Rahimi, Harris & Grote Show - Interviews of the Week on 104.3 The Score: Sept. 28-Oct. 2

Episode Date: October 3, 2026

In Interviews of the Week on 104.3 The Score, Capitol News Illinois reporter Brenden Moore joined the Haugh & Payton Show to discuss how momentum is growing for the Bears to remain in the state of Illinois as they pursue a new stadium; former Rams head coach and former Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz joined the Spiegel & Holmes Show to reflect on Chicago head coach Ben Johnson calling the "sucker sneak" for a touchdown in the team's win against Philadelphia, a play that was originally Martz's design; and Bears defensive tackle Neville Gallimore joined the Rahimi & Grote Show for a fun conversation about the team's dominant victory against the Eagles on Monday Night Football.

We're in a competition with Illinois. Obviously, Illinois governors contemplating running for president. I don't think J.B. Pritzker wants on his resume that he lost the Bears to the state of Indiana. You know, I know Roger Goodell visited Illinois a few weeks back, and that caused a lot of consternation here in Indiana. And it's just, I just want people to know that we're in a competition with Illinois, and they're not just going to cede the Bears to Indiana. So they're fighting back.

And, you know, I'm still very confident. the deal getting done in Indiana. I could tell you that the Bears are working hard every day on their Hammond location, literally every day. And, you know, I spoke to the Bears today, which is typical. I speak to them a lot. That was Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott on NBC5, talking about Hammond's quest to land the Chicago Bears. Welcome back to Haun-Pa-Ton, Paton, Chicago Sports Radio 1043, the score.

There's another development, though, as Thomas McDermott was speaking, Meanwhile, the Bears were meeting with Governor Pritzker, the NFL commissioner, state representative Cam Buckner, House Speaker of the House, Chris Welch, and State Senator Bill Cunningham. And we have the story from our next guest who joins us on the Plumbers 911 hotline. Plumbing emergency, call 1833 Plum 911. Local 130 plumbers get the job done right the first time. Brendan Moore writes for the Capitol News, Illinois, and he had the story yesterday. about the latest development in Illinois, which brings maybe the bears a little bit closer to Arlington Heights.

Brendan, good morning. Thank you for joining us. How are you? Good morning. I'm doing great. That's great. Can you bring us up to date on what the scoop is that you had yesterday, what you were reporting, and what it all means as far as the Bears in Arlington Heights?

Yeah, so my colleague, Ben Zilinski, and I had an interview already scheduled with the governor yesterday afternoon. So we were kind of prepping for that. And we saw the news release go out that the governor had met with Pat Ryan and Commissioner Goodell and some of the key stakeholders on the Bears Stadium negotiation in the legislature. And so we kind of shifted gears and asked him about it. And I think the key quote that he had was that there were all the right players at the table and that he thought it was a helpful meeting.

So notable who was there, obviously, Commissioner Goodell, who's been the first known in-person meeting between the governor and the commissioner, although they've been exchanging calls and texts throughout the year as the bears have tried to get legislation done in Illinois. Pat Ryan, who has definitely stepped up his involvement in the past few months. And then some of the key folks in the legislature, who are going to be required to help get this thing across the finish line if they can. And who was not in the room?

There's President Kevin Warren, theirs chairman, George McCasky, were not in the room, although the governor said that they were fully briefed. They knew this meeting was going on. You know, for a long time in this process, there was kind of a belief, at least among folks on the Illinois side, that they didn't always know who they were negotiating with on the bear side. The bears weren't always clear in what they wanted.

We're not always the easiest to work with. But the general belief is that there's been some positive momentum on the Illinois side in recent months that Pat Ryan has been helpful and that the lead seems to want to give Arlington Heights another shot. So the fact that they're meeting six weeks before the veto session, at the end of November can be viewed as a move in the positive direction, although it should be clear that they're not close to a breakthrough yet. But the fact they're still talking is significant. Brendan, it's very odd, though, because Kevin Warren has been in the mix of all this

conversation of stadium since he took the job. And a lot of people believe that was one of the biggest reasons why he was hired here in Chicago. go, but the fact is they're saying not to read into it. How can you not read into it when he has been such a major factor of this whole entire process? Yeah, well, that really is a great question. And, you know, I think anybody that, you know, saw Kevin Warren retired what the assignment was, which is to get the stadium deal across the finish line. And to be frank, I mean, I saw some posts yesterday on social media

saying that Kevin Warren had been sidelined. Well, that's not really new. I mean, he hasn't been in these meetings. He hasn't been the frontline person representing the Bears for at least a few months. I think you have to go back to the spring to when he was more involved. Yeah, I mean, I, I think that, you know, at least on, you know, talking to folks on the Illinois side, you know, whether it can government or lobbyists that are working on an issue, they are all pretty universal in that.

