All Access: Castillo talks joining Bears

I'm Jeff jonnyak a lot with Tom there and welcome into another edition of Bears All Access, brought to you by IGS Energy and joining us as well as the man from sirius XM NFL Radio, Mister Jim Miller. Jim, how are you doing? Maybe not quite yet, but we got there? Are you there? He can't hear us? Adam Stazinsky, Brandon Arlaski our producers tonight as we get you set for conference football weekend. But a lot of things going on obviously this week, and we're gonna hear from jimbo

cover in Inibo. I did with him on WBBM earlier this week about his Hall of Fame induction. So party you was in there, buddy, Yeah, well it's been fun because you know, like I we are talking, I became aware of Jimbo covert in his high school days and then I was, you know, parallel with his time at Pitt and knew what Pitt offensive line and what their production there, what their position coach was all about the

success he had. And then my senior year in college, we went to Pitt and played pit They were number one in the country. We are awful, but we ended up beating them so and then we played in the Hula Ball together, a college All Star game. So I knew a lot about Jimbo before he ever became a member of the Chicago Bears. And I think there's a couple of guys you meet throughout the course of your career that you recognize early that they are going to

be super successful. And at Sprinkle goes in as well. A player from the forties and fifties, certainly a very difficult assignment for the staff that I was put together the Hall of Fame Committee, the Blue Ribbon Panel, and to get him elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Passed away several years ago, but Jim Miller. When you get those guys that a lot of folks don't have a video of, or don't recall or ever even had a chance to see them play, very difficult assignment when

you're comparing eras and so forth. Yeah, go back to forty four through nineteen fifty five when he played, and this again, it tells you how different things were as a pass rusher. Obviously, Papa Hallis thought he was one of the best pass rushers in the league. But he was six one, two hundred and six pounds. Far different than what it is today in terms of what do you look at at the size of players. But hey had all the heart, had all the intangibles. I love

what the Blue Ribbon Panel put together. They had great historians on there, like Bill Belichick that really studies the league. So guys were getting elected back in the nineteen twenties. You know, I had the opportunity to talk to Dave Baker, the president of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. I honestly wish he would open it up every five or seven years where they allow more players into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But this is the centennial class, he said, Jim, this is it this is it will

never do it again. And so a couple of Chicago Bears make the list. And why the Bears have the most Hall of famers, you know at Pro Football Hall of Fame, I know, whatever era that you're talking about in the NFL. I don't think size dictates courage because you look at some of the guys that we have seen throughout our career, before our career and that have come sense. I don't think Terre Colin lacks any courage at all in the game. Darren Sprawls never shied away

from contact. And that's when you talk about these older guys of different sizes. I imagine they had as much courage as anybody in the history of the league, no matter what size they were. Maybe a lot more, Yeah, given the equipment that they were wearing back in the day. This is Bears All Access. We're gonna take a break. When we return, we'll be joined by the brand new offensive line coach of the Chicago Bears, one Cass Steele, looking forward to the conversation ahead here on Chicago Sports

Radio six seventy the Score. Welcome back to Bears All Access, brought to you by IGS Energy. At prompt partner of the Chicago Bears, providing electricity, natural gas, and home warranty products to over one million customers across the country. Learn more about IGS Energy at igs dot com. Jeff Tom and Jim Miller with you on Bears All Access. Get you sent for what's ahead for the Bears throughout the course of the year this offseason. It's it's moving quickly,

that's for sure. I mean it's already conference championship weekend. We'll break into those games a little bit. We'll hear from jimbo Covert in our following segment. We're gonna talk to the offensive line coach of the Bears, One Caste in a few minutes. But there's also reports about the Bears adding a new quarterback coach and John D. Philippo and not to know him a little bit well regarded

in that role. Yeah, a lot of experience, a lot of experience both in offensive philosophy and the way you think about scheming and then also how to develop players. I think everywhere from anywhere in the backfield, from you know, the running backs to the quarterbacks, to the production of the tight end position. So I think one thing you have you look about, look about what the moves at the Bears of May. They brought in tons of coaching experience.

When you talk about having your eyes on the product that you're gonna coach and you're gonna teach, I think you're bringing in, you know, decades of experience with the coaches they're bringing through here. Yeah, And I just think the style of offense, you know, obviously being with Doug Peterson, you know, for a couple of years there in Philadelphia, and granted Frank Reich and other coaches moved on and d Philippo got his opportunity to move on to become

the OC of the Minnesota Vikings. Then obviously this past year down in Jacksonville, I think again he shares. He comes with knowledge with what coach Naggi is trying to accomplish on offense. And we could say that about a few of these coaches. Whether it's Bill Laser, who they edited as the OC. I think you think about those years in Philly and the years that he developed kind

