WEBVTT - Dan Roushar shares vision for offensive line | Bears Weekly 0:00:01.560 --> 0:00:05.720 Welcome in to Bears Weekly powered by IGS Energy, a 0:00:05.880 --> 0:00:09.680 Chicago Bears Network production. Bears Weekly is brought to you 0:00:09.760 --> 0:00:15.600 by Advocate Healthcare, Athletico Physical, Effaicly CD, Jawad, Connie's Pizza, 0:00:15.960 --> 0:00:20.560 IGS Energy, and Meller Liked. Here are your hosts, Jeff 0:00:20.640 --> 0:00:24.720 Chilneact aka the Mayor of Bearsville and is Sidekicked, Tom 0:00:24.800 --> 0:00:26.200 the Surfmaster Thayer. 0:00:27.840 --> 0:00:30.280 Well, we are one month from the NFL Draft and 0:00:30.320 --> 0:00:32.800 another hal of player additions to a roster that is 0:00:32.840 --> 0:00:34.760 the talk of the off season of the NFL. 0:00:34.840 --> 0:00:35.720 We tackle all of it. 0:00:35.680 --> 0:00:38.360 Tonight here on Bears Weekly on ESPN one thousand and 0:00:38.400 --> 0:00:41.160 the Chicago Bears Radio Network with Super Bowl winning Bears 0:00:41.159 --> 0:00:42.040 guard Tom Thayer. 0:00:42.080 --> 0:00:42.960 I'm Jeff JONINGYC. 0:00:43.040 --> 0:00:45.839 Jim Miller unavailable Tonight coming up on the program, we 0:00:45.920 --> 0:00:48.599 begin a series of shows introducing you to the new 0:00:48.600 --> 0:00:51.400 members of the twenty twenty five Chicago Bears coaching staff, 0:00:51.440 --> 0:00:55.760 and we begin with offensive line coach Dan roschar Our 0:00:55.800 --> 0:00:58.560 Producers Tonight, Dan Berrilly and Jordan dread Up of the 0:00:58.640 --> 0:01:02.800 Chicago Bears and the ESPN Studios. Charlie bevins Our, Executive 0:01:02.800 --> 0:01:06.440 producer of the Bears, radio network is Eric Ostrowski, tom 0:01:06.840 --> 0:01:09.320 good Day. We got a quick turnaround from last week's show. 0:01:09.640 --> 0:01:11.959 Not a lot of news made since that last show 0:01:11.959 --> 0:01:15.040 other then getting a really good kick return punt return 0:01:15.120 --> 0:01:18.319 guy in Devin Duverne. Tommy, he's a two time Pro 0:01:18.400 --> 0:01:21.240 bowlder and an outstanding addition to the roster. Not only that, 0:01:21.319 --> 0:01:24.480 but he also can play that receiver position as well, 0:01:24.600 --> 0:01:29.000 So more competition with a Lamide Zacchias, Tyler Scott, maybe 0:01:29.000 --> 0:01:32.039 even Maurice Alexander who comes over from Detroit as a 0:01:32.080 --> 0:01:33.800 free agent in the offseason as well. 0:01:34.280 --> 0:01:36.920 Listen, punt returner is one of the most important positions 0:01:36.920 --> 0:01:39.760 throughout the NFL season, whether you're gonna play a majority 0:01:39.800 --> 0:01:41.920 of your games indoor or you're gonna play in some 0:01:41.959 --> 0:01:43.759 outdoor hostile conditions. 0:01:44.160 --> 0:01:46.039 And I think it's a key ingredient in. 0:01:46.000 --> 0:01:49.040 The success of the special teams and Coach High Tower 0:01:49.160 --> 0:01:51.040 is always a guy that's doing is R and D 0:01:51.680 --> 0:01:55.240 about these guys that can come in and help you immediately, 0:01:55.400 --> 0:01:58.320 get you a lot of reps in the open practice 0:01:58.680 --> 0:02:01.960 atmosphere of Ellis Hall and kind of see. 0:02:01.800 --> 0:02:02.760 Where the chips fall. 0:02:02.840 --> 0:02:06.080 But I think still it's one of the most important 0:02:06.080 --> 0:02:09.920 positions to become decisive on. You don't want to question 0:02:10.080 --> 0:02:13.400 Mark for seventeen weeks in the NFL season, who's going 0:02:13.480 --> 0:02:16.080 to be your punt returner? Or do you have confidence 0:02:16.120 --> 0:02:19.720 in certain conditions? You got to be confident in every 0:02:19.840 --> 0:02:22.880 single time you send that punt return team out on 0:02:22.919 --> 0:02:23.359 the field. 0:02:23.440 --> 0:02:26.280 Would you also consider Josh Blackwell in that position? 