September 12, 2025 • 41 mins
On this episode of the Twentyman in the Huddle podcast presented by Copilot+ PC, Tim Twentyman is joined by Dan Miller, Patrick Finley and Derrick Barnes previewing the Detroit Lions’ Week 2 home opener vs. the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Jared's got it on fourth down back looking left side
Rose end zone.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
It is up and was it caught?
Speaker 3 (00:07):
Wow?
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Is that called Tesla? In his first NFL game comes
up with his first NFL touchdowns.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
And Welcome to Week two of the NFL season. This
is the twenty minute The Huddle Podcast.
Speaker 4 (00:20):
I am Tim twenty man, and the man next to me,
you guys don't know, this is Dan Miller. Needs this fourts,
director of Fox two, and he is the voice of
the Lions. And I thought, given the game in Green Bay,
to have a comforting voice, a familiar.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Voice would be great here in week two. But no, Dan,
Look it was a voice.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
It says you just can't do that. But I don't
say it much anymore. That's good.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
It was week one and obviously you have a.
Speaker 4 (00:46):
Bird's eye view of that you're calling the game. Just
maybe your biggest takeaway coming out of that out of
that game that.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
There were things that I saw and listened to. One
of the great things I get to do is listen
to TJ and Lomas and just correctable things. Yeah, and
not anything that gave me great pause or reason to panic.
It's things that are correctible. With guys, many of whom
(01:16):
I know have won a lot of football games and
know how to correct things, and maybe most importantly of all,
a head coach that doesn't let his team stay down
for long. It's my favorite statistic. October thirtieth, twenty twenty
two was the last time this team lost two games
in a row. Yeah, they've gone forty five games without
losing to in a row. That's obviously on the line
this week, but I think it goes to his ability
(01:41):
to set the tone for a team, which I think
is one of his great strengths, and get them to
bounce back and not panic.
Speaker 4 (01:47):
And to your point, you know, if guys are getting
beat physically, you know, that's one thing, you know. But
they talked about miscommunication, they talked about being on the
same page, self inflicted mistakes.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
To your point, all that stuff is is correct.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
But we talked to the coordinators this week and they said, look,
those are points of emphasis. We're going to get those
things cleaned up. They get to come home, the offense
gets to, you know, have that quiet atmosphere, and the
defense gets the noise environment. I would expect them to
play much better in all three phases on.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
So yeah, and I just got done talking to Johnny
Morton just about this offense, and just think about it.
If you're Tate Ravage and he's going to have bumps
in the road, they're unavoidable. And Christian Mahogany just made
his second start, So I mean, I think going from
one start to two starts, and then if you're going Tate,
(02:40):
you know, going from zero to one and now you're
making your second and Mahogany on to his third. It's
just every step they take, because I think they're talented
players who will be good players. Every step they take
will just provide a comfort level for them of understanding
what this league's about, understanding what they're supposed to doing,
understanding the communication that's and I just think, I honestly
(03:02):
believe we're gonna watch them grow. I can't tell you
how quickly it'll happen, but I think we will see
them grow. I think these are good football players, and
the nice thing is that they have veterans around them,
and and I think that that that's what gives me confidence. Look,
there's tim there's too many good football players on this team.
Because this team's depth chart is loaded. They just got
(03:22):
to clean some things up, and they need to do
it this week against Chicago.
Speaker 4 (03:26):
Hank Frailey a ton too, you know, no doubt, one
of those guys who's been doing it at a really
high level for a long time, both as a player
and a Koch Yeah, and.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
Has seen young players before. And look, we got so
comfortable having you know, Taylor and Frank and Piney across
that line with whomever was a guard, because that part
of it kind of shifted over the years whoever was
at guard. But when you had those three and then
whomever it was of a Zeitler, a veteran grade or whoever,
(03:58):
or Jackson or whoever was in there at the other
guard spot or Graham, if you had those three, we
got really comfortable because that was three really good football players.
And you know what that's changed. You got to adapt
and then these guys have to grow and the communication
has to be better, and I'm confident it will be.
I still feel good about the fact. And whenever I
(04:19):
bring up a rush end or one of those guys,
Dan always says, well, I like my guys out there too.
I'm still confident with those guys out there. So yeah,
I overall just a lot of correctable things that I'm
sure we'll dive into here, But I think as I
digested that game, I saw reasons that I felt better
about it than I did walking out of Green Bay
(04:40):
out of the booth that night.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
And Shepherd said that too, you know, he said, look,
I was mad calming off that field, but then I
watched the tape and there were some things in that
tape that looked.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
A lot better. I'm just curious.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
We talked, We talked about the offensive line. Was that
the biggest concern you had coming out of that week
or what was maybe one thing? You're like, boy, I
really need to see that turn around next week for
well noted.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
Yeah, yeah, I'll give you a couple. First. Offensively, the
running game. I mean, if this team can't run, it
becomes difficult. I don't care who you are in the NFL.
If you can't run, it becomes really difficult. And the
weapons that they have that they want to utilize become
less effective if you're not running the ball. More effective obviously,
(05:23):
because if you're springing Demo and you're springing Gibbs, those
guys can make big plays on their own, but also
it puts the defense on their heels, and that's when
Jamo and i'm in Ra and Laporta and ultimately Isaac
become more dangerous. So I think the running game was
one thing to be and I think the thing that
just managed I went back over that game and started
(05:44):
looking at some of the numbers and trying to put
it all together was that first drive where you had
a chance to set the tone defensively and you did
exactly what you needed to do. You put them in
a third and six, you put them in a third
and ten, and you put them in a third and eleven.
Any defensive coordinator would take those chances to get off
(06:06):
the field by making a play. Yeah, they make a
play on any of those. Credit green Bay.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
They did.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
They converted all those one of them for a touchdown,
and they converted their next third down on their second drive,
but did not convert a third down. After that, they
were oh for six. So I look at that first
drive and I'm like, man, you had so many opportunities
to either get off the field or force a field
goal attempt, but instead the momentum swings big time to
Green Bay because you didn't make those plays. This team
(06:32):
was number one in the NFL. Last year in third
down defense. I know some guys have changed, but I
think there's a good chances defense might be better than
it was last year.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
I would agree.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
They weren't in Week one, and they weren't in Drive one.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Yeah, and you look at the third down statistics overall
and they looked pretty good.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Four for team, think four for ten.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
Yeah, So it was a little you know, I think
they just had to settle in a little bit, and
that defense played much better in the second half. Now,
granted Green Bay was ahead, and when you're ahead, just
naturally you're offense changes.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Jordan loved throw the ball as much. Any concern with
the pass rush at all, Yeah, I.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Mean, I don't think again, I think Hutch is Hutch.
I think Hutch is going to make some plays. I
think we need to see where it's going to come
from in the interior. Who can provide some rush there
and can they get something consistent out of the other side.
I mean you brought up al Quadeen Mohammed a little
bit earlier today. Look, he's a guy who's had i
(07:27):
think six and a half sacks in one season with Indianapolis.
He's a guy that has been able to get after
the quarterback. I think he was second on the team
in sacks last year, wasn't he He can get after
the quarterback a little bit and might ultimately be part
of the answer there. But I think you know, coming
into the season, Tim, there were questions. It was the
interior offensive line, it was the pass rush, and it
was the coordinators, and those are questions that have to
(07:47):
be answered only by playing games. But to your question, yeah,
I need to see more. You can't have quarterbacks sitting
back there. And you know, Chep made the point. At
times the ball came out quick well at times he
also had time to really scan the field, and any
quarterback in this league, if you give them time back there,
(08:09):
it's difficult to hold your coverage and they're going to
make some plays. So yeah, I need to see more
out of that and an all off season I said,
I thought one of the biggest changes this team had
to make was going from pressures, which they got a
lot of last year, to getting the quarterback on the ground.
(08:29):
Get him on the ground because the negative plays putting
a team behind the downsticks. That's how you change games.
Pressures I think sometimes they're so they don't always translate
into something good for the defense. You can have them,
but it doesn't mean that necessarily that ended up being
a good play for you. Sacks are always good plays
(08:51):
for you.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
To your point, last year twenty twenty four season, teams
that had a sack offensively scored a touchdown or field goal.
I think it was twenty six percent of the time
they scored a touchdown on those series. Eight percent of
the time, Yeah, just eight percent of the time you
score a touchdown. When you take a sack on a play,
(09:12):
it is huge. It puts you behind the sticks. It
changes the entire dynamic of of a series. And to
your point about about Hutch, we asked him this week,
you know, how many really true one on ones did
you have this week? And he kind of paused for
a minut. He said two or three, I think, you.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Know, And that's gonna be Yeah, that's gonna be the deal.
You're gonna face.
Speaker 4 (09:31):
Double team, you're gonna face nudges, You're gonna you know,
you're gonna have chips. It's the other guys. To me, like,
who's the guy who steps up? Is it markets Davenport?
You mentioned Muhammad. We gotta wait till a Leam gets
back hopefully, you know, sometime in October, maybe early November.
But who's that guy that that that's gonna take advantage
(09:52):
of those one on ones. That's what I'm interested in
watching on Sunday.
Speaker 5 (09:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
I go back to last year and really from the
Buffalo game on, this team was given up about thirty
points a game. The defense was just thin. They just
didn't have guys left. And I remember I did one
of these out of town talk shows and they asked me,
you know, about the defense and what needed to happen.
I said, we need to get after the quarterback better.
I said, this team is not doing enough to impact
(10:16):
the quarterback and it was showing on the scoreboard. And
somebody tweeted me like had heard me in the like wow,
this guy's the voice of the team. It doesn't even
realize they're number one in the NFL. And pressures, I'm like,
bro eyeball test, Okay, you can tell me about pressures
all you want. I'm watching teams score points against the
Lions at a much more significant clip than they did
(10:38):
earlier in the year.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
And that was attrition.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
That was not having enough guys, that was bringing in
guys on Monday and playing them on Sunday. But I
think it all goes to Okay, pressures are great, I'll
take them. But man, just show me somebody with their
arms wrapped around the quarterback and I'll show you a
defense changing a game.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
How much you can get home?
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Oh, I think here are a lot of things, you
know what. I think just a week can make a difference. Hey,
look again, this is this is a team full of
veterans that knows how to play. That secondary is veterans
that knows how to play. Those linebackers are veterans and
know how to play. The guys up front veterans know
how to play. I think just turning the page and
and coming back at home, Yeah, that makes a difference.