of you know, athletic quarterbacks. Whether it's Ryan Tannehill down there, I thought he had a very efficient year under Bill Laser. And I think Andy Dalton when he was the OC there in Cincinnati for Marvin Lewis's last stretch run there, I thought Andy Dalton was more efficient and that offense

got a lot better. So bringing him on board, and then of course we'll talk to one castile because obviously he brings a mindset that is very much like Kansas City football and Andy Reid, and I'm sure that's something, is something why Matt Nagee brought that on board as

well at the old line spot. Yeah, and again the Bears have not officially made these made these official, you know, publicly or whatever, but Dave were Gone as a pass coordinator getting a promotion from quarterback coach after you know, being here in Mitch's loan quarterback coach these last three years and still understanding exactly what Matt's trying to hear. Well, you know, the thing about it is is Mitch is going to affords new relationships with the new coaches that

come aboard on the offensive side of the ball. But he's got a good relationship with Dave were Gone. He's got a sounding board, he's got a person that he can speak to because he already knows and he can speak to him confidently. And I think he'll be able to do the same thing with the rest of the coaches that come aboard. But until you really get to know him, you get to understand what the way their personalities work day in and day out of a long season.

From OTAs to the conclusion of the regular season, I think Dave are gone. It can really be a real positive person in the backfield. Also, Jim, when you were quarterbacking and all your different spots did you have. I know there's new positions being created every year by coaching staffs to create them as money assets as you can. What did you prefer as a quarterback? Yeah, well, back in the day, it kind of it wasn't like that. I don't want to say back in the day, like,

oh yeah it was back in the day. Well, if you're looked in the mirror yet, well, I mean I was with a grizzled OC that had done it a long time in Ron Harry heard. I always bring him up, and I was so fortunate to have him as my coach and know it was just you heard it right from the horse's mouth. It went from the offensive coordinated rate to you. But now because football has become more mechanical and specialized. That started kind of the infusion of

a lot more quarterback coaches. We could work on mechanics. And Ron Erhardt never even believed in that. And I'll tell you why he goes he goes when he because when he drafted, he goes. I never tried to draft a quarterback who was mechanically inefficient, you know, he said, I wouldn't even want to deal with that as a coach. So because it was more about the bigger pisher picture

and things like that, and anywhere I went. Chris Palmer, who had been a long time OC in the NFL, he was oro OC in our quarterback coach in Jacksonville. And even when we arrived with the Barris you know, pretty much John Shoe became the quarterback coach. But then once he was elevated to uh OC, he became the quarterback coach inn OC by you know, by by default. And so it used to be like that, but now you see a lot of teams wanting to work by

more mechanics. The OC can't spend amount the amount of time because he's bounced around with other meeting rooms and responsibilities. And now the quarterback coach has become kind of a more of a central figure, especially when you're trying to bring along young guys by and large. Do you view this and in your circles and both of you guys jump in, do you view this as a positive development for young quarterbacks? Is it a necessity? Yeah? I think so.

But I think you got to challenge him, you know, you and I had a conversation, Jeff, I mean, you know about learning defense? Anytime, I'll just tell you what Ron Earhart used to do with me in Pittsburgh. Literally every time we watched the meeting room. He already knew Neil Donald and Mike tom Zac knew those guys had played in the league eight to ten years at that

point already. When I got in those meetings, he made me physically in front of Neil Donald and Mike tom Zach call out every defense in front and every coverage for every down of every game that we ever watched. Jim, what's the front? What's the coverage? All right? If I were to call this play, what's your read versus this? And he challenged me, oh, what blitz? If they blitz this, what are you checking to? And he kind of put you on a spot and you had to know it.

I mean, already throw you up on the board. Hey, draw up an under front. You know Sam Mike's grape blitz. What are you gonna do against it? When I call out this play and he'd put you on the spot, and I'll tell you what my ass got in the playbook, and I learned my protections. I think that's a challenge

of any position coaches. They call your name out with immedia seeing you better pay attention, you better be able to answer correctly, or it's just an indication that you're really not absorbing or paying attention the way that is expected of you in those meetings. And one of those veteran position coaches of note that is now a Chicago Bear assistant coach offensive line coach, Juan Castillo, kind enough to join Bears all access get even iguana, how you doing?

