Johnson, Pace & schedule release | All Access

and we're gonna fight out the when. The NFL schedule coming out spot of the hour and then nationally on ESPN Television and NFL Network at seven o'clock, a big three hour extravaganza. It's the start of the twenty twenty season. When you break it all down on the schedule and Tom there, Jim Meller, my co host Tonight on Bears All Access brought to you by IGS Energy. Good to have you guys with us, and good to talk to schedule.

As the NFL fellas continues to plow forward with the whole intention of playing an entire full season, yep, there could be some delays. You never know what's going to happen around the road. But right now, as they have with free agency and the draft. They are keeping everything on schedule. This was a little later than normal the release of it all, but we're we're getting reports of what everything is, but the full announcement coming up at the bottom of the year. We'll talk to gentle manager

Ryan Pace about it as well. But Tom, it's funny because it's like Christmas morning when the kids open up the gifts before the parents go down, everybody tries to unpack the schedule. You know, Jeff, when I do see a schedule as an ex player, there's so many things I look at immediately, and it's like I scan the schedule first and I'll go, okay, I'll pinpoint this topic, this topic and this topic, and then I'll kind of slow it down and I'll get a relook at divisional

you know, strategy and stuff like that. And then there's other, you know, plans or things I look at. But you know, NFL has to have protocol in place. They can always reduce it, they can expand it once they put the schedule in play. So you know, I like it because it does provide hope for people that are just looking for something to look forward to. And it's not saying

that it's etched in stone that it will happen. However, for me, I get a kick out of looking at the schedule because there's so many ideas I have rolling through my head. Yeah, and obviously the bye week is what a lot of players look at, but I'm concerned about Monday night just to night games. As pet Tom mentioned in terms of the the in division schedule, you know, when are those gonna come, whether it's facing Minnesota green Bay. Certainly you're gonna circle those two dates with the Green

Bay Packers in your division opponents. And again I'm with Tom, you know, I'm you know, I'm optimistic that they'll be able to play football, you know, and that football will be here in the fall. I want it to be here. I know it's going to be interesting how it unfolds in terms of the COVID nineteen testing and the safety of it and all that, but I remain optimistic and hopefully that'll all rectify itself and we'll be able to, you know, hopefully be a good distraction. I think people

do want it. I love that the draft went forward, and I hope that the NFL season does well. But as we all know, it'll probably be by a state by state basis, and how these governments start to roll out both locally and state you know, statewide, and that what teams or what states are going to allow teams to do what be a lot of protocol, no doubt about it. Also coming up here at about six oh eight or so, we're gonna be joined by second round draft choice Jay Lion Johnson, the corner out of Utah.

Be looking forward to talk to him with Tom there and Jim Meler, Jeff Joniac here on Bears All Access, you know, and Jim, there's so much about the players union in this too. How are they going to react right now? Everything's is up to the player to work out, get ready and then everybody's in their offseason protocol right now in a virtual virtual sense classroom work. But you know, it'll be interesting to see how all the universe treats this if they get the green light. Yeah, you know,

And it was interesting. I got to talk to to Ted getting Junior obviously the newest Chicago bearer. He came on serious and he talked to me because you know, at that point I believe it was Kareem Jackson made a statements like, hey, I'm not coming back to play unless it's you know, it's one hundred percent safe. And I think everybody knows that. Everybody wants it to be safe.

Now can they guarantee it's one hundred percent? But yet they're starting to roll out all these things, and you know, and Ted said, hey, you know, I want to go to work, you know, And I think some players may choose to to go that route. I don't know, but I think the safety aspect of it will be covered in terms of the testing, and I think the entire NFL, the NFLPA wants that too. But I think we've all got to be realistic also, you know, with what's going on,

it's not just here. This is happening globally, so you know, you're kind of an unchartered territory and how we're going here. And you know, players, you know, have contracts and we'll see if the green light is given a given it a go where everybody can show up and hopefully want to play football. And you know, I think everybody wants to get back to Gloma Sea as fastly as quickly. Now, you know, Kareem Jackson, that's a perfect example time when

he says he wants to be one hundred percent. There's no one hundred percent that anybody's gonna be avoid of any type of sickness, let alone this one. So that's not going to be. That's not a really a practical statement now. And I don't think that the NFL or the concept of the of everywhere going that they're just not gonna do something independently and hazardous hazardously. So I think there's gonna be the process in place to keep these guys safe. And it doesn't keep them safe, I'm

sure they wouldn't do it right. There's a lot on the line. The league's gonna have the players back and the fans back as well. Coming up, Jayalen Johnson, the newest Chicago Bear cornerback out of Utah, joins the program with Tom There. I'm Jeff Joniac Jim Miller on Chicago