(11:19):
It makes it tougher on Chicago. But just getting back
to business, looking at one game tape and saying, man,
that's what we made the mistake, that's what we got
to correct. That's what we got to do. I think
time tape home. I think they all add up to
good things for the Lions, to a really good opportunity
here against the team that you're going to be fired
(11:39):
up to play. Obviously with Ben Johnson, whether it's a
big storyline and obviously you need to get a win.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
Dan talked about that early.
Speaker 4 (11:49):
He said, look, we have to win this game, especially
with Baltimore looming on Monday Night football Week three. You
can't get into that kind of hole early in the season.
I'm curious what you thought of of of and their
performance on Monday Night against Minnesota and in a close
loss where really Minnesota scored three touchdowns in the fourth,
Cordon had to come from behind.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
Win.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
Looked really good early and kind of was like okay,
and then Caleb kind of looked like Caleb more in
the middle of the game. And I don't think this
is a wave of magic wand and Ben's going to
be able to take him out of, you know, some
of his bad habits or get him to the point
where he's the quarterback that Chicago ultimately wants him to be.
(12:30):
I think he's really really talented, but I think there's
some holes in his game and those are going to
take a while and some patience I think to get
those out of his game and kind of replace them
with good habits and things like that. But believe me,
he can wreck your day. Yeah he can. That dude
can move around back there. The throw he made on
(12:52):
the run, I think it was to Adunesday down the
right side.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Yeh, he's sick.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
There's not many quarterbacks in this league that can make
that throw, so you have to expect his best. Don't
expect him to make mistakes or be the Caleb Williams
that has struggled. Expect him to make that throw for
sixty minutes, because I think he's got the capability of
doing that. But look, it's Ben's not there because that's
(13:18):
a great team. Ben's there because that team needed to
be lifted up. They needed some things to change, and
those things aren't always easy.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
We saw that here.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
They're probably certainly further along than Detroit was when Dan
took over here, but it still takes some time. And look,
I think he's got a really good staff over there.
I think he's got good coaches with him. I think
he's got some good veteran players with him there. If
you don't respect DJ Moore and a Dunza and Swift
and those guys comet that can make plays you better,
(13:47):
and then defensively, they got some dudes that can make
plays as well. So this is not I don't look
at this as the Bears team that won four or
five or six or whatever they won last year. I
think it's a dangerous team that you better expect their
best and you're gonna have to counter that with your best.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
I was curious what you thought of Calvin Shepherd's press
conference earlier in the week.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
Yeah, I kind of it's.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
A lot of you know what, I took it out.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
I liked it.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
Yeah, he was he was direct. I wouldn't say confrontational times,
but you have to question. You better know what you're
talking about because you know he's going to challenge it too.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
And I don't know, I kind of like he.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
Was almost like AG when AG would come in and
battle you, Yeah, but with an explanation. Yeah, you know,
AG would just kind of battle you and then he's
he wouldn't.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
That was it.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
You know, it'd be like, you know, fireback as you're done,
but Shep would kind of clip your question and then
explain why I and I just I thought it was
really good. I thought it was it was good to
learn from him. You know, what he saw in that
first game clearly not happy, and he broke it down
(14:57):
to obviously a couple of plays that really hurt this team,
and no, I think it was. It was good different.
I mean, I mean, we know him, we know he's like.
But I think that probably is also representative of of
how this team feels. They're probably pretty hacked off with
(15:18):
the way that game went. They don't like losing division games.
I haven't lost many of them.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
No, who did it better? Obj Or or Isaac Tesla?
Speaker 5 (15:27):
There the case, it was pretty good.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
I'm sitting down with him later today. I didn't know
what it was. I mean, it was what it was?
What an incredible catch and it took a couple of
replays to realize whether he caught it or not. I mean,
the good thing is there's a cautionary tailing there. He's
(15:50):
got to watch his diet because if his butt was
any bigger, it would have hit before his foot did.
So he's got to make sure that that thing remains
slim and trim because it was foot. But what hit
one first? And I want to ask him, was that
the greatest catch of his life? I mean, I could
there be a better one than that? That was unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
It was unbelievable.
Speaker 4 (16:09):
And I'm excited to see what he does this week
because Obviously, he was sick earlier in the week. Last week,
missed a bunch of time. The only day he was
at practice was Friday. That's the red zone day. That's
why we saw him only in the red zone. But
they're pretty adamant about incorporating him into every aspect of
the offense this week. And I'm curious, when you've got
Jamison Williams, I'm on Ross Saint Brown, Isaac Tesla Laporta
(16:34):
in line on that side, and Jamier Gibbs in the backfield,
you know, and now you can get that and you
fix some of the communication issues up front, some of
the you know, the misd assignments. What that will look like,
because then this kid looks like he's one of the
more advanced rookies that I've seen. And you've been doing
this longer than me. I've been doing it since two
thousand and nine. But kid just kind of gets it.
(16:57):
He's got the right mindset. He's physical, which the veterans
appreciated right from the get go in the run game.
I think he's got something and I'm excited to see
him on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
He's never looked out of place from offseason workouts to
the preseason to now, he's never looked out of place.
And I will say this every time. I say to myself, man,
it's gonna be great when he gets some snaps. Who
comes off the field when he goes on, and who's
not getting the ball thrown their way when he does.
And it's not to say it's a bad idea, but
it's just the thing about this team, and it's probably
(17:29):
if you play fantasy football to your biggest nightmare is
there's so many weapons on this team. Yeah, that it's
you know, you don't know where they're gonna go with it.
They have so many different avenues they can go, so
many guys that can burn you and can move the
ball down the field. And he's another one. And I'm
with you, I'm really excited to see where this goes.
And I think it just it gives this offense another
(17:53):
big chance to move the ball. And his size just
brings a different dimension we've already seen in the preseason.
He knows how to use his body. Yeah, And that's
the exciting thing too.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
I'm just excited to see how this team responds really
in all three phases. I expect them to play much
better football I think a lot of it, like we
talked about off the top with self inflicted stuff that
they're gonna correct. It's just it's too veteran of a team.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
You know. I don't want allented of a team.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
And I don't want to take anything away from green
Bay because where the Lions didn't make the plays they did,
so you know, bully for them. They did, they did
a good job and then that was that was obviously
a big, big win for green Bay. But I didn't
see the Lions team. I anticipate that I will see
for the better part of this year. And you need
to start seeing that this week.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
Definitely need to see it this week. Dan Miller will
be on the call. I know all you guys will
be listening excited for it, and I'll be right back
with Derek Barnes. Welcome back to the Toy in the
Huddle podcast. I am very happy well and Derek Barnes
And Derek, it's great to see you. Ye, it was
great to see you on the field on Sunday. Just
(18:58):
what did that that that feel like? Obviously had the
knee injury Week three last year, had that whole season
taken away from you? All the hard work in the
off season, the rehab to be back that that probably
felt a little bit extra special, didn't it.
Speaker 6 (19:12):
Oh yeah, definitely kind of teared up a little bit.
Was super excited. I mean, like when something gets taken
away from you, you know, you kind of cherish it
and it kind of respected a little bit more than
than you would before. And I love the game before,
but now it's like I love the game even more.
But no, it was very exciting and very emotional for me.
(19:33):
But I knew that I put the work in to
to be able to go out there and not worry
about my need, not worry about injuries or anything like that,
and trusted that got that God got me so and
I was super excited. Energy was great, the atmosphere was great.
You're not Green Bay is around, you know this time
of the year. But no, I was super excited and
it felt good to be back out there with my teammates.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
You don't want to ask you about this too.
Speaker 4 (19:53):
What did it say to you from an organizational standpoint
that you get the contract extension?
Speaker 2 (20:00):
You know, even though you're dealing with.
Speaker 4 (20:01):
Kind of some rehab, there's some question marks there that
that the team had faith in you to extend you
that you're part of this core, you're one of those guys.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
What did that mean to you?
Speaker 4 (20:10):
And how much does something like that make you want
to reciprocate come Sunday on the field?
Speaker 5 (20:17):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (20:17):
Man, I mean, I mean obviously, I mean, how can
you not you know, think about those things, like contract
wise when you get hurt. I mean, it's funny to say,
but when I got hurt, like that's that's the first
thing that came to my head. And obviously like my knee,
you know, that's so I wanted to get back. But
like that was just like it's like wow, like I
had my shot. I was you know, I didn't work
(20:39):
so hard to get to this point, to be this player,
to go out to make plays and be you know,
one of the one of the top people in the defense,
and uh, and then this happens.
Speaker 5 (20:48):
So that was the first thought when I got hurt.
I was like, man, say.
Speaker 6 (20:52):
Here we go. But man, trusted in God and I
knew that everything wul work out how it's supposed to
work out, and you know, it was it was it
was crazy for me because just like I'm talking to
my agent and and he kind of says something that
you know, kind of stuck me. Was like, it's just
one one more year that all you gotta do is
one more year to get what you want and to
get that second contract. And uh and I was the
(21:14):
whole time, I'm I was thinking, like, I know, it's
probably gonna be one of those one year deal type
of things because my injury and stuff. But man, to
have you know, organization like this, have a GM like
Brad and Dan chep Uh Sean Dionne, the guys to
believe in me and know my potential is know that
I can attribute to this defense and and this team
allows to go where we want to go.
Speaker 5 (21:33):
I mean that tells it all. I mean that pushed
me even more.
Speaker 6 (21:36):
They gave me a little you know, I always respected
the organization, Brad, Dan, everybody, but that just like like
that just to love. I'm like, man, these people they
believe me like that. Okay, Now I gotta go proven right,
like gotta prove them right. That's that's the biggest thing.
Like I always telling us like I'm always proving my
I want to prove myself who I can be and
who I will be. But then that's right, Like it
(21:57):
just wants to makes you want to push harder for
this organization because that's just type of guys they are,
that type of organization we are. And man, I just
lay laid all online for those guys, man, because they
believe in me.
Speaker 4 (22:07):
So, you know, before we get to to Chicago on
Sunday's appointed, let's let's look back a little bit.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
Obviously a little bit disappointing to play the way you
guys did.
Speaker 4 (22:16):
I think, really collectively in all three phases, I thought
the second half, you guys played really well. Defensively, settled down,
just got yourselves in a hole and kind of it
is what it is.
