Interviews of the Week on 104.3 The Score: Sept. 7-11

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2:08Uh, I don't even know what to say, Steve. I'm talking about I've been doing this for a while. Sixteen years. That's a question that was the least compared for my life. Matt Bowen. I have a simple rule of view. I only drink beer that you can buy in 30. So that I'll leave you with speed going home on 104 three. The score. We have all been looking forward to this. Matt Bowen is now joining us here on the Potawatomi casino in hotel hotline. The Midwest best casino. The season kicks off in two and a half hours or whatever. And here we are. Bear season starts Sunday at noon in Carolina. And Matt Bowen is here on the Spiegel and home show. Matt, how are you? I'm doing great guys. Are you? We are good, man. Nice to hear your voice looking forward to another season of talking to you and getting smarter and reveling in what will hopefully be a step forward for the bears. Gotta go right to your strength or your biggest strength, which is the secondary.

3:12Because I find myself thinking about Dennis Allen. I think he wanted to revamp the secondary. He and Ben Johnson both together and they did it. But now he doesn't really get to play with what he wanted to play with. In terms of Kobe Bryant, maybe Kyle Gordon too. How would you describe what they wanted to do versus what he now has to do? Well, I think now you might be more alignment and assignment based to start the season. I don't know if you'll see as much late movement in the secondary. Because you are in a sense playing back up players. You know, you lose Kobe Bryant. It was brought in because he is so versatile. He can take the football away. He played free, placed wrong, and he has coverage ability. Now you bring in a veteran safety to replace him. Who can be a quality, give you quality starts. There's no question about that and what he can do. And he can play in the deep half. He can play strong safety, but not the same level in terms of the playmaking down. The Kobe Bryant gives you. Same way you lose Gordon.

4:13You know, Gordon's an impact player for you. When he's down on the field, now you have to do a little bit more from the scheme perspective and protect yourself at times. So does that mean less pressure? Maybe. Does that mean less late movement? Maybe. But you do what you have to do to win a football game. I do think the Bears will be prepared, but it will look different. So yeah, it's interesting, Matt, because so if he's got to be more, if he's got to stay at home a little bit more in the back, does that put more pressure on the front to be good? Because I don't know that they upgraded significantly on the front to be better. Well, I think it does, but more pressure on them absolutely. And here's the thing I would say speaks about the Baratheed fans. You're going into this game on Sunday. Who are your playmakers? That would be my question. Is it sweat? Is it the bush we brought over? Is it Jalen? At corner? Because you're, you know, Jalen, look at him healthy. And you know, we talked about it last year when he wasn't healthy and missed camp. The impact it had on his football season. But now he comes in this season. And he is your number one corner.

5:13Can you be the number one corner? It also takes the football away at a high rate. Because they need that right now and that defense. NFL players are kind of wired to deal with not having some success. Like losing a game is the only one team that wins a championship every season. We don't talk a lot about dealing with success. And the Bears are coming off of a very successful season. What are some of the best practices that you've been a part of as an NFL player on learning to deal with the success that you've had and not letting it hamper how you get prepared for the next season? Well, I think in all sorts of the coaching staff and especially the head coach. He's the one that can moderate that. He's the one that can regulate that. And it really goes back more to how you practice how you prepare. Because regardless of what the media is saying that includes us about this football team, do they still have high level practices? Are they still competitive in practice? Are they still pushing each other to where practice is gets to a level where it becomes so competitive that it feels like you're playing on Sunday?

6:17And that's of the Ben Johnson. And we all know that Ben Johnson in terms of his practices are much different than the majority of the league. You know, Ben Johnson pushes his players. And I think that's what you have to do from a coaching perspective. When you have a team coming off the season like they did in a team that we talked about all off season. And the team right now also, that people are looking at to make another playoff for him. Yeah, I love that idea. And I think that Ben probably set the tone early on. He's like, I don't care about anything that happened last year. So while we talk about this from an individual standpoint, Caleb also had the crazy success from year one, year two, where can he still get better? And how does a person like that? Now you're on the cover of Madden. Now you're the it guy in the NFL. And you still have a season to prepare for. So what becomes important for him? I think this, you know, similar things we talked about at the end of last season is playing with,

7:17you know, a higher rate of consistency in terms of pocket throws. Because we know what Caleb can do outside of structure. He's one of the best in the league outside of Patrick Maholmes, I would say. I would know about the physical tools he has, the physical traits he has, the arm talent, the mobility that he has. There's no question about that. But I think the next step for him is to continue to take the throws that are available to continue putting together the drives where he commands the offense consistently from the pocket. And he's going to have every opportunity to do that. Now, in saying that, I've said this before, it is hardly coach players who have such high level skill set like Caleb does. Because you want them to play within your offensive structure. Or, you know, if you're talking about defense, same thing. You want them to play within that structure, but they can do things that most cannot, right? So you have to, from a coaching perspective, understand that. And at times Caleb is going to play outside of structure. And maybe you don't want that as a coach, but it can turn into a positive play because he has those different traits. Now, the key for Caleb is combining those together and absolutely taking over this league.

