Demetrius Harris on signing with the Chicago Bears | All Access

Access passing to Chicago Bears football. Bears All Access is brought to you by IGS Energy and sponsored by Athletical Physical Therapy and Art Van Furniture and Mattress and a pleasant, good evening everybody, and welcome into a combine version of Bears All Access presented by IGS Energy, live from Indianapolis. Jeff Johnny Act seated next to my good friend and former Chicago Bear quarterback and Sirius XM NFL Radio Moving the Chains, co host Jim Miller. Good evening, Tom Fair

and studio guys. We're talking nothing with football. We're talking forty times tonight because it's the first time it's primetime, so it's happening as we speak. Yeah, it is. Well, you just wonder how the players are going to act, Jeff, You know, to you know, players are entertainers from a certain aspect of it, and you just you want to put on a good show every time you go out there. And it isn't in prime time, has never been like that before. We're already seen some pretty good forty times

that Chase Claypool. I mean, he's a legit. He's just under or over six fives or just under six five, I should say, as a wide receiver out of Notre Dame. He busts a four to five four. I mean that is incredible for a receiver two thirty two thirty eight. Yeah, it's unbelievable when you when you think about a couple other good times that are out there. Justin Jefferson from LSU, the wide receiver, he helped himself out tonight. Four four

four is what he's going to run. And excited to see the quarterbacks work out tonight and just how they throw. We know a couple of guys aren't gonna be throwing Joe Burrow obviously from from LSU. But I'm telling you man that justin Herbert just to continues to help himself. He ran, you know, for him to run a sub four seven forty and you watch he's gonna rip it tonight.

I think Herbert is removing a lot of doubt and that is surrounding him at this combine So, Tom Fair, do you have the TV on and watching some of this stuff in studio? Because there is particular interest obviously in what could be a record breaking night for the forty time with the receivers. And then the tight end position is something of interest of course for Chicago Bears fans, because it's possible the Bears will dip into the draft

for a tight end. I don't know if they will, but it's quite possible and some of the times put up already by the tight ends, and Claypool himself has been asked to work out as a tight end as well. Time. So are you watching this stuff with great interest? Yeah? Of course I am. Can you hear me, Jeff? Oh yeah, I can hear you? I can hear Okay, Yeah of

course I am. You know I can. Claypool impressive And if he's got the size and the structure and the ability to stay within the wide receiver position, I'm not moving. They had commit the tight end out of Notre Dame, who had a you know, is having a good showing

for himself. But you know, it's it's kind of weird because I message you, you know, hey, what's the most productive guy that's ever run the fastest forty time because I'm kind of losing interest in the forty because I think it's more important what ultimately they developed their specific skills into and that's gonna be the judgment day whether they can play or not. But again, when you look at the size of the wide receiver for position at Claypool, I think he made some money for himself by the

way he ran well. John Ross is the leader of all time at four two two and John Cincinnati Bengal drafted in the night and the ninth overall pick. Yeah, Chris Johnson at four two four at a great career, three time pro bowler. Then it starts to dip a little bit with some names that people are not going to remember, including Jerome Mathis and Drey Archer. And then you go down a little bit Stanford route back in

the day, Champ Bailey, a Hall of Fame career. It's hit and miss, as you might expect at that position, because it's not how fast you run, it's how fast you can carry your bads, and then translate that to the football activity, So can you play football and run that fast? We'll continue the conversation, we'll be joined by the newest Chicago beart Demetrius Harris to enjoy the program as well Bears side him. Last week, It's his Bears All Access on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy The Score.

Welcome back to Bears All Access here on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy. This Score brought to you by IGS Energy, a proud 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, Jonny, Jim Miller here in Indianapolis and Tom there in our

Chicago Score Studios. Tom Whatsu cut your attention so far in terms of the conversation regarding the Bears, what you heard from genlemanager Ryan Pason, head coach Mattenegge here on

Tuesday morning. You know, I'm glad to hear the word competition repeatedly, Jeff, amongst the roster, because I don't want anybody concluding the season last year and think, Okay, their name is Etch gen Stone in the position they play, and when they talk about competition, I think it's really motivating to the guys that are at that second tier level trying to inch their way up there there, you know,

to maybe earn a roster spot. So I like the competition repeated because it's a factor in the weight room in preparation to get ready for the regular season. So I was encouraged by Ryan repeating that phrase, but specifically the attention gathering Jim the quarterback position. Sure, I think you want to bring in legitimate competition. You know, it's you know, at every position, because we even saw it last year. You know, your starter can go down, your backup has got to get in there and play and

play well and play at a starter level. And you you know, we've talked about obviously the experience factor. You know, can you legitimately draft a young quarterback that's going to step in it in challenge. I think we have seen it happen thinking last year with Gardner Minshew and how it unfolded for the Jacksonville Jaguars and even Doug Morone, their head coach, said it's going to be a legitimate battle between Nick Foles and Gardner Minshew heading into training camp.

