Latest / 2nd City Gridiron / Making Monsters: Tom Waddle and Doug Plank preview Wild Card Bears v Packers!

Transcript

Making Monsters: Tom Waddle and Doug Plank preview Wild Card Bears v Packers! · 2nd City Gridiron

0:10
[SPEAKER_01]: All right, welcome back to another episode of Making Monsters, a special episode because it's playoff time in Chicago.
0:16
[SPEAKER_01]: I don't know how many people predicted that in the beginning of the season, especially after starting 0 and 2, which Tom Waterle joining me today, you know, former VAERS wide receiver.
0:25
[SPEAKER_01]: host of Water and Sylvia on ESPN 1,000 and to on the last time we talked it with the bears where it was very early in the season.
0:32
[SPEAKER_01]: We were kind of trying to figure out what exactly they were in a look ahead and so a lot has happened since the last time we've spoken but to you what has been the biggest significance when it comes to the offense getting better in this kind of time throughout the year.
0:47
[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, I mean, first of all, I would have never projected that they were going to win their division and get to the postseason.
0:54
[SPEAKER_02]: I was adamant that I thought because of all of the investment that they'd made on the offensive side of the ball, whether it be through the draft or through free agency or even with trades with regard to their offensive line, that they would be a team that should win more games than they lost.
1:08
[SPEAKER_02]: And they did that, but they certainly exceeded my expectations.
1:12
[SPEAKER_02]: I think the kind of the...
1:14
[SPEAKER_02]: The special sauce with this offense, you know, really simply is is, you know, when Ben Johnson and his staff came to town, they their message was, look, we're going to work your hard trust the process here, trust what we're asking you to do and you will see tangible return on your investment if you trust us.
1:33
[SPEAKER_02]: And I think as a player, as long as you do see that tangible return on your investment and your effort, then you're all in.
1:41
[SPEAKER_02]: So I think that, you know, I think that there's been a trust and a belief that has kind of
1:48
[SPEAKER_02]: on the offensive side of the ball.
1:49
[SPEAKER_02]: And, look, you also have to factor in the immense amount of talent, not just from the players, Caleb's got an unlimited amount of talent.
1:56
[SPEAKER_02]: That offensive line is significantly better.
1:59
[SPEAKER_02]: They've got a group of receivers and tight ends that are very, very good.
2:03
[SPEAKER_02]: And then you have, in my opinion, one of the top two, three,
2:06
[SPEAKER_02]: game planners and playcolors and all of the sport with Ben Johnson.
2:10
[SPEAKER_02]: So I think you kind of put that all together and I'm not shocked that they have a top 10 offense on a number of fronts.
2:16
[SPEAKER_02]: I really am not.
2:18
[SPEAKER_02]: I am surprised though.
2:20
[SPEAKER_02]: I'm not going to lie that they were able to find their way to the top of a very competitive division.
2:25
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I feel like I shared that a similar sentiment in the sense of you kind of had these expectations of what Ben Johnson alone.
2:32
[SPEAKER_01]: could do and then all of the weapons they had into your point when it comes to kind of buying in and believing some of the things that Ben Johnson and earning that that's one thing that he's talked about very early on.
2:43
[SPEAKER_01]: That's why it took Luther Bird and a little long to get in there and get going.
2:47
[SPEAKER_01]: Same with Colson, same with Menongai and those three have all been massive playmakers for this team especially down the stretch.
2:53
[SPEAKER_01]: So let's talk about that.
2:54
[SPEAKER_01]: The past catchers will start there.
2:55
[SPEAKER_01]: You being a former wider receiver.
2:57
[SPEAKER_01]: There's a lot of even young
3:02
[SPEAKER_01]: Sports and energy, especially in that last-screen bay game.
3:05
[SPEAKER_01]: So chat a little bit about that.
3:07
[SPEAKER_01]: Roman Dunesay looks like he should be back or will be back this weekend.
3:10
[SPEAKER_01]: What do you expect that past catching room to look like on Saturday?
3:14
[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, there's a lot of mouths to feed.
3:16
[SPEAKER_02]: There's a lot of talents in there.
3:18
[SPEAKER_02]: You know, you go back to training camp and it was pretty evident that
3:21
[SPEAKER_02]: The Luther was trying to find his way.
3:23
[SPEAKER_02]: It wasn't real comfortable with things.
3:25
[SPEAKER_02]: He had had some injuries leading into training camp.
3:28
[SPEAKER_02]: But it was also quite evident that he was a spectacular athlete.
3:34
[SPEAKER_02]: The tremendous speed, good route runner, great separation, hand catcher, and fantastic with the run after the catch.
3:42
[SPEAKER_02]: same thing got him with constant love and I thought early on obviously he was coming off of the shoulder injury.
3:47
[SPEAKER_02]: I thought he played a little slower than he was capable of playing because he was just kind of learning you know the NFL game.
3:54
[SPEAKER_02]: He looked he turned 21 too so he's arguably one of the youngest rather players on this team.
4:01
[SPEAKER_02]: So
4:02
[SPEAKER_02]: I think it was just a matter for him getting acclimated to the game and to the offense and now with both of these guys what you see is you see mismatches consistent mismatches and with regard to the to the game on Saturday night.
4:20
[SPEAKER_02]: If I'm Ben Johnson, I will use formations and motion to try to see if I can get them in demand coverage.
4:27
[SPEAKER_02]: And if I can, I'm going to try to take advantage of the mismatches that occur.
4:32
[SPEAKER_02]: When you have coast and love them matched up on whether it's a nickel corner or a safety or even a linebacker.
4:37
[SPEAKER_02]: Same with Luther Bird and getting him out in space and getting him the ball.
4:42
[SPEAKER_02]: really dynamic.
4:44
[SPEAKER_02]: A lot of guys that you can go to, if they want to, you know, try to take Luther away, then obviously getting Rome back will help, you know, he has been there was their top target until he stepped aside with the injuries.
4:56
[SPEAKER_02]: So, yeah, just a lot for Caleb and for Ben Johnson to work with.
5:01
[SPEAKER_02]: And, you know, there have been times this year tailor where people were, why isn't DJ getting the ball?
5:05
[SPEAKER_02]: Why isn't, look, some games dictate that you're going to go to one side with it.
5:11
[SPEAKER_02]: other games dictate game plans that the ball will go elsewhere.
5:15
[SPEAKER_02]: So I think over the course of the season, what we've seen is that they've spread it out nicely.
5:21
[SPEAKER_02]: I think at the end of the regular season, close to leveling ended up with the most receiving yards, which no one would have ever projecting early in the year.
5:29
[SPEAKER_02]: So a lot to work with and a what do they call it an embarrassment of riches, but we'll see.
