Free agency, Coronavirus impact | All Access

welcome in it Bears All Access. Hopefully tonight a bit of diversion for all of you hunkered down dealing with the crisis and the virus and those suffering financially, and hopefully your health is good out there and avoiding the tentacles of this virus. Stemmy humbling. Indeed, I'm Jeff Jonny Ak awaiting Tom Fair and Jim Miller joining us from his Michigan home. In fact, we're all at our homes working on the show this week, Big Jim, highandle and

everything I'm due. Well, hey kids at home, Like you said, you've had to adjust change some things, trying to be mindful of what we're being asked to do as as citizens of this great country, and obviously how it's affected everybody globally. But yeah, I think, like everybody else, adjusting and things are changing constantly as we still try to, you know, be mindful of everything that's going on and

be conscientious of what we need to do. And for the first time we hear of someone in the National Football League testing positive of the news today that Naperville native and New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton testing positive for the virus. First person in the NFL. I'm certain it won't be the last. But he's about eight days into it apparently, no fever, no cop but feeling pretty good than being fatigued, and that's the good news health wise, but it's it's a reminder of what may

be ahead. Yeah, well, there's no doubt I think, you know, Sean even talked about he wanted to come out and be public about it and just explain what he's going through and from the respiratory side of it, he said he hasn't had the yell effect x that other people that have been infected by the by the virus that they've had to endure, so for him it seems to

be going pretty well. But again, he really wanted to stress of what we need to do what to be mindful of how you can help everybody out in terms of your fellow citizens in order to protect everybody that that's out there, because again there's there's information that's coming out almost minute to minute from businesses and orders, whether it's you know here in the state of Michigan and what you're dealing with there and the state of Illinois and what we're dealing with as a country and getting

plenty to be mindful of. But again, I think it's just for him to come out be public. We know NBA players have come out that have tested positive as well, and what we're all dealing with and what we have to do to try and you know what they talk about a spike that is coming. We need to get that spike to flatten out. We definitely need to get it flattened out and heading in the different direction, and the more mindful of what we are to know what we have to do to help out, I think everybody

will be better off as a whole. I think that's what they're trying to get to. Jeff Jony Act Jim Miller here on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy the score time there will be along as well our producers tonight, Mike Rankin and Mike Chen helping us out and hopefully a lot of people listening tonight because I know in the town I live in, it's people are heeding the advice. Nobody's out and about and other than walking the dogs and keeping that social distance. So that's that's the way

to do it. And I know a lot of people with WBBM staying at home, working and using the technology available to them. Jim with free agency hitting and we're gonna get in deep into it tonight with what the Bears have done reportedly, because nothing is official until physicals

are taken, until contracts are signed. But what are you hearing from your NFL people and your show on Serious Sex on NFL Radio, Moving the chains with Pat Kerwin about this whole situation and about free agency that it did lift off the ground on the timeline that was

original scheduled. Despite this situation, Yeah, you know, and obviously a lot of people came out and said, hey, whether the NFL PA in the NFL agreed upon it, they knew it would have to be modified, but to push back the entire you know, free agency, because that was talked about as well. I mean already as I think we already see with how this virus is going to be dealt with moving forward, I think everybody already knows OTAs are going to be pushed back, Mini camps are

going to be pushed back. Some teams already think that, you know, until we get back to normalcy, that the whole offseasons may be scrapped until training camp. So it

kind of makes sense for free agency to proceed. You know, a lot of these free agent contracts that you just mentioned, Pat, Yes, you do have to make an official by getting a physical, and certainly all teams are going to want to get a physical by their own doctor, but they're figuring out ways that, hey, maybe we got a partner doctor in another city where a player lives that we can deal with,

whether getting an MRI or things like that. But ultimately, you know, probably what will happen is you'll still get a second physical for a player once this, uh, this virus and everything retreats and you can start to meet and fly and do all these things that you need to do personally to have a hands on approach to to really you know, justify and make all these contracts officials, So I think it makes sense that they do it a little bit earlier. We'll see how it affects later

in the offseason. Again, as I mentioned, through the OTAs and everything, and the bottom line is if a player doesn't pass a physical, they just go back into the free agent market, you know. So business has to be adjusted, you know, And that's across the board. It's not just NFL football. This is you know, even for me locally, like whether it's the local bank, I'm getting emails every every single day that hey, we'll no longer be you know, having a walk in service at your at your bank.