Kevin Warren was not the most helpful person in this process, and that things started to move along a little bit more when other officials kind of picked up the ball. Karen Murphy is viewed as a trusted person. She's their stadium lead. You know, worked well with Illinois officials. And then Pat Ryan, again, is viewed as helpful. But, yeah, I mean, I think that you can't, it is kind of odd that such an important meeting would be held

and you don't have the team president or the chairman of the board in the room. We're talking with Brendan Moore from Capital News, Illinois here on Hawn Payton, Chicago Sports Radio 104,3, the score. And he had the story on Thursday about the meeting between the governor of Illinois, Governor Pritzker, and Roger Goodell, the NFL Commissioner, and Pat Ryan, the minority owner of the Chicago Bears. And what's interesting, Brendan, as you know from reporting this, is that Pat Ryan's inclusion, even more so maybe significantly than Kevin Warren's absence,

because he will be briefed on it. Pat Ryan gets things done, and he also gets things done in these kinds of deals with people with whom he's familiar and has worked before. He's a Northwestern guy. The stadium is opening tonight in Evanston as his legacy. And Chris Welch, former Northwestern baseball player. Cam Buckner worked. He ran World Sports Chicago when Pat Ryan was the chairman of World Sports Chicago. These are people that are used to working with each other, aligning their thoughts and getting deals done.

How significant is that? And then this follow-up to that would be when Governor Pritzker says exactly the right time, as far as the fall veto session, does that suggest that this could be something that is imminent? Yeah. I mean, I think Pat Ryan's involvement here is very significant. I mean, I've been told that directly by, you know, everybody involved, that he's been very helpful, that he's been viewed as kind of a conduit because of what you mentioned, David, that he's a guy that has relationships with everybody involved.

He understands the Bears organization and, you know, the dynamics of the organization and what the team wants and needs. He also has a really good relationship with the governor. He's got that Northwestern connection. They also are both three billionaires club. They kind of run around in the same circles in, you know, Chicago civic and business community. And so he's a guy that is viewed as a mover and shaker. and you mentioned the stadium opening in Evanston tonight

is just evidence that he's a guy that's in a stadium deal before. The Bears had not necessarily, I mean, at least even amongst ownership, the McCaskies have never done this before. So he's viewed as somebody with some experience in that regard. And yes, I thought it was interesting with regard to the veto session. The NFL put out a statement that said that timely action is essential for the Bears to find a long-term stadium solution. And you can read between the lines, timely-meaned veto session.

You know, because I think there's a general thought that, you know, the Bears, you know, whether or not people believe Indiana, you know, then they are still doing their due diligence in Indiana. They are working there. They are having meetings there. I don't want to say that that is just a bluff. But, you know, the bears are not going to, if there is no deal in Illinois, there is no solution, then, you know, they're not going to wait around, you know, forever. And so I believe that the onus is to get it done in the veto session, although lawmakers will come back also in early January for a lame duck session ahead

of when the new General Assembly gets sworn in. You know, the governor expressed confidence that this can get done in the veto session. And, you know, typically, you know, we have an election coming up in a little under five weeks. And once you get passed an election, oftentimes that's when deals can get hashed out and when there might be a little bit more political will than before an election. So it might be a sweet spot to get something done. Although I will caution that Governor Clipsker has never been the biggest impediment to getting a deal done on the Illinois side. He's been very dung-ho about getting something done.

The issue's always done in the legislature. It's always been the legislative math. It's always been getting Chicago legislators to sign off on something that in all likelihood would allow the bears to lead the city and go to the suburbs. So that dynamic is still there. And that, again, is why, you know, it's important that they're talking right now, you know, six weeks out, trying to hash something out because legislating and negotiating takes time. And, you know, the speaker, Senate president, governor have all made clear. They want something hashed out before lawmakers return to the Capitol. So I think that's the goal here.

I think that's the goal, having a conversation now, start getting the ball rolling in earnest. and try to get to wear. There is no drama at the end of November. They can just have the legislation teed up and ready to go. Brendan Moore from Capitol News, Illinois. Great job with the story, Brendan. Also, working amid this during this week, when I'm sure you're distracted by your white socks making things happen.

You've got to be excited about this series. You are an ardent socks fan. Die-hard socks fan. It was nerve-wracking, but so much fun to watch this week. I'll be at the ballpark next week. And, you know, this team is just so much fun. So, yes, it's a great time to be a Chicago sports fan. Sox in three, four, or five?

I would love to say three. I would love to see them clinch. I'm going to game three. But I have a lot of friends that are going to game four. And so I want them to see a playoff game. So let's say socks and four, clinch at home. Great reporting, great prediction. Really appreciate your time.