0:02:26.639 --> 0:02:29.720 Listen, I don't think there's anything Josh Blackwell can't do 0:02:29.960 --> 0:02:33.280 or wouldn't do. He showed up so many times on 0:02:33.320 --> 0:02:36.600 the game film in terms of special teams or regular 0:02:36.680 --> 0:02:40.119 defense and has done a great job. So I think 0:02:40.160 --> 0:02:42.320 that you know, Jeff, when we go out to training 0:02:42.360 --> 0:02:44.880 camp and you see how long some of the lines are, 0:02:45.280 --> 0:02:46.880 you see the guy at the end of the line 0:02:46.919 --> 0:02:49.200 just waiting for his opportunity to get to the front 0:02:49.240 --> 0:02:51.880 of the line. And I think that's kind of unique 0:02:51.880 --> 0:02:56.440 about the special teams because sometimes your only opportunity to 0:02:56.560 --> 0:03:00.640 open the coach's eyes immediately is what you can do 0:03:00.800 --> 0:03:03.840 on special teams and what they believe your every game 0:03:03.919 --> 0:03:06.880 contribution can be. And I stood at the back of 0:03:06.919 --> 0:03:09.040 that line at one time, and I just waited for 0:03:09.120 --> 0:03:11.400 my opportunity to get to the front of the line 0:03:11.480 --> 0:03:13.000 and when you get to the front of the line, 0:03:13.440 --> 0:03:14.280 make the most. 0:03:14.080 --> 0:03:14.440 Out of it. 0:03:14.560 --> 0:03:17.080 At last training camp, we saw room with Dunesday and 0:03:17.160 --> 0:03:21.200 DJ Moore collecting punts, So those are emergency options obviously, 0:03:21.240 --> 0:03:24.080 but you know you can't discount roam in a key pinch. 0:03:24.440 --> 0:03:26.720 You know everything's down the table. With a new coaching 0:03:26.760 --> 0:03:30.080 staff as well, Ben Johnson is creative. Will that creativity 0:03:30.120 --> 0:03:33.000 extend to defense and special teams with his input over 0:03:33.040 --> 0:03:35.080 the course of the season. That's a great question to ask. 0:03:35.240 --> 0:03:35.480 Listen. 0:03:35.560 --> 0:03:37.280 I think if you're a new head coach and you're 0:03:37.320 --> 0:03:40.160 as creative as what you've shown on the offensive side 0:03:40.200 --> 0:03:43.520 of the football, you're going to explore the creativeness of 0:03:43.600 --> 0:03:46.400 all of your coordinators and you're not going to close 0:03:46.400 --> 0:03:49.280 a suggestion box. It's going to be open to against 0:03:49.360 --> 0:03:51.560 every team you play in all year round. 0:03:51.880 --> 0:03:54.160 And we might see some fun things. 0:03:53.840 --> 0:03:57.560 In training camp this year, like developmental plays, plays that 0:03:57.600 --> 0:04:00.520 they may have in their back pocket until that very 0:04:00.560 --> 0:04:04.360 specific instant and time when they need it. So we're 0:04:04.400 --> 0:04:07.280 going to have to pay attention as much as the coaches. 0:04:07.320 --> 0:04:09.560 But I think creativity is going to be in an 0:04:09.640 --> 0:04:11.160 all time high from all coaches. 0:04:11.200 --> 0:04:13.040 Look at you you know, a guy who's never been 0:04:13.080 --> 0:04:13.720 in a boardroom. 0:04:13.760 --> 0:04:16.360 You're using words like rn D, putting things in your 0:04:16.400 --> 0:04:19.240 back pocket for future use. You're using a lot of 0:04:19.279 --> 0:04:21.600 business terminology today. What's going on with you? 0:04:21.600 --> 0:04:24.440 No, I'm just taking where we're at this point in 0:04:24.440 --> 0:04:27.520 the season, where we're at with the coaching staff, the 0:04:27.640 --> 0:04:30.880 exploratory surgery that all these guys are doing to try 0:04:30.920 --> 0:04:33.760 to what players are going to fit best, who can 0:04:33.800 --> 0:04:37.080 we give them opportunities to and then what cream is 0:04:37.080 --> 0:04:39.200 going to rise to the top. It's all those things 0:04:39.240 --> 0:04:41.200 you have to take in consideration. When you're a month 0:04:41.240 --> 0:04:43.680 out of the draft. You got to go in there 0:04:43.720 --> 0:04:46.440 with Ryan Poles and his staff, the assistant coaches and 0:04:46.480 --> 0:04:49.920 every one of the guys that are position coaches here, 0:04:50.200 --> 0:04:53.440 and now you've got to get very specific about what 0:04:53.520 --> 0:04:56.520 do you feel you need to target in the draft? 