Everything's going to be done electronically and and how you got to do it. And these are by minute to the minute changes. So it's not just restaurants and everything is businesses overall as a whole that are having to adjust and do things differently and trying to do it the best way possible. And for all the teams out there, it's it's not ideal, but I think they're coming up

with the best solutions that they can. And I believe the NFLPA actually sent out a flyer to all the agents today of how they should go about the physicals the best way for the agents to work with teams to get these deals done. And again, if a player ultimately does not pass as physical and as they failed physical, you know, most likely that player, you know, will not be signed and they'll just go back into the free

agent market. And that's how it's always been anyway. But teams will have to adjust at that point to sign another player or turn towards the draft or things of that nature of what they need to do to conduct business. Well, right now, like all sports and all businesses, we're at the mercy of the virus and how we as a population control our own situations to prevent that from advancing. And that's really the situation right now, no other way

to look at Tom there joining us now. Tom, it's been a crazy couple of weeks, obvious, Lee, and you're back home from Hawaii. I'm back home from Europe and Jim's been working out of his home. But you know, for football players and you guys as players have dealt with certain situations, whether it be strike years or work stoppages for whatever reason. The lockout for the players recently, you know, my first question about this for players and

they're not allowed to be in the buildings. Their training facilities pretty much are being shut down as well because of the social distancing aspect of it. How do you train, how do you train? How do you stay in shape for one of the offseason ultimately will be in well, you know, there's probably about thirty five percent of the guys have really nice home gyms in there inside their house,

so they can have that workout opportunity at home. But you know, the thing that always concerns me about working out in the offseason, Jeff, if you're realistically going to handle the type of weight that's going to turn you into an NFL body, no matter what position you play, you always have to have guidance, assistance and spotters around you. And you're not going to be able to have that for the for unforeseen time. So I think these guys have to have a, you know, a realistic approach about

what they have. First of all, what facilities do they have access to, whether their own personally or even something they're going to have to make up in their minds. So the guys get creative. They've been around fitness and being active their whole life, and you know, this is just another challenge to every one of them that they have to be able to get as prepared as they possibly can before they can get into a building with supervision. Yeah,

I'm sorry for but for the Bears. I mean, we all know that that first phase of workouts, when players are welcome back to workout, it's just phase one is basically getting guys in shape to go on the field. So I would think the Bears training staff and their strength staff, they'll be able to send players just email

out a list. Hey, for the big guys, here's your workout we want to do in X amount of bench or squat or you know, in terms of your cardial that they want to get done, just to get players that base, that foundation that they need, and they can email all that stuff out, that information and players can just follow it much like they follow a script every

day in the National Football League. Yeah, the worst thing that could happen if players believe that this is going to linger and wipe out the offseason and maybe even all the way to training camp or even training camp and not prepare the way they need to prepare to get their bodies right to even get into that first

phase of the process. All Right, we'll continue on coming up at the bottom of the hour, Joel Ea Booneyway, You're going to join the program as well, a young man who one day wants to be a doctor, with some unique insight into this current situation, this pandemic that is embracing all of us right now. This is Bears All Access presented by IGS Energy on Chicago Sports Radio

six seventy to score. Welcome into Bears All Access, brought to you by IGS Energy, a proud partner of the Chicago Bears, finding electricity, natural gas and all warranty products to over one million customers across the country. Learn more about IGS Energy at igs dot com. Jeff joni, Ac, Tom Thare and Jim Miller your host tonight and another edition of this show. We'll be back with your next Wednesday as well. But a lot to break down, a

lot to unpack, your guys. So let's dig in with the reported deals and reported situations that have taken place with the Bears organization, because none of its official issued by the organization. But paramount is the trade for quarterback Nick Foles, reportedly for the Bears fourth round pick. Nick suggesting Bear Down on his social account today, so a change of address again, for a Super Bowl winning MVP quarterback just a few years ago from the Philadelphia Eagles.

Your impressions down the deal right away, Tom and Jim, Well, for I like it, you know, because of the fourth round value that you were able to give up for him. He's got great experience. He's got great experience with the quarterback room already in terms of the coaches that he's been around. He's got experience as a moment's notice area, has experienced as an incoming starter. So I do think

it's going to benefit the quarterback room. It's oh, you know, an increase in competition at any position I think is always good. And you know, one thing that's a value to this football team is when you have experienced quarterbacks at one, two, and three, throw in to your practice players, your first and second level players. Everybody's gonna improve because of it. Because this is not a Nick Folds Bears

or Mitchell Trubisky Bears. This is the Chicago Bears. So it should be the goal of everybody who's gonna be involved in the offseason program, throughout training camp in the regular season should be about making the Bears better. So again, I like competition, and I like the experience as Nick has had so far in his career. For me, I think the Bears did all their due diligence that they could. They make the call over to Cincinnati. It sounds like

the asking price for Andy Dalton was too high. You'd make the call to the Carolina Panthers. There are the injury history there that makes that potentially problematic. With Cam Newton, they make the call to Nick Foles, and Nick Foles in the Jacksonville Jaguars is kind of a complicated deal because all the money that's involved there. He just signed an eighty eight million dollar deal last year for Jacksonville, only played in four games. We know he broke his

collar bone early. As Tom's mentioned, you've got great insight from coaches in the building that have worked with this young man before, and he's played at a high level. Now, this guy was a Super Bowl MVP, so he fits the bill as one a guy who can step in and play in win games. And he's been in the mentor role as well. So it's not over for Mitch Traubisky just because you signed Nick Foles. I don't think they're kicking anybody to curb here. That's up to Mitch