8:19Man, I mean, that's the dream is that you got to get, I remember when Ryan Poles drafted him and there was talking about like, you know, leading into the first season, what do you want them to do? You want them to play within himself and within structure. And then when it's time, unleash the special, then be special. So it's the same kind of concept. I just feel like we've watched the love affair happen with Caleb and Ben. And I wonder what is going to happen because the trust is so high from Caleb to the head coach. It's exciting how much he trusts and believes in the head coach. So what's that going to look like? Is it going to be maybe that does look like him accepting check downs more or being more meticulous with footwork and really trying to get the ball placement right on the short stuff so it can turn into big breakers, Matt. You know, maybe it looks like that. I think so speaks and also from, you know, looking at it from Ben Johnson, the accountability level is now higher, right? That's what happens when you have success going into the next season. That bar is raised and there'll be more accountability as of Caleb from the head coach and

9:24the entire coaching staff and his teammates. That's part of being the star as part of being a quarterback at any level is that everyone looks at you differently because you play that position. And so if I'm Ben Johnson, there is a new set of levels we want to get to this season. So as we think about this offense and there's a million ways to talk about this team with our guy Matt Bowen here on the score on the Spiegel and home show. Can they play four-time ends at once? I mean, they're going to roster him. Probably have him four active on some days, you know. I mean, I'm half joking. It doesn't really happen though, right? No backs four-time ends. We're going to see 13 personnel with three-time ends right away this week. Thank you. Well, I think you will. Absolutely. I'll tell you this. Okay. So this spring, I said that much of recruiting trips with my son, Greg. And every college staff we went to met with the tight end coach. Well, first they talked about is more 12, more 13 personnel to college level, right? And in my opinion, they're getting that from watching Sunday football because why do you use

10:28more tight ends now? You know, it's always the counter to what defenses are doing. Right now, defenses are more split safety or two deep coverage, right? So they're going to be in two deep coverage. You're going to bring more tight ends in the field to get in a size advantage. You get numbers advantage in the run game and also create matchups in the past game. So I do think you can see that more consistently from Ben this year. You know, they were high last year. And it turns to number 12 snaps and the number 13 snaps. And I think those numbers will grow this year because that's where the league is trending right now. And you saw in the draft, too. Guys, in the second round of the draft, there was tight ends that 1920 reception is getting drafted. Why? Because they can block. Because they can set edges in the run game. And you can't set an edge from an offensive perspective. You can't run the football. So I do think that's going to be a big part of the bear's run game, but also what they do in the past game perspective. Yeah, you know, it's funny. I find myself looking at depth charts and caring less than ever about whose wide receiver three and wide receiver four. He's tied in three matters to you. You're in mad. Well,

11:29and those guys are going to play, you know, so maybe the targets will stay with tight end one and wide receiver one and RB one, but like, I don't know how often the bears are even going to have three whiteouts on the field this year as compared to previous years. Right. And that all the fans in your person, look, I will say this was bringing relief rainman and relief rainman was brought in to be that vertical stretch target in your office. He's the guy that can lift the safeties. I mean, by that is he runs a clear out route. Those safes that's a turn and open. Now you have a window down the field to throw the deep end breaking concepts, right? But he can also be a vertical target for you. You can get him loose and jet sweet. He's going to have a role in his office. There's no question about it. But I think you will see more 12 personnel in the bears because Cole comment is a really good football player too. I want to ask you is someone who there were seasons where you played multiple seasons where you played 16 games. There were other seasons where you got hurt and didn't play as many games. You were a versatile defensive back that was asked to do a lot of different things in your NFL career from that standpoint. How do you view this

12:34Kyler Gordon situation? Well, it's tough because there's a different way to look at it. One, you always have to talk to the player first and the player practice can the player produce it. He can't do that at a high level. He's not going to clear. He's not going to be in the football field. But I understand also from the coaching perspective, you want that player there, right? You want that player to be on the field. You are paying into play football for your team and you need him on your football team. And I've been that guy that's been out. It is no fun. I mean, you feel like a ghost. You really do. You're not a part of the game plan. You're not a part of the practice script. It is very, very lonely when you're hurt. From the same time you have to do everything within your power using the trainers, using the rehab protocols, the return to play protocols to get back in that football field and help your team. How does it feel if a teammate is not available and then perhaps leaves the facility during the course of the year to go get treatment outside with somebody else? You know, I think in the past that was a larger discussion. I don't think the same

13:40anymore because you see it with offseason weight training too. The guys aren't at the facility at the same rate they used to be. Everyone has their own trainers now. Everyone goes to different destinations in the offseason. A lot of guys, if they feel more comfortable with a doctor, for example, you know, you have a knee injury in the NFL. Not many guys are doing a knee injury with their team doctors. You know, they're flying down to see Dr. James Andrews are doing different things when I played to get different opinions. So I don't think that matters as much. When matters is, are you showing progress in your rehab because of your not, then it's an issue. Matt Bowen, do you have a window as to Dennis Allen might use a true lockdown number one shutdown cover corner? If that's what Jalen Johnson is right now healthy, I don't know what kind of history Dennis has with it. Does he put him on Tedaroa McNeil and then let him travel? Does he put him on the number two? Does he leave him on one side? Like how do you think he deals with it? I think it depends on what Dennis Allen does from a, you know, skiing perspective. He wants to be

14:44more his own heavy. Do we see more two deep coverage? Then I think Jalen will stay on one side of the field, whether, most likely he'll be to the field side of formation. You know, there's a field side off the hatches, the wide side of the field, and the boundary side is at the short side. I think he'll be to the field side of formation when I do their zone coverages. And when they play man, from my perspective, absolutely, I would put him on McNeil. That's the one you have to win. That's the matter. You have to win in this football game. So when are you going to play mad? Third and two to six, some third and seven to ten, but especially on, you know, the money downs. I would want to see that matchup in this football game. What advice would you have for Dylan Thinamine playing his first NFL game at safety? Slow down, right? Everything happens so fast mentally, right? You're, you, it's almost like you're over processed around the football field. And it takes, it's going to take a series of two to get adjusted to NFL speed. Preseason speed is not NFL speed. It's not even close because there's no game plan here. Not planning us to once consistently. This is going to be completely different for him. But once he gets settled in, if I was a coach,

