November 25, 2024 • 51 mins
Jerrold Colton and Dave Spadaro are LIVE from Chickie's and Pete's in Marlton, NJ and are joined by #Eagles LB Zack Baun! After a big win against the #Rams in LA, Baun joins Colton and Spadaro and talks about his life, how football has shaped him, his time with the #Saints, and more!
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Coming to you live from Chicky's and Pete's in Marlton,
New Jersey, every Monday night. It's the All Pro Philly
Players Show. Now Here are your hosts, Gerald Colts and
the Eagles inside of Dave Spadero.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Willy and everybody, and welcome the All Pro Philly Players
Show live from Chicken and Pizza, Marlton, New Jersey. On
a glorious victory Monday in the Delaware Valley. We are
here every Monday at Chicky's and Pizza. We got a
special guest with us after a great Eagles win in
Los Angeles late last night.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
An early arrival which would have been a leader round
by some people standards, at about seven thirty this point,
he still came out.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
So along with my co host Daves Spedero, the Eagles
insider wan to welcome our very special guest today Eagles
starting linebacker and a guy who has made so much
difference in the defense.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Zach boy baby, welcome, Welcome us.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
And Dave.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
I'd want to go to you first. You were on
that trip also, yep, had to be a great feeling.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
That was great. It's great for so many reasons.
Speaker 5 (01:04):
The team is playing outstanding football It is complimentary football
in every way. The support from the crowd, the Eagles
fans on the road unbelievable. Once again, at Sofi Stadium
we played there last year, there were definitely more Eagles
fans than Rams fans. I know on the TV broadcast
it's probably sounded like that too.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
It sure did.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
And then you're hearing certain things and it's like wow,
like an advance of calls by the rest and things
like that. You're hearing Eagles reactions and it's incredible.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Why what's that feeling? All right?
Speaker 2 (01:34):
First of all, welcome Zach, and truly we appreciate you
coming out, but getting home at seven point thirty showing
up with your beautiful wife and and son is unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
For you to do that. Down get excited there, don't don't,
don't cross the rubicon.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
No, I'm just it's amazing that you guys did that,
So thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
We appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
And obviously a lot of people came out to see
you today and the people are loving what you're doing
in Philadelphia. But talk about that got so many subjects.
We want to hit first is what Dave just touched on.
What's it like to go on the road as a
Philadelphia Eagle. I mean, you guys have been blowing everybody
out on the road so much so that you're actually
getting to rest at the end of games, which is
unheard of for stars in the NFL. But what's it
(02:12):
feel like with your Eagles crowd supporting you in other
people's stadiums.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
Yeah, it's it's insane, And especially especially in LA and
the Rams, they really showed out. And that's that's what
this fan base is about. And it's not just that game,
it's every game. I look, I turn around behind me,
I'm like, holy crap, we showed up today, and game
after game after game they're there supporting in us.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
And cheering us on. And it's it's good they got our.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
Back when when the rest don't give us calls and
things are going good, when things are going bad, we
absolutely appreciate and we love it.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
I think it makes a difference too.
Speaker 5 (02:45):
I really think that, you know, it's a long season,
it's a grind, and when you know when you when
you hear it, Like the players I've talked through through
the years, I feel like it really does matter. Do
you believe that as well?
Speaker 4 (02:55):
Oh yeah, you feed off the fans for sure, especially
at home, it's an incredible atmosphere. And to have that
type of atmosphere at an away game, I think that's
pretty rare in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (03:07):
Oh sorry, I'm just sinking Gerald like this. Let's talk
about the team, and we had I wasn't here last week.
We had an event with Jalen Hurts and some fans
at Link Financial Field.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
I haven't seen you in two weeks. The team continues
to win.
Speaker 5 (03:21):
This football team we've been around a long time. Seven
straight wins. The way that this team is doing it is.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
A little bit different than we've seen in the past.
Speaker 5 (03:32):
But to me, it also it gives me vibes of
four seventeen twenty twenty two.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
Do you feel that? Very much so? And maybe even
stronger than twenty twenty two.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
So we're talking about the team two years ago that
went to the Super Bowl, that anchored in the same
position by your Wisconsin buddy TJ. Edwards, and it is
now in Chicago. But the history of that they've just
ticked off of the Super Bowl teams. I think there's
something really special about this group and you can talk
to us about that in a second. But it's been
the gradual momentum build and having super Bowl team that
(04:05):
just came short.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Two years ago.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Last year gets off to a great start ten and one,
and then has a bad finish and a whole.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Lot of changes.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
There were a lot of changes, especially on the defensive side,
including yourself, Nikobe Dean now being inserted as hard and
a few other guys into two rookie corners that have
been unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
CJ. Gardner, Johnson comes back.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
And but most importantly, maybe up besides you, is Vic Fangio.
You have a new defensive coordinator, a new system, and
it seems to me from the outside that it took
a little while to get it jailed and now you
guys just have it going on.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Oh absolutely, let's not get let's not look in the past,
let's not look in the pass and far in the future,
too far in the future, and let's take this game
by game. But this is the twenty twenty four Eagles team.
This is the twenty twenty four Eagles defense, and we
have our own goals and our own mentality and new mentality.
We have new guys in, we have new coaches, and
(04:58):
what we've created our own identity, and like you said,
it did take us a while to kind of get
up to speed and get a hold of his defense
and figure out where we can steal plays, where we
can fit and do certain things. But this is a
new team, this is the twenty twenty four Eagles, and
we're doing a good job and we're rolling right now.
What is the secret sauce with Vic? You know, what's
(05:19):
he like?
Speaker 3 (05:20):
You know, I assume that you really want to create
a great relationship with your DC no matter where you are,
no matter where you're playing.
Speaker 5 (05:26):
And you observe him as he teaches the guys the defense.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
What is he like? What makes Vic Fangio, who's been
in the league for.
Speaker 5 (05:35):
Decades, who's been coaching football for forty years, what needs
him so great?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (05:39):
He's a true, true, true defense in mind. I mean
when I came to sign in March and I went
up to his office to meet him and he's watching
like twenty sixteen Baltimore Ravens defense, I'm like.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
What is going on right now?
Speaker 4 (05:54):
The guy just loves football and his scheme has developed
over the years. It's a good mixture of like complexity
but simplicity at the same time.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
So the stuff we're running isn't exotic.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
We're not doing the things that other teams like Minnesota
are doing with the blitzes and stuff like that. But
we just play sound defense and that's what it is.
Speaker 5 (06:13):
And also, Zach, it seems, you know everybody always asked
the question, and I know you've been asked a million times.
You have this role in New Orleans, all of a sudden,
the Eagles sees something in your game that they think
can fit in this system. Do you understand what it
was and what they've done and how it's worked so well?
Speaker 4 (06:30):
I don't exactly know what they saw. I think it
was just my athleticism. And Vic has an eye for
scouting talent, and I appreciate that. But from my perspective,
everyone wants to be wanted. Everybody wants to have that
guy that's like I could use a guy like you,
and I appreciate that, and I appreciate the management for
bringing me in here and.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Letting me be myself and show what I got.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
What differently are you being asked to do here as
a Phildelp Eagle than you were asked the first four
years or your career in New Orleans.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
Yeah, I played outside linebacker in college, so when I
came out, that's kind of the vision they had for me.
In New Orleans, I was playing only in big personnel grouping,
so I would play two snaps a game, or I
would play fifteen snaps game. It depended on what they're
the opposing offense was doing. But now I'm playing off
the ball linebacker. You got to see a lot more,
you got to do a lot more. You're blitzing, tackling.
(07:22):
Angles are different. You're more responsible in the in the
coverage unit. And I love it because I get to
make plays all over the field.
Speaker 5 (07:30):
And it really it really underscores how important it is
for a player. Look, every player who comes into the
National Football League is talented. Is that how much of
your success relies upon your position, coaches, what they see,
how they use you right, Like it doesn't happen. You
wonder when a great story like Zach Bond happens. You
wonder how many players just weren't being used to their
(07:54):
maximum ability and thus never kind of made it in
the league.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
Yeah, it's it is a lot about fit, and for me,
it was important for my four years in New Orleans
to just keep working, keep grinding, and then knew that
when I when I left New Orleans, I would be
better because of it.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
But that, Dave, that's such an interesting point because football
is so situational and it you know, the same player
plugged into a different system is a very different player.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
And he and I think.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Your great proof of it because certainly New Orleans loss
is our gain and now you're playing every play in
a different position and really have had an exceptional year
so far.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
We I know you.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Expected, we expected to continue even though we're just taking
it one at a time.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
Yeah, exactly, exactly, Gerald, seventh straight wins.
Speaker 5 (08:37):
Here of your thoughts on what's changed, Gerald Colton two
and two to nine and two, give me an order,
give me three big reasons why you and your esteemed
football mind, this veteran football man who's seen so many Eagles.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
Teams, what has changed from two and two to nine
and two.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
I think from my standpoint, Number one is just time together.
You know when we talked about the defense geling a
lot of new parks, new coordinator, and just getting comfortable
on the offensive end, you know, there's been such great
play and as I watched the Eagles every week, people
ask me what do you think of today's game? And I
say the same thing every week. I'm always optimistic. I
(09:18):
always think they're going to win. And I also think
that this team has risen to the team the type
of team that can win a championship. But I don't
want to you know, if Sirianni's listening, he's cringing at
this stuff.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Oh there's there's absolutely, there's no doubt he's listening.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
There is.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
And if you are, hey, hey, coach, great job.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
But but it is the fact that I believe every
time out, no matter what happens, your defense will keep
you in the ball game. So that as long as
the defense keeps you in the ball game, You've got now,
you know, Jalen taking care of everything well and taking
care of the football.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Number one. You've got these great playmakers and A J. Brown.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
You're missing DeVante today last night and he's been a
little banged up, but you know he'll contribute Dallas. And
now you've got this guy in Saquon Barkley who is
clearly the greatest thing to ever play running back for
the Philadelphia's. I mean is he's had a record last night.
He's been here for eleven games and each game gets better.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
It's crazy.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
So if the defense will keep you in the game,
and we know they take care of special team as well,
that offense at some point will wear them down.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
And that offensive line is second to none. They are
just unbeleegal.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
So I don't know if I gave you three things,
but I think the time for the defense to be together,
and a little bit of jellying the offensive game and
no Saquon Better and the offensive line had to change
because you lost Jason Kelsey. Those just changes and a
little bit growth together and confidence growing every single week.
Speaker 5 (10:38):
And I mean what's amazing to me about this team
is how much better it gets during the course of
a game. The Eagles absolutely dominate fourth quarters of games.
And that's the big difference from that last year to
this year. Last year every game was edge of your seats,
hang on, try to win the game. This year the
Eagles are pulling away, pulling away, why wearing teams out.
I will tell you this, Gerald, this Eagles team, and
(10:59):
Zach keep telling me in your career, this Seagles team
is so physical, And I do know, is there do
you feel it? Do you feel it out there that
you're more physical as a team than the other team.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
Yeah, I mean, that's that's always the goal.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
And like Nick says, it's not about who's tougher, it's
about who's tougher the longest. And that's how That's how
we were wearing teams out and getting ahead in those
third and fourth quarters. And it starts within the trenches
with the offensive and defensive line. I mean, I think
we got the best offensive line in the league. I
saw some of those clips from last night and they're
they're bulldozing people out of that way. And then you
(11:35):
follow it up with Saquon I mean that that combination
is just undefeated. And then the defensive line with Jalen
Carter and Jordan Davis and Josh Suat and Nolan.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
Nolan's everyone more. Jo was playing great mill.
Speaker 4 (11:50):
Yeah, yeah, it's crazy, and just the guys we have,
and then the scheme and then you you throw in
the mentality and the aggression and the toughness. I mean,
it really can't be beat.
Speaker 5 (12:01):
And you know one thing, Gerald, like I always advocate,
when you win the toss, you always defer. And the
Eagles have at least in three or four games this
year scored at the end of the first half and
came out and scored on the first drive of the
second half, and that has changed the complexion of games
as it did last night.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Dave, there's no question, and you are a big advocate
for it because sometimes that I've said, listen, when you
win that toss, sometimes you just want to get the
ball going. No, you're a defensive guy. See, you love
the deferral. I know everybody wants to get right out there,
but the Eagles, you know, their analytics and everything has
proven so true that that last possession is score the
first half, and you were down till that last scored
(12:41):
the touchdown ToJ Brown, So.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
You take the lead into the halftime.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
And then on the first play of the second half,
Saquon busts one of his seventy plus yard runs for
a touchdown.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
And I mentioned to you before the show.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
That they showed a picture of the La Rams defense
on the bench right after that, and they were totally
demoralized his first play.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
The second if I go, oh, they got him, it's over.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
No, you told me you felt that at the end
of the first half that they were already demoralized.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
Yeah, I mean, we were on the sideline, kind of
knowing what was going on on their sideline and just
seeing that their body language walking off the field and
stuff like that. And that's what our offensive line does
to people. It wears them out and until they can't
take it any longer.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
And then you look up and you're down twenty to
seven after having a lead just on game clock, like
two minutes prior to that, and it's crazy. And the
other thing, Dave, you know, sa Quan I haven't seen
the exact breakdown his numbers, but his second half and
fourth quarter numbers have to be crazy. Yesterday only had
seventy some yards and winds up with the two fifty
five because he.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Is going to pop one or more.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
And I've never seen a game where a guy has
a seventy yard touchdown run and it's only second longest
carry of the day. What he's done is just crazy.
And he's only just begun his career as a Phildelphia Well.
Speaker 5 (13:53):
I mean, look, we've been blessed with great running backs.
I mean since I've been covering the Eagles, it's been
the first grade when really was Ricky Waters and then
Deuce and then Westbrook and then Shady and then Miles
Sanders made the Pro Bowl. DeAndre Swift made the Pro Bowl.