and how he competes and what happens. We mentioned long ago on Bears All Access, it's going to be somewhat of a similar situation to Tennessee. They brought in Ryan Tannehill and they gave Marcus Mariota every opportunity. Unfortunately for Arcas, Mariota didn't The level of play wasn't what they needed to do, and that's why Ryan Tannehill got a shot. So I think Nick Foles provides all that for the Chicago Bears and why it works for everybody. Jim. Break

him down in terms of his style, his mechanics. Certainly a lot of people know what he can do because of that Super Bowl run, filling in for the injured Carson Wentz and leading that Eagles team. But break him down as he fits in this Bears offense. Well, first off, he's well liked, and I will say this, I know Nick even from back when he was at Michigan State. People forget he transferred back to Arizona and he was

well liked at Michigan State. And there is not one team that he's played on in the NFL that not every person in the organization doesn't like him. He's a very likable guy. He works hard, He's had his trials and tribulations. He's very grounded, down to earth, and he just wants everybody to be better. That's what it's about, and it's about winning. As for his skill sets, he's a longer limb corner or a quarterback. I think we all know that probably does have a bigger wind up

than most guys because his levers are so big. But as we know, he's played at a high level, and he's been in this offense and he's had a lot of success in it in the past. Does have timing and rhythm to his throws. His strength is the long ball. That's why when you look at Philadelphia and they're marched to the super Bowl, it was about double move goes. I mean, this guy is extremely accurate down the field,

and I think he's extremely tough. Somewhat if a rag him going down with the broken collar bone last year and that disrupted a season. It's about as good as a get you can get, in my opinion, for a compensitatory fourth rounder to add him to the building, I think that's a pretty good get for the Bears. You know, Tom, for me, just analyzing all this in the carousel, any any number of things could have happened, But in terms of making the most sense given the situation with the unknown,

that's a big variable here. You got a quarterback with

vast knowledge in this system. Yes, he's overcoming an injury and a run season last year, but with three coaches on staff, including your head coach and play caller, it just seems to me, and given with Jim as discussed and what we've learned about Nick Foles and his personality and his team first attitude, I mean, this was about the most simplest and direct decision to make at the quarterback position to increase competition and to help Mitch and

to help each other that you could possibly have put down on paper. Yeah, you know, the quarterback position is what we're talking about right now, But you know, go even go to the other side of the ball, Jeff, when you're talking about making this decision with the thought of your defense in the back of your mind, because this is a division winning, playoff winning style defense, and

that's what needs to be complimented. So if you can come in here and you can bring competition at any position on offense, whether it's an improvement in the running game, competition at the quarterback position, more value at the receiver tight end position that we've gotten out of the past.

That's ultimately what you're looking at is, so how Mitchell Chubisky and how can the quarterback position Nick Folds, How thin they all work together with all the new coaches they have to make this offense at the level that it was a couple of years ago, but at a level that it can help the assist the special teams in the defense get to this playoff race this year. All Right, another reported deal for Robert Quinn. It's a reported seventy million dollars deal with thirty million guaranteed to

rush the passer. We'll break down that story as well and be joined at the bottom of the hour by Joel EA booney Way. This is Bears All Access on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy to score back with you on Bears and All Access Jeff Jonny Act, Tom Fair, and Jim Miller coming up at the bottom of the hour Joel Ea booney Way. So, before the break, dangle down to Robert Quinn. I reported deal with the Bears an elite pass rusher eighty and a half in his career,

a breakout eleven and a half last season. You go back to his days with the Rams on a very good defensive line, when he had nineteen sacks back in twenty thirteen, was an All Pro player twice a Pro bowler. What does this exchange, essentially Leonard Floyd for Robert Quinn, at least on passing downs mean to the Bears pass rush fellas will start with Tom. You know, Jeff, I think you have to bring in more value than just

passing downs. I think it's a little bit unfair to Robert Quinn because he does have four six speed coming out of college, and he can beat the offensive tackle coming around the corner, or he can spread outside the offensive tight end and still beat the tackle around the corner. Those are the qualities that you admire the most about him, or you know, spring to the top first. But his change of direction, his playing the run, his taking on

pulling offensive lineman. He's capable of doing all that. So that's what I think the Bears are searching for. You know, a guy that can check all the boxes and everything a defensive player needs to be capable of doing. He's played in both defenses as you mentioned for the Rams was more of a three or four outside backer. It then becomes a defensive end, not only in Miami, but in Dallas as well. Dallas is more of a four

man front. You know, typically at times last year, Chuck Pagano he would and you know Vic Fangio has done it as well that sometimes they'll go to a nickel four man front on third downs. I think that's where he's probably had the most success. When you look at Robert Quinn. But I mean, obviously it's it's it hasn't happened opposite Kalil Mack. I mean, that's no offense to Leonard Floyd. He's been given the opportunity to do that. But three sacks when you're playing opposite Khalil Mack, more

production was needed. The Bears got better on defense by signing Robert Quinn. In terms of what he's capable of, I know, just reading quotes last season from Jason Garrett, just the ability to bend the corner like he does for a man of his size is an elite situation. There was a lot of different things that he did well.

