Josh Woods talks upcoming 2020 season | All Access

you to run. You're all out here and this Bears Thursday Night, Tom There, Jeff, Jonny Ak and Jimmiller with you on Bears All Access, brought to you by Jess Energy. Here on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy the score. Good

to have you along, Jordan Malley, our producer. Tonight coming up at six ten, Bears linebacker Josh Woods joins the program, and at six thirty we get a Detroit Lions perspective on the season ahead from one of the great left tackles certainly in Lions history and an eighteen year NFL player at the position, Lomas Brown, kind enough to join the program tonight as well. Good to have you alongside

every buddy. The rookies are reporting. You get the sense that things are going to start rolling in the right direction, but still much to discuss Tom and Jim about what's ahead in terms of negotiating between the NFL and the NFLPA. We seem to be in every show with that, right you know, that's just the way that this landscape is going to be throughout the season. But right now sports are starting to carry a little bit of momentum, which

is nice to see. It's a nice distraction. But I think every day throughout football there will be a new occurrence that needs to be addressed, and then they'll address it and try to formulate a plan. And so it's kind of a let's get things started, but it's still wait and see economics, big Jim Miller economics. That's on

the line right now, right Yeah, that's really what it is. Obviously, It's about will the you know, the owners want to take the hit right now, everybody's estimated about seventy million dollars. There's going to be a shortfall in terms of the revenue that are lost this year potentially in the NFL.

In the NFL would prefer to take those earlier. The player's side, obviously, they want those spread out over time a little bit more that way, high priced you know, veterans wouldn't be you know, salary cap figures wouldn't be slashed next year because some high priced players would ultimately get cut in orders for the teams to settle in the cap. So now, so basically owners want to do it over two years. Players want to do it over ten years. Maybe the agreeable area is five or six years.

Jeff and I do think they'll come to an agreement minimum by Sunday because a lot of these teams now are starting to push back their reporting dates until that comes to a conclusion. That will be the final things they need to agree upon, and then it's final and everybody will be able to move forward with training camp. Kansas City and Houston schedule to begin their strength and conditioning work coming up on Sunday. They'd like to get

that done before then. I've always felt fellas that the veterans anyway, in the last oh I don't know how many years, at last eight years, have really had a tougher time. And I only pay attention to it because when you're putting their rosters together throughout the league for every training camp, have your old years and you're looking through and seeing well, a lot of these guys have never resigned and their careers are just quietly over. I think veterans do have a tough time when it comes

to salary gap because you want your draft picks. You're on drafted, it's cost effective to make the roster, and certainly some of those guys will being at the top end of the roster, but motion will be on the bottom and then the roster or practice squad. So the veteran in today's world and the national footballing has a tough road. They do. But it's what value do you bring to your team? You know, are you a multiple position player or are you a Day one starter that's

not gonna be you know, supplemented very much. So I think it all depends on the type of value you bring to your position, to your segment, and how good you are at it. Yeah, it'll be interesting. You know, you look at guys that are still out there on the free agent market, and there are some good ones. J Davian Clowney. He really doesn't you know, he really

doesn't practice a lot. He's had a lot of injuries and that's going to factor it into it it as well, and that's probably It's why nobody is offered a multi year deal. A suppose he he originally wanted twenty million dollars to play. Now that number is probably coming down. The more realistic value is probably thirteen maybe fourteen million that he'll be playing for it and it will just be one year. Because of the uncertainty of the seller cap. Not a lot of teams are locking up guys to

long term contracts. We only saw two franchise tag players get a long term contract, right so Chris Jones was one of them for the Kansas City Chiefs. No other player Bud Dupree, look at Hunter Henry the tight end. None of those players got a long term deal because of the uncertainty of one where at things are at the wind or the shortfall of revenues that's going to happen, and why the uncertainty teams don't want to pay that

moving forward, and why only two deals got done. Bears made a roster move today with the release of Ben Bronicker one hundred forty three offensive snaps last season among a large group of tight ends. To that group now down to eight and still a large number, and it'll be interesting to see how many they actually bring to the table. But he was a very good special teams player. We've had him on this show many times. He's a good man, a smart guy. But there's a big log

jam at tight end right now. Yeah, but you know, he's got the type of a minimal amount of experience in the fourth phase of the game in undeveloped talent at the tight end position. So I think he will end up on a roster somewhere down the road because he's such an intelligent guy that they know that he can absorb a lot of information and put it to use very quickly. Still a lot of tight ends in the mix. He just gets cold Comet signed. Maybe that's

what Spern that move today for Ben Bronicker. You signed Demetrius Harris, who has familiarity in the system, and you've signed Jimmy Graham. Now what does that mean for JP Holtz? What does it mean for Adam Sheheen or jessper Horstead or the other guys that are there. JP doubles as a as a fullback, you know, So do they keep four or do they keep five? Those are the training camp numbers you're gonna have to to keep in remember, because I think that's what's going to come down to.