But what this guy does, he's he's able to win
(14:17):
between the tackles and carry defenders and gain.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
Those tough yards.
Speaker 5 (14:22):
And his home run hitting ability is something I've never seen,
Like five runs of fifty plus yards already this year
he will potentially here knock on woods, stay on the
course and go over twenty one hundred rushing yards, which
is like amazing. What is the NFL record for rushing yards?
I don't even know, yeah, because I don't look ahead,
but it was like twenty one.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Who is that Jamal Lewis still Eric Dickerson was was originally?
Speaker 2 (14:45):
I don't think maybe Adrian, you know what I should know,
Adrian Peterson, And to prepare for you grilling me.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
Maybe maybe maybe you're the biggest fan.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Angelo Spiro can listen you, Zach talk about your teammate
se Kwon Barkley, because you go against him every day,
you're in the week room with him where he does
crazy stuff.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
I mean, there's just nothing this guy can't do.
Speaker 4 (15:04):
Yeah, he's a competitor in all assets, whether we're playing
ping pong or playing cards or on the field and
the weight room.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
It doesn't matter.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
This guy wants to compete and he and he wants
to do his best and best for the team. Honestly,
one of the most humble guys I've ever I've ever
talked to. You see the stuff he's doing on the field,
and then you say good game, Sakwan, and then he's like, yeah,
but this one and yeah, always just just crazy crazy
or he's given credit to the offensive line, I mean,
reasonably so, but when you have a game like that,
(15:34):
there's got to be some sort of yeah, I'm like that,
But not with that, not with that guy.
Speaker 5 (15:38):
Because the truth is, the Eagles have accomplished exactly nothing.
The Eagles are nine and two this season, still has
six games to go in.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
The regular season.
Speaker 5 (15:47):
We have seen in the fact you've got to go
to the finish line. This team has accomplished nothing. And
that's the right mentality to have. And every single and
I know that that's the way Nick is and every
single player talks about it. That's why you're starting to
bristle and break in the sweat when we talk about
the past in the future, because it's all about right now.
Getting a good night's sleep tonight on Monday and getting
ready for the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Exactly. We're getting stats thrown out us.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
John Chances said only eight times as a running back
to reach two thousand yards.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Yeah, it's seventeen game seasons, but he's probably gonna do it.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
Eric Dickerson, Dickerson still holds the rector, so he's closed
in on that. He's also great past receiver and so
many other things. And it's just fun to watch it.
And everybody who comes in contact with him loves this guy,
and it's just great. And that's one of the things
about your team. And we are here every week, Zach,
and week after week we just have a great guy
(16:36):
show up. A great football player. You're a great athlete,
but a great person. And you have a really good
crew in the Philadelphia Eagles.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
I think that's credit to how we and the types
of guys he brings in. I mean, they're not just
great athletes, but they're great people as well, and all
about community, all about the team, and I think that
that's how you build a good team.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
You know, it's funny you talk about Nick Sirianni Dave.
I heard a clip of him talking to the team
in the locker room. We we love you know, you've
taken us in the locker room a little bit to
you know, the feeling more than anything.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
This stuff that's confidentially you gotta keep confidential.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
But they you know, the cameras and the microphones are
in there now for some of the coaches speak, and
he's given exactly what Dave just said. We haven't accomplished
fing anything, and he's f f that and he goes
and that's right, Nick.
Speaker 5 (17:20):
Nick can take a breath every now and then. I
follow his example. But like, for sure, it was a
great win yesterday. And I mean, I don't know what
it's like with your wife, Like she's so happy after
a win, and my wife's.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
The same way.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
And I'm trying to be really like upbeating, Like I'm
certainly happy, but you don't really celebrate anything for more
than an hour and then you're kind of just for players.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
You have to recover.
Speaker 5 (17:42):
For me, I'm not playing, but we have a ton
of work that we have to do the same amount,
whether it's win or loss.
Speaker 4 (17:47):
So you have to kind of focus on that. How
quickly do you turn the page? Yeah, I mean speaking
of my wife. She gives me the twenty four hour rules.
She gives me twenty four hours to be happy and
celebrate the win, look at the film, and then after
that it's onto next week. So I think we're coming
up on that twenty four hours now and onto the
Baltimore Ravens.
Speaker 3 (18:05):
Well, Sirianni would love that.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
And she's been with you for a long ride here
she's she goes back to Wisconsin with you.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
Yep, absolutely, that's great.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
And uh, you know, every Wisconsin guy I've met, I
love it. It's a it's a great place to go
to school in a great place to play football.
Speaker 4 (18:20):
You've got a pretty good network in the NFL. Yeah,
I mean a lot of guys. You just look at
the linebackers.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
TJ. Edwards was here, TJ.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Watt, Andrew van Ginkel, Joe Schobert, just so many.
Speaker 3 (18:31):
The list goes on.
Speaker 5 (18:32):
Do you take exceptions to Penn State being called linebacker? You,
I don't even know if it is anymore. Back in
the day it was called linebacker. You would you put
these the group of linebackers from Wisconsin who play in
the NFL or have recently played in the NFL against
any group of any college linebacker.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
I absolutely would every good time. Yeah, I think you
have to. Well, we love TJ. And he was, of
course my co host two years ago.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
All season long, he and Kelly showed up every week
and I love and miss them. But oh well, he's
out in Chicago where he's from, and and and and
they lose frustrating games every week. I do feel he's
he's playing great. I want to talk to you about
you expect your first four years in New Orleans and
this is only the second organization you're a part of.
Compare the Philadelphia Eagles with playing somewhere else.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
Yeah, I mean the the the environment here.
Speaker 4 (19:21):
As soon as I walked in the building and it
was just like electric, Like it's tough to describe being
somewhere else and then coming to a place that feels
so safe and so secure and very inviting.
Speaker 3 (19:32):
And then you throw the fans on top of that.
Speaker 4 (19:35):
I think the Eagles fans are are are like none else,
and they show up for the for the players and
the coaches and our families.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
It's just so welcoming and so inviting. Since the day
I got here. This story of Zach Bonn is a
great one. I think we should get into it, take.
Speaker 5 (19:48):
A little break here, and then get into it, because hey,
he's a Philadelphia Eagle. He's having a season where you know,
I know, Zach's not into hearing all the bouquets being
thrown his way, but I mean, he's got to be
getting serious consideration for some major awards around the league.
That's how good Zach Bond has been. It's the story
of a third round pick who took some time to
find the right situation.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
He's in the right situation and he's playing like a
football star. Wow, you framed that so well. I was gonna,
but I'm gonna We're gonna take that and take a break.
Let's got a great hairstyle.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
When we come back, we're gonna we're gonna take you
a little bit through the path that led Zagbonne to
be in the middle of the Philadelphiagles great defense anchoring
the nine and two Philadelphia Eagles. As we go on
for the home stretch of the NFL season and a
really exciting time here in Philadelphia. You are listening to
the All Pro Philly Player Show, Dave Spanero, Jerrold Calton,
our special guy, Zach Blond Live from Chickens and Pizza Marlton,
(20:41):
Come join us. We still got a long way to
go and a little bit of room at the boar.
We got a great crowd here. You're listening to Fox Sports.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
A gambler god, I mean, I love that.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
Welcome back to Chicken Pizza of Marlsa, New Jersey. You
all pro Philly players. We are here every Monday night
Chickens and Pets, where the players go to the best
sports bar anywhere, certainly in the Delaware Valley, but I've
been all over this country and kind of world, and
it's the best sports bar as I've ever been at.
Zach and Pete Cherochi, the proprietor's son, Pete third. They
(21:23):
take great care of the players and a lot of
guys go see the one in South Philly after the
games of the game.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
Have you done that yet? I heard no. BG was
telling me He's like, bring your.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
Family, bring anyone you got to and it's it and
he really takes care of everybody.
Speaker 3 (21:37):
It's a great place to watch a game.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
The Flyers rue right now coming up with you Monday
night football, which you're probably going to watch because the
Baltimore Ravens your.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
Opponent in sixteens are playing tonight.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
You probably already started watching a little film, right, I
have not yet.
Speaker 3 (21:50):
I have not yet, but oh yeah, that's right, your wife,
because you're twenty four.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
Hour yeah yeah, yeah, so you get to enjoy it.
And you haven't been in Philadelphia all that long, but
we want to make sure that you get to know
the Staples and chickens and Peat certainly certainly is one.
Speaker 3 (22:04):
Dave, welcome back, Hey, thank you.
Speaker 5 (22:06):
I was out there working the crowd saying hi people.
It's a very large crowd here today.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
And mostly to see you. Not one of them is
here to see me. Just just a reminder to anybody, Lizzie.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
It's Dave Federa, myself here every week, and we're joined
by a special guest in his first year with the
Phildelphia Eagles. Fifth year overall, but now year quite like
this one, Zach Bond, and we expected to continue.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
And I want to ask you as we start looking what.
Speaker 2 (22:31):
Led you here? Though just a few months ago you
couldn't have foreseen how good things are right now? Right?
I mean, you know, when you your contract ends with
New Orleans, you become a free agent and you wind
up here this has been.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
Obviously the greatest year of your career. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (22:46):
I mean when I signed here, they gave me the
opportunity to start that that didn't mean that, yeah, you're
gonna come here and be a starter. It was like, no,
you're gonna come here and work and compete to be
a starter. They brought in Devin White as well, and
I knew na Kobe was here. I'm like, okay, let's
let's compete, and then the rest is history from that.
Speaker 3 (23:06):
Why do you think you felt so comfortable right away?
Speaker 4 (23:11):
I think it was with how comfortable Vic and Howie
and Nick and our linebacker coach were with bringing me
in here, and they're like, yeah, we want you.
Speaker 3 (23:25):
They they came and they were aggressively pursued.
Speaker 1 (23:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (23:29):
Yeah, so that was like, okay, I'm really comfortable. And
then coming in it was like I had this earn
it mindset when I was competing for the spot, and
then when I when they told me I got the spot,
then it flipped and it was like, Okay, prove it.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
You know.
Speaker 4 (23:44):
It's the same mentality throughout it all, working and trying
to get better every day, but it just had to
shift a little bit.
Speaker 5 (23:51):
Is that the way it was Zach Mfe coming out
of high school going to Wisconsin becoming a great football
player there, did you feel kind of the same where
you had an opportunity to work your way into the
role that you wanted to have from college to to
the NFL as well?
Speaker 4 (24:07):
You were there similarities in those experiences. Yeah, absolutely absolutely.
Coming into going into college, I had guys like t J.
Edwards ahead of me, and he quickly took me under
his wing like he was a quarterback in high school
as well, not too far down the road near Chicago,
and kind of the the Badger way. The Wisconsin way
was to come in and red shirt, learn the scheme,
(24:29):
learn the position, see the guys, see how they work,
see how they operate, and then when it's your turn,
then it's your turn and you can take advantage of
the opportunity. And that's what it's been since I've been
in the league, just waiting my turn and waiting for
that that chance.
Speaker 5 (24:44):
Is it is is recruiting out of high school similar
to what you felt as a free agent?
Speaker 3 (24:51):
Is there an experience is there similar to that?
Speaker 4 (24:54):
I don't think so. College is a bit different. It's
like where do you your money. Yeah, but do you
want to be close to home? Do you want to
go far away? Are you doing it for the football,
the academics, uh, stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (25:08):
But but scheme I think had a big, big role
in that.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
Well, let's backtrack a little bit then to the to
the high school, Zach Bond and you were both a
basketball player and a football player. You were a quarterback
and all state guy and a track guy.
Speaker 3 (25:23):
Yeah. So how did the cheerleader? No doubt. Where did
you meet your wife? I met? I met her in college.
We went to the same high school. No, you did.
Speaker 4 (25:33):
So you knew each other even back then or not
real not really, we knew all each other.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
So but you you you, and you're in with totally.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
So first of all, what made you narrow in on
football and wound up on the linebacker side instead of
one of.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
The other positions that you could have played. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (25:50):
Going into my junior year when I transferred, I actually
thought I was a basketball player.
Speaker 3 (25:55):
I thought that's what I was meant to do.
Speaker 4 (25:57):
I had no dreams or aspirations of being in the
NFL or the NBA.
Speaker 3 (26:01):
I was just playing sports to be with my friends.
Speaker 4 (26:04):
So I did basketball tracks I played soccer when I
was young.
Speaker 3 (26:08):
I did tennis one year.
Speaker 4 (26:10):
I just wanted to be out of the house and
I wanted to just be having fun with my friends
and getting to hang out as much as I could.
And then when I started doing well in high school,
I was like, Okay, this could go somewhere. I had
no really plans to go to college or anything. And
then when I had the opportunity, I'm like, yeah, let's
jump on it. And I didn't care what position I played.
I could play long snapper, kicker, it didn't matter. I
just wanted an opportunity. And that that's that's.
Speaker 3 (26:33):
In my blood.
Speaker 4 (26:34):
If I'm doing something, I want to be the best
at it and I go all in.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
And how close were you to be here?
Speaker 5 (26:39):
How close were you to be a really really, really
really good basketball player.
Speaker 4 (26:43):
I was probably not as close as I. I couldn't
sho couldn't shoot, couldn't really dribble. I was like the
defense glue guy, right. Yeah, I thought I was meant
to be a basketball player. No one agreed with me,
especially my high school.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
But anyway, so, so you choose football although you ran track,
and I always think a track background helps a football
player so you.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
Were one hundred and two hundred guy in high school.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
Yeah, yep, so you're basically a sprinter in tough sprints.
That two hundred is really really tough. Yeah yeah, and
you succeeded. Yeah, yeah, I went to state. I went
to State.
Speaker 3 (27:18):
I mean that's I think I placed that state one time.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
That is certainly saying stuff that clearly where whatever happened
to lead you to linebacker.
