NEW WEEK: Ben Johnson Resets Expectations in Preparation for Brian Flores’ Vikings | CHGO Bears

0:00I want to share something that really caught my attention as a parent. I've learned that myopia, near-sightedness, is becoming much more common in kids, and it's not something you want to ignore. If it goes unchecked, it can have an impact that goes way beyond schoolwork. What really matters is starting with an eye exam, and eye doctor can tell you what's going on with your child's vision and walk you through options that are designed specifically for kids like Esselaer Stelest Lenses. I like that Stelest Lenses are made for children and fit right into everyday life. They look like regular glasses, but they're part of a more thoughtful approach to managing myopia. If you're a parent and you've been meaning to book an eye exam, this is your sign. Visit Esselaer.com to learn more about Stelest Lenses and to find an Esselaer expert eye care professional near you. The best time to recommit to your gut health goals? Right now, take charge of your gut with nature made. Our clinically studied ingredients support digestive health. Digestive enzymes break down nutrients, probiotic and prebiotic fiber nourish

1:03good gut bacteria, and supergreens with probiotics and power daily digestive health. Try to full line up of gut health support from nature made. The number one pharmacist recommended vitamin and supplement brand. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Every game day you show up for your team. Now it's your time. Ask your prescriber about Wigovie, some Maglatide Injection 2.4 mg, a GLP 1. Call 1-8-334-Wigovie or visit Wigovie.com to view the Medication Guide and to learn more about Wigovie. Why wait? Welcome into the CHCO Bears. A podcast on a Hellish Hall Wednesday as we dive into week two

2:08bears and Vikings. We heard from Ben Johnson. We heard from a bunch of players today, Caleb Williams, and we got an injury report that looks a lot different than last week. I'm not sure how worried to actually be about it, but it's definitely longer. That tends to happen when you play a real NFL football game. You know, when we skimmed up here the five o'clock Wednesday show brilliant idea by Adam Hogue covering the locker room in ways that we haven't in prior years. Injury report, which we wouldn't have had last year on a new show, one o'clock show. We're doing that, but you know, it was all about to cover the locker room and I got to tell you, being in the locker room today and watching Hogue look in the eyes of Tori Taylor and then also myself getting yelled at by Ben Johnson in the most glorious way. This was the whole plan, the whole reasoning came into play today. So I'm very excited for the show. Well, we do have some thoughts on the locker room. Carm was falling in love today as well. I did. He was, we need to get into that. We will. Adam Johns is joining the show as well. He

3:12was at house. Holly joins us now. I love Adam Johns on C H. Yeah. He's just, he's had over heels for everybody today. Adam. Yeah. He, uh, we, we, just to tease this, you're going to hear most of this on this show today in the next hour or so. Um, but it's like every cop, you, I mean, people watch the show for a long time knows that Carm bases his, his, his football opinions based on who's nice to him. And well, who's a good guy? Yeah. And I like good people. And we went from like locker to locker day, we had a bunch of great conversations. And carbon was like, I love that guy. I like that guy. I like that guy. We started with great adjaret, who's the greatest. And then we moved over to Cam Lewis, who's incredible. And then you had a phenomenal conversation with Katavio Street. And then Tori Taylor, I filmed that interview and he didn't yell at me. So it was, it was a great day. And John's, by the way, never in the history of Hallis Hall has, uh, anyone once Hallis Hall has started. I've never gotten a text like a guy from

4:18Pat Nord, they would you like coffee? And I'm like, what's wrong with this guy? Look, I can go get the coffee right over there too. But Norton left the building because John's said he, if you fly all by and then all of a sudden I had a matcha courtesy of John's. Oh, it wasn't Kayla matcha. It was, it was a big, it was a big day. It's a big day. We're teammates. We even included you on the, the, the post press conference, you know, CHG O'Huddle. We let you have your say in there. I see all the, just behind the scenes like everybody in Halls Hall, they always have, there's like an athletic meeting going on. There's a Tribune meeting and there's like a TV meeting. I've never been involved in any of the meetings. But today you guys invited me to the meeting and we went to the separate area where you scheme up what we're going to do. What's coming up and people have their plans. And I, you know, I just roll by the seat of my pants in there. And just, just, Karam, we, we call that mental war. Just like, my Johnson does one facing Brian Florent. It was also definitely the most efficient meeting in CHG O'Huddle. That's, it was quick. We did, we did, we planned it out. We moved along. It was nice.

5:19Johns gets the lead more meetings going forward. All right. Let's dive into the injury report. It's a long one. We got a bunch of guys. We'll just kind of go through it one by one. I don't know how many of these have a high level of concern, though. Well, it's discussed. So I'm just going off the order that the Bears put out today. Neville, Galmore, did not practice stay with an illness. So probably nothing to be terribly concerned about there. Grady Jarrett got a rest day on a Wednesday. We talked to Grady and locker room. He's obviously good. In fact, he's like, he seems like over the moon with how he's feeling right now. Grady is jacked. Yeah. Grady's. And I thought he did look quick in that game. Like, his quickness was on display. And now it's just about finishing and getting some of those sacks, but he was getting off the ball and winning at the line of scrimmage. So I thought that that was good. Here's the big one. Though, Darnell Wright, John Z has a knee and did not practice. I'm assuming this isn't something major that we need to worry about because he finished a game. And I didn't really seem to have any signs of any type of injury. They haven't practiced yet this

6:22week. He's now qualifies as a highly paid veteran. So a guy you would be careful with. Perhaps early in the week, if he is dealing with something, I didn't see him in the locker room. Did you guys I did. I did. Okay. And you know, my rule on this is the same as your rule on this. If you see him in the locker room and he's engaged with his teammates, he's smiling. And in this case, for Darnell, right, actually kind of like jogging and weaving between media members. Because at one point, it was quite crowded in there just in terms of, well, I don't know what, 45 media members there, there today, it was packed. So to see him moving like that, well, I don't know the extent of his injury. I would say that's encouraging. Did not see a brace, did not see any type of wrapped and not see any type of bruise on his leg. So I would think he might be okay. To go later this week in practice. That's great reporting by John's because I got to be honest, I did not see him. So but a jogging a bob in a weave around a 11th all and a Cheryl is good news.

7:26So that's that's exciting. And then what's 11th all did a little bit more will pop in and weave in in the Tori Taylor video we're going to show you later. Friends Center. Well, you'll get all the 11th all you've ever needed. It's coming up. It was shot 11th all my guy. Right in the less grab scene, but love seeing that. That's good news though. Cause yeah, Carminawe were kind of hard to work in the one corner of the locker room. It is a big locker room. Did not notice Darnell, right? So that's good to hear Kyle Menongai hamstring limited. I'm going to remember he was dealing with a hammy early in camp. Yeah, I didn't like seeing that pop back up. Yeah, but sometimes it just seems that this is just the thing that you know, they monitor almost like I'm just I'm trying to bring actually bring down a level of concern on this is like, you know, treatment. Before he had the knee, he had the hammy early in camp. And I actually thought right before the knee, he still wasn't completely recovered from that. So it was good to not see him on the injury report at all last week, but I kind of expected him to be on the injury report last week. So I'm not surprised he's on the

8:29injury report this week. And I'm not terribly concerned about it. And he was still limited in practice. Again, in the locker room, that participating in interview interviews, but still engaged with his teammates, ready to do it more treatment. Um, Malik Muhammad has an ankle. We talked to Malik today and I, I, I don't worry about that one at all. We're not, we probably won't play that today, but maybe we'll bring it back tomorrow. Cause I enjoyed that conversation. Malik is in the rundown. Oh, oh, he's definitely studied. I did study it actually. And some of I missed that, but great. I'm excited we're getting it from today. Awesome. Uh, diode, diode, dangbo has a shoulder. He was limited. Deandre Swift listed with an ankle and a knee limited. We talked to him though today. After winning offensive, NFC offensive player of the week, Ozzie Trepillo, obviously still on the injury report with the, uh, the knee. That's going to be the case until he comes back officially and then Xavier Woods limited. So back at practice at least with that growing that kept him out of the game on Sunday. Any thoughts, Jonzy on any of those last few

9:33players? Well, they did put him through a pregame workout before playing the Panthers and I, it was a true game time decision. Apparently, he just didn't like the way he was moving. Uh, he probably didn't like the way he was feeling. He would know how his body feels at this point in his career. And the Bears got by more than fine with, with Camus. So I thought actually played pretty well. I came up and it was maybe not as impactful as Dylan Deanham, but he was making some tackles back there. Yeah. Cam said he found out he was playing like literally when they came back to locker room after warmups, like that's there you go. A true game time decision for Xavier Woods. Also true pro Cam Lewis. Okay. Great. I'll do my best wherever you put me slot, safety. I've been around this league. Well, you, you told me a little anecdote. Actually, this was not in the interview. We'll play later, but that like his first ever game, he prepared as the backup and, and the guy, the starter got hurt. This is his first ever game in the NFL. The starter got hurt like early in the game. So he'd learn literally his first ever game. Like you got to be ready. No matter what. So he's like, I

10:36found out for the game. I'll start big deal. I was ready to go. I'm a pro. This is what I do. Put me in coach. Um, all right. So that's the injury reporting. It is lengthy. I don't necessarily find any of it terribly worrisome. So that's kind of where things stand out of Wednesday. And let's not forget Ben Johnson's on the record twice now saying that they got out of that game pretty much unskate once after the game and then once a Monday. All right. We got some stuff from Ben Johnson speaking of the head coach. I actually loved this exchange today from our very own Mark Carmen asking a question to Ben and Ben's response. This is that exchange. So like I could probably do a lengthy breakdown of that very short answer. But the one thing I am learning about Ben is when you get the little jaw thing going while he's listening to the question.