0:04:56.560 --> 0:04:57.880 In college free agency, you. 0:04:58.040 --> 0:05:01.640 Ever in your career jump in line and get reps 0:05:01.680 --> 0:05:05.520 that maybe it was somebody else's rep in training camp? 0:05:05.760 --> 0:05:07.560 Did you jump in front of the line ever? 0:05:08.240 --> 0:05:10.640 Listen, the only reason in my career I was ever 0:05:10.680 --> 0:05:14.400 on kickoff return is because Steve Kazar, the special teams coordinator, 0:05:14.440 --> 0:05:16.680 had Jimbo cover in that position. 0:05:16.720 --> 0:05:17.440 Believe it or not. 0:05:17.920 --> 0:05:19.640 And I went up to Steve and I go, Steve, 0:05:19.720 --> 0:05:22.480 I'm not playing I can do that. Take Jimbo out 0:05:22.760 --> 0:05:24.760 and give him the rest and let me do it. 0:05:25.400 --> 0:05:28.800 And if I think, if you volunteer and then you 0:05:29.000 --> 0:05:30.880 do good at it, then you know you're going to 0:05:30.960 --> 0:05:34.560 have a jersey in your locker every game. And I 0:05:34.839 --> 0:05:37.680 played a really important role of me getting on the field. 0:05:37.720 --> 0:05:41.679 But you know I did it honestly to save Jimbo 0:05:41.839 --> 0:05:44.400 some wear and tearror and Abortsy and Bortsy and I 0:05:44.480 --> 0:05:48.160 were both in the same up back positions on kickoff return. 0:05:48.279 --> 0:05:51.159 I still can't believe from our conversation with Mike tom 0:05:51.240 --> 0:05:53.400 Zek and those who don't remember, he jumped in there 0:05:53.400 --> 0:05:56.760 and took on in the super Boy when I kick 0:05:56.839 --> 0:05:58.359 returned coverage, didn't he and. 0:05:58.400 --> 0:05:59.120 Got a penalty. 0:06:00.080 --> 0:06:03.000 And you know the thing about it is he wanted 0:06:03.040 --> 0:06:04.960 to go in the game. He volunteered, and he got 0:06:05.000 --> 0:06:08.360 in on kickoff coverage, got a face mask penalty. Dick 0:06:08.560 --> 0:06:11.920 brought him over to the sideline, yelled at him, but 0:06:11.960 --> 0:06:14.600 then kept him in the game as the quarterback at the. 0:06:14.640 --> 0:06:16.880 End, just so you could get that on paper right 0:06:16.880 --> 0:06:18.039 that he made the Super Bowl. 0:06:18.160 --> 0:06:21.480 Oh my gosh. Some great stories as always, so with the. 0:06:21.480 --> 0:06:24.599 Draft coming up here in a month, pro days are 0:06:24.680 --> 0:06:29.040 now top of mind with the coaching staff and gentlemenager 0:06:29.080 --> 0:06:32.960 Ryan Poles and his crew. So Ben Johnson signing at 0:06:32.960 --> 0:06:35.640 Dennis Allen signing at the Michigan Pro Day last week. 0:06:35.680 --> 0:06:38.960 It was on Friday, So certainly there's players of note 0:06:38.960 --> 0:06:41.760 there that that could be Day one picks, like Mason Graham, 0:06:42.400 --> 0:06:45.560 Kenneth Grant, the two defensive linemen. You've got Will Johnson, 0:06:45.560 --> 0:06:48.359 the cornerback and tight end, Coaston Lovelin, a bunch of 0:06:48.440 --> 0:06:51.320 running backs there, I mean, really good players on at Michigan. 0:06:51.360 --> 0:06:53.200 That won't be the last Pro Day that Ben Johnson 0:06:53.240 --> 0:06:55.960 will be sited at, but it certainly started a chain 0:06:56.000 --> 0:07:00.839 reaction of conversation on the internet. I mean, the web 0:07:00.960 --> 0:07:03.480 was exploding with the vision of Ben Johnson at Michigan. 0:07:03.880 --> 0:07:04.080 Right. 