Sports Radio six seventy to score. Welcome back to Bears All Access brought to you by IGS Energy, a broad partner of the Chicago Bears for 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 Jony Act, Tom There, Jim Miller. This is Bears All Access. Please to be joined now by the newest Chicago Bear cornerback, Jaylon Johnson out of Utah, secondron choice, Jai and thanks

for joining us. How you doing this evening? Doing fantastic? Tom and I call the games on Bears Radio and Jim works over at NFL Radio and Sire s XM, and so good to have you alongside, you know, just following your path to the NFL. I noticed that it's kind of a family business with the cornerback position because Dad played it, brother played it also at the college level, and you're gonna be playing it now at the NFL

level as a high draft pick. I bet you guys know how to talk defensive back play in that household most definitely something that's fun and evolved over the years, coming through high school, in college and now just the perspective that I have and that we have been able to talk and learn about defensive and learn about just how people are trying to attack, you know, how often

they're trying to win. I mean, the talks are definitely fun to have and just I can just enjoy in Chaffs to talk that we have a ball ball Jalen, you know you played on a really good college defense last year. I was looking you guys gave up eighty one yards are rushing eighty one yards rushing. They threw on you guys about thirty one times a game. Then I look at your status. You've got thirty four solos and you got to assist. How does that work out? Because I mean, are you on an island that you

have to prevent? You know it's a big cornerback prevention or is that just the way the tackles worked out for you this year? Now? I think a lot of it came from being on an island most definitely, and not feel like I always are not always the majority of my tackles, opportunities that I had were always just me by myself and me in the hope of field, or just me and the receivers. I feel like a lot of time just came from the position I was in, just being out there by myself. Jaylen, Jim Miller here,

Welcome to Chicago. I guess how different has it been for you? You You know, it's great to get drafted. I know your dream is coming true and it's probably settled in that you're a Chicago Bear. But you know, virtually getting to know your your teammates, you know, rather than being in the locker room, you know, talking to guys, talking shop, those type of things that haven't been able

to happen just yet. After the draft honestly hasn't really hit me too much, and we haven't been able to really talk too much in terms of like teammates and stuff like that. I just talked to the coaches. But we started rookie mini camps this weekend, and I'll definitely start getting more acclimated with some of the other rookies and then when camp starts as well virtually or when we start meeting as a teams and getting acclimated with

the other the older Danes as well. I mean, we haven't really did that too much yet, but that's going to happen. I've coming for soon. Jaylen Johnson our guest here on Bears All Access with town Fair, Jim Miller, Jeff Joni Act, the rookie out of Utah, John of the Bears, as he said this weekend in the rookie minicamps, as extraordinary as that is in the current environment. You know, Jay Lin, I noticed that your Twitter handle is at

NBA x J one. I know basketball was a great love of yours and if I'm not mistaken, you nearly gave up football because of basketball at some point. Is that is that the tie in with the NBA or you just a love of the game guy, No, I didn't get exactly acronym in the stands were never broken. That was just some that I want to carry with myself that I would just provide a better life for myself, my family that I had my upbringing. So I mean,

I was just something I keep with myself. But that doesn't correlate really with the NBA or the basketball NBA. Jayn and some of the obstacles you've been able to overcome in a football life. A lot of us have read about your shoulder injuries. How did how did you get through that process without missing any games? Are just

started off the mental stuffingness first. I mean for me, it's always about um seeing a bigger picture and just staying kind of true to what I had set out from my team aspect and from individual aspects as well. So just being able to play through um the pain and a getting used to being uncomfortable. I mean, it

was something ideal with for a while. So I mean it was just always about um looking forward and just continue to try to better myself and just keep being better and I'm making plays and just trying to survive from my team the draft process, I mean, what what were things that were brought to your attension of maybe things you need to work on or tips you were given that you know you really have taken to heart to say, yeah, I could really elevate my game if

I kind of incorporate maybe one of these two things, whether they're techniques, whether it's it's something cerebral and how something has played. But what what have you learned throughout that process and or to become a better football player. UM. Honestly, the least thing I took away was just being consistent, um.

And I mean I feel like that's the hardest thing, but that's the most important thing in this game, is being more consistent in your technique or being more consistent in communicating, being more consistent and um, all aspects of the game. And I feel like for me, um, it was it was hard to always be consistent and like my tackling aspect because of my shoulder, I mean, I was something that I really battled through trying to be

more consistent in that tackling technique. Um so, I mean it was I mean, honestly just about being consistent, just an all aspect. But I feel like tacklin was one of my business with producer Sean Anderson, Jeff Jonny, Act time Fair, Jim Muller two at Chicago Bears with us is jan and Johnson joins us from Utah, the second round pick of the Bears, as he gets ready for rookie minicamp with the Bears. I love the way you

go by your business. You know, I've seen some video of you discussing your value of watching tape and being a game studier because there, first of all, there's not a lot of kids that come in knowing how to watch tape. They've got to learn how to do it over time. Maybe they didn't get instructed the right way, or maybe no one took him under the wing and say, hey, this is what you look for, But it showed up in your play many times, especially making plays on the ball.