Thanks so much, David. Brandon Moore from Capitol News, Illinois. Good stuff, really. And he talks about sometimes, you know this, Jared, from just being in the business. It's serendipitous when you are planning something and you got an interview set up with somebody like he had yesterday with Governor Prisker. Then all of a sudden news breaks, like before your interview, all of a sudden there's a statement from the governor's office, we just met with Commissioner Goodell and Pat Ryan and all the

politicians that matter in this Bears Stadium project. Oh, I think we'll change our agenda. Terrific timing. You got to know how to pivot and he has to understand the information he's dealing with and he crystallized it as well as anybody who is covering the story has. Still a lot of question marks out there, but the fact that Roger Goodell was here, Those conversations still with state are going on shows that there's still an opportunity for them to stay here, which I think is the ultimate plan. Well, also, you know what you hear and you know what they're not saying. So Governor Pritzker has been cautious all along in speaking about this project and where it is and where it might be headed. It's been up to us to kind of read into it and project and predict.

but yesterday when he said that the fall veto session that begins next month is quote exactly the right time for a deal to be struck he is essentially making that no now to everybody who gets past the midterms and all the after the election that's you know what let's figure this out figure it out we need to because it's time to make a deal and that's why that's why pat ryan is entering as the closer he is the guy who you come You call him the ninth inning. The money, man. 89-year-old closer, Pat Ryan,

who comes in, who knows how to get things done. And I'm just opening up a brand new stadium. Yeah, look what I did in Evanston. Look what I did in Evanston. Do one of those in Arlington Heights. We'll figure this out. How about that? Third down and goal, under center with swift the back.

Three tied ends. He'll get the snap. Quarterback, Steve, driving touchdown. And the Bears have gone up 26 to 7. 719 in the board Well that's a Mike March special right there That's the old sucker sneak Sucker sneak coach March put that in even when he came here

And at first when I saw it I said this guy's crazy Which Mike March was I gotta see if this is the play that I think it is You know it's an old play It's an old but a good play right there But when I was in Super Bowl 38 we ran this play where we pulled Both of our guards

And I followed the center On a quarterback sneak Touchdown Ram Third Warner 17-9. And watch Kurt Warner is just a quarterback sneak. That could even be one of those

goose plates. You see, the tackles are both outside, and he just gets right in behind his big center, Andy McCullough. Both tackles came to tricking outside, and there was no one over the center, so Kurt Warner could just take that quarterback sneak and just follow his center.

Kurt Warner mentioned Mike Martz. You know, I've heard Ben talk about him sitting down and talking to Mike Marks. I know he's watched a bunch of hard stuff over the year, and when I watch them play, I do see some of that influence. I've been a big fan of Mike Mark for a while. You've heard me say for a while on these airways, how smart he was. He would call his whole playbook without even looking at anything, right?

And that he was really smart with his concepts and the plays he called and the things he did. Marks is malicious when it comes to play call him. Yeah, you got to blitz the Rams. I know they say they like it, but you've still got to try to flitz him. Because once it gets rolling, it's a doomsday machine. Marks has one key around his neck. The quarterback has one around him. And you can't let the nuclear clocks.

start or it's all over. And March goes right after Darrell Green. The guy's relentless. Makes Patton look like a conscientious objector. Spiegel at Holmes. Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Afternoons on the score.

We are very excited to, again, talk with Mike Martz and get an opportunity to talk ball with a legendary offensive coach because we might be at the dawn of seeing a legendary offensive coach with Ben Johnson and what he's done for the Bears in the

season and a couple of games. Mike March now joins us on the Pottawatomie Casino and Hotel Hotline, the Midwest Best Casino. Mike, thank you so much for joining us. We appreciate it. It's fun to be with you guys. Appreciate it. You got it.

You got it. It's fun to think about your career, whenever we get a chance to talk to you, and the relationship that this town has had with you and how it has evolved. And as Lawrence mentioned, our conversations are always illuminating and further our football knowledge. Were you watching on Monday night when the sucker sneak, the quarterback sneak, which is the impetus for this phone call, happened?

Were you watching and sitting up pointing at the television, Mike? I was watching. I started laughing, and now I had to text Ben immediately, and he got it after the game. I was laughing. I said, boy, he's the only guy I've ever seen run it. You know, it was just tickled me. It was fun to watch. That's cool that you texted him.

He's mentioned you before as an influence. You've talked about him and as an admirer of his. Have you guys texted at times over the past couple years every once in a while? This spring I spent some time in a call within probably about an hour in a video call and talking about football and just some thoughts about being a head coach and run the offense and those things. But he's so bright. I mean, he's a much better coach than I ever dream.

developed being. He's very bright. He's not afraid. But I think one of the things that we try to do that he definitely does is I watch his offenses, every position the details are so well coached and they just don't make mistakes. They're just like the energy when they play, they're so sure of themselves, the temperature just automatically speeds up. And, you know, it's correct to him. You know, he's very clear. He's very detailed oriented.