5:36
[SPEAKER_02]: We'll see what happens.
5:37
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I saw I noticed something interesting yesterday that DeAndres Swift has the most yards from Scrimmage second on the team with that is Kyle Menongai, so both backs being able to do that.
5:47
[SPEAKER_01]: You've seen Menongai get a little bit more involved in the receiving game in this last probably five six weeks compared to earlier, but there's a lot of guys that can get the ball in their hands and part of it and Caleb mentioned this this week, Tom, as you got to catch the ball.
6:01
[SPEAKER_01]: Um, and that's been an issue.
6:03
[SPEAKER_01]: I saw stat at 400 and something yards of drops is what has been calculated on some of these and, you know, drops are some people say it's a drop.
6:10
[SPEAKER_01]: There's different numbers from different websites that you'll go to, but it's clearly been a problem, including this last week and Detroit.
6:16
[SPEAKER_01]: Uh, so what do you think has led to that?
6:19
[SPEAKER_01]: Is that miscommunication?
6:20
[SPEAKER_01]: Is that timing?
6:21
[SPEAKER_01]: Is that just that look?
6:22
[SPEAKER_02]: I think it's a little bit of everything to be honest with you and look, I think you is a receiver.
6:29
[SPEAKER_02]: If you can get your hands reasonably on a football, you should bring it in.
6:33
[SPEAKER_02]: A lot of catches are going to be contested catches.
6:37
[SPEAKER_02]: And that's kind of like, you know, Rump Roam struggled with the contested catches before you went out of the injuries.
6:42
[SPEAKER_02]: Look, I think Rome's a fabulous young player.
6:45
[SPEAKER_02]: I think he was top five in his rookie season and contested catch.
6:50
[SPEAKER_02]: Percented this year, guys have just kind of taken turns, taken their eye off the ball.
6:55
[SPEAKER_02]: I think at times, also Caleb, well, Caleb has an immense amount of talent and does so many things, you know, very, very well.
7:04
[SPEAKER_02]: There are times when he doesn't throw you a runner's ball, you know, so like the ball will be a little bit behind you or a little bit in front of you and it's something he'll work on his time goes by, but I think.
7:16
[SPEAKER_02]: There have been a number of situations where they just flat out hurt themselves and it wasn't anything the defense did.
7:23
[SPEAKER_02]: And if you can add those numbers and the extra yardage to the equation going forward, again, the offense has been fantastic this year.
7:33
[SPEAKER_02]: But I do believe that there's room for improvement for the reason you mentioned.
7:37
[SPEAKER_01]: do you think at all like the velocity of his ball effects things that sometimes you notice like the deep balls are one thing but and the packer's game is a prime example of that we talk about 57 yards into wind and that you're going to have to kind of have velocity but we notice even like eight nine ten yards away it kind of feels like it's a little too hard sometimes.
7:56
[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, you got to be like a pitcher, you know, sometimes you got to be able to change speed.
8:00
[SPEAKER_02]: And I think he's done a nice job of that, you know, he, he does a good job as well, Justin is our mangle to try to, you know, you know, evade some of the defensive line and that are coming in to try to tip passes.
8:14
[SPEAKER_02]: He does a nice job with some of that stuff.
8:16
[SPEAKER_02]: But yeah, I mean, I think as a quarterback, you were over the course of time when it threw off Aspon, when it threw a change up.
8:23
[SPEAKER_02]: And I think that you see that across the league, I think in Minnesota, that may be JJ's biggest issue is he doesn't know how to throw the change up quite yet.
8:30
[SPEAKER_02]: So there's no questioning Caleb Armstrong.
8:33
[SPEAKER_02]: He's got one of the strongest arms in the league.
8:36
[SPEAKER_02]: And I do think you're seeing some progress.
8:38
[SPEAKER_02]: I mean, you saw progress with the deepball.
8:41
[SPEAKER_02]: I mean, the last several weeks of the season.
8:43
[SPEAKER_02]: Like, he was spot on with a number of deep throws.
8:46
[SPEAKER_02]: So I think it's just a matter of time.
8:48
[SPEAKER_02]: But yeah, sometimes you've got to make sure you take a little something off for the past, especially when it's also interesting, because it's going to be a really windy game.
8:57
[SPEAKER_02]: As a receiver you have to know when you are with the wind and the ball's coming at you it's going to get on you quicker So you have to be prepared for that So while it may look like the the quarterback isn't doing his receiver any favors by throwing it too hard You have to understand the elements as well and you have to prepare yourself and brace yourself for the added velocity considering the conditions
9:19
[SPEAKER_01]: How much are those conversations happening in the locker room and in the meeting rooms when it comes to that?
9:24
[SPEAKER_01]: We've heard Ben Johnson talk about, you know, if they were receiving or wanted to receive after half whatever the case may be and times and a lot of it, he said depends on the wind and the time and all of that, how much are those conversations had in the meeting rooms?
9:37
[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, these guys don't miss anything.
9:39
[SPEAKER_02]: It's not always perfect, but they've planned for every possible scenario.
9:43
[SPEAKER_02]: And look, it helps as well considering, you know, you have guys that have played the game at different positions at a very high level.
9:52
[SPEAKER_02]: Like, Antoine Randallel is going to tell these guys exactly everything they need to know because he has been there and performed at a really, really high level, same with Eric Bionemy and Al Harris in the second dairy.
10:04
[SPEAKER_02]: So,
10:04
[SPEAKER_02]: It's, I think it's tremendously beneficial for these guys to have coaches who have been in the league, not just as coaches for a long time, but they were also very successful players as well.
10:17
[SPEAKER_02]: So, you know, Luther Burden's got a question about this, this particular, you know, specific condition under these circumstances.
10:24
[SPEAKER_02]: And I guarantee Antoine Randallel has been there and done that, so I think it's very valuable for them.
10:30
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, soldier field can be a very unique place to play at.
10:34
[SPEAKER_01]: We've seen it.
10:34
[SPEAKER_01]: I was at that Bear's Packers game, and it was one of the coldest, and I've been to some cold games, but I was on the end zone where the wind was just blowing directly in your face.
10:43
[SPEAKER_01]: And so I can't imagine what the players are feeling and seeing at that time.
10:47
[SPEAKER_02]: Well, in that game, we were out there when the pre game, we started the pre game two hours beforehand.
10:53
[SPEAKER_02]: You started to notice that the win was kicking up, but it wasn't projected to be a really windy night.
10:59
[SPEAKER_02]: By the time the game began, it was 30 mile an hour wins and just so you're right.
11:05
[SPEAKER_02]: When you get out there, you just never know what to expect, but you have to be prepared for all of the elements.
11:11
[UNKNOWN]: Yeah.