Speaker 3 (27:25):
For the Philoff Eagles was the right choice and the
right path. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (27:28):
I mean, everything happens for a reason, and some guys
get there right away and some guys it takes a
little longer. But for the guys that take it takes
a little longer, just keep your head down and keep working,
is the main thing.
Speaker 3 (27:39):
Draft third round, New Orleans Saints. What was the experience like?
What was the whole draft time like?
Speaker 2 (27:44):
And this is twenty twenty, so it's COVID, COVID, the
weirdest time in this world of my lifetime, which is
a lot longer in your lifetime.
Speaker 3 (27:50):
So yeah, right, it was. It was. It was a pandemic.
Speaker 4 (27:55):
There was no combine that year, right, correct, There was
there was a combine. There was a combine, but not
everyone had their pro days. Yes, okay, that's what it was,
all right.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
It all shut down right in the early part of
March in Combins Leap February.
Speaker 4 (28:09):
So you got to chose that. Yeah, luckily I did
and I got a chance to get my pro day in.
But it was just a weird time. It wasn't like
you dream of and your when you're watching the NFL
Draft in college or or even before that, that that moment,
that special moment.
Speaker 3 (28:24):
But it was special for me.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
I had my my family there, my friends there, obviously
the closest ones to me, but just having it being
virtual and Roger Goodell and in his basement or wherever
he was doing it from. You get drafted, you get drafted.
It happens the same way it was. It was very special.
Speaker 5 (28:44):
Nonetheless, Gerald, you've been on the agent side of it.
How do you think, I mean, how did you find like,
how did you find your agent?
Speaker 3 (28:52):
Zach?
Speaker 5 (28:53):
How did you How does an agent find you? How
do you make that connection? How important is that relationship
in your career destination, your career path.
Speaker 3 (29:04):
You scour the earth for players, it's relationships.
Speaker 2 (29:09):
I mean a guy like Zach was I'm sure there
were a lot of agents coming after you. You you
were an all first of all Mark and you were
all all big ten. I mean, everybody knew who you were.
So he was very attractive and wound up with a
big agency, right, Yeah, there was a there was a
heavy handful of agents coming at you.
Speaker 4 (29:25):
It's kind of overwhelming at the time, and all these
guys reaching out to you. So I had my older
brother Nick, it was like a father figure to me,
kind of handle the business side of things so I
could just focus on my senior year. But you said
something about relationships. I actually had this same agent that TJ.
Speaker 3 (29:42):
Watt referred me to.
Speaker 4 (29:43):
So just those relationships you build up, you make good connections,
and you get in with the right people.
Speaker 3 (29:49):
And that's pretty much, Dave.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
How I've gotten referrals from other clients, friends, coaches, and
things like that. Where look to me and Zach, you
were there four years, five years ago. You're a young
man and you've never had to make a business decision
like that, and it's really hard to know you don't
have the experience what you rely When the older brothers
got the experience and the recommendation of a TJ. Watt
that if these guys are good enough for TJ. Watt,
(30:11):
they'll probably service me pretty well, and there's a lot
of trust in that, and then over time you build
the depth of the relationship exactly exactly.
Speaker 3 (30:19):
How would you characterize your time with New Orleans Saint
zech Uh?
Speaker 4 (30:24):
It was a struggle mentally for me, obviously playing my
senior year and doing so well and being the guy
on a team. It's hard to get into the league
and for four years straight be a special teams guy.
But I'll tell you what, I was trying to be
the best special teams guy I could be, because that's
just my personality. But just trying to grind out those
years and continue to get better. It's tough mentally to
(30:46):
keep the ball rolling in that aspect, but I'm glad
I did and it turned out.
Speaker 5 (30:50):
Did you feel that you were and I'm not I apologize.
I don't mean to criticize it off, but I don't
know the situation I went. Do you feel that you
were miscast at a position? In retrospect now we see
this position right now where you are right now, it's
like about perfect position for Zach gond Or were you
not giving a chance to play?
Speaker 3 (31:08):
Did you not play as well as you wanted to play.
Speaker 4 (31:10):
What I think about that a lot, and I think
I wish I could blame it all on them, But
in my mind, I think just the new position was
very overwhelming for me. They were trying to chance take
me off the ball and make me play Mike. But
when you step back and you go from on the
ball to off the ball, your eyes got to be wide,
(31:32):
and I think it took me longer to develop. So
I think it was really just the development piece for me.
Speaker 5 (31:37):
For the fans who don't understand what on the ball
versus off the ball means, can you explain that in
very layman's terms.
Speaker 4 (31:45):
Yeah, I was a pass rusher in college on the
edge like a Brandon Graham or Josh Sweat, and I
am now playing off the ball like a T. J.
Speaker 3 (31:57):
Edwards or yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (32:00):
So it's so from a fans name, you went from
an edge to an inside yes, yes, and then and
then from a standpoint is to responsibilities and duties.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
Now you've got a whole different set because as an
edge pass rusher, you're just I set on the quarterback
for the most part.
Speaker 3 (32:15):
Now you've got.
Speaker 2 (32:15):
To pick up the back or you know, diagnose what
it's a run or pass, and pick up the tight
end coming out or whoever it might be. I mean,
there's so many more things that they ask you to
do as a linebacker than they do as a d M.
Speaker 3 (32:28):
Yeah, I mean, you're you're you're stuff in the run.
Speaker 4 (32:31):
You're you're playing the past game, so you're covering receivers
like Nikobe Deane always says, we're hitting with three three
twenty five and we're running with.
Speaker 3 (32:38):
Four to two.
Speaker 4 (32:39):
You've got to be able to do a lot of
different things. And that's what's cool about vic scheme too.
He gives us opportunities to blitz.
Speaker 3 (32:46):
Yep, he moves me.
Speaker 4 (32:47):
On the ball on at the edge sometimes, but I'm
also dropping in coverage.
Speaker 3 (32:52):
We get to do a lot of cool different stuff.
Speaker 4 (32:54):
And I've kind of nerded out since I've been in
the league about the complexity of football in the scheme,
and I'm having a lot of fun right now.
Speaker 5 (33:03):
So I'm gonna imagine every every week when you prepare
for an opponent and you go into that I guess
Wednesday meeting to find out what the game plan is.
Vic's got little twists and little additions and like cool
little complexities that get everybody really excited that it's not.
Speaker 3 (33:19):
The same game plan as it was the week before.
Speaker 4 (33:21):
Necessarily, yeah, you got to make it unpredictable for the
team ahead.
Speaker 3 (33:25):
And uh, it is exciting.
Speaker 4 (33:27):
I'm always excited to see what what blitzes he draws up,
or where he's putting me on the field for the
upcoming game.
Speaker 3 (33:33):
All right, before we leave New Orleans completely in the past.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
And by the way, the one thing that I'd like
you to bring from Wisconsin is I love the fifth quarter,
just real briefly. People might not be familiar with the
fifth quarter that you that you have out there.
Speaker 4 (33:46):
I mean, I'm not too familiar because you played the game.
Speaker 3 (33:52):
It's like tailgating, Dave, you don't know anything about that.
I've ever gone to.
Speaker 2 (33:56):
The fifth quarter is after the game, the bands stay
around and they're playing, the bands playing, and they're pretty
they're pretty hammered in Wisconsin.
Speaker 3 (34:05):
To drink it is a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (34:07):
But but I'm pretty familiar with the Saints organization, having
represented a lot of players there, and Jarry Everards from
Philadelphia who's spent most of his career there. I know
that organization well and You got there at an interesting
time because it was the ending of Sean Payton would
have been there since two thousand and six, and then
the bridging of the gap. That's always going to be
hard to coach Allen who's already been fired. So you
(34:27):
were there in a transition time that probably wasn't too
great for that organization.
Speaker 4 (34:32):
Yeah, I think they're pro that group's prime because Drew
Brees had left.
Speaker 3 (34:36):
I played one year with Drew as well.
Speaker 4 (34:38):
I think their prime was like twenty eighteen, and then
I caught the tail end. But playing under under Sean
Payton was really cool experience, and then playing in the
locker room being on the same team as Drew Brees,
seeing how he worked and how he operated. He was
so detailed, so so driven, and it really showed why
he is the.
Speaker 3 (34:57):
Player he was. I really feel for New Orleans. I mean,
I think it's you really great sports community.
Speaker 5 (35:01):
It's been devastated by so many natural disasters. They're always
the underdogs when they've had success. I've rooted for them,
and it just seems like it's a really tough place
for a lot of people who aren't as fortunate as others.
Speaker 3 (35:16):
Just in their day to day lives.
Speaker 5 (35:17):
Do you feel that were you one of those guys
out in the community a lot with the Saints?
Speaker 3 (35:22):
Yeah? The people there, the place is beautiful.
Speaker 4 (35:25):
The people are beautiful, and that's the reason why they're
so resilient because everyone from New Orleans or everyone that
moves to New Orleans absolutely falls in love.
Speaker 3 (35:35):
I know me and my wife did. And people are
always going to go back to New.
Speaker 4 (35:40):
Orleans no matter what happens, a hurricane, a storm, no
matter what, because it's such a unique place and it's
really special there.
Speaker 3 (35:47):
Can we leave? Can we have Zach now in Philadelphia?
Speaker 1 (35:49):
Now?
Speaker 2 (35:49):
Gerald, I want to keep him here and that'll be
coming up next year. Worry about that after the season
or maybe sooner, but right now, you may Ni Kobe did.
He's come up a few times, and Nikobe, I've gotten
to know a little bit, and you know, it's it's
interesting and that's why I love you guys coming out
here and spending a time with.
Speaker 3 (36:09):
Us, so people get to know you. I mean, it's
a really you have a really cerebral group.
Speaker 2 (36:14):
And Nia Kobe is a shockingly cerebral guy who's had
two military parents. He's got an engineer's mind and he
attacks it. That's why the line he came up with.
I mean, he's so smart, but he's quiet, so you
wouldn't necessarily know that from the outside.
Speaker 4 (36:27):
Yeah, I mean I know him personally and he's not
that muar. He's a very vocal leader on this team,
and this is his defense. He's the vocal leader. He's
the one we're listening to him. He's got the green
dot on Sundays and Mondays and Thursdays whenever we're playing now.
But I love the guy. He puts so much work
in and just knowing his path and and and what
(36:49):
it took to get here to get this opportunity to
start and play, and that he's playing at so at
such a high level.
Speaker 3 (36:55):
I'm so proud of him.
Speaker 4 (36:56):
And he's in the building till he texted me a
photo of my locker at nine nine pm one night last.
Speaker 3 (37:03):
Week and I'm like, what are you doing in there?
Speaker 4 (37:05):
I mean, it's it's just crazy the work he put it,
puts in and then to see it come to life
on the.
Speaker 3 (37:09):
Field, even it's another third.
Speaker 2 (37:11):
Round pick pick picked here three years. This is his
third year. His crew did not get off a good
start because of injuries, and there were some people who
doubted he could ever do it. Now you and he
together are dominating from the from the linebacker's spot.
Speaker 3 (37:24):
It just has to be so much fun.
Speaker 4 (37:25):
Yeah, we're having a blast right now, and us too,
the rest of the linebackers, this whole defense.
Speaker 3 (37:30):
We're just having having so much fun. And he was
great last night. I mean he's but just he's getting
better and better.
Speaker 2 (37:36):
The tackles, the fumble recovery, the past, he got a sack,
he get passed, the fletchers, just unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (37:43):
The way you guys are playing.
Speaker 5 (37:44):
He's actually the linebacker room is a really cool room.
And if I'm missing somebody, let me know. It's Nikobe,
who's been here for a couple of years now, three
years now, you know, battling back from injuries.
Speaker 3 (37:52):
It's Zach.
Speaker 5 (37:53):
It's Trot, who is the legacy guy. If that comes
back home. We had him here earlier in the year.
It's Orrin Burn to start it in the Super Bowl
last year for the Niners. It's Ben Van Sumerin, who's
like gaining fame as a fullback now and who's a
freaky great athlete. I have no doubt that when he
gets a chance to play, he's gonna be an outstanding linebacker.
Speaker 3 (38:13):
Is there anybody I'm missing in that room? Dallas? Dallas.
We just picked up so I don't know him very well.
Speaker 5 (38:18):
So, but like everybody's come from all these different paths,
and I think.
Speaker 3 (38:21):
That's what's cool about football anyway.
Speaker 5 (38:23):
The locker room is a melting pot of cultures, of personalities,
of backgrounds, and those teams that come together and form
that chemistry and that bond which this team has are
generally the teams that win football games because everyone's talented,
everybody's got great coaching. It's those kinds of intangibles that
separate the winners from the teams that don't win as much.
(38:43):
And I think this just this team's got it. I
think this team has its agreed Yeah, the best.
Speaker 4 (38:48):
Like Nick always said, Nick's got so many little Nicks things. Yeah,
it's awesome because they really resonate with me. But Nick
says the best teams, What does he say that the
best teams don't don't have great players. The best teams
have great teammates. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's what it is.
I mean Nick Nick enforces connection and that's been his
(39:12):
main thing since the offseason.
Speaker 3 (39:13):
It's just connecting.
Speaker 4 (39:14):
He's got ping pong tables and all these different things,
these basketball challenges and video games on the team meeting
screen before the team meeting.
Speaker 3 (39:23):
It's it's just really cool to player. Uh. Probably I
don't know. I don't go in there too.
Speaker 5 (39:33):
It's probably Jake, because Jake's it's crazy to even think that, Uh,
but I think it. Look, I think the reason this
team has bonded is because Nick finally took the right
medicine and shaved his head and showed what a real
man is. And since that time, Eagles are undefeated and
that's just fact.
Speaker 2 (39:50):
Well, it's been a great, great run and we're hoping
it continues. Certainly, you got a tough one coming up,
and we'll talk about that when we come back. We'll
take one final break and then uh take down the
home stretch of the All Pro Philly Player Show. We
are here at Chickens and Pizza in Marlton, New Jersey.