15:47I'd say just play football now. Just read your keys. Be a football player. Play within the scheme. And you will be very successful because of the players around you. What you don't want to tell a young player is to go out there and make plays. I've never said that to a young player that I've coached. Obviously, I'm on a much different level. But you don't want to put the pressure on them. You say just go out there and play football. But with the structure of the defense and the players will come to you. What are you most excited about in terms of the NFL season beginning tonight? Like what teams are really getting you going, thinking about the possibilities for this year, Matt? I always start with Houston because I want to see CJ Stroud this year with a rebuild offensive line in the day of my gummeries down there now. You know, CJ Stroud has not had a run game for years. I would love to see him with the run game that put him in more manageable situations because what Houston has on defense right now. In my opinion, I know what LA has done this off season, but in my opinion, Houston is the number one defense in the NFL and what they can do under Domingo Rines. That's one team member looking at there. The Dallas Cowboys and what they're going to do on defense. The new coordinator, Kevin, comes over from Philadelphia, worked in a

16:51big fan jail. You have Caleb Downs now in that defense. That's a team that I think they can go places if they can play more consistency. But it's more consistent in the defense inside of the ball. I'll say in the division, I want to see Colin Murray in Minnesota. That often's going to change a little bit. It will still be very QB friendly in terms of the play action. You have a top receiver in Justin Jefferson, but I want to see how they adapt to collar because he has those dual threat traits and what he can do in the run game. Coach, we appreciate you jumping on with us. One more real quick, Coach, do I see that I see Catholic is already three and oh? You do? You're like, you as the as the secondary and DB's coach for icy Catholic out there in Elmer. You guys are already underway and three and oh, that's outrageous. Yeah, we started the season a week earlier because the playoffs have now expanded. There's bi-weeks and IHSA stay playoffs. That's going to be needed to everyone. But I think it's good. The more kids that get to experience stay playoffs, I'm all for that. So we started a week earlier. We are actually going on to week four already played a ball prep Friday night. And we've had a great start. We've had

17:55really good wins last Friday night. And the State Nation's was a great high school football. Great theater in the last four minutes of the football game. They find a way to win a game on a road against an 8-18. That's very big for our program. But it's a great team. I love the kids. It's a fun team and the great kids to be around. And that's what I do here and want to get off. I've got five minutes to be on the field. Amazing. So we get another season of enjoying football with you from the Bears perspective, from the NFL analyst perspective, from a high school coach perspective, and the father of a soon to be college football star. Hot prospects. Yeah. Everyone's trying to get grants to come to their campus. There's a lot of levels here with a lot of stuff going on. Coach, go coach, go coach your guys. We'll talk to you soon. All right guys. Thank you. It's David Hall for Draft Kings. The weight is over. Football is here. So was Draft Kings. Draft Kings is now live in all 50 states. One app, every sport nationwide. Now new Draft King customers can sign up with the code SCORE and spend five bucks to get $200 in rewards within 21 days

18:56includes all markets. That's code SCORE and partnership with Draft Kings. The crown is yours. Gamling problem called 1-800-Gambleur 1-800-My Reset. Connecticut called A-A-A-7-89-7777. Visit ccpg.org. On behalf of Boothill Casino and Kansas, Bettax Pass through may apply in Illinois. 21 plus Void in Canada. Bet with Draft Kings Sportsbook to get bonus bets that expire in seven days or trade with Draft Kings predictions to get predictions dollars that expire in one year. Event contract trading involves risk of loss. Predictions offer Void in New York, non-withdrawable rewards issued as $50 click to claims every seven days for 21 days. Terms at dkng.co slash offer. Limited time offer nationwide based on sportsbook predictions and free-to-play sports contest availability varies by state. Heading back to campus, time to upgrade your entire tech setup. Switch to Verizon, buy or bring a qualifying smartphone and get a smartwatch and a tablet on us. That's all your essential gear for zero extra dollars. Ace your classes, track your fitness, and stream your favorite shows. Visit Verizon.com or your local store today. Bring an eligible phone or purchase a new phone

19:59with device payment on post-paid service plan required up to $649.99 watch and tablet device payment purchase with new mine on $20 per month tab plan and $50 per month watch plan for 36 months required. Less up to $650 promo credit applied over 36 months per device additional taxes fees in terms of apply. Let's clear the air about hybrids with Kia. I live in Pasadena so my Kia Telluride Turbo Hybrid has to do a little of everything. School bags, speech chairs, a grocery run, I swore would be small. As somehow there's still room in my sister-tex, I'm landing in Burbank, come pick me up. It seats seven, has over 600 miles of range and makes the 134 feel a little less like a test of character. Space, range, flexibility. The Kia Telluride Turbo Hybrid is built for the way LA moves. Find your way forward at Kia.com. Kia, movement that inspires. You know that thing where you get an amazing pair of shoes at a really great price and want to tell everyone about it? Yeah, so do we. Here at Designer Shoeware House, we'll give you something to brag about, like the latest styles from brands you love, or they're trends everyone's obsessing over. We're shoes that make you feel like, well, you. So go ahead, show off a little,

21:01find shoes that get you, at prices that get your budget. Head to your DSW store or DSW.com today. DSW, let us surprise you. So we're upgrades in terms of overall play, guys like Kobe Bryant from the Seahawks, are heard and potentially out for the year. The bears plenty of reason to doubt them. Caleb Williams? No. Former host of 670 This Corps before he abandoned us. As a Caleb Williams custom baby. Jersey number one is going to the raptors. You guys made it seem like it's Chicago Bears fans. We had our guide. Danny Park, it's all these guys. Danny Parkins on 1043 This Corps.