So whether it's a veteran, I know we've talked to Andy Dalton, case Keenum there's some veterans out there that potentially one you like, the experienced factor that you've got a veteran in the building that continue to bring along young quarterback in Mitchell Trubisky, but legitimately challenge him and would probably be an upgrade to what Chase Daniel brings

in terms of the competition level and Tom. The conversation regarding Mitchell Trubisky certainly was a major topic of the session with Ryan and Matt later on with the national media at the podium here at the combine. And I should also clarify, Jim, I don't know why I forgot about this. I think I've been here too long. Tim's in Maui, so I keep saying he's in Chicago. So Tom's family don't worry. He's safely tucked away on the

beach front. Sorry, Big Tom. That's all right. But but you know, it wasn't a surprise the conversation at all, because people want to know what's going to happen at the position. And frankly, beyond whatever opinions are about Mitchell Trubisky and the belief or the lack thereof of people, there's a belief in the organization that they're going to be able to get this off. It's going to the

right direction with added pieces and his development. But also they don't have anybody on the roster right now, so you're going to have to go into free agency to get that competition or as you pointed out, and drafted.

So none of it should be surprising the conversation. No. I think the one interesting thing when Met Naggi joined us on a serious Sex and NFL radio, I like what he had to say about, you know, sometimes you can have too many voices in the quarterbacks here, you know, when you got you know here, Bill Lazer's brought on board and we're going has moved to the passing coordinator and John d Philippo he said, no, he goes, I want d Philippo to have that role, and he said,

now I want to be the supplement to that. And he understood that. And I think that'll help Mitchell Trubisky as well, that you're not getting too many voices in your But to have a savvy veteran I always think is important to have a sounding board. You know, I look at the quarterbacks, say how how when you look at Patrick Mahomes, how he's brought in Alex Smith helped him along. Grant it was for a year, and he knew when they drafted Patrick Mahomes he was going to

be moving on. He's a first round draft pick. But what they do They went out and got a veteran in Chad Henny to bring him along. I bring it up about Josh Allen. Do you think about he went through his first NFL training camp in OTAs without a veteran presence there for the Buffalo Bills, and Sean McDermott recognized it went back to a familiar face, Derek Anderson, who he knew from time in Carolina, and then they brought Derek Anderson on board to help the young Josh

Allen along. So I do think it's important. I do think not only from the veteran experience side of things, but a guy who can legitim me challenge push a young quarterback to get better moving forward. Time. I even think about the Super Bowl ero six, I met many people. Forget who was on that roster in terms of the quarterback depth chart. You know Brian Greasy, Yeah, okay, you

know what I do. You know the thing about competition, I don't think Mitchell Chubisky has ever shied away from competition, and I think competition is good for everybody. I think it's very motivating through the course of your career. But I still think that is going to walk in the building as the number one quarterback and everybody lines up behind me day one, rep one, and so I still

think it's all about how Mitchell Trubisky can improve. Mitchell Trubisky don't worry about improve myself better than the guy behind me. And you know, to me, I wish there was more conversation about Tyler Bray. I don't want him to be forgotten about entity because he's got a great deal of experience in this system. He does have arm talent, and obviously he's had to be developing his game throughout the you know, the years of service that he's had in this system. So you know, I just don't want

him to be left behind with no conversation following him. Tom, Tom, I know you're watching the XFL quite a bit, so you seem to have a great interest in what's going on there, as you did with a short lived American Alliance of American Football or whatever it was called. Again I forgot but and you're always looking at the quarterback position. Any buddy stick out there that you would like to maybe take a flyer on. At this point, you know,

there's two guys. There's I think it's PJ. Walker's his name. He's the quarterback for Houston, and then there's the quarterback for the Saint Louis team umu or so. I'm not really sure how you say it, but this quarterback from Saint Louis, he does everything so perfectly. I I you know, he's worked hard on his talent, but his passes, you know, his passes towards the sideline are direct. There is no um you know, jumping or leaping for the receiver catching

the ball. He's immediately attacking downfield. He's very patient, he's quick, he's confident. So I just think that the reps that these guys are getting is are is so valuable because there's a lot of guys in the NFL that are practice rosters or third team quarterbacks that get no reps

to improve themselves or impress an audience in front of them. Yeah, especially if the CBA passes and it sounds like they'll be even less practice time and less in pads is what it's going to be so those cross scrimmages are going to be huge. But what Time's talking about, I mean, those extra repetitions are invaluable. I played over in NFL Europa. The Steelers allocated me over there. Unfortunately I broke my wrist,