11:41It's usually, um, I think a sign of, of maybe a, uh, perhaps a slight bit of annoyance towards the question. Um, then you got the, he interrupt. He actually interrupt. He cut you off. Yeah. So he didn't even want to hear the rest of that nonsense. Yep. And, and then, uh, to cap it off, can we actually play that one more time? See, what people who at this for the podcast listeners, I'll explain it on the back end. But for you watching on YouTube, pay, pay attention to Ben Johnson's eyes here. The second he stops talking and how quickly they move to somewhere else in the road. We haven't put up any points this week. So, so, so for that's just to give the full context from my perspective. It was a slightly competitive question situation. So, but he was looking my way. You actually did. Uh, you want a

12:44face off over Pat Finley. Let's let get that in the record. And that's where he was going next for the question to Pat. So, so, so that's part of it. But he, but he, you know, he, it was a face off and he just held on me massive respect for your struly dammit. And then, uh, you know, I knew, I anticipated that he was going to say something along the lines of our guys weren't built that way. Like I didn't, I didn't, you know, something, something that he wasn't going to like lean into, uh, you know, yes, I have to guard against. I thought he was going to have credit to his dudes, but he just went that way, which was even better. So, uh, this, this is by the way, this is the psycho. This is the, and that's the wrong word even. This is the guy, period, that you want coaching your team. Well, let's get into that because this is, this is our Xfinity big takeaway today. Xfinity imagine that because I was having mostly some fun there and some media analysis of the media that was going on in that moment. Uh, I actually thought was a great question. Oh, thanks, Arm. And, um, I actually don't think he was probably caught off guard by that question at all.

13:46I just think that he clearly is trying to get a message across to his team. This is probably already been addressed because he is a good head coach. And I love the answer. My big takeaway from this is this is the exact mentality you got to have. Oh, cool. You put a 59 last week. How many points have you scored this week? Right. Zero. So actually, you start over. It actually sounds like he does think you have to guard against it. And, and, and John Z, it will probably, I think, I think you're probably right on that. But John, you'll hear coaches often say sometimes in a half time interview or maybe even if, you know, your car, your part of a coaching staff or something like that, the half time message will be like, up scoreboard starts over zero to zero. And I got to admit, I'm like, it's not really zero to zero. Like you're up 21, nothing like that's kind of what the actual scores. But in this case, when you start a new game, it is actually zero to zero. You do have zero points and it has to be your mentality. Absolutely. And like that mentality that Ben Johnson had like continued over to the next question.

14:50By the way, did you pick that up? Because he went from car to Pat Finley and Pat Finley brought up his his weekly interview with Jeff Joniac for another show. Great friend of cars. When Joniac brought up, you know, scored 60. And like it was kind of taken out of context, kind of gone wild. And Ben's answer to that was I said other people brought up going for two. He was also, so he was preparing himself for that question as well. I was actually mad at myself over that one because I, when I saw that clip, I, that was actually my first reaction was like, I don't think he meant that as he was going to necessarily go for two. But then we did bring it. I brought it up as a joke earlier on Hogan Johnson. I didn't really give it that same type of attention that we probably shouldn't have. So and I brought it up in my own 10 bear sings column more as a joke than anything else. Like just because he is so aggressive and his mentality is what it is. It's like, I'm what was surprised. He didn't go for it. But I didn't actually think you'd do it. You

15:52are part of the other people. Yeah. I mean, that might that's probably what is repressive. Hogan and friends. Hogan friends. So I was more annoyed than me. I listen, the guy is he is. Regulators. I know a good point here. It's time for the regulator $20. He says he knows Carm. He knows you bet against the bears in the season opener. He knows. All right. First of all , I'll calculate. I did not put any money on it was just prediction. And somebody's got to step up and then and then and then and then and then and then and then take the panthers. That's a good point. They'll pat Philly also picked the panthers. Oh, now we're getting something. This is a good this isn't good investigative reporting. So me, fish man and Finley all picked the panthers. That's a maybe that could be our 15th podcast show that we do every week here. I believe he was dubbed fish face on the show Saturday mornings with fish and Finley. And Carm, we can well, I'll say why we picked the Vikings this week. I'm not doing that by the way. Spoiler alert.

16:54Okay. Fair enough. Anyway, that was the big takeaway presented by Exfinity. Imagine that. The other interesting exchange I wanted to share with you guys that this one was a little bit more friendly, I would say. But this was this exchange between Jason and Ben Johnson talking about preparing for Brian Flores, who of course is known for mixing things up, coming with Achu with the all these different looks and all these different, you know, throw everybody line up. And then the scrimmage drop eight, whatever he's going to do, you never know. And it's obviously keeping Ben Johnson up at night. When you face someone like Flores and where not only is he very accomplished, but some of that you would face so many times. Is there ever a trap to avoid of just overthinking and trying to guess he thinks you think he thinks he thinks he thinks he thinks he's going to do. Yeah, yeah, that yes there is. How you avoid going down a path where you're just

17:54in that path right now. No, I mean, there's a lot of that. Man, end of the day, our guys, I want them to go out and play fast. I want to make sure we're sound. It's not very different than what we talked about a week ago, making sure we have a hat for a hat as often as we can. And if he gets this on something, that's fine. Then we've got to come together and make sure we get it corrected and we'll move on from there. So that's this game will end up being some adjustments going on over the course of it might be in the tap a little bit more than than I'd like to over the course of a game. But that's how these ones have tended to go in the past. This guy's the greatest. I mean, really is. John's go ahead. Ben Johnson is five in one against Brian Flores. Five in one. His one loss would be the opener last year with J.D. McCarthy led the come from behind win and became nine to be heard from again. But that's his one loss is one loss as as going toe to toe

18:59or mine the mine against Brian Flores. So the success is there. I don't know if he has an answer for for everything, but he has an answers for a lot of the things that Brian Flores tries to do against his offense. Yeah, and look, I don't think this is a Ben Johnson, Matt LaFour situation at all. But let's not forget the history here too. I mean, it was Brian Flores who took that Dolphins job that did not retain Ben Johnson on that staff. So I think there's always been a little bit of that too, going in some of these matchups. And that's very natural. So they're all super, super competitive dudes. But I also think, sorry, if you know, if you know the Ben Johnson story, like after that Dolphins job, like that's one of you who was at his lowest in his coaching career, soul searching, until he got the recommendation for an offensive quality control job, right? An offensive

20:04assistance spot back in Detroit. Yeah. And I don't, you know, I don't want to speak out, turn here, because I don't I don't view that as any necessarily bad blood. But if you weren't kept by somebody, I would imagine when you want to go, when you go up against that person in the future, you want to show them that, hey, that was a mistake that I'm you should have you should have kept me around that. And that's a very natural human emotion. So I just I think that's worth bringing up when the Bears play Bryant Flores. Yeah. And all these games to have been like Ben Johnson versus Bryant Flores, they've all been kind of tight and like he did and contested throughout. I mean, if that's actually how it went down that he felt like he should have been kept in Flores, didn't keep him. I would think that as Ben Johnson goes, he probably a saw a picture of Bryant Flores somewhere that he can see when he's lying on his bed like in the corner, you know, I'm throwing darts at it. Actually, just a picture of you now after that question today. Yeah. Well, I don't know if you noticed right when he started the press conference,

21:08when he walked on and he was staring down a couple of the reporters. Did you notice that? I didn't. I was pressing play on my recorder. Okay. Well, he points. The look, the look he was ready, man. He was he was he was fired up and on his game going into a Wednesday. Let's go first division game coming up on Sunday back at soldier field, first to three. Ben Johnson, you got anything else? I know. I know he was staring down now. You can't say that. I'm now well, I was seated in the corner. It was it was me, Courtney, Corona, Larry mayor and Brad big seated in the corner. So I know it wasn't any of us for it was not any of you. No, there's well, there's one reporter who tends to have a quip for him before the press conference starts and he was wondering maybe she was wondering if Jason had anything ready for he that's what it was while he was he was looking for like you're going to say something today. They're us are and and he and he and he did he just sat down in the may actually had a very nice exchange right there. Yeah. All right. Johnson, good stuff. I boys, we'll see you

22:09go read john Z at all cs show.com for all the die hards and just to put the cap on the big takeaway presented by Xfinity. Imagine that. All right. We got a lot more coming up. We go inside the locker room with a bunch of injuries before we do injuries. That's not what I meant to say interviews. We go inside the locker room with a bunch of interviews that we're going to share with you. But we didn't want to tell you this. We are celebrating big brothers big sisters month at CHCO and there is no better time to become a big than right now just like. Mark Carmen has done, but also Eric here has done for Christian right here in Chicago. Check this out. Being with Eric, we try new things and I've been exposed to these. I never would have been exposed to if it wasn't for being in big rows with sisters. This seems like really showed me how to become vulnerable and open. He serves as almost an angry for me and without him, I feel like I would more like flow away. I can see them being friends forever. The program really does change lives and impacts, lives and the positive

23:16weight. Shout out to Eric for being a big shout out to calm for being a big. Our future is built on mentorship in a future where every young person as a mentor is possible with leadership investment and a shared commitment to strengthen strengthening the human connections that our communities need. Go to bbbs.org to learn more about how you can become a big today, whether you are here in the Chicago metropolitan area, the suburbs or anywhere around the country, you can make an impact and it starts by going to bbbs.org and become a big today. Yeah, and look, it's been a super rewarding experience like this summer. We went to Great America. There's a touch of a million different things that big brothers, big sisters, provides to do special things that Cubs tickets, socks tickets. I don't know if that in that scenario looks like there was bulls tickets as well. But that's obviously not doing it to go to events, but it is cool to be able to step out and do those things.