22:02Wait. Oh my god, I can't wait to talk to Parko. It is Rahimi and Grody on 1043. The score. We are broadcasting live from Cody's public house out here today. It's lunchtime. So many people have come out. We've had people come up to the table, some interesting people, including a gentleman from Optistats. Which we'll talk to you. I can't believe this. I cannot believe you spoke Optistats into existence. Shout out to David Haw for that. That is absolutely beautiful. We are having a great day out here enjoying pizza and drinks and dogs. It's like guaranteed right the other night. It's like dog day out here, which is beautiful. A couple of beautiful golden retrievers popped in out here as well. Pops the house dog. Yeah, pops the house dog is sweet. Yeah, so it is just lovely. I'm trying to get this Optistats coosie on my body. Yeah, that looks good. It exists. All right, let's bring Danny Parkons back into existence. You know Danny Parkons, former score star,

23:03and Danny now has gone national. Check Danny out on the newly expanded first things, first OT from 4 to 5 p.m. on FS1. Danny Parkons, what's going on, man? Oh, chilling, buddy. Just bring me back into existence. I appreciate that. What an intro. Thank you. I like it. Where were you before if you weren't here? I don't know. That's what he's grotesque. We're going to bring Danny Parkons back into existence. So I'm back. We tried to do that at least once a week, as long as you will accommodate us. But man, I was watching you and the rest of the crew, you guys were doing your predictions segment. Danny Parkons, will you let the world know who you are predicting for most valuable player in the National Football League this season? Hey, you guys should talk about him on your show. I think he's going to be pretty good guy by the name of Caleb Williams. Whoa, look at that. Whoa, let's go. Yeah, I don't think it's not that's not crazy, right? That's not too far out there on a limb.

24:09It's the toughest division in football. The Bears are picked to finish third in it, according to the odds makers. Their defense is going to be bad. Their goal is clearly to be the number one offense in football. Ben Johnson is clearly looking to remember the Titans, run it up, Herman, leave no doubt. I think he's looking to put a real statement to the rest of the league that they can be the best offense in football. They're not going to win by their defense. So if the Bears are a 12-win team that wins the North and they've got a top three offense in football led by Caleb Williams, I think there's a real narrative path there to him being the MVP of the league. Okay, I love the logic, obviously. Oh, but at the same time, I do want to ask. So you think that the NFC North is a tougher division than the NFC West? Yeah, here's why. Listen, the NFC West is better at the top. No question, but like the last place team in the West is the Cardinals and they could get the number one pick.

25:13The last place team in the North had a winning record last year. So I just say, I think the North is the only division where you could make the argument that any of the four teams could win it and any of the four teams could lose it. Like if you're going to say, like, pick a division that is most likely to win the Super Bowl, that to your point, Leila is clearly the NFC West. And like, if that's how you grade the toughest division in football, I think that's totally valid and totally reasonable. But in terms of depth, like, I just look at it like, like if you're in the NFC East, you feel like you need to go three and one at absolute worst and probably four and oh, in your jets and dolphins games, if you're the bills of the Patriots. Whereas if you went four and two in the NFC North over the course of the year, you'd be thrilled with it. Like there's just, there's no easy game in the North like there is the NFC West. And you know, it's funny is with the Bears having a losing record in the NFC North last year, that makes us it even more compelling discussion, I think, because I think it was a three team race in the West. Yeah, yeah, I think it's I think it's a listen, San Francisco last year,

26:20they got blown out in their playoff game to Seattle, but they won 12 games and they were the third most injured team in football last year. Everyone talks about like the substation and that little internet conspiracy and their best players are old. So, you know, older players are more likely to get hurt again. Kittle, Mike Evans, Bosa, Warner, obviously Christian McCaffrey, Trent Williams, like they've got they've got they they've a Hall of Fame caliber roster on both sides of the ball, but it's pretty like they were the third most injured team in football last year and they still won 12 games. So like like if the Niners were in, you know, certainly the NFC South, you could argue the AFC South, like if they were if they were in a couple of other divisions in football, the Niners would be picked to win the division and their third place pretty clearly in the NFC West. So, you know, again, it's just what it's just what you prefer in terms of how you're grading your divisions for toughest, but I think the NFC North top to bottom is the toughest in football. Talking to our good friend Danny Parkinson's here who is in existence, you could see him

27:20actually if people that are here live at Cody's public house, he's on the big one of the big screen TVs right at the back. There he is. There we are. Man, do we all look good? You know how the text lines work here, Danny, we're getting the full gamut. We're getting the good explanation by Danny, no give me's in the North. And then we get kind of where what I was thinking here, Danny, from the 7-7-3, kiss of death. Parkinson's is wrong about everything. You did throw QB1 parties for Mitch Trebisky and Justin Fields. This is different though, right? Caleb Williams is different, yes? Well, I mean, other than the fact that I've never been wrong about Caleb Williams, if anyone can point to one time I've been wrong about Caleb Williams, I'd be open to an audit of all of my takes, but I believe that I'm the first person to audit. I believe that you don't do a take on it. I do take on it all the time. Yeah, no, I do take, I mean, listen, working really audit of your takes. Working with Danny, it was like a take audit every day. You never knew.