but it was still it was more reps. It was reading defenses, it was delivering the football, it was adjusting

in the pocket with live bullets firing around you. And I came back that year and ninety five and had my you know what was it was only my second training camp, but it was it was one of my better training camps because I really went from NFL Europa straight into training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and I just felt more growth, more confident, trusting what I was seeing, and it was just all those live reps of professional

football with guys that were competing around the National Football League, and a lot of guys we know Kurt Warners has come from there, Brad Johnson was with me over there, guys that went on and had successful career. So for the coaching aspect of it, from the players aspect of it, there's there's more jobs, more opportunities, and even for officials to get live action calling games I think as big as well. All right, time to us change gears a

little bit away from the combine. Talking a guy who has got some time invested in the National Football League, now going into his seventh season and newest Chicago Bear tight end, one quite familiar with head coach Matt Naggie. Please welcome to Bears All Access tight end. Demetrius Harris, Demitris, good evening and thanks for joining the show. How you doing. Oh so I'm doing fine about the self. Yeah, we're

doing great. We're really knee deep in the in the football talk right now here at the combine and excited to have you a board. I know you are too, because their familiarity breeds success, my man, and you have five years in that system in Kansas City with coach nag Is that a big, big benefit to you to

dive right in and help out this football team. Oh yeah, most definitely, because, like you said, I've been in a system for five years and and I kind of like mastered the playbook there, so I mean I know all the ins and outs and where other players are going to be or need to be, or the time and the like the quarterback timing and stuff. So I mean that's that's really good because I know I know the

system inside out. Hey, Demetrius, your basketball background. I'm kind of curious because as we sit here and we watched the Combine, you see all these guys that invested four years in the football programs or their college or three years or whatever, and now they're at the Combine. You being a basketball player, how does the NFL gauge your interest in rerouting your talents back to the NFL. I mean, I just you know, that was kind of my dream dream of being the NFL. Like that was my first

love football. So I mean I just went off. I got I got signed to Artists State, but my ACT score wasn't hot. So I actually took the JUCO around and played basketball. JUCO and Arkansas State tried to sign me, like after my two years of JUCO, try to sign me in the duo scholarship. So I was just I just stuck the basketball. So I mean I went up to u WM Milwaukee and I played up there, and I mean I never knew John Dorsey was coming to my games or anything, and he was the player scout

of Green Bay Packers. So I mean I was just playing basketball, and you know, once we and he was coming to my games. I never knew, like he used to tell me the story, so I mean, I never knew. And he just he just called me after my senior year. He was just saying, dude, I wanted to try out.

So I mean, I had like three days to prepare for like a pro day for the Chiefs, and it was like, I mean, I ain't touched the football and since like two thousand and nine at the time, and it was like two thousand and thirteen, so I mean, it was just it was just a blessing, like a blessing journey to be on Demitris. Jim Miller here, Welcome to Chicago. And I've always brought him up about it being a tight end centric offense. You know, when you look at Andy Reid and how the tight end is

is utilis and you're af this is all that. And certainly Kelsey's had had a great career and you've had opportunities to get out in the field, like last year in Cleveland. You know, they get the injury to joke you and you get able to get in there and get six games started. Maybe talk about that about just an opportunity to potentially showcase your skills as maybe a

true number one. Oh yeah, I mean I kind of had that opportunity last year, but I mean things happened inside, like inside the locker room or whatnot, or inside what happened the coach they I actually had an opportunity, and I feel like I did very well, and I did good and I showcase very well, and I just didn't get another opportunity to keep playing. And I mean I kind of got concussion and was out for a week, So I mean that kind of hurting me. But I

mean I was doing well in Cleveland last year. I feel like it was kind of like my best best year I didn't have. So I mean, once I get the opportunity, that's when I can. I can feel I can show everybody and take off, you know, like I know I can. So I'm just really want that opportunity. Demetrius Harris our guest here in Chicago Sports Radio six seventy the Score with Jim Miller in Tim there, Jeff

Jonik with you. We're live at the Combine in Indianapolis where workouts are going on right now, and it's it's kind of crazy Demetrius. When you think about it, there's so many different letters to describe the different tight end positions, the why tight end and in this case in the say offense, the U tight end, and how they're flexed, how they're used. And I'm seeing some of these numbers

being put up by tight ends these days. It's pretty remarkable the type of athleticism now at that position, and you realize just how much of a best friend the tight end always has been, but now it seems to be just more versatile in that regard. With that being said, what's the best thing you could do for a quarterback like Mitchell Trubisky at your position? I mean, just be on the same time, like the just be on the same time because I know, like you know, I know