24:18And so for me and Laurie Sock, it is a phenomenal job at CHGO to lead in our sales department. We both all it is as we go twice a month. And for 90 minutes at one of their sites, it's not a huge commitment and you get a ton out of it. And hopefully I'm doing a decent job with my guy, Emmy, who dominated on the soccer field last night. Good job, Emiliano. So yeah, if you want to get involved, it's a phenomenal organization. I highly recommend it. That's great, great, great cause. Check it out, bbbs.org become a big today. Are we come back? We're talking banana ball and not the banana savanna's. We're talking banana football. This was today was four hug and the segment is for hug. And I'm really happy for hug that we get to have the segment right now because Tori Taylor isn't talked to the media like six years. He's only been here for four years, but he talked today. That's coming up next year on CHGO. Hey shout out to our friends at Xfinity. You know the feeling that second you walk out the door.

25:23Did I lock it is Bailey the cat for always forget the cat. Teddy. Teddy. My guy is Teddy the cat getting after the couch. And we don't want that are the kids actually doing their homework. Listen to me. You need what Xfinity is going to bring you. That's the Xfinity shield. It's the force it's the protection for your home. It's built into your Wi-Fi. It's the peace of mind for your home, your family, your life online. Braggs needs all of this. He gets it in the beautiful region because he is our he's our Xfinity mayor. He also loves the Wi-Fi motion detection, the Xfinity gateway. It gets sense movement in your home. You don't want that either. No cameras needed. Rest easy wherever you are. Just do it up. Get it with Xfinity. It gives you the peace of mind. Xfinity imagine that restrictions apply select plans only Xfinity internet and compatible equipment is required. And football is back and with draft Kings at Casino Queen Sports. September comes with a boost.

26:25All September long opt in and get a 50% profit boost every game day with the draft Kings game day boost pass. So when the biggest matchups kick off you can get even more out of the action. 50% profit boost every game day. All September long new draft King Sports customers sign up with code CHGO and get a 50% profit boost every game day. That's code CHGO in partnership with draft Kings. The crown is your if you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 100 gamblers 21 and over Illinois only pass through of per wage or tax may apply eligibility and restrictions apply one football boost per customer maximum bet limits and wadering restrictions apply tokens are single use and expire at the end of the final select game each day when offered terms at sportsbook.draftkings.com slash promos. I want to share something that really caught my attention as a parent. I've learned that myopia near-sightedness is becoming much more common in kids and it's not something you want to

27:28ignore. If it goes unchecked it can have an impact that goes way beyond schoolwork. What really matters is starting with an eye exam and eye doctor can tell you what's going on with your child's vision and walk you through options that are designed specifically for kids like Esselaer Stellist lenses. I like that Stellist lenses are made for children and fit right into everyday life. They look like regular glasses but they're part of a more thoughtful approach to managing myopia. If you're a parent and you've been meaning to book an eye exam this is your sign visit Esselaer.com to learn more about Stellist lenses and to find an Esselaer expert eye care professional near you. Every game day you show up for your team now it's your time. We go we go. Ask your prescriber about We GoVi some magnified injection 2.4 milligrams G.L.P. 1. Call 1 8 3 3 4 We GoVi or visit We GoVi.com to view the medication guide and to learn more

28:31about We GoVi why wait. We GoVi. I actually wish I had brought this up when John was on the show, but I remember we talked about this a little bit at the start of the last season and just the vibes in the locker room. And now granted you square 59 points, you probably feel pretty good. And the other hand, the defense kind of struggled. So, you know, it made depend on where exactly you are in the locker room. But I don't sense a lot of panic from the defense. We talked, we talked to a lot of defensive players today, actually. And at the same time, just like it's, it's just good vibes. It's just in everybody. Trust me, I have covered many a Bears team in which those 45 minutes on Wednesdays and Thursdays and Fridays, like I dreaded them. Because I was like, nobody's in a good mood. Nobody wants this in here. Like nobody,

29:34whatever you're doing in life, nobody wants to be somewhere where they're not wanted. Does that make sense? Like, where you're like, eh, nobody wants me here. This is not. And that's not at all high. Feel right now going in that locker room. Like, and I don't want to be like everybody's just front running because they're a good team and they're winning. But the reality is it's like, it's a good, more so than the winning. I just think it's a good locker room. It's a good group of people that are courteous and nice and generous with their time. And I don't know. I just, I just, you just kept, well, we were walking on a locker room and Carbjus, like, I love this team. I was because there, there's just a ton of good dudes in there. Obviously started the top. We haven't mentioned him today. You know, back healthy on the field, Tyson Beijing, just just an absolute leader and not a point, not on the injury report. Not on the injury. How did you not bring that up? But we did the interview. Yeah, sweet. You know, I don't know. That's a bad job by me. But no, I, listen, they've just got a lot of professional likable dudes who are going after it. It's a credit to Ryan Pulse. They, they, and even even in the years that we've been doing this at

30:37CH show, this is a year five, when they were three and 14 and losing 10 in a row, you would have never known in that locker room. The only time that things got wonky was at the end of the Eberfluss. That's when that's when it was like extremely off and people were, it was, became a ghost town in there for a little while. And it was just odd. But this, they, listen, I mean, they're, these are human beings that are in the NFL and they're making a lot of money. And they're all, it's winning. Obviously matters a ton, but it's also like, how am I moving my career forward? So that's a part of it. But this particular locker room right now, if you go winning with who they have in there and the way they've uplifted it, it's really a, it could, it could become a real special place. Not to be too hyperbolic here. Well, one of the fun conversations we had today, and we do have some one-on-ones to bring you, but we're going to start with Tori Taylor because the fun storyline coming out of this first game and the banana ball. Tori Taylor is probably one you haven't heard a whole lot of. You know, he, maybe it's on us.

31:39I don't know, but there hasn't been a ton of interviews done with Tori Taylor over the last few years. And he seemed like you wanted to talk today, which was great. So we had a, a lengthy conversation. I think it's a, I think we matched us all together. So it should be good to go. But we talked banana ball. I believe this conversation actually starts though with him discussing the wind that's soldier fields since they're going, I don't know how windy it'll necessarily be this week. Although it does look like there'll be some weather. But because this is the first home game, I know he was talking about how he needs to, how he handles puns differently when he's dealing with the wind. Like the distance between me dropping and going too much for his and going was for whereas like when he, when you're playing in the like windy conditions, I would hold onto the ball for as long as I possibly try to make sense. Otherwise the wind is going to deviate, which here happens quite a lot. So when you say like, I'm not intentionally going out there and he hit a shit plant. I'm on it because sometimes like I also understand like mother nature is going to run a man. It's just, just trying to use it to the best advantage I possibly can. And then also

32:42understanding like sometimes you actually just get beaten. It's not trying to beat the wind because you're trying to use it to my advantage. Which is like game plan, but you know like soldier field like swells like you know, you can be standing at one end and it's like three. Let me give you an example. The best example I can give you is we played. I think it was new in my rookie year, right? The ball was maybe on like the 50 y'all on, let's say the 50 y'all on and I can literally feel the wind at my back. So I'm standing and they're going like I actually just have to pop this one. I'll just try like a chip shot and then I kick it and I'm looking at that thing and my part almost could have caught it myself because I'm like the wind's gone this way but it has to come back at some stage going on. So it's gone this way and then it's hitting the um stand and it's coming back. So like sometimes it's just trying to gauge what the wind patterns are doing in like shit. It's equal to the parts of the field is up which is like something car or not. Well car you know he's kicked your lot. He's been in like 30 years but they're still things that I'm trying to pick up myself as well. The one that was the punt that was left. Yeah it was going sideways. What's the or they called it a banana ball? Is that what you call it? Yeah