28:23No, I like to do it. I like to do a take audit quarterly, you know, just like stay ahead. But also, I believe I believe I have the distinction of being the first person in the world to own a Caleb Williams Bears jersey. I literally think I'm the first person. So, yeah, I would like to say, sure, I got it wrong on Justin Fields. These things happen. I bought into Matt Nagy taking the Mischievousky to the next level, you know, guilty as charged. I've been wrong plenty, but I'd love for someone to point out where I've been wrong about Caleb Williams. I'll be waiting. You got apparently you got you got the number wrong on the jersey per radius. I did get the number wrong on the jersey. This is an audit. I thought that Caleb would bring it over. From college to the NFL. So I messed that up. That is true. There you go. Caleb himself said that I should just tape over it and like, you know, connect the three to the eight and make it happen

29:26that way. So, you know, Caleb signed off on it. It's fine. I was still an early adopter. Is that the devil's the details, as they say? I don't think that counts as part of the take audit that we have just invented. I don't think that counts as take. And Tyler buterbaws, your enemy parko, he is the one that gave us that information on the wrong jersey. I'm not ashamed. It makes it a one-of-one collector's item. People were like, why does Caleb Williams' jersey have that number on it? It's like because I was in before it. I was worried. I don't care if the number was 74. Like if it was Caleb Williams. The whole point is that I had Caleb Williams bear's jersey before anyone else. So no, buterbaws, he could never be my enemy. I'm fine with it. And Layla, I would love to say that we just invented the take audit, but I've been auditing my takes for years. Have you called it a take audit, though? Because that's a good line. Yeah, thank you. Yeah, I have before. You know, I listen, the take business has been very,

30:27very good to me. So, you know, I'm a part of the sports take industrial complex. My house is the house that takes built. I do take audits. Yeah, I have a take accountant. I got all sorts of takes in my life. No question. Hey, fancy, fancy, I heard you were at the US Open the other day too. Three days in a row at the US Open. How was that experience? The US Open's a great event. It really is a spectacular New York event. Yeah, I went Thursday, Friday, Saturday, got to see Venus and Serena doubles, which was very, very cool. I saw Coco go off two different, two different times. I saw the big the Fritz upset match, which was a five setter, which was spectacular. And you know, the honeydews is the signature cocktail of the US Open. And I had, I had, I had many of them. And the best part for anyone who doesn't know, it's a, it's a great, you know, it's like a flavored vodka drink. It's delicious. It's refreshing. You

31:28know, the summer days in New York, but they have on each cocktail, they give you three pieces of honey melon. Like on a little like skewer like thing that are in the shape of tennis balls. So, you know, it's soaks in the vodka cocktail. And then you got, got a little fruit and the, the signature souvenir glass with all the US Open champions on it. Yeah. So three straight days of honeydews is in the sun. It was great. And we were crushing some bats during the US Open. So, you know, it was a Saturday, this last Saturday at the US Open was a great day for your boy. That was, that was in particular a strong thing. Was, was the carm out there this year? I don't know if I saw a car went out there. I didn't get to see the carm. I was with, I was with my buddy Ben Kaplan who I wrote, pipeline, pipeline of the pros with for the first two days. And then Andrew Phil LaPoney came out and me, Pony and Nick Wright went on, went on Saturday. So, I, I missed carm this year, but me, Pony and Nick were, we were like fourth row center court for the fits and Coco Gough matches on Saturday and they kept showing us on TV because we were, we, we may or

32:32may not have had a live bet at 15 to one on the underdog. So, we were the only people rooting against Fritz. And so they must have thought we were in like the friends and family section or something because that's he was making the comeback. They kept, they started like showing us like every point. So, we were, we were all over that feed. It was, it was a, it was a fun, fun day. I got, I got to be honest. That's amazing. Talking to Danny Parkinson's of FS1, former score guy here on Rehearing Grody, we are live from Cody's public house. Do you have any explanation for your good buddy, your close friend Craig Council and the Cubs for just having gotten swept by the Milwaukee Brewers in horrible fashion really, Danny? No, listen, I would never want to speak for Craig. That's not really how it works. You know, they listen, the Brewers are really annoying. That's just, that's just the long and short of it. They're, they're, they're really annoying. It's really frustrating. All the things that they can lose and still persevere and still be about a regular season team.

33:34Then the Cubs, hopefully the Cubs get hot at the right time, at the plate in the playoffs. You know, I'm not sure like everybody, you know, questions about the pitch. Like, there's a version of this season where they get normal health with pitching. You're never going to have a season where you're fully healthy with pitching. But like, there's a version of the season where they get like normal health with pitching and the Cubs would be, you know, super dangerous and one of, if not the favorites to come out of it. But yeah, it's, it's wildly disappointing that they're not going to win the division. But you know, they're going to get an invitation to the dance and then we'll see if they can get hot at the right time. Danny, you're the goods, buddy. How far the bear is going this year, by the way, before we let you go. They go. Yeah. I know. Listen, I wasn't total homer. I had them win in the division. I had them Caleb MVP, but I had them losing to Seattle in the NFC title game. So yeah, I think everyone would, yeah, I think everyone would sign up

34:34for that in Chicago right now. I don't know if Ben Johnson would though. Listen, the defense is going to be bad. But what if Jalen Johnson is back to being like a top six corner back in football? Like that, that's not nothing. Like I think that they're going to be worse obviously in the takeaway department. There's no way they'll lead and take a ways again. But if they're better down to down series for series and they're merely like the 22nd defense in football. Well, then you add to the top three offense to that and you've got something there. But it's going to be it's going to be fun to see the Bears be totally carried independent on offense and and I will also say one more thing. You know, they were in on the Vita Vaya news before he resigned. They were in on Crosby before the Ravens traded for him. Like Ryan Poles is ret, he's clearly ready to pull the trigger on a Caleb when Caleb still on the rookie deal to add a defensive