Would you say, as you enter your first year in the National Football League that already is one of your strengths. Yeah, most definitely. I feel like that was something that I focused on developing through my college career, and I was

my IQ. I'm not even just on the field, but just in the classroom on the board and learning and how to watch them like you mentioned, I mean, for me, it was just about how can I figure out how I can make my plague before I step on the field, and not just trying to react and think about certain

things and not be too short on the field. I mean, for me, it was just always about scrapping myself to be prepared when I got on the field and I fight out something that but you thought coaches did really well with me and our defense in general, just how to watch film situations, how to learn how to pick up things from the offense and what little things offensive

are trying to do. My culture really installed that into it, something that's definitely something when you carry into the league and even improved even more and looking to learn that from the veterans as well, and see also what they like to watch and how they watched from the learned tendencies. Hey Jaylen, you know when you think about a cornerback come in the NFL, the best friend is a heavy duty front seven. When when you think of Akim Hicks

and Khalil Mack and Robert Quinn. You think of the developing Roquan Smith and the experience of Danny Trevathan and the other guys up there. It's got to be pretty exciting considering the defense that you came from to the defense front seven that you're going to. Do you study that up front stuff at this time in the college or do you become more familiar with it now that you're a member of the Bears. That was definitely something

that we said even kind of looked at. It wasn't something that we and they made too important, but it was something that I developed because I mean, through my years, the defense didn't change for me on the back end, so I like to look at what the linebacker, you knowing, how the D line we're doing stunt to make a certain calls. So that was something that I paid attention

to the later years. I'm at Utah, I mean, just coming into it now, I feel like I'm just going to learn my position first before trying to develop the whole defense or see what everybody else is doing. But I mean, once I kind of get my responsibilities under my felt and I can even enhance even more and see, okay, what other people are doing and how they're supposed to do it and how it makes the defense run. Being able to understand the whole, the whole scheme of things.

So I mean, definitely I know who who got great guys up front and out front seven I make my job a lot easier. But I mean, right now, I'm just focused on learning my job. Um what have you been doing to us to stay in tip top shape? You know you mentioned the mini camp just around the corner, and no, uh, you know you obviously want to come in and show your wears and when that time comes, But maintaining your health is the big thing. What are you doing jumping in a jumping rope in the driveway?

What do you got going to stay in tiptop shape? I don't know. I mean I'm just doing buil, doing a rehab, a physical therapy on my shoulder to make sure that. So, I mean it's just little things like that, and even conditioning on my own or running in front of the house or running a mile around the neighborhood, whatever it may be. Just always trying to find, um something to better myself. But I mean I find different things there to try to do. M I mean, I

can't live too many weights. I mean I just do a lot of banded exercises and a lot of explosions and things and jumping and doing a lot of legs. So um so, I mean, I'm just doing what I can be right now, jay lin Jot said our guest here on bears All Access. One more for me. We'll let you go, jay Line, as you're ready for the

rest of your work week. The rookie out of Utah, You know, many people will always look at the SEC a big ten to almost a lesser extent, but they look at the SEC and those corners are ready to play because they've placed X receiver. These guys are going in the NFL. But the list of characters that you had to deal with last year and throughout your career, Utah Brandon I, Michael Pittman, Leabiscus, Chanal, Isaiah Hodgens, Desmond Patman is probably going to be a surprising player for

the Colts. Aaron Fuller, all these guys you covered last season. You were the guy that was called the duty here and you and you really limited these guys. Do you almost take it as a personal not attack so much, but that there there's more than meets the eye when you go around the college landscape and find corners out there, because you've got the mental and aggressive and the feisty playmaking ability to step in and really compete for a starting job in year one given what you faced already

NFL caliber receivers. I mean, how much for that? I mean just being who I am and just being a corner fact. I feel like I always take things as I can attack and good things like that. I mean, I feel like there's I mean, for me, like you said, all the people I covered and the work all that to do against those guys, I feel like it's just who I am in terms of being able to really cover high quality receivers and not just being out there going against Joe Blow, but actually really going to be

able to compete against the best guys. And then I feel like it was something that I took upon myself and own the whole of going and following those guys around and not just being Okay, if they're on my side, then okay, then I'll go garden, but going to go get that matchup and forcing that issue to take that responsibility upon myself. I mean that's just how who I am as a person and just who I was and who I am as a corner. So I mean, I just I can challenge and I just being able to

living people from making places. All right, gentle, we'll let you God good to meet ya. We're looking forward to meet you in person one day. As we get yourself for the twenty twenty SEA. He's gonna keep an eye that schedule release coming out here at the bottom of the hour. Buddy, it's gonna get real soon. Thanks for joining us. Jaylen Johnson, who may the greatest quote? I

love it. I'm going to do all I can to make teams to regret the decision to not pick me in the National Football League draft Bears did in round two. Coming back with Jim and Time after this break on Bears All Access on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy to score. Welcome back to the segment of Bears All Access is brought to you by CDW. People will get it learn more at CDWAT dot com. Jeff jonny Ac time there, Jim Miller with you as we get you set for Ryan Pace at the bottom of the hour, as the