Speaker 2 (22:26):
But look, you had six tackles, tackle phlosophy. I thought
you played well.
Speaker 4 (22:29):
Just what was your biggest takeaway coming out of that
Green Bay game defensively.
Speaker 5 (22:35):
For us? Defensive wise? I think that man.
Speaker 6 (22:39):
And and I'm never a type of guy a point
fingers upon which I would never do. I just think collectively,
I mean, I think we just didn't play you know
what they call it complimentary football. Yeah, like whether that
was special teams, defense, offense, no, what I feel like
we didn't just we didn't compliment each other. And that's
not a game supposed to be played because usually like
(22:59):
when one one one is down, the others up, and
I just feel like as a whole collective group, I
feel like we didn't. We weren't who we know we are.
And defensive wise, I mean, it's just those explosives, like
we preach it kach Chep prizes all the time. Like
when you give up explosive pass and closest runs, it
hurts you in a long game, I mean, even if
it's one or two, I mean that could be the
(23:20):
game change and play that you know, could determine whether
you win to lose. And I think if we just
limit those small mistakes, those small mental errors, I think
we're going to be right back on point and be
and becoming the best defense and one of the best
defenses in the league. And I truly believe that. I mean,
we got all the tools, we got, the coaches, we got,
the scheme, I mean, and and even without without the
good scheme, I mean, the players will make it, will
(23:41):
make it right. And I think that we just we
we emphasize that a lot, you know, when if the
call doesn't go right, I mean, we will make Coach
chev right. And as we pride ourselves on. But I
think that just collectly as a defense, I think that
once we start eliminating these small, you know, minute mental errors,
I think that, you know, the sky's the limit.
Speaker 4 (24:00):
I think people sometimes have to take a step back
to write It's it's week.
Speaker 2 (24:03):
One, right, There's a lot. It's a long football city.
You're gonna have ups and downs through the course of
the season. Green Bay is a pretty darn good team, and.
Speaker 4 (24:12):
Flambellfield's a pretty tough place to stay football. So I
think you guys did show some good things obviously. You know,
maybe some fans are a little bit concerned with with
with some of the pass rush. I thought Green Bay
did had a pretty good plan for that. You know,
some short sets got the ball out. How much do
you guys want to kind of maybe improve that aspect
of a little bit get after Caleb a little bit
(24:32):
more that than you got after Jordan this week?
Speaker 2 (24:35):
Is that kind of a point of emphasis for you?
Speaker 5 (24:37):
It's always a point of emphasis.
Speaker 6 (24:38):
I mean, I mean you it's it's kind of really
hard to explain because it's just like I feel like
in that game, because Green Bath, I feel like we
didn't really get that a great opportunity as you say,
to like, actually really show the rush, show our blue PA.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
Tough to because their plan changes. He only threw six
times in the second half.
Speaker 5 (24:58):
Yeah, so yeah, it's it's it's a lot to go
into it.
Speaker 6 (25:00):
And I think that, I mean, I know, like just
I mean, I hang around these guys every day, but
I already know the pass rush is gonna pick up
like it's and people say it's down whatever, But there's
just a lot of scenarios in the game where you
know you might not have those opportunities, but man, it'll
it'll all come together. I mean, definitely is always a
point of emphasis for us. I mean, we got phenomenal
(25:21):
pass rush. I mean, you got Hudge, who is I
don't think it's human honestly in my opinion. Davenport, who's
also not human in my in my perspective. I mean,
and then you got no Muhammed, you got you know, Roy,
you got DJ you got like It's man, you got
a whole bunch of these guys. I'm sorry if I'm
missing anybody, don't don't don't please, don't you know, but
(25:41):
everybody on our on our defensive line, all of them
can rush and it's like, and then you got me
mixed here and there.
Speaker 5 (25:46):
I mean, so it's gonna pick up.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
Man.
Speaker 6 (25:48):
We got the right people, Man, we got the right scheme.
I mean, just when the opportunity presents itself, I think
that people will people will see why you know we Yeah, you.
Speaker 4 (25:56):
Know, shep better than most obviously was in that linebacker.
Speaker 2 (25:59):
Room free years. What do you like about just.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
The way he runs that unit, how he calls that defense.
Obviously they've been kind of prepping him for this role.
They identified his talent years ago. Now he stepped into
that role. What do you like about him?
Speaker 6 (26:13):
Man? Well, first of all, man, she have always been
a coach who is super passionate about the game, super smart,
really intelligent coach. Man, and I can bet back in
his days when we played, he was a super intelligent player.
Speaker 5 (26:26):
He just knows a lot.
Speaker 6 (26:28):
Man, He knows and he his biggest thing is putting
us in the right position to be able to be
successful and make plays. Man, he's you know, I don't
know if people do. You might hear him out there
about them yelling and stuff like that, but man, it's
all love. Like One thing out that came to realize
is when he getting on you, like, and it ain't
out of out of anger. It's just that he wants
to be good so bad, and I mean he installs
(26:49):
that in all of us. And that's why we pushed
every day to be perfect. I mean, you're not gonna
be perfect, but you can at least push towards it.
And man, that's just type of coach he is.
Speaker 5 (26:57):
Man. He always going to show love.
Speaker 6 (26:58):
He always is a guy that you can go to
and have conversations with, whether it's football re lata or
not football RELATD. And I really respect and really respect
how he's growing, really respect respect how you know he
wants everybody on the defensive sign like he wants everybody
to make their plays, you know. And I think that
I said it back in the day, like super aggressive
and he wants to get after people.
Speaker 5 (27:18):
I mean that's I.
Speaker 6 (27:19):
Love it, you know, for for a guy like me,
I gotta gotta love that. Gotta love aggressiveness. I mean,
you got too, man, You're yeah, you're defensive. Is with
a defense man, you got to be aggressor. And I
think that you know, he's doing that's what the that's
what he like to do. And I'm not saying a
g didn't do that, but Shepvy's the guy he wants
to He wants to get out there. He doesn't want
to hold hold back doing anything. He wants to get
(27:40):
out there right now. From the from the very first.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
We talked to him.
Speaker 4 (27:43):
This week he kind of did his first media kind
of scrum weekly scrum with us, and tell you what
he was fired up in that that he brings energy.
You know, you can just tell when he walks in
the room, he brings the energy. Last one for you, Derek,
what are we going to see from lines defense this week?
Obviously got some good skill, guys, Ben Johnson, I got
that you guys are familiar with with his scheme. Caleb
(28:06):
looked pretty darn good the other day, you know, getting
out of the pocket, making plays with his legs. Just
what are we going to see from this Lion's defense
come Sunday you're at home, that kind of atmosphere, you
guys are excited to get back into that building.
Speaker 5 (28:18):
What are we going to see a bunch of hungry dogs? Seriously?
Speaker 6 (28:22):
I mean, man, that one, that that one the Green Bay,
that one hurt and everybody felt that. I think that
you know the preparation we had this week was was phenomenal.
I think the plan going in is phenomenal. We got
a plan for for all that to scramble. Whatever you
want to say it. They don't want to say too much,
don't want to get them no you know, no clues
or nothing like that. But but no, no, we have
(28:42):
a good plan. And I think that you want to
say much. I got the guys out there who are
playing smart football, uh, playing fast and physical, especially on
their defensive side, and even all of a sudden, I'm
super excited to watch them play, man and uh like
this is this one of just one of them games,
first home game.
Speaker 5 (28:59):
Obviously we know what opponent is. It's gonna be a
really good football game.
Speaker 6 (29:02):
But I'm super excited to watch everything come together and
and people on outside not knowing who we are as
a team, because we know who we are and we
know we bring to the table. So I'm super excited
for us to show that again and man play for
each other and hopefully obviously come away with the dub.
But like I said, it's just it's not easy. There
(29:23):
have nothing this NFL. No game is gonna be easy.
So however, you can win win and just find a way,
find a way. But no, Yeah, super excited.
Speaker 4 (29:31):
NFC North Football Board Field, Black and Blue Division.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
It should be fun.
Speaker 5 (29:36):
Go get appreciate, Yes, sir, thank you.
Speaker 2 (29:44):
Welcome back to the Torn the Huddle podcast.
Speaker 4 (29:45):
Now it is time to take a look inside Chicago
and joining me now is Patrick Finley from the Chicago
Sun Times. He also does a great job with the
Hallis Intrigue podcast.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
Patrick, thanks for joining me.
Speaker 3 (29:57):
Thank you. It's a short week, but but it'll be
a fun one.
Speaker 2 (30:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (30:01):
Those weeks coming off Monday night are always tough.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
You gotta gotta get right back into you know.
Speaker 4 (30:07):
Detroit mode after everything. Just curious, let's maybe start with
this injury updates. You know, obviously you saw DJ Moore
go down in the fourth quarter that game. He did
come back, but you've got you know, Jalen Johnson, TJ Edwards,
Kyler Gordon, any updates kind of midweek about their possible return.
Speaker 3 (30:25):
No, as you and I sit here right now, there
hasn't been an injury report put out. Ben Johnson said
after Monday Night's game that the team got out of
there without any significant injuries, so that vodes well for
DJ Moore. I think Jalen Johnson's got a real chance
to play. He hadn't practiced at all this training camp
until last week. I think the Bears were just a
little nervous running him out there with that groin injury,
(30:48):
but I would look for him as a distinct possibility.
In Detroit, Kyler Gordon wasn't on the injury report all
last week and then Sunday morning they put him on
because he felt some pain in his hamstring. See with
that and TJ. Edwards two missed the first start. Those
are three starters and three of the bears best six
(31:09):
defensive players probably, so that will definitely be something worth
monitoring as we get through this week.
Speaker 4 (31:14):
You look at that game Monday night at twenty seven
twenty four loss to Minnesota, and for three quarters this
team looked terrific really in offense, offensively and defensively. I'm
just curious to obviously fell apart there in the fourth
quarter a little bit and giving up three scores. What
was your biggest takeaway coming out of that game Monday night?
Speaker 3 (31:33):
Oh boy, the quarterback needs to be better. I know
that that's a reductive statement. I know you could say
that after every loss in the NFL, But there were
some accurate accuracy issues with Caleb over the middle. Once
to Dj Moore and wants to Cole Comet that if
he hits that, it's probably thirty yards a pop, and
it's a very different game. He needs to be more consistent.
(31:53):
He needs to be more consistent before the snap too.