Is here? You go? How you doing? One? Welcome to Chicago. We welcome to Chicago, Chicago. Yeah, you know we're gonna talk Bears. But I gotta go. I gotta go way back for a minute because and the only reason I'm bringing this up right away is, uh, Steve Stable, who I had met one time at a Super Bowl NFL films and just elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Passed away several years ago, but he did an NFL films piece on you called the American Dream, and I watched it today and I was just blown away by a few stories on there. That's your your doggedness to land NFL jobs and what you the extent to which by which you went to convince a guy like Andy Reid or a guy like Railroads to get a job to start your career. Uh, just a fascinating piece that I was unaware of just how how you went about

doing that in this damn age. I mean, you know, you think that's what every young guy has to do, but you went way beyond it. The call well you look, you know the thing about it that that and I think all these things are important when you're coaching kids and and you're trying to take them to the next level. You know, my mom taught me work ethic I have a sister that's an internal medicine doctor. And neither my parents went to you in grade school. They came from

Mexico that they did have papers. And my mom became my dad when I was in fifth grade. So my mom before she died became an American citizen, which was one of her greatest moments in her lives. You know, so so no, it's it is. And so I carried that, you know, as as a coach, you know, I wanted to learn. First of all, I started, you know, I played linebacker in the USFL, so I was on the defensive side of the ball. And what happened is when when my college coach wanted to get me on the staff,

the only position open was coaching the offensive line. So that's how I kind of started. You know, what I what I did is I didn't know anything about offensive line. But what I what I did is I went to visit seven of the best offensive line coaches in the in the country. Five were in the NFL and tour in the were in college. And I went to see

them every every every year for five years. And you know, the first couple of years, I was sleeping in the car because you know, you didn't have that kind of money too, So I would I drove to Indianapolis, and from there I would just take two weeks and drive to see all these guys, you know, all these coaches, and and it's crazy how they helped me. And what you find out is that those guys were the top at their profession at that time. And what I did is I just took the best on each one of

those guys. And you know, the thing that they didn't know was that I never told him that I was going to visit another guy. They all thought I was their guy, you know. And you know that what's crazy is by the third year, I'm staying at their houses. You know, it was unbelievable how they started, you know, how they helped me because you know, they'd find out that I was sleeping in the car, you know. And

I love the story. I love the story one with Andy Reid after a game he was rumored to be the Philadelphia you know, top candidate and you your your car was basically snowed under in the parking lot after a playoff game and he was told, hey, there's a guy named one because Steve in the parking lot wants to talk to you. I mean, that's that's commitment one, yes or well, you know, you know, sometimes it's it's hard to get to coaches and they may know who

you are. But I just wanted to make sure that they coach, you know, I'm you know, I'm available, you know I'm willing to work, and they know your work. I think the hard part at the beginning is you have to have a resume. You know. Now it's a little different. I've coached twenty four years in the NFL, eighteen in Philadelphia, four and in Baltimore and then two in Buffalo, so you have a resume and people start knowing you, and so it's a little different now. But

but at the beginning, you know, it's tough. It's tough getting an opportunity. But the thing that's that's that's amazing is those seven coaches that help me. That's how I was able to maintain, you know, twenty four years in the league because they were able to teach me the things that that I was able to teach players. And you know, every player loves the coach is going to

make them better. And the thing that happens in the NFL sometimes is that you know, you have veteran players, so you have to know what you're doing, get those veteran players to listen so that they can get better. And I think that's one of my strengths is that is that I you know, there's a certain way I teach pass protection and certain things throughout the years that I think that the kids end up learning the eight. You know. You know, Juan's going to help me be better,

you know, and I think that's important. Hey, coach jan I also played in the USFL for three years. This is Tom Fair. I played with the Arizona Wranglers and I actually our last game was against the San Antonio gun Slingers. How was How was for me? It was a positive experience because I got quality coaching, We had a good organization led by George Allen, and I know

San Antonio did go through some difficulty. But how was that experience for you as a young man, but also as a player, Well, you know just exactly what you said it knowledge wise, you know, just as a coach. You know, I was getting coached. You know, his name was Jim Bates, you know, who was a hell of a linebacker coach at the NFL for a long time. So what it did, It helped me just to be

able to learn more things. And I think what ends up happening is that people understand is that to be a better to be a good offensive line coach or be a good offensive coach, you better understand defense and vice versa. You know. So what helps me be a you know, a good line coach, which I'm gonna I'm gonna prove to you all is because you always have

to prove yourself. Is that my ability to understand how defenders, how the defensive ends, and how the defensive tackles rushed, or they how they play the run because I coach over there. I've been over there, I coached those guys, so i understand exactly what they're doing. So I'm able to present the issues and the problems to the offensive players and explain exactly what they're doing. Well. Coach Jim