NFL schedule release will become official at that point. Lot leaked already throughout the uh the world of Twitter verse and whatnot. Jim Miller, and I'm sure you broke it all down in the NFL Radio today on Sirius XM. I know the rumor is Detroit will be the Bears first opponent on the road in your neck of the woods up there in Michigan, and the season would end at home against green Bay, but a lot in between some primetime games, all reported, of course, but we'll find

out here shortly. Yeah, and well, you know, I think those division games are important, especially when your kick off your season against the division opponent. Again, we say it all the time. You win your division, you're you know, you're probably going to get a playoff spot. You are going to get a playoff spot, So focus on that. And it starts Week one, will be on the road

to Detroit. There'll be a much different looking team, obviously with Stafford finally healthy from that standpoint, and they got a lot of new players. Defensively, you know a lot of players shipped out the door. They've got new players coming in. Snacks Harrison no longer there is a run stuffer. But they brought in Danny Shelton from the New England Patriots, guys like Jamie Collins, athletic linebackers. They've upgraded. There's secondary

in my opinion. Granted they may have lost big play Sleigh. I don't know how many big plays they made because they were twenty eighth in the NFL. I think they're better with Desmond Truffon and drafting Jeff Okuda. So certainly the Bears will be ch that first week of the

season with what they'll be facing in division. You know, it's weird because you think ahead and the first thing I think when I look at the stadiums, especially in an emotional opening game like every team faces, you think of Detroit and kind of you know, having Matt Patricia on this lifeline, its succeed or else kind of hes So he's on the hot seat from week one. One thing about Detroit when they play the Bears in the last five or six years, they've had a nice support

of Detroit crowd there. That makes it difficult to go in there and play with proper in proper sync at the early part of the season, and I don't know what the noise situation is going to be in that stadium, and I think at one opportunity to get Detroit at the perfect time with an aggressive defense like the Bears have, and what they can go doing early in the regular season if they do have that more physical approach to

running a running game. There's nothing that goes into an early sea he's in victory on the road than a solid running game. Mitchell Drobiski has done last three starts against Detroit almost nine hundred yards nine touchdown throws against the Lions, all wins by the Bears. Real quick, before we take a break here, in about a minute or so, a minute and a half, you guys read the Jim

Harbaugh open letter to football people. Is how it was basically worded about making college players allowed to enter the NFL Draft and if they're not selected in the first seven rounds, all seven rounds of the draft and go back to college without penalty, and that would go for a freshman our senior. What are your thoughts on that idea?

There's more to it than that's a long document. Yeah, Well, I think if a player did do it currently and if they took it to court, I think a player would win, say, if he didn't sign with an agent out there just kept this amateur status, meaning, hey, I'm gonna declare for the draft, and let's say I don't

get drafted, I haven't signed with an agent. And then if you didn't get drafted, and if a player wanted to go back to college, I think a player would win that lawsuit in court because he has never disrupted his amateur status. And that's what Jim Harball pending that letter as well, as long as they don't sign with

an agent. See, because a lot of these players right now, they're already being evaluated by the NFLPA and NFL, right that's why they give him these draft grades to allow the kid to determine whether he should even come out or not and declare for the NFL draft. So it's

already out there, it's already been happening. But I think if a kid doesn't sign with an agent, I totally agree with that that he's not receiving compensation, he's not getting money that if he doesn't like where his draft slot is or if he goes undrafted, yeah, I think he should be given that option to return to college football because his amateur status was never disrupted by signing with an agent, I think he should get evalue if you want to go as an underclassman, I think there

should be an underclassman protocol to evaluation to see if you're even ready. Because out my time in the last forty years, there's probably four or five guys maybe you can think of off the top of your head, that could go from high school to pros. So it's not like it's going to be an overabundance of guys exactly. That's Tim there, Jim Millery. I'm Jeff jony Ac. Coming up next Bears general manager Ryan Pace to break down

the schedule release for twenty twenty for the Bears. It's all coming up next here on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy The Score. Tied is offering free laundry services to the families of Chicagoland frontline responders until May night. Visit Hope dot ti Cleaners dot com to find a location near you. Jeff jony At, Jim Miller and Tom There. This is Bears All Access with producer Sean Anderson on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy The Score. Please be joined

by the general manager of the Chicago Bears, Ryan Pace. Kidney, Ryan, how you doing I'm good, Jeff, Are you good? Good? And you got the twenty twenty schedule in hand now official. The team's getting announced, the schedule leaked parts of it all day throughout the National Football that's kind that's kind of become a season into itself on the day of the schedule released to try and guess what's going to happen. People using their resources to do it. But we do