the offense and I know how it works. So I mean, afterla of be reliable and be on time and a big reds on target. I mean, I love it being a reson So I mean, just a big reson target he can count on, you know, just to throw it, throw it up or just give me a fifty fifty ball, give me a chance and let me go get it. And you know what I'm saying To show that ability what I got it now haven't really kind of got the chance to do it. But I mean I did it something, but I just want to have a four

opportunity to do it. Hey, Demetrius, when you avoided all the punishment the four years of college football, do you feel even at this stage of your career that your body is a little bit fresher than some of the other guys that had to absorb that And just with the change in the transition of a basketball to the

physical side of football. I mean at first, like when I got in the league that I feel like that was advantage of minds, Like when my first two years in the league, Like I feel like I had advantage of not playing football. But now it's kind of like my body is all like everybody else body. I mean, it's show it. I mean I go through a full season just like everybody else. So I mean going into my seventh year, so I feel like, you know, well, eighth year, going to my eight years, so I feel like,

you know, my body kind of the same. But like beginning of my career, I feel like it was it was a difference. Well, you mentioned the comfortability getting back in Matt Naggie's offensive offense. You ran in Kansas City. I guess expectations like give the listeners out there, the Chicago Bears fans, the type of player that you believe

you'll be delivering as a Chicago Bear. Just just an energy, energy guy and and just a love of have fun and just like to win, you know, because I experienced some of the NFC Championship and it's nothing like it. So I mean I want to I want to get back to that position and also get to the super Bowl and win. So I mean, I'll just bring that energy and bring that fire and show up every day and you know, do my job again. We're at tight end.

Demetrius Harris, the newest Chicago Bear, spent a year with the Browns, but fine with Kansas City. But I played basketball at u W Milwaukee. I don't know if people realize it, but they used to have football there. Remember Mike Rhinfeldt, Yeah, Mike Rheinfeldt used to play there, uh, nineteen eighty three, at eight year career, was a Houston Earlists All Pro safety. But they dropped the football game

football program in nineteen seventy four. When you were playing hoops, I know, you say you still love the game, but did you always have an ion basketball? And was the NBA ever going to be a possibility? Uh? No, I really wouldn't. I had. I had three trials with the Bulls, the Bucks and the Timberwolves, and I'm like, I didn't

take back about that serious. So I'm just like, no, So I was actually going overseas, I was about to sign with the agents overseas like the like the day the day after, like they called like dirty college the day before. I was about to sign with an age that day for basketball. Wait. Almost definitely didn't have like that vision of NBA like I did the NFL. So once I heard that took, I took it all right, Demetris,

We're gonna let you go really appreciate it. We look forward to seeing you here on the offseason program gets cranked up and welcome to Chicago. Certainly going to um you know what Chicago is like. I'm sure you dropped in a few times to say hello to the people, but a great place to play from football. We're looking forward to having you. Yeah, pretty such too. Demetrius Harris here on Chicago Sports Radio six seventies Score with Jim and Tom, I'm Jeff. Let's take a break. Well back

more from the combine after this. Back with you from the scouting Combine at the Indianapolis Convention Center, where it's much more quieter than it was earlier today when the players came running through a totally different setup. Jim Miller here, Tom Thair out in Hawaii joined the program, and thanks to you for listening tonight. Just her from Demetrius Harris before we get into more about him. What do you think, Jim, of the new timing. Certainly the morning, first thing in

the morning, players are talking of the media. They're out of here by eleven or noon tomorrow even earlier, and that's the primetime show at night. It's very separated. It's very different than anyone I've I've been around. I just pulling some coaches and scouts in particular. I don't think they love it. I don't think they love it. That's

what I've heard. What have you hear You've talked to more of them, obviously, Yeah, No, I agree with you, and I think maybe moving forward there'll be less guys coming here. We already know John Harbaugh is not here from the Baltimore Ravens I think Sean McVeigh didn't even send a lot of their staff for the La Rams. I think Sean McVeigh was only here for a day as well, So maybe they will be watching it more on TV because it'll all be broadcasted for him. You know.

The big part are the informal interviews and the formal interviews. They only get forty five guys, so they're less formal interviews. Think about it. They used to do a lot more than that, so that's been significantly cut down, So it'll create more legwork for teams. What do I mean by that of maybe who they bring in for their visits.