35:35piece. Like if they actually if the defense is just like a little below average, if they're if they're objectionably terrible, then okay, fine. They're not going to do anything this year. But if they're if they're just merely below average, I do think Ryan Poles is very much willing to pull the trigger to add a defensive player for like a future second round pick, you know, before the trade deadline this year. So I wouldn't rule that out. You also just previewed our 125 segment. Yeah. So thank you for that. Yeah, Danny. Get us all the information, the paperwork. We'll get this audit role in here, man. Thanks for coming out. We appreciate you so much. Yeah. Any any any time anytime. Take audits are free charge for you guys. We appreciate it. Danny seriously, man. Thanks for coming out. We love you. Yeah, no problem. All right. There he goes. Danny Parkins former score guy and you should check Danny out. Check out Danny Parkins on the newly expanded first things first OT from 4 to 5 p.m. on F S 1 walking unintentional segue. Danny Parkins. He did a great job coming up next here on Rahimi and Grody live from Cody's public house. How many bears? I'm giving out bears. We track

36:42these things. Maybe somebody in the audience wants a bear or two, but we're having fun on your Cody's public house in Lakeview. Come on. Say hi. E pizza with us. Drink with us. Have fun with us. Sports with us. It's Rahimi and Grody on 104 3 the score. Caleb Williams makes you feel things. Phil, sofically, would I believe in is new shoes, new clothes, brand new grade switched a Verizon to make sure their tech keeps up. This back to school season buy or bring any Android phone and get a Samsung Galaxy tablet on us. Get your kids ready for the school year without breaking the bank. Visit Verizon.com or your local store today. Bring an Android phone or purchase a new phone with device payment on post-paid service plan required. 329 99 tablet device payment purchase with new mine on $20 per month tablet plan for 36 months required. Less $330 tablet per month credit applied over 36 months additional taxes fees in terms of supply. Compact? Capable? Surprisingly roomy. Always forward with Kia. My apartment garage in Los Feliz was

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38:44That's a sign you've got to get T-Mobile. So many reasons to join T-Mobile. Find yours at T-Mobile.com. Fastest based on analysis by Uclos Beat Test Intelligence data of national speed score results incorporating 5G download and upload speeds for the first half of 2026. Today's episode is sponsored by Nerdwallet Smart Money Podcast. Personal finance can feel like a pop quiz you didn't study for. This podcast is your study guide. On Nerdwallet Smart Money Podcast, you'll hear from trusted journalists who explain the why behind major financial decisions. You'll get research back to insights and clear pros and cons, whether you're planning a big purchase or just want to grow your wealth. Make your next financial move with confidence. Follow Nerdwallet Smart Money Podcast on your favorite podcast app. Here's something you may not know. Only 14% of cancers in the US are caught through routine screenings. Prenovos' whole body MRI may help close that gap. Screening for over 500 conditions,

39:49including most solid tumors, all in under an hour. Prenovos' body panels also test over 80 biomarkers for a deeper understanding of your health. No radiation, no contrast. Book your scan at prenovo.com. That's P-R-E-N-U-V-O.com. Similar to a blast from the past named John Shoeop, and that is to make same things look different and different things look the same. All right, we want the defense on their heels. We're always going to be attacking on offense. We're going to make things very challenging on the defense each and every week. Welcome back. It's Han Paten, Chicago Sports Radio 1043, the score. Ruzi Polinsky in for Jared Paten today. Beautiful Friday morning in the city. It's a pleasure now to go out to the plumbers 911 hotline. Plumbing emergency call 1-833-plumb-911. Local 130 plumbers get the job done right the first time. You heard Ben Johnson on the day that he was introduced as

40:51the Bears Head Coach back in January of 2025. Reference somebody that is I've known for a long time since he was a Bears offensive coordinator. And now it's a thrill that he is still in football coaching successfully. And he is the head coach of the Nordic Storm, the European League, the European League champions coming off a championship season. John Shoeop, mentor to Ben Johnson, joins us now. Good morning, John. How are you? Good morning, David. Good morning, Ruti. Thanks for having me on. It's great to talk to you. You must have a lot of pride in what Ben Johnson accomplished in his first season as a head coach. You were the offensive coordinator at North Carolina. Ben Johnson was a walk on quarterback who apparently had all the answers to the test. And he obviously was an intense guy then. He's still an intense guy now, John. How I don't think you were surprised, but how have you felt seeing him succeed in this first season in Chicago? Well, it was amazing to watch. I mean, I'm a fan of the Bears like so many. And of course,

41:57to have your feelings invested in the head coach the way I do when Ben just, it was exhilarating for me. I mean, that that throw against the Rams that Caleb Williams had. You know, I won as crazy as anybody did. I think it's just how Ben threw it up, right? Right. Exactly. John, I'm curious when you see Ben sort of turn into, you know, I know you've known him for so long, but you see him sort of embody maybe everything he's ever envisioned of what a head coach should be. What has it been like for you to sort of watch it come to life, whether it be him with the death stare on the sidelines during the games or taking his shirt off in the locker rooms, like what was what were all of those moments like for you for someone who's known Ben, you know, since he was just a young college player? Well, the shirt off was a little bit surprised for me. I'll say this, you know, this is Ben a fell is a very serious business and it's run by very