The Bears had four fall start penalties and an illegal
shift that way too many. So Ben Johnson has been
harping on that all training camp and it still doesn't
look quite right. Beyond that, you know, you mentioned it,
the defense was very impressive playing without those three players.
And I think Dennis Allen, you know, we talked about
(32:15):
him all training camp as somebody who brought this experience
of being a head coach that he could help Ben
Johnson kind of in his you know, maiden voyage here,
I think we forget that Dennis Allen's a really good
play caller too, and he was able to confuse the quarterback. Now,
Jared Golf's going to be a lot different than facing
somebody who'd never played in an NFL game before. But
(32:36):
I thought that it was really good first game for
Dennis Allen.
Speaker 4 (32:40):
Yeah, it's funny you bring up the pre snat penalties
because obviously we know Ben pretty well here, and whenever
you were at training, camp, practice, whenever you at practice,
you never saw him get more upset and more vocal
than those prestat stuff aligning, you know, miscommunication stuff.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
Boy, he hates that stuff.
Speaker 4 (32:58):
And you could see him stewing a little bit down
the sideline on Monday night.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
Yeah, there was a thinking back to maybe may they're
doing an OTA in their dome here, which is a
pretty small building, and the tight end cole comet doesn't
go in motion quite correctly, and practice stops and there
is cursing, and there is yelling, and all of us
were used to matt Abraflusher sitting there on Oh boy,
(33:22):
oh okay, And that's how he operates, and those things,
You're right, those things are the things that I think
keep him up at night. I think he's okay with
mistakes made, Honestly, I don't think he's okay with preventable mistakes.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
Yeah, one hundred percent.
Speaker 4 (33:37):
You guys are learning Ben very very well, as we
have over the last few years here. You know, I'm
curious obviously, the offensive line, the sacks leading the league
with sixty eight last year was a big storyline leading
the league in pressures allowed. You look at the book
from Minnesota, it wasn't too bad, you know, a couple
of sacks allowed. I think he was hit maybe three times.
He did get out of the pocket a lot. I'm
(33:58):
just curious when I looked at little deeper though, twenty
five pressures is that worrisome at all heading in or
they obviously put a lot of resources into kind of
retooling this offensive line with some veteran guys. What was
your impression of their play Week one? Any concerns coming
out of that.
Speaker 3 (34:13):
When you average four sacks a game for the entirety
of a season the year before, there's really nowhere to go.
But you know, Caleb Williams was sacked the third most
times in the history of football last year. So the Bears,
you mentioned it, they threw money at a center and
two guards, both you know, via trade and then and
then contract extensions, and then drewdalmend the center as a
free agent. I think they held up well. I think
(34:36):
that you know, when you talk about those two sacks,
one of them was when Caleb stepped out of bounce
throwing a pass, So really he was tackled to the
ground for a sacked just once. And you know, you
guys know the Vikings as well as we do. You know,
they didn't blitz as much as they usually do. They
still boy it is that their priority is to try
and get the quarterback to the ground. So I thought
it was a good first start. There were times when
(34:58):
Caleb looked a little more like justin f fields that
I feel comfortable with in terms of getting out of
the pocket, maybe a little prematurely. You know, you'd like
to think that as the season goes on, if the
Bears o line does, you know, even if they just
get back to league average after last season, you'd like
to think that Caleb's trust in that pocket will grow
(35:18):
and that maybe he'll hang in there a little more
than he did the other night.
Speaker 4 (35:22):
What was the difference with the defense there in the
fourth quarter, Because we talked about it earlier, how now
they really did play well, really well overall, But you
look at that fourth quarter, Minnesota and JJ McCarthy were
able to make some things happen, and both with his
legs and his arms, scored the twenty one points for
the come from behind.
Speaker 2 (35:38):
When what was the difference in your opinion that fourth quarter.
Speaker 3 (35:42):
I think it's easy to talk about JJ because it's
a great story, but I'll tell you this, I think, well,
the Vikings said thirteen runs in the first three quarters
and thirteen runs in the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter,
I think they averaged twice as many yards per carry
as they did in the first three JJ through eight
times in the fourth quarter. Four times he was throwing
(36:02):
on either third and one second and one third and
five or second in five. Those are all very beneficial
downs for a young quarterback rather than being in those
obvious passing downs. So I think the run game really
helped him. And that's not something that I hear being
talked about a lot, but that was part of it.
And then you know, you know, you have Justin Jefferson,
(36:23):
who is you know, the best receiver on the planet
probably and you knew when he let a ball go
through his hands earlier in the game that that probably
wasn't gonna happen again. And then he was able to
get unlocked against bear secondary. You know, like I said,
that was missing their two time Pro Bowl corner and
then their slot cornerback as well.
Speaker 4 (36:43):
What grade do you give kind of Ben Johnson for
his first performance. I know you're you're kind of I
don't like doing that as well that much because it's
one game, right, It's one thing. But I guess maybe
everybody obviously has expectations leading up. You were there every
day in camp, You saw what it looked like. Did
what it looked like in camp looked like it in
week one where there's some surprises or is that kind
(37:06):
of what you expected?
Speaker 3 (37:08):
It's it was the outcome I suspect or I expected.
I think I had the Vikings winning by three. But
the way both teams got there has to be so
encouraging for Vikings fans and so demoralizing for Bears fans.
I mean, I'd give Ben a B minus. You know,
part of what was concerning was this wasn't just an
offense issue. You know, Kayleb Williams struggled, you know, like
(37:31):
we talked about, with accuracy for half the game. That's bad,
but also you've got a defense to let go of
the rope in the fourth quarter. You have special teams
that missed a fifty yard field goal, and then at
the end when Cairo Santos was under orders to put
the ball through the back of the end zone to
save the Bears of time out because the two minute
warning would then sound after the first play, Cairo couldn't
(37:51):
get the ball out of the back of the end zone.
Their failures in all three phases here, and you know,
even talking to Ben about it, Ben said, listen, you
know I shouldn't have challenged a player the third quarter.
That's on me. I should have noticed that a Flow
wasn't blitzing as much as we thought earlier. You know,
I don't think Ben would give himself anything above a
be minus. And that's about where I am, because when
(38:12):
you have mistakes across the entirety of the team, that
does fall on the head coach kind of whether it's
fair or not.
Speaker 2 (38:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (38:19):
The twelve penalties is also something there too, and that
reflects on a little bit of coaching as well too.
Speaker 3 (38:24):
Yeah, Matt Eberflus never had a team with twelve penalties.
Speaker 5 (38:28):
Wow and ah.
Speaker 3 (38:30):
And that operation was nobody's idea of anything that was buttoned.
Speaker 2 (38:33):
Up Patrick dropping the knowledge knowledge here.
Speaker 4 (38:36):
I'm curious, what's one of the key matchups for you
come Sunday.
Speaker 3 (38:40):
The Bears need to run the football. You know, you
know this, Ben is a running coach who then has
great pass concepts on top of it. You know, I
think everything is predicated on that.
Speaker 5 (38:50):
You know that.
Speaker 3 (38:50):
You know, the play action numbers that he had with
you guys for the last couple of years were unmatched
across football. And the Bears can't get into that sort
of stuff, especially with Kayleb Williams, who is are more
athletic than the quarterback in Detroit was. They can't get
into that stuff unless they actually scare you with the runs.
DeAndre Swift I thought, had one really good possession in
the third quarter the other night where he just put
(39:12):
his head down and pushed a pile. That's kind of
all they want him to do. He was last year
the worst running back in football in terms of expected
yards per carry and what he actually turned out with
because he was trying to hit the home run every time.
He can't do that. So the Bears need to scheme
it better, they need to block it better, and Swift
needs to hit the hole. If they can run the ball,
then they've got that metronome that they could base everything
(39:35):
else on. I think that's going to be a very
big deal. And then you know, on the other side,
not to get too line heavy here, because I know
that that's not what the people want. Usually, the Bear's
ability to rush the passer against a Lion's defensive line
that's a little different than Ben Johnson left it. I
think is going to be telling because when you don't,
(39:55):
especially with the weapons that the Lions have, they can
certainly make you pay.
Speaker 2 (39:59):
Well.
Speaker 4 (39:59):
Patrick, two division opponents that obviously know each other very well.
It's two head coaches who know each other very very well, obviously.
Speaker 2 (40:07):
And it's two teams that look for all in Tes's purpose.
Speaker 4 (40:09):
They need to win. Both teams need to win. You
can't start zero and two in this league. You just
put yourself behind the eight ball. It's not impossible, but
it's a tough smart especially Week three.
Speaker 2 (40:18):
Who does Chicago have Week three?
Speaker 3 (40:20):
They come home for the Dallas Cowboys, led by defensive
coordinator Matt Eberflus. So it's never a dull moment around here.
You mentioned it, I thought it was. I thought it
was a tough spot to put anybody in to have
all of these teams play two NFC North games in
the first two weeks of the season. But I did
think that it was good for the Bears to get
JJ in the first game rather than in October for
(40:41):
the first time. And I thought it was good for
them to get the Lions coordinators in their second game
rather than later in this season. We'll see whether any
of that matters. As it turns out with the JJ thing,
it really didn't well.
Speaker 2 (40:52):
Obviously, it's a huge one for Detroit.
Speaker 4 (40:54):
They go to Baltimore Week three on Monday Night Football,
so starting zero and two with the prospects of having
go to Baltimore on Monday Night. Obviously, it's a huge
game for both teams. Thanks for taking the time so much.
Appreciate the insight into Chicago safe travels in Detroit.
Speaker 3 (41:09):
Hey Andy time, Thank you.
Jared's got it on fourth down back looking left side
Rose end zone.
Speaker 2 (00:04):
It is up and was it caught?
Speaker 3 (00:07):
Wow?
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Is that called Tesla? In his first NFL game comes
up with his first NFL touchdowns.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
And Welcome to Week two of the NFL season. This
is the twenty minute The Huddle Podcast.
Speaker 4 (00:20):
I am Tim twenty man, and the man next to me,
you guys don't know, this is Dan Miller. Needs this fourts,
director of Fox two, and he is the voice of
the Lions. And I thought, given the game in Green Bay,
to have a comforting voice, a familiar.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Voice would be great here in week two. But no, Dan,
Look it was a voice.
Speaker 1 (00:39):
It says you just can't do that. But I don't
say it much anymore. That's good.