Dave Spadero, Gerald Colton, and our very special guest, Zach
Bond will be back on Fox Sports.
Speaker 3 (40:10):
A gambler.
Speaker 2 (40:16):
I can't do what I can I can't double Welcome
back to the All Pro Philly Player Show. We are
live from Chickens and Pizza, Marlton, New Jersey. A glorious
victory Monday for the Philolpi Eagles hot off their thirty
seven to twenty victory out on the West Coast over
the Los Angeles Rams. I'm Gerald Calton, along with Dave
Spadero and our special guests Eagles linebacker Zach baonn Dave,
(40:37):
by the way, I saw a clip of you on
Saturday night in one of your my groups in your
hosting and you even use some profanity in it. But
but you predicted a very great Eagles Sunday.
Speaker 3 (40:48):
I felt, I mean, I think again.
Speaker 5 (40:50):
I think this team has it and the very very focused,
the purpose is single minded.
Speaker 3 (40:56):
It's a complementary football.
Speaker 5 (40:57):
Team and the maturity of being able to you know
what's interesting about going west. So back in the old days,
Andy Reid would take the team out on Friday, thinking
that you have time to acclimate your body and the
jet lag would be gone and game.
Speaker 3 (41:12):
Time would come.
Speaker 5 (41:13):
Sports science through the years has shown that it happens
later day two, day three. So the team left at
two o'clock on Saturday afternoon, went out to La got
to the hotel at like six o'clock or five forty
five or something, so really no time to do anything.
Did you take part in the mandit in the voluntary stretch?
Speaker 4 (41:34):
I didn't do that. I felt good. I mean they
had us in the lay down beds.
Speaker 3 (41:37):
On the plane.
Speaker 4 (41:38):
Yeah, they really take care of us and had whatever
we need.
Speaker 3 (41:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (41:42):
So it's so critical what you do from the end
of the game Sunday, let's say, till the beginning of
the game means so much. It's not just about the game.
So I felt very confident about the game. And even
without DeVante Smith. You know, Gerald, we've seen in the
past this team struggle when one of its stars is out.
That has not been the case here in the seven
(42:03):
game win streak.
Speaker 2 (42:04):
Well, let's talk about that for a second, because it
was such a great night and there's a guy who
is just so beloved in this town and will forever
be a part of it in Brandon Graham, who had
a great, great game last night, and what his He
has announced his last season and then unfortunately suffered an
injury just part of the game and probably out for
the year. Might mean that he extends his career. But
(42:25):
talk about beg for a second as a teammate.
Speaker 4 (42:27):
I mean, one of the best teammates, but if not
the best, he is the best teammate I've ever had.
Speaker 3 (42:33):
That is such a strong statement, and it's so true.
Speaker 4 (42:36):
And I've had some good teammates, but he's just so personable,
so welcoming. He cares about the team. He doesn't care
about you as a player, but you as a person.
He's asking me about my family, He's I break with
with him every morning. I mean, he just means so
much to this team and this city and everything he's
done in the community.
Speaker 3 (42:57):
Just a great person, Daved. I want to interject because
you know him, and I want to reject it, and
then you comment.
Speaker 2 (43:03):
I find Brandon Graham to be the most genuinely positive
person I've ever known, and I can't believe it. Sometimes
I've known him for I don't know a decade plus.
He's never down. He never doesn't have a smile, and
he doesn't and he does exactly what he said.
Speaker 3 (43:19):
He genuinely cares about everybody.
Speaker 5 (43:20):
And he was like that last night after the game,
which was amazing everybody. I will tell you, Gerald, and
I know that you know, Zach, you felt it. Everybody
that you talk, everybody's heart felt very, very heavy. It
was a great win. But to have somebody like BG
go down like that, it genuinely impacts you because he's
such an amazingly relentlessly positive guy who's got that infectious
(43:44):
personality that you kind of go, man, I wish I
had that.
Speaker 3 (43:48):
In me to be upbeat like that all the time. Dave,
I don't think, and it just comes naturally to him.
Speaker 2 (43:53):
You know, if there could be a title, and listen,
I'm not a player, so any any any title for
me as a player would have been a good thing.
But the fact is, the best teammate I've ever had
might be the biggest cop one I've ever heard anybody
get as a football player.
Speaker 4 (44:08):
Yeah, I mean he is that. He is that he
like you said, it's infectious. It gets the team going.
His speeches, he's celebrating it after guys make plays. He
does his little his little dance after he makes a play.
Just so infectious. And he's still gonna be around the team.
He made sure we knew that. And keep the main
(44:29):
thing the main thing, and keep this thing wrong. And
Dave has a super Bowl ring.
Speaker 2 (44:32):
He's got a few rings, but the winning ring, And
it might not happen without the play that Brandon Graham
made forcing the fumble from Tom Brady under two minutes
ago in Super Bowl fifty two.
Speaker 5 (44:43):
And the question is how do you replace him? And
it's always the next man up mentality? And I know, Zach,
you don't really have a sense yet of what's going
to happen. How do you feel about just kind of
everybody rallying around the idea of replacing Brandon Graham.
Speaker 4 (44:55):
Yeah, it's gonna be a team mentality, But we do
have the guys to do it. I mean, he's he's
he was a very productive guy, even in his fifteenth season.
It's actually crazy the production he's still getting. And I
think he's got a lot more years left. But that's
a decision for him to make.
Speaker 3 (45:10):
Yeah, and I wonder about that. I wonder, like, Gerald,
do you go out like that?
Speaker 2 (45:14):
Well, in my thought, nobody quite believed he was really
going to retire anyhow, because he was still playing at
such a high level and he still loves the game.
I personally liked seeing Jason Kelsey walk away. Why he
still could walk away, And I wouldn't have minded Brandon
retiring because he's going to stay ours in Philadelphia and
he's had such a great career. But it reminded me Dave,
(45:35):
and you'll remember this well, Darren Sproles got hurt, yeah,
in your Super Bowl season and didn't want to go
out that way, so he came back the next year.
We will say I could tell in watching Brandon interviewed,
he hated.
Speaker 3 (45:47):
The thought that that was his last game. And we'll see,
We'll see how he feels.
Speaker 5 (45:50):
Somebody's going to pay him, and you know, I'm sorry
he's leave.
Speaker 3 (45:55):
I know, but I don't think would have leave Phlly.
Speaker 5 (45:57):
But I mean there's there's a place where Brandon with
the Philadelphia Eagles. I would imagine there's the financial part
has to work out, But why wouldn't you want Brandon
Graham to come back and play.
Speaker 2 (46:08):
For a sixteenth season. He's still playing really well. It's
all up to Brandon. If he wants to come back,
he'll be back. And it's that simple.
Speaker 5 (46:14):
He's like Elton John, he's retiring and he's on the
farewell tour for like three seasons.
Speaker 3 (46:18):
What's going on here?
Speaker 2 (46:19):
And just from your knowledge of your guys and seeing
them every day of practice, we had Jylex Hunt here.
I think Jalos can play and he's going to get
an opportunity in Old Smith. I mean, you've got a
bunch of guys who announced their turn. I mean it's
always the next guy up. And when they won the
Super Bowl five years ago, six years ago now seven
years ago, Jesus been a long time. But when they
(46:40):
won the Super Bowl, they had some really bad injuries,
Like some really top players went out that year. The
Jordan quarterback who is going to be the MVP and
Sprolls as I mentioned years it was.
Speaker 3 (46:49):
Just as Maragos, Jordan Hicks.
Speaker 2 (46:50):
And guys just stepped in and actually exceeded anything they
had ever done in their career. So who are the
guys we can look forward to doing the rush DN stuff?
Speaker 4 (46:58):
Yeah, like you said, I think Jylex Hunt is one
of those guys that he's been with this team and
he's seen how this defense works. He's been putting in
the work and and just the the example we've set
and and guys like BG and Sweaty and Nolan Smith
have set for him. He knows what he's supposed to
do and he's been getting snaps these past few weeks
(47:19):
and he's been doing a good job.
Speaker 3 (47:21):
So I think he's one of the guys to look
out for to.
Speaker 5 (47:23):
Step Yeah, I think I think Vick is so so
genius that he'll see if Zach can take a few
reps on the edge or hill, move Milton Williams out
there or big game.
Speaker 3 (47:35):
Yeah, he's more.
Speaker 5 (47:36):
He'll go Moro Jomo, who's just kills people at the
line of scrimmage with his quickness. Maybe he moves to
the edge a little bit, Nolan Smith gets more reps.
I mean, it's it's part of the game. You expect
it to happen. You don't want it to happen, but
you got to be prepared for it. And I think
the Eagles do a great job cross training preparing for
those situations. And everybody will.
Speaker 3 (47:56):
Emotionally rally around Beg and he'll be He'll be.
Speaker 5 (47:58):
With everyone every step by the way, and then physically,
there's plenty.
Speaker 2 (48:02):
Of talent on the football team, all right, nine and
two seven straight wins been unbelievable everywhere, but the road
performance has been ridiculous and you've got another road test
coming up, so fresh off of winning in La, you
got a it's it's a normal week, but when you
get home at seven thirty of the morning, it's a
short week. Although Baltimore, who you play, is still out
(48:23):
there playing tonight, so they get home that same time tomorrow,
but they're the home team.
Speaker 3 (48:27):
Still kind of balances out. Lamar Jackson. Have you played
against him?
Speaker 4 (48:31):
I have, I have, and he's really pretty freaking good, David.
Speaker 3 (48:38):
I debate that, I don't.
Speaker 5 (48:39):
I think he's I don't think he's good, and I
think he's really Yeah, yeah, he's He's pretty fast.
Speaker 4 (48:44):
And then you you pair him next to Derrick Henry.
The things he can do. They got a big offensive
line and they do some some unique stuff scheme wise,
and then receivers on the outside.
Speaker 3 (48:53):
They got a good offense. Do you watch games like
will you watch tonight? And will you learn anything?
Speaker 4 (48:59):
I'll walk much, but I won't really deep dive and
learn it learn much until I will break down the
film myself.
Speaker 2 (49:06):
So your assistant special teams coach is from Marlson, New Jersey,
coach Brown and his father is on the Ravens staff,
the former mayor of this town, Marlson, New Jersey Ady.
Speaker 3 (49:18):
So it's a battle to Browns. There. You go there,
you go, huge rabbit.
Speaker 2 (49:21):
We're looking forward to so so it's a strange week
because there's Thanksgiving, get get home late, go on the
road again Sunday and and have thanks toving what will
what will your schedule be? Did the coach go over that? No,
coach did not go over there.
Speaker 4 (49:34):
Yeah, I'm sure knowing that he'll give us some time
to be with our family and get together for for
a nice Thanksgiving day.
Speaker 3 (49:40):
Anyone coming in, we do not, We do not.
Speaker 4 (49:43):
Me and my wife usually cook all the Thanksgiving food
and then put it in the first for left over
and I.
Speaker 3 (49:49):
Break in love it.
Speaker 2 (49:50):
Well, fantastic, listen, thank you so much for coming. We
were so excited to have you here. You've had such
a whirlwind, amazing start in your careers. Filled up, he goes,
We really hope continues for a long time.
Speaker 3 (50:03):
Will and just get on now.
Speaker 2 (50:08):
You guys know what's and you are welcome back any
time on the show or chickens and pizza and all
the chicken and pizza throughout we we got to thank
a few people, certainly my powers making us look good.
Speaker 3 (50:18):
He got even had this man tied today out here.
Speaker 2 (50:22):
We got John Jansen on the headset and I'll cast
the thousands here at Chickens and Piece.
Speaker 3 (50:27):
Thanks everybody for coming out.
Speaker 2 (50:28):
We always appreciate Spencer, our waitress, Dave Gerald.
Speaker 3 (50:33):
Here we go man, Happy Thanksgiving everybody.
Speaker 2 (50:34):
And thanks to you, Thanks to Zach, and we really
appreciate everybody coming out. We'll be back here Monday night,
hopefully for another glorious victory Monday in the Delare Valley.
So behalf of my partner, Daves Bandero. I'm Jeryld Colton,
thanking Zach Bond for being our special guest.
Speaker 3 (50:50):
And all the fans who came out.
Speaker 2 (50:51):
Thank you all, Thank you for joining us and everybody
listening even listening to the All Pro Philly Players show
on Fox Sports The Gamble
Coming to you live from Chicky's and Pete's in Marlton,
New Jersey, every Monday night. It's the All Pro Philly
Players Show. Now Here are your hosts, Gerald Colts and
the Eagles inside of Dave Spadero.
Speaker 2 (00:17):
Willy and everybody, and welcome the All Pro Philly Players
Show live from Chicken and Pizza, Marlton, New Jersey. On
a glorious victory Monday in the Delaware Valley. We are
here every Monday at Chicky's and Pizza. We got a
special guest with us after a great Eagles win in
Los Angeles late last night.
Speaker 3 (00:35):
An early arrival which would have been a leader round
by some people standards, at about seven thirty this point,
he still came out.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
So along with my co host Daves Spedero, the Eagles
insider wan to welcome our very special guest today Eagles
starting linebacker and a guy who has made so much
difference in the defense.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Zach boy baby, welcome, Welcome us.
Speaker 4 (00:56):
And Dave.
Speaker 2 (00:57):
I'd want to go to you first. You were on
that trip also, yep, had to be a great feeling.
Speaker 3 (01:02):
That was great. It's great for so many reasons.
Speaker 5 (01:04):
The team is playing outstanding football It is complimentary football
in every way. The support from the crowd, the Eagles
fans on the road unbelievable. Once again, at Sofi Stadium
we played there last year, there were definitely more Eagles
fans than Rams fans. I know on the TV broadcast
it's probably sounded like that too.
