, at every level of the field, and every 0:06:53.400 --> 0:06:54.440 stage of practice. 0:06:54.760 --> 0:06:58.160 Yep. And again I like it too. 0:06:58.640 --> 0:07:01.520 I like it because I think the receivers that they're 0:07:01.520 --> 0:07:04.640 going up against the first tier and all the backups 0:07:04.640 --> 0:07:07.320 that they're going up against, our quality group of receivers. 0:07:07.640 --> 0:07:10.080 But I think it benefits the receivers in the quarterback 0:07:10.120 --> 0:07:15.040 position and everybody else to practice against quality players. We'll 0:07:15.040 --> 0:07:18.840 see some practices with Cincinnati and the Hall of Fame 0:07:18.920 --> 0:07:21.280 game with Houston, and so on and so forth with 0:07:21.320 --> 0:07:24.240 the other preseason games. But when you have that good 0:07:24.280 --> 0:07:29.480 competition against your own team for multiple practice, it really 0:07:29.560 --> 0:07:31.840 benefits you to make yourselves better. 0:07:32.040 --> 0:07:35.080 And coach is always talking about playing at game speed 0:07:35.120 --> 0:07:38.480 at practice, So practicing at game speed and so the 0:07:38.520 --> 0:07:42.200 windows can be a little more realistic than unrealistic when 0:07:42.200 --> 0:07:45.840 you're a rookie quarterback throwing the football or a receiver 0:07:46.640 --> 0:07:49.600 that's being covered by a dB, a safetyer corner. So 0:07:49.960 --> 0:07:52.520 I think there is you know, that's a requirement. That's 0:07:52.520 --> 0:07:54.840 what he's demanding, and they are playing like that. There 0:07:54.920 --> 0:07:57.480 was a great play today by Kevin Byerd, who is 0:07:58.040 --> 0:08:00.960 looking quite quick and triggering quickly on the back end 0:08:00.960 --> 0:08:04.120 of the defense. He almost had an interception, but it 0:08:04.200 --> 0:08:06.280 went out of bounds. I don't think he got his 0:08:06.280 --> 0:08:09.680 feet in, but that that excites me too, because he's 0:08:09.720 --> 0:08:12.720 a ballhawk and he knows defense. 0:08:13.080 --> 0:08:16.080 He's a vent. He's communicating well, helping settle the back end. 0:08:16.480 --> 0:08:19.080 Well, that's why I think these nopad practices are going 0:08:19.160 --> 0:08:21.920 to be beneficial to the padded practices, because when we 0:08:22.080 --> 0:08:24.400 went to training camp, we drove the platfell, we put 0:08:24.400 --> 0:08:26.640 our equipment on, and we went to work and then 0:08:26.680 --> 0:08:31.440 the pace of practice seemed so slow for a couple days, 0:08:31.840 --> 0:08:34.240 and then it started to pick up the pace. I 0:08:34.280 --> 0:08:36.120 think they're going to be the pace is going to 0:08:36.200 --> 0:08:40.360 be picked up immediately starting tomorrow because they've had the 0:08:40.400 --> 0:08:43.720 benefits of OTA mandatory mini camp in a week of 0:08:43.840 --> 0:08:44.959 unpadded practices. 0:08:45.200 --> 0:08:47.280 Time for our first break on the other side, will 0:08:47.320 --> 0:08:50.800 be joined by running back DeAndre Swift. This is Bears 0:08:50.800 --> 0:08:53.679 Weekly on ESPN Chicago and the Bears Radio Network. 0:08:54.600 --> 0:08:57.440 This Bears Weekly with a voice of the Bears for 0:08:57.520 --> 0:09:01.720 twenty three years, Jeff on the Bears Radio Network. 