0:07:04.080 --> 0:07:06.640 But you mentioned those four guys. There's four guys that 0:07:06.680 --> 0:07:09.360 you really want to see and you could draft. You know, 0:07:09.600 --> 0:07:11.280 you're not going to draft them all, but you could 0:07:11.360 --> 0:07:13.679 draft any one of them. So I think it's really 0:07:13.720 --> 0:07:17.800 important to have an eyes on approach in a really comfortable, 0:07:17.880 --> 0:07:20.560 setting an atmosphere for these guys to go through their 0:07:20.600 --> 0:07:23.960 pro days and you know some of them. Yeah, I 0:07:24.000 --> 0:07:25.920 would like to see more of them at the Combine 0:07:25.920 --> 0:07:28.720 because I think it's a more competitive scenario and they're 0:07:28.760 --> 0:07:30.120 not in their comfort zone. 0:07:30.400 --> 0:07:31.960 But when they get dressed. 0:07:31.680 --> 0:07:33.880 In the locker room and then they have the teammates 0:07:33.920 --> 0:07:36.560 that they're throwing to and they understand the conditions of 0:07:36.600 --> 0:07:39.400 the stadium they're throwing in, all those things you have 0:07:39.440 --> 0:07:42.480 to take into account, but I think it's important in 0:07:42.560 --> 0:07:46.680 the reflection they leave on all NFL personnel who showed 0:07:46.760 --> 0:07:47.520 up to watch them. 0:07:47.600 --> 0:07:49.000 Yeah, and then you know, you might be able to 0:07:49.040 --> 0:07:51.680 sneak at dinner with one of these guys maybe after 0:07:51.720 --> 0:07:52.520 the pro day or. 0:07:52.440 --> 0:07:53.000 Something like that. 0:07:53.040 --> 0:07:55.360 I know there's a lot of teams that represented all 0:07:55.400 --> 0:07:57.560 the teams that are listed there at all these big 0:07:57.760 --> 0:08:00.360 schools obviously for the top players, but you never know 0:08:00.400 --> 0:08:01.400 what you might run into. 0:08:01.680 --> 0:08:03.840 You're doing information gathering at all times. 0:08:04.040 --> 0:08:07.120 Also, these videos that pop up, and there was one 0:08:07.560 --> 0:08:10.880 fans blew their minds when Montes sweat, Grady Jarrett, R. 0:08:10.920 --> 0:08:14.400 Von Dexter, Senior, Austin Booker all were working together with 0:08:14.480 --> 0:08:17.400 a pass rush specialist Tommy by the name of Brandon Jordan. 0:08:17.680 --> 0:08:20.679 He started something called Trench Performance back in twenty eighteen, 0:08:21.480 --> 0:08:24.800 so he's working with elite defensive lineman at high school level, 0:08:24.800 --> 0:08:27.840 college level, NFL levels. But it was just like a 0:08:27.920 --> 0:08:31.720 twenty second clip. But it just makes fans feel better 0:08:32.120 --> 0:08:34.920 when Bears are working together in the off season away 0:08:34.920 --> 0:08:39.720 from Haddish Hall. It's an interesting concept because any little 0:08:39.760 --> 0:08:41.640 bit right now, fans are thirsting for it. 0:08:42.520 --> 0:08:43.360 You said a mouthful. 0:08:43.480 --> 0:08:45.760 You know they're really I don't necessarily care who they're 0:08:45.800 --> 0:08:49.360 working with. I care that they're working together because now 0:08:49.400 --> 0:08:53.439 you start this camaraderie, You start these relationships that are 0:08:53.480 --> 0:08:56.480 going to be forged even further when you're tired and 0:08:56.520 --> 0:08:59.520 you're fatigue walking off the practice field. But you know 0:08:59.600 --> 0:09:02.120 that's that you put it in the off season. They're 0:09:02.120 --> 0:09:06.400 paying dividends during the regular season, when you're getting sacks 0:09:06.480 --> 0:09:09.200 or getting tackles for loss, you're running stunts on the 0:09:09.200 --> 0:09:11.079 line of scrimmage that you kind of have a better 0:09:11.120 --> 0:09:14.320 conception how to set the guy free that you're working with. 0:09:15.320 --> 0:09:20.320 And I was watching some tape this weekend of Grady Jarrett. Listen, man, 0:09:20.400 --> 0:09:22.760 this dude Not only does he have a motor, he's 0:09:22.760 --> 0:09:26.200 got leverage, he's got speed, he wins rushes against running 0:09:26.280 --> 0:09:29.720 pass He's able to chase down quarterbacks after he beats 0:09:29.720 --> 0:09:34.040 the offensive lineman at the line of scrimmage, and his enthusiasts. 