33:46I call it the origin. That's what it's called. So I don't know where this was like that twisted shit or whatever people been coming up with all the tornado ball. That's what you got. You say banana yet? Yeah because it's like it shakes like a banana like it's it's kind of so that's what's the origin of that? I don't remember even sitting there like when like who started that? Well I don't know. We just started it but it's like do you have you seen a shrine? We saw what's up? Have you ever seen a shrine? We saw what's up? So like they like there's like a set of goals. Like saying these are the goals and I'm standing and I'm over here and I have to kick him into the goals. I'm going to like bend the bow and to the goal. So that's when my people hit like the nine or if you're on the left side like we would hit like I would call like a snap because I'm snapping across my body and that's when you get like in simple terms like golf terms you're basically trying to get a card and then if you're on the left side you're trying to hit a drawing. So you were doing that in us really in real football? Correct. So it's nothing new in terms of anything new like it's just I kind of being like you in the last instance of you out of guy. What's the number now? It's just nice. What makes it so challenging? The surprises are getting good at that. How do you like what was that like at the beginning when

34:50you're trying to perfect the banana ball? No honestly like I don't mean this in like an arrogant way like those are things that I've been kicking a ball for 20 years. So like the endover ends like the bananas and all that stuff like that stuff that I mean to over 20 years the hardest part I was just trying to hit like a consistent spiral punt because that's that's only something that I'm pretty new to like since I moved to America. You know what I mean? And some guys like there's so many different like Americans you know they didn't really grow up playing a string with football so it's easy when you kind of just like building it from the ground up like you hunting in the basics and fundamentals where it like I've had to change so many things like get rid of like so many poor habits that I've had in the past and I've got to create new ones to be able to like hit consistent spirals and just be now but have like different shots at different stages in the field as well. So the standard punt is actually hard to reach for you? Yeah I would say so and I feel like most most guys would certainly agree without the shore and I don't I mean they're so what did you have to do to to I guess lobby to be able to get that banana ball going in an actual game?

35:53Um you know they were just like conversations that we had over the offseason and then I was in them well in practice and then you know hit them in the games in the preseason we were kind of like man this was like something that I think can really work but I'm not going to sit here and say that I'm the first guy to do it because I was guys hitting them last year but not many would people would probably know that I think you know like you guys are understanding I'm a lot because we were fortunate enough to get a map from it but there's other guys like hitting them as well but yeah as soon as I hit that I was like man I fucking got it I know it. Before I was just sort of a mistreating like a guy with a pants there is some particular or did you like did you know coming into this that this was going to be something that you had scouted that would baby work against them or is this something that you feel like can it be incorporated? You know like people talk about like all these different attendants and stuff but I'm over the belief like if you hit a good hangton to distance bowl like wherever you are in the field against whoever like I trust the guys on the punt unit and hotels like putting out some great players on the field to be able to go down and make a play but at the same time I also knew that you know like you're playing a young experience return ourselves like why not make it difficult for him.

36:55Ben seems to really get into special teams. Yeah from your perspective like how much have you noticed that since you got here? Oh I mean I love it and like the fact that he even like communicates or you know like he's got a good sense of human he kind of like messes around with like Cairo and I as well which I'm I find yeah pretty awesome because look I'm under like no illusions like you know Cairo but I like you know where we stand on the team you know and I mean like in that regard it's probably the same at many other places but it I mean it's cool I just haven't someone that first informer is like aggressive as you guys saw on on game day and I think just more so like creating environment where everyone just got to be themselves you know and like we're not trying to be people that we are like I'm not trying to be a certain partner that I'm not understanding that then do what I can do to the best of my ability and honestly just trying what make players for the team. Have you seen Australian rules football? I have. It's it's wow like did you watch that game last week that was in Melbourne between the Rams

37:56and not you're getting crazy. No Rams in 49ers. Oh that game yes. So you saw the stadium oh it's like a big ass circle. Yeah and a hundred thousand because the the it just if you haven't seen it go check it out. I don't know enough about the rules. I have watches sometimes I remember being fascinated by it when I actually sat down and watched the game but what he's talking about is they have to do these kicks. Robbie Gold used to do these pregame warm-up kicks where he would try to hit the goal post from the back pylon in the end though. Okay. Just try to kick it straight like he was just you know working on his straight aiming in this case it's like a corner kick and soccer where you have to bend it to get it to go in the net from the spot that you're you know already horizontal with that's where this banana ball kick comes from because they got to like kick it out and shape it in. So I don't know I hope you guys learn something listening to that because it's it's I just think it's really cool this is something he's been able to do for a long time and apparently needed to get the permission from the coaches to be able to actually execute it

38:59in a game and then he went out there and not only executed but they got a turnover out of it. I personally am just happy for you because because he hasn't talked I actually take behind the scenes I'm like, oh do you want to talk to Tori? He's talking you're like you were kind of like you weren't fully ready to do it and then all of a sudden you realized that it was going to be a group and then you could get in there. I really just appreciate just a one-on-one you and Tori which I'm sure will do that. We'll do that. But that this is a good day for you and Tori and the Bears. It was. Can I interest you in introducing you to Brett Thorsten before we take a break? Sure. Brett Thorsten, this is relevant to this week everybody. Brett Thorsten is a rookie punter for the Minnesota Vikings who was a seventh round draft pick this year. I was watching him pun today as I was looking at the Vikings. Oh from the get you watched the game. That's right. Yes. seventh round pick out of Georgia pro kick Australia, Melbourne Australia and maybe he has a banana ball up his sleeve.

40:04Something to put in your pocket and to pull out for Sunday's game with the Vikings here. That's what you get with watching C.H. Geo Thorsten. We're going to have an Australian punter off this week. That's big. That's older field. That could. Hey, it could impact the game. You never know. It does impact the game. Special teams. You saw it with your own eyes on Sunday. We got to take a time out. Don't go anywhere. Hit that like button. First year on C.H. Geo. We got a lot more interviews coming up from the locker room. And next. Hey, apt your number one destination for the home. Now has the kitchen aid French door refrigerator with intelligent auto fill. That's right. It's best for refrigerate in the history of refrigerators. Go to app right now. I mean, if you are one of these people that just cannot wait the time it takes to have your water cup filled. This refrigerator is for you three sensors that fill your favorite cup up for you hands free.

41:05And it'll stop automatically. It's amazing. It's not going to overflow on you, which actually sounds great for the kids because they never know when to stop the thing. Also true counter depth on this fridge. We love that. Going to line up with your counters. Not going to stick out. You don't want your hips. You're going to do the hip thing where you nail your hip on the side of the refrigerator. Jalen and Tyrick need some true counter depth. This coming week to you. Like that? Do you like that? I guess so. C.H. Geo nine touchdown is your code for free and home delivery professional installation and complete satisfaction shop and app to pleasing people since 1936. I bought this computer and app that bought my whole life and app go to app. Hey, that's right. Get as loud as you can. Monster jam. You know what you love it. We're going to be doing this all week. See it here at feel it. It's the experience right here September 18th. That's tomorrow. No, no, that's Friday until Sunday, the 20th. Get out there. Go to the All-Stater

42:07Arena and see my best friends and feel the throw the full throttle fun full throttle all the way. Just like home going all the way with the Graeme Digger with El Toro. It's all the All-Stater Arena. It's Monster Jam tickets are on sale now. Act. That's right. Ticketmaster.com. You know it. You love it. The world's best drivers are tearing up the dirt. You want to see it in person. Be there Chicago. Bring your family. John's is going to be there. Ticketmaster.com. Monster Jam. That's a thing. That one. We got to pull the noise you made at the beginning of that one. Listen, I'm going to be so upset when this week's over and there's no more Monster Jam Reads. Come back to the All-Stater Arena, but get there this weekend. Monster Jam. I think for your next gig Monster Jam should hire you to be their spokesperson. Listen, I'm trying to find a landing spot here so I can all leave you guys alone and maybe it's Monster Jam. I'm not the, you know, it's his atola get working on them. His atola had a great comment the other day that

43:10we did not underline. It was so offensive. It was excellent. Good job, Pizzatola. You loser. Well, this next player that we're going to feature here is definitely not a loser. Let's put on our rose colored glasses, Carm, and explain to the people why the future is bright. For one Caleb Williams brought to you by Shady Raise head to Shady Raise.com and use code CHGO and check out for 50% off two plus polarized sunglasses. Unless you're profile ball focused, you're feeling pretty excited about Caleb Williams right now. And I think a lot of this is just the mentality. We talked about earlier in the show. You got a head coach who's like, yes, are you great jobs on it. You got zero points this week, right? And the mentality here is you just score, score, score, score. Here's a little bit of what Caleb said today. I think is scoring every drive is our mindset. I think that's the potential of us. And that's

44:14internal, that's an internal expectation. That's an internal feeling just in what we have up front, out wide, and in the backfield. It's an expectation from ourselves to be able to go out there and score every time and figure out ways to help the defense. I mean, that's our part to help this team, help special teams, and all of that is scoring points as many as we can. And so on as many drives that we have. And so that's our challenge. I think that's what I mean by that. To be able to do that, it can't have penalties. We can't have all these, the mishaps and things like that. So, you know, that's that's what I mean by that. We've kind of overlooked this because it ended up not mattering too much. But I was thinking about this this morning. That game could not have started worse. Oh, it was horrible. On Sunday in all three phases. You didn't handle the opening kickoff right? You fumbled the ball away. Then you had multiple penalties on defense and gave up a touchdown. And you're down seven, nothing, just like that. When you got the ball first. And