There are some questions about what he does again to run, but in terms of that kind of pass rusher as you say, opposite now Khalil Mack and the inside of Keem Hicks and you got your guys inside with Danny Trevathan coming back and Roll quant Smith hopefully healthy. What's your opinion of the front seven as it looks now?

You know Jeff Eddie Goldman, you know, he's kind of the guy that if he can take that next level step and he can occupy a little bit more attention on the inside and taking the demand of two offensive lineman, a center and guard at all times. So what that's gonna do is that's gonna distribute how they can block Robert Quinn to one side, Khalil Mack to the opposite, Ed and somewhere in the middle of a Keem Hicks. So again you talk about what this front seven can do.

It's got probably more capabilities because you add the experience of Robert Quinn. But again it's you know, we talk about the stars, but we need to talk about these guys that need to be the upcoming stars. They need to have Eddie Goldman have that career year even though he's still a young man. Yeah, I think it's as good as any you know, for in the National Football League. I really do. I think with what Time just said, with a healthy Akim Harris, you got Roy Robertson Harris,

Khalil Mack, and Robert Quinn. To me, it's better than what it was because I think you will get more of an impact opposite Khalil Mack. Granted, everybody's got to stay healthy. I think everybody knows that on how you rotate those guys through. But I think their front seven is as good as any. It's as good as any in the National Football League, if not, you know, in the top five for sure, without a doubt. Cowboys teammate started calling him the black Cobra last year Fellas because

of that ability to bend and strike. The quarterback had a lot of pressures as well. I like it, right, I like it. But Jeff, you know one thing that comes out of I heard about the Cowboys Also, you know he was considered an equally as a good well playing run players DeMarcus Lawrence was. However, DeMarcus Lawrence is a lot bigger of a guy. So you know when you talk about not being buch of a difference between the two, and you know they both of them have

Pro Bowl potential. So I think that, you know, when you have Robert Quinn and you meet you think about him. Early in his career he had speed off the line of scrimmage that was unmatched by a lot of players in the NFL. But now he's got years of experience, intelligence and understanding out of his stance. Not necessarily just

a great burst knock on what everybody stays healthy. That will be a vicious front seven getting to the quarterback, and it'll certainly be a boost if they can get that thing rolling from the back end of the defense. We'll address that later in the show. All Right, another reported deal, Jimmy Graham coming aboard big target. Sixty of his seventy four touchdowns have coming the red zone. Boys,

that's what you said, He's a target. You know. The thing about it is if he identifies enough attention on the interior of the passing zones or nearer the line of scrimmage, just think that what that's gonna do for you know, Alan Robinson and rest the receivers out here. So he needs to be that attention getter immediately. Red zone target. We've mentioned it that the position has been non existent now with Graham and Harris. We'll see if Jimmy Graham could give that Red Zone production the Bears

is needed. All right, that's Tom Fair, Jim Miller. I'm Jeff Jonnyac. Coming up next, Joel Ea Booneyway joins the program. This is Bears All Access on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy. The score everybody. This segment of Bear Zone Access is brought to you by CDW people who get it and more at CDW dot com. Mike Rank and Mike Ken our producers with Tom Fair and Jim Moler. I'm Jeff Joniac. Welcome into the second part of the hour on our program here today, as we break down free agency from

a Bear's perspective. We'll look at a wider scope of the NFC North tonight as well and look at some of the big stories, including Jim Miller's old team mate Tom Brady leaving the New England Patriots. Before we get with Joel Ea Booneyway, we might as well touch on it since I opened the box. Uh, he's gonna be a buccaneer and it's still hard to fathom. Yeah, well really is. But I mean you talk to Tampa Bay Bucket, your fans, and I've already talked to a couple of

guys down there in Tampa. This everybody believes, you know, it just changes everything, It elevates everything for an organization has really struggled, you know. It's you know, people even forget how long ago that they won that championship with John Gruden, but remember when they traded for John Gruden, everything kind of elevated in terms of what the standard was was gonna mean. And I do think Tom Brady brings that to the table down there. I think he

can still play. Yes, he's not what he was, but they've got the weapons around him that, you know, that ideal to what you need for a powerful offense. When you look at Evans, the wide receiver, Godwin is very underrated. Probably still need to shore up a little bit of their offensive line, but they've got two tight ends that are outstanding and Cameron Bradon and I think O. J. Howard would take another step forward. So I think it's all in play. And you've got Bruce Arians. Bruce Arians

will be very flexible with the offense. Tom Moore is also down there. Everybody remembers Tom Moore, not only for his days in Indianapolis with Peyton Manning. So it's very quarterback friendly in terms of the offense. And I think