11:11
[SPEAKER_01]: let's try a little bit about the the run game.
11:13
[SPEAKER_01]: That's been another thing this year that's been really fun to watch the Andre Swift kind of a lot of criticism before the season including from myself of what exactly, you know, I thought he could only be that guy that could do the perimeter runs and he just needs space and he's been able to do some other things.
11:29
[SPEAKER_01]: Calvin, I'll guy obviously coming in as that seventh round pick just being
11:33
[SPEAKER_01]: incredible at breaking tackles and kind of being that momentum shifter in times two, the Green Bay game is an example of that too of some of the things he does on the ground, but the last two times they played the packers, 138 rushing yards, 150, and we got 65 against Detroit last last week, and so you definitely want to get that run game going this weekend.
11:51
[SPEAKER_01]: What are you expecting Ben Johnson to do when it comes to that the ground game?
11:55
[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, I think they'll stay focused on it.
11:57
[SPEAKER_02]: I hope they do for a number of reasons.
11:59
[SPEAKER_02]: First of all, I think they're very, very good at it.
12:01
[SPEAKER_02]: I did not think they're offensive line playing well last week.
12:03
[SPEAKER_02]: In fact,
12:04
[SPEAKER_02]: You could argue it was a worst game in the season.
12:06
[SPEAKER_02]: I don't expect that to continue.
12:08
[SPEAKER_02]: I think these guys are too dialed in and too talented as a group for that to linger in any way, shape or form.
12:14
[SPEAKER_02]: So they are equipped to run the football.
12:16
[SPEAKER_02]: As you mentioned, the average about 145 yards per game in the two matchups that they played against the packers, five yards per carry.
12:23
[SPEAKER_02]: So they know they can run the football on them.
12:26
[SPEAKER_02]: We saw that second half in the first match up up at Lambo with the bears really dictated the flow in their pace of the game because they stayed committed to that grounded pound and and my guess would be Especially after you look at the film of the Packers Ravens game where the Ravens ran it for better than 300 yards
12:44
[SPEAKER_02]: My guess would be that Ben and his staff feel that the best way to come out in this game.
12:49
[SPEAKER_02]: And remember, this is an offense that has failed to score a point the first half of each of their last two home games to get off to a quicker start and to kind of dictate the pace and flow in the game, I would think they would lean heavily on their running game, considering there's no
13:09
[SPEAKER_02]: You never know what Ben, we're still trying to figure out some of the ones and then we trust as we like to say as well because he's done such a fabulous job, but
13:19
[SPEAKER_02]: Well, he's not asking me for advice, but if he did, I'd say pound the rock and make them feel you early in the game and give them a reason to want to get on the bus and head back north at half time.
13:29
[SPEAKER_02]: I know they won't do that, obviously.
13:32
[SPEAKER_02]: And the other thing Taylor is is that if you can do that, you can control the clock a little bit and you're going on third down, you give your defense a breather.
13:40
[SPEAKER_02]: Like that defense right now is hanging on by a thread that been on the field for an average of 36 minutes again the last three games.
13:47
[SPEAKER_02]: You really sometimes the best way to play defense is to sit on the sideline, watch your offense do good then.
13:55
[SPEAKER_02]: I mean, not only can you find success against this Packers front by running it, I think you do your defensive counterparts and some favors by doing it as well.
14:05
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, I agree.
14:06
[SPEAKER_01]: I think that there's been there's been moments this year where you feel like the the run game has kind of pushed you through games.
14:13
[SPEAKER_01]: And then obviously we've seen the moments where it's been Caleb especially later in the games, but that's been my question and you kind of just answered it in the sense of getting those faster starts because it has felt like it was something that were good at in the beginning of the season those scripted.
14:24
[SPEAKER_01]: plays and we were like whoa scoring on the first drive this hasn't happened.
14:29
[SPEAKER_01]: I didn't happen at all last year and then now it kind of went away again so.
14:33
[SPEAKER_02]: Well, it hasn't happened since it's not again.
14:36
[SPEAKER_02]: I think it was like week seven or week eight week nine somewhere around there.
14:40
[SPEAKER_02]: So they it's been a long time since they've scored on their opening drive.
14:43
[SPEAKER_02]: So.
14:44
[SPEAKER_02]: I know it's something they're talking about.
14:46
[SPEAKER_02]: People have asked me all week long.
14:48
[SPEAKER_02]: How do you get off to a faster start?
14:50
[SPEAKER_02]: I don't know that there is a singular answer to that question.
14:54
[SPEAKER_02]: It's a lot of things.
14:55
[SPEAKER_02]: Last week, against the lions, they had a bunch of mental breakdowns and misdesignments, but maybe they come out and play with a little tempo to start with.
15:04
[SPEAKER_02]: I don't know.
15:04
[SPEAKER_02]: I just don't feel confident and comfortable about their chances if they go
15:13
[SPEAKER_02]: without scoring it all.
15:15
[SPEAKER_02]: So I definitely get it off to a better start as important in my view.
15:19
[SPEAKER_01]: So, we know these games between Bears and Packers are always chippy, no matter what.
15:23
[SPEAKER_01]: This season, we've seen it a little extra because Luther buys into it.
15:27
[SPEAKER_01]: CJ Gardner Johnson, who unfortunately has a concussion, he's bought into it very quickly.
15:31
[SPEAKER_01]: You see Caleb be able to do it.
15:33
[SPEAKER_01]: Josh Jacobs made a comment yesterday, I believe it was about how, you know, we're not gonna play dirty, but we're gonna protect our brother type of thing.
15:40
[SPEAKER_01]: So it feels like it's going to be one of those games.
15:43
[SPEAKER_01]: A little bit extra because the bears took out the quarterback and that led to the Packers now losing four straight games.
15:49
[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, I mean, manufactured angst is something that always makes me get a little bit.
15:54
[SPEAKER_02]: It's part of the sport.
15:55
[SPEAKER_02]: I got it.
15:57
[SPEAKER_02]: You know, like it was a penalty with the hit on love was was a penalty by letter on the law.
16:01
[SPEAKER_02]: I don't think in any way shape or form.
16:03
[SPEAKER_02]: It was dirty play.
16:05
[SPEAKER_02]: They exacted their revenge a little bit though because if you go back and you if you're a, you know, a film nerd or a film junkie and you follow these things closely, they got the best of booker on the next player or maybe a couple of clothes later and they trapped him in whapping pretty good.
16:20
[SPEAKER_02]: But yeah, I think, you know,
16:23
[SPEAKER_02]: I think at this point, this, you know, this, just a lot of chatter and that's good for the aim and it's good for the rivalry.
16:30
[SPEAKER_02]: I don't think you're going to see any, you know, you can't afford to, to play cheap, you know, and I would say to Josh Jacob, so I have the utmost respect for his player.