He's upbeat, and, you know, they're energized because of it. They know, you know, they know exactly what to do in all those situations. There's no thought process. They're just reacting, which is what you want. Mike, I get really excited when I watch what Ben Johnson does. And part of it is his blending of different schemes. Like, I feel like I'm seeing elements of wing tea. I'm seeing elements of veer.

I'm seeing Air Correel. I'm seeing West Coast offense. And that blending, I think he's doing it really, Well, I'm curious, is someone that studies offense the way that you do, what does it say when a coach can take from different places around football's history and make it modern? Well, it's kind of what we try to do. People don't realize it, but the biggest issue is the blending is important, but it's more than that. It's you want to take control of the tempo of the game and dictates the defense. and defense is about set recognition and play recognition.

They want to know what's coming when you line up. You know, they look at the tape, hey, they're in this formation, you know, here's the plays that you'll get. When you destroy that by various formations, have a play run, say, 14 different ways in different personnel groups, the defense can't zero in what you're going to do, and it kind of puts them on their heels. And that's the beginning of what we did.

That's why we did what we did. and it's clearly what he does. He's very, very effective at it. They just can't get a beat on him. One of the things, and I'm glad that you brought up that point, because I feel like my mind opened up to something over the last year and a half. And it's the idea of, I used to think of like formation shift motion as you're getting a tell and you're making them uncomfortable, maybe with personnel.

I never thought about it from the standpoint of communication. And I felt like when I was watching the Bears versus the Eagles, on Monday, that the communication that they were able to make look dysfunctional because of formation shift in motion really played into Ben's hands and allowed for some explosive plays. No question. You do it. Primarily, we did it. And I'm sure he does it too because he's run-oriented as well.

And I was run-oriented. We just didn't come across that way because of the talent, but we had, we kind of spread it around a bit. but you want to make sure that you're trying to get the run force out of position or late, and you do that by formation. That's number one. Number two, if you're getting up pressure teams, all of a sudden they have to reload their pressure

based on changing the strength of the formation. And there's a lot of communicating going on. We had linebackers run into each other and knock each other down during the game at times. And it's really fascinating when those things start happening because you've taken control of how that game is going to be played now. You kind of dictate to him. And the other thing he does, what we try to do, too, is there's certain formations that in this formation, they just had to have to check to this base defense.

Once you can get a defense to play a particular defense against a set, now you can really zero in on him. And he's done that continually in his career. But I think the biggest thing is that when I watch your running game, they are so intricate and so well-coversed. coached in the offensive line and how they're running the football and getting force out of there. And it all starts there.

And guys, I would tell you, I've always said this, my entire career, everything starts in the offensive line. You have a good offensive line. It starts to create everything for everybody else, including the defense. That's Mike Martz, who we're talking to. So cool and interesting to talk about Ben Johnson's offense with Mike Martz and think about the history of NFL offense. This idea of all the details, whether it's the offensive line like you're talking about,

or we heard Case Keenham and the wide receivers talk about it's not 12 steps, it's 11 and a half. Or just all those little details, so everything works out. How do you get everybody to do that? Is that a personal magnetism thing as a head coach or an offensive coordinator? Like as a communicator, are there skills that Ben clearly brings that you add to channel as well, that are part of getting everybody to do that stuff? Well, the preparation is everything. When you go into that room and you start to put things up

and how you want to play this game and what you're going to do for every game plan, for instance, and you start putting plays in, and these guys see how different it is from everybody else and they get excited about it, because everybody becomes included now, not just a guy or two. We're not emphasizing Marshall Falk

unless it's going to win the game for us, in that particular situation, or Isaac Bruce or whoever it may be. And everybody's included. They get excited about because it is different, and it's fun. It's just a lot of fun. And once you get the trust of those guys and what you're trying to do and what Ben's trying to do, then you got them. And then the game really becomes fun.

Because when Ben walks in there to put it in the game plan, they're leading forward and they can't wait to hear what's going to happen. We're talking ball with Mike Martz right now on the Spiegel and Home Show and about Ben Johnson, who drew some inspiration from Mike Martin in one of the plays that we saw on Monday night. Mike, throughout your career, what do the best play callers have in common? The very best play callers, you go into a game plan, we're thinking that you're going to, this is how you want to manipulate the defense.

These are the things that you want to try and get done against this particular defense. The good defense is invariably, you know, when they study you, and if you're good at what you do offensively, they're going to be different. They just are. I learned that as a head coach in my second year, we're playing San Francisco. They didn't play cover two ever. And Jimmy Moore, Jr. was a defensive coordinator.