So I don't think they're done at that position yet. Up Horsted, Eric Soberd and undrafted rookie Darian Clark, former college basketball player, all in the mix. As we break things down, we'll take a look at the defensive side of the ball and a very lively character as I like to call him. We'll join the program tonight, and coming up here in moments out of the break, Josh Woods out of Maryland, entering his third year with the Bears.

We'll talk to him coming up next on Bears All Access brought to you by IGS Energy on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy to score. Hey, welcome back to Bears All Access brought to you by IGS Energy, a proud partner of the Chicago Bears, providing electricity, natural gas at home warrnty products to over one million customers across the country. Learn more about IGS Energy at igs dot com. Jeff

Toom and Jim joining us now. Josh Woods, veteran linebacker and special team stud of the Bears, kind enough to take some time out. Good to have you along, Josh, and I know you are like every other football fan out there, can't wait to get back and ready to roll again. How are things going for you? First and foremost, thanks for having me. I'm excited to be getting back finally having hit somebody since December twenty nine, So I'm excited.

I can't I missed my boys. The group chat just isn't enough anymore, you know, So I'm definitely excited to get back with everybody. I hear you. Who happens to be on that group chat? Is it? Is it linebacker specific? Because I'll tell you what you know if politics are ever in your future. You got that button down because we've talked about you before in many ways, and yes, have you had a lot of defensive snaps? No? But are you a major impact in that locker room? Yes,

you're friends with everybody on that team. You get everybody fired up, You're always talking, You're always chatting, I mean chatting. So you got a lot of friends in that locker room. Josh, who's on that group chat? Sir? So yeah, the group chat that I'm a friends who specifically is the inside back of chat with coach Daily Own and assistant coach Ronnell Williams. We also added the two rookies in there. Now. So, UM,

it's been good. It's been It's always jokes in there. Um, whenever somebody's down, it's something we make sure to pick each other up, check in with each other. Um, just you know, further further in that brotherhood, Um, in that locker room, I mean, in that meeting room that we always had. Hey, Josh, this Tom Parents. Good to talk to you. Hey. You know, Josh, from the first time I saw you, the first time I saw you run on a football field, you run as well as anybody. Okay,

now let's speed up to the today. What's different about your football mind in your body at this point to put you to allow you to take up a bigger role in the competition at linebacker. Um, I think the mental aspect. I think that my physical attributes were there. I mean I lacked, uh what I would call linebacker strength. So that was a big part of my my my offseason regiment this year. But um, my mindset, my mental you know, just learning from guys like Danny and Roquan

how to lead such a great defense already. You know, those guys do a tremendous job and I think first and foremost they lead by example. So just kind of watching those guys, picking those guys brains and coming like growing into my own, you know, version of being able to quarterback the defense because essentially that's what linebacker is, you know. Oh yeah, hey, all right, here's another question. I might put a little bit more pressure on you

with the competition a linebacker. So your speed really gives you great special teams versatility. Versatility. So when I look at Tariq and I look at Cordarrel and now ten Gids junior, you know, there's kind of a Devin Hester excitement in the special team's return game kickoff return once. That's what I'm saying. How exciting is that to get in the huddle and you see those guys behind you going, look, we have the chance of create a Devin Hester return

excitement on the team this year. Every every time we talk touchdown, this is the touchdown club right here. We try to make a big play every time because you know, statistics say if you score on special teams, your change to win the game go through the roof. So we know the impact that special teams has on the game.

And it's just an honor to be able to play with guys of that caliber, you know, and just doing my eleven on the field and making sure that my guy doesn't touch the ball, essentially eras him from the play. That's that's really my mindset, knowing that those guys, if I take care of my job, they'll take care of theirs. Well, Josh, Jim Miller here, good to talk to you. I'm as excited as you. Just you know, we got baseball starting tonight, training camp just around the corner as the owners and

the players have agreed to the protocols. And from your standpoint, is there anything you're still concerned about or do you think everybody, meaning your teammates, your brothers, everybody will abide by what is needed to get this accomplished as you approach training camp. UM, I will say that me being a single, single man in Chicago, no family, you know that I would be interacting with in and out of the locker room kind of just going home to myself.