Miller here, congratulations, Welcome to the Chicago Bears. And I just want to let the listeners know we always hate to play in the Philadelphia Eagles. I mean, you guys brought a tough, you know, tough minded brand of football. Just for the listeners out there here were they're starting tackles. When you look at Sean at or excuse me, the offensive line. Trey Thomas was the left tackle. John run you and it was probably one of the toughest guys

to ever play right tackle. In my words, I'm good friends with Todd Herriman's because he grew up here in Michigan. He was their left guard. Yeah yeah, yeah, Jamal Jackson, he was a great center. I mean, just to have that tough mindset coach college free agent, you know, and and usually we had we would have one or two college free agents. But you know, that's a good point that you that you talk about because you know what I found out being a defensive coaches. You know, everybody

talks about in the offensive line room. You know, you're fortunate if you have one or two guys that are that are tough guys or guys that that might play on defense. And people say, well, you know, what is it with line? I said, if all the offensive linemen were like that, they would be playing defense. You know, offensive linemen are different. It's a different mentality. But as a coach, you have to teach them and talk about

being physical and finishing. And that's what we did in Philadelphia, you know, and and then your players it's like when a fight breaks out, you know, well, you know what, when a fight breaks out, your old line coach. You know, I'm the old line coach. I better be in there trying to break it. Up because when you talk about being physical and tough, you have to walk to walk to you know, you have to be that. And you know when you talk to your kids about you know,

thirty minutes before practice. That's what we did in Philly. You know with coach Reid, since he was a line guy, you know, he played line he would let me start practice individuals thirty minutes before practice, so that you know, offensive lineman, you can yell all you want. The only way that they get better is by doing something, doing a skill over and over and over till it becomes natural.

That's the only way it's going to happen. Yelling doesn't get it done or cussing or that's not the way it happens, you know, And so coach Reid understood that. But again for your players is if you're gonna want them to work like that, then you better be the first one in the building and the last one in the building. And then you don't have to tell him that.

They just know because they know who you are. Hey, coach one, so you better you know, being in the NFL for twenty four years and seeing the game change a little bit, so you get a linebacker like Levon Kirkland six one two, seventy two sixty whatever he was. Is there Could those guys play in today's game or is there so much of a speed coverage responsibility with RPOs in the past happy league that maybe the game

has changed a couple of those bodies out of the game. Well, you know what the thing about those kind of guys is those you know, those guys could run two. You know, you go back and you talk about some of those great linebackers. Part of the reason they were great was because they were big, but they could also run four, six, four or five or some were even you know, you look at Hollywood Henderson, you know, you talk about guys like that. You know there's some of those guys they

could run two for the for those days. You know, so, I think still abilities ability, but you had some some really good players back then. They could still play in this day and age. Well, coach, let let me ask you this, because you mentioned about doing a skill set over and over and over again, how do you maximize it in modern day football? Because you know, training camp

is pretty much only one practice a day. It's not like in the old days where you could get you know, a ton of reps in the morning and run and play action, then come back and work on the passing game in the afternoon. You got to get it all in really in one practice, come training camp time and maximize it. Here's here's here's what you find out that's really important is that what you have to do is you have to sell the kids. You know. That's what

we did in Philadelphia with Coach Reid. And what we did is that it was important to sell our kids that they understood that the only way that they're going to get better is by doing a certain skill that they need to improve on over and over and over.

And so what ends up happening then those guys when they go home in the spring, when they're away from us for four or five weeks, what they end up doing is they end up working on those skills because they learned the drills and they it's not about how many drills you do. It's about doing the right drills and doing them over and over and over until you master the drill and then it starts carrying over. But for us, it was the key was selling our kids and to believe in that you gotta do things over

and over and over. Some kids can do it a hundred times and now they got it. Some kids may have to do it a thousand times before they get it. But that's the only way that's going to happen. It's not going to happen by hoping or yelling or cussing. Is just a matter of having to do it over and over and over till you master the drill. All right, Wine Castillo, Bears offensive line coach, kind enough to join us here for a few minutes on Bears All Access

before let you go. Obviously, you have connections through Andy Reid and Matt Naggie, and there's a lot of symmetry there. What have you seen from Matt in the course of his career since the time you met him back I think it was what nineteen ninety five. You know, the thing that I've seen is a passion. And that's why I'm excited to be to be back with him, is because I think we both have passion for the game. We have passion for winning, you know, passion for being successful.

And I think that's what I really enjoyed. You know that I was. I was happy the first day I was here, first day that I came to work basically you know, uh Mad and I said and talked for about four and a half five hours about just different schemes and players, and you know, that's that's the way it used to be with Coach Read and I. You know, Coach Read and I were you know, we were we were good friends. But we weren't good friends because we

hung out out of the building. We were good friends because we were always there working together late at night, you know, so we did things. He was basically the coordinator and I was a line coach, so him and I always did things. You know, we game plan together and things like that. Kind of like Matt and I were talking and and it was kind of it was

kind of neat because you're reminded me of Coach Reading. I. Well, we could probably talk to you for a full two hours because you got a wealth of experience and a lot of great stories, I'm sure. But we'll catch up to you down the road. So welcome back to the game, welcome to Chicago, and we're looking forward to talking to down the road. Well, thank you all very much. I

really appreciate it. Offensive Line Coach go Bear's winecast Steel Bears new offensive line coach when we come back well, revisit the Hall of Fame election of Jim bow Covert. A conversation with him with Tom Bear, Jim Miller. I'm Jeff Joniac. This is Bears All Access on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy The Score. Back with you on Bears All Access here on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy The Score.