0:09:06.960 --> 0:09:09.280 This segment of Bears Weekly is brought to you by 0:09:09.440 --> 0:09:13.080 igs Entergy, Jeff Joniak and Tom Payer with you a 0:09:13.200 --> 0:09:16.400 fifty year running back, a pro bowler in Philadelphia last year, 0:09:16.520 --> 0:09:20.040 and a guest of ours earlier today on the birthdate 0:09:20.200 --> 0:09:22.520 of the late Walter Payton. With Swift now wearing a 0:09:22.520 --> 0:09:26.120 Bears uniform, here's a logical question to begin the interview. 0:09:26.160 --> 0:09:29.200 Does that resonate with you in any way, first and foremost. 0:09:28.920 --> 0:09:31.480 Yes, yes, yes, somebody I used to watch coming up, 0:09:32.760 --> 0:09:35.520 great great, great, great talent, great talent in the field, 0:09:35.520 --> 0:09:37.520 so as well as you probably know, just a great 0:09:37.679 --> 0:09:39.600 person probably to block four to be a part of 0:09:39.720 --> 0:09:42.200 but somehow, but I've really really watched growing up. 0:09:42.840 --> 0:09:44.680 Tell them the story about when you first got to 0:09:44.720 --> 0:09:47.240 the Bears. Because Tom played in the United States Football 0:09:47.280 --> 0:09:51.079 League USFL in the original version, and so he played 0:09:51.080 --> 0:09:54.280 a whole season, went to the playoffs, got in his car, 0:09:54.400 --> 0:09:56.199 came to Bears training camp when they had two a 0:09:56.280 --> 0:10:00.800 days and with Mike Ditka, and then played the whole 0:10:00.800 --> 0:10:02.320 way all the way through the Super Bowl. So he 0:10:02.360 --> 0:10:04.320 played how many games in one calendar year? 0:10:04.400 --> 0:10:06.560 Forty four? 0:10:06.800 --> 0:10:10.320 Forty four games in one calendar year. Yeah, he's Deandre's 0:10:10.320 --> 0:10:13.080 sitting here a little stunt. But talk about that first 0:10:13.080 --> 0:10:16.480 time because he grew up in Juliet, South suburbs of 0:10:16.559 --> 0:10:19.320 Chicago and grew up a Bears fan. So when you 0:10:19.400 --> 0:10:21.960 first walked in the huddle time with Walter Payton. 0:10:21.720 --> 0:10:22.440 It was amazing. 0:10:22.800 --> 0:10:25.640 You know, I had a hard time being overly excited 0:10:25.679 --> 0:10:28.880 about seeing him because I hero worshiped him and I 0:10:28.920 --> 0:10:31.600 grew up in this area. And so there I was 0:10:31.720 --> 0:10:34.559 standing in the huddle with Walter Payton and then they 0:10:34.640 --> 0:10:37.760 call a play that your block is instrumental in his 0:10:37.880 --> 0:10:39.000 success or failure. 0:10:39.360 --> 0:10:41.480 So it kind of puts that excitement, you know. 0:10:41.600 --> 0:10:43.880 That's one of the things like when you went to Philly, 0:10:43.960 --> 0:10:46.640 but you also went to prep high school in Philly. 0:10:47.559 --> 0:10:51.280 I kind of liked the pressure and everything of it. 0:10:51.400 --> 0:10:54.439 Did you like that part of it as having where 0:10:54.480 --> 0:10:55.880 you grew up around you? 0:10:56.200 --> 0:10:57.480 One hundred percent. I looked at it. 0:10:57.559 --> 0:10:59.760 I had no other option but to perform at a 0:10:59.840 --> 0:11:02.920 high level being somewhere I'm familiar where I grew up 0:11:02.920 --> 0:11:05.920 when I played ball at and had a great mentality 0:11:05.960 --> 0:11:07.320 every day I woke up and went to work. 0:11:08.160 --> 0:11:10.280 Back in nineteen eighty one, I played at Notre Dame. 0:11:10.360 --> 0:11:13.080 We played Georgia for the national championship game. We got 0:11:13.080 --> 0:11:16.120 beat and that was herschel Walker's freshman year. So when 0:11:16.120 --> 0:11:19.040 you consider all the talent you played around in college, 0:11:19.960 --> 0:11:22.559 was the reason you went to Georgia to stay inside 0:11:22.559 --> 0:11:27.800 that the competition that's unlike any other in the college atmosphere. 