I have a much different perspective um on. You know, what's what's what's to ensue if we start camp now and with all the guidelines and stuff that weren't in places or are in place, um, Because I mean, guys have pregnant wives and kids, and you know, it's it's a lot, you know, grandparents like you know, I can honestly say that I see where everybody has a point,

you know, and everybody's opinion matters. So um, I can't necessarily say that anybody is wrong in the situation for how they feel, because you know, at the end of the day, this is just a game, you know, and and and family and family comes first, safety comes first. But I know that, my guy, if if, if everybody gets the thumbs up that we're rolling, I know my guys are rolling. We're ready, We're ready, we're hunting this year, and I can I can stamp that. Yeah, I believe that.

I think players will make that commitment to each other because you're only as strong as your weakest link. You know that, my friend, let me ask you, I mean virtual world. You're having fun in the meetings, but yet still learning things concepts. Um, you know, how do you feel you've gotten better? You know, when you really can't physically go out in the field and practice. I know you're working on your own and doing the things you need to work on, but we're what areas do you

feel like you've gotten better? I think the coaches did a really good job of installs and the way that we learned this like with it being all virtual this year, I know that coach Pagano did a really good job of like the way they kind of lumped played like like similar plays and schemes together and they installed all of those things, and it really was It made it easier for guys to pick up on and you know, tendencies and similarities like I said, between schemes and play calls,

and because I mean, at the end of the day, football's football, like the player you only you're only running a couple but a couple of things, you know, but there are certain adjustments there. But everything comes from a certain family, like whether it's a cover for a family cover too, family like, And they did a really good job of lumping those things together. Whereas you knew that everything that you would, you could really focus on the

finer details throughout the OTA period. So that's why that's why I felt like I even complimented coach Forgana on Coach de Leon for how they did that. They definitely changed the way that they approached installs. This this this little Camp Bears linebacker Josh Woods our guest You're on Bears All Access on Chicago's Ports Radio six seventy to score.

Jeff thom and Jim with you. Is this your best opportunity to make an impact beyond special teams, because okay, some veterans are gone kPr and Nick Wikowski, but you enjoy Ea Booney Way and maybe some undrafted gays are gonna be in the mix. But is this do you feel it's your best chance? And then with that said, what are you tipping the scales at these days? And what have you done physically to get ready for what you're about to embark on. I changed my body composition,

I got stronger. I feel like I've matured a little bit, not a lot of bit, but a little bit. And you know, I'm just I'm growing every day, and yeah, I'm definitely I'm I'm coming for that next man. Then I'm I'm definitely trying to help the team in other

ways other than special teams. But at the end of the day, I'm just gonna do my part and let the chips fall where they may because the game rewards you when you work hard, and I know that, so I know that I've done my part in the offseason once camp starts rolling, I know I'm gonna do my part and the coaches are gonna put the best players on the field. So at that point, I'm I'm claiming that I'm gonna be in the mix. Absolutely, I got to have that attitude. But can I sneak one in?

Because you laughed when you said you've matured a little bit? You know, because the fact is that you're a fun loving guy, right, you have very seriously to you too, But I mean, why did you chuckle with that? Do you think that? Because I don't. I feel like people think that the whole Like, you know, I'm always dancing. I'm making sure guys are having fun on the sideline. Like I'm kind of like the spark plug, So I can't get too serious. So that's that's the only reason

I chuckled at that. But because I know, I know for a fact that I do need to, you know, buckle down a little bit more. You know that my role could potentially grow. But at the same time, I know that I know my role on the team and from an energy standpoint, So um, I definitely don't want to lose that about myself as a player. I feel like I played best when I'm happy, when I get others excited, when people just feed off my energy is contagious.

It is Josh and almost watching you on the sideline, your energy comes contagious because throughout my career, I've never practiced with music, and then when the music starts, I watch you, and you kind of become this bubble of energy that may affect fifteen other guys standing on the sideline. And so do you think no music in this generation would affect your energy level as it kind of it kind of helps you throughout the course of practice. It does,

It definitely helps, It definitely helps. Um. I don't know, I don't know. There was no means. I probably would still find a way to get guys excited, to make guys laugh, to make guys you know, excited to come to work and just all know, have fun, because at

the end of the day, that's what it's about. It's like I said, we're blessed to be in the position that we're in, the opportunities that were granted, and I just remind guys of that so much because there's so much pressure surrounded surrounding what we do that guys kind of lose, you know, the little kid and the little kid in them. That's the reason why you play this game. And I think that's what's happen me around so long

because I never lost. I still have the same amount of fun as when I was five or six years old playing the game. Josh last one for me and just I know, you probably saw the protocols that will be in place, and you know things are going to be different. You might not be able to feed off the energy of the crowd until the crowds are able

to return to games. But every player has a routine that you know of that you know, how do you with all these new things that you're probably gonna have to be thinking about or follow these protocols, how quickly do you think you can get into that routine because you're gonna have to go about your preparation just a little bit different than what you've done in the past.