Jeff Joniac, Tom there, Jim Miller with you and you can win an unforgettable trip to Mexico in March with your favorite Bears. Play Inside the Bears hosts and Apple vacations entered. De Bears De Beach Sweepstakes now at Chicago Bears dot com slash de Bears de Beach sweep Steaks. As we get you set for the season coming up, interesting conversation with one. A whole lot of different areas could have gone into there, but still gonna get acquainted

session with the roster and whatnot. But any initial thoughts. Yeah, you know one thing about Wan Costio. I think he understands the tempo of what Matt Naggie wants to play at both of it's controlled temple where they're huddling or a fast temple because he's used to it from Andy Reid, and he talks about Andy Reid being an ex college offensive lineman, but he is the coordinator of the offenses that he's been running since Juan Castillo has been there.

So a lot of the things that Matt Nagie is trying to emulate of the way Andy Reid does it. I think Juan already has a solid understanding of what Matt is going to try to accomplish with the speed of the offense. And I think he knows tough guys. I didn't even finish with the other guys that they had on their line. Sean Andrews, I was tough as nails, Hank Fraley, Steve Everett. I mean, there's just he knows the type of mindset you need as a football player

up on the offensive line. And I think all the things I just echo what Tom said. I think he shares a brain. He knows what Matt Naggie is looking forward because Matt, obviously his mentor is Andy Reid, and they know that Formula has worked in the NFL for for a long time and why he tapped into a resource he knows so well in Wanca Steele, you know some of those guys that he was talking about that he went and sought out year after year. I know

some of them. Tony Wise was one of them. The late bomb At McKittrick, who is San Francisco, Jim Hanniffin. We got to know doing Rams games. Brother in law for ten years in Atlanta, John Skelley. So those were names that that I know he did talk to. So you're talking about I know he's really you're Dick Staffeld too, because when he was a younger guy, I did cross path pass with him at one time and talked about

Dick Stanfeld's coaching philosophy. All right. Another outstanding offensive lineman in the the lifespan of a Chicago Bear that covered nine seasons was Jimbo Coverts and Tom's teammates in nineteen eighty five. This week, elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Here's a conversation I had with him earlier

this week. You think about if you ever get a call like that, how you would react, And you know, just everything flashes before you, your whole career, and you know your family and your parents and you know all that kind of stuff, and it's pretty emotional. So I mean, I I was speechless but I made it through. How

do you put your career in context? Uh? You know what, Jeff, I think when they had the regular voting process, you know, I kind of slipped through the cracks because I think they kind of years ago when I first came out, I was kind of valued, you know, longevity, longer career, and it was more on you know, a longer career and maybe not I was maybe more valued out than

maybe quality of the career. And when this whole you know, centennial class came out and then they picked this blue ribbon panel which was coaches and players and personnel directors and the voters. Um, you know, Damn pomp Pay thought that I had a better shot at that, and I mean, I can't take up a better guy to have, you know, up there completing my case. And Damn pomp Pay did a phenomenal job. So I mean that's kind of how

it all came together. The Hall of Fame players you faced in the in the production you had against them was was really something. So you got to have that guy in an island that's going to be able to stop the great pass rushers. Do you feel that was your greatest value? Yeah? I think that and I think that you know, some of the Hall of famers that I played against, and you know, the NFC when I played was a strong tackle Aaron, a strong left tack wear. But it was also a strong pass rushing here, and

that's why you had all those great tackles. So when you played against the guys, you know, like I did with Lee Roy Selman and you know Lawrence Taylor and Chris Doleman and you know Charles Hayley and that, I think, you know, I always played pretty well against them. And I think they know. The committee took that under consideration, and I think Dan did a great job presenting that,

and I think that was a factor. And I also think when you have coaches and player personnel directors and ex players in there, that changes the dynamic of the voting, because I think prior to that there were probably some of those guys that were just you know, if you have a long career and uh, you know, you got to play a certain amount of minimum time, or you just kind of fall through the craps. And I think that's what happened to me. So do you feel blessed

that this Blue Ribbon panel even existed? Yeah? I mean maybe. You know, I think I had a little bit of momentum according to Dan in the Senior Committee prior to this centennial class. So I think maybe that had something to do with it, because I know Dan and you know, Rick Goslin and some other people wrote some really nice things about me, and think that was helpful, very very helpful. So I think I had a little bit of momentum.