0:09:34.160 --> 0:09:38.040 His enthusiasm is contagious and so listen. I'm glad these 0:09:38.040 --> 0:09:39.160 guys are all working together. 0:09:39.240 --> 0:09:41.240 All right. That's Tom theare I'm Jeff Joni. Yeah. 0:09:41.240 --> 0:09:44.240 Coming up, We're gonna have one of Tom's best segments. 0:09:43.679 --> 0:09:44.760 Of the entire year. 0:09:45.320 --> 0:09:47.440 We introduce you to one of the new coaches on 0:09:47.480 --> 0:09:50.679 the Bears coaching staff, offensive line coach Dan Rocharer. He's 0:09:50.720 --> 0:09:53.400 coming up next here on ESPN Chicago and the Bears 0:09:53.520 --> 0:09:54.520 Radio Network. 0:09:55.360 --> 0:09:58.280 Is Bears Weekly, with the voice of the Bears for 0:09:58.360 --> 0:10:03.800 twenty four years on the Bears Radio Network. 0:10:05.960 --> 0:10:08.120 This segment of Bears Weekly is brought to you by 0:10:08.280 --> 0:10:09.280 Igs Energy. 0:10:09.440 --> 0:10:10.960 Welcome back to Bears Weekly, everybody. 0:10:11.040 --> 0:10:13.240 Jeff, Jonny Goat, along with Tom Thayer and our special 0:10:13.280 --> 0:10:15.800 guest is We're getting I Get to Know You series 0:10:15.840 --> 0:10:18.480 with the new coaches for the Chicago Bears, Dan Roeschier, 0:10:18.720 --> 0:10:21.640 the offensive line coach, Born and Brett and Clinton Iowa, 0:10:21.800 --> 0:10:24.679 but by way of Northern Illinois University, and the man 0:10:24.720 --> 0:10:28.120 played quarterback and now he's coached offensive lineman his whole life. 0:10:28.160 --> 0:10:31.520 Welcome to Chicago, Welcome back to the Midwest. Tell us 0:10:31.559 --> 0:10:34.000 how you got here from quarterback to O line. 0:10:34.040 --> 0:10:36.160 Oh, thank you, Jeff, I really appreciate it. 0:10:37.360 --> 0:10:37.600 You know. 0:10:38.000 --> 0:10:41.360 I played quarterback for a guy by the name of 0:10:41.400 --> 0:10:45.080 Bill Mallory at Northerndo University had a lot of success, 0:10:45.160 --> 0:10:49.600 and I grew up with the high school coach, my father, 0:10:49.960 --> 0:10:53.400 and always kind of thought I'd be interested in getting 0:10:53.440 --> 0:10:57.560 into the game of football. And when coach Mallory left 0:10:57.600 --> 0:11:03.360 for Indiana, Lee Corso came on and Lee Corso was 0:11:03.400 --> 0:11:07.040 putting together a young staff at that time, didn't have 0:11:07.080 --> 0:11:09.480 all the pieces in place, and he asked me if 0:11:09.520 --> 0:11:11.960 I would be interested in being part of it, and 0:11:12.400 --> 0:11:16.800 I certainly was, And in that time I started to 0:11:16.840 --> 0:11:19.880 work with the tight ends, which were very involved with 0:11:20.080 --> 0:11:23.440 the offensive line. And we had two really outstanding line 0:11:23.480 --> 0:11:25.680 coaches at that time that I learned a lot from 0:11:25.720 --> 0:11:30.520 and that began. That began my introduction to what these 0:11:30.559 --> 0:11:35.000 guys do up front. And then as you grow in 0:11:35.040 --> 0:11:41.400 the industry, you end up finding I think what your 0:11:41.440 --> 0:11:44.960 passion is, and I've always enjoyed working with the guys 0:11:45.040 --> 0:11:48.240 up front. I feel like we're kind of the heart 0:11:48.280 --> 0:11:53.079 and soul of any organization, and hopefully that'll be reflective 0:11:53.080 --> 0:11:53.959 in the style of play. 0:11:54.400 --> 0:11:56.880 Dan, do you think the technique has changed since the 0:11:56.960 --> 0:11:59.880 beginning of your coaching career on the offensive line to 0:12:00.080 --> 0:12:01.320 the way they're coached. 