There's no doubt about that. Or the point of the matter is there's still a job that has to get done, and that job is affecting winning, being on the personal level or on a team level, we have to win games. So it's no time, no, no, there is no time for an adjustment period. Honestly, like there will be one obviously, you know, in a perfect world I can say, oh, we'll be just fine, and obviously there's going to be

a learning curve and adjustment period. But at the end of the day, hopefully by the no fans that camp will be over it, you know, like hopefully we're we're right, we're right on it, because I do feed off the crowd, but at the same time I know that potentially there there will be no people there. Cool, whatever, the game still has to be played. We still have to win last one. We'll let you go and thank you so much for taking the time out to join us. We'll

be looking forward to seeing you. Don't know if we'll be able to talk to your face to face with the protocols and whatnop, but we'll be watching. We'll be watching you. So you made mention earlier about you insinuated the defense is ready to rock, ready to roll. Uh, it could be special, couldn't it. Oh? Absolutely absolutely? This is I tell people there's just an aura around this team, like it's especially our defense, like just the way that we come together, the way that we have fun together.

But at the same time, as soon as we need to flip the switch and get to business. Businesses handled and it's done, it's executed perfectly, and it's just it's a it's it's an honor to be around such a great organization, such great teammates and really such great leaders on our defensive side of the ball, to really learn from and really keep the culture going that we have right now. Would Josh, we look forward to seeing you roll it out there, buddy, Be safe and thank you,

thank you, thank you. Bears linebacker Josh Wood's coming up next Jeff and Tim and Jim Milder with Lomas Brown at the bottom of the hour, the Detroit Lions star left tackle and now they're radio analysts as we begin our second look at the division last week in Minnesota with Pete Bursis. This week the Lions all coming up next down Chicago Sports Radio six seventy the Score. Thank with you on the score. The segment of Bears Out Access is brought to you by CDW. People who get

it learn more at CDW dot com. Jeff Joniac along with Tom Thayer and Jim Miller love talking to Josh Woods. Yeah, Okay, he's got so much enthusiasm that I'm telling you. Players look to that and they really do feed off of him, especially during practice time. He's gonna try to earn his way into more of a prominent role and backup or whatnot, but feels he's gonna be in the mix for that, and I think he very much will be because again he's got that speed and athleticism at the lineback. He's

a former safety. We forget about that Blake College safety Star Cross career in Maryland. But like I said, he runs as well as any position on the team. He's got the speed that we admire Danny Travathan or Roquan or even joe Elia Booney Way four, and he can he can equal that, he can match it and sometimes he can. So I mean, he's got that really important role on special teams. But I don't know if it's early in the career you want to settle for that.

I think Josh Woods wants to reach for a higher opportunity and see if he can forge you and inside meaningful rep you know, um position out there seeing a lot of safeties that have converted. We always talk about Thomas Davis, formerly of the Carolina Panthers. Now he's reunited with Ron Rivera with the Washington football team. Other guys Shack Thompson has done it, made that conversion from safety to linebacker, and I do he's got some scoots where

he can get out. He impressed me during the preseason last year. Unfortunately, won't get those opportunities here in the preseason this year for the Bears. But it's something that he can build upon and move on from. And uh, you know so, I think he's done a nice job in his conversion. He takes it serious. You can tell that just in the in the interview. And now he thinks his best football's ahead of him. You know, Quickkowski

kind of burst onto the scene. Why not Josh Woods if he gets that opportunity, I'm sure he's looking forward to it. And he had that injury in his first year, so he spent the year on the practice. I learned a lot and as well, liked in that locker room all right. Time to which gear is gonna look at the rest of the division? Now? Last week Minnesota, This

week we'll look at the Detroit Lions. The Bears season opener at Detroit on the thirteenth of September, joined now by Lions Great and their radio analysts, Lomas Brown kind enough to join us two hundred and sixty three games in eighteen years in the National Football League. That's a lot. Hey, Is there any tread left down the tires? Lomas, Oh, you know what, It might be a third down in

long play. It might be one of those left in the tread, but not much more than that, I honestly, And we got two former players here with us on the program, Tip there and Jim Miller, and I insist both of them, but would love to take it. Just one more snap in the National Football League, I dare say, but you team up with Dan Miller, the outstanding voice of the Lions. But before we get into the Lions a little bit, just your career was something else and