But there's that's a large number of guys and there, Jeff, you know, so I mean to get to get out of there. Um, you know how that senior pool is difficult, and you know, like I said, I just think they ended up phenomenal job. So I mean, I'm just I'm just throwed, and you know, I was trying to brace myself for maybe it not happening, and uh, you know when I got to call static talk to players all the time about how they feel about today. You see your body of work in the rearview mirror and you

hope it's recognized. Is that the case here? Because I don't think you go in thinking you're going to go to the Hall of Fame. You'd like to be considered for that, But a lot of time obviously has passed yeah, you know when I retired, I retired so early, and and you know, I just I you know, I don't

regret anything in my career. I don't regret coming back too quick in nineteen eighty eight, you know, you know, six weeks after surgery and trying to play, and you know, and then going on IR and then finishing the rest of the year. I mean, probably a you know, smarter guy would have stayed out the whole year and maybe had a longer career. But I don't regret it. You know, I don't regret anything I did in my career, So I'm not uh you know, I'm not. I wasn't concerned

about that. So um and uh you know, I just let the tips forward they may so when I didn't play, you know, uh twelve years, thir teen years, you know, it just it is what it is. But you know, I started from the very first game game I got in the universe, excuse me, the very first day at mini camp. I started, um in nineteen eighty three. So um, you know, I take a lot of pride in Nat coming in and earl I'm playing a difficult position, and uh, you know, I think maybe that had something to do

with it as well? Are those other four guys media, I mean those Uh, it's a team game, it really is. And you know four Tea and hill Gee and Tom and and Keith. I mean we're like a family within a family. And you know when we play, we were obviously a lot closer than we are now, but we still talk. Um and I got text from other guys and uh, it was meant really really a lot to me, um to get that. And again, it's a team game, but when you can get recognized in that team game,

it's it's pretty special. So I'm looking forward to having all those guys to Canton and celebrating with them, and it's gonna be hull of the party. So that's what I'm looking forward to. Do. You have a great feeling about the Bears organization as well, because you played your whole career one place, and that's even become more and more rare in this world. Yeah it is, you know. I mean I was really really fortunate, you know, to play play for the Bears and and for my dick

gun you know. Um, I mean I got in there and I you know, I got the job right away, but I was expected of me as well, and you know I had you know, it was my struggles early on when I was a rookie and um, but you know I I centered myself pretty well and there was a lot of expected to meet. But you know that that whole you know, franchise and you know, I tell what,

you didn't miss a lot of the things. And when I got hurting eighty eight was a really special When I was telling someone out today like I hurting eighty eight now, you know, it was doing training camp and I was down at Rush Pushbyterion Saint Luke's and Ed McCaskey came to have lunch with me every day, and I mean I think back on things like that and it was a really special. Meant a lot to me. And you know, he had the racing form out and ask a couple of horses, but he, uh was a

special person and meant a lot to me. So I mean I just was kind of recollecting on those things the other day and pretty special. You know. I don't think the expectations for Jimbo Cover coming out of college were ever too big for him. He understood what he was going to be up against because everybody kind of knew where and that he was going to be drafted early and it was not going to be a development player. It was going to be draft and play. And so

you know, Jimbo, he fulfilled everything that that the Bears needed. Um. He was a high profile draft choice, came from the same college as the head coach, and I think Mike Ditka put a little bit of pressure on him to be as successful as he envisioned Jimbo to b and become. And so I do think when you have a great offensive line coach in Dick Stanfeld, who was a great player himself, he recognizes talent, he understands how to develop it.

But really the momentum and the ferociousness of that team was built on the personality of Mike Ditka and because they had the Pittsburgh common ground, I think it was a great brotherhood mentorship in relationship for Ditka and Jimbo. Jim Quit thought well, like Tom said, I think, just tough minded. I think he knew what was expected him because Dicka from his same area in PA. There of what was expected. I know Damn Renope had a lot

to do with the two of really pushing Jimbo. But a plug and play player you're blocking Hall of famers like Lawrence Taylor and he can't get a sack against you. He's one of the all time greats. Ever in, Jimbo Covert shut him out. This is Bears How Access Time for a break on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy the Score. This segment of Bears Had Access is brought to you by CDW. People to get it learn more at CDW dot com. Jeff and Tim and Jim Miller with you

the big news this week about training camp. I'm sure you guys already did some stuff on it on the course of the week. But training camp at Hannis All. Yeah, Well, it kind of reminds me of being a little kid because when I was a little kid and I was driven to Bears training camp practices at the old Hollis Hall and they had much less of a facility for the fans and the people to, you know, to get a look at what the practices were all about. And that's what you thought was the luxury of the NFL.

And then they moved at the Platteville, and then they moved it down to Kankakee and now back to the facility, and I think this has been something a couple of years in the making. When they expanded the facility, they built more practice fields and they have a much more working space for the players, for the Bears to be able to hold a training camp. Jim, you could talk int legently about this, because you go to a lot of camps and you've seen a lot of them that

I've been staying in there. Not intelligent, no, no, but I'm saying no. Well, you know what I mean, Here's what i'd I'd say. I just think it becomes the normal workday. You know, so many teams have invested so much in their facilities, and the Bears obviously have invested a lot, not only in the in the training room, the weight room, the front office, so many things. It just becomes a normal workday. You know, you're just more efficient.