Each team gets thirty guys, right, so that maybe change moving forward of who they elect to bring in for their visits because they don't get as many formal interviews as what they have in the past. And the bottom line is that it's still about the medical had some guy's red flag today. They had the Jones fracture, Thaddeus Moss, who's the younger son or as the son I should say of Randy Moss lsu tight end, and then he had Van Jefferson, who's the son of Sean Jefferson. He's

a Florida wide receiver. And this guy played well at the Senior Bowl. Jefferson lit it up, and he's out there playing with a broken foot and he just got flagged here for the medical you know. And I think it's interesting too, just with the new CBA, there's a lot of uncertainty out there, you know, for coaches and how it's going to affect free agency. We knew it

could affect the tags right now. The teams can apply both the franchise and the transition tag if they go to and this gets approved and it sounds like it'll be voted on next week from the player's side of it, one of those tags are going to be stripped away. So when that opened today, yeah, that that period open today. And tight end, I think that position alone, since we're talking Chicago Bears, is going to be acted. Because you got guys out there like Hunter Henry, I'll expect he's

going to be tagged. Hooper maybe get the tag for for the Atlanta Falcons because why because this is not a deep tight end crop. Some did impress today in terms of their workouts. Bryson Hopkins. He's the son of Brad Hopkins, who's a former Tennessee Titan offensive lineman. He ran a four to six four more of an inline guy, gets pretty savvy in his route running. Adam Troutman's getting a lot of love from Datement Dayton. I think he ran a four seven nine and four eight. Oh, but

he's a former quarterback who converted to tight end. And then you mentioned Sullivan also, yeah, Claypool, Like you said, some are thinking maybe he is a tight end as well. I'm missing somebody. There was one of Oh Commett Comett who who Tom brought up the Notre Dame tight end. The only thing about him, he's a one year tight end, but he is an inline guy and he busted a four seven for his size, and he is legit inline size in terms of the court or terms of the

tight end position. Hey, Tim, you check out at all the miss Zuri tight end. They call him big Oh Albert, Oh big oh Albert o'cua okoy e boonam? Yeah? Is that? Did I get that right? Anyway? A four four nine today at two hundred and fifty eight pounds, he's uh the second fastest in NFL history since two thousand and three at that size and weight, behind only Montes sweat. It was picked last year and the fastest for a tight end since Evan Ingram of the Giants at four

to four two. I don't know, Tim, if any of that impresses you at all, but it does give you an insight into a very athletic, big tight end. Well, you know what's your true You're gonna try to capture the attention of a scout or a coach or a team that feels there's some urging certainties about you. And if they think one of you are uncertainties is speed. And then Alston you bust out of forty. You know, all of a sudden they got you. You know you

have their attention. Yeah, as much as the punter there that put up twenty five reps at two twenty five, you know, I mean, it's what is going to be the shock number? What's what's gonna be and oppress you most to put you on a radar to to even consider too more in depth evaluations. And I think that's what you do here is you try to open the eyes of these scouts in some way, shape or form um.

I think the combine is still super valuable for the players that ultimately want to get in the NFL, and I think it's important for the staffs to show some respect and be there no matter what time they run or you know, do their see. I agree with you. I agree with you one hundred percent time. I think, you know, it's the way it's always been, and it seemed to be working, then it should be able to work now no matter what the format. And I get it.

You can watch it on tape, you can watch on TV, but there's nothing about there's stuff you pick up here well, you know, as scouts, as coaches, and as broadcasters as well. Well yeah, I mean one again, everything's scoutable. You know, how does the guy react in the group when he's out there working out? You know, how is he uh in the interviews when you ask them certain questions? As disinterested?

Is you know, is as scripted? What I thought was interesting this year pretty much at every position, they've changed up the drills a little bit, so players aren't going to be as scripted as what they were in the past and what they've been able to practice and then go out on the field and just hey, I've gone through this a million times. That's not going to be the case this year in the NFL, didn't release the

new drills or what they were going to be doing. See, I like that Tom weigh in on this because I know this is dumb. I'm gonna say it right now. You got the Senior Bowl. Would you attend and cover every single year gym? And they put pads on, and they have practices and what they learn and though especially one on ones and whatnot to me is invaluable, but when you're an underclassman, you don't have to go through that. Well, so you got to challenge him somehow to find out

what they're all about. And you know, why do they have to be in pads and the other ones don't. It'll never happen. I know it's dumb, But Tom, what do you think about that? Yeah, you know, I think whatevery way that you can evaluate these guys to kind of see see if they're talented. You know, whether you're in pads at the Senior Ball. But you know, I

like the adrenaline flowing at the combine. You know, when I came out of college, you had to go to three different combines, but the adrenaline flowed in each one of those. I think the NFL has done a nice job of simplifying the combine by bringing in in one stadium, one event a year and allow all this information to transfer to everybody. Yeah, when we come back, I want to talk about a ton and not to single them out, but it's already gone viral of something that's scoutable, that

is important, even though without the pads on. Don't let me forget it's okay. Well that's Jim Miller, Tom there. I'm Jeff Joniac. We're from the Scouting Combine. Time's out in Hawaii talking football. This is Bears All Access on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy The Score. Back with you here on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy the Score. This is Bears All Access coming to you from the Indianapolis