0:11:28.040 --> 0:11:29.640 One hundred percent that played a part in it. 0:11:30.280 --> 0:11:31.680 Wanted to get out of Philly and kind of do 0:11:31.760 --> 0:11:34.640 something a little different, had the opportunity to do so, 0:11:34.720 --> 0:11:37.040 but the competition down there. I not wanted to play 0:11:37.160 --> 0:11:39.800 SEC ball, wanted to play in the best conference there 0:11:39.920 --> 0:11:43.600 was just Yeah, joining the running back group with Sony Michelle, 0:11:43.679 --> 0:11:46.880 Nick Chubb, guys like those, I don't. I'm never the 0:11:46.920 --> 0:11:48.920 won a shot from competition. I kind of run to it. 0:11:49.000 --> 0:11:50.920 So that was definitely played the part in it too. 0:11:51.520 --> 0:11:51.720 Well. 0:11:51.760 --> 0:11:54.840 Six point six yards per carrying college is pretty impressive, 0:11:54.920 --> 0:11:58.560 especially when you're playing in the biggest conference in college. Also, 0:11:58.679 --> 0:12:02.120 the second thing is when you're taking considerations some of 0:12:02.160 --> 0:12:04.560 the running backs that have played on the pro teams 0:12:04.559 --> 0:12:07.240 that you've played for. When you look at Walter Payton 0:12:07.280 --> 0:12:09.440 and Gale Sayers, and you look at Barry Sanders, you 0:12:09.480 --> 0:12:12.199 look at Wilbur Montgomery and Ricky Waters and those kind 0:12:12.240 --> 0:12:17.480 of guys, it's an oppressive room group history of running 0:12:17.480 --> 0:12:19.800 backs that you've been around, not only in college but 0:12:19.840 --> 0:12:21.160 also at the NFL level. 0:12:21.840 --> 0:12:23.679 Yeah, my first year I was in the room with 0:12:24.000 --> 0:12:28.720 Adrian Peterson. I didn't think I'd never been a somebody 0:12:28.800 --> 0:12:30.720 like one of the running backs that I grew up 0:12:30.720 --> 0:12:33.640 a big fan of. So just having them vet guys 0:12:33.640 --> 0:12:35.040 around early, you know, I feel like it helps you 0:12:35.080 --> 0:12:36.960 in your career, especially seeing how it's supposed to be 0:12:36.960 --> 0:12:40.040 done as far as the nutrition aspect of the reheab 0:12:40.120 --> 0:12:41.480 So I was I was fortunate enough to be a 0:12:41.480 --> 0:12:44.760 part of that. Uh, kind of watch and take some 0:12:44.800 --> 0:12:47.040 of those things that I learned, you know, implement them 0:12:47.040 --> 0:12:47.840 in my own routine. 0:12:48.080 --> 0:12:52.240 Adrian Peterson, Uh, no matter where your allegiances lie as 0:12:52.280 --> 0:12:55.440 a fan, right, we called so many of his games 0:12:55.840 --> 0:12:58.199 when the Vikings came to town and we went to Minnesota. 0:12:58.559 --> 0:13:02.680 Just a unique, vicious runner, ran tall, but boy he 0:13:02.880 --> 0:13:06.160 was something else, something else, and you have so you know, 0:13:06.200 --> 0:13:08.720 you think about a guy like that, that's a guy 0:13:08.840 --> 0:13:10.760 like he was just born to. 0:13:10.760 --> 0:13:11.800 Be big and strong. 0:13:11.920 --> 0:13:14.120 Right, I don't even know what he did to enhance that, 0:13:14.200 --> 0:13:16.959 but everybody has to. But do you appreciate that when 0:13:17.000 --> 0:13:19.080 some guys are just born and built to play the 0:13:19.120 --> 0:13:22.120 game at a level that is almost unattainable. 