45:19to me, it, it matters so much that it didn't matter. Because it makes sense. They were so good. The rest of the game offensively that it, it, it, it, it's there. Because what Caleb's saying there, you can't have pound like that's got to be the mindset. You cannot make mistakes even though we all know it's football and you're not going to have a perfect game. But if they can over, if they have that type of firepower to not only overcome their defensive mistakes, some special teams mistakes that pop up. And even though they're all, even their own turnovers at times because they are going to happen. That's right. That is a bright future for this team. Couldn't have started the game worse. Couldn't have, it felt like Carolina was, excuse me, was going to get the game at that point. Like, well, great prediction, Carm, Way to go, Panthers. This is this really, you're ready to fire on Twitter. Take that shadow cap. But

46:20didn't matter. And they're, and they're steady. And I like what he's talking about. Like, look, that's the internal. That's the Ben Johnson behind the scene. Shady Ray's future is bright. This is what, this is the goals that we're setting, man. This is what, this is, this is our own internal belief system that this is what we are capable of doing every time we take the field. You got to love that. Absolutely. All right. We got to take another time out. But we have a couple of it. There's a couple guys that are new here that we're not necessarily the biggest signings of the all season, but are now being thrown into pretty significant roles on defense, a defense that needs to play better this week. Obviously, they're also both of them are very interesting to talk to. One of them really loves Chicago too. So welcome in. We love that. So coming up, I had a chance to talk to ContaVistory. Carm got a chance to talk to Cam Lewis. These are people. These are new players you should know as Bears fans. So we'll bring that to you. Next hit that like button. We'll be right back.

47:22Hey, the Game Time app gives fans the advantage with constant innovation. It's how you unlock amazing tickets and experiences in just few taps. I use the Game Time app all the time. It's my go to spot by tickets now. And also sometimes when I'm just checking the prices for tickets, that's I mean, it's just the best easiest way to do it. White Sacks tickets plummeting right now in game time. You get a great value for the Tigers this weekend. Probably. I mean, who'd want to go that? You want to go because you get a great value on game time. Whatever the value is though, you can get it on game time and you're getting 100% authentic tickets on time at the best price. No surprises fees are included in the price that you see, which I always appreciate. So take the guess we're going to buying tickets to every type of event with Game Time download the Game Time app. Create an account use code CHGO for $20 off your first purchase terms apply again. Create an account. Redeem code CHGO $20 off. Download the Game Time app today.

48:22And shout out to our friends at Shady Rays. You know that moment. That's right. You left the sunglasses at the beach. You left them outside of soldier filets. We're walking in, leaving the tailgate. Somebody hit, hit you in the head and all of a sudden they fall off and then then what are you going to do? Shady Rays got your back. They're going to send you a brand new pair. No questions as they're changing the game. These sunglasses are made for the real life experiences. They're good looking. They're polarized. They're durable. They're stupidly inexpensive as well. So listen, go get yourself a car. I think about it. Yeah. Good looking, polarizing and durable. And nobody likes me. Yeah. Well, that doesn't everybody loves Shady Rays. That doesn't apply. You killed it. That's right. That's right. That did. I did. But that's right. Shady raised me. It's the new me. It's the I wear that has your back. Go to ShadyRays.com. Use the code CHGO 50 CHGO 50. You get 50% off. Two or more pairs of polarized sunglasses glasses. I want to share something that really caught my attention as a parent. I've learned that myopia

49:27near-sightedness is becoming much more common in kids. And it's not something you want to ignore. If it goes unchecked, it can have an impact that goes way beyond schoolwork. What really matters is starting with an eye exam. An eye doctor can tell you what's going on with your child's vision and walk you through options that are designed specifically for kids like Esselaer Stelest lenses. I like that Stelest lenses are made for children and fit right into every day life. They look like regular glasses, but they're part of a more thoughtful approach to managing myopia. If you're a parent and you've been meaning to book an eye exam, this is your sign. Visit Esselaer.com to learn more about Stelest lenses and to find an Esselaer expert eye care professional near you. Every game day you show up for your team. Now it's your time. Ask your prescriber about Wigovie, some Maglatide injection 2.4 milligrams, a GLP one.

50:30Call 1-8334 Wigovie or visit Wigovie.com to view the Medication Guide and to learn more about Wigovie. Why wait? We go. We did it a little bounce there. That was cool. Well, it was excellent job by Steven. It was like a... Don't point me for that. That was Brax. So sit back. There's no care. Laughing at yourself. That was that. That was this car. That was stupid noise. Oh, jeez. That was just what's going on in my head the time I see Greg. Oh, was that you or is that Brax in the background? No, Brax is doing that. He's playing soundbites. I keep telling you not to give him control of the show. Now he's hijacking the show. You did this. You know what I mean? Okay, that's pretty funny. Okay. I'm back in.

51:31Some of us last work. I love it. They're in this aside track that nobody wants, but I'm going to tell anyway. There was a guy when I worked in Kansas City with good old Nick Wright. The morning show host's name was Bob Fesco and Nick did not like him. I did a Bob show. Bob's a good man. He's been doing it forever. But so we would pick out stumbles from Bob. And he would talk to Bob on his show just with the stumbles and his other comments. And he would like do these whole things. And one of them was one of those, but it was like it sounded like Biahei. Right. So it'd be kind of like if we did this. And I said, Carm, what do you think? Break down Caleb Williams throw to Cole, come at. Yeah, something exactly. Carm, what do you think about your future in the business? Carm, will you ever never mind?

52:31Well, we can leave that alone. But we're going to go somewhere else. That's fine. All right, let's go to the locker. We'll take you back inside the Bears locker room on this Wednesday. Bears getting ready for the Vikings. By the way, a little news today on the Vikings side. Jordan Mason, they're running back. Who actually had a decent game the other day back up to Aaron Jones. More like the Kalman ungod Aaron Jones. We'll put it that way. He went on IR with a with a thump fracture. So he is not playing DJ Dallas, though, who I remember scouting him coming out of Miami. And he had a phenomenal block on special teams in this game that sprung a huge return. But at some point, we got to talk about special teams. The matchup in this game this week. We won't be right now, though. Thank God. Yeah. Anyway, that's the Vikings do is from today. What you need to know from the Bears inside the locker room as the defense tries to piece some things together. As fun as it's been talking about the offense, there are some new guys. We want to bring you to, you know, a glimpse of these guys.

53:33Contabia Street is quite a story. He's gone from somebody that sort of had to bounce around this league. Be a backup. When he signed here, I didn't even want him sure he'd make the team. Now he's starting next to Grady Jared, who he was with in Atlanta. It's a pretty cool story. And by the way, he's technically an actual Chicago in now. And he explains in this interview, I had a chance to talk to him today at House Hall. All right, Contabia. We were talking to Grady earlier. And he seemed, he seemed like you guys, even with the amount of points that were put up, you guys felt pretty good upfront about what you guys were able to at least start with. How did you feel about it? You know, it's always good to have a lesson learned in the W. You know, I think we've played somewhat to our potential, but I feel like we have so much more room to grow. You know, I think in the third quarter, we had given up maybe seven yards rushing, 70 yards rushing. And then we ended with, I think it was 121-130, you know, that's just never our standard. We don't ever want a team to run the ball for more than a hundred yards. I thought we could have fit in the past a little bit more.

54:35You know, and me, I'm not trying to sound like a pessimist, but I just think with all the talent that we have on this defense, we get to achieve so much more. So I don't know if you saw this, but Mike Tomlin was talking about on Sunday night about how with just the way the rule, he's not trying to make excuses, but the way the rules are, the preseason and training camp that it takes defense is a little bit now to actually get going, to get their feet on them, get those hits in. Do you feel that with your time in the league? Is that a real thing that sometimes it just, it might take a couple weeks? You know, if you asked me this last year, this time, I would have agreed with you, but I think BAN does a great job with training camp goodness for ready for it. You know, I don't feel like we're under prepared in any aspect of the game. So I felt like we really should have hit the ground running, but one way why we'll agree with him there, you know, just getting the full team, all the ones out there and playing together for that 60 snaps. I think that's where we're a little bit behind just building our commissary, our chemistry altogether. Give me a little bit of an idea of your journey and what would you've gone through to get to this opportunity now to be a starter next degraded Jared on this team right now.