know this. Onto September thirteenth, hit the road to take on the Detroit Lions to start the NFL season. As you take a look at it, what are your initial thoughts. Yeah, yeah, I'm looking at it right now, Jeff, as we're talking, I think you know you said it. Right off. We start off division opponent on the road in Detroit. You know,

that's always a tough game. And then I see we've got what four national games, which is great, and then there's that stretch really at the end of the year where five over the final seven games or Nst North opponents, And you know, I think our by comes at a good time. We could eleven. That's a good time for a bye. So yeah, I like it. You know, Ryan, this Tom Fair, thanks for coming on with us and I'm kind of like you, Ryan is, when I look at a schedule as a player or broadcaster, I kind

of gravitate towards what you just talked about. I like the late season, by the thing from November sixteenth on you could have five cold weather games possibly and a couple of them against divisional opponents, and then the Rams Monday night game late, a long trip, get home Tuesday morning, and then you got the Saints next week. So those are what my eye gravitates to. It seems like it's the same thing for you. You've got things you look for and then dissect it from there. Yeah, I think

you're always looking in Tom. You know, every year the league changes so much, so it's hard to predict, you know, where these teams are going to be at different stages, but you know, every year is challenging. I do like the late by, you know, I know we have a tough stretch right there with a bunch of division opponents at the end, you know. Naturally, I kind of look for those warm weather teams coming to, you know, Soldier Field late in the year when it's cold. I think

that's a good thing. But overall, you know, it's I think it all pieces together really well this year. Hey, Ryan, Jim Miller here, thanks for joining us today. And as you mentioned, every year it's its own entity. You know, we can say Detroit, Yeah, it's a team. We know

they're in division. They've got a lot of different moving parts now drafting jeff Olkuda, they're bringing obviously the other corner from the Atlanta Falcons, and then even later in the in the in the schedule when you look at Indie, they're a different club with Philip Rivers, Tampa Bay with Tom Brady there, and I mean, how much of a deep dive do you do and does the staff do already as you see the schedule come out and you see what you'll be facing this year, Jim, it could

you say it's different every year? Detroit, you know they had a really good draft. I know they've made some changes on defense as well, just schematically. And so if the Giants are new staff, you know, the Colts with a new quarterback camp but with a new quarterback Carolina the new staff. So there's change in our league every year. So it's unpredictable how some of these teams are going

to be. I think that's where our advanced scouts come into play, they're already doing work on our opponents, so you know it all goes hand to hand with our coaching staff. But yeah, there's a lot of unknowns going into the into the season, but I think that's what makes it exciting too. Parisian manager Ryan Pace joining us Jeff Johnny Eck along with Tom There and Jim Miller

here on Chicago Sports Radio six seventies score. This is Bears all access at Detroit home against the Giant September twenty, at Atlanta a week three home to Indian Week four, and then a gentleman by the name of Tom Brede brings in a Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a Thursday night. That's the first of the four primetime matchups. Ryan, and you know, from a fan perspective, you know got a chance to you know, you get a chance to see some of the great ones, and you want to be

at that game. It's that it's Drew Brees coming to Soldier Field. You look at the big name quarterbacks that are coming to Soldier Field, and in your case, having been with Drew Brees in New Orleans, you never know when the last game is gonna be in Chicago for a guy like that, for sure. You got so much respect for all these quarterbacks and especially those guys where they're at at this stage in their careers, so it's

a different honor and respect to play against them. And but hey, that's where we load up on defense and get after it. So you know, I'm excited of our defense in twenty twenty and especially our pass for us, and we'll need it against those good quarterbacks. Yeah, it's gonna be interesting because of the quarterbacks in the division, but they've gotta be saying the same thing about you guys. Ryan, look at the front seven you're facing, and it's gonna

be fun to see it. You know, get off to that kickstart against Detroit and then going you know, coming home for the Giants because last year's offseason was almost a distraction because of the events were going on. So it seems like the focus getting ready for Detroit, I think things well, there will be a lot more to focus on outside the pandemic itself, but just the schedule

that's in place. Yeah, I agree, Tom, and I think too, just year two and Chuck Pogano's defense, there's a lot more familiarity with our guys, and you know, some new faces on defense. You talk about Robert Quinn and you know things we've done on defense with Deshaun Gibson and Already Burns and Jalen Johnson, and so there's some new faces, but I think continuity with the rest of the guys and year two and Pogano's scheme is really going to

pay dividends. Well. The challenge here we just talked to Jalen Johnson, the talented corner the Bears selected, and the challenge for that standpoint to have young players come in and be contributors, you know, and every team has them, you know, and that normally you know, you look at that say of that Giants team, Dave Gentleman picked three starters in that draft last year. But to be contributors.