0:12:01.040 --> 0:12:05.000 Now, Tom, I think that's a great question. I watch 0:12:05.040 --> 0:12:10.920 a lot of football at all levels. I'm still of 0:12:10.960 --> 0:12:15.959 the mindset that you know, blocking is leverage. We define 0:12:16.000 --> 0:12:19.280 the leverage with our hands being underneath the defender, our 0:12:19.320 --> 0:12:22.760 pads being under their pads, and then it's acceleration and 0:12:22.880 --> 0:12:27.720 leg drive. I listen to guys talk about things that 0:12:27.800 --> 0:12:31.720 I just have no interest in exploring because I don't 0:12:31.720 --> 0:12:36.520 think it's blocking. I think it's tilting, it's pushing. It's 0:12:37.280 --> 0:12:42.480 these things that just in my opinion, don't bring strongline play, 0:12:43.160 --> 0:12:46.439 whether that's run or protection. There's certainly things out there 0:12:46.480 --> 0:12:51.200 being taught that I think are really cool to listen to. 0:12:52.000 --> 0:12:55.480 But Tom, like you, over my years, you end up 0:12:55.480 --> 0:13:00.920 developing philosophy mainly because of trial and error. You believe 0:13:00.960 --> 0:13:05.560 in something, you teach it after time you're like, that's 0:13:05.640 --> 0:13:09.280 really good, or man, we're struggling with this, and if 0:13:09.360 --> 0:13:12.360 you really believe in it, you adapt to what you 0:13:12.520 --> 0:13:17.280 believe in. I think back to I left Butler University 0:13:17.320 --> 0:13:19.880 in nineteen ninety one to go to the University of 0:13:19.960 --> 0:13:22.880 Rhode Island. I was the offensive line coach. I was 0:13:22.920 --> 0:13:26.560 the offensive coordinator. Who were a penn and pole wide team. 0:13:26.960 --> 0:13:31.000 We're a power counter team, and we ran a week lead. 0:13:32.000 --> 0:13:34.480 Those are really the concepts we ran. I had never 0:13:34.520 --> 0:13:36.760 been exposed as his own football. In nineteen ninety one, 0:13:37.480 --> 0:13:41.680 Bob Wiley, who was a Jim McNally disciple, I was 0:13:41.720 --> 0:13:44.160 going to the University Rhode Island. He was from there, 0:13:44.240 --> 0:13:47.400 and he came and spent three days with me and 0:13:47.480 --> 0:13:50.559 taught me inside and outside zone exactly the way McNally 0:13:50.600 --> 0:13:54.480 and exactly the way he was coaching it. And I 0:13:54.679 --> 0:13:56.880 coached it exactly the way it had been taught to me, 0:13:57.160 --> 0:13:59.840 and we were getting our fannies kicked. We were going backwards, 0:14:00.080 --> 0:14:03.640 not forwards. Well, I believe in the concept. I love 0:14:03.720 --> 0:14:09.200 wide zone, but I wanted to find better ways to teach, 0:14:09.440 --> 0:14:13.040 instruct and get what I thought we should get, and 0:14:13.080 --> 0:14:17.479 that was going forward and attacking the target or laterally 0:14:17.600 --> 0:14:20.880 to attack the target, and you know, you just kind 0:14:20.880 --> 0:14:23.920 of adapt and adjust. So that's a long answer to 0:14:23.960 --> 0:14:27.960 your question, Tom, But I believe in just basic fundamentals. 0:14:28.200 --> 0:14:30.840 You're just coming from college. Do you coach college the 0:14:30.880 --> 0:14:34.480 same as you do pros or is there a significant 0:14:34.520 --> 0:14:38.320 difference in what pro guys know as to what college 0:14:38.360 --> 0:14:38.800 guys know? 0:14:39.160 --> 0:14:43.160 So, Tom, when I left Michigan State in twenty twelve 0:14:43.400 --> 0:14:46.880 to go to New Orleans, you know, you spend at 0:14:46.880 --> 0:14:50.040 that point twenty eight years in college football and you 0:14:50.080 --> 0:14:52.400 feel like you've been exposed to a lot. When I 0:14:52.480 --> 0:14:56.080 got to New Orleans, I had a great transition. I 0:14:56.120 --> 0:14:59.080 started with the running backs, and Sean had hired Sean 0:14:59.120 --> 0:15:03.120 Payton had hired a couple of former offensive line coaches 0:15:03.160 --> 0:15:06.640 to coach that spot, and I saw the game differently 0:15:06.680 --> 0:15:11.840 from that perspective. And then you know, through time moving 0:15:11.880 --> 0:15:13.960 to the tight ends and then into the offensive line 0:15:14.000 --> 0:15:16.920 room and having those guys