Clike Christensen as well. So I think for Tom, with everything that was on the table for what he wanted to do and to have an opportunity, I think Tampa presented the best opportunity for him to do it, because you know, it looked like it was not going to be back in New England for the amount of money he was looking for. All right, that's Jim Miller, Tom Fair, Jeff joniak here and please be joined out by Joel Ea Booty Way, the Bears veteran inside linebacker Joel. Good

to see you. Good to talk to you. I hope all things are well, and thanks for joining the program. How things so he called me a batman, making you old man? Hey, listen, after that, after that first year, you're a veteran. There's no other way to put it. Hey, you know I I asked to have you on tonight because of your unique background. Obviously, your your story is

well written. At one point in your your life, you're going to be switching gears, hopefully after a long football career, when we will really call you a big time veteran and enter the medical business. That's what you studied in college. Your dad is, if I'm not mistaken, currently still the director of public health at cal State Sam Marcos out

in California. Your mom's a nurse, and we're talking front lines of what is a very unique situation for all of us as old folks and you younger guys as well, and I thought you might give us some perspective on that. First of all, how's mom, how's the family, and how's everything going. Yeah, the mom's great. The family's good. She's obviously, like you know, on the front lines of this and dealing with that every day. But she's healthy. I talked to her every day and checking with her. She says

she's doing well. So the family is good. Dad, as everybody else's is doing well during this time. Hey, Joel, you know, first of all, let me congratulate you before being called a VET, because that's something that's not earned by a lot of guys. And after what you just went through with the collective bargaining agreement, you know that that's a heck of a title that you've been able

to earn. Joel, One thing I want to ask you is about your generation, because I'm reading a lot about how they're asking all these people that have millions of followers to go out there and spread the message about the coronavirus, and how the young people have to start understanding the message that they do have to have this social distancing. You're a part of that generation, do you follow I mean, do you follow those rules? And do you think it's important for your generation to go out

and spread that message? Yeah, I think it's very important. I feel like we do have a opportunity in a platform to like use social media and be able to like reach people, you know, through our following and whatnot, and I think it's important to use that to relay that message because you know, people my age can be um, you know, a little stuffering sometimes and I feel like they they don't have to listen and they're above, you know,

what's going on or whatever. So personally, I've been I've been doing a as much as I can tell my friends and family to just stay away and you know, trying to minimalize the contact with people that you have and whatnot. So I think it's important. Obviously, the news has done a good job, and social media has helped relay that message across across the people. Well, Joel and and one, thanks for joining us, Jim Miller here, and just you know for what your your mother and father

are dealing with it. Everybody keeps on talking about this spike that it still hasn't spiked, and we need to get the cases to level out and hopefully uh you know, you know, hopefully retreat moving forward. But you know, just talk about your mom and dad being on the front lines one getting all the equipment that they need to fight and obviously they're being overburdened with what's being asked

to be done. And just maybe some feedback that you've heard from them that people are starting to understand what is happening and why all these uh, whether it's urgent cares or the medical facilities are just being overburdened right now in instead of distancing and isolating and quarantining, what they've asked to do to kind of get this spike to retreat a little bit until it quits the burden on our medical healthcare and what's being asked of it right now, right yeah, I mean, I think a lot

of people aren't taking it as serious as they should. And you know, My mom has been telling me, you know, a lot, that I need to do a good job of staying indoors and staying away from people and relaying that to me and my brothers and me and friends. You know, I'm trying to get that message to them

as well. But yeah, I just think a lot of people are just they think it's you know, it's not as serious as it is, and that they can you know, still go about and go out, you know, whether it's going out on the weekend or going out to you know, even to the gym and things like that, you know what I mean. I think it's just important just to stay away from people right now, and um, I think that's a big message that's not really getting across yet.

But hopefully you know, the next you know, days and weeks, so people can realize that this is something that needs to be taken serious and you know they should listen to uh, to the news and other people that the professionals, even like my mom and the nurses obviously, you know, I have a direct connection to that, but even the people that don't you know, have that connection. Shit still like listen to the people that are telling them what

what's going on. Because you know this is something that's serious. Joel Eya booney Way, our guest here on Bears All Access with Tom Fair, Jamler Jeff Joniac at Chicago Sports Radio six seventy to score. I saw you on Twitter today at IG Underscore, Nacious, NACI o US and offering encouraging words for doctors and nurses and everybody at Advocate are Aurora. Um, is that something you're gonna keep doing?