They came out, and we'd planned for pressures and all kinds of weird defenses, which was what he was doing then. He came on cover two. And everything we had kind of went out. the window. What you learn, you have to change gears, and you've got to take advantage of that. So you've got to carry a pretty good

playlist going into the game, and you've got to be able to change gears. You know, if they're blitzing you, you know, we went down to Atlanta one year. They came after us with nickel blitzes, so we went to our third down package. So you have to change gears based on what's happening on defense. You cannot let them take control that game back. Oh, this is what you're going to do?

Yeah, we're going to answer that. Here's what we're going to do, you know. It's a great pass. rush, you come in with two or three tight ends and you pound them. So those are the kinds of things that are different that guys have got to be able to do to be successful and Ben does it better than anybody. Mike, it's funny. In the open, we played a snippet of, I think it was Dennis Miller on the old Monday Night Football, calling you a malicious play caller, like that you were crazy, that you were

looking to inflict damage. We were talking to somebody who talked to Ben last week and said that Ben likes to talk about plays make them hurt. Like he wants to make the defense hurt based on a play. And what does that mean to you when you hear that? If you think of Ben Johnson making a play hurt to the opposition? Yeah, I go into the game with these plays, I think you're going to knock them out. These are knockout punches, you know.

And we played, I can remember my first year with the Rams, we were playing Atlanta at home. And it was third and 18. and we had another 10 yards or so we could get a field going. Dick come over with the phone and say, hey, you know, if we just go check down, we can get a, you know, a field go out of this on fourth down. So, Dick, we're throwing at the end zone. We're going to score.

And we threw a touchdown. And then they go three and out in the very first play of the next series. We threw another touchdown. So you just, and it was there. It's not because it was a great call. I knew what was going to happen in those situations for film study. You knew exactly how the safety in the corner is going to play. And you get that same thing.

situation in game, well, you got to be incompetent if you don't do it, you know, and you can't be afraid to make that call because it might not work yet. You can't kid me. Everything, every five of your by says, this is knockout. This, you know, come on, why not? Let's go play.

So, we've been having a discussion about Ben's been checking pretty much every box. Like, he's good with the fans, people seem to really like him. The players love him. He can dance pretty well, too. He's a pretty good dancer. He occasionally takes his shirt all that stuff.

But one of the things that we've talked about this week, Mike, is the concept of coaching coaches. And considering that you've had a bunch of different staffs where you've been the guy in charge of that staff, I'm curious, when we hear football people say that, what do they mean and how do you enact coaching coaches? It's so hard today, guys. I can't express you how difficult that is today.

It wasn't for me because the staffs were about half the size of the art today. So you have guys, and there's a buy-in to it. You know, I was very fortunate with the Rams that everybody was on board with what we were doing. But you'll go someplace, and it's easy for the players to buy in. They want to be different. They want to. But sometimes the coaches, and I had a hard time with Jim Hannafin because he was so old-school. And finally, I had to tell Jim to me what's the matter, Jim is scared.

And, of course, we all started laughing everything. But he took that to heart, and it kind of got his goat a little bit. I said, look, don't be afraid to be different. You know, we're going to get criticized for being different, but it's going to win. It's going to be one of the reasons why we win, you know. And that's what's hard is the buying today's staff. There's so many people on that staff. I don't know how they do it.

You keep everybody on the same page, and the buy-in is incredibly important. And, you know, the impact, if there's just one guy that's not, you know, he's not totally in. It affects you. It will get you. Mike, we just watched Ben and Case Keenham put together a game plan in a week, and Ben dominated the Eagles with a third-string quarterback who's 38 years old on a Monday night. It was, and to hear them talk about it, what's that like? What's that like to have a backup all of a sudden you've got to work with

and to build it together and make it happen in a week? You know, Mark Bulger was our third quarterback when he started. We thought that Jimmy Martin was going to, after Kurt went down, Jimmy Martin was going to be okay. He heard his knee. And I find out on Wednesday. Now, Mark hadn't taken a snap throughout the season. He just threw to the receivers. He took no snaps with the team, but he prepared at night like he was a starter.

And we went on a tear, you know. He comes out. Oaken was undefeated, and we beat them at home, you know, and he had an incredible. I mean, he just took off. And it's all about preparation and the belief. that you belong. You know what I mean? There's just no intimidation there at all.

This is, you know, this is a great opportunity. His answer to me, and I said, hey, are you ready? He said, yeah, it's about time, you know. Can't take this in that all year, you know, he's about time, you know? Well, that's what you want. Those are the guys you want. And those are the kinds of guys that I love being around the Mark Vulture. You know, Kurt was that way.

He was a third team guy, you know. Trent Green was our third team guy. He became the starter, you know, John Kitt. All those guys were guys who have been kicked around a little bit, but were certainly good enough. But people look at them as being backups, and when they get their opportunity, they got something to prove. And Casey Kim, to me, is certainly no backup.