Just the challenge of that with everything currently going on in the United States, with with what we're dealing with for sure, Jim and I think that's where you you know, when we're selecting these guys and we talked about their character, their football character, their football intelligence, all those things are hiring our priority list and every one of these draft

picks has that. And then you couple that with our coaching staff and right now just just witnessing these virtual off season program we're going through, and it's really what Matt his coaching staff are doing, just being creative, keeping it fun, keep it engaging, you know, the full participation

with all our players. So I think it's a credit to our coaches and then us bring and in the right kind of players that even in these unprecedented circumstances can really learn and adapt to what they're going to face. Ryan Pace, General manager the Bears, our guests with Tom Thare and Jim Metaim, Jeff Joni each when you put together your roster, you're looking at the present but also

the future. So do you look at because you knew who the schedule, players, teams are going to be, just don't know when you're gonna play these folks and whatnot, and you can even look ahead down the road, do you do you try to build your roster in a way that also battles the division and then your broader schedule in years to come and in the year of twenty twenty or is that on my way off base on that? You know, Yeah, Jeff, I think I think there's some truth to that. I mean, you know, it

starts with winning your divisions. So we know what we're facing. We know there's a lot of good quarterback play in our division. We know the type of conditions we're going to be playing in late in the year. So yeah, I think there is some truth to that, but it's a little bit of both. I mean, for us, you know, we know positions a priority for us. We know where we need to increased death, where we need to increase competition.

And really when I look at you know, our team right now and what we've done as a personnel department, and that that's our job, you know, just apply our locker room and our coaching staff with competition throughout. So I think you know, you look, you know, you start with quarterback and corner and tight end and safety and outside linebacker. We've added a lot to all those positions,

and I think we're going to steal it this year. Hey, Ryan, you know, kind of a weird set of circumstances You've got to you know, you learn about different departments that we are never introduced to in the past. When you just talk about the IT department alone and the support that they've given you throughout this entire process of the offseason.

You know, we we you know, they're they're such an important part of the organization, but you kind of realize their importance when they're fed a scenario like they have been this year. Tom, It's been amazing. I can't say enough about it. You know, it's it's hard to name, you know, all of them because they've all been outstanding. And for me, those have been the real you know, within our organization, those have been the heroes behind the

scenes because they're never getting credit. You know, they work around the clock. You know, you talk about R I T Department, Justin Stall and Mike Santarelli and videos, Dave Henderson and Dan Tooey and just the work that they've done. Brad Goldsberry just making us coaches and scouts. It's been seamless. So when we're at home right now and this is this is all of our scouts and all of our coaches,

it feels like we're at house. The access to video, the access to our scouting database, our communication, Zoom meetings, skyte meetings, it's been easy. And you're talking about you know, coaches and scouts, you know, all different ages, all different challenges, and I really mean this, I think when we go forward, there's a lot of things that we're going to be more efficient at because what we've learned from this experience. Well,

you said it right. Hopefully you are at Hollis Hall for a training camp and getting some good work done, Ryan, But the challenges and that working with the league office, you know, working with local municipalities, working with state municipalities, because it just seems like how everything is unfolding, it's going to be state by state and what's allowed by the state and local governments, and how how how challenge

it has that been. You know, I understand, like you said, you guys have been creative and adapted, and it sounds like everybody else in the NFL, it has been a lot of intuition that is unfolded by a lot of clubs, including the Chicago Bears. But the challenges of that because it seems like everything's changing day by day, hour by hour with some of the things that are being reported right, Yeah,

it's very fluid. Ye, And I think that's where I think George and Ted had provided great communication and leadership throughout you know, our team just from the league, the league level to our team that's been outstanding. And I you know, the good teams, uh, any business, any any sports team, you know, they adjust and adapt any any situation. And that's where I'm really proud of our organization how quickly we've done that. And Hey, this this is the situation.

Every team's dealing with it. How do we adapt quicker and better? And I feel like we're doing that. Obviously, health and safety come first. That's all the matters that will be our guidelines. For me. It's it's been a it's been a little odd this week because really for the past month and a half you've had your head down and blinders on, your focus on the draft, and you kind of come up for air this week and

you kind of take it all in. But I think we'll keep on following the leadership, the George and tedder providing and again, health and safety first, and then we'll go from there. Ryan Pace our guest, a couple more questions you real quick, Ryan, as we switch gears a little bit um the fifth year option for first round picks a few years ago. Obviously a big topic of conversation involving Mitch Drubisky. What was your thought process and not picking it up? Yeah, Jeff, I think you know, look,

every team in the NFL, there's dates. You know, you've got to make decisions by and you know, internally when this happens, we make those decisions. And we've always had the approach where we're honest and we're truthful with our players and with our staff. And look, then we move on and we get work and that's where it's at, and Mitch gets it and everyone's competing, everyone's focusing on better results. Um, that's the entire team that you know