And and and have you talked to your teammates about all this and what's their reaction because obviously you can't get together. You got the building shut down right now, all the NFL facilities are and you know during this time. Yeah, yeah, I've been talking about teammates and um pretty much. It's kind of just see what happens. You know, we're all

like waiting and waiting. And the last week or two has has been wild, you know, as far as things shutting down, and it's like every day something else shuts down and it gets a little more serious. But we're also in the contact is just kind of waiting, um

to see where where we're headed, you know. But um, it's been fine, you know that I'm trying to just stay stay away, and um, as far as social media, you know, I'm trying to show so love to the people who who are you know, dealing with this head on, And I think it's the point that see that and kind of understand that it's it's obviously not easy to do that and it's it's serious. But um, yeah, you know, as far as that goes, man, we're just really waiting

and seeing where where things go. You know, one thing Joel about professional sports, professional football, you can't neglect your body. So when you get yourself in a position like this where that you don't have everyday supervision out of the facility, do you have access to that opportunity where you can either lift privately or do you have some equipment that you kind of keep going because you know, back in our day when Jim and I played, do you finish

the season? Then you weren't expected to show up until a two day mini camp and then the starter training camp. Really that that could be the actuality and it's up to you guys that get yourself ready. Do you have

access to anything? Yeah, yeah we have. I mean my apartment has a Jim but even that, I'm kind of staying away from that I've pretty much just been doing homeworkouts and I've got like a yoga matt and stuff that I can do stuff with and um, push ups, sit ups, you know, body body squats, just anything you can you can do to get some type of you know, exercise and workout. It is important. Like you said, you know, we're used to just kind of having a period of

grace back into things. But the way it's looking, we might be, hum, we might have to jump right into it, you know, um straight away. So I think most guys are doing a good job of just kind of staying out top of their body and working out and um doing that stuff at home. See that. That's what I want to hear. Joel, Is this the herschel Walker workout? Are you doing like a thousand sit ups and a thousand push ups a day? Yeah? Yeah, I would say

I would say something like that. Yeah, Now when you're if you're doing well, if you got if you do the stand up push ups like where you put your feet up against the wall and you're you know, I wanted you to do about one hundred of those a day and you'll be good to go. Right. You don't even need to do regular ones. You do hundred of those, you're good. Yeah, how about some burpies, fellas, I think we all got to jump on that. We're all at home,

we're stuck, we're doing nothing right, Uh yeah, exactly. Hey, I want you to tell me about your dad. Your dad Emmanuel as I said, director of public health at cal State Sam Marcos, but got his PhD and ms in environmental and occupational health at uyic here in Chicago,

where you were born and lived. Um, and Nigerian came to this country, and clearly this is something that impacted you given your background and desire also to be a doctor one day, Um, what what's he doing and and and what's what kind of impact has it made on you? Him and this profession? Yeah, so you know I've been around health my whole life, you know, started with with

my dad and my mom as well. But um, yeah, you know, we're just used to being being around that profession, and uh, it gives you a different viewpoint as far as you know, daily life and hygiene and you know all that stuff. You know, for me, he wanted to be a doctor, like I'm around, um around that a

lot too. So Um, he's definitely like instilled in me, like you know, the point of health and um, he's you know, his especialties public health, L like this, this what we're going through right now is like you know directly what he what he deals with. So he's just kind of you know, going about it and in the best way and kind of relaying that message to me

and my brothers and telling us pretty much what. You know, the majority of the news and stuff is toll us, but it's not having that perspective you know from your dad and him giving you that advice. Um, it's nice hey Joel personally, you know with I've called you a vent at your introduction and I really respect that because guys have to earn that. Well, what is your goal

for this season? You know, everybody kind of to have you all this guy's gonna be a great special teams player and what you have been, But where where do you see your future going? Now that you're a little bit more familiar with the new defensive system you're in. You know that Quadkowski as signed with the Raiders. So what's Joel? What are you looking for for yourself? Yeah? For me, I mean, um, shout out to Quick Quick and KPL you know those guys got um new deals

or whatnot at different places. But um, for me, you know, I'm just my goal has always been to be a starter and always been to you know, to be a dominant linebacker in this league. So you know, none of that has changed. My goal this year is to do that exactly. So you know, coming into whenever we start back up, you know, I'm excited to get get to work, and um, I've been putting into working and so I'm

excited to to try to reach that goal this year. Yeah, and that would be my last question because as Jeff said, you can't go into the facilities. I'm sure at some point you'll be in contact. And I mentioned whether it's the strength coaches for Phase one, maybe a good base, a foundation that they can either email all the players, um, to really start to get that base on here, so you are ready to roll once potentially the doors are open and come back in. So you know, is that

line of communication going to open up here soon? With what you've heard from from the Chicago Bears. Yeah, Yeah, We've been getting emails from from the team and they've pretty much been telling us any updates, um about what's

going on. So far, nothing is stone yet. It's still earlier as far as when we will start back up, but yeah, I pretty much day to day, we're just waiting waiting for any updates, and once we get that that email or the notification that you know we're starting up at this time, I'm sure everybody will be back in back in the start of things and getting ready to uh get work. Joel, Yeah, booney away our guest. The last question for me, Joel, My belief is in the NFL because it is hard to be balanced and

have great units across the board all three phases. But the Bear's defense is notable and one of widely regarded as one of the best in the NFL. So despite the moves and the changes, you keep a strength of strength on paper at this point until you guys get on the field. But getting Danny Trevathan, Uh, this is

all reportedly obviously until things are official. But Robert Quinn added to the mix, just your thoughts on on Danny in terms of his leadership and inspirational impact on that football team and what you guys are doing defensively, right, Yeah, Danny, that's that's my god, that's my big brother. So um no, I was like a no brander for him to come back, and I'm Brady's back. And um, the leadership like you said, Um, the maturity just as a classic bet you know what