Convention Center at the Scouting Combine. Jeff Joniac and Jim Miller Tom thare in Hawaii enjoying the Scouting Combine from AFAR, talking football. And Jim had a thought about a tight end of some interest to him coming into the break. So now they're out of the break. What he got? Yeah, and it's about Mitchell Wilcox. And I don't say this to single him out. He's a South Florida tight end. All right six three little oh just under six four right. He played in the East West Shrine game. But here's

something that you can scout without pads on. Okay, there's a drill here in the comment they call it the gauntlet. Okay, tight end will be run right down the chalk line across the width of the field. Okay, and on each side you've got quarterback station where one on each side

will throw you the football. And it's basically one to see how straight of a line you can keep and how tight you can keep it down the line while you're catching these balls reacting one to your right, one to your left, and you're going right down the gauntlet in between the quarterbacks. So you first you spin around, all right. He had four tight ends go ahead of him, four four where he could watch that drill, understand what was asked of him and what is expected this drill

after the coach explains it. He got four examples to watch it. He comes out of his first break, looks at the wrong quarterback, realizes he screwed up, looks at the other quarterback, and gets dotted right in the face. So if I'm a coach and I'm looking at that, or if I'm a GM or a scout and I'm gonna be you just had four cheat sheets right ahead of you go, And how do you screw up the drill? Are you not paying attention? What was he doing before

his opportunity to get up there? Nerves whether it was nerves whatever, you know, but just watch the other guys in front of you and do what they do. And so to me, I mean, there was a lack of awareness there, and already everybody's tweeting it out. I think it was TMZ just posted out a tight end gets dotted in the face, you know, and it's kind of an embarrassing moment, which I don't like hearing. You know, I don't seeing that. I mean, you know, it's it's

but you do find out everything about somebody. Yeah, but I think that's important. It's a question to ask. I mean, did you did you not see the tight ends go ahead of what happened in this drill where it really went bad for you, you know, And and now to

watch him recover the rest of the combine. He came back and there was a red zone period, which was a new drill where they're making the receivers tap their toe for fade stops and fade routes, and he could you know, that was the drill right after the Gauntlet and it had spiraled out of control for him in the Gauntlet and now it kind of carried over into the red zone drill. You know. So that's a player I'd want to go back and see the rest of the workout. Was he able to recover? Can he dig

himself out? When what Tom and I have always talking about, you don't want to get a game to start snowballing, where one play leads to a bad series, which leads to a bad quarter, which leads to a bad half, which could lead to a bad game. And he was a guy that was was kind of snowballing for him. And I would go back and probably look at his workout and see if he was able to recover, could he pull himself out of it, and maybe ask him in a follow up interview, Hey, what happened here? You

saw the other tight ends go ahead of you? You know, how did you not understand the drill? You know? And then just to see his or hear his explanation, what happened? All those type of things, And that's a drill. It's been out there for years. I mean, it's not like he probably didn't have an opportunity to prepare for this drill. That drill was run here back in ninety four when I ran the drill. So it's been around for a long time, over twenty years, and it did not go

well for him. Hey, time, nothing upsets coaches more than when you tell them what to do and you have it all laid out for you and they keep messing it up. Even at training camp. We see that all the time, right, I mean, evaluation in the classroom is equally as important as evaluation once you get in your

stance and you put on your cleats. Because the thing about it is is not everybody learns at the same pace, and every room you're teaching, however, they all have to retain the information properly and make sure they can they can use it at a second's notice when they're on the field and you have those changes. So all of these drills that they go through, are you paying attention? Are you of filtering the information to understand what we need out of you in order to you know, to

judge you properly. But you know, for so this tight end, you almost think that is pro day. This is a drill that he should run in front of the scouts, just to show everybody that he understands what they were trying to accomplish in the combine. Yeah, it's always it's always scary though, because there's nothing like a first impression. You know, you rarely get a second chance to make a first impression. But in this league it is forgiving at times, and you know, hopefully that kid will bounce.

I'll give you an example for that. Orlando Brown, third round draft pick of the Baltimore Ravens. He's the son of Zeus. Obviously, Ozzie Nusson drafted his dad. He self admittedly probably had one of the worst combines ever ever, But he's the planet theory. There's only so many guys on this planet that are that are that big, you know. So he and I'll give him credit because after that the combine was over and he's been with Baltimore I think two three years now is what he's going on.