16:40
[SPEAKER_02]: You know, you want to talk about dirty plays, how about Nixon's, you know, cheap shot and more and again.
16:46
[SPEAKER_02]: So,
16:46
[SPEAKER_02]: Like, I don't mean this, this is just welcome to the NFL and welcome to the NFL and welcome to the fuels you.
16:52
[SPEAKER_02]: I mean, this is what makes you exciting.
16:55
[SPEAKER_02]: This is why people watch by the millions.
16:57
[SPEAKER_01]: So yeah, before I let you go, because when you were playing, you guys had a stretch of five ones against the Packers during that time.
17:06
[SPEAKER_01]: Do you have a favorite Bears Packers memory personally?
17:12
[SPEAKER_02]: I think just walking on the field, you know, my first couple of years in the league, I was bouncing back and forth between the roster and practice squad, so I didn't really get an opportunity to play much.
17:21
[SPEAKER_02]: In fact, I was in the booth charting coverages, because I was in active in the McCalsky game where, you know, like the Phantom, you know, however it's described, but I was in the booth for that.
17:33
[SPEAKER_02]: I would say probably the first time I walked on to Lambo as a player,
17:37
[SPEAKER_02]: I mean, it's as much as I love playing at Soldier Field and it was obviously my favorite place to play in front of the hometown fans.
17:45
[SPEAKER_02]: I really respected the Green Bay Packer fans.
17:49
[SPEAKER_02]: They were a little vulgar at times a little rough, but, you know, and the history of that building and the organization.
17:56
[SPEAKER_02]: So, you know, how a lot of respect for it, how a lot of memories of, you know, how I felt when you walk on to that field.
18:04
[SPEAKER_02]: But yeah, I could probably tell you how much hate them internally.
18:10
[SPEAKER_02]: I don't really, maybe it's because I'm old now.
18:13
[SPEAKER_02]: I'm 58 years old.
18:14
[SPEAKER_02]: I was a wide receiver.
18:15
[SPEAKER_02]: I wasn't in the trenches.
18:16
[SPEAKER_02]: I hated what I hated about this rivalry and the passes that hasn't been a rivalry for the last 10, 12 years.
18:24
[SPEAKER_02]: We're trending in the right direction.
18:26
[SPEAKER_02]: And I think things have changed.
18:28
[SPEAKER_02]: I think we're heading in a new, you know, in a new direction, but like what I've disliked most about the Packers is they've been too consistently good for us, and I mean, that's what's bothering me most, but yeah, I mean, it's, it's a tremendous, the one, the, the, the most miserable game I've ever played my entire athletic career was,
18:46
[SPEAKER_02]: when they came to soldier field on Halloween night, it was, you know, it must have rained two or three inches and it was barely above freezing.
18:54
[SPEAKER_02]: It was the most miserable experience physically, not to mention the packers put it on us.
18:59
[SPEAKER_02]: So, yeah, there are some colorful memories from that.
19:03
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, it's funny because I have friends and family.
19:06
[SPEAKER_01]: I have packer fan friends and obviously my whole family's bears fans and it's funny the difference because like, you know, I'm 35.
19:13
[SPEAKER_01]: So the majority of my years have been not fun in the rivalry.
19:17
[SPEAKER_01]: We've had the little patches here and there, but then I'll talk to like,
19:21
[SPEAKER_01]: My packer fan, friends, dads, and their dads are like, you guys beat us all the time when I was a kid.
19:26
[SPEAKER_01]: So I feel a little different about it.
19:28
[SPEAKER_01]: So it is funny how it feels like it's changing now.
19:31
[SPEAKER_02]: Yeah, and I think rivalry's dry.
19:34
[SPEAKER_02]: Obviously when both teams are good, when one teams the hammer or the other teams the nail, let's face it the hammer and the nail, they don't have a rivalry.
19:41
[SPEAKER_02]: So I think we're heading in or we're there.
19:45
[SPEAKER_02]: We're heading in the right direction.
19:47
[SPEAKER_02]: We're both of these teams.
19:48
[SPEAKER_02]: are really good football organizations and they're going to be competing for playoff spots and division titles.
19:54
[SPEAKER_02]: So that's why I think over the course of the next several years, this rivalry will certainly heat up and you'll feel it.
20:03
[SPEAKER_01]: All right Tom, final one, how are you feeling about this weekend?
20:05
[SPEAKER_01]: What do you, if you were to name an X factor of how the bears won this game, what would you say it is?
20:10
[SPEAKER_02]: I would say the X factor would be
20:13
[SPEAKER_02]: That's called a Ben Johnson's Game Plan, you know, because I really, I feel confident.
20:18
[SPEAKER_02]: I'm gonna be honest, I'm not gonna guarantee anything because it's a good Packer team, although the fact they're coming off a four straight loss as last week was a bit of a laydown, but they got beat up pretty bad in their own building by the Ravens.
20:33
[SPEAKER_02]: They obviously lost a heartbreaker to us.
20:36
[SPEAKER_02]: I don't think you could just flip a switch at times.
20:38
[SPEAKER_02]: Jordan love hasn't played since the fourth first quarter of that second matchup with us.
20:42
[SPEAKER_02]: So there may be a little rust there, defensively, there without the best two defensive linemen.
20:49
[SPEAKER_02]: So I think that we catch them at the right time.
20:51
[SPEAKER_02]: So I like the circumstances.
20:53
[SPEAKER_02]: I like being at home.
20:54
[SPEAKER_02]: The crowd will be involved.
20:57
[SPEAKER_02]: I'm not excited about the uneven nature of how we've played offensively weren't very good for the first 57 minutes and that second matchup with the Packers were outstanding against 49ers and then kind of late in egg offensively against Detroit last week.
21:12
[SPEAKER_02]: So I think they need to iron that out, but I think it comes down to me.
21:16
[SPEAKER_02]: I think our offense has the capacity
21:19
[SPEAKER_02]: to control the flow of this game and get the best of this pack of defense.
21:23
[SPEAKER_02]: I don't think the packers, as I mentioned earlier, you know, they don't play a lot of man coverage and if they do, I love our, you know, our matchups with our receivers and tight ends.
21:32
[SPEAKER_02]: So I think we have kind of a decided advantage between our offense and their defense.
21:38
[SPEAKER_02]: I think they could say the same about their offense and our defense.
21:41
[SPEAKER_02]: So how does Ben come out attack them?
21:44
[SPEAKER_02]: Again, I hope he decides to run the football and just physically dictate the policy and this game and the pace of this game and really control the clock as well.
21:54
[SPEAKER_02]: So I would say that for me, the X factors going to be what Ben decides to do, especially early in the game because they need to get off to a better start.