I mean. Great player. Um, he's he what he brings has already has already been noted. But um Robert Quinn, Yeah, man, he's he's a beast too. Man. You know, we know what he's done, um in his career, and so he's up. Having him next to lil is gonna be there's gonna be a problem for for opposing offenses and our defensive song man. Like you said, so you know, bringing back these pieces, bring mcdanny and adding adding Robert Quinn is

definitely uh good news. And uh we're very excited to uh obviously get to meet um, you know Robert and um get started with with chasing this uh this ring next year. All right, Well, we really appreciate you taking the time to join the program. Very insightful and uh keep keep keep hitting at social networks to get them to get the message out because hey, you know, uh, you know we talk about working out and getting ready

for the season. You know, he'd be Tommy and Jim one of the first guys you want walking off the bus. This guy's not gonna stop working out right, all right, Joel, looking forward to see you when we get all together again. Sounds good man, Thank you, Stay safe, Stay healthy, Joel Ea booney Way, our guest here on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy The Score Back with more on the show after this time. Ours one more segments ago here on Bear's All Access with Tom Beare Jim Miller, Jeff Johnny Ax.

So I was thrilled to talk to Joel Ya Boneyway Fellers. He's a smart guy and has the attention of a lot of people during this time. So that was very insightful stuff right there from Joel. Yeah, it was. I mean Joel's you know, He's is really an interesting year for Joel. When I talk about a guy like Eddie Goldman that I hope to have a career year to get the best out of the front of the defense. Joel. We've seen his athleticism, we see here as intelligence, we

hear as intelligence. He's the guy. He's got to be the type of guy that goes into this training camp and starts really fighting for that starting job. And I think that more than just a quality special teamer. He can get a lot more reps and the defense of configurations they use well before he's even got a doctor attached to his name. He's almost like Tardif from from

the Data City Chiefs, right. I'm sure a lot of players are tapping into him getting the information because they know he knows firsthands just with his his experience, his mother and father and their experiences as well. And you know he's a resource that players are going to turn to to educate themselves on what's going on currently right now.

You want to be aware, and I'm sure players are making themselves aware, and Joel's and making himself available so that they're aware of what they need to do to do their part and come out of this unscathed. Yeah, you know, fellas anyone wants. You just want to be You want to be shot straight on the whole deal. You know what's fact, what's fiction? Sure, and uh and roll with it and just protect your family. And that's the bigger thing. You know, we all want sports back,

we all want everything back. Businesses up and running, Tom, I know your family has a very successful business and Joliet a restaurant, and you know, support all these and go ahead take the time to promote it too, because you know, on our friend Luke and ellis with av Lee just opening up a couple of restaurants here in the past couple of years, and so many people you know, support if you can order out, take the take out, and support the local businesses, it's a big deal. Yeah, Jeff.

You know, you got a staff that you know, they make ends meet almost week to week in some aspect, and so if you can help these businesses have some you know, have an opportunity to cook some food or deliver some food or give you a carry out during these trying times. You know, I see it on a real personal level with my brother and my family, and

but I see it across the board. And every small business owner in the world needs the support of their their fellow human beings to make sure that they're making the right to they're making the right decision for the big picture, not just for themselves. Yeah, and if you can't go there to get the delivery, hey, buy gift card. Do whatever you can. You know, maybe it's an opportunity to send a gift card to somebody, a loved one, some elderly neighbor that our need that obviously are the

most vulnerable to the virus. Do what you again to help out your neighbors and everybody local that you mentioned, Jeff, Yeah, and the other thing I want to also focus on, so you know everybody again, everybody wants to have the sports scene back in row, and we are very selfish in that regard. We want football to start on time

and have the offseason program go. But we've got to remember that everybody's families are the most important thing, and these guys, coaches, players, executives, ownership all have to worry about their families first and make sure everybody stays healthy.