Speaker 2 (00:44):
It was week one and obviously you have a.
Speaker 4 (00:46):
Bird's eye view of that you're calling the game. Just
maybe your biggest takeaway coming out of that out of
that game that.
Speaker 1 (00:56):
There were things that I saw and listened to. One
of the great things I get to do is listen
to TJ and Lomas and just correctable things. Yeah, and
not anything that gave me great pause or reason to panic.
It's things that are correctible. With guys, many of whom
(01:16):
I know have won a lot of football games and
know how to correct things, and maybe most importantly of all,
a head coach that doesn't let his team stay down
for long. It's my favorite statistic. October thirtieth, twenty twenty
two was the last time this team lost two games
in a row. Yeah, they've gone forty five games without
losing to in a row. That's obviously on the line
this week, but I think it goes to his ability
(01:41):
to set the tone for a team, which I think
is one of his great strengths, and get them to
bounce back and not panic.
Speaker 4 (01:47):
And to your point, you know, if guys are getting
beat physically, you know, that's one thing, you know. But
they talked about miscommunication, they talked about being on the
same page, self inflicted mistakes.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
To your point, all that stuff is is correct.
Speaker 4 (02:00):
But we talked to the coordinators this week and they said, look,
those are points of emphasis. We're going to get those
things cleaned up. They get to come home, the offense
gets to, you know, have that quiet atmosphere, and the
defense gets the noise environment. I would expect them to
play much better in all three phases on.
Speaker 1 (02:18):
So yeah, and I just got done talking to Johnny
Morton just about this offense, and just think about it.
If you're Tate Ravage and he's going to have bumps
in the road, they're unavoidable. And Christian Mahogany just made
his second start, So I mean, I think going from
one start to two starts, and then if you're going Tate,
(02:40):
you know, going from zero to one and now you're
making your second and Mahogany on to his third. It's
just every step they take, because I think they're talented
players who will be good players. Every step they take
will just provide a comfort level for them of understanding
what this league's about, understanding what they're supposed to doing,
understanding the communication that's and I just think, I honestly
(03:02):
believe we're gonna watch them grow. I can't tell you
how quickly it'll happen, but I think we will see
them grow. I think these are good football players, and
the nice thing is that they have veterans around them,
and and I think that that that's what gives me confidence. Look,
there's tim there's too many good football players on this team.
Because this team's depth chart is loaded. They just got
(03:22):
to clean some things up, and they need to do
it this week against Chicago.
Speaker 4 (03:26):
Hank Frailey a ton too, you know, no doubt, one
of those guys who's been doing it at a really
high level for a long time, both as a player
and a Koch Yeah, and.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
Has seen young players before. And look, we got so
comfortable having you know, Taylor and Frank and Piney across
that line with whomever was a guard, because that part
of it kind of shifted over the years whoever was
at guard. But when you had those three and then
whomever it was of a Zeitler, a veteran grade or whoever,
(03:58):
or Jackson or whoever was in there at the other
guard spot or Graham, if you had those three, we
got really comfortable because that was three really good football players.
And you know what that's changed. You got to adapt
and then these guys have to grow and the communication
has to be better, and I'm confident it will be.
I still feel good about the fact. And whenever I
(04:19):
bring up a rush end or one of those guys,
Dan always says, well, I like my guys out there too.
I'm still confident with those guys out there. So yeah,
I overall just a lot of correctable things that I'm
sure we'll dive into here, But I think as I
digested that game, I saw reasons that I felt better
about it than I did walking out of Green Bay
(04:40):
out of the booth that night.
Speaker 4 (04:41):
And Shepherd said that too, you know, he said, look,
I was mad calming off that field, but then I
watched the tape and there were some things in that
tape that looked.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
A lot better. I'm just curious.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
We talked, We talked about the offensive line. Was that
the biggest concern you had coming out of that week
or what was maybe one thing? You're like, boy, I
really need to see that turn around next week for
well noted.
Speaker 1 (05:02):
Yeah, yeah, I'll give you a couple. First. Offensively, the
running game. I mean, if this team can't run, it
becomes difficult. I don't care who you are in the NFL.
If you can't run, it becomes really difficult. And the
weapons that they have that they want to utilize become
less effective if you're not running the ball. More effective obviously,
(05:23):
because if you're springing Demo and you're springing Gibbs, those
guys can make big plays on their own, but also
it puts the defense on their heels, and that's when
Jamo and i'm in Ra and Laporta and ultimately Isaac
become more dangerous. So I think the running game was
one thing to be and I think the thing that
just managed I went back over that game and started
(05:44):
looking at some of the numbers and trying to put
it all together was that first drive where you had
a chance to set the tone defensively and you did
exactly what you needed to do. You put them in
a third and six, you put them in a third
and ten, and you put them in a third and eleven.
Any defensive coordinator would take those chances to get off
(06:06):
the field by making a play. Yeah, they make a
play on any of those. Credit green Bay.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
They did.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
They converted all those one of them for a touchdown,
and they converted their next third down on their second drive,
but did not convert a third down. After that, they
were oh for six. So I look at that first
drive and I'm like, man, you had so many opportunities
to either get off the field or force a field
goal attempt, but instead the momentum swings big time to
Green Bay because you didn't make those plays. This team
(06:32):
was number one in the NFL. Last year in third
down defense. I know some guys have changed, but I
think there's a good chances defense might be better than
it was last year.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
I would agree.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
They weren't in Week one, and they weren't in Drive one.
Speaker 4 (06:43):
Yeah, and you look at the third down statistics overall
and they looked pretty good.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
Four for team, think four for ten.
Speaker 4 (06:49):
Yeah, So it was a little you know, I think
they just had to settle in a little bit, and
that defense played much better in the second half. Now,
granted Green Bay was ahead, and when you're ahead, just
naturally you're offense changes.
Speaker 2 (07:01):
Jordan loved throw the ball as much. Any concern with
the pass rush at all, Yeah, I.
Speaker 1 (07:05):
Mean, I don't think again, I think Hutch is Hutch.
I think Hutch is going to make some plays. I
think we need to see where it's going to come
from in the interior. Who can provide some rush there
and can they get something consistent out of the other side.
I mean you brought up al Quadeen Mohammed a little
bit earlier today. Look, he's a guy who's had i
(07:27):
think six and a half sacks in one season with Indianapolis.
He's a guy that has been able to get after
the quarterback. I think he was second on the team
in sacks last year, wasn't he He can get after
the quarterback a little bit and might ultimately be part
of the answer there. But I think you know, coming
into the season, Tim, there were questions. It was the
interior offensive line, it was the pass rush, and it
was the coordinators, and those are questions that have to
(07:47):
be answered only by playing games. But to your question, yeah,
I need to see more. You can't have quarterbacks sitting
back there. And you know, Chep made the point. At
times the ball came out quick well at times he
also had time to really scan the field, and any
quarterback in this league, if you give them time back there,
(08:09):
it's difficult to hold your coverage and they're going to
make some plays. So yeah, I need to see more
out of that and an all off season I said,
I thought one of the biggest changes this team had
to make was going from pressures, which they got a
lot of last year, to getting the quarterback on the ground.
(08:29):
Get him on the ground because the negative plays putting
a team behind the downsticks. That's how you change games.
Pressures I think sometimes they're so they don't always translate
into something good for the defense. You can have them,
but it doesn't mean that necessarily that ended up being
a good play for you. Sacks are always good plays
(08:51):
for you.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
To your point, last year twenty twenty four season, teams
that had a sack offensively scored a touchdown or field goal.
I think it was twenty six percent of the time
they scored a touchdown on those series. Eight percent of
the time, Yeah, just eight percent of the time you
score a touchdown. When you take a sack on a play,
(09:12):
it is huge. It puts you behind the sticks. It
changes the entire dynamic of of a series. And to
your point about about Hutch, we asked him this week,
you know, how many really true one on ones did
you have this week? And he kind of paused for
a minut. He said two or three, I think, you.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Know, And that's gonna be Yeah, that's gonna be the deal.
You're gonna face.
Speaker 4 (09:31):
Double team, you're gonna face nudges, You're gonna you know,
you're gonna have chips. It's the other guys. To me, like,
who's the guy who steps up? Is it markets Davenport?
You mentioned Muhammad. We gotta wait till a Leam gets
back hopefully, you know, sometime in October, maybe early November.
But who's that guy that that that's gonna take advantage
(09:52):
of those one on ones. That's what I'm interested in
watching on Sunday.
Speaker 5 (09:54):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
I go back to last year and really from the
Buffalo game on, this team was given up about thirty
points a game. The defense was just thin. They just
didn't have guys left. And I remember I did one
of these out of town talk shows and they asked me,
you know, about the defense and what needed to happen.
I said, we need to get after the quarterback better.
I said, this team is not doing enough to impact
(10:16):
the quarterback and it was showing on the scoreboard. And
somebody tweeted me like had heard me in the like wow,
this guy's the voice of the team. It doesn't even
realize they're number one in the NFL. And pressures, I'm like,
bro eyeball test, Okay, you can tell me about pressures
all you want. I'm watching teams score points against the
Lions at a much more significant clip than they did
(10:38):
earlier in the year.
Speaker 2 (10:39):
And that was attrition.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
That was not having enough guys, that was bringing in
guys on Monday and playing them on Sunday. But I
think it all goes to Okay, pressures are great, I'll
take them. But man, just show me somebody with their
arms wrapped around the quarterback and I'll show you a
defense changing a game.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
How much you can get home?
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Oh, I think here are a lot of things, you
know what. I think just a week can make a difference. Hey,
look again, this is this is a team full of
veterans that knows how to play. That secondary is veterans
that knows how to play. Those linebackers are veterans and
know how to play. The guys up front veterans know
how to play. I think just turning the page and
and coming back at home, Yeah, that makes a difference.
(11:19):
It makes it tougher on Chicago. But just getting back
to business, looking at one game tape and saying, man,
that's what we made the mistake, that's what we got
to correct. That's what we got to do. I think
time tape home. I think they all add up to
good things for the Lions, to a really good opportunity
here against the team that you're going to be fired
(11:39):
up to play. Obviously with Ben Johnson, whether it's a
big storyline and obviously you need to get a win.
Speaker 2 (11:48):
Dan talked about that early.
Speaker 4 (11:49):
He said, look, we have to win this game, especially
with Baltimore looming on Monday Night football Week three. You
can't get into that kind of hole early in the season.