You know, the front office doesn't go to have to go down to bourbon A. Now, remember I remember the first one we did a plat at bourbon A. We literally had to pack up the whole weight room to take down there, and the training room and part of the front office. So it just to me, it is it's more efficient. More teams are doing it. I look at you know, basically what the McCaskey families have done. A McCaskey family has done with Hallisaw I see. You know,

obviously the owner is Steve Shotti of Baltimore. He's done the same thing. They'll bring in grandstands. They'll still be able to accommodate the fans that will come and VIPs that will come out to the practice and things like that. But you're just I think teams feel that they can accomplish a lot more and it becomes a normal workday, just working out of their own I think the health and safety issue is also a significant They have a tremendous setup right now and they put the players first

in that issue. Well, you know, again, I mentioned my brother in law, John Scully played eleven years for Atlanta Falcons. And Atlanta Falcons they held their training camp at the same facility. They practiced that all year. So they've been doing this now for thirty something year, so it's not

new to the NFL. It's just then when you can provide your team with the hundred and one hundred and five whatever guys that can come through training camp, plus you have all the extra trainers, all the extra water people, all the extra staff that is, you know, working training camp. You know, just the amount of hours they put in every day. I think it's you know, the right call to keep them housed in that facility all year long. Yeah, I'm sorry, And Jeff, I think you said something that

was important, like we I actually did. Remember when the New Orleans Saints went to the Greenbrier in West Virginia or even the Houston Texans. Health and safety is the biggest thing you mentioned. They didn't even have an MRI machine. They literally had to fly a helicopt copter and bree and they had to build a helipad so if a player got hurt at practice, they had to fly him forty five minutes via helicopter, you know, to Richmond, Virginia or wherever was the nearest facility. So I think that's

a big part of it as well. And what Tim touched on there, I mean, it's just it's just all around more efficient from that standpoint, all right, So Tim, every now and again, he's didn't have much going on. You know, you're in the off season now, but you're still thinking football every day, right. I like it. So I get I get these arbitrary texts. Jim you know, for show topics and so forth, But he's done some statistical research about Khalil Mack and the impact on the

pass rush. Yes, the sacks went down from fifty to thirty two for the team, but it was illustrative time. Well, so if you go to the Bears website and they put these interesting packages of different films. So one of them was the all the sacks the Bears had throughout the season. So I was watching it and just trying to pay attention to when Khalil was on the field and when he wasn't how they were attacking Khalil Mack, but what were the other guys trying to you know,

what were they trying to accomplish. And so, out of the thirties two sacks, Khalil Mack was on the field for twenty nine of them, and he factored in whether he got the sack or someone else did because there was all always multiple blockers on Khalil Mack. So he was productive when he was in there. He added production to the defensive line. Yeah, the Bears fans want to see him as a double digit sacker year in a

year out and let everybody else come across. But I think when you really go back and you go to the Bears website and look up the sack reel and just pay attention to see the direction of the blockers there, how many bodies were surrounding Khalil and then when they didn't surround him buy extra help, he got the sack. So it was it was clearer evidence that going into this season they're still going to try to figure out

a way to put multiple bodies on Khalilmack. You have to, but the other guys are gonna have to step up and make more plays and get more pressures. You know, you think of you know, last in two thousand eighteen, they had one hundred and eighty seventeen pressures. Last year they had one hundred and fifty eight. So you know that that's that's less. You know. In in two thousand

and eighteen, Khalilmack had forty seven pressures. In twenty nineteen he had he had forty five, so only two less pressures. So the production there is out of Khalil, but it's about the other guys stepping up and trying to devise a new scheme how to move Khalil Mack around and become less predictable where he's gonna line up. Adam Czinski, Brandon Orlanski are producers here tonight on Chicago Sports Radio six seventies. Score one more segment to go with Jim Miller.

Intent there. I'm Jeff Joniak. Back a minute. You can help deserving families by donating a gently used winner coach of the Chicago Bears jewel Osco coach driver the participating jewel Osco locations now through February twenty eight. Donations benefit the Salvation Army. Remaining moments with Tom Thayer and Jim Meta, I'm Jeff Joniak, and this is Bears All Access brought to you by IGS Energy. Jim at scouting season, Buddy, you got East West Shrine game? What are you hearing?