So that doesn't get lost in the equation here. As we move on and talk more about what happened in free agency and the opening days here and now you're really into the second phase, just get overall thoughts in the division and obviously you got to win your division first if you want to be a playoff team. So what you guys think of what the Vikings, Packers and Lions have done. We don't need to go through every acquisition, but where they're going and what they've done in this

first phase of free agency. We'll start with Tom. You know, Jeff, I think if you look at the division outside the Detroit Lions this past season, and a lot of it had to do with the injury to Matthew Stafford, there was no teams that was in a desperate scenario to make these wholesale changes where they're going to completely change the roster of their team within one free agency period or one offseason. So I think every team took steps to maybe lose a player that has been unproductive in

their eyes. And I'm talking about every team across the board, because when you look at Trey Waynes leaving Minnesota, he was a high pick a couple of years ago. Every one of the teams in the division has had those instances come across. And then you look at the Detroit Lions when they come and they pick guys like Nick Williams, they get Chase Daniel, they get guys out of their own division to try to make their roster better. And that's kind of the thinking processes make our ruster better,

why we're depleting the roster of our opponents. So some teams are are also, you know, taking that template to success. Yeah, this seems like to me, it's a status quote for Green Bay, They you know, they lose a tackle and Bilaga they add Wagner, right, they use a lose a talented linebacker and Blake Martinez who led that team in tackles, and they add Christian Kirksey so to me, you know, and then obviously they lose Jimmy Graham to the Bears,

and they just resigned Mercedes Lewis. Minnesota's in the same boat. They probably lost the most. I don't think any Bears fans are going to have any love loss at that. Stefan Diggs is shipped off to to the Buffalo Bills, you know, but they kind of maintain the status quote. They lose Linvell Joseph, they add big defensive tackle Michael Pierce, so, and then you know they franchise tag obviously Anthony Harris.

So that's kind of the status quote there. If anything, they've lost a little bit in terms of the production with Dix. Detroit you can say that they've lost quite a bit, you know. I you know, I think when you signed Desmond Truffont, he's not as good as as what they lost in Slay in that trade, but he's serviceable,

you know. But Detroit certainly is relying you know, there's no way you're gonna put Danny Shelton in the mode of snacks Harrison, so and then you add Nick Williams, so it's more of a rotational thing for the Detroit Lions. But I don't think Detroit has really bettered themselves. They've had a lot of holes to fill, and they lost some key players that I still don't think they've filled yet.

All right, when that many players left prior to the arrival Matt Patricia and he's certainly getting more of the New England influence there, but certainly sounded as well. No love lost between Darius Slay and the head coach who's now the highest paid corner in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles. Well, you know, Jeff, hasn't Darius Slay probably been the best player on the football team over the

last last couple of years. I know Matthew Stafford is the quarterback and what he does, but when you're presented that football team defensively, speaking for a lack of talent up in front of him, he was probably the best defensive player they had. I don't know, man, I think they were ranked twenty eighth in the NFL and defense, and I believe he only had two interceptions a year ago. So well that, Jim, I'm just talking about the best

on their team. I'm not talking about the best in the league, because you know, I think he may be in the the only concern of a defensive player, not only by the Bears, but anybody else. Right, No, it's a it's a good point, but man, that pass for us. They still they've got a lot of work to do for Detroit, and I'm sure you know with the mandate by ownership that the coach has got to be in a playoff run. You just wonder if the talent that is being shipped out the building it doesn't look like

the talent they've placed it with. It's gonna be tough to win with Jim Miller, Tom there, Jeff, Joni Ike here on Bears All Access, remaining moments before we turn it back over to the guys on the score real quick again. Salary cap situation being what it is, Bears have to be, you know, very particular right now in terms of what they do moving forward. And we got the draft coming up. Two picks in the second round, obviously given up that fourth, no third, You've got a

five and you've got two sixes and two sevens. The people that they lost were people that were required to play last year because of injury and stepping into rolls, and it really did make a difference. Yeah, the record was eight and eight, but at times we were praising the guys that they had on a roster that was deep. So guys like Nick Quickkowski, corne Elias Lucas, who reportedly agrees with the Redskins, was a very important piece to

that puzzle. Upfront. Obviously, Chase Daniel as a backup quarterback. Nick Williams did a nice job inside. Kevin Pierre Lewis, we all praised his performance. We're talking in every phase, special teams, on defense, and on offense, despite its inequities over the course of the year. Is this an important time now to cherry pick your way through the rest of free agency and whatever you get in the draft to also reload that depth and now you have to replenish.

Just don't bring in bodies, bring in something of value, whether it's future potential and development or you know, maybe someone that has a hiccup of an injury that that you know is upside is still yet to come. Well, I think they've upgraded the two spots that were key that we mentioned. Pass rusher in quarterbacks certainly has been elevated, and we'll see what they can do and upgrade some depth as you mentioned Jeff via the draft. All right, fellas,

we'll talk to you next Wednesday. Stay safe, stay healthy, everybody. Thanks for joining us for Tom Fair, Jim Miller, Joel Ea, Booney Way, Mike Rankin and Mike Chen our producers. We appreciate you listening tonight. Hopeball stays well for everybody, and keep listening to the Score as we bring you the best in sports. This is Bears All Access on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy the Score. I'm Jeff Jone. Have a great 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