for six years, I learned 0:15:16.960 --> 0:15:19.200 an awful lot before I got a chance to go 0:15:19.240 --> 0:15:21.680 into the room from the player, watching how the player 0:15:21.760 --> 0:15:25.240 did it, how we communicated, and you know, you watch 0:15:25.240 --> 0:15:28.240 a guy that maybe's not a super talented athlete play 0:15:28.280 --> 0:15:30.160 at a high level, and you go up to him 0:15:30.160 --> 0:15:31.960 and you're like, Hey, what do you do? Why do 0:15:32.000 --> 0:15:34.240 you do that? Well, you certainly pick up a lot 0:15:34.280 --> 0:15:38.720 of things. The more gifted athlete, there's probably less conversation 0:15:38.880 --> 0:15:43.480 because he can do things that are unique to the player. 0:15:45.120 --> 0:15:47.920 I went into the college game for the last two seasons. 0:15:47.960 --> 0:15:51.840 I went back after leaving New Orleans and spent two 0:15:52.160 --> 0:15:56.320 years at Tulane. And Tom, to answer your question, I 0:15:56.400 --> 0:15:59.960 coached him exactly the way I coached the New Orleans saying, 0:16:00.520 --> 0:16:05.040 and there's an adaptation for all of us as coaches. 0:16:05.160 --> 0:16:09.640 We find ways to help a player become better. If 0:16:09.680 --> 0:16:11.920 a guy can't take a step or can't get in 0:16:11.920 --> 0:16:16.880 a stance that you think's functional because of limitations, you 0:16:16.960 --> 0:16:20.320 find different ways to help him get the job done 0:16:20.840 --> 0:16:23.960 to the best of his ability. But no, I didn't. 0:16:24.040 --> 0:16:26.440 I coached him exactly the same way. 0:16:26.640 --> 0:16:28.720 Dan rochar our guest here on Bears Weekly at a 0:16:28.800 --> 0:16:32.200 NFPN Chicago, Jeff Joniak and Tom Thayer please to be 0:16:32.280 --> 0:16:34.840 joined by this veteran offensive line coach and during his 0:16:34.920 --> 0:16:37.440 five seasons as offensive line coach, the Saints had one 0:16:37.480 --> 0:16:40.240 of the highest ranking offensive units in the NFL. Points 0:16:40.240 --> 0:16:43.920 were popping, Drew Brees was offering a Hall of Fame career, 0:16:43.960 --> 0:16:46.320 and now I got Ben Johnson that brought you in, 0:16:46.400 --> 0:16:49.360 who put up numbers that were I popping over there 0:16:49.360 --> 0:16:50.360 with the Detroit Lions. 0:16:50.400 --> 0:16:51.640 What what has that been like? 0:16:51.720 --> 0:16:53.720 As you guys are creating a Bears offense, it's not 0:16:53.760 --> 0:16:56.320 necessarily going to replicate exactly what they did up there. 0:16:56.480 --> 0:16:58.360 You're going to adapt to the players you have and 0:16:58.400 --> 0:17:01.080 the new ideas that have brought in here. But your 0:17:01.120 --> 0:17:03.320 backgrounds and everything has it I'll mention it well. 0:17:03.400 --> 0:17:08.639 Jeff, It's been fantastic. When I came to interview, I 0:17:08.680 --> 0:17:11.359 didn't know Ben. I had spoken with him on the phone. 0:17:11.880 --> 0:17:16.040 We had mutual relationships, but he and I had never 0:17:16.080 --> 0:17:20.200 been together. And I've interviewed with a number of play 0:17:20.200 --> 0:17:24.520 callers and they're all unique in their style. But Ben 0:17:24.640 --> 0:17:28.680 was the first guy that I've been around that spoke 0:17:28.800 --> 0:17:34.520 offensive line language. He knew technique, he wanted to understand technique, 0:17:34.600 --> 0:17:37.960 and I've found it from the day I've gotten with 0:17:38.080 --> 0:17:42.679 him too today very consistent. He has a strong vision. 