0:13:23.240 --> 0:13:25.840 I appreciate even more of seeing how they worked, just 0:13:25.840 --> 0:13:27.880 seeing the hard work day in and day out. Know 0:13:27.960 --> 0:13:31.080 they have natural boring ability and talent, but the work 0:13:31.080 --> 0:13:33.520 that goes into it is something you appreciate you much more. 0:13:33.760 --> 0:13:36.960 Andre Swift, our guest here on Bears Weekly on the Spno. 0:13:36.960 --> 0:13:38.960 One thousands of the Bears Radio Network. All right, let's 0:13:38.960 --> 0:13:41.480 get into into the room. First of all, you're you're 0:13:41.559 --> 0:13:45.319 running back coach Chad Morton. He's insane, Like I mean, 0:13:45.400 --> 0:13:48.760 I love the way he coaches the sprint. You gotta 0:13:48.760 --> 0:13:50.960 tell me where all this started with the sprint thing? 0:13:51.080 --> 0:13:53.120 Did you know this was gonna be his thing from 0:13:53.120 --> 0:13:55.400 the first time you saw him in the offseason and 0:13:55.440 --> 0:13:59.679 as it elevated to a level that is absolutely unique 0:13:59.720 --> 0:14:00.600 every single day. 0:14:00.679 --> 0:14:01.560 Break it down for me. 0:14:01.840 --> 0:14:03.520 When I first met you, I didn't think he was 0:14:03.559 --> 0:14:06.760 as energetic and the personality has It's like when he's 0:14:06.800 --> 0:14:08.559 on the field, it's a whole different way. But like 0:14:08.600 --> 0:14:10.360 you said, you seem sprinting, trying to beat us to 0:14:10.400 --> 0:14:11.199 every trail. 0:14:11.000 --> 0:14:11.600 And stuff like that. 0:14:11.640 --> 0:14:13.760 This whole thing is about finished. But he has fun 0:14:13.760 --> 0:14:16.160 with it too. He makes it funk of you on 0:14:16.240 --> 0:14:16.640 play for. 0:14:16.960 --> 0:14:20.000 Yeah in that room now with you and Khalil Herbert, 0:14:20.080 --> 0:14:24.240 Roshawn Johnson, Travis Homer, who has a history with Shane Waldron, 0:14:24.480 --> 0:14:27.320 and the undrafted rookie out of Howard University, Ian Wheeler 0:14:27.440 --> 0:14:30.600 number thirty three. When you come to training camp tomorrow 0:14:30.640 --> 0:14:33.200 for first padded practice, you're gonna notice this guy. 0:14:33.240 --> 0:14:36.400 He puts in a lot of effort for every touch 0:14:36.400 --> 0:14:38.200 he gets. He's not getting as many obviously. 0:14:38.520 --> 0:14:41.320 And then Carrie blashing game, give us a little snapshot 0:14:41.360 --> 0:14:43.680 on each and how that room is operating right now. 0:14:43.800 --> 0:14:47.720 Oh man, these guys, the way we work, the mentality 0:14:47.760 --> 0:14:51.800 we have like Lil Herbert, it's no drop off for 0:14:51.840 --> 0:14:55.200 whoever's in there. Ian just the way he approaches every 0:14:55.200 --> 0:14:59.640 single opportunity KB is his attention to detail on the 0:14:59.720 --> 0:15:04.000 RYK game, his blocking responsibilities, home or well he finishes, 0:15:04.200 --> 0:15:07.480 ro shun, well he finishes if the speed he breaks 0:15:07.640 --> 0:15:10.200 with is not in the day with the guys who got. 0:15:10.160 --> 0:15:12.760 In the room, And that's when what's your snapshot? You know, 0:15:12.960 --> 0:15:15.920 you got to give yourself something. What do you what's yours? 