22:05
[SPEAKER_02]: But I see them wanting to close game and advancing.
22:08
[SPEAKER_02]: I really do.
22:08
[SPEAKER_02]: I don't say that with any
22:10
[SPEAKER_02]: You know, I'm not going to guarantee and I'm not saying it nervously and I'm not pandering to anybody.
22:15
[SPEAKER_02]: I think there's the better team in a better situation, which to me would lead to them beating the packers in a close game on Saturday night.
22:23
[SPEAKER_01]: Another one that gets our blood pressure all little high and Saturday.
22:28
[SPEAKER_01]: Lots of those this week.
22:29
[SPEAKER_01]: All right, Tom, I appreciate your time.
22:32
[SPEAKER_01]: Hopefully we're talking about headed on to the division around next week.
22:35
[SPEAKER_02]: You got it.
22:36
[SPEAKER_02]: Thanks for having me, Taylor.
22:37
[SPEAKER_01]: All right, let's continue on making monsters, bears, packers, hate week, times three, the third time these two teams meet this week.
22:44
[SPEAKER_01]: And I just finished with Tom Waddle talking about the offense mainly.
22:47
[SPEAKER_01]: So now it's time to talk about the defense a bit.
22:49
[SPEAKER_01]: Doug Plank joining me if you know, former bear safety.
22:52
[SPEAKER_01]: part of that buddy Ryan 46 defense that's the conversation we have a lot when we talk about you dug eight seasons in Chicago and so a lot of good things coming out of there.
23:01
[SPEAKER_01]: I want so first of all thanks for hopping on with me.
23:04
[SPEAKER_01]: I really appreciate it talking about this bears defense and another bears packers rivalry game.
23:09
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, it's funny, it's interesting how each of these games all the time the Bears Packers for whatever reason, whatever the records are.
23:18
[SPEAKER_00]: It's a big game.
23:19
[SPEAKER_00]: It's a big game for the players because this is one thing, you know, what's coming from Ohio State.
23:25
[SPEAKER_00]: This is what this was the Michigan of the NFL for me in Chicago, the Green Bay Packers.
23:30
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, it was a team you had to beat and embarrass them and when, you know, at home in a way and but it was, it usually the game was always usually decided that there was normally almost all close games and mostly times determined by a turnover late in the game.
23:48
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, we saw a lot of that early on in my stretch.
23:52
[SPEAKER_01]: I'm 35 in my stretch.
23:53
[SPEAKER_01]: There's been a lot of losing in this Bayers Packers rivalry, but they're two and two since Caleb Williams come to Chicago.
23:58
[SPEAKER_01]: And so it feels like it's coming back.
24:01
[SPEAKER_01]: It feels like the rivalry will be back and it will be more competitive.
24:04
[SPEAKER_01]: And that's what makes rivalries.
24:05
[SPEAKER_01]: You want it to be competitive.
24:06
[SPEAKER_01]: You want them to be good games, but Doug, let's talk about something that you were really good at in your career.
24:11
[SPEAKER_01]: And that's
24:12
[SPEAKER_01]: forcing turnovers, getting those takeaways, those interceptions, and that's something that this bears defense this year, probably the only thing that are consistently good at.
24:20
[SPEAKER_01]: So, chat a little bit about that, just that mindset of getting forcing turnovers, forcing quarterbacks to make mistakes, because the bears leave the league and interceptions and take ways in general.
24:29
[SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, you know what, I think that's really a compliment to their coordinator, Dennis Allen.
24:35
[SPEAKER_00]: He's a smart guy, he's a motivator, he really gets players excited to play and smart.
24:42
[SPEAKER_00]: He's a smart man and he's passed that long to a lot of those players.
24:47
[SPEAKER_00]: And you know, there's one variable in football that usually determines wins and losses.
24:52
[SPEAKER_00]: And it's turnovers.
24:53
[SPEAKER_00]: It's turnover is not just because you hand the ball literally over to the other team.
24:58
[SPEAKER_00]: It's the emotional aspect.
25:00
[SPEAKER_00]: It's almost like you just got a spanking and you were nine years old and you're crying and going to your bedroom.
25:06
[SPEAKER_00]: When you start turning balls over in the second half, especially, I'll tell you, it affects you emotionally.
25:12
[SPEAKER_00]: You go to the sideline, everybody is in a depressed state.
25:15
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, or excited, you know, if your defense gets to turn over, oh, my God, everybody's hugging each other.
25:21
[SPEAKER_00]: Guys, you haven't hugged for years, you're hugging around the sideline, hey, we got to turn over.
25:28
[SPEAKER_00]: And, you know, that now that the other team has to do their job, you know, if the offense scores the defense has to hold them.
25:35
[SPEAKER_00]: or on the other hand, if the defense holds that or gives a turn over and you give the ball to the offense on a turn over, they need a score because this is an emotional game.
25:46
[SPEAKER_00]: I don't care if you're watching high school football, college, NFL, it's all the same for the players.
25:53
[SPEAKER_00]: It's different for the fans sometimes, but then everything is magnified.
25:56
[SPEAKER_00]: If it says green bay on it, oh my gosh.
25:59
[SPEAKER_00]: It just enters a whole new world, in terms of just what you're willing to do to win that game.
26:06
[SPEAKER_01]: The importance of your position in that 46 in the buddy Ryan defense was really important.
26:11
[SPEAKER_01]: We talked about that all the time about the safety position there.
26:14
[SPEAKER_01]: In a dinosaur and defense preseason, we talked a ton about the importance of the nickel corner back.
26:19
[SPEAKER_01]: And Kyler Gordon, the nickel that everybody was expecting to be playing has been injured most of the season.
26:24
[SPEAKER_01]: He'll be back this weekend, it seems like we don't know the health status of that.
26:29
[SPEAKER_01]: But when you look at a dinosaur and defense and kind of some of the flaws that they've
26:36
[SPEAKER_01]: a player like a pilot board in that nickel corner who plays such a pivotal role in this type of defense, what would you expect from that this weekend?
26:42
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, I think he's going to play.
26:45
[SPEAKER_00]: I think he's going to do well.
26:46
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, a lot of those guys, they don't have to be injured very much, you know, because their whole game is speed and ability to go ahead in both a tack or, or, like, you know, if you're on an office or defense, you know,
27:00
[SPEAKER_00]: that those injuries are so important, just because if you lose like five or 10% of your speed in terms of trying to catch somebody or get open if you're a wide receiver, it makes a difference.
27:11
[SPEAKER_00]: It's that last little bit of effort and talent that separates an average player from a great player.
27:18
[SPEAKER_00]: And, you know, it just takes one step.
27:21
[SPEAKER_00]: But, you know, I really believe that as Alan, he's given you a clear answer.