I'll never forget it. And I know I've brought this up with you before, when you've been kind enough to join us on the Bears pregame show. But early in his career, Rich you'r dent when asked Lomas Brown game the most trouble down in and down out when he played in the in the old Black and Blue Division, And it was you, my friend. So he's in the Hall of Fame, and you had a great career. So that hype praise coming from that guy, Oh my god, that is my god. Dam brand. They called him dirty

dance man. But I tell you what, I've never been around another player that can flip the switch on and off. I mean, he would be a totally distant person while we playing for those sixty minutes, and as soon as the whistle went off, So how are the wife and kids? You know, how you being? And you'd be like, wow, this guy just went to Bible with for sixty seven. He plays trying to beat each other up, and right after, right after the whistle balls, he's asking how the wife

and kids and how you doing? So man, A great man, man, great person too. Man. So he was my players going up against that guy because he was one of the very best. Well, Lomas, it's awesome to talk to you this top there. I hope things are well with you and your family. But you know a little bit about the Detroit Lions family, because I think we have some young coaches in the division outside of Mike Zimmer looks like he's going to get a contract extension, and they're

still trying to develop a culture. Is so can Patricia and these modern day guys develop a culture through zoom and during an offseason that's this important. That's a great coestion, Tom, And I tell you what I would hate being a rookie this year coming into the league. Can you imagine that time? I mean, no, OTA's nothing with the team, that won't be any mini camps. I mean you go jump right into training camp and then right into the season.

I just couldn't imagine, you know, going through something like this. So I feel bad for those young guys that happen to do that. And you know, I feel bad for the coaches too that have the young guys or guys that transition from another team trying to build that chemistry that they know they desperately need, especially the Detroit Lions and Matt Patricia because things hadn't gone well the last

couple of years. I think he's been trying to get his guys the type of players that he needs to run his schemes, the type of players mentally that they had in New England. I think you could see more and more he's trying to get those type of players on this team. So I think it would make the transition for a coach Patricia trying to get his system relayed to these guys. But it's gonna be so important that I just don't see how they're gonna be able

to do it. To be honest with you, it's just gonna be a different season this year to watch and watching watch and see how unfolds. You know. So the midway point in the season, are we going to be talking about what a great year Matthew Stafford is having or are we going to talk about, Wow, Patricia's defense is really turning the corner from what we expect it of him when they hired him. It's gonna have to be Patricia's defense turn in the corner. It's gonna have

to be. That's been our Achilles Hills, and that shouldn't have been that. We've been't count on our defense being the Achilles Hills, but that's what it's been the last I would say, the last two years for the Detroit Lions. Matthew Stafford has played very well when he's played. You know, the last eight games that he played before he got hurt, he was on pace, a very good pace of maybe

even in the clips five thousand yards. But again, once he went down, you would count on, you would accounting on the defense to kind of hold things together, because again, Jeff Drifschool, the guys they had behind after didn't do a bad job, but they weren't Matthew Staffords, And you were accounting on the defense to step up, and I'd be honest with you, the defense hadn't stepped up. Defense

is stepped back. So this has to be a big giant for the defense this year if the Lions are going to have any susice in twenty twenty, and for the listeners out there that the daughter is succeeding the mother. Now, Sheila Ford hamp will run the Detroit Lions and Martha

Firestone Ford will step down from that capaction. Is there any more pressure on matt Patricia because Martha's kind of her One of her last statements after the season was last year it is like, hey, it's kind of a needs to be a playoff year and it's a difficult years. As you know, Loma's to get a team better in all the areas that you just talked about without even

having a practice. Do you think Sheila Ford will maybe take a step back, look at the pandemic and just see if there is improvement under Matt Patricia this year and maybe not such a harsh mandate needs to be made in terms of players. Well, I mean you could you be honest about the whole thing. They kind of made their own bed and I would say, as what was so Bob Quinn when you know when Jim Caldwell was let go and they came in and said than

nine and something wasn't good enough? I mean when you make a statement like done to the fans, and I know Coach Patricia, I set with the man. You know, ten and sins is an average season for them in their mind because of where they came from, the New Zealand Patriots. So ten and six is a have receison. So we haven't even come close to that than the last two years. So I think they put the pressure on themselves, and I think it's it's self, the self pressure.