0:15:16.680 --> 0:15:18.240 Being able to do it with them makes you do 0:15:18.320 --> 0:15:20.560 it the best of my beliefs. Man, Just trying to 0:15:20.600 --> 0:15:24.680 focus on being consistent, coming here, coming tomorrow, being better 0:15:24.680 --> 0:15:25.200 than I was the day. 0:15:25.200 --> 0:15:27.040 That's what don't focused on, you. 0:15:26.960 --> 0:15:29.920 Know, DeAndre, this is your third system in three years. 0:15:29.920 --> 0:15:32.280 But all you guys together in that running back room 0:15:32.320 --> 0:15:35.800 with the Chicago Bears, it's the first year in this system. 0:15:36.280 --> 0:15:38.600 How long does it take you to feel comfortable with 0:15:38.640 --> 0:15:43.520 the terminology of these modern day offenses so to where 0:15:43.560 --> 0:15:44.880 it becomes second nature? 0:15:45.360 --> 0:15:47.480 And then does it go hand in hand. 0:15:47.240 --> 0:15:50.560 With the way you read and understand your offensive line 0:15:51.560 --> 0:15:54.320 in terms of knowing the terminology and know how it 0:15:54.400 --> 0:15:56.680 fits to your offensive line. 0:15:57.080 --> 0:15:58.120 It's something that takes time. 0:15:58.280 --> 0:16:01.080 It takes time, but uh, coach, you do a great 0:16:01.160 --> 0:16:04.520 job with installing the detailed install So how I look 0:16:04.560 --> 0:16:06.240 at it is how I've approach it. I try to 0:16:06.240 --> 0:16:08.640 make sure I'm one hundred percent for that day, So 0:16:08.680 --> 0:16:10.880 I look at the please with install and making sure 0:16:10.920 --> 0:16:12.080 I'm fine for that day, and at the end of 0:16:12.120 --> 0:16:14.680 the week, I go the whole week, but making sure 0:16:14.760 --> 0:16:17.520 whatever is put in the night before, get that down, 0:16:17.680 --> 0:16:19.360 focus on the day, one day at the time, and 0:16:19.400 --> 0:16:21.720 then collectively kind of study that way. 0:16:21.760 --> 0:16:22.600 That's kind of how happened. 0:16:22.840 --> 0:16:24.680 You know what's amazing for me is I've been around 0:16:24.680 --> 0:16:27.160 the Chicago Bears for almost forty years and we are 0:16:27.200 --> 0:16:29.600 a run oriented offense. When I was here, and it's 0:16:29.640 --> 0:16:32.280 kind of a run oriented offense. But now I see 0:16:32.320 --> 0:16:35.120 the development of the importance of the passing game through 0:16:35.160 --> 0:16:39.080 the running back with this offense. It amazing thing about 0:16:39.080 --> 0:16:41.920 you running backs is the variety of passes that you 0:16:42.040 --> 0:16:44.960 have to catch, whether it's a swing pass, whether it's 0:16:44.960 --> 0:16:48.200 a play action, whether it's an immediate bubble screen or 0:16:48.240 --> 0:16:51.160 a slow screen, or if you're running a route off 0:16:51.160 --> 0:16:54.520 the line of scrimmage. Your pass catching ability is it 0:16:54.720 --> 0:16:57.480 are you are you naturally gifted at it or is 0:16:57.520 --> 0:17:00.480 it something that you've had to learn throughout your NFL career. 0:17:00.920 --> 0:17:01.960 I will say both. 0:17:02.040 --> 0:17:04.119 I'm naturally I've been naturally gifted at it, be able 0:17:04.119 --> 0:17:06.880 to have hands, but some not work at like time 0:17:06.960 --> 0:17:08.359 and and time out every single day. 0:17:09.320 --> 0:17:10.960 Something I don't take light because I full as dough. 