starts with me and everybody. And I think you know, we believe in Mitch. That doesn't change, you know, Jeff, Isa think you can point to call Kyle Fuller as a great example of a player. You know, they didn't get his option exercise, and I think we would say it's worked out well for him and for us. So honestly, we feel like we've increased competition throughout our roster. And again that's our responsibility as a personnel department. Hey, Ryan, thank you for going up to Notre Dame. It's nice

to see cole command. Hey, what that was that your desire with that pick to get a young player that can contribute immediately, But really, as upside as ahead of him where he can grow and develop and still contribute on game day, Tom, I knew you liked that pick. When he made that pick, out thought of you, man, he's uh, yeah, he's you know, he's the real deal and it's not it's not just okay you talk about his upside, so you know, he's still he's still young.

When you look at his football background and he's that's a well rounded player. So yeah, you know, as a blocker in as a receiver, but he's a huge target. He's got great hands. There's tremendous upside as a blocker. He plays the game the right way. You know right away. His work ethic is football intelligence. How passionate is even as he is about the game. It's awesome. We've heard outstanding things about him and already, just in the short time of these guys getting acclimated in, you can feel

it with him. So we're excited to have him and he's a huge addition for our offense. Ryan Pace, Bears general manager, thank you for joining us tonight and good luck with the rest of the offseason program. Rookie Minicamp coming up this weekend. Thanks guys. Good to catch up Ryan Pace. We'll continue the conversation with Jim and Tom after this on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy. The Score

back with you on Bears All Access. In response to recent world events, Hyundai is taking steps to protect you and your family. Hunday Assurance is back. Learn more at hunday usa dot com. Jeff Jona Yac along with Tom there Jim Miller. Schedule is out. Let's go through it again in more detailed fellas. As we look at the opener at Detroit home against the Giants. Down of the twentieth, you're at Atlanta home against Andy. Let's take a quarterback

quarter how about that? Get your quick thoughts on it. So you got the first block of the season. Again. We don't know if this is actually gonna happen this way, Gotta wait and see. But as you look at the first month of the season and the way the Bears are built, Tom and Jim, how would you address the first month of the season. I like it real quick, Jim. I like the fact that they're going into Detroit. I don't think Detroit will be ready again. Matt, Patricia's already

on the hot seat. Then you come home for the new York Giants. It's nice to have one underneath your belt to see if you can improve from week one to week two. Atlanta, you know, we haven't been to

that stadium yet. Don't know what that home crowd support is gonna be like, or even if there will be a crowd in the building, because to me, Jeff, I think crowd noise is the most destructive opponent that you face in these loud indoor in some of the outdoor stadiums like Seattle, So don't I don't think Bears are a huge underdog if you know there is no crowd noise. But that's the same thing when teams come here to Chicago, if there's no noise in place. Yeah, to me, Detroit,

they've got a lot of new faces. To me, it's going to take them a little bit to gel as as a football team, would be my take, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Giants are a very young team, so they're not scared. They just don't know. So with the Giants comes a lot of inexperience and I would say that too on the defensive side of the ball, and a young ascending quarterback in Daniel Jones. They have improved their offensive line. They'll be more difficult,

but that's a new head coach again. They're gonna have to gel. There's a lot of things that need to come together there with Jason Garrett now as their offensive coordinator, Atlanta Atlanta is a tough football team. Everybody's counting them out in the NFC South, obviously, with what New Orleans has done and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have done, people forget Atlanta started slow last year. They finished on a terror. That team got some wins done. They adjusted things defensively,

and they've got a veteran quarterback. That is a legit problem in my opinion. And I think the Colts are a legit problem because when you look at Philip Rivers, he's been with Frank Wright, who's now the head coach of the Annapolis Colts, before they were together out in La or at that point San Diego. From that standpoint, that team could hit the ground running. They got a lot better here this offseason. So minimum you know, if you were to say, hey, can you come out two

and two? Can you come out through you know, with three wins in one, I think that's some possibility for the Bears. I think absolutely they can do that. But those last two I think are the two toughest of the first quarter of the season and the second quarter of the season. Thursday night at home against Tampa then at Carolina the Rams to help open up so Fi Stadium, and I'm Monday night or October twenty sixth, New Orleans

at three twenty five ar. So you're looking at uh in this situation, Drew Brees, You're looking at Jared Goffin. You're looking at Tom Brady in that four game stretch along with Teddy Ridgewater in Carolina. Yeah, but you know they're also looking at the Bears. Listen, let's not annoint Tom Brady the king of all Super Bowls because he's moving on to Tampa Bay and even Jim with all

due respect to Philip Rivers. I you know, Phil, he's gonna have to have a great run games because Philip Rivers feet are are his best years are behind them. So you know, when you go in with the Bears defense, you always have to be a company against some of these quarterbacks that you know, some of the years are catching up with them. So it's gonna be interesting. And you know, a couple of years ago when they faced um that coach that was a Chip, the guy that

was coaching Philadelphia a couple of years ago. Yeah, Chip Kelly exploded onto the scene and was crushing everybody. It kind of worries me about the Carolina Panthers because I don't know what to expect in that. Are they going to get another one year explosion out of a system that's going to come up the ranks that a lot of people aren't familiar with by this time, but maybe by this time of the season October eighteenth, they will be.