I'm curious what you thought of of of and their
performance on Monday Night against Minnesota and in a close
loss where really Minnesota scored three touchdowns in the fourth,
Cordon had to come from behind.
Speaker 2 (12:07):
Win.
Speaker 1 (12:07):
Looked really good early and kind of was like okay,
and then Caleb kind of looked like Caleb more in
the middle of the game. And I don't think this
is a wave of magic wand and Ben's going to
be able to take him out of, you know, some
of his bad habits or get him to the point
where he's the quarterback that Chicago ultimately wants him to be.
(12:30):
I think he's really really talented, but I think there's
some holes in his game and those are going to
take a while and some patience I think to get
those out of his game and kind of replace them
with good habits and things like that. But believe me,
he can wreck your day. Yeah he can. That dude
can move around back there. The throw he made on
(12:52):
the run, I think it was to Adunesday down the
right side.
Speaker 2 (12:56):
Yeh, he's sick.
Speaker 1 (12:57):
There's not many quarterbacks in this league that can make
that throw, so you have to expect his best. Don't
expect him to make mistakes or be the Caleb Williams
that has struggled. Expect him to make that throw for
sixty minutes, because I think he's got the capability of
doing that. But look, it's Ben's not there because that's
(13:18):
a great team. Ben's there because that team needed to
be lifted up. They needed some things to change, and
those things aren't always easy.
Speaker 2 (13:24):
We saw that here.
Speaker 1 (13:25):
They're probably certainly further along than Detroit was when Dan
took over here, but it still takes some time. And look,
I think he's got a really good staff over there.
I think he's got good coaches with him. I think
he's got some good veteran players with him there. If
you don't respect DJ Moore and a Dunza and Swift
and those guys comet that can make plays you better,
(13:47):
and then defensively, they got some dudes that can make
plays as well. So this is not I don't look
at this as the Bears team that won four or
five or six or whatever they won last year. I
think it's a dangerous team that you better expect their
best and you're gonna have to counter that with your best.
Speaker 4 (14:02):
I was curious what you thought of Calvin Shepherd's press
conference earlier in the week.
Speaker 2 (14:07):
Yeah, I kind of it's.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
A lot of you know what, I took it out.
Speaker 2 (14:11):
I liked it.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
Yeah, he was he was direct. I wouldn't say confrontational times,
but you have to question. You better know what you're
talking about because you know he's going to challenge it too.
Speaker 2 (14:22):
And I don't know, I kind of like he.
Speaker 1 (14:26):
Was almost like AG when AG would come in and
battle you, Yeah, but with an explanation. Yeah, you know,
AG would just kind of battle you and then he's
he wouldn't.
Speaker 2 (14:35):
That was it.
Speaker 1 (14:36):
You know, it'd be like, you know, fireback as you're done,
but Shep would kind of clip your question and then
explain why I and I just I thought it was
really good. I thought it was it was good to
learn from him. You know, what he saw in that
first game clearly not happy, and he broke it down
(14:57):
to obviously a couple of plays that really hurt this team,
and no, I think it was. It was good different.
I mean, I mean, we know him, we know he's like.
But I think that probably is also representative of of
how this team feels. They're probably pretty hacked off with
(15:18):
the way that game went. They don't like losing division games.
I haven't lost many of them.
Speaker 2 (15:22):
No, who did it better? Obj Or or Isaac Tesla?
Speaker 5 (15:27):
There the case, it was pretty good.
Speaker 1 (15:29):
I'm sitting down with him later today. I didn't know
what it was. I mean, it was what it was?
What an incredible catch and it took a couple of
replays to realize whether he caught it or not. I mean,
the good thing is there's a cautionary tailing there. He's
(15:50):
got to watch his diet because if his butt was
any bigger, it would have hit before his foot did.
So he's got to make sure that that thing remains
slim and trim because it was foot. But what hit
one first? And I want to ask him, was that
the greatest catch of his life? I mean, I could
there be a better one than that? That was unbelievable.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
It was unbelievable.
Speaker 4 (16:09):
And I'm excited to see what he does this week
because Obviously, he was sick earlier in the week. Last week,
missed a bunch of time. The only day he was
at practice was Friday. That's the red zone day. That's
why we saw him only in the red zone. But
they're pretty adamant about incorporating him into every aspect of
the offense this week. And I'm curious, when you've got
Jamison Williams, I'm on Ross Saint Brown, Isaac Tesla Laporta
(16:34):
in line on that side, and Jamier Gibbs in the backfield,
you know, and now you can get that and you
fix some of the communication issues up front, some of
the you know, the misd assignments. What that will look like,
because then this kid looks like he's one of the
more advanced rookies that I've seen. And you've been doing
this longer than me. I've been doing it since two
thousand and nine. But kid just kind of gets it.
(16:57):
He's got the right mindset. He's physical, which the veterans
appreciated right from the get go in the run game.
I think he's got something and I'm excited to see
him on Sunday.
Speaker 1 (17:07):
He's never looked out of place from offseason workouts to
the preseason to now, he's never looked out of place.
And I will say this every time. I say to myself, man,
it's gonna be great when he gets some snaps. Who
comes off the field when he goes on, and who's
not getting the ball thrown their way when he does.
And it's not to say it's a bad idea, but
it's just the thing about this team, and it's probably
(17:29):
if you play fantasy football to your biggest nightmare is
there's so many weapons on this team. Yeah, that it's
you know, you don't know where they're gonna go with it.
They have so many different avenues they can go, so
many guys that can burn you and can move the
ball down the field. And he's another one. And I'm
with you, I'm really excited to see where this goes.
And I think it just it gives this offense another
(17:53):
big chance to move the ball. And his size just
brings a different dimension we've already seen in the preseason.
He knows how to use his body. Yeah, And that's
the exciting thing too.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
I'm just excited to see how this team responds really
in all three phases. I expect them to play much
better football I think a lot of it, like we
talked about off the top with self inflicted stuff that
they're gonna correct. It's just it's too veteran of a team.
Speaker 2 (18:15):
You know. I don't want allented of a team.
Speaker 1 (18:17):
And I don't want to take anything away from green
Bay because where the Lions didn't make the plays they did,
so you know, bully for them. They did, they did
a good job and then that was that was obviously
a big, big win for green Bay. But I didn't
see the Lions team. I anticipate that I will see
for the better part of this year. And you need
to start seeing that this week.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
Definitely need to see it this week. Dan Miller will
be on the call. I know all you guys will
be listening excited for it, and I'll be right back
with Derek Barnes. Welcome back to the Toy in the
Huddle podcast. I am very happy well and Derek Barnes
And Derek, it's great to see you. Ye, it was
great to see you on the field on Sunday. Just
(18:58):
what did that that that feel like? Obviously had the
knee injury Week three last year, had that whole season
taken away from you? All the hard work in the
off season, the rehab to be back that that probably
felt a little bit extra special, didn't it.
Speaker 6 (19:12):
Oh yeah, definitely kind of teared up a little bit.
Was super excited. I mean, like when something gets taken
away from you, you know, you kind of cherish it
and it kind of respected a little bit more than
than you would before. And I love the game before,
but now it's like I love the game even more.
But no, it was very exciting and very emotional for me.
(19:33):
But I knew that I put the work in to
to be able to go out there and not worry
about my need, not worry about injuries or anything like that,
and trusted that got that God got me so and
I was super excited. Energy was great, the atmosphere was great.
You're not Green Bay is around, you know this time
of the year. But no, I was super excited and
it felt good to be back out there with my teammates.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
You don't want to ask you about this too.
Speaker 4 (19:53):
What did it say to you from an organizational standpoint
that you get the contract extension?
Speaker 2 (20:00):
You know, even though you're dealing with.
Speaker 4 (20:01):
Kind of some rehab, there's some question marks there that
that the team had faith in you to extend you
that you're part of this core, you're one of those guys.
Speaker 2 (20:09):
What did that mean to you?
Speaker 4 (20:10):
And how much does something like that make you want
to reciprocate come Sunday on the field?
Speaker 5 (20:17):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (20:17):
Man, I mean, I mean obviously, I mean, how can
you not you know, think about those things, like contract
wise when you get hurt. I mean, it's funny to say,
but when I got hurt, like that's that's the first
thing that came to my head. And obviously like my knee,
you know, that's so I wanted to get back. But
like that was just like it's like wow, like I
had my shot. I was you know, I didn't work
(20:39):
so hard to get to this point, to be this player,
to go out to make plays and be you know,
one of the one of the top people in the defense,
and uh, and then this happens.
Speaker 5 (20:48):
So that was the first thought when I got hurt.
I was like, man, say.
Speaker 6 (20:52):
Here we go. But man, trusted in God and I
knew that everything wul work out how it's supposed to
work out, and you know, it was it was it
was crazy for me because just like I'm talking to
my agent and and he kind of says something that
you know, kind of stuck me. Was like, it's just
one one more year that all you gotta do is
one more year to get what you want and to
get that second contract. And uh and I was the
(21:14):
whole time, I'm I was thinking, like, I know, it's
probably gonna be one of those one year deal type
of things because my injury and stuff. But man, to
have you know, organization like this, have a GM like
Brad and Dan chep Uh Sean Dionne, the guys to
believe in me and know my potential is know that
I can attribute to this defense and and this team
allows to go where we want to go.
Speaker 5 (21:33):
I mean that tells it all. I mean that pushed
me even more.
Speaker 6 (21:36):
They gave me a little you know, I always respected
the organization, Brad, Dan, everybody, but that just like like
that just to love. I'm like, man, these people they
believe me like that. Okay, Now I gotta go proven right,
like gotta prove them right. That's that's the biggest thing.
Like I always telling us like I'm always proving my
I want to prove myself who I can be and
who I will be. But then that's right, Like it
(21:57):
just wants to makes you want to push harder for
this organization because that's just type of guys they are,
that type of organization we are. And man, I just
lay laid all online for those guys, man, because they
believe in me.
Speaker 4 (22:07):
So, you know, before we get to to Chicago on
Sunday's appointed, let's let's look back a little bit.
Speaker 2 (22:12):
Obviously a little bit disappointing to play the way you
guys did.
Speaker 4 (22:16):
I think, really collectively in all three phases, I thought
the second half, you guys played really well. Defensively, settled down,
just got yourselves in a hole and kind of it
is what it is.