0:17:11.080 --> 0:17:12.320 Like I said, the more you can do at the 0:17:12.359 --> 0:17:15.200 running back position, the more valuable you are. So when 0:17:15.240 --> 0:17:17.560 you ask to line up out wide and run anything 0:17:17.760 --> 0:17:19.000 they asked you to do, when you do it at 0:17:19.000 --> 0:17:21.560 a high level and have success at it, is only 0:17:22.040 --> 0:17:22.760 only helps. 0:17:22.560 --> 0:17:25.160 You hands one thing 'ro out running a whole another right, 0:17:25.320 --> 0:17:27.480 gotta be crispy, Yeah, I mean, and that's a skill too, 0:17:27.920 --> 0:17:30.560 as a skill too, So Tommy today at corner out 0:17:30.920 --> 0:17:34.240 in red zone from Cata Williams. This man working on 0:17:34.359 --> 0:17:37.159 Jakwan Brisker makes the grabt for the touchdown and everybody 0:17:37.240 --> 0:17:38.760 went Bears win, Bears win. 0:17:39.040 --> 0:17:40.520 So you get in the end zone. 0:17:40.680 --> 0:17:44.560 I think twenty of your rushing touchdowns have come inside 0:17:44.560 --> 0:17:47.240 the ten here in the last couple of years. 0:17:47.520 --> 0:17:49.120 You have a nose for the end zone. 0:17:49.280 --> 0:17:51.479 Is that something you're one of the most things you're 0:17:51.520 --> 0:17:53.040 proud of about you in your career? 0:17:53.280 --> 0:17:54.000 One hundred percent. 0:17:54.359 --> 0:17:56.720 The more you're able to do, is it helps you 0:17:57.880 --> 0:18:01.280 being able to run the ball any yard line, anywhere 0:18:01.280 --> 0:18:03.760 in the field, red zone, backed up, it only helps 0:18:03.760 --> 0:18:05.960 you and then be able to make people miss. 0:18:06.000 --> 0:18:10.040 It's something I take very very well. Don't take lightly. 0:18:10.080 --> 0:18:11.520 And being able to catch the ball to bag for 0:18:11.640 --> 0:18:15.200 run routes, catch the ball, protect the ball. That's something 0:18:15.200 --> 0:18:16.920 you want to be able to do as a back 0:18:16.960 --> 0:18:17.480 in this league. 0:18:17.520 --> 0:18:20.080 Do you feel that this is the most highly explosive 0:18:20.160 --> 0:18:24.240 weapons that you've played with in your NFL career in 0:18:24.320 --> 0:18:27.200 terms of if you put everybody on the field at once, 0:18:28.359 --> 0:18:30.520 is this is this the best group of guys that 0:18:30.560 --> 0:18:33.680 you played with, or is it in comparison to the 0:18:33.720 --> 0:18:34.400 other teams. 0:18:34.760 --> 0:18:36.720 It's up there for sure. It's up there for sure. 0:18:37.040 --> 0:18:41.919 Look, you got Dj Moore, Keenan Island Roan, Cole Gerald, Efverett, 0:18:42.400 --> 0:18:46.560 you got Caleb back there saying, so it's it's it's 0:18:46.560 --> 0:18:47.520 a great group we got. 0:18:47.920 --> 0:18:49.040 It's up there for sure. 0:18:49.720 --> 0:18:51.000 And how's that going with Caleb. 0:18:51.560 --> 0:18:55.679 He's got some rare skills obviously, he's got humility, and 0:18:55.720 --> 0:18:59.359 he wants to work and he's crazy passionate about winning. 0:18:59.840 --> 0:19:02.119 Uh uh, that's that's all you need. And now you 0:19:02.200 --> 0:19:04.480 got to work and grow, right, So how's that. How's 0:19:04.520 --> 0:19:05.560 that adaptation coming? 0:19:05.640 --> 0:19:06.240 It's been good. 0:19:06.560 --> 0:19:08.320 That's what you want to see, especially early on in 0:19:08.359 --> 0:19:11.320 the young guys, correct the quarterback position. Just the urge 0:19:11.320 --> 0:19:14.040 to get better, to earth, to learn and command the 0:19:14.080 --> 0:19:15.280 offense something you have to do. 0:19:15.359 --> 0:19:16.120 And it's tough. 0:19:16.240 --> 0:19:18.119