Speaker 3 (01:24):
It sure did.
Speaker 2 (01:25):
And then you're hearing certain things and it's like wow,
like an advance of calls by the rest and things
like that. You're hearing Eagles reactions and it's incredible.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Why what's that feeling? All right?
Speaker 2 (01:34):
First of all, welcome Zach, and truly we appreciate you
coming out, but getting home at seven point thirty showing
up with your beautiful wife and and son is unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (01:43):
For you to do that. Down get excited there, don't don't,
don't cross the rubicon.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
No, I'm just it's amazing that you guys did that,
So thank you so much.
Speaker 3 (01:51):
We appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (01:51):
And obviously a lot of people came out to see
you today and the people are loving what you're doing
in Philadelphia. But talk about that got so many subjects.
We want to hit first is what Dave just touched on.
What's it like to go on the road as a
Philadelphia Eagle. I mean, you guys have been blowing everybody
out on the road so much so that you're actually
getting to rest at the end of games, which is
unheard of for stars in the NFL. But what's it
(02:12):
feel like with your Eagles crowd supporting you in other
people's stadiums.
Speaker 4 (02:15):
Yeah, it's it's insane, And especially especially in LA and
the Rams, they really showed out. And that's that's what
this fan base is about. And it's not just that game,
it's every game. I look, I turn around behind me,
I'm like, holy crap, we showed up today, and game
after game after game they're there supporting in us.
Speaker 3 (02:35):
And cheering us on. And it's it's good they got our.
Speaker 4 (02:37):
Back when when the rest don't give us calls and
things are going good, when things are going bad, we
absolutely appreciate and we love it.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
I think it makes a difference too.
Speaker 5 (02:45):
I really think that, you know, it's a long season,
it's a grind, and when you know when you when
you hear it, Like the players I've talked through through
the years, I feel like it really does matter. Do
you believe that as well?
Speaker 4 (02:55):
Oh yeah, you feed off the fans for sure, especially
at home, it's an incredible atmosphere. And to have that
type of atmosphere at an away game, I think that's
pretty rare in the NFL.
Speaker 5 (03:07):
Oh sorry, I'm just sinking Gerald like this. Let's talk
about the team, and we had I wasn't here last week.
We had an event with Jalen Hurts and some fans
at Link Financial Field.
Speaker 3 (03:17):
I haven't seen you in two weeks. The team continues
to win.
Speaker 5 (03:21):
This football team we've been around a long time. Seven
straight wins. The way that this team is doing it is.
Speaker 3 (03:30):
A little bit different than we've seen in the past.
Speaker 5 (03:32):
But to me, it also it gives me vibes of
four seventeen twenty twenty two.
Speaker 3 (03:38):
Do you feel that? Very much so? And maybe even
stronger than twenty twenty two.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
So we're talking about the team two years ago that
went to the Super Bowl, that anchored in the same
position by your Wisconsin buddy TJ. Edwards, and it is
now in Chicago. But the history of that they've just
ticked off of the Super Bowl teams. I think there's
something really special about this group and you can talk
to us about that in a second. But it's been
the gradual momentum build and having super Bowl team that
(04:05):
just came short.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
Two years ago.
Speaker 2 (04:07):
Last year gets off to a great start ten and one,
and then has a bad finish and a whole.
Speaker 3 (04:11):
Lot of changes.
Speaker 2 (04:12):
There were a lot of changes, especially on the defensive side,
including yourself, Nikobe Dean now being inserted as hard and
a few other guys into two rookie corners that have
been unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (04:22):
CJ. Gardner, Johnson comes back.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
And but most importantly, maybe up besides you, is Vic Fangio.
You have a new defensive coordinator, a new system, and
it seems to me from the outside that it took
a little while to get it jailed and now you
guys just have it going on.
Speaker 4 (04:35):
Oh absolutely, let's not get let's not look in the past,
let's not look in the pass and far in the future,
too far in the future, and let's take this game
by game. But this is the twenty twenty four Eagles team.
This is the twenty twenty four Eagles defense, and we
have our own goals and our own mentality and new mentality.
We have new guys in, we have new coaches, and
(04:58):
what we've created our own identity, and like you said,
it did take us a while to kind of get
up to speed and get a hold of his defense
and figure out where we can steal plays, where we
can fit and do certain things. But this is a
new team, this is the twenty twenty four Eagles, and
we're doing a good job and we're rolling right now.
What is the secret sauce with Vic? You know, what's
(05:19):
he like?
Speaker 3 (05:20):
You know, I assume that you really want to create
a great relationship with your DC no matter where you are,
no matter where you're playing.
Speaker 5 (05:26):
And you observe him as he teaches the guys the defense.
Speaker 3 (05:30):
What is he like? What makes Vic Fangio, who's been
in the league for.
Speaker 5 (05:35):
Decades, who's been coaching football for forty years, what needs
him so great?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (05:39):
He's a true, true, true defense in mind. I mean
when I came to sign in March and I went
up to his office to meet him and he's watching
like twenty sixteen Baltimore Ravens defense, I'm like.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
What is going on right now?
Speaker 4 (05:54):
The guy just loves football and his scheme has developed
over the years. It's a good mixture of like complexity
but simplicity at the same time.
Speaker 3 (06:02):
So the stuff we're running isn't exotic.
Speaker 4 (06:05):
We're not doing the things that other teams like Minnesota
are doing with the blitzes and stuff like that. But
we just play sound defense and that's what it is.
Speaker 5 (06:13):
And also, Zach, it seems, you know everybody always asked
the question, and I know you've been asked a million times.
You have this role in New Orleans, all of a sudden,
the Eagles sees something in your game that they think
can fit in this system. Do you understand what it
was and what they've done and how it's worked so well?
Speaker 4 (06:30):
I don't exactly know what they saw. I think it
was just my athleticism. And Vic has an eye for
scouting talent, and I appreciate that. But from my perspective,
everyone wants to be wanted. Everybody wants to have that
guy that's like I could use a guy like you,
and I appreciate that, and I appreciate the management for
bringing me in here and.
Speaker 3 (06:50):
Letting me be myself and show what I got.
Speaker 2 (06:53):
What differently are you being asked to do here as
a Phildelp Eagle than you were asked the first four
years or your career in New Orleans.
Speaker 4 (07:00):
Yeah, I played outside linebacker in college, so when I
came out, that's kind of the vision they had for me.
In New Orleans, I was playing only in big personnel grouping,
so I would play two snaps a game, or I
would play fifteen snaps game. It depended on what they're
the opposing offense was doing. But now I'm playing off
the ball linebacker. You got to see a lot more,
you got to do a lot more. You're blitzing, tackling.
(07:22):
Angles are different. You're more responsible in the in the
coverage unit. And I love it because I get to
make plays all over the field.
Speaker 5 (07:30):
And it really it really underscores how important it is
for a player. Look, every player who comes into the
National Football League is talented. Is that how much of
your success relies upon your position, coaches, what they see,
how they use you right, Like it doesn't happen. You
wonder when a great story like Zach Bond happens. You
wonder how many players just weren't being used to their
(07:54):
maximum ability and thus never kind of made it in
the league.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
Yeah, it's it is a lot about fit, and for me,
it was important for my four years in New Orleans
to just keep working, keep grinding, and then knew that
when I when I left New Orleans, I would be
better because of it.
Speaker 2 (08:11):
But that, Dave, that's such an interesting point because football
is so situational and it you know, the same player
plugged into a different system is a very different player.
Speaker 3 (08:20):
And he and I think.
Speaker 2 (08:21):
Your great proof of it because certainly New Orleans loss
is our gain and now you're playing every play in
a different position and really have had an exceptional year
so far.
Speaker 3 (08:30):
We I know you.
Speaker 2 (08:31):
Expected, we expected to continue even though we're just taking
it one at a time.
Speaker 3 (08:34):
Yeah, exactly, exactly, Gerald, seventh straight wins.
Speaker 5 (08:37):
Here of your thoughts on what's changed, Gerald Colton two
and two to nine and two, give me an order,
give me three big reasons why you and your esteemed
football mind, this veteran football man who's seen so many Eagles.
Speaker 3 (08:54):
Teams, what has changed from two and two to nine
and two.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
I think from my standpoint, Number one is just time together.
You know when we talked about the defense geling a
lot of new parks, new coordinator, and just getting comfortable
on the offensive end, you know, there's been such great
play and as I watched the Eagles every week, people
ask me what do you think of today's game? And I
say the same thing every week. I'm always optimistic. I
(09:18):
always think they're going to win. And I also think
that this team has risen to the team the type
of team that can win a championship. But I don't
want to you know, if Sirianni's listening, he's cringing at
this stuff.
Speaker 3 (09:29):
Oh there's there's absolutely, there's no doubt he's listening.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
There is.
Speaker 3 (09:35):
And if you are, hey, hey, coach, great job.
Speaker 2 (09:37):
But but it is the fact that I believe every
time out, no matter what happens, your defense will keep
you in the ball game. So that as long as
the defense keeps you in the ball game, You've got now,
you know, Jalen taking care of everything well and taking
care of the football.
Speaker 3 (09:52):
Number one. You've got these great playmakers and A J. Brown.
Speaker 2 (09:55):
You're missing DeVante today last night and he's been a
little banged up, but you know he'll contribute Dallas. And
now you've got this guy in Saquon Barkley who is
clearly the greatest thing to ever play running back for
the Philadelphia's. I mean is he's had a record last night.
He's been here for eleven games and each game gets better.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
It's crazy.
Speaker 2 (10:13):
So if the defense will keep you in the game,
and we know they take care of special team as well,
that offense at some point will wear them down.
Speaker 3 (10:20):
And that offensive line is second to none. They are
just unbeleegal.
Speaker 2 (10:24):
So I don't know if I gave you three things,
but I think the time for the defense to be together,
and a little bit of jellying the offensive game and
no Saquon Better and the offensive line had to change
because you lost Jason Kelsey. Those just changes and a
little bit growth together and confidence growing every single week.
Speaker 5 (10:38):
And I mean what's amazing to me about this team
is how much better it gets during the course of
a game. The Eagles absolutely dominate fourth quarters of games.
And that's the big difference from that last year to
this year. Last year every game was edge of your seats,
hang on, try to win the game. This year the
Eagles are pulling away, pulling away, why wearing teams out.
I will tell you this, Gerald, this Eagles team, and
(10:59):
Zach keep telling me in your career, this Seagles team
is so physical, And I do know, is there do
you feel it? Do you feel it out there that
you're more physical as a team than the other team.
Speaker 3 (11:10):
Yeah, I mean, that's that's always the goal.
Speaker 4 (11:12):
And like Nick says, it's not about who's tougher, it's
about who's tougher the longest. And that's how That's how
we were wearing teams out and getting ahead in those
third and fourth quarters. And it starts within the trenches
with the offensive and defensive line. I mean, I think
we got the best offensive line in the league. I
saw some of those clips from last night and they're
they're bulldozing people out of that way. And then you
(11:35):
follow it up with Saquon I mean that that combination
is just undefeated. And then the defensive line with Jalen
Carter and Jordan Davis and Josh Suat and Nolan.
Speaker 3 (11:46):
Nolan's everyone more. Jo was playing great mill.
Speaker 4 (11:50):
Yeah, yeah, it's crazy, and just the guys we have,
and then the scheme and then you you throw in
the mentality and the aggression and the toughness. I mean,
it really can't be beat.
Speaker 5 (12:01):
And you know one thing, Gerald, like I always advocate,
when you win the toss, you always defer. And the
Eagles have at least in three or four games this
year scored at the end of the first half and
came out and scored on the first drive of the
second half, and that has changed the complexion of games
as it did last night.
Speaker 2 (12:20):
Dave, there's no question, and you are a big advocate
for it because sometimes that I've said, listen, when you
win that toss, sometimes you just want to get the
ball going. No, you're a defensive guy. See, you love
the deferral. I know everybody wants to get right out there,
but the Eagles, you know, their analytics and everything has
proven so true that that last possession is score the
first half, and you were down till that last scored
(12:41):
the touchdown ToJ Brown, So.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
You take the lead into the halftime.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
And then on the first play of the second half,
Saquon busts one of his seventy plus yard runs for
a touchdown.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
And I mentioned to you before the show.
Speaker 2 (12:52):
That they showed a picture of the La Rams defense
on the bench right after that, and they were totally
demoralized his first play.
Speaker 3 (13:00):
The second if I go, oh, they got him, it's over.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
No, you told me you felt that at the end
of the first half that they were already demoralized.
Speaker 4 (13:06):
Yeah, I mean, we were on the sideline, kind of
knowing what was going on on their sideline and just
seeing that their body language walking off the field and
stuff like that. And that's what our offensive line does
to people. It wears them out and until they can't
take it any longer.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
And then you look up and you're down twenty to
seven after having a lead just on game clock, like
two minutes prior to that, and it's crazy. And the
other thing, Dave, you know, sa Quan I haven't seen
the exact breakdown his numbers, but his second half and
fourth quarter numbers have to be crazy. Yesterday only had
seventy some yards and winds up with the two fifty
five because he.
Speaker 3 (13:39):
Is going to pop one or more.
Speaker 2 (13:41):
And I've never seen a game where a guy has
a seventy yard touchdown run and it's only second longest
carry of the day. What he's done is just crazy.
And he's only just begun his career as a Phildelphia Well.
Speaker 5 (13:53):
I mean, look, we've been blessed with great running backs.
I mean since I've been covering the Eagles, it's been
the first grade when really was Ricky Waters and then
Deuce and then Westbrook and then Shady and then Miles
Sanders made the Pro Bowl. DeAndre Swift made the Pro Bowl.
But what this guy does, he's he's able to win
(14:17):
between the tackles and carry defenders and gain.
Speaker 3 (14:20):
Those tough yards.