43:00serious people. And Ben is very serious about football, about offense, about relationships with players. He's he's such a mature person who handles just every aspect of the job, you know, admirably, but also just in a very professional manner, the shirt off with standing, you know, which was a blast to watch. We're talking with John Schoep, the former Bears offensive coordinator going way back to 2001 here on the score. And John, you remember people of a certain age, Bears fans never will forget that 2001 season. It was a long time ago, but I think it's an interesting historical reference because of what you guys did that year. You surprised everybody. Much the way last year the Bears surprised a lot of people. That was the run in Schoep offense,

44:02people will remember. You called the plays and then 2002 happened and it things fell kind of off track. And I don't know there are a lot of things that contributed to it injuries and otherwise, but if you had to talk to coaches, whether it's Ben Johnson or just anybody on that staff this year about handling success or getting to the point where you don't make the mistakes that sometimes teams do after a successful season, how would you address that? Yeah. Well, you know, I think coaches throughout the NFL and in college, you know, there's good situations and there's bad situations. In 2001 was a great situation. You know, that roster was really built by coach Jaron and Mark Hatley, both of whom had passed on. And everybody was kind of pulling in the same direction. We had a formula for how to win games. Now that 2002 season,

45:05you know, the roster started to evolve. You know, Jerry Angelo, a very fine general manager, he came in in that 2001 season, but his fingerprints weren't really on that roster and, you know, our situation changed. I'm just not sure. Jerry and Dick kind of saw football the same way or had the same formula. And so the one benefit that has is it seems like every from the outside looking in. And trust me, I'm on the outside looking in, but it seems like everybody in that organization is pulling in the same direction. And, you know, there's a lot of really good coaches in my opinion that are in rough situations. And sometimes, you know, going seven and nine is pretty good coaching job. And then there's some coaches who I think are, you know, kind of average maybe, but they're just in great situations, right in the hotels of a great situation. And I think

46:11Chicago has a chance to have a great coach and an organization. It seems to me that's pulling all in the same direction. And, you know, to outsiders, that may seem like common sense, but godly, you know, inside, inside the room, inside the walls of a NFL building, it's really been more commonplace to me for people to have different agendas, pulling in different ways. And I think that's where Ben and Ryan Poles who I've never met before, but have deep respect for, they seem to be on the same page, pulling in the same direction. That's a tremendous advantage. And again, this isn't me making excuses or anything like that. It's just if the vision of the whole organization isn't aligned, doesn't matter how good of a coach you are. The other thing I'll say in

47:122002, after 2001 is, you know, we also had to go play and champagne. And so having 16 away games really because they were renovating should soldier field was with tough, but I understand soldier field the whole weather topic. We're not going there with you coach. Coach, I wanted to ask you about what you think it's going to be like for Ben to go back to North Carolina this weekend. I think obviously someone who has deep roots there. And I know you have roots there as well. And, you know, will he ever take a moment to get unserious for a minute and reflect on maybe how far he's come? Well, you know, that's a good question to ask Ben. I'm in Nashville, North Carolina. You know, I'm just about a mile down the road from where his mom and dad live. And, you know,

48:15his sister is the assistant principal at our, you know, local high school here. I'm sure there's going to be a big contingent of, you know, people from Nashville that are headed down to the game. Charlotte's about two hours from where we are. I'm also pretty sure Ben's going to have his blinders on and isn't even going to look up until that last whistle. There may be some good pictures. You know, on Facebook that a sister sends me or something like that after the game, but I'm pretty sure there's not going to be any before the game. No one Ben. Will you be there? I'm not going to be there. I just got back. I just got back into town from Europe. And, well, figured I better spend this first weekend here at home. My wife. I think it's good. I think it's a good plan, John. I think that's as after a successful season in Europe. So you were the head coach of the Nordic storm of the European. And you won the

49:18European League championship recently. Was that last weekend? It was August 29th with the final game. And, you know, the European football Alliance is the league that we're in. And it's about like our team would be a really good college level team. We'd beat a lot of college teams. Our team would probably be about a top 40 college team. It's professional football. It's really good football, getting better every year. And this is my fifth year in Europe. And, you know, it's really fun. You know, the likes of Jack Del Rio were over there this season. Jim Tom Soule has been back and forth. You know, so there's more and more people from the NFL getting involved. Our defense coordinator was Mark Deliohn, who's a long time NFL coach as well. It's a good brand of football. Really fun. If you're ever over there, our season is in the summer. Come on over to Copenhagen.

50:20That's a great ad, John, for European League football. So have you had any interaction with Ben since last season ended in terms of just congratulating him on the success in year one? And, and I imagine you said you lived on the road from his family. There's got to be a lot of local pride in what the Bears accomplished. Well, there's a lot of local pride. A lot more bear jerseys and hats and stuff like that around here. But I will say, you know, going into the championship game on August 29th, you know, I texted a lot of friends. There's still coaching some even playing in the NFL. And we put together a video of, you know, different personalities, wishing our team luck kind of sending them a message. And, you know, one of my favorite ones was just Ben with that very serious attitude. Looking at every member of our team in the eye saying, you know, you've earned

51:21this. Now go get it. I mean, this message was really strong. So that's the last that I've talked to Ben. And you guys know as well as I do, I could, I could text Ben a hundred times here between now and Thanksgiving. He's probably not going to look at his phone until the end of the playoffs. No, doubt about it. He's going to be all business. That's the intensity that I think we saw last year. And what makes him such an excellent head coach, John, though, as a coach, as a guy that is an offensive genius and you look at and you understand the schemes, you understand the value of the quarterback and all the ways that you can get guys open. How do you look at the Bears offense this year and their ability to be the kind of juggernaut that Ben Johnson envisions them being? What is about the Bears offense that you think makes it unique? Yeah. Well, I think they have a really creative run game. I mean, I got to tell you our staff just absolutely studied their run