55:39And I guess how rewarding that was to get that opportunity coming out of your training camp. I mean, it's amazing. I told the story a lot because it's been reoccurring. My wife actually bought a house in Chicago before I previously even started. And I ended up signing here and it's like my first time living in the city and actually playing there. So it's amazing, you know, so I got some city pride there. So it's amazing. It's a huge blessing. And I just want to go out there and make sure that I showed this guy's on extremely grateful the opportunity every time I get. So I remember you saying that remind me of like the connection like why you before you even knew you're going to be a bear. You wanted to be here in Chicago. Yeah, I mean Chicago's an outstanding city. I haven't been able to find anything that I dislike yet, you know, it was amazing to people extremely friendly. The summer coming from Atlanta Georgia to here. I can go out and walk my dogs. I'm not sweating. I'm going to take out the trash. I'm not sweating. Like I mean, just it's a big man's paradise really. Now I haven't experienced the winter yet, but I mean, it's just amazing city. And I don't really have a connection here.

56:41We get like a week break between training camp and regular season. Remember, my wife came up here last year for like three days. Felling love with it is like, that's my house out here, you know. It's awesome. You're going to get into Chicago sports scene at all. Like I mean, picking up on any of the teams. Not yet. Next off season we definitely will. This this year, I was able to really get in there. We started renovating our house. So I was all caught up with that. Got it. Let me ask you one question about the Vikings coming up this week. I mean, the first out of scene, North game of the season for you guys. Just what are the early points of emphasis that you guys are looking at and trying to attack this front? Good on what we did last week. You know, continue to be effective in the run game. We don't want them. These the past six games they won six straight and they led the league in rushing attempts. So they're going to come out and try to run the ball. Especially after we gave up 120 yards. So we just want to be able to be better in the run game. Be more effective there. And then I mean, of course, everyone knows just the Jefferson's one the best in the game. It's not the best in the game. So just limited opportunities that he has by fitting the quarterback. And if color does play, keep him in the pocket.

57:43You know, be a little bit better than we were last year with last week. So I appreciate it. Thanks man. Well, that is the big question this week is Kyler or Kyler Murray. It's not the first time today. I've actually done that Kyler. Kyler Gordon, the name plan Kyler Murray doesn't seem like he'll play. But Kevin O'Connell did not rule him out. I watched his press conference earlier today. They're operating. I guess he was limited in practice today. At least that was the plan. So that is out completely. And but he did Kevin O'Connell did say he feels like they got a probably have a good idea by Friday about, you know, whether or not he can go. Because remember when you're playing quarterback and he's a Kyler Murray new to the Vikings, you. If you're not practicing, somebody else is taking the reps. Like my understanding is that Carson Wentz is a most of the Packer Scout team reps last week preparing for that game. And then all of a sudden he gets thrown in there as a starter. So there's also a line of thinking that if Carson Wentz actually practices as the starter to this week, he'll be.

58:46He should theoretically be more prepared than he was even last week going into that game. Because he'll get more of the practice reps in the game plan that they're putting in. Yeah, I mean, I would be shocked if Kyler played. He took a. That hit was horrendous and it's just very rare that you come back one week after a concussion. But I get it. He's not ruled out. So it could happen that way. By the way, I wouldn't really worry about it if he was playing. I wasn't in the limited time that he had on the field. It did look a little wonky. It didn't look great. But at the same time, I'm just I'm watching that film and I'm like, how are they how are they not ready to like, protect the A gaps early on in that game? Like Jonathan Ganon coached Kyler Murray in Arizona. He knows how to get after him. He's a small quarterback who you want to get inside pressure on immediately. And it was like the Packers weren't prepared for it. Or I'm sorry, like the Vikings weren't prepared for that early on in that game. Like the interception he threw.

59:46He's got somebody in his lap in three seconds. He just want now I would he should have launched the ball at a bounds or something. Or something different or just taking the sack. You can't just throw a pop up into double coverage. But yeah, I don't know. And also, by the way, Carson Wentz, if you go back and watch the Vikings and the Packers last week, Carson Wentz does not scare you. Carson Wentz threw like a holy lucky game. Like through interceptions, holding penalty, just a bunch of turnovers that were there. Not saying that the Bears are going to have an easy time in Minnesota. But I'm not I'm actually of the things that I'm concerned about in the game. It's not necessarily the Vikings quarterback play. All right. The other one we want to share with you, Carm got a chance to talk to Kamal Lewis. Also thrust into a starting position. He he didn't know until the game was starting. He was going to be starting. But he might have to do it again this week with Xavier Wood still dealing with the Groin. And I actually held up. Okay, Kamal Lewis, new member of the Bears, secondary and at least starter for now next to Dylan Tinovon. All right, we got one game in the books here in Chicago. What, you know, obviously the defense, you guys are dialing it on being better.

1:00:50What did you see out there last Sunday that you're leaning into week two? Positive or negative? Well, let's go. Let's go positive first of all, flip it in the negative. Yeah, um, I felt like we was flying around though. You know, we made some plays that presented ourselves and honestly week one, um, a lot of unscouted looks. Um, we tried to prepare a training camp, but you know, it's not going to be perfect going out there. We got to wait with a with a W. So that's always a good thing. But it's always room to approve even when we get to week 17. It's going to be something to approve. So, um, just taking a day by the. Okay, so the negative side was the big plays or something else? Yeah, yeah, I felt like you just want to limit as opposed to if you want teams to, you know, think and don't they weigh down the field, you know, if they do that, obviously they're going to make a mistake sooner or later, but we just got to stop giving up a slow-fishing blowfills and we'll be better. How'd you think you paired with Dylan? Well, pretty well. You know, as our first outing together, other than appreciating, but you know, when the mistakes are, are for real this time, it's a little different, but I feel like it was fun. We're both having fun out there talking and laughing.

1:01:53Just having a good time playing football. Oh, we got some some laughter going on. That's awesome. Yeah, I, I, I play with a little bit of. A little jokes here and there, like, you know, want to play a kind of missed attack, well, number four came across middle, and I bounced off them and I just got up and I laughed because, you know, you can't take stuff too serious. I'm just having fun playing a game and I'm bounced back. So I'm just trying to keep it light, but serious at the same time. Is he kind of like a safety linebacker? Like he's. He can play everywhere, man. He can play everywhere. That's a really good talent to football player and I'm just excited to, you know, play next one. Seems to me like you guys are going to have a huge week this week. That's my prediction. Just talking to you right now. I'm sensing big week two for the secondary. I think so too. We'll see, you know, you never know, but yeah, I think so too. Coming after you, Justin Jefferson, he didn't say that I did. Most likable guy of all time outside of Contavia Street, outside of Greater Jared, outside of the entire Bears locker room. But did you, did you notice that I borderline towered over Camlos?

1:02:56I know as you're standing very close to him. Yeah, that I think it made him feel uncomfortable. Yeah, I probably need to work on my spacing that that wasn't great either. But we're coming up on overtime here. So become a die hard and use the code J HNS. Is that still the code? No, they don't need codes anymore. Remember, it's this levels thing. There's a level. Yes, we got levels. You could be a pro. You could be a tell you you you call it with the own price. You will. Well, not your route. There's three different prices you could pay and you get more and more with each one. So go check it out and come to the tailgate. More, most importantly, this Sunday, it's going to be a lot of fun before the Bears play the Vikings. O T. Just one more on Camlos to do that job. Be a safety slash corner in the NFL at that size is super impressive. Yep. You have to have some level of something going on upstairs to compensate for the fact that you are not like Dylan,

1:03:56I'll say he's twice the size of him, but he's I mean way bigger. And yet this guy said a very long career and has won a lot of football games. I got a ton of respect for that. Absolutely. And you know, well, yeah, Dylan's not the tallest guy ever either, but he's he's jacked. Like he's ready to go out there and he showed that with all his tackling in this game. All right. We will end the show as we will typically do on Wednesdays with a little bit of diehard conversation with Greg Brax who will jump in the show. And now a great job Gregory with the carm sound bite that we will save forever. That's right. We absolutely. So like on Twitter, I just put it on Twitter to promote the good people over at Monster Jam. And I am going to calm hold me to it. I'm going to take all of your because I saw yesterday in the comments, somebody said that their their kid now is looking forward to your Monster Jam read. Like their kids. So like this is something that's building up here.

1:04:58So I'm going to go through and find all the the Monster Jam reads you've done. And we're going to do a huge cut up of this. This is this is good. You're doing a great job car. So I'm so I'm I'm Thank you. Thank you Gregory. You know, I'm just trying to contribute anyway. I can and listen Monster Jam is going to be great this weekend. So shout out to Monster Jam. And by the way, anybody that advertises for us, you get to see treatment. Whatever you need, shady rays. Monster Jam. That's right. Man in the people there, car man in the man of the the the the people that help keep the lights on here at CHGO sports as well. So yeah, we got some die hard questions to get to. Listen, we got some die hard questions to get into. Or you keep drifting left. You're killing me. Oh, I see. Maybe pass frame yourself. Maybe he passed gas. Hold me. He's like you're doing the opposite of what you do with Cam Lewis. Like Cam Lewis, you're like, I love you. And then over here, Well, that's a bad. It's we keep going for 20 more minutes. He's going to be off the screen. Yeah, I have to well, you know, because Greg came on that change the screen placement,

1:05:59which I was not paying attention. So I'm my bad, my bad. Well, I made sure to have Michael Jeffrey Jordan in the frame for you, Carm. So thank you. But yeah, we're going to get things through. We're going to go through here some things and get this show wrapped up because I know everybody's got a lot of stuff here for the rest of the evening. But I will just say, you know, obviously, it was a lot of fun here on Sunday. Some early returns on some of the things that we talked about over the last month, specifically with the Cam Lewis stuff. I was really hopeful that this guy could be someone that at the end of the year, we say is a glue guy on this team. And we're coming out of training camp. It wasn't really sure how that was going to play out. Well, one weekend seems like we're back on track to that kind of vision. So, you know, another one that we talked about, or at least I've been kind of dancing around the idea of Jada Walker, you know, having that kind of superstar potential, maybe even of a Victor Cruz type of story arc, right? One weekend, I think, I think we're looking pretty good there as well. So some different things that I'm enjoying. And obviously Dylan Thineman was somebody that I was excited for the Bears to draft.