Speaker 5 (14:22):
And his home run hitting ability is something I've never seen,
Like five runs of fifty plus yards already this year
he will potentially here knock on woods, stay on the
course and go over twenty one hundred rushing yards, which
is like amazing. What is the NFL record for rushing yards?
I don't even know, yeah, because I don't look ahead,
but it was like twenty one.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
Who is that Jamal Lewis still Eric Dickerson was was originally?
Speaker 2 (14:45):
I don't think maybe Adrian, you know what I should know,
Adrian Peterson, And to prepare for you grilling me.
Speaker 3 (14:51):
Maybe maybe maybe you're the biggest fan.
Speaker 2 (14:53):
Angelo Spiro can listen you, Zach talk about your teammate
se Kwon Barkley, because you go against him every day,
you're in the week room with him where he does
crazy stuff.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
I mean, there's just nothing this guy can't do.
Speaker 4 (15:04):
Yeah, he's a competitor in all assets, whether we're playing
ping pong or playing cards or on the field and
the weight room.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
It doesn't matter.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
This guy wants to compete and he and he wants
to do his best and best for the team. Honestly,
one of the most humble guys I've ever I've ever
talked to. You see the stuff he's doing on the field,
and then you say good game, Sakwan, and then he's like, yeah,
but this one and yeah, always just just crazy crazy
or he's given credit to the offensive line, I mean,
reasonably so, but when you have a game like that,
(15:34):
there's got to be some sort of yeah, I'm like that,
But not with that, not with that guy.
Speaker 5 (15:38):
Because the truth is, the Eagles have accomplished exactly nothing.
The Eagles are nine and two this season, still has
six games to go in.
Speaker 3 (15:46):
The regular season.
Speaker 5 (15:47):
We have seen in the fact you've got to go
to the finish line. This team has accomplished nothing. And
that's the right mentality to have. And every single and
I know that that's the way Nick is and every
single player talks about it. That's why you're starting to
bristle and break in the sweat when we talk about
the past in the future, because it's all about right now.
Getting a good night's sleep tonight on Monday and getting
ready for the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday.
Speaker 3 (16:08):
Exactly. We're getting stats thrown out us.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
John Chances said only eight times as a running back
to reach two thousand yards.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
Yeah, it's seventeen game seasons, but he's probably gonna do it.
Speaker 2 (16:15):
Eric Dickerson, Dickerson still holds the rector, so he's closed
in on that. He's also great past receiver and so
many other things. And it's just fun to watch it.
And everybody who comes in contact with him loves this guy,
and it's just great. And that's one of the things
about your team. And we are here every week, Zach,
and week after week we just have a great guy
(16:36):
show up. A great football player. You're a great athlete,
but a great person. And you have a really good
crew in the Philadelphia Eagles.
Speaker 4 (16:43):
I think that's credit to how we and the types
of guys he brings in. I mean, they're not just
great athletes, but they're great people as well, and all
about community, all about the team, and I think that
that's how you build a good team.
Speaker 2 (16:54):
You know, it's funny you talk about Nick Sirianni Dave.
I heard a clip of him talking to the team
in the locker room. We we love you know, you've
taken us in the locker room a little bit to
you know, the feeling more than anything.
Speaker 3 (17:04):
This stuff that's confidentially you gotta keep confidential.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
But they you know, the cameras and the microphones are
in there now for some of the coaches speak, and
he's given exactly what Dave just said. We haven't accomplished
fing anything, and he's f f that and he goes
and that's right, Nick.
Speaker 5 (17:20):
Nick can take a breath every now and then. I
follow his example. But like, for sure, it was a
great win yesterday. And I mean, I don't know what
it's like with your wife, Like she's so happy after
a win, and my wife's.
Speaker 3 (17:31):
The same way.
Speaker 5 (17:31):
And I'm trying to be really like upbeating, Like I'm
certainly happy, but you don't really celebrate anything for more
than an hour and then you're kind of just for players.
Speaker 3 (17:41):
You have to recover.
Speaker 5 (17:42):
For me, I'm not playing, but we have a ton
of work that we have to do the same amount,
whether it's win or loss.
Speaker 4 (17:47):
So you have to kind of focus on that. How
quickly do you turn the page? Yeah, I mean speaking
of my wife. She gives me the twenty four hour rules.
She gives me twenty four hours to be happy and
celebrate the win, look at the film, and then after
that it's onto next week. So I think we're coming
up on that twenty four hours now and onto the
Baltimore Ravens.
Speaker 3 (18:05):
Well, Sirianni would love that.
Speaker 2 (18:07):
And she's been with you for a long ride here
she's she goes back to Wisconsin with you.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
Yep, absolutely, that's great.
Speaker 2 (18:12):
And uh, you know, every Wisconsin guy I've met, I
love it. It's a it's a great place to go
to school in a great place to play football.
Speaker 4 (18:20):
You've got a pretty good network in the NFL. Yeah,
I mean a lot of guys. You just look at
the linebackers.
Speaker 3 (18:25):
TJ. Edwards was here, TJ.
Speaker 4 (18:26):
Watt, Andrew van Ginkel, Joe Schobert, just so many.
Speaker 3 (18:31):
The list goes on.
Speaker 5 (18:32):
Do you take exceptions to Penn State being called linebacker? You,
I don't even know if it is anymore. Back in
the day it was called linebacker. You would you put
these the group of linebackers from Wisconsin who play in
the NFL or have recently played in the NFL against
any group of any college linebacker.
Speaker 3 (18:48):
I absolutely would every good time. Yeah, I think you
have to. Well, we love TJ. And he was, of
course my co host two years ago.
Speaker 2 (18:54):
All season long, he and Kelly showed up every week
and I love and miss them. But oh well, he's
out in Chicago where he's from, and and and and
they lose frustrating games every week. I do feel he's
he's playing great. I want to talk to you about
you expect your first four years in New Orleans and
this is only the second organization you're a part of.
Compare the Philadelphia Eagles with playing somewhere else.
Speaker 3 (19:16):
Yeah, I mean the the the environment here.
Speaker 4 (19:21):
As soon as I walked in the building and it
was just like electric, Like it's tough to describe being
somewhere else and then coming to a place that feels
so safe and so secure and very inviting.
Speaker 3 (19:32):
And then you throw the fans on top of that.
Speaker 4 (19:35):
I think the Eagles fans are are are like none else,
and they show up for the for the players and
the coaches and our families.
Speaker 3 (19:43):
It's just so welcoming and so inviting. Since the day
I got here. This story of Zach Bonn is a
great one. I think we should get into it, take.
Speaker 5 (19:48):
A little break here, and then get into it, because hey,
he's a Philadelphia Eagle. He's having a season where you know,
I know, Zach's not into hearing all the bouquets being
thrown his way, but I mean, he's got to be
getting serious consideration for some major awards around the league.
That's how good Zach Bond has been. It's the story
of a third round pick who took some time to
find the right situation.
Speaker 3 (20:08):
He's in the right situation and he's playing like a
football star. Wow, you framed that so well. I was gonna,
but I'm gonna We're gonna take that and take a break.
Let's got a great hairstyle.
Speaker 2 (20:17):
When we come back, we're gonna we're gonna take you
a little bit through the path that led Zagbonne to
be in the middle of the Philadelphiagles great defense anchoring
the nine and two Philadelphia Eagles. As we go on
for the home stretch of the NFL season and a
really exciting time here in Philadelphia. You are listening to
the All Pro Philly Player Show, Dave Spanero, Jerrold Calton,
our special guy, Zach Blond Live from Chickens and Pizza Marlton,
(20:41):
Come join us. We still got a long way to
go and a little bit of room at the boar.
We got a great crowd here. You're listening to Fox Sports.
Speaker 3 (20:47):
A gambler god, I mean, I love that.
Speaker 2 (21:03):
Welcome back to Chicken Pizza of Marlsa, New Jersey. You
all pro Philly players. We are here every Monday night
Chickens and Pets, where the players go to the best
sports bar anywhere, certainly in the Delaware Valley, but I've
been all over this country and kind of world, and
it's the best sports bar as I've ever been at.
Zach and Pete Cherochi, the proprietor's son, Pete third. They
(21:23):
take great care of the players and a lot of
guys go see the one in South Philly after the
games of the game.
Speaker 3 (21:29):
Have you done that yet? I heard no. BG was
telling me He's like, bring your.
Speaker 2 (21:33):
Family, bring anyone you got to and it's it and
he really takes care of everybody.
Speaker 3 (21:37):
It's a great place to watch a game.
Speaker 2 (21:38):
The Flyers rue right now coming up with you Monday
night football, which you're probably going to watch because the
Baltimore Ravens your.
Speaker 3 (21:44):
Opponent in sixteens are playing tonight.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
You probably already started watching a little film, right, I
have not yet.
Speaker 3 (21:50):
I have not yet, but oh yeah, that's right, your wife,
because you're twenty four.
Speaker 2 (21:53):
Hour yeah yeah, yeah, so you get to enjoy it.
And you haven't been in Philadelphia all that long, but
we want to make sure that you get to know
the Staples and chickens and Peat certainly certainly is one.
Speaker 3 (22:04):
Dave, welcome back, Hey, thank you.
Speaker 5 (22:06):
I was out there working the crowd saying hi people.
It's a very large crowd here today.
Speaker 3 (22:11):
And mostly to see you. Not one of them is
here to see me. Just just a reminder to anybody, Lizzie.
Speaker 2 (22:17):
It's Dave Federa, myself here every week, and we're joined
by a special guest in his first year with the
Phildelphia Eagles. Fifth year overall, but now year quite like
this one, Zach Bond, and we expected to continue.
Speaker 3 (22:28):
And I want to ask you as we start looking what.
Speaker 2 (22:31):
Led you here? Though just a few months ago you
couldn't have foreseen how good things are right now? Right?
I mean, you know, when you your contract ends with
New Orleans, you become a free agent and you wind
up here this has been.
Speaker 3 (22:43):
Obviously the greatest year of your career. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (22:46):
I mean when I signed here, they gave me the
opportunity to start that that didn't mean that, yeah, you're
gonna come here and be a starter. It was like, no,
you're gonna come here and work and compete to be
a starter. They brought in Devin White as well, and
I knew na Kobe was here. I'm like, okay, let's
let's compete, and then the rest is history from that.
Speaker 3 (23:06):
Why do you think you felt so comfortable right away?
Speaker 4 (23:11):
I think it was with how comfortable Vic and Howie
and Nick and our linebacker coach were with bringing me
in here, and they're like, yeah, we want you.
Speaker 3 (23:25):
They they came and they were aggressively pursued.
Speaker 1 (23:29):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (23:29):
Yeah, so that was like, okay, I'm really comfortable. And
then coming in it was like I had this earn
it mindset when I was competing for the spot, and
then when I when they told me I got the spot,
then it flipped and it was like, Okay, prove it.
Speaker 3 (23:43):
You know.
Speaker 4 (23:44):
It's the same mentality throughout it all, working and trying
to get better every day, but it just had to
shift a little bit.
Speaker 5 (23:51):
Is that the way it was Zach Mfe coming out
of high school going to Wisconsin becoming a great football
player there, did you feel kind of the same where
you had an opportunity to work your way into the
role that you wanted to have from college to to
the NFL as well?
Speaker 4 (24:07):
You were there similarities in those experiences. Yeah, absolutely absolutely.
Coming into going into college, I had guys like t J.
Edwards ahead of me, and he quickly took me under
his wing like he was a quarterback in high school
as well, not too far down the road near Chicago,
and kind of the the Badger way. The Wisconsin way
was to come in and red shirt, learn the scheme,
(24:29):
learn the position, see the guys, see how they work,
see how they operate, and then when it's your turn,
then it's your turn and you can take advantage of
the opportunity. And that's what it's been since I've been
in the league, just waiting my turn and waiting for
that that chance.
Speaker 5 (24:44):
Is it is is recruiting out of high school similar
to what you felt as a free agent?
Speaker 3 (24:51):
Is there an experience is there similar to that?
Speaker 4 (24:54):
I don't think so. College is a bit different. It's
like where do you your money. Yeah, but do you
want to be close to home? Do you want to
go far away? Are you doing it for the football,
the academics, uh, stuff like that.
Speaker 3 (25:08):
But but scheme I think had a big, big role
in that.
Speaker 2 (25:11):
Well, let's backtrack a little bit then to the to
the high school, Zach Bond and you were both a
basketball player and a football player. You were a quarterback
and all state guy and a track guy.
Speaker 3 (25:23):
Yeah. So how did the cheerleader? No doubt. Where did
you meet your wife? I met? I met her in college.
We went to the same high school. No, you did.
Speaker 4 (25:33):
So you knew each other even back then or not
real not really, we knew all each other.
Speaker 3 (25:37):
So but you you you, and you're in with totally.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
So first of all, what made you narrow in on
football and wound up on the linebacker side instead of
one of.
Speaker 3 (25:48):
The other positions that you could have played. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (25:50):
Going into my junior year when I transferred, I actually
thought I was a basketball player.
Speaker 3 (25:55):
I thought that's what I was meant to do.
Speaker 4 (25:57):
I had no dreams or aspirations of being in the
NFL or the NBA.
Speaker 3 (26:01):
I was just playing sports to be with my friends.
Speaker 4 (26:04):
So I did basketball tracks I played soccer when I
was young.
Speaker 3 (26:08):
I did tennis one year.
Speaker 4 (26:10):
I just wanted to be out of the house and
I wanted to just be having fun with my friends
and getting to hang out as much as I could.
And then when I started doing well in high school,
I was like, Okay, this could go somewhere. I had
no really plans to go to college or anything. And
then when I had the opportunity, I'm like, yeah, let's
jump on it. And I didn't care what position I played.
I could play long snapper, kicker, it didn't matter. I
just wanted an opportunity. And that that's that's.