27:26
[SPEAKER_00]: I'd never known him the lie or mislead anybody.
27:29
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, that's why I enjoyed, you know, the way he carries himself the way he is in person and I really think he be based a difference and you know, he not only has a great scheme, I think he has a great job of motivating the players.
27:45
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, and we've seen that I think that despite all of the injuries and despite some of the issues when it comes to the defensive side of the ball, when they get down to the red zone, most teams can't score and that's where I think it matters most as you know, maybe it wears down your defense and that's something that the offense I think has to get a little bit better about two doggies.
28:02
[SPEAKER_01]: They don't score very early.
28:03
[SPEAKER_01]: They've had issues getting points on the board early in games, which keeps the defense on the field a lot and so by the fourth quarter you feel like they're a little bit worn out.
28:11
[SPEAKER_01]: But they've done a great job of that in that red zone defense and I feel like that's a very important aspect once you hit the flip post season.
28:17
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, it's a funny and football, it's not how you start, it's how you finish, and that's really true in your life, you're with your career, with football games, you know, go right down the line, and the bears are excellent at this, you know, maybe they start the game and maybe they don't look like they're focused or, you know, executing properly, but as the game goes on, you can tell they start grabbing control of what they need to do, they understand what their opponent is, both on offense and defense,
28:44
[SPEAKER_00]: and they've just done an incredible job this year.
28:46
[SPEAKER_00]: I think in making place happen at the end of the year, at the end of the game, you know, there, you know, you know, turnovers, turnovers, really, you have to think about turnovers.
28:57
[SPEAKER_00]: I remember I wasn't a big interception guy.
28:59
[SPEAKER_00]: I was a free safety, but I was always in a battle with Gary Fencing leading the team for tackles.
29:05
[SPEAKER_00]: It was always about forcing the ball, you know, getting the ball, turnover.
29:10
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, the more players, more teams ran back then, they didn't throw as many as they did today, because the rules are better for, you know, all across the board, you know, for holding for past interference, you know,
29:25
[SPEAKER_00]: a penalty where the location the foul is.
29:27
[SPEAKER_00]: I think, you know, we used to get a report on officials each week.
29:32
[SPEAKER_00]: It was a game plan report on who the officials were, how many official, how many penalties they called, and what kind of penalties were they?
29:40
[SPEAKER_00]: And if an official never called like past interference, I guarantee you, Gary afterwards is a
29:46
[SPEAKER_00]: We were attacking those receivers like nobody's business and on the other hand here comes a guy You know, you don't even need to hardly touch them.
29:54
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, and a guy throwing a penalty flag So we did our own little scouting report, you know, and really even on the officials and You know sometimes to you know a hard hit looks like oh my gosh that guy might get hurt All maybe and the official thinking maybe I should throw a penalty even though there was no penalty
30:13
[SPEAKER_00]: You're throwing a penalty, actually, all of this shit.
30:16
[SPEAKER_00]: You shouldn't hit somebody that hard.
30:18
[SPEAKER_00]: So it's really, this game, that's what I love about football.
30:22
[SPEAKER_00]: Off-ends defense, especially the officials have such a big player, big part in it.
30:27
[SPEAKER_00]: But I really expect this would be a very close game with the bearer's getting the edge.
30:34
[SPEAKER_01]: Now Doug, you said you're not the biggest center section guy, but you had back to back seasons with four picks as a free safety.
30:41
[SPEAKER_01]: I feel like that's pretty good.
30:42
[SPEAKER_00]: You know what, too, and every coach buddy Ryan, Mike Diskey goes, so you're no free safety, you're a frustrated linebacker, which is really how the whole 46 defense came about.
30:55
[SPEAKER_00]: Buddy Ryan one day decided he was going to put me at middle linebacker and then he was going to bring in another nickel back.
31:02
[SPEAKER_00]: And I think this is so, why this is so important.
31:05
[SPEAKER_00]: you know Dennis Allen is very very good at bringing in these doing these hybrid defenses.
31:11
[SPEAKER_00]: Guys can't just be one dimension anymore.
31:13
[SPEAKER_00]: You can't just tackle or just cover.
31:15
[SPEAKER_00]: You have to be both.
31:17
[SPEAKER_00]: And I think, you know, I think with as much throwing the ball has been going on right now, I think, you know, that type of player that's more of a hybrid.
31:26
[SPEAKER_00]: a guy that can play the defense, can run, can run down running backs and receivers, but he also can tackle those guys who are very, very valuable because they can do so many things.
31:38
[SPEAKER_00]: And the same thing is true with the offense of players.
31:41
[SPEAKER_00]: That's what made water payton so great.
31:43
[SPEAKER_00]: This guy could run, he could catch, he could throw, he could even tackle, I'm so glad he wasn't a safety because he would've beat me out.
31:51
[SPEAKER_00]: He was the one making the tackles all the time after we were throwing interceptions, and so this is going to be an exciting game.
31:59
[SPEAKER_00]: I mean, I think both teams are just wired for each other.
32:02
[SPEAKER_00]: And you usually hear the Chicago Bears or Green Bay Packers just go, something just triggers inside you.
32:08
[SPEAKER_00]: That is an incredible motivating event.
32:11
[SPEAKER_01]: So let's talk a little bit about the front end because that the past rush has also been a bit of an issue.
32:16
[SPEAKER_01]: This is really kind of suggest coming to the when getting to the quarterback and not to Dennis Armstrong he's he's blitz he's done different disguises he's tried different ways don't blitz his main blitz is all of the things to try and figure out a way to get the quarterback they're just not really getting home.
32:30
[SPEAKER_01]: So what do you think the approach would be this weekend knowing that you haven't been able to consistently get there also Jordan loves really good against the blitz so you don't want to just send them like that and kind of give Jordan love those chances.
32:41
[SPEAKER_01]: So what would be your mindset in that?
32:43
[SPEAKER_00]: Well, you know what, I think, you know, in the various realizes also, I mean, everything statistics don't lie.
32:49
[SPEAKER_00]: I mean, whether you feel you played a good game or not, what are the stats?
32:52
[SPEAKER_00]: How many yards did they get?
32:54
[SPEAKER_00]: They're still giving up to ways to many yards.
32:56
[SPEAKER_00]: And that's what worries me, a free safety, which the position I played is the last line of defense.
33:03
[SPEAKER_00]: everybody else misses the tackle, I've got to make the tackle.
33:06
[SPEAKER_00]: So how aggressive can I be?
33:08
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, it's hard to lead the team in tackles and also be the free safety because you have two roles there that are totally opposite of each other.
33:16
[SPEAKER_00]: You have to be the last man in defense.