He proved that. But there's so many guys like him in the league that can't crawl out from underneath that because they're not giving the opportunity. What are your best tips for that? Like, we hear all the time, hey, I prepare like a starter. That's hard to do without actual reps. So, I mean, we're talking about at the highest level,

the NFL, but even down to the prep level, guys playing 8 U-ball, how can someone figure out how to best prep like a starter? Well, that's the difference between guys that make it and don't, because the guys that don't ultimately have that belief and that confidence and they have that passion for the game. These guys all had such great passion, and they were determined to make it. They just weren't going to take no for an answer. So when they got it, there was no nervousness about them. They just couldn't wait to get to the field, you know what I mean?

So, yeah, I mean, there's a great passion and belief in who you are that just cannot be, you know, chipped away at. You can't get to them. You know, they have such a great, strong belief in themselves. And I think, you know, obviously Casey's that way. And we've got the great pleasure to talk to Kurt Warner every week about Bears' quarterback play. We've had it for a few years now. And we've learned about Caleb and Ben and a little bit about him and you. What was it like to build what you and Kurt Warner built?

together with the greatest show on turf? Well, he was so incredible. We go into practice and we had to deal with blitzes. And we started dealing with blitzes differently than everybody else in the league. We started getting the ball really quick on hot rods. Even on runs, we would throw the ball hot if they're blitzing us and drove people nuts. And he had such great success against a blitz because he could see it. And he knew exactly where the ball had to go.

And we started, his quickness is an ability to do things, a lot of us to reach further and further. Are you able to reach that thrown to see that? But he did. And so with that, you keep piling a moron. And I think towards the end there, obviously, his play got twofold, which was my fault. And, you know, it stressed him.

But he was so unusual in his ability to see things quickly and digest it and react to it. accurately that he's up there. There's very few in that category. Mike, it is always a pleasure to talk football with you. I now have a page full of notes. I have to go back and listen to this again to make sure I got everything. But we learn so much whenever you're on the air and our listeners do too.

Thank you so much for your time today. We appreciate it. What's a real pleasure. Thank you guys for having me. Hey, you got it, Mike. Thank you. I want to go out there and compete. I want to go make plays.

I want to be there for the guy to the right and left of me. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to win. Neville Gallimore. Or standard, you know, standard where how you play, obviously, you want to be, you know, aggressive and just kind of make our presence felt. Seven-year NFL veteran. Rogers. Rogers is sacked.

Ten seconds on the clock. Law two and Gallimore, collaborate. Trying to escape from the pocket, keeping the play allowed. and now he's taken down. Great pressure from Neville Gallimore. Defensive linemen for the Chicago Bears. He's a big, powerful guy. He's got a little bit more suddenness and quickness.

I've been going against Nev since the senior ball, and he's always been a very big body, very fast, strong. Defense. Three takeaways. Shut out the second half. It's hard for me to single out one single person. I'll have more game balls tomorrow for you guys. Neville Gallimore with Rahimi and Grody.

on 104-3 the score. Heck yes. Neville Gallimore, a bear, is joining us on our video stream to watch Search the Score, Chicago on Twitch and on YouTube. Neville Gallimore,

part of a defense that is now shined in back-to-back weeks, especially in the second half of yesterday's game against the Eagles where they shut out Philadelphia. Bears win 27-27. Neville Gallimore, How you doing, man? Welcome back to Rahimi and Grotie on the score. How are you, sir?

I'm doing very well, man. Thank you guys for having me once again. Yeah, man. We love talking to you, and we'll have you on every week. If you will continue to accept our invitations, we absolutely love it. What was that like? We just heard the postgame locker room, and Dennis Allen, the often scrutinized defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears, in his second year. year, as we said, back-to-back second game. He gets the game ball. What was that moment like for you guys post-game? It was great. It was great, man. Monday night football in Chicago, site to see, had to be there. And it was great, man.

You know, same thing that I harp on time and time again. You know, we wanted to make our presence felt. And, you know, Coach Allen, you know, he had a plan for us. And, you know, it was our job to fulfill that plan. And, you know, good things happen when you, you know, got the coach in the place on the same page for a common goal. And, you know, he did what we needed to do to get the job done. Well, you guys rattled the cage early and often.

And I feel like it was a nice counter. You know, on the other side, you see what Vic Fangio is doing, Neville. I know game recognizes game there, but there were also some key adjustments that were made. You know, Sequin ripped off a couple big runs, and I feel like you guys were able to contain him, especially in that second half. What did you think of just the adjustments that were made defensively to really contain that Eagles' offense that can't,

be so potent? You know, again, it was more so the little things, you know, and again, you're going to hear me say standard over and over again, and there's really just kind of getting back to what we did, you know, that's a great team you went up against, you know, Sequin's a great running back. You know, you look at Jailer's resume, you know, what he brings at the table. So, you know, we had to be on our A game, but it was the biggest focus was making sure that, you know, how often can we be ourselves, you know, in the heat. in a moment and just focus on, you know, what we need to do. And I feel like that, that paid dividends

last night, you know, obviously, you know, they made plays, you know, there's always things you can clean up, but I feel like defense, we had an opportunity and we took advantage of it to come together as a group and, you know, to just be us, to be us as much as possible. And, you know, good things happen when we're all on the same page. I love, man, the second half defense that you guys play. I was talking about this earlier. Like every, all five of, the drives that Philadelphia attempted. There's a different stars on every single play. The first drive is three and out.