And he said, no, how he goes, I did horrible, came back his pro day, improved, his bench improved. Everything gets drafted by the Ravens. He's a pro bowler. Yeah, Well, there's plenty of guys that have start here and bust it out, obviously, so there's the other side of that coin. This segment of bears All Access is brought to you by Old Spice. Never let a friend lose his swagger. Jeff and Jim and Tom there with you. Jalen Rigger, a TCU wide receiver of note who could be one

of those four two four three forty guys. Eleven six broad jump at a forty two inch vertical jump. He called it out too. He did, Pat and I interviewed him the day before he was supposed to work out and dependent on his bench press. Normally, the explosion number you're looking for is seventy or over. That tells your explosive players. So what's your bench press plus your broad jump plus your vertical And he had a He said he'll do a forty two inch vertical and he did.

And he said, I'll get close to twelve foot broad jump, and he did eleven six. So I'll have to go back and now add in what he did for his bench I guarantee you he's probably close to that seventy number. Yeah, and I know, you know, some folks don't care about all this stuff, but it's it's just happening now, So I'm gonna fire it your away. Jalen Hurts at the official cord at the NFL dot Com is a four five forty for the Oklahoma quarterback Justin Herbert officially four

six nine. Jacob Eason four eight three. Yeah, which that to me, that's a good number for Herbert for as big as he is. You know, he's six six, he's got a big army. He proved that down at the Senior Bowl. And I give him credit because you know, we know some other guys aren't working out. Obviously Joe Burrows is not working out. But Herbert said, no, I'm gonna come there. I'm gonna do everything. Uh. Some questioned, uh, you know as leadership and an old statement. How fierce

of a competitor he is. He bawled out at the Senior Bowl, and I think he's stacking it up here. That's a good time for a quarterback of his size to move like that. And I guarantee you he will rip the football tonight on National TV. All right, Tom, I go back to de Matris. Oh, I'm sorry, Well, I got I got one question for you. So there's there was some attention pay that people wanted Jalen Hurts

to run as a wide receiver. So if he goes out in the wide receiver line and he runs a four or five forty, I think, you know that's why he said, Look, I'm a quarterback. That's what I'm gonna play. And four or five forty is good for a quarterback, but four five forty is not great for a wide receiver. So it's interesting that Jalen Hurts is is convicted in his talent as a quarterback and he should be, you know. Lamar Jackson said that as well. Some of the thought

that he would play another position national football. He said, hey, I'm a quarterback. I've always been a quarterback and that's what I want to be at the next level. Trace McSorley last year, he was drafted by Baltimore coming out of Penn State. A lot of people want to work him out at the safety position, and even Baltimore said, we're gonna utilize him. We're going to utize him as a slot receiver. We will try him at safety, but he ended up because Griffin got hurt in the preseason.

Trace played really well at the quarterback spot. And I think a lot of people are looking at Jalen Hurts like that. So let's say if they if they don't work out a deal with Griffin, maybe Baltimore is a landing spot for Jalen Hurts because if you're gonna have mobile quarterbacks like that, you probably want three of them. M Kyler Murray is as another guy. He's been in that spread, wide open offense. Cliff Kingsbury runs it and Jalen Hurts because he played so well for Oklahoma last

year and how he threw the football. I think he's gonna do just fine. And there's some teams out there that are going to value that at the quarterback. What if Kyler Murray goes down, they don't want their offense to change. His legs are a big part of it. Maybe Jalen Hurts as an answer out there in the desert. And I like the fact he's played in big games. So he's twenty two are he's twenty six and two as a starter at Alabama and he went twelve what

was the twelve and two last year at Oklahoma? Hey, he's a winner. Hey. Switching gears to Demetrius Harris once again, because he talked about the red zone, Tom, and that's obviously tight ends can own the middle of the field, they can own the scene, but the red zone for me is the pay dirt portion of it for a tight end. And while he's only had eleven catches in the red zone, is creative him have been for touchdown.

So you know, you think about a guy that can post up, he can also be in line blocker for you and help you out. Those are values that we thought we were getting out of the tight end group that didn't materialize in twenty nineteen. Well, you know, that is the one position on the field that you can use basketball skills of the most because body positioning in the small window of a red zone sometimes is what

gets you open. And that was one of the questions that I had interested in asking Demetrius about how is basketball skills can benefit him from the ten yard line. In all right, Tim, we're gonna talk offensive line and running game when we come back. Adams Dozinski is here along with Sean Anderson helping out the show today producing it. This is Bears All Access on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy The Score and back with you one more segment to go here on Bears All Access. It's moving quickly

because there's a lot to talk about. This segment of Bears All Access brought to you by CDW. People to get it learn more at CDW dot com. Jeff Joniak and Jim Miller here in Indie. Tom is in Hawaii breaking it downtom did anything about what Ryan Pace and Mattnege discussed on Tuesday spark your interest in terms of the run game, the offense line, and just who'll be

in charge of it. It sounds like Bill Laser will be coordinating the offense obviously in that position, overseeing the work of the offensive line coach A one Castillo and the run game in general. Well, you know, yeah, I like that right, or that Matt already's already has a relationship and a familiarity with Juanca Steo because there's a lot of new voices, a lot of new bodies, a lot of new football minds in that room, and I think you have one that is such an important facet