33:18
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, whatever you think you're going to do, you're going to play over tacos mode, over top of most plays, which means you're the deepest defender on the field.
33:27
[SPEAKER_00]: If everybody else misses the tackle, you make the tackle.
33:30
[SPEAKER_00]: And so I'm hoping that they have that insurance policy tonight.
33:35
[SPEAKER_00]: What happens is the game starts and they 30 value waiting that first quarter are we getting penetration against the quarterback?
33:43
[SPEAKER_00]: Are we putting pressure on him?
33:45
[SPEAKER_00]: Are we getting facts?
33:47
[SPEAKER_00]: Are the receivers getting hit at the line of scrimmage, getting slowed down?
33:52
[SPEAKER_00]: All those things come into play here.
33:54
[SPEAKER_00]: And if you got receivers running clear, clean
33:59
[SPEAKER_00]: I guarantee that you're going to have to be in some sort of a zone defense, or at least a double team, I guess they're primary receivers, otherwise the Green Bay Packers are next one team.
34:11
[SPEAKER_00]: They're smart, they usually have one of the few penalties, they play smart, they play smart football, offense and defense, and so this is going to take a total team effort.
34:29
[SPEAKER_01]: One of the other things that sticks out, I mentioned Kyler Gordon coming back that nickel corner that you've definitely missed throughout the season.
34:35
[SPEAKER_01]: Another thing that's interesting in the Denis Allen defenses, Doug, is that
34:39
[SPEAKER_01]: their nickel backs are big playmakers in the run defense too.
34:43
[SPEAKER_01]: So we've seen the run defense also struggle in Chicago and Kyler had been a big factor in that in recent games.
34:49
[SPEAKER_01]: You talk about the games he did start and finish this year.
34:51
[SPEAKER_01]: The bears are 3 and 0 and and they've been able to hold at least contain the run a little bit more than they have in other games.
34:57
[SPEAKER_01]: So do you think that's a big factor for this week and just making sure that Josh Jacobs and Jordan Love also can't leave the pocket when he's able to do that?
35:04
[SPEAKER_00]: There's no doubt, I mean, it's demoralizing.
35:07
[SPEAKER_00]: You can't believe, you think all these are big tough guys, they're physical, no, they're very emotional.
35:13
[SPEAKER_00]: You miss a tackle, you drop an interception or you drop a pass as an offense and receiver.
35:19
[SPEAKER_00]: You feel bad, it affects you, it starts putting you in a bad mental condition, in terms of,
35:26
[SPEAKER_00]: playing, you know, as far as your efficiency is concerned.
35:29
[SPEAKER_00]: So, you know, all those things come into play.
35:32
[SPEAKER_00]: And, you know, I just think the team that starts out the fastest, you know, the quickest, you know, and that's the other thing.
35:38
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, a lot of times, teams just are feeling each other out.
35:41
[SPEAKER_00]: They're playing very soft on offense or defense, just trying to read what what the other team is trying to do.
35:47
[SPEAKER_00]: No, this is one of those games.
35:49
[SPEAKER_00]: every play counts, every one of these players that are on that team have to realize that.
35:55
[SPEAKER_00]: And whatever happens, they're in the national football league, that means you're playing with injuries, you don't make mistakes, and you just keep going until you hear that final whistle.
36:05
[SPEAKER_00]: Or on every play.
36:06
[SPEAKER_00]: I never took a play off.
36:09
[SPEAKER_00]: was everything was very important, especially against Green Bay because everybody in both cities talk about these games for years afterwards.
36:18
[SPEAKER_00]: And I just think the Chicago Bears are in a prime position to maybe play a great game and be able to just, you know, again, certain games matter in the season.
36:31
[SPEAKER_00]: This is one up.
36:32
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, yeah, big time a couple more before I let you go Doug.
36:35
[SPEAKER_01]: I want to just get your thoughts on the reverse side, the offensive side of the bears right now in Caleb Williams coming from a safety who's seen, you know, a lot of different types of quarterbacks over the years and we're now seeing more more of these mobile quarterbacks that you do some of these who do any things and slip out of the pocket and make plays on the run cross body throws all of these crazy things.
36:54
[SPEAKER_01]: We're saying Caleb Williams has shown.
36:56
[SPEAKER_01]: He's one of those guys.
36:58
[SPEAKER_01]: The accuracy has been up and down.
36:59
[SPEAKER_01]: You want to see that steady out a little bit, but you see that get better also.
37:03
[SPEAKER_01]: But your thoughts on Caleb coming from that defensive player and what makes him dangerous.
37:07
[SPEAKER_00]: I, you know, so many things is running his accuracy, his condition, you know, so many times he gets hit a lot, you know, he's got very physical player, though.
37:16
[SPEAKER_00]: He's has some injuries, but he's bounce back very, really quickly.
37:19
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, and the other thing is, you know, a quarterback needs to be a little bit of a motivator and energy bunny back in that huddle, and he has to be able to compliment his players, his teammates, and compliment them in terms of past protection, catching the ball, running
37:37
[SPEAKER_00]: And you could tell, he's only 100% into the game.
37:41
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, a lot of people say, well, he made a bad throw or something like that.
37:45
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, right now, it's better to make a bad throw than you get stacked a lot of times.
37:50
[SPEAKER_00]: Because you get stacked, you're suffering maybe a possible injury, you know, or assortance in your arm or your back or something along those lines.
37:57
[SPEAKER_00]: So you've got to be smart as a quarterback.
37:59
[SPEAKER_00]: And I think what he's done, even with running with the ball, he's been very smart and intelligent.
38:03
[SPEAKER_00]: and picking up yards that he knows he can pick up in another situation throwing them all away.
38:08
[SPEAKER_00]: When he knows there's no chance that he's gonna have an opportunity to make a successful reception down field.
38:14
[SPEAKER_00]: But no, I think he's been a great innovator for this team.
38:17
[SPEAKER_00]: One thing I love about this team, I love watching the post game in the locker room.
38:23
[SPEAKER_00]: This team is,
38:23
[SPEAKER_00]: fired up.
38:24
[SPEAKER_00]: I mean, these guys all played together back in there were five and six years old.
38:28
[SPEAKER_00]: They're energetic enthusiasm.
38:30
[SPEAKER_00]: This is an enthusiastic game.
38:32
[SPEAKER_00]: This is one thing I couldn't really stand about the Bears the last couple years.
38:37
[SPEAKER_00]: They looked like they were on a mill route or something.
38:39
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, they didn't care.
38:40
[SPEAKER_00]: Just drop the package off and you know, leave.
38:42
[SPEAKER_00]: I mean, no, this is energy, the sidelines, everything.
38:45
[SPEAKER_00]: Everything is all about in the internal hope
38:53
[SPEAKER_00]: I mean, because you get into this situation at this stage of the game, they're all in it, it's one.