0:17:44.160 --> 0:17:47.080 When I watch his team's play, you certainly see the 0:17:47.160 --> 0:17:51.120 physical aggressive style of play. But there's a lot of variance, 0:17:51.200 --> 0:17:53.320 and I think for Tom he'd appreciate it. You know, 0:17:53.840 --> 0:17:56.560 in New Orleans we were really a unique style of 0:17:56.680 --> 0:18:00.920 team because Drew was a dropback, shotgun quarterback and we 0:18:00.920 --> 0:18:03.120 were limited in the run game with him, so our 0:18:03.200 --> 0:18:07.440 runs came from underneath center more downhill, if you will, 0:18:08.720 --> 0:18:12.040 And that was a challenge in itself. Now when you 0:18:12.119 --> 0:18:16.520 put it all together, our ability to move the launch point, 0:18:16.920 --> 0:18:19.200 to have guys be aggressive in their set patterns or 0:18:19.240 --> 0:18:22.240 their run action patterns and their or poll or that's 0:18:22.280 --> 0:18:25.600 all related to the run game. And if I were 0:18:25.600 --> 0:18:28.520 an offensive lineman and I was looking around for what's 0:18:28.560 --> 0:18:32.280 gonna what's gonna help my game the most, it's gonna play. 0:18:32.400 --> 0:18:34.399 It's gonna be playing for a guy like Ben. 0:18:35.280 --> 0:18:36.000 Very good to hear. 0:18:36.080 --> 0:18:37.920 And I bet you the three and two year guys 0:18:37.920 --> 0:18:40.680 that are now here too by trade one, by free 0:18:40.680 --> 0:18:44.440 agency to shore up the inside feel the same way. 0:18:44.600 --> 0:18:46.880 When they when they when they're able to get with you. 0:18:46.800 --> 0:18:49.520 Guys, they're gonna be excited and the leadership they bring, 0:18:49.680 --> 0:18:51.040 how important is that going to be? 0:18:51.200 --> 0:18:55.720 I think it's it's huge. It's everything for us having 0:18:55.800 --> 0:19:01.640 been part of helping organizations turn around, it's start with culture. 0:19:01.920 --> 0:19:05.480 And in those three guys, you've got great fits there. 0:19:05.600 --> 0:19:09.359 They're phenomenal human beings. You can just tell that they 0:19:09.800 --> 0:19:13.560 walk and talk the way you want people to. They 0:19:13.640 --> 0:19:17.000 treat people with respect. They're all humble in their own ways. 0:19:17.800 --> 0:19:21.000 Joe Thuni just jumped off with his humility. I was 0:19:21.040 --> 0:19:24.080 just taken back by it for all the things he's 0:19:24.160 --> 0:19:28.040 done for such a high level. And I do believe 0:19:28.080 --> 0:19:30.919 that they know what Ben's done and they want to 0:19:30.920 --> 0:19:33.520 be a part of that. I think it's Look, this 0:19:33.600 --> 0:19:37.639 is an iconic organization and if we could if we 0:19:37.680 --> 0:19:40.960 could get ourselves close to what was replicated in the 0:19:41.000 --> 0:19:44.840 eighties with that guy, With that guy, we're going to 0:19:44.920 --> 0:19:47.040 be going in the right direction. And there were there 0:19:47.040 --> 0:19:47.880 were a number of them. 0:19:47.960 --> 0:19:50.359 Well, you talk about the separation between tune a and 0:19:50.400 --> 0:19:53.399 a rookie, and then you talk about you teaching and 0:19:53.480 --> 0:19:58.359 learning because the offensive line with the terminology and understanding 0:19:58.440 --> 0:20:01.800 what the terminology means so specifically and then being able to. 0:20:01.760 --> 0:20:03.399 Go out there and teach the techniques. 0:20:03.920 --> 0:20:07.240 Is it difficult to do both or the more you 0:20:07.640 --> 0:20:10.639 learn incrementally, do you always have the teaching in the 0:20:10.680 --> 0:20:13.560 back of your mind how it fits to what you're learning. 0:20:13.480 --> 0:20:15.560 One hundred percent. I think one of the things that 0:20:16.480 --> 0:20:19.920 we at New Orleans made a significant commitment to wide zone. 0:20:19.960 --> 0:20:24.960 Tom and I brought Alex Gibbs around quite a bit. 0:20:25.160 --> 0:20:28.320 I felt like he was the father of it, and 0:20:28.359 --> 0:20:30.200 I thought if I could learn from somebody, it would 0:20:30.200 --> 0:20:36.880 be him. So I have a lot of lessons good, bad, 0:20:37.000 --> 0:20:42.160 indifferent through his eyes in teaching us that series. Well, 0:20:42.240 --> 0:20:45.399 that would be the staple with Ben's offense. Wide zone, 0:20:45.520 --> 0:20:49.440