It's gonna drive them more so than I think pressure from Shilla hamp or anybody else. I think it's just gonna be the self pressure that these guys have put on themselves by coming there setting the goal so lofty, which they should have done. I'm not blaming them for doing that, it's just the results having shown what they

came in and what they wanted to get accomplished. Do think Jeff Okuda will help out that secondary and obviously with true font come over from Atlanta, But I want to talk old line because that's an area that's gonna need chemistry. How about the third round pick in Jonah Jackson, what are your thoughts on him getting up and running early because I like him as a player and maybe he could fill in that right guard spot for the Lions. I do too, I really do, and I was really

here man Logan Steinberg. I like both of those guys. But again, I got to go back to this pandemic and what it's done to the all season, what it's gonna do to the preseason. You know what it's gonna do to camp. You know that's it's tough for these rookies to be able to come in here and perform under that. I'm gonna give them a lot of credit for being able to come in and perform under that. I think Noel will be Jona. The Jona would be a real good all sensive lineman in this league. I

just think the circumstances are just unreal. Whether he has to go through and you got guys like Kenny Wiggins, and you got guys like Oday Abuchier that are already there that the Lions, I know, they're looking for these guys who play reserve roles. They're looking for them to step their game up and hopefully seal those spots where you can have those rookies backups, because the one thing you don't want to do if a rookie isn't ready.

And Tom knows that if a rookie ain't ready, to put them in there, you just don't want to do that because you could damage the young man just as much as you could help the young man by putting them in. Now, Loma's proud our guests here on Bears All Access in Chicago Sports Radio six seventy to score radio analysts for the Detroit Lions. His first game was a preseason game against the Bills in the Pontiac Silver Dome. I don't think that's standing anymore, is it real? It's Google?

I'm sorry, yeah, it's Amazon now, so site with a silver dome used to be at and tell you what in those days, you know, this is the one thing about the Lions that I think most people would agree on. You got you got a very very good to great quarterback in Matthew Stafford, and as you pointed out, he was having an MVP first half of the season, no question about it. I and Daryl Bebo mixed beautifully. You

got young receivers. Kenny Galladay from NIU here in the Chicago area is a stut monster land eighteen point three per reception last year, eleven touchdowns. But the running game over the year you blocked for Barry. You're blocked great

years for Barry Sanders. They you think of the Lion, you think of Billy Simson, Barry Sanders in the run game, a couple of nice years from James Stewart, but Reggie Bush the last one thousand yard back and he was very much a pass receiver two back in twenty thirteen, but not much since. Will the running game be a weapon finally for the Detroit Lions. I hope. So it

has the beat that's gonna help Matthew staff Without. And we've been preaching this for a year around here in Detroit, because you just pointed out how few to our running game has been around here in the years. It's gonna have to be. We've been so one dimension over the last couple of years to you know, teams don't really have to. Yeah, they gear up for the run because that's something that you have to do, but they really don't. They play us for the past. They play us for

Matthew Stafford, and that has to stop. I think coach bellbo coming in matching up with Matthew has done a great job, and I think he's the type of guy

that will push that run game. I think he's gonna force the run game down the troughs of these defenses, and you have to be able to do that and with a three headed attack that we could possibly have in both Scar Run, DeAndre Swift and Carrie on John says, you have to be able to utilize these guys and they do so many different things they zerily, their running styles vary so much till they can actually be a weapons on offense because of all the different things that

these guys can bring to the running game in the different ways that they approached the run game. So yes, to answer your question, the run game is gonna have to be big and bold in twenty twenty for the Lions again to have the sussist that they won't to have on the offense in side of the ball. Well, Amos,

I'd like to hear your feelings about this. Since you played the position, I think the one position that's going to be affected the most in a positive way is going to be the offensive tackle position to have a year. If you play with no crowd noise and you can hear every snap count given to you at home or on the road, it's gonna make you a more efficient. It's gonna allow the offensive coordinator to work with the protections a little more. How do you feel about those

guys being able to hear the cadences? Beautiful point. You right on with it. That's a beautiful point, and you're right about that. Right, you can actually expand the run game out because again, with your linemen would be able to do municate to each other. So so you know how we used to get those late dog looks when you got a little cornerback coming off the outside and he's trying to sneak up out there with Hey, but I'm the tackle now, hey guard guard. You know, especially

if we're on the road in a loud places. Hey, hey, hey fan fan, well I lod a lot. I got a possible dog out here. That might be coming. So again, little things like that, the communication would be so much better with those guys when you when you do have that crowd newies that you have to put up with. And yes, I think offensive coordinators, I think they will took to INSS and be able to do the more things. You might see more variances in the past game because

of the crowd newories not being there. They're not having to be afraid of a tackle getting off the ball lake because he can't here, and getting beat around in the corner by Khalil Knack that you know, those are things that are positive things. And then also with leaving guys there, not having leave a tight end and because again your tackles having problem get not just stance because you can't hear. So it's so many things that yes, I think without the crowd goings doing that may even help.

But on the opposite hand, Tom them them be lineman, the defenders, they should gonna be able to hear everything that we're saying out front. So we're guys gonna have to be a lot of sign language going though for the offensive linement out front because don't be lineman, They're don't be able to hear everything and empty stadium. Last one for me, Loman's appreciate your time. Uh. Corey Unland comes in and takes over the defense as a defensive porter. Uh.