Speaker 2 (22:26):
But look, you had six tackles, tackle phlosophy. I thought
you played well.
Speaker 4 (22:29):
Just what was your biggest takeaway coming out of that
Green Bay game defensively.
Speaker 5 (22:35):
For us? Defensive wise? I think that man.
Speaker 6 (22:39):
And and I'm never a type of guy a point
fingers upon which I would never do. I just think collectively,
I mean, I think we just didn't play you know
what they call it complimentary football. Yeah, like whether that
was special teams, defense, offense, no, what I feel like
we didn't just we didn't compliment each other. And that's
not a game supposed to be played because usually like
(22:59):
when one one one is down, the others up, and
I just feel like as a whole collective group, I
feel like we didn't. We weren't who we know we are.
And defensive wise, I mean, it's just those explosives, like
we preach it kach Chep prizes all the time. Like
when you give up explosive pass and closest runs, it
hurts you in a long game, I mean, even if
it's one or two, I mean that could be the
(23:20):
game change and play that you know, could determine whether
you win to lose. And I think if we just
limit those small mistakes, those small mental errors, I think
we're going to be right back on point and be
and becoming the best defense and one of the best
defenses in the league. And I truly believe that. I mean,
we got all the tools, we got, the coaches, we got,
the scheme, I mean, and and even without without the
good scheme, I mean, the players will make it, will
(23:41):
make it right. And I think that we just we
we emphasize that a lot, you know, when if the
call doesn't go right, I mean, we will make Coach
chev right. And as we pride ourselves on. But I
think that just collectly as a defense, I think that
once we start eliminating these small, you know, minute mental errors,
I think that, you know, the sky's the limit.
Speaker 4 (24:00):
I think people sometimes have to take a step back
to write It's it's week.
Speaker 2 (24:03):
One, right, There's a lot. It's a long football city.
You're gonna have ups and downs through the course of
the season. Green Bay is a pretty darn good team, and.
Speaker 4 (24:12):
Flambellfield's a pretty tough place to stay football. So I
think you guys did show some good things obviously. You know,
maybe some fans are a little bit concerned with with
with some of the pass rush. I thought Green Bay
did had a pretty good plan for that. You know,
some short sets got the ball out. How much do
you guys want to kind of maybe improve that aspect
of a little bit get after Caleb a little bit
(24:32):
more that than you got after Jordan this week?
Speaker 2 (24:35):
Is that kind of a point of emphasis for you?
Speaker 5 (24:37):
It's always a point of emphasis.
Speaker 6 (24:38):
I mean, I mean you it's it's kind of really
hard to explain because it's just like I feel like
in that game, because Green Bath, I feel like we
didn't really get that a great opportunity as you say,
to like, actually really show the rush, show our blue PA.
Speaker 2 (24:54):
Tough to because their plan changes. He only threw six
times in the second half.
Speaker 5 (24:58):
Yeah, so yeah, it's it's it's a lot to go
into it.
Speaker 6 (25:00):
And I think that, I mean, I know, like just
I mean, I hang around these guys every day, but
I already know the pass rush is gonna pick up
like it's and people say it's down whatever, But there's
just a lot of scenarios in the game where you
know you might not have those opportunities, but man, it'll
it'll all come together. I mean, definitely is always a
point of emphasis for us. I mean, we got phenomenal
(25:21):
pass rush. I mean, you got Hudge, who is I
don't think it's human honestly in my opinion. Davenport, who's
also not human in my in my perspective. I mean,
and then you got no Muhammed, you got you know, Roy,
you got DJ you got like It's man, you got
a whole bunch of these guys. I'm sorry if I'm
missing anybody, don't don't don't please, don't you know, but
(25:41):
everybody on our on our defensive line, all of them
can rush and it's like, and then you got me
mixed here and there.
Speaker 5 (25:46):
I mean, so it's gonna pick up.
Speaker 2 (25:47):
Man.
Speaker 6 (25:48):
We got the right people, Man, we got the right scheme.
I mean, just when the opportunity presents itself, I think
that people will people will see why you know we Yeah, you.
Speaker 4 (25:56):
Know, shep better than most obviously was in that linebacker.
Speaker 2 (25:59):
Room free years. What do you like about just.
Speaker 4 (26:02):
The way he runs that unit, how he calls that defense.
Obviously they've been kind of prepping him for this role.
They identified his talent years ago. Now he stepped into
that role. What do you like about him?
Speaker 6 (26:13):
Man? Well, first of all, man, she have always been
a coach who is super passionate about the game, super smart,
really intelligent coach. Man, and I can bet back in
his days when we played, he was a super intelligent player.
Speaker 5 (26:26):
He just knows a lot.
Speaker 6 (26:28):
Man, He knows and he his biggest thing is putting
us in the right position to be able to be
successful and make plays. Man, he's you know, I don't
know if people do. You might hear him out there
about them yelling and stuff like that, but man, it's
all love. Like One thing out that came to realize
is when he getting on you, like, and it ain't
out of out of anger. It's just that he wants
to be good so bad, and I mean he installs
(26:49):
that in all of us. And that's why we pushed
every day to be perfect. I mean, you're not gonna
be perfect, but you can at least push towards it.
And man, that's just type of coach he is.
Speaker 5 (26:57):
Man. He always going to show love.
Speaker 6 (26:58):
He always is a guy that you can go to
and have conversations with, whether it's football re lata or
not football RELATD. And I really respect and really respect
how he's growing, really respect respect how you know he
wants everybody on the defensive sign like he wants everybody
to make their plays, you know. And I think that
I said it back in the day, like super aggressive
and he wants to get after people.
Speaker 5 (27:18):
I mean that's I.
Speaker 6 (27:19):
Love it, you know, for for a guy like me,
I gotta gotta love that. Gotta love aggressiveness. I mean,
you got too, man, You're yeah, you're defensive. Is with
a defense man, you got to be aggressor. And I
think that you know, he's doing that's what the that's
what he like to do. And I'm not saying a
g didn't do that, but Shepvy's the guy he wants
to He wants to get out there. He doesn't want
to hold hold back doing anything. He wants to get
(27:40):
out there right now. From the from the very first.
Speaker 2 (27:42):
We talked to him.
Speaker 4 (27:43):
This week he kind of did his first media kind
of scrum weekly scrum with us, and tell you what
he was fired up in that that he brings energy.
You know, you can just tell when he walks in
the room, he brings the energy. Last one for you, Derek,
what are we going to see from lines defense this week?
Obviously got some good skill, guys, Ben Johnson, I got
that you guys are familiar with with his scheme. Caleb
(28:06):
looked pretty darn good the other day, you know, getting
out of the pocket, making plays with his legs. Just
what are we going to see from this Lion's defense
come Sunday you're at home, that kind of atmosphere, you
guys are excited to get back into that building.
Speaker 5 (28:18):
What are we going to see a bunch of hungry dogs? Seriously?
Speaker 6 (28:22):
I mean, man, that one, that that one the Green Bay,
that one hurt and everybody felt that. I think that
you know the preparation we had this week was was phenomenal.
I think the plan going in is phenomenal. We got
a plan for for all that to scramble. Whatever you
want to say it. They don't want to say too much,
don't want to get them no you know, no clues
or nothing like that. But but no, no, we have
(28:42):
a good plan. And I think that you want to
say much. I got the guys out there who are
playing smart football, uh, playing fast and physical, especially on
their defensive side, and even all of a sudden, I'm
super excited to watch them play, man and uh like
this is this one of just one of them games,
first home game.
Speaker 5 (28:59):
Obviously we know what opponent is. It's gonna be a
really good football game.
Speaker 6 (29:02):
But I'm super excited to watch everything come together and
and people on outside not knowing who we are as
a team, because we know who we are and we
know we bring to the table. So I'm super excited
for us to show that again and man play for
each other and hopefully obviously come away with the dub.
But like I said, it's just it's not easy. There
(29:23):
have nothing this NFL. No game is gonna be easy.
So however, you can win win and just find a way,
find a way. But no, Yeah, super excited.
Speaker 4 (29:31):
NFC North Football Board Field, Black and Blue Division.
Speaker 2 (29:35):
It should be fun.
Speaker 5 (29:36):
Go get appreciate, Yes, sir, thank you.
Speaker 2 (29:44):
Welcome back to the Torn the Huddle podcast.
Speaker 4 (29:45):
Now it is time to take a look inside Chicago
and joining me now is Patrick Finley from the Chicago
Sun Times. He also does a great job with the
Hallis Intrigue podcast.
Speaker 2 (29:55):
Patrick, thanks for joining me.
Speaker 3 (29:57):
Thank you. It's a short week, but but it'll be
a fun one.
Speaker 2 (30:01):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (30:01):
Those weeks coming off Monday night are always tough.
Speaker 2 (30:04):
You gotta gotta get right back into you know.
Speaker 4 (30:07):
Detroit mode after everything. Just curious, let's maybe start with
this injury updates. You know, obviously you saw DJ Moore
go down in the fourth quarter that game. He did
come back, but you've got you know, Jalen Johnson, TJ Edwards,
Kyler Gordon, any updates kind of midweek about their possible return.
Speaker 3 (30:25):
No, as you and I sit here right now, there
hasn't been an injury report put out. Ben Johnson said
after Monday Night's game that the team got out of
there without any significant injuries, so that vodes well for
DJ Moore. I think Jalen Johnson's got a real chance
to play. He hadn't practiced at all this training camp
until last week. I think the Bears were just a
little nervous running him out there with that groin injury,
(30:48):
but I would look for him as a distinct possibility.
In Detroit, Kyler Gordon wasn't on the injury report all
last week and then Sunday morning they put him on
because he felt some pain in his hamstring. See with
that and TJ. Edwards two missed the first start. Those
are three starters and three of the bears best six
(31:09):
defensive players probably, so that will definitely be something worth
monitoring as we get through this week.
Speaker 4 (31:14):
You look at that game Monday night at twenty seven
twenty four loss to Minnesota, and for three quarters this
team looked terrific really in offense, offensively and defensively. I'm
just curious to obviously fell apart there in the fourth
quarter a little bit and giving up three scores. What
was your biggest takeaway coming out of that game Monday night?
Speaker 3 (31:33):
Oh boy, the quarterback needs to be better. I know
that that's a reductive statement. I know you could say
that after every loss in the NFL, But there were
some accurate accuracy issues with Caleb over the middle. Once
to Dj Moore and wants to Cole Comet that if
he hits that, it's probably thirty yards a pop, and
it's a very different game. He needs to be more consistent.