52:26game. I must have watched their run game, their game against Philadelphia last year. I must have watched that tape a hundred times because Vick Pagio is a pretty good coach, too. And, you know, run if you can run the ball in that league, you can protect your quarterback, you can put defenses in conflicts of assignment. You could do a lot of different things. And, you know, as long as they're able to run the ball and then the other thing that I just think is unbelievable, Caleb Williams can really throw the ball on the move. So some of those runs with play action passes off of it. It's one thing to do it when you've got a quarterback who, you know, is it can certainly play action and can certainly exercise, you know, the art of deception. But when you've got

53:26guy also that can pick up a third down with his feet, you know what? I was watching the Patriots the other night and I know Drake made through three interceptions in the fourth quarter. I know that. But he also picked up about two or three third down conversions in the first half that sort of a gun that really picks up a play collar. And I don't think there's a more intimate relationship in all the sport, in all the sport, than a play collar in a quarterback. And it seems like, you know, from the outside looking in again for what it's worth. Caleb's got bends back, bends got calibs back in the organizations all born in the same direction. So if you can run the ball, you can kind of protect your quarterback as well. And I think a growth edge for him for the Bears this year. And I'm sure bends all over it. You know, just some concepts from the pocket,

54:29you know, you know, I'm sure Caleb's going to be just a lot better at true dropback passes with six or five man protections from the pocket. And but again, when your quarterback can run on third down and pick up a first down, it's kind of like finding money in the pocket. You're like, okay, thank you. Okay, here we go onto the next one. It's awesome. It's really been a beautiful story and development to be able to watch sort of Ben and Caleb relationship start from where it was last year where there were certainly times where I think Caleb was scared of Ben and Ben was sort of like, uh-oh, what am I working with here? And to sort of see where they are now where they're just in lockstep. It's just been really cool to see. Coach, I wanted to ask you, if other than Caleb Williams, I would say, is there one player on the Bears offense that you're really looking forward to seeing maybe take another step this year? Yeah, well, of course Caleb's fantastic and like any fan, I can't wait to watch him.

55:33You know, leveling the tight end, what Ben does with tight ends in their offensive staff, it's not just Ben, it's the whole offensive staff is so creative that as a coach, you know, I kind of like to watch, okay, is he in a three point here? He's in the two point here, he's detached here, is he cracking the end here? I mean, these guys can really paralyze edge pass rushers with just splits and techniques. So he's a fun guy to watch. And then like everybody else, I really think, I want to pronounce his name correctly, Roman Dusey, that the wide out from Washington is, you know, due to take the big step, I'm really rooting for him to kind of be that first round draft pick wide out. I've ever reason to believe that it can be, especially with a guy like, you know, Ben and their whole staff leading them. So like everybody, I mean, those are kind

56:37of the guys that I watch and I got to tell you that running back to is number 25, because he run harder. My crazy man, I'm having a guy seven round payout of Rutgers. Yep, little guy. He kind of just runs runs hard. I was helping my daughter, Mary Lizbeth with her fantasy football team the other day. And I said, I can, and he showed up on one of the list. And I'm like, I'm going to tell you, I think Ben's going to hand that guy the ball down in the rest of the course, or Mary Lizbeth, this you might want to think about. John, he has a fun with his high school. Oh, knock on wood now, son of a gun. He funboats this week. And the whole city of Chicago is coming down on you. You know that. I know that. I know that. That's okay. He's awesome. John is such a pleasure talking with you. Really appreciate your time. So great. The European championship coach of the Nordic storm. John Shoop, former Bears offensive coordinator, have a great weekend. Enjoy the season. Look forward to talking again. Thank you so much, John. Thanks. I appreciate you all. John Shoop joining us here

57:39on the score. New shoes, new clothes, brand new grade switched a Verizon to make sure their tech keeps up. This back to school season by or bring any Android phone and get a Samsung Galaxy tablet on us. Get your kids ready for the school year without breaking the bank. Visit Verizon.com or your local store today. Bring an Android phone or purchase a new phone with device payment on post-paid service plan required. $3.29.99 tablet device payment purchase with new mine on $20 per month tablet plan for 36 months required. Less $330 tablet per month credit applied over 36 months additional taxes fees in terms of apply. Let's clear the air about hybrids with Kia. I live in Pasadena, so my Kia tell you ride turbo hybrid has to do a little of everything. School bags, speech chairs, a grocery run, I swore would be small. And somehow there's still room in my sister-tex. I'm landing in Burbank. Compet me up. It seats seven, has over 600 miles of range and makes the 134 feel a little less like a test of character. Space, range, flexibility. The Kia tell your ride turbo hybrid is built for the way L.A. moves. Find your way forward at Kia.com. Kia, movement that inspires. Hey, our rides almost here. Are you ready? Just grabbing my shoes.

58:45That's what you said 10 minutes ago. I just wrapped the video call, uploading this giant file on my tablet, looking at my watch group and Nana's with the group chat, and of course, still lining up tonight's playlist on my phone. All at once? Yep, story of my life. That's why I switched to D-Mobile. They have the fastest 5G network. Okay, multitasker. I see you. Honestly, I never imagined I could do all this at once. It's awesome. Say no more, I'm totally switching. My post is taking way too long to upload. That's a sign you've got to get T-Mobile. So many reasons to join T-Mobile. Find yours at T-Mobile.com. Fastest based on analysis by Uclos Beat Distant Intelligence data of National Speed Score results incorporating 5G download and upload speeds for the first half of 2026.

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