of your and the entire review offense. And you're talking about the offensive line play. Wan's got plenty of experiences, He's seen every defense that he's possibly gonna face. But you know, I think as is an important in terms of what they need to be successful at this year for the whole team to improve, because I thought it was an element that really held him back. So I don't think it's necessarily going to be a redesign of

the running game. I'm just gonna you know, a little bit of better understanding by young running back in David Montgomery, better quarterback played by Mitchell Trubiskian. But it all starts up front. So I like what Matt's talking about in terms of improvement and also having an attitude inside that room with so much knowledge that you know, respecting the

input from everybody. How about what you're looking for and if you are going to go into the draft and draft an offensive lineman, maybe you won't, I don't know. But in terms of you say, the running game, you don't suspect will change in terms of scheme and style. How about the substance upfront? What would you like to

see happen? You know, just more bread and butter, Because I think no matter where you play, if you're going into a hostile environment or you're playing at home, you always have a situation or three during the course of the game that you have the gain yards no matter what defense they're playing, no matter what the crowd noise is contributing. So it's just you know, to you know, start with the fundamental basics of the running game. Be great at that, and then everything after that will improve.

So you know, you have to start with the little things, perfect those and just keep building that tree. Is it better for Mitch at this point to keep Cody at center and have James Daniels at guard's It seemed to complement the situation a little bit better. It definitely helped out, you know, whether that's just comfortability with Mitch and being with Cody and reuniting those two again in terms of making the calls and just the comfortability of it seemed

like Mitch wanted to go in that direction. It didn't. I thought it benefited the offense towards the back end of the season. You know, like anything else, the run game's got to be better. I think everybody knows that they got to get more production. So yeah, I want tough guys like like Tom saying, I want some maallers that are out. There's a really good tackle draft. A lot of these tackles can play guard as well. They have that flexibility like again, if you were to tap

eye again. Worf's is a very solid player on the has a wrestling background. He's he won't be there for the Bears, no, I know. But there's there's some guys that are mixed in here that let me ask you this, because and Tom you're gonna watch him on all these workouts, is in my imagination or some of these guys a lot bigger than what we've seen in here. I mean, start with Beton for one, and Beckton is George You ever see that movie Monsters Versus Aliens. I've called him.

His name is Gigantor. Guy's got a seven foot wingspan, He's three hundred and sixty four pounds and he can move. He can. I think he'll be the first tackle taken if you interview that kid. I'm saying giants at four. He's impressive, man, he is impressive. But the other guys are are impressive as well. You know, obviously Andrews getting a lot of love at the tackle position. But Jedrick Wills is a solid player from Alabama. Beckton that we talked about, Josh Jones, the Houston tackle is getting a

lot of love. He's got very light feet and a powerful punch, and the tackles are really he does admit too, you know. They said, hey, you know, and Tom, you're gonna love hearing this, because any offensive linement says, hey, they got a lot of work to do. I don't care if they're ten years in the league or twenty. But he says, yeah, he goes, I got a lot

to learn, you know. But his athleticism and the size and being a maller is only as good as your athleticism with it, right, Tom, Yeah, exactly, Jeff, And I'm glad you brought that up because you know, Jeff, a couple of years ago when we when the Bears went out and they practice for a week against Denver, I remember standing there on one on ones and watching von Miller and I'm watching this guy and I don't care

the size of the offensive tackle he's playing against. If they can't move or bend to Von Miller's strengths, you're not gonna block him anyway. So it's you can admire the size of some of these prospects, but you gotta see, Jim. You talk about foot movement, you gotta look at knee. Ben, you gotta look at our extension and their ability to focus in punch properly, because if you get a guy out there who's six nine that can't move, von Miller will have six sacks by the end of the day.

So you know, it's always you gotta respect the competition you're gonna be playing against. Also, all right, we'd like to break this down in great detail, but time has run out. Tom appreciate it. I hope you're enjoying Hawaii of course, yes, simple as that. And Jim, I know you still got a lot of work to do tomorrow here at the Combine. Always good to see you running

around Indianapolis. You're a man about town and you're a man about this serious XM Radio studios here, and thank you for the serious XM for letting us use the studios today. You've been here all day, every day. It's been it's been fun watching your work. Absolutely, Jeff, I love it, man. You know that's football. Let's go, all right for Jim Miller toom there. I'm Jeff, Joni K. Thanks Adams Sazinski and Sean Anderson. Thanks to our guest

Demetrius Harrison. Thanks most of all, to you for listening. This has been Bears All Access on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy the Score. Good night, everybody, 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 Litte