(31:53):
He needs to be more consistent before the snap too.
The Bears had four fall start penalties and an illegal
shift that way too many. So Ben Johnson has been
harping on that all training camp and it still doesn't
look quite right. Beyond that, you know, you mentioned it,
the defense was very impressive playing without those three players.
And I think Dennis Allen, you know, we talked about
(32:15):
him all training camp as somebody who brought this experience
of being a head coach that he could help Ben
Johnson kind of in his you know, maiden voyage here,
I think we forget that Dennis Allen's a really good
play caller too, and he was able to confuse the quarterback. Now,
Jared Golf's going to be a lot different than facing
somebody who'd never played in an NFL game before. But
(32:36):
I thought that it was really good first game for
Dennis Allen.
Speaker 4 (32:40):
Yeah, it's funny you bring up the pre snat penalties
because obviously we know Ben pretty well here, and whenever
you were at training, camp, practice, whenever you at practice,
you never saw him get more upset and more vocal
than those prestat stuff aligning, you know, miscommunication stuff.
Speaker 2 (32:56):
Boy, he hates that stuff.
Speaker 4 (32:58):
And you could see him stewing a little bit down
the sideline on Monday night.
Speaker 3 (33:01):
Yeah, there was a thinking back to maybe may they're
doing an OTA in their dome here, which is a
pretty small building, and the tight end cole comet doesn't
go in motion quite correctly, and practice stops and there
is cursing, and there is yelling, and all of us
were used to matt Abraflusher sitting there on Oh boy,
(33:22):
oh okay, And that's how he operates, and those things,
You're right, those things are the things that I think
keep him up at night. I think he's okay with
mistakes made, Honestly, I don't think he's okay with preventable mistakes.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
Yeah, one hundred percent.
Speaker 4 (33:37):
You guys are learning Ben very very well, as we
have over the last few years here. You know, I'm
curious obviously, the offensive line, the sacks leading the league
with sixty eight last year was a big storyline leading
the league in pressures allowed. You look at the book
from Minnesota, it wasn't too bad, you know, a couple
of sacks allowed. I think he was hit maybe three times.
He did get out of the pocket a lot. I'm
(33:58):
just curious when I looked at little deeper though, twenty
five pressures is that worrisome at all heading in or
they obviously put a lot of resources into kind of
retooling this offensive line with some veteran guys. What was
your impression of their play Week one? Any concerns coming
out of that.
Speaker 3 (34:13):
When you average four sacks a game for the entirety
of a season the year before, there's really nowhere to go.
But you know, Caleb Williams was sacked the third most
times in the history of football last year. So the Bears,
you mentioned it, they threw money at a center and
two guards, both you know, via trade and then and
then contract extensions, and then drewdalmend the center as a
free agent. I think they held up well. I think
(34:36):
that you know, when you talk about those two sacks,
one of them was when Caleb stepped out of bounce
throwing a pass, So really he was tackled to the
ground for a sacked just once. And you know, you
guys know the Vikings as well as we do. You know,
they didn't blitz as much as they usually do. They
still boy it is that their priority is to try
and get the quarterback to the ground. So I thought
it was a good first start. There were times when
(34:58):
Caleb looked a little more like justin f fields that
I feel comfortable with in terms of getting out of
the pocket, maybe a little prematurely. You know, you'd like
to think that as the season goes on, if the
Bears o line does, you know, even if they just
get back to league average after last season, you'd like
to think that Caleb's trust in that pocket will grow
(35:18):
and that maybe he'll hang in there a little more
than he did the other night.
Speaker 4 (35:22):
What was the difference with the defense there in the
fourth quarter, Because we talked about it earlier, how now
they really did play well, really well overall, But you
look at that fourth quarter, Minnesota and JJ McCarthy were
able to make some things happen, and both with his
legs and his arms, scored the twenty one points for
the come from behind.
Speaker 2 (35:38):
When what was the difference in your opinion that fourth quarter.
Speaker 3 (35:42):
I think it's easy to talk about JJ because it's
a great story, but I'll tell you this, I think, well,
the Vikings said thirteen runs in the first three quarters
and thirteen runs in the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter,
I think they averaged twice as many yards per carry
as they did in the first three JJ through eight
times in the fourth quarter. Four times he was throwing
(36:02):
on either third and one second and one third and
five or second in five. Those are all very beneficial
downs for a young quarterback rather than being in those
obvious passing downs. So I think the run game really
helped him. And that's not something that I hear being
talked about a lot, but that was part of it.
And then you know, you know, you have Justin Jefferson,
(36:23):
who is you know, the best receiver on the planet
probably and you knew when he let a ball go
through his hands earlier in the game that that probably
wasn't gonna happen again. And then he was able to
get unlocked against bear secondary. You know, like I said,
that was missing their two time Pro Bowl corner and
then their slot cornerback as well.
Speaker 4 (36:43):
What grade do you give kind of Ben Johnson for
his first performance. I know you're you're kind of I
don't like doing that as well that much because it's
one game, right, It's one thing. But I guess maybe
everybody obviously has expectations leading up. You were there every
day in camp, You saw what it looked like. Did
what it looked like in camp looked like it in
week one where there's some surprises or is that kind
(37:06):
of what you expected?
Speaker 3 (37:08):
It's it was the outcome I suspect or I expected.
I think I had the Vikings winning by three. But
the way both teams got there has to be so
encouraging for Vikings fans and so demoralizing for Bears fans.
I mean, I'd give Ben a B minus. You know,
part of what was concerning was this wasn't just an
offense issue. You know, Kayleb Williams struggled, you know, like
(37:31):
we talked about, with accuracy for half the game. That's bad,
but also you've got a defense to let go of
the rope in the fourth quarter. You have special teams
that missed a fifty yard field goal, and then at
the end when Cairo Santos was under orders to put
the ball through the back of the end zone to
save the Bears of time out because the two minute
warning would then sound after the first play, Cairo couldn't
(37:51):
get the ball out of the back of the end zone.
Their failures in all three phases here, and you know,
even talking to Ben about it, Ben said, listen, you
know I shouldn't have challenged a player the third quarter.
That's on me. I should have noticed that a Flow
wasn't blitzing as much as we thought earlier. You know,
I don't think Ben would give himself anything above a
be minus. And that's about where I am, because when
(38:12):
you have mistakes across the entirety of the team, that
does fall on the head coach kind of whether it's
fair or not.
Speaker 2 (38:19):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (38:19):
The twelve penalties is also something there too, and that
reflects on a little bit of coaching as well too.
Speaker 3 (38:24):
Yeah, Matt Eberflus never had a team with twelve penalties.
Speaker 5 (38:28):
Wow and ah.
Speaker 3 (38:30):
And that operation was nobody's idea of anything that was buttoned.
Speaker 2 (38:33):
Up Patrick dropping the knowledge knowledge here.
Speaker 4 (38:36):
I'm curious, what's one of the key matchups for you
come Sunday.
Speaker 3 (38:40):
The Bears need to run the football. You know, you
know this, Ben is a running coach who then has
great pass concepts on top of it. You know, I
think everything is predicated on that.
Speaker 5 (38:50):
You know that.
Speaker 3 (38:50):
You know, the play action numbers that he had with
you guys for the last couple of years were unmatched
across football. And the Bears can't get into that sort
of stuff, especially with Kayleb Williams, who is are more
athletic than the quarterback in Detroit was. They can't get
into that stuff unless they actually scare you with the runs.
DeAndre Swift I thought, had one really good possession in
the third quarter the other night where he just put
(39:12):
his head down and pushed a pile. That's kind of
all they want him to do. He was last year
the worst running back in football in terms of expected
yards per carry and what he actually turned out with
because he was trying to hit the home run every time.
He can't do that. So the Bears need to scheme
it better, they need to block it better, and Swift
needs to hit the hole. If they can run the ball,
then they've got that metronome that they could base everything
(39:35):
else on. I think that's going to be a very
big deal. And then you know, on the other side,
not to get too line heavy here, because I know
that that's not what the people want. Usually, the Bear's
ability to rush the passer against a Lion's defensive line
that's a little different than Ben Johnson left it. I
think is going to be telling because when you don't,
(39:55):
especially with the weapons that the Lions have, they can
certainly make you pay.
Speaker 2 (39:59):
Well.
Speaker 4 (39:59):
Patrick, two division opponents that obviously know each other very well.
It's two head coaches who know each other very very well, obviously.
Speaker 2 (40:07):
And it's two teams that look for all in Tes's purpose.
Speaker 4 (40:09):
They need to win. Both teams need to win. You
can't start zero and two in this league. You just
put yourself behind the eight ball. It's not impossible, but
it's a tough smart especially Week three.
Speaker 2 (40:18):
Who does Chicago have Week three?
Speaker 3 (40:20):
They come home for the Dallas Cowboys, led by defensive
coordinator Matt Eberflus. So it's never a dull moment around here.
You mentioned it, I thought it was. I thought it
was a tough spot to put anybody in to have
all of these teams play two NFC North games in
the first two weeks of the season. But I did
think that it was good for the Bears to get
JJ in the first game rather than in October for
(40:41):
the first time. And I thought it was good for
them to get the Lions coordinators in their second game
rather than later in this season. We'll see whether any
of that matters. As it turns out with the JJ thing,
it really didn't well.
Speaker 2 (40:52):
Obviously, it's a huge one for Detroit.
Speaker 4 (40:54):
They go to Baltimore Week three on Monday Night Football,
so starting zero and two with the prospects of having
go to Baltimore on Monday Night. Obviously, it's a huge
game for both teams. Thanks for taking the time so much.
Appreciate the insight into Chicago safe travels in Detroit.
Speaker 3 (41:09):
Hey Andy time, Thank you.
Popular Podcasts
CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist
It’s 1996 in rural North Carolina, and an oddball crew makes history when they pull off America’s third largest cash heist. But it’s all downhill from there. Join host Johnny Knoxville as he unspools a wild and woolly tale about a group of regular ‘ol folks who risked it all for a chance at a better life. CrimeLess: Hillbilly Heist answers the question: what would you do with 17.3 million dollars? The answer includes diamond rings, mansions, velvet Elvis paintings, plus a run for the border, murder-for-hire-plots, and FBI busts.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.