1:07:02And another guy that we were like, hmm, let's see how things start here in week one. So of the things that I was very optimistic for here in the summer, certainly excited to see those things kind of taking shape here early on. So that being said, let's get into some of the die hard questions. We only got a couple here today. And the first one, I'll start with you guys here. And it's talking about TJ Edwards. And TJ Edwards here from Dave Man says, is there hope TJ Edwards can return to the player who earned an extension? Or is now the time to move on? A lot has been made about, you know, Jalen's performance on Sunday. I don't know how you guys feel about going back and watching the tape on TJ. But I think that's something they're going to have to monitor over the next few weeks. And hopefully he can have a better performance here coming up on Sunday. Yeah, I mean, now's not the time to move on because they need him. So, you know, I, I liked what Baldi said yesterday, even though it was kind of like a negative comment. He was like, I just don't, I don't never seen TJ's like struggle to tackle like that.

1:08:06I'm going to look at that as like that's, that's, that's, yeah, it's going to be the worst of it because it's, and that's been Ben's message to the team. Like however this works in week one, it's going to be the worst that we play all year. And that's been resonating with players because I've heard a couple players say it today, even. So I think that if you do struggle in your first game that gives you a little bit of a floor to work off of and play better from there. So I, I think TJ, let's like, let's not forget he was granted he was going up against backups. And that's fair. But he was the best player on the field when they played the Titans. Now the Titans are awful and those were Titans backups. But I still have hope that he's going to play better than he did in that first game. Well, and that's also give the guy a little bit of grace here. And he's coming back from a fractured fibula that he was carted off the field. You know, it was a significant injury. So I'm not going to put his week one of performance completely on that. But it might take him a second to get back up to NFL regular season games.

1:09:08But that's the least what it looks like. No, maybe he won't. But he certainly is earned the right to, you know, be out there at least a couple more weeks to see if he can. Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. You know, the coaching staff feels that way as well. But with the guy like to Marco Jackson, you know, kind of hanging out there and got to the point. Snaps, you know, as you said, yesterday, I think he said what 12 snaps was the total. You had it yesterday. But regard the Margot, but that's you all. That's because he's the same linebacker in their plan. A lot of Nicole that'll fluctuate from time to time. But he's a good backup. And let's not forget to teach. I think Keisha on Elliott, if you're going to start talking about long term replacement for TJ Edwards, that's the name to think about. He missed most of the camps. So he's probably not ready to do that yet. But he was up in active play special teams like that's. That's the guy I keep an eye on, but I don't want to force it yet because there's no way that guy's ready yet. Okay. All right. Well, let's move on. I definitely think that's something that, you know, is going to be an ongoing conversation. Hopefully TJ ends that conversation here on Sunday. Yeah. That's right. You know, that's what we all want. So let's get on to the next one here.

1:10:11And that's for, you know, this was an interesting question from Faro. Carm, you can start this one off. It says, what is the single play or development from Sundays? When that excited you the most? That's a great question. For me, that goes to Dylan Theanman. Because and you can pick any number of times he came up and made a tackle in a way that he looked like a linebacker to me, which is why I brought that up to Cam Lewis today. Like that dude, understanding where to be. And then coming in with force and speed and being impactful. I thought was super impressive. The fact that he led the team in tackles is impressive. And you actually sent me down a road of, you know, people are like, well, you got to get more tackles up front defensive tackles and offensive ends. Do not make tackles at a high level. Most good teams, their linebackers are going to be first. So the bears do need more production from their linebackers. For sure. TJ Edwards, obviously, the, you know, David Bush both those guys. And whoever else is getting out there. But Dylan's going to have a lot of tackles. That's a sign of a good safety. So that's not necessarily a negative that he had 10 tackles.

1:11:13So that I would, I would unwind that. Yeah, I mean, I got a couple. I don't want to go to the obvious, which is always going to be how Caleb played. That's the most important thing that matters always. But I like the Dylan answer. I like Malik Muhammad. I mean, let's not overlook this kind of their Gordon story. And if he's ever coming back, the thing that was like, the biggest problem with the idea of Kyler not coming back is that it was like, they don't have another guy that you do it. Right. Here comes his rookie out of Texas who I, you know, thought should have been a much higher draft pick who hasn't really played nickel before. And he looked outstanding in the opener. So that's encouraging the other one too. I'll just keep coming back to they scored 59 points. And Colson Loveland didn't touch the ball. Yeah. Like I, you know, weird way that's encouraging to me. And he, he could have had three touchdowns, right? Like the, the, the one on the goal line, the one across the middle. He's like, wide open. So even with the zero, the goose egg, there was a couple of plays there. Like he was close to having 70 yards. Right. When you've heard analysts, like, I don't curve Warner's pointed this out. I actually talked to somebody in Minnesota today.

1:12:14The Washington tape to point this out. Should we get a curve Warner on the show? Hey, I haven't tried for a year now. Let's go. Kurt wants to be on the mic. We might have a different hall of fame quarterback here in a couple of weeks. So keep an eye out for that. Oh, ho. What I was going to say. Oh, what all these people keep bringing up the, what was left on the table still as good as it was. Like a lot of that was to Colson Loveland. Like all the stuff that was left on the table was the stuff that was intended to go to Colson Loveland. So he's going to eat. I don't have any doubt about that whatsoever. And so pick your poison with who you're going to cover. Yeah, not at all. And for me, quickly, give you your roses here home. The play that stood out the most if it isn't until in Theonamon, which I think that's an easy one with trying to find a bright spot on that defensive side of the ball. It is that Tory Taylor banana ball. It is. Why not only because of how impressive that that kick is and how you broke that down. But it's also because Tory Taylor,

1:13:15these first few years, he hadn't proved his worth of why they drafted this dude as high as they did. And for one game in a pivotal, like, I don't care about the years passed. Now those gears are done. I mean, we're talking about what we're going to do going forward. And he just in one game just got you a win. So we've had some great punters in this city. And you listen to that interview and you hear him talk about how he's playing the win. And you know me and my golf game, I can respect how he's really detailed into the nuance of all of that. It's, you know, it's just when guys like that that have that much touch and talent and skill when it comes to what they're doing with their craft at a place like Soldier Field. The more years and the more games he plays in this environment, in this area, the better he's going to get with all of that stuff. Yeah. And I just quickly like we didn't really break down that whole interview. But it did. I thought the most interesting thing he said was that the normal spiral kick is the hardest thing for him. All these other kicks he's been doing in his whole life.

1:14:16But it is hitting the very normal, most common NFL spiral at hang time. That has been the thing that he's had to learn the most that he didn't do until he got America to America. That actually to me helps explain some of his struggles to find consistency. So maybe the pivot is let him be the Australian rules kicker. Let him, let him experiment. It's working here with this banana ball. Let him be that guy. And yes, it's going to require your cover guys to trust me. That requires communication. Your cover guys got to know where the ball is going. Because if they don't know where the ball is going, they can't make the tackle. So it's going to require more practice and more effort from the entire thing. But it could also lead to much better results. Absolutely. And as I said, you can quibble with where he was drafted. It's a fair argument. You can quibble with these first few years. And if he's lived up to that expectation. But as I said, moving forward, this is great. And if this is how he's going to be, that kind of weapon that was sold when he was initially drafted,

1:15:19then I think the long game on your call out, the day that he was drafted will end up having the right returns on it there. As we're talking about getting things right. So final thing here, I'll start with this one because this is something I've been talking about with a few friends and Dave Man said, am I crazy to think D.A. will be blitz heavy this year in part to give the offense more possessions by quote unquote losing quickly, even if they don't have explosive undefense, excuse me. They says, no, panther scoring drive went longer than two minutes and 45 seconds. And I love that call out at the end there because it is interesting. And I kind of called it a catch 22 of, if the panthers defense, they want to, or the panthers offense wants to stay on the field to keep the bears offense off the field. Well, they were scoring a little too quick or at least moving the ball down the field a little too quickly. And so if you're the bears, I just broached this the way he's saying it.