And Senior bower East West, East West? Yeah, East West is this weekend? Well, Jess Burro Harstad was in that game last year. Yeah, I mean well, a lot a lot of times they do carry over if there's some really good players. Jim Nagee always carries over a lot of guys that will be able to have the opportunity in the Senior Bowl. I just know specifically disc getting ready for the Senior Bowl. This is a really good class that he's got here, just the guys he invited,

the guys that are coming to this game. Obviously, getting Jalen Hurts at the quarterback spot is big one Herbert out there from Oregon. I hope for all I hope that you know, when you look at Brewer goes to the Senior goes to the scene role. He doesn't have to practice, he doesn't have to do anything. But I think he should want to talk to the Cincinnati Bengal staff and Zach Taylor Um. Obviously he's had a great year he you know, and he got banged up in

the National Championship Games. Supposed to get a little rip Carlage. But if I were him, I would go. But this is really just a stellar class of wide receivers. That's we're hearing a lot about hearing a lot about the receivers. It isn't really that top endy. Yeah. Remember Michael Pittman was a running back for Tampa. After I got released by the Bears, I went down and played with Tampa. Michael Pittman was there. His son out at USC six foot four, two hundred and twenty eight pounds he'll be

in this game, and I'm like, that's Pittman. And Pittman was only like I don't know, five to seven, five eight. You know, he was a rock he was Yeah, he was built up and rocked up. But man, it's there were some excellent wide receivers, big defensive backs, and I think a really good offensive line class that'll be there. But I hope that Brewer goes, and you know, he probably doesn't have to, but I would if I were him, I'd want to get to know that Cincinnati Bagel's staff.

You know, would you rather be Pittman and grow bigger than your dad or b DK Metcalf and grow smaller than your dad being a former offensive lineman here in Chicago Metcalf's dad. But so you know, you look at the size Andy Heck's son is going to be draftable. And same story with John Running's kid. Yeah, I say, yeah, I see Runnions kid at Michigan and Andy Heck is this the triplets that he had while he was a

player here for the Bears. Tom I know, you know, you look at some of the names of these guys that are coming up through the ranks and you start, um, start getting to know, you know, just to remember their family names and you know, just some of the success that they've had in the bloodlines. All Right, Title game time, we'll start with Big Jim Yet Chiefs hosting Tennessee. Chris Jones miss practice again with that calf injury, so he's still if he Yeah, but unlike uh, you know, at

least for me, Baltimore last week. Baltimore, in my opinion, can't play from behind. You know, the three games that they fell behind, they lost every single one of them. We saw Kansas City they were able to do that, right. They were down twenty four to nothing, and they they took the lead before halftime. It was twenty twenty four and the blink of an eye. I don't think this is they're blowing Tennessee out by any stretch of the imagination.

Tennessee's beat them before they know. They've got the formula to do it. They've got to you know, deflate the football, run it slow, or grind the clock, those type of things. But I just think that offense is just too powerful for Kansas City, I really do. And I think Mahomes has the right quarterback to really expose a good secondary. I think is a good secondary with Kevin Byrd and they just got a Dory Jackson back. But I just think it's too much for Tennessee to go in there

and do it really, do you know. I'm trying to look up the weather for Kansas City for this weekend because you know, so they play Sunday afternoon. It's eleven for a low, twenty five for a high, but sunny, so that won't hurt the passing game. If you were going to have really do deteriorated conditions in Kansas City on that natural grass field, I would give more of an advantage to the Tennessee Titans just because of their ability to powerfully run the game and take away possessions

away from Kansas City. But I think the weather conditions are going to be favorable for both teams. I'm still kind of pulling for Tennessee just because I like to see old school football prove itself, even at this stage of the playoffs. And you know, I'm run for Derrick Henry right now. I mean, you know, the offensive line, the mentality Derrick Henry, he never reduces his speed once he gets the ball into his hands and he's getting the line full speed. All right, I'll give you the

leadoff on this one. The forty nine Ers hosting Green Bay. I think two losing teams a year ago. Yeah, I think that what what San Francisco can put up up front against Aaron Rodgers and their defensive line, their constant pressure, and what they can do on the offensive side of the ball. I am going to go for San Francisco. They beat them pretty handedly earlier in the year. I think Aaron Rodgers almost had less than a hundred yards

passing green Bay. Green Bay will play better, but they're not the better football team, Sam France, the better football team. We'll see Aaron Rodgers can make it different and we know that he's a fantastic quarter Valleys think overall, San Francisco in all three phases is the much better team than the Green Bay Packers at defensive front. If you want to see the Packers go down the defensive front of the forty Niners gotta get after him. All right,

that's gonna wrap us up, Jim. We'll talk to you soon. Tom there. Thank you, Adam Zaczinski and Brandon Orlowski. Thanks for listening to everybody. This is Bears All Access on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy The Score. Thanks for listening to this Chicago Bears Network presentation of Bears All Access. Podcasts are available on Chicago Bears dot com and on iTunes, or download the official Bears mobile app. Bears All Access has been brought to you by IGS Energy and sponsored by Miller a Light