Speaker 3 (26:33):
In my blood.
Speaker 4 (26:34):
If I'm doing something, I want to be the best
at it and I go all in.
Speaker 3 (26:38):
And how close were you to be here?
Speaker 5 (26:39):
How close were you to be a really really, really
really good basketball player.
Speaker 4 (26:43):
I was probably not as close as I. I couldn't
sho couldn't shoot, couldn't really dribble. I was like the
defense glue guy, right. Yeah, I thought I was meant
to be a basketball player. No one agreed with me,
especially my high school.
Speaker 2 (26:58):
But anyway, so, so you choose football although you ran track,
and I always think a track background helps a football
player so you.
Speaker 3 (27:07):
Were one hundred and two hundred guy in high school.
Speaker 2 (27:09):
Yeah, yep, so you're basically a sprinter in tough sprints.
That two hundred is really really tough. Yeah yeah, and
you succeeded. Yeah, yeah, I went to state. I went
to State.
Speaker 3 (27:18):
I mean that's I think I placed that state one time.
Speaker 2 (27:21):
That is certainly saying stuff that clearly where whatever happened
to lead you to linebacker.
Speaker 3 (27:25):
For the Philoff Eagles was the right choice and the
right path. Yeah.
Speaker 4 (27:28):
I mean, everything happens for a reason, and some guys
get there right away and some guys it takes a
little longer. But for the guys that take it takes
a little longer, just keep your head down and keep working,
is the main thing.
Speaker 3 (27:39):
Draft third round, New Orleans Saints. What was the experience like?
What was the whole draft time like?
Speaker 2 (27:44):
And this is twenty twenty, so it's COVID, COVID, the
weirdest time in this world of my lifetime, which is
a lot longer in your lifetime.
Speaker 3 (27:50):
So yeah, right, it was. It was. It was a pandemic.
Speaker 4 (27:55):
There was no combine that year, right, correct, There was
there was a combine. There was a combine, but not
everyone had their pro days. Yes, okay, that's what it was,
all right.
Speaker 2 (28:04):
It all shut down right in the early part of
March in Combins Leap February.
Speaker 4 (28:09):
So you got to chose that. Yeah, luckily I did
and I got a chance to get my pro day in.
But it was just a weird time. It wasn't like
you dream of and your when you're watching the NFL
Draft in college or or even before that, that that moment,
that special moment.
Speaker 3 (28:24):
But it was special for me.
Speaker 4 (28:25):
I had my my family there, my friends there, obviously
the closest ones to me, but just having it being
virtual and Roger Goodell and in his basement or wherever
he was doing it from. You get drafted, you get drafted.
It happens the same way it was. It was very special.
Speaker 5 (28:44):
Nonetheless, Gerald, you've been on the agent side of it.
How do you think, I mean, how did you find like,
how did you find your agent?
Speaker 3 (28:52):
Zach?
Speaker 5 (28:53):
How did you How does an agent find you? How
do you make that connection? How important is that relationship
in your career destination, your career path.
Speaker 3 (29:04):
You scour the earth for players, it's relationships.
Speaker 2 (29:09):
I mean a guy like Zach was I'm sure there
were a lot of agents coming after you. You you
were an all first of all Mark and you were
all all big ten. I mean, everybody knew who you were.
So he was very attractive and wound up with a
big agency, right, Yeah, there was a there was a
heavy handful of agents coming at you.
Speaker 4 (29:25):
It's kind of overwhelming at the time, and all these
guys reaching out to you. So I had my older
brother Nick, it was like a father figure to me,
kind of handle the business side of things so I
could just focus on my senior year. But you said
something about relationships. I actually had this same agent that TJ.
Speaker 3 (29:42):
Watt referred me to.
Speaker 4 (29:43):
So just those relationships you build up, you make good connections,
and you get in with the right people.
Speaker 3 (29:49):
And that's pretty much, Dave.
Speaker 2 (29:50):
How I've gotten referrals from other clients, friends, coaches, and
things like that. Where look to me and Zach, you
were there four years, five years ago. You're a young
man and you've never had to make a business decision
like that, and it's really hard to know you don't
have the experience what you rely When the older brothers
got the experience and the recommendation of a TJ. Watt
that if these guys are good enough for TJ. Watt,
(30:11):
they'll probably service me pretty well, and there's a lot
of trust in that, and then over time you build
the depth of the relationship exactly exactly.
Speaker 3 (30:19):
How would you characterize your time with New Orleans Saint
zech Uh?
Speaker 4 (30:24):
It was a struggle mentally for me, obviously playing my
senior year and doing so well and being the guy
on a team. It's hard to get into the league
and for four years straight be a special teams guy.
But I'll tell you what, I was trying to be
the best special teams guy I could be, because that's
just my personality. But just trying to grind out those
years and continue to get better. It's tough mentally to
(30:46):
keep the ball rolling in that aspect, but I'm glad
I did and it turned out.
Speaker 5 (30:50):
Did you feel that you were and I'm not I apologize.
I don't mean to criticize it off, but I don't
know the situation I went. Do you feel that you
were miscast at a position? In retrospect now we see
this position right now where you are right now, it's
like about perfect position for Zach gond Or were you
not giving a chance to play?
Speaker 3 (31:08):
Did you not play as well as you wanted to play.
Speaker 4 (31:10):
What I think about that a lot, and I think
I wish I could blame it all on them, But
in my mind, I think just the new position was
very overwhelming for me. They were trying to chance take
me off the ball and make me play Mike. But
when you step back and you go from on the
ball to off the ball, your eyes got to be wide,
(31:32):
and I think it took me longer to develop. So
I think it was really just the development piece for me.
Speaker 5 (31:37):
For the fans who don't understand what on the ball
versus off the ball means, can you explain that in
very layman's terms.
Speaker 4 (31:45):
Yeah, I was a pass rusher in college on the
edge like a Brandon Graham or Josh Sweat, and I
am now playing off the ball like a T. J.
Speaker 3 (31:57):
Edwards or yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 5 (32:00):
So it's so from a fans name, you went from
an edge to an inside yes, yes, and then and
then from a standpoint is to responsibilities and duties.
Speaker 2 (32:09):
Now you've got a whole different set because as an
edge pass rusher, you're just I set on the quarterback
for the most part.
Speaker 3 (32:15):
Now you've got.
Speaker 2 (32:15):
To pick up the back or you know, diagnose what
it's a run or pass, and pick up the tight
end coming out or whoever it might be. I mean,
there's so many more things that they ask you to
do as a linebacker than they do as a d M.
Speaker 3 (32:28):
Yeah, I mean, you're you're you're stuff in the run.
Speaker 4 (32:31):
You're you're playing the past game, so you're covering receivers
like Nikobe Deane always says, we're hitting with three three
twenty five and we're running with.
Speaker 3 (32:38):
Four to two.
Speaker 4 (32:39):
You've got to be able to do a lot of
different things. And that's what's cool about vic scheme too.
He gives us opportunities to blitz.
Speaker 3 (32:46):
Yep, he moves me.
Speaker 4 (32:47):
On the ball on at the edge sometimes, but I'm
also dropping in coverage.
Speaker 3 (32:52):
We get to do a lot of cool different stuff.
Speaker 4 (32:54):
And I've kind of nerded out since I've been in
the league about the complexity of football in the scheme,
and I'm having a lot of fun right now.
Speaker 5 (33:03):
So I'm gonna imagine every every week when you prepare
for an opponent and you go into that I guess
Wednesday meeting to find out what the game plan is.
Vic's got little twists and little additions and like cool
little complexities that get everybody really excited that it's not.
Speaker 3 (33:19):
The same game plan as it was the week before.
Speaker 4 (33:21):
Necessarily, yeah, you got to make it unpredictable for the
team ahead.
Speaker 3 (33:25):
And uh, it is exciting.
Speaker 4 (33:27):
I'm always excited to see what what blitzes he draws up,
or where he's putting me on the field for the
upcoming game.
Speaker 3 (33:33):
All right, before we leave New Orleans completely in the past.
Speaker 2 (33:36):
And by the way, the one thing that I'd like
you to bring from Wisconsin is I love the fifth quarter,
just real briefly. People might not be familiar with the
fifth quarter that you that you have out there.
Speaker 4 (33:46):
I mean, I'm not too familiar because you played the game.
Speaker 3 (33:52):
It's like tailgating, Dave, you don't know anything about that.
I've ever gone to.
Speaker 2 (33:56):
The fifth quarter is after the game, the bands stay
around and they're playing, the bands playing, and they're pretty
they're pretty hammered in Wisconsin.
Speaker 3 (34:05):
To drink it is a lot of fun.
Speaker 2 (34:07):
But but I'm pretty familiar with the Saints organization, having
represented a lot of players there, and Jarry Everards from
Philadelphia who's spent most of his career there. I know
that organization well and You got there at an interesting
time because it was the ending of Sean Payton would
have been there since two thousand and six, and then
the bridging of the gap. That's always going to be
hard to coach Allen who's already been fired. So you
(34:27):
were there in a transition time that probably wasn't too
great for that organization.
Speaker 4 (34:32):
Yeah, I think they're pro that group's prime because Drew
Brees had left.
Speaker 3 (34:36):
I played one year with Drew as well.
Speaker 4 (34:38):
I think their prime was like twenty eighteen, and then
I caught the tail end. But playing under under Sean
Payton was really cool experience, and then playing in the
locker room being on the same team as Drew Brees,
seeing how he worked and how he operated. He was
so detailed, so so driven, and it really showed why
he is the.
Speaker 3 (34:57):
Player he was. I really feel for New Orleans. I mean,
I think it's you really great sports community.
Speaker 5 (35:01):
It's been devastated by so many natural disasters. They're always
the underdogs when they've had success. I've rooted for them,
and it just seems like it's a really tough place
for a lot of people who aren't as fortunate as others.
Speaker 3 (35:16):
Just in their day to day lives.
Speaker 5 (35:17):
Do you feel that were you one of those guys
out in the community a lot with the Saints?
Speaker 3 (35:22):
Yeah? The people there, the place is beautiful.
Speaker 4 (35:25):
The people are beautiful, and that's the reason why they're
so resilient because everyone from New Orleans or everyone that
moves to New Orleans absolutely falls in love.
Speaker 3 (35:35):
I know me and my wife did. And people are
always going to go back to New.
Speaker 4 (35:40):
Orleans no matter what happens, a hurricane, a storm, no
matter what, because it's such a unique place and it's
really special there.
Speaker 3 (35:47):
Can we leave? Can we have Zach now in Philadelphia?
Speaker 1 (35:49):
Now?
Speaker 2 (35:49):
Gerald, I want to keep him here and that'll be
coming up next year. Worry about that after the season
or maybe sooner, but right now, you may Ni Kobe did.
He's come up a few times, and Nikobe, I've gotten
to know a little bit, and you know, it's it's
interesting and that's why I love you guys coming out
here and spending a time with.
Speaker 3 (36:09):
Us, so people get to know you. I mean, it's
a really you have a really cerebral group.
Speaker 2 (36:14):
And Nia Kobe is a shockingly cerebral guy who's had
two military parents. He's got an engineer's mind and he
attacks it. That's why the line he came up with.
I mean, he's so smart, but he's quiet, so you
wouldn't necessarily know that from the outside.
Speaker 4 (36:27):
Yeah, I mean I know him personally and he's not
that muar. He's a very vocal leader on this team,
and this is his defense. He's the vocal leader. He's
the one we're listening to him. He's got the green
dot on Sundays and Mondays and Thursdays whenever we're playing now.
But I love the guy. He puts so much work
in and just knowing his path and and and what
(36:49):
it took to get here to get this opportunity to
start and play, and that he's playing at so at
such a high level.
Speaker 3 (36:55):
I'm so proud of him.
Speaker 4 (36:56):
And he's in the building till he texted me a
photo of my locker at nine nine pm one night last.
Speaker 3 (37:03):
Week and I'm like, what are you doing in there?
Speaker 4 (37:05):
I mean, it's it's just crazy the work he put it,
puts in and then to see it come to life
on the.
Speaker 3 (37:09):
Field, even it's another third.
Speaker 2 (37:11):
Round pick pick picked here three years. This is his
third year. His crew did not get off a good
start because of injuries, and there were some people who
doubted he could ever do it. Now you and he
together are dominating from the from the linebacker's spot.
Speaker 3 (37:24):
It just has to be so much fun.
Speaker 4 (37:25):
Yeah, we're having a blast right now, and us too,
the rest of the linebackers, this whole defense.
Speaker 3 (37:30):
We're just having having so much fun. And he was
great last night. I mean he's but just he's getting
better and better.
Speaker 2 (37:36):
The tackles, the fumble recovery, the past, he got a sack,
he get passed, the fletchers, just unbelievable.
Speaker 3 (37:43):
The way you guys are playing.
Speaker 5 (37:44):
He's actually the linebacker room is a really cool room.
And if I'm missing somebody, let me know. It's Nikobe,
who's been here for a couple of years now, three
years now, you know, battling back from injuries.
Speaker 3 (37:52):
It's Zach.
Speaker 5 (37:53):
It's Trot, who is the legacy guy. If that comes
back home. We had him here earlier in the year.
It's Orrin Burn to start it in the Super Bowl
last year for the Niners. It's Ben Van Sumerin, who's
like gaining fame as a fullback now and who's a
freaky great athlete. I have no doubt that when he
gets a chance to play, he's gonna be an outstanding linebacker.
Speaker 3 (38:13):
Is there anybody I'm missing in that room? Dallas? Dallas.
We just picked up so I don't know him very well.
Speaker 5 (38:18):
So, but like everybody's come from all these different paths,
and I think.
Speaker 3 (38:21):
That's what's cool about football anyway.