1:16:19It's like, yeah, why not just line up on the line of scrimmage, play man coverage across, show heavy blitz, be super aggressive and either get off the field on your three and out, or let him run down the field and let's have a track meet because the faster we get the ball back, the faster we're going to beat you. I kind of get where he's coming from here. You know, that's not Dennis Allen's mindset though. He's not going to be like, let's lose quickly. But I do, I do get where he's coming from. I don't think it's that. I think it's almost like, and it's funny now that Brian Flores is matching up against Ben Johnson this week, because I can almost picture this world in which they'd be great together. Because like Brian Flores can do all those crazy things if he's got an offense that can back him up, because as you saw that you live and die with that in the game, like the Packers got them for a long touchdown where they set the house that tried to knock the ball down, took a risk, didn't get it. Bam Christian Watson's in the end zone the other way. Although in the fourth quarter, blitz after blitz after blitz after blitz, they didn't know who to block. Jordan Love couldn't handle

1:17:20it. They ended up winning the game no matter how it looked earlier in the game. So I love that question. I think it's an inch. I do think that this offense will allow Dennis Allen to take some more risks. Good job, Dave, man. Yeah. And I think on the other side of the ball, it's also the catch 22 of the Bears offense because they're so good at running the ball. Yeah, if they know their defenses and as good in the Bears, well, they should just run the ball at eight yards of clip and keep the ball for 60 minutes. The problem is they've got so many great players that they stay score so quickly. Like that's not a problem, but then it gets the defense back on the field. So I think the Bears are going to try to play this dance all day. And when you are all year and when you saw what happened with the Panthers, where you get caught in this track meet and then all the sudden in the fourth quarter, the thoroughbreds pulled away. So I don't know if that's going to be the recipe every week. You know, this could obviously be a boxing, you know, a rock fight here on Sunday. But you know, I think Ben Johnson's just looking for as many plays and bites at the apple as he

1:18:24possibly can 70 plus plays a game. I'm sure as the goal. So that's it for the die hard questions here today. Once again, become a die hard at all. C H O dot com slash die hard and on Wednesdays, you guys can be a part of the conversation here on the show as we highlight some of you guys from our discord channel, which you have access to when you sign up to become a discord or die hard, I should say. So all right, guys, well, we got a few more super chats. If you guys want to wrap things up and turn the corner. Carm, you mind reading a couple of each of me? I would love to read some soup or chat or Greg King. I get sure. Let's let's I'll go first. You go second, Gregor. Let's go from James Robnet. I don't know. My glasses. My favorite step 10 bucks. Thank you, James. My favorite stat of the Panthers game that pretty much sums up the defense. Rochon Johnson had more tackles for than TJ Edwards and to Marco Jackson had combined. It's a little unfair to Marco James because he wasn't out there a ton, but that is an excellent underlining by you. Next up, thank you, James. Next up is yes, sir. Newtella happens 10 bucks. Hope what? Hope. You're not hope. Maybe I do

1:19:31any of my glasses. Hope. What were your thoughts on Luther's speed Sunday? Seems like he may not be 100% from the tape. Yeah, there might be some fairness to that. I didn't necessarily notice it live. Shout to the QB school. He's he was all that. There's always he kind of pointed that out a little bit like he thought Luther looked faster last year. There might be there might be a touch truth to that. I don't really know the for sure answer, but I do know he finished with with a fine game when it was all said and done. So I'm not worried about Luther. Neither am I. And I listen, he the injury happened a while back at he's got to be healthy by now. Let's go up next to our friend cragill the cragillator is back. It's time for the cragillator. It's time for the cragillator. In all seriousness, why is the press audio straight up terrible at every press conference? Everyone sounds like peanuts parents. Does anybody have an answer for that? I have no idea. Like Charles Tillman's parents. Confused. That's messed up. Listen, I will talk to Jeff

1:20:32Joniak and tell him to step it up. What is he talking about actually though? Is he just the ones that don't Greg, do you know? Yeah, I mean, we've had this complaint over the last few years. I think fans get frustrated that we can't hear you guys at the when they're at the podium. We can hear the questions at times. Well, that's because there's no microphone in the room and you're only picking up the mic at the podium. So that's not true. There are microphones. Yes, above you sitting. Yeah, like we can hear some, but not all. It depends where you're sitting. There's like a zone and Paul's Ryan call you and explain it to you. Well, point out where I need to be because I want to be heard. I want to wear you sit. You're heard. You should be heard. But the way if you're sitting off to the side like Jon's does, it doesn't get picked up as much. I did not know that. But also there's not enough room and there's too many seats. So I'm sorry, there's not enough. There's not enough seats in the area where it is zoned to pick up the questions. And also the automatic, it's like a switch to automatically adjust

1:21:33based on where the audio is coming from. And it doesn't always, it doesn't always pick it up properly. So that's your engineering explanation, regulator, because you deserve it, you're a regulator. Especially when it's modulating is it's trying to find out who's going to win the fight to ask the next question. It's true. Carm, want to know today. That's right. Take that. 10 bucks. We're gonna tell happens. Greg gets it in his beautiful region. Carm, 2020, that's inappropriate. I don't know if I would have said that earlier. Apparently, yeah, well, oh, Carm said that. Yes. Carm said it. It's it. Yeah. And he wanted to add reads. I believe he said that. Congratulations to Greg. Oh, he did. He said that about Xfinity. I remember that now. Yeah. That was a weird thing. Say man. Yeah, it was not good. But but yet beautiful. Here's an awkward pivot. Um, Bearsden, I saw this earlier. Sorry to you, Bearsden. No, $2 loss. My best boy last night Lulu forever. Sharky. That's horrible. Bearsden, nothing worse than losing a pet. Well, I shouldn't say nothing, but it's it's it's

1:22:35way up there. It's awful. It's it is awful. Greg's the why are you laughing? Greg, because you go, this is the worst segue off of Greg's beautiful. I didn't know. I didn't know it was going to be the next. Bearsden, I was trying to respect your your your your loss and Greg is not. So just remember when you're thinking about what you want to know, Greg and I both respect the loss very much because neither of us have recovered from losing our dogs. I just got done saying how I can't yeah, I can't even look another dog in the face without crying and thinking about my dog who passed away years ago. But yeah, that was the worst segue. After we we feel you're paying bears. The thoughts are with those reach out to me. I owe you just reach out to Greg. He owes you or you could call me and we can talk about dogs. I'm not laughing. It's the worst day of his life and I'm laughing. I'm not laughing at that. I'm just can we cut this clip and then posted a Greg laughs at die hard that lost their dog. I mean, we're going to lose bears. Now you guys have. Bearsden is going to go. I hope he got a moment. 11 right.

1:23:42bearsden is enjoying this. I'm going to watch the 11th all pod now. All right. John Ford 65 eight bucks or eight Australian dollars or five dollars at 60 cents US dollars. Thank eight apples eight apples. Any thoughts on strength of schedule after week one or two early. I'm going to go with two early, John. Although you know, strength of schedule they got a break today with with Jordan Mason being out the Vikings running back, which we talked about earlier. That's a minor before talking. We'll get more into the Vikings tomorrow. We'll have X's and hogs and and start breaking that down. Crackulator also here with $20.com close talker. Yeah, well, I'm going to work on spacing. Thank you, Crackulator. I'm going to work on our spacing. Craig says morning from Australia boys. Adam as an Australian, we do not like you calling Torrey's punt banana ball. It should be called a boomerang punt. So I did see some of this Craig, but I, I now I'm confused though because Torrey calls it a banana. Maybe maybe talk to

1:24:44Torrey about maybe maybe Torrey hasn't talked about that. This is something like I know he doesn't want like he said, I didn't come up with this, but the boomerang thing he might be able to like. All right, I'll I'll ask him tomorrow because there's I also want to ask him about the Vikings punt or tomorrow meeting. They were what you couldn't tell in interviews. We were actually getting kicked out of the locker room as it was ending and and I don't think yes, Carm's not surprised. I probably could ask him 10 more questions. So I didn't sure that's why they were kicking us out. Well, they were kicking everybody out and literally everybody left, except for Hogue who like sat on Torrey's lap and continued to ask questions and then finally, you know, and then I realized like five minutes later that you were gone with my phone. And I was like, oh, Carm has my phone. Well, I waited and I literally stood in the hallway staring at you and Torrey and I was like, well, this is awkward. I shouldn't stand here. So I got to go to the hallway. That's what I did. And then and then you eventually came back around stories from Halas Hall and Wednesday, whatever the date is. It's more fun this way. I like it. All right. I think that was it, right? Yep. All right. Greg, great work. Thank you for your help.

1:25:47Taken us home. Good luck to Steven. He's got big plans tonight. So and good luck to me because I'm playing big raid tonight. I'm wanting to all try and stand to feel it never beaten Ray in my life. So eight 30, hogger, again, the pool and do a stretch out at about seven, twenty six. Yeah. You couldn't hear that. I just played a drop and no one cares. All right. Tomorrow, we'll have another show for you five o'clock and we'll give you everything that's left. We had some legal. I'm in leftover and we'll have some new stuff for you from Halas as well. Tomorrow's coordinator days should be fun. And we got brick by brick tomorrow, right? That's right. 10 a.m. Central. I bought this computer adapt. It's amazing. Good. It's so good. It's so good. Goodbye.

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