Dylan Thineman and T.J. Edwards come up with stops. Second drive. Jalen Johnson with that sick three-yard tackle for loss on McKay Lemon. Third drive. Your guy, Montez Sweat, comes up with a sack. Two-yard loss. Fourth drive. There's T.J. Edwards with the interception in the end zone.

That's the way it's supposed to work, man. Like with playmakers making plays, right? right yeah it was great man those guys stepped up you know those guys did what they needed to do man and again you know it goes back to the preparation you know it's no fluke that those guys had games like that um it goes back to you know it starts off in practice so those guys came ready you know they got us right and they made plays when it's time to make plays you know those those are our guys man but again shout out to the defense as a whole shout out to dennis allen man for doing what needed to do to make sure we was in the right position to make those plays.

Well, and I don't know if you've seen the video that's been going around where T.J. Edwards looks like he's in the huddle with Jalen Hertz and the rest of the Eagles before that interception. We know he was listening at the line of scrimmage. And sometimes you can't tell, you know, when you're watching the game on TV, how close that truly is. And then you see that video come through. Now, T.J. talked about it a little bit this morning on our morning show with Hawn Payton. But Neville, he said he was trying to see if he heard any terminology that was the same from when he was an eagle. He said he did not. But I just don't know that he may be telling the entire truth there to be, you know, polite and professional because he read that perfectly. You know,

what did you think of that? And that's my linebacker and I'm sticking beside him. So, but I will say, TJ, he's a very smart guy, man. He knows it in and out of the game. So that that play he made. That's just him watching the tape and being locked in. Now, the tell, it was great. And I think, you know, that's a part of the game. It has an entertainment that comes with it. So, I mean, it kind of just married each other. I thought it was great. But I feel like it really just came back to the film study and, you know, playing it, you know, playing it over and over his head. So when he can't have him to make that play, he did. But, you know, like I said, it's my linebacker. That's what he said. That's what we're going with. That's what happened.

Well, you know, that was his, he had his hands on another one earlier in the game. It seemed like he really knew what was going on, Neville. Great player, mate. You know, great plays. A big top game, man. I wanted him to get that second one. I wanted it. It would have been even great if had that, too.

But, you know, that's my guy, man. Shout out of the T.J. That's my dog, man. And to see him go show up against a team he was formerly on, I know that was a great feeling for him. So for him to step up and make those plays, man. I'm proud of him for that. because I know that meant a lot to him. All right, I got to tell you something, man, Neville,

because one of the appearances that you made, and we're watching them on Twitch, and you can see them on YouTube, you were rocking the Cubs hat. You were rocking the Cubs hat, and that made a lot of people happy. Now you're rocking the White Sox hat, and the White Sox people are responding on Twitch

as we speak right now. They're very happy to see you that you have evened things up. You're playing the game very well, Mr. Gallimore. I feel like we all should be happy because if I'm not correct, if I'm not wrong, aren't both in the playoffs. You are correct, sir. Yeah, the White Sox are at Houston at 4 o'clock, so just a few hours from now.

And the Cubs are in San Diego, 9 p.m. start central time. We've got to stay up all night to watch these baseball games, Neville. Come on now. I'm just doing my job as a fan, as a respect to the game. You know what I mean? Oh, yeah. So I got a job to do. We appreciate.

You guys got the day off today? Like, what's the deal? Like, did you guys get players' day off? What's going on? I don't like to say time off. But yes, we have some time away. Time away. You know what I mean?

You know what I mean? We still got to do our job to get our bodies right, you know, get the little things taken care of, excuse me, to make sure we're good to go for tomorrow. But, yeah, time away, man. A little victory Tuesday, but a time to shake back. And then we got to get ready. for this upcoming Sunday. Well, I think we're still in the 24-hour role

where you get to celebrate the win for 24 hours. And by the way, don't think it's lost on me that that's a former teammate of yours on the other side, Jalen Hertz. I know you guys played together and know you. So I don't know. Yeah, how did that go for you, by the way? Like, it's interesting when you face a college teammate, but then you're in that competitive role on the other side.

No, it was great. You know, Jailen Hertz, that's my guy. I got a lot of love and respect for him. And he's a competitor. I know he's going to continue. He's going to do great things this season. And it's always love, man. I actually got against him a couple of times when I was playing for the Rams.