Paul Plaskaloney moves out. I think Patricia and Unland have been together in the past. I guess, are you expect any new wrinkles? I guess defensively and how heavy handed? Maybe we'll print Patricia be involved with what's on the line. With that mandate to make the playoffs, I think it's going to help them. I do. I think coach Underaling coming in and like you said, the I'm having familiality working together. I think it's gonna work hand in hand.

I could just see coach now maybe spending more time with the D line, best time with the dbs and the linebackers being able to give the D line more attention because again on the dcen society of the ball, I have to say that probably was the innery that was the worst for us, and we thought that was going to be the strength of the of the of the defense last year. Now, those injuries, yeah, that happened too, But again, you know, the D line didn't play as

well as it was respecting. So not that I good coach Patrician world the opportunity to coach them up and coach Underling he can handle the rest of the Ducens. But I do think with those guys being familiar with each other and having worked under each other, worked with each other in New England, I think it's just it

can only help. To me, it can only help, especially again when we talk about this pandemic, guys not being able to have gotten together, might not be able to see till they get together, till they get to camp, which Sylthy happening soon and even going for going forward from there. So it's gonna be a challenge for them, but I think the familiality is going to help them out a lot. Thomas well More to let you go. We appreciate you taking the time and hope you have

a great rest of your offseason. Get ready for twenty twenty here and the excitement of pro football back in business once again. We asked bet Bursus last week, we ask you, now through your lens, what do you see from the Chicago Bears in twenty twenty. Well, I mean again to me, it relies on your quarterback. That to me that's where the Chicago Bears. I think the defense is looking good. Famil y'all had a huge hiccups over there. Y'all lost a couple of people on the decense side

of the ball. I've always thought that Chicago had a real good defense. This is in at the quarterback position, the old line. Yeah, y'all lost Coyle. Long up. You got some younger guys, Nancy and all those guys to fill in up there. I think they'll be pretty decent up there. I like the run game, but to me and I love Alan the wide receiver. You know he's from Michigan. I know it's Tracy his mom here. She's a big, big fan of him back here in Michigan.

I just think it depends on Trubisky. You know, if he could take the next step. You got a great quarterback and Nick Foles behind him, which I think in the year with the pandemic and you never know what might happen, I think the backup quarterback might be the most valuable person on the team this year. But I just think Trubisky, if he could take the next step and take this team and get the confidence of those guys, that's what he's gonna have to work on right now

is the confidence of those guys. Yeah, they're gonna say the right thing, and Tom knows this. They're gonna say the right thing to the media and say the right thing around certain people. But it's how these guys feel when they're around each other. You know about the quarterback, and I know if Mitcho could step up, I know that they already have his back. But if he steps up, I know they're really gonna have his back. So I

just thank for him. It's just the point of getting his confidence to the level to where he could get the rest of the offense of guy, and not just the offense, get the Chicago Bears a twenty twenty Chicago Bear team to a level where they have a lot of confidence in him and they can trust him. Thomas outstanding. Appreciate it, and let's keep our fingers cross Ago as well. We'll see on September thirteenth up in your yard. How about it sounds great, man, We'll bring some bread together.

That sounds great to meeting. Sounds good. It's Thomas Brown, the great NFL tackle, eighteen years in the league. Lions analysts down the radio here on Chicago Sports Radio six seventies score back with Tom and Jim. After this, Hey Bears fans skipped the chore of laundry and enjoy life not laundry. Tied Cleaners offering fifty percent off all dry cleaning orders. Visit tied cleaners dot com to find the closest location to you use promo code Bears. Some exclusions

may apply. Jeff Joni, Ac, Tom Bear, Jim Miller, Jim Yet, you're there in Michigan soil. He's a legend any that Lomas Brown, Yeah, he is. He was a great player. And as you mentioned, they you know, they just obviously took down the Silver Dome last year. The palace is now no more. They just destroyed that and demolished it this week. Jeff, So, a lot of the high tech companies moving in, so all these old and that was a great place to play at the old Plenty acts over.