38:59
[SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, it definitely feels like it and from the beginning, even though you start Owen too and it never felt like they seemed affected by that.
39:06
[SPEAKER_01]: They felt they were better.
39:07
[SPEAKER_01]: They knew they were better and you felt that right away in this season.
39:10
[SPEAKER_01]: When you talk about defensively, a team coming in, Jeff Hathley preparing for this the defensive players over in Green Bay, preparing for a team who has a DJ Moore, a Roma-Dunes-A, a Lutheran bird, and a Colson-level, and a Cole-Commay, all of these weapons, including now Kyle Menongai and The Andre Swift running the ball.
39:25
[SPEAKER_01]: How do you even?
39:29
[SPEAKER_01]: five wider seabers and two tightens that you have to cover.
39:33
[SPEAKER_00]: How you know it, those are nightmares for defensive backs because you know, you not only have to have the runs support, you know, first and most importantly, you have to shut down those receivers and you have to let them know every single time they touch the ball.
39:49
[SPEAKER_00]: It's going to not feel good when you touch the ball.
39:51
[SPEAKER_00]: You might catch the ball, but you know what?
39:53
[SPEAKER_00]: There's going to be pain associated with it right afterwards.
39:57
[SPEAKER_00]: And, you know, I think Gary Fencing and I did a great job of just reminding receivers afterwards.
40:03
[SPEAKER_00]: No, you go catch that ball.
40:05
[SPEAKER_00]: Listen, this is what we're going to do to you.
40:07
[SPEAKER_00]: I never spoke to anybody on the field.
40:10
[SPEAKER_00]: I never once said one word.
40:11
[SPEAKER_00]: I was very quiet player.
40:13
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, you don't need to be talking.
40:15
[SPEAKER_00]: to the other players, you know, especially as opposed to team.
40:18
[SPEAKER_00]: You just have to know and concentrate and this is really where, you know, the teams come into play, they're prepared, they have to be able to have a game plan already in their mind before the game ever starts, based on the last three games that this team has played.
40:34
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, the condition of the players, you know, who's doing his playing well, who's not.
40:39
[SPEAKER_00]: And you know what?
40:40
[SPEAKER_00]: Because, you know, in the NFL, you wouldn't expect it, but, you know, so many teams, times teams are repetitive, the same play, the same situation, they throw the same pass, they run the same play.
40:51
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, safety's watched the lineman roll well because you can, that the guards tell you runner pass Whether they're leaning forward or leaning back like they're gonna back up to pass protect.
41:01
[SPEAKER_00]: I mean all these little things make they they add up to whether you're gonna win or lose and
41:06
[SPEAKER_00]: Part of that is obviously the bear's offense with a great play, I think, where the quarterback has just made tremendous strides from the beginning of the year in conjunction with, I think, the coaching change a couple years ago, they really have made a big impact on what the team could do.
41:26
[SPEAKER_01]: Final one dog before I let you go because I mentioned this at the top, you experienced a lot more wins over the Packers than your time playing than I've seen in my time growing up obviously two Hall of Fame quarterbacks in Green Bay makes it a little bit more difficult during the time that I've been alive, but give me one of your favorite, do you have a certain Bears Packers moment that really sticks out to you that you're a member.
41:49
[SPEAKER_00]: Oh, man, there were so many, I remember one game we were up there and you know, our coach, you know, Mike, just given a very inspiring talk and, you know, yeah, we're all throwing chairs and stuff like that in a locker room.
42:04
[SPEAKER_00]: We're going to get ready to go out there and play the Packers.
42:06
[SPEAKER_00]: We can't get out of the locker room, like the door's been locked.
42:12
[SPEAKER_00]: I'm thinking, that's a bad move.
42:14
[SPEAKER_00]: That is a bad move.
42:16
[SPEAKER_00]: You don't need to upset the other team.
42:19
[SPEAKER_00]: Any more than they already are.
42:21
[SPEAKER_00]: They're already ready to hit somebody and go make tackles and all that sort of thing.
42:26
[SPEAKER_00]: That was, that was a moment.
42:30
[SPEAKER_00]: I'll never forgive you.
42:31
[SPEAKER_00]: What happens if we're locked in here for like an hour?
42:35
[SPEAKER_01]: Does someone talk for us?
42:37
[SPEAKER_00]: Yeah, exactly.
42:39
[SPEAKER_00]: But you know what?
42:40
[SPEAKER_00]: Whether it's in Chicago or in Green Bay, I'll tell you what, the fans are into this game big time.
42:47
[SPEAKER_00]: You know, when you come to Chicago, you better expect to be going against not only these
42:55
[SPEAKER_01]: There's something special about it, like I said, I was just up for the Bear's Packers game.
42:59
[SPEAKER_01]: The one obviously at Soldier Field that the Bear's won, the environment was an, I've never experienced anything like that and I've been to a lot of Bear's games at Soldier Field including Bear's Packers game, but that moment and just kind of showed the magic of what the season and how it meet like how much it means for the Bear's fans because
43:15
[SPEAKER_01]: You haven't seen a lot of wins against the Packers and you haven't seen it at home.
43:19
[SPEAKER_01]: You haven't got to experience that and now you have the chance to experience the Packers when a Packers bears over Packers win at home for a playoff game.
43:28
[SPEAKER_01]: I mean, I don't know if there's another feeling really that comes close to that right now.
43:31
[SPEAKER_01]: Other than maybe a Super Bowl.
43:33
[SPEAKER_00]: You know what it is, every one of those games, I remember it like it was yesterday.
43:37
[SPEAKER_00]: So these games, they really are important.
43:39
[SPEAKER_00]: It makes a difference.
43:41
[SPEAKER_00]: It makes a difference to the players.
43:42
[SPEAKER_00]: I don't care how many years you played in this league.
43:45
[SPEAKER_00]: You play against Green Bay.
43:46
[SPEAKER_00]: It's something you will always remember.
43:48
[SPEAKER_00]: The preparation, the pre-game talk by your coach, just a mindset of that whole week.
43:55
[SPEAKER_00]: You don't need to motivate anybody.
43:57
[SPEAKER_00]: Everybody is so motivated to coaches the players.
44:00
[SPEAKER_00]: This is going to be exciting.
44:01
[SPEAKER_01]: It is.
44:02
[SPEAKER_01]: All right, Doug, well, I really appreciate your time.
44:04
[SPEAKER_01]: Hopefully we're talking about the divisional round playoffs come soon, but go Bears and I think thank you so much.
44:09
[SPEAKER_01]: Have a good rest of your day.
44:10
[SPEAKER_00]: Thank you so much.
44:11
[SPEAKER_00]: Thanks.