Speaker 5 (38:23):
The locker room is a melting pot of cultures, of personalities,
of backgrounds, and those teams that come together and form
that chemistry and that bond which this team has are
generally the teams that win football games because everyone's talented,
everybody's got great coaching. It's those kinds of intangibles that
separate the winners from the teams that don't win as much.
(38:43):
And I think this just this team's got it. I
think this team has its agreed Yeah, the best.
Speaker 4 (38:48):
Like Nick always said, Nick's got so many little Nicks things. Yeah,
it's awesome because they really resonate with me. But Nick
says the best teams, What does he say that the
best teams don't don't have great players. The best teams
have great teammates. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's what it is.
I mean Nick Nick enforces connection and that's been his
(39:12):
main thing since the offseason.
Speaker 3 (39:13):
It's just connecting.
Speaker 4 (39:14):
He's got ping pong tables and all these different things,
these basketball challenges and video games on the team meeting
screen before the team meeting.
Speaker 3 (39:23):
It's it's just really cool to player. Uh. Probably I
don't know. I don't go in there too.
Speaker 5 (39:33):
It's probably Jake, because Jake's it's crazy to even think that, Uh,
but I think it. Look, I think the reason this
team has bonded is because Nick finally took the right
medicine and shaved his head and showed what a real
man is. And since that time, Eagles are undefeated and
that's just fact.
Speaker 2 (39:50):
Well, it's been a great, great run and we're hoping
it continues. Certainly, you got a tough one coming up,
and we'll talk about that when we come back. We'll
take one final break and then uh take down the
home stretch of the All Pro Philly Player Show. We
are here at Chickens and Pizza in Marlton, New Jersey.
Dave Spadero, Gerald Colton, and our very special guest, Zach
Bond will be back on Fox Sports.
Speaker 3 (40:10):
A gambler.
Speaker 2 (40:16):
I can't do what I can I can't double Welcome
back to the All Pro Philly Player Show. We are
live from Chickens and Pizza, Marlton, New Jersey. A glorious
victory Monday for the Philolpi Eagles hot off their thirty
seven to twenty victory out on the West Coast over
the Los Angeles Rams. I'm Gerald Calton, along with Dave
Spadero and our special guests Eagles linebacker Zach baonn Dave,
(40:37):
by the way, I saw a clip of you on
Saturday night in one of your my groups in your
hosting and you even use some profanity in it. But
but you predicted a very great Eagles Sunday.
Speaker 3 (40:48):
I felt, I mean, I think again.
Speaker 5 (40:50):
I think this team has it and the very very focused,
the purpose is single minded.
Speaker 3 (40:56):
It's a complementary football.
Speaker 5 (40:57):
Team and the maturity of being able to you know
what's interesting about going west. So back in the old days,
Andy Reid would take the team out on Friday, thinking
that you have time to acclimate your body and the
jet lag would be gone and game.
Speaker 3 (41:12):
Time would come.
Speaker 5 (41:13):
Sports science through the years has shown that it happens
later day two, day three. So the team left at
two o'clock on Saturday afternoon, went out to La got
to the hotel at like six o'clock or five forty
five or something, so really no time to do anything.
Did you take part in the mandit in the voluntary stretch?
Speaker 4 (41:34):
I didn't do that. I felt good. I mean they
had us in the lay down beds.
Speaker 3 (41:37):
On the plane.
Speaker 4 (41:38):
Yeah, they really take care of us and had whatever
we need.
Speaker 3 (41:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 5 (41:42):
So it's so critical what you do from the end
of the game Sunday, let's say, till the beginning of
the game means so much. It's not just about the game.
So I felt very confident about the game. And even
without DeVante Smith. You know, Gerald, we've seen in the
past this team struggle when one of its stars is out.
That has not been the case here in the seven
(42:03):
game win streak.
Speaker 2 (42:04):
Well, let's talk about that for a second, because it
was such a great night and there's a guy who
is just so beloved in this town and will forever
be a part of it in Brandon Graham, who had
a great, great game last night, and what his He
has announced his last season and then unfortunately suffered an
injury just part of the game and probably out for
the year. Might mean that he extends his career. But
(42:25):
talk about beg for a second as a teammate.
Speaker 4 (42:27):
I mean, one of the best teammates, but if not
the best, he is the best teammate I've ever had.
Speaker 3 (42:33):
That is such a strong statement, and it's so true.
Speaker 4 (42:36):
And I've had some good teammates, but he's just so personable,
so welcoming. He cares about the team. He doesn't care
about you as a player, but you as a person.
He's asking me about my family, He's I break with
with him every morning. I mean, he just means so
much to this team and this city and everything he's
done in the community.
Speaker 3 (42:57):
Just a great person, Daved. I want to interject because
you know him, and I want to reject it, and
then you comment.
Speaker 2 (43:03):
I find Brandon Graham to be the most genuinely positive
person I've ever known, and I can't believe it. Sometimes
I've known him for I don't know a decade plus.
He's never down. He never doesn't have a smile, and
he doesn't and he does exactly what he said.
Speaker 3 (43:19):
He genuinely cares about everybody.
Speaker 5 (43:20):
And he was like that last night after the game,
which was amazing everybody. I will tell you, Gerald, and
I know that you know, Zach, you felt it. Everybody
that you talk, everybody's heart felt very, very heavy. It
was a great win. But to have somebody like BG
go down like that, it genuinely impacts you because he's
such an amazingly relentlessly positive guy who's got that infectious
(43:44):
personality that you kind of go, man, I wish I
had that.
Speaker 3 (43:48):
In me to be upbeat like that all the time. Dave,
I don't think, and it just comes naturally to him.
Speaker 2 (43:53):
You know, if there could be a title, and listen,
I'm not a player, so any any any title for
me as a player would have been a good thing.
But the fact is, the best teammate I've ever had
might be the biggest cop one I've ever heard anybody
get as a football player.
Speaker 4 (44:08):
Yeah, I mean he is that. He is that he
like you said, it's infectious. It gets the team going.
His speeches, he's celebrating it after guys make plays. He
does his little his little dance after he makes a play.
Just so infectious. And he's still gonna be around the team.
He made sure we knew that. And keep the main
(44:29):
thing the main thing, and keep this thing wrong. And
Dave has a super Bowl ring.
Speaker 2 (44:32):
He's got a few rings, but the winning ring, And
it might not happen without the play that Brandon Graham
made forcing the fumble from Tom Brady under two minutes
ago in Super Bowl fifty two.
Speaker 5 (44:43):
And the question is how do you replace him? And
it's always the next man up mentality? And I know, Zach,
you don't really have a sense yet of what's going
to happen. How do you feel about just kind of
everybody rallying around the idea of replacing Brandon Graham.
Speaker 4 (44:55):
Yeah, it's gonna be a team mentality, But we do
have the guys to do it. I mean, he's he's
he was a very productive guy, even in his fifteenth season.
It's actually crazy the production he's still getting. And I
think he's got a lot more years left. But that's
a decision for him to make.
Speaker 3 (45:10):
Yeah, and I wonder about that. I wonder, like, Gerald,
do you go out like that?
Speaker 2 (45:14):
Well, in my thought, nobody quite believed he was really
going to retire anyhow, because he was still playing at
such a high level and he still loves the game.
I personally liked seeing Jason Kelsey walk away. Why he
still could walk away, And I wouldn't have minded Brandon
retiring because he's going to stay ours in Philadelphia and
he's had such a great career. But it reminded me Dave,
(45:35):
and you'll remember this well, Darren Sproles got hurt, yeah,
in your Super Bowl season and didn't want to go
out that way, so he came back the next year.
We will say I could tell in watching Brandon interviewed,
he hated.
Speaker 3 (45:47):
The thought that that was his last game. And we'll see,
We'll see how he feels.
Speaker 5 (45:50):
Somebody's going to pay him, and you know, I'm sorry
he's leave.
Speaker 3 (45:55):
I know, but I don't think would have leave Phlly.
Speaker 5 (45:57):
But I mean there's there's a place where Brandon with
the Philadelphia Eagles. I would imagine there's the financial part
has to work out, But why wouldn't you want Brandon
Graham to come back and play.
Speaker 2 (46:08):
For a sixteenth season. He's still playing really well. It's
all up to Brandon. If he wants to come back,
he'll be back. And it's that simple.
Speaker 5 (46:14):
He's like Elton John, he's retiring and he's on the
farewell tour for like three seasons.
Speaker 3 (46:18):
What's going on here?
Speaker 2 (46:19):
And just from your knowledge of your guys and seeing
them every day of practice, we had Jylex Hunt here.
I think Jalos can play and he's going to get
an opportunity in Old Smith. I mean, you've got a
bunch of guys who announced their turn. I mean it's
always the next guy up. And when they won the
Super Bowl five years ago, six years ago now seven
years ago, Jesus been a long time. But when they
(46:40):
won the Super Bowl, they had some really bad injuries,
Like some really top players went out that year. The
Jordan quarterback who is going to be the MVP and
Sprolls as I mentioned years it was.
Speaker 3 (46:49):
Just as Maragos, Jordan Hicks.
Speaker 2 (46:50):
And guys just stepped in and actually exceeded anything they
had ever done in their career. So who are the
guys we can look forward to doing the rush DN stuff?
Speaker 4 (46:58):
Yeah, like you said, I think Jylex Hunt is one
of those guys that he's been with this team and
he's seen how this defense works. He's been putting in
the work and and just the the example we've set
and and guys like BG and Sweaty and Nolan Smith
have set for him. He knows what he's supposed to
do and he's been getting snaps these past few weeks
(47:19):
and he's been doing a good job.
Speaker 3 (47:21):
So I think he's one of the guys to look
out for to.
Speaker 5 (47:23):
Step Yeah, I think I think Vick is so so
genius that he'll see if Zach can take a few
reps on the edge or hill, move Milton Williams out
there or big game.
Speaker 3 (47:35):
Yeah, he's more.
Speaker 5 (47:36):
He'll go Moro Jomo, who's just kills people at the
line of scrimmage with his quickness. Maybe he moves to
the edge a little bit, Nolan Smith gets more reps.
I mean, it's it's part of the game. You expect
it to happen. You don't want it to happen, but
you got to be prepared for it. And I think
the Eagles do a great job cross training preparing for
those situations. And everybody will.
Speaker 3 (47:56):
Emotionally rally around Beg and he'll be He'll be.
Speaker 5 (47:58):
With everyone every step by the way, and then physically,
there's plenty.
Speaker 2 (48:02):
Of talent on the football team, all right, nine and
two seven straight wins been unbelievable everywhere, but the road
performance has been ridiculous and you've got another road test
coming up, so fresh off of winning in La, you
got a it's it's a normal week, but when you
get home at seven thirty of the morning, it's a
short week. Although Baltimore, who you play, is still out
(48:23):
there playing tonight, so they get home that same time tomorrow,
but they're the home team.
Speaker 3 (48:27):
Still kind of balances out. Lamar Jackson. Have you played
against him?
Speaker 4 (48:31):
I have, I have, and he's really pretty freaking good, David.
Speaker 3 (48:38):
I debate that, I don't.
Speaker 5 (48:39):
I think he's I don't think he's good, and I
think he's really Yeah, yeah, he's He's pretty fast.
Speaker 4 (48:44):
And then you you pair him next to Derrick Henry.
The things he can do. They got a big offensive
line and they do some some unique stuff scheme wise,
and then receivers on the outside.
Speaker 3 (48:53):
They got a good offense. Do you watch games like
will you watch tonight? And will you learn anything?
Speaker 4 (48:59):
I'll walk much, but I won't really deep dive and
learn it learn much until I will break down the
film myself.
Speaker 2 (49:06):
So your assistant special teams coach is from Marlson, New Jersey,
coach Brown and his father is on the Ravens staff,
the former mayor of this town, Marlson, New Jersey Ady.
Speaker 3 (49:18):
So it's a battle to Browns. There. You go there,
you go, huge rabbit.
Speaker 2 (49:21):
We're looking forward to so so it's a strange week
because there's Thanksgiving, get get home late, go on the
road again Sunday and and have thanks toving what will
what will your schedule be? Did the coach go over that? No,
coach did not go over there.
Speaker 4 (49:34):
Yeah, I'm sure knowing that he'll give us some time
to be with our family and get together for for
a nice Thanksgiving day.
Speaker 3 (49:40):
Anyone coming in, we do not, We do not.
Speaker 4 (49:43):
Me and my wife usually cook all the Thanksgiving food
and then put it in the first for left over
and I.
Speaker 3 (49:49):
Break in love it.
Speaker 2 (49:50):
Well, fantastic, listen, thank you so much for coming. We
were so excited to have you here. You've had such
a whirlwind, amazing start in your careers. Filled up, he goes,
We really hope continues for a long time.
Speaker 3 (50:03):
Will and just get on now.
Speaker 2 (50:08):
You guys know what's and you are welcome back any
time on the show or chickens and pizza and all
the chicken and pizza throughout we we got to thank
a few people, certainly my powers making us look good.
Speaker 3 (50:18):
He got even had this man tied today out here.
Speaker 2 (50:22):
We got John Jansen on the headset and I'll cast
the thousands here at Chickens and Piece.
Speaker 3 (50:27):
Thanks everybody for coming out.
Speaker 2 (50:28):
We always appreciate Spencer, our waitress, Dave Gerald.
Speaker 3 (50:33):
Here we go man, Happy Thanksgiving everybody.
Speaker 2 (50:34):
And thanks to you, Thanks to Zach, and we really
appreciate everybody coming out. We'll be back here Monday night,
hopefully for another glorious victory Monday in the Delare Valley.
So behalf of my partner, Daves Bandero. I'm Jeryld Colton,
thanking Zach Bond for being our special guest.
Speaker 3 (50:50):
And all the fans who came out.
Speaker 2 (50:51):
Thank you all, Thank you for joining us and everybody
listening even listening to the All Pro Philly Players show
on Fox Sports The Gamble
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