They could pack a house there and seated over ninety thousand, So we could get loud in the old Silver Dome in Plenty. We're cheering for Lomas Brown. So you were born there, you were born in gross Point, right, which is outside of Detroit. Well, it's the first sporting event you ever saw is at Detroit Kid. I saw Doug Williams that I think I was nine years old and my dad took me to see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

versus the Detroit Lions. I saw Doug Williams, who was a quarterback at Tampa Bay, obviously high draft pick, throwing eighty yard touchdown and I remember turning my dad and saying, Dad, that's what I want to do. Yeah, And that ended up and that got me started at football, just because watching Doug Williams throw that football and it was effortless for him to chuck a ball eighty yards in the air, and it was a pretty exciting, exciting game, you know,

Jim Miller. When I was playing in the USFL with Doug Williams, he came out of practice one day and there's a bunch of guys lining up to show you how far they could throw the football. So Doug got warmed up a little bit and he let one fly it and I think it went about eighty five yards, you know, a little bit more in the air, and he just blew away the competition and he walked away and just kind of gave you an example of that arm strength that you're talking about, that he demonstrated in

a real game. Yeah, it's funny when you think of the Tampa Bay Buccan years, they literally have walked away from every one of their first round quarterbacks when you think about it, right, Doug Williams, Trent Dilfer, they just fought away basically from Jameis Winston, the shoot. They had Steve Young on that roster at oh my goodness, and now they got Tom Brady. Maybe they're finally gonna get it right here in Tampa Bay with their quarterbacks, right. Yeah.

Video of him today. Hey, by the way, happy birthday. Roy Robertson Harris and the Chicago Bears in a shout out to Dion Bush. We had him on a couple of weeks ago. Last weekend, the Bears safety handed out some book backpacks to Miami area kids, about one hundred and fifty in families and in elementary school. Is part of his work with his foundation, DOBIE's Dream. So Bears players in the community guys every single week, even in the offseason. So a little tip of the cap to

those guys. Yeah, I mean they're out there because they care. That's kind of the cool thing about it, and you see we see evidence of af throughout the season when they go to their cha charitable gigs throughout the regular season. The guys put a lot of time effort, and I think George m George mc caskey encourages all these guys to be heavily involved in their communities, whether it's in the Chicago Land area or at their home base. Yeah, I mean, you know, obviously just being a good citizen

in your civic duty and things you're responsible for. And at the end of the day, I think players, you know, they're they're living up to it. You know, it's about action right now, and I think even George McCaskey is talking about it's all about action, and players are being active and they are acting upon what has happened here this whole offseason and a couple of things league wide.

So we mentioned earlier top of the show, Bears did part company with Ben Bronicker, who's been an active player both on the offensive side of the Bond special teams over the last few years. A great kid. We wish him well, but it's now the Washington football team. They'll get a new name eventually, but there's legal reasons all sorts of time invested in that the unit. The units

look good. You guys, you guys cool with this? Yeah, I mean because if if you just call them Washington the rest of your time, you know exactly who they're talking about in the NFL. So I hope Ron Rivera has his hand in the matter, because as exciting as it was when he had the opportunity to come to Washington, it would be exciting for him to have his footprint

on the name of the Washington football team going forward. Yeah, they'll get the fans involved to have some sort of contest, you know, get the fans up to date on it, and you know what they can do to you know, pull and throw some things out there and get the feedback from all the fans on what it should be. But yeah, I don't think the players will have any problem with it. Ron Rivera is about as laid back as he comes, and he's about as good as a coach as they come. He'll be able to lead this

franchise through this. It's a little rocky right now. I'm probably sure a couple of things he didn't anticipate that he'd have to deal with. But Ron's up for the challenge. I think, well, I think we all know that from that standpoint. And as for their old name is still going to get retired because I heard Mark May. I'm sure Tom you know Mark May very well, yes, but and he talked about a lot of the older guys

are mad. And then their name is Ben Retarre. You said, hey, you know, I won these rings for a reason and they're upset about it. But that's why they retired the name. That way, that history still exists with the Hogs and everything at that great franchises is really accomplished because they did play some good football, and you couldn't write the history of the league without writing about the Washington football team, that's for sure. One more break and then we wrap

it up. The Lightning Round coming up real quick, fellas when we get back here on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy to score. Hey Bears fans, it's important to stay connected now more than ever, and at Motorola, we love making that possible. With a new razor, you can enjoy a staying connected a little bit more. It's a phone, it's an accessory, it's an icon of reinvented. Hello Moto, We're out of time, boys, Big Jim. I think it's training cap time. So we're gonna part company now. Well,

we'll talk to you down the road. So thank you, appreciate it. Well, guys, thank you. Be safe and hopefully everybody can we can pull this off. I mean, I'm excited for sports and hopefully we can get the return to football. I'm excited, guys. Good luck to you. We're counting on you and Tom. We'll talk to you next week. Right, You're no lightning round me, no lightning round to get ready? Coming up next Cup's preview for a couple of hours with Ryan Coomber, the Great, Pat Hughes, zax Aben, and

Bruce Levin. I'll coming up next to here on Chicago Sports Radio six seventy to score. Good night, 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