So it's some of the older quarterbacks and unfamiliarity with some of the head coaches that a little bit of that second quarter concern. No, I'm with you, but I like that offensive line of the Colts with Quinton Nelson and obviously they got their big left tackle back in Costanzo. They're legit running game with Marlon Mack. They drafted Jonathan Taylor out of Wisconsin. They have a third down back in the Heem Hinz who's really good out of the backfield.

Plus they bettered the receiver position with the drafting of the USC wide receiver into gold coincide with Paris Campbell a year ago and they still have t Y Hilton. Philip Rivers will know how to use those weapons because his offensive line stunk out in LA last year and why he had so many interceptions. He'll do just find their Tampa Bay. I like the weapons of Tampa Bay and Tom Brady again, I think he'll know how to utilize him. That team got a lot better here this offseason.

It's not just him because he you know, granted, can one man make a difference and change everything? Yes, because that he provides hope there. He raises the bar on everybody, not just on his team, but in the entire organization, shoot, the whole community. I mean, the ticket sales are through the roof there right now. In Tabby, they haven't experienced anything like this, and they have a talented football team Carolina. I'm with you, Tom and Jeff. They're laying a foundation there.

I do think they had a good draft, but we'll see what Matt Rule can can do to get everything to come together. New schemes offensively and defensively. And then when you look at the the LA Rams, they've kind of retooled as well. They haven't really had a good offseason. I've had contract issues with players. Have they replaced what they lost a year ago? So you know, I definitely they think the Bears for a road game. I'd be happy to play the La Rams because there's a lot

to learn about that team. And then finally, of the Saints, I talked to Mickey Loomis the other day of the general manager. They only had four draft picks the whole draft four because they're a win nowt team. They don't need any help to do what they're doing. They've been knocking at the door for three years now and that is a legitimate, good football team. The Bears will be welcoming in November. First, they're dangerous. We're gonna run out

of time due to the whole schedule. Saw quick a minute on the third quarter of the season at Tennessee Monday night with the Vikings in then the bye week in week eleven, which that hasn't been the case here in a while, and then Acreen Band is Sunday night out of the bye that's Thanksgiving week and take it away, Fellas, and then Detroit on December six. Well, you know you got the Saints after a short week after the Rams game.

Then you travel at Tennessee Minnesota Monday night. It's going to be in Chicago, so that could be the start of your cold weather games right there, and then you have a late season by. If you can get in a good position with that late season by, you can regain a lot of health. Then it's the emotional game at green Bay. Take advantage of Minnesota. They got a lot of changes on their defense. I'm with Tom on the bye. I do like that late bye. Don't sleep

on the Tennessee Titans. That is a legit good football team too. With the found their quarterback in Ryan Tannehill, and their offense is going to be tough again and they'll be able to run the football. I believe the Bears are up for the challenge stopping their run game green Bay. I know a lot of people have pooh pooed their draft coming out of the bye, but you got to get that division win, even if that's on the road, that would be even better, and I think

the Bears are capable of doing that as well. I like the Bears' chances in division. Maybe thirty seconds each on the last quarter Houston here at Minnesota at Jacksonville home against green Bay or rapid up Boys, Well, you're gonna know something about the season, so everybody's gonna be fighting for position. You think of the Houston Texans playoff, Minnesota Vikings great season, Jacksonville Jaguars that you know still incomplete, and then Green Bay to close the season in Chicago.

The emotions are going to be running high at that point. You never know what the weather is going to be like January third. Yeah, and hey, I hope that it's on the line. You know, you should be playing your best football down the stretch with a better way to end with green Bay. If it is on the line, that's where you need to play your best and think about it. You have an extra playoff spot. There'll be plenty to play for in twenty twenty. That really is

the key season. Ticket Holders and Priority List members early purchase window open. It started at six thirty to seven thirty. You got bear single game tickets going on, say out of the general public. Here at eight o'clock check out NFL Networks three hour schedule breakdown. They'll go in depth on all of that. I hope you enjoyed the program. Tonight. That's gonna wrap us up with Sean Anderson, our producer.

I'm Jeff Joni, actim There, Jim Muller, thanks to Jaylon Johnson, the rookie out of Utah, and general manager Ryan Pace. Hope you enjoyed the show That'll Do It tonight on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy of the score, Good night, thanks for listening 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.

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