So it's always love going against a, you know, a former teammate and, you know, getting after. But, you know, when you step on the field, I got a job to do. He's got a job to do as well. So there's no hard feelings after the game, dapped him up, show them love. You know, it's always bigger than football at the end of the day. But, you know, we're competitors. This is a job. about we got to do our job to the best of our abilities.

How was the whole Case Keenham vibe? I mean, I was at the game last night. How do you describe what you saw from him and the crowd reaction and the postgame and just all things Case Keenham from last night? I think the word is immaculate, man, and I think it started. I remember we had this conversation last week, and I think that's one of the things I mentioned. I'm excited for the opportunity, you know, for hitting the decision. step up and do his deal.

And you could tell from the start of the game, from the moment, he walked out, ran out the tunnel, man. You could tell us different. That's why I'll go about to say, man, the Chicago fan base, man, every week there's a new, the love just keeps getting enhanced because the love that they showed him when he ran out of the tunnel. And it was as if, like, he's been the guy. And that just goes to show you that, you know, the next man up,

whoever gets the opportunity, like the fan base, people are going to ride and people are going to, you know, support their own. So for me, that was huge. Like, there was no drop off. The whole fan base, the whole stadium was going crazy when he ran out. And I feel like when you talk about a team effort, when you talk about the organization, when you talk about a fan base that can come together, that just kind of goes to show you, like, how deep the love is.

And that was huge. And for him to go out and perform in front of his family and do his deal, you know, it was great. And to be honest, I got to see it firsthand even in training camp. And, you know, there's no age. He's just reminding guys that there's no age limit on performing at a high level. You know, and I'm excited for him. I'm excited to keep doing this thing. And, you know, it was great.

It was a great time, man. Well, and to me, just the fact that he had a gap in employment, you know, comes out of retirement. Ben Johnson had to convince him. Yeah, these are the things that you just don't hear about very often at all. opportunities like that and then performances that he had last night. Right, it was, man, to be honest, that was news to me. But, again, like, it just goes to show how deep this game goes, right? You know, so clearly, you know, Coach Johnson and him had a connection

and Coach Johnson and see something in him for him to be a help. And, you know, even from, you know, from a mentor standpoint and a playmaker standpoint, and like I said, I got a chance to see it. firsthand in training camp. Like what I've seen in that game, I've seen in practice. So shout out to him, man. And for him to just being who he is 100% of the time. What I love about Case Keenum, what you see is what you're going to get, man.

In and out the locker room, he's just him 100% of time. Cool, down the earth, you know, like stand-up guy. So shout out to him. Neville, and this is not something you're responsible for knowing about or really even understanding or comprehending, and that is the quarterback issues that the Bears have had in the past. And like having to go to second and third stringers, and that being a Bears fan way of life,

and it doesn't always work out very well, to have had Case Keenum do what he did last night and just to dominate. I'm just giving to do this for your own information. It's just massive for Bears fans, because it was a nightmare, honestly, and I'm sure it was a nightmare for you guys. when Caleb Williams gets hurt.

And then Tyson Baygent is in concussion protocol. And here you are. Weird things happen in the NFL. You're without your top two quarterback to have Case Keenham do what he did. I'm just telling you really important to Bears fans to see this moment. I don't know if you felt that or not or are feeling that from Bears fans, but this is a bit of a revelation day for us. And, you know, like you said, that is news to me.

because from what I've seen since I've been, obviously, you know, still still praying for a speedy recovery for Caleb Williams. No, you know that's the guy. But just from my experience since I've been here, like the first thing that I noticed, that's why I said it doesn't really matter on the age limit position, like from Kayla Williams to Tyson to Case, like the one thing that jumped off the tape,

just being on the defensive side of the ball is like, you know, all guys can give it to, you know, on the field at any moment. I feel like that's a credit to their work ethic and what they've done and how they've gone about their business. So for me, it was more so like it was a sight to see because it's like whoever gets their opportunity, you're going to surprise you in a positive way. They're going to do some things and then going to make some plays. You know, even, I mean, to me, even with my man ties, we've seen glimpse last week. And it kind of goes to show that nobody bends or folds over here.

When guys get their opportunity, they're ready to show. And I feel like that's the stepping stone for a really good team, you know, for great teams where guys know when their opportunity comes up no matter what time in the game, what time of the season, that they're just like, okay, I'm going to put my head down. And my job is to still perform and do that. So for me, it's no fluke. But it's always a great thing when you see it come to fruition. As I say, it is news to me. I don't, you know, I'm sorry for the, I'm sorry Bears fan for what you guys have experienced in the past. I wasn't there for that

but you know that's why you know cheers to new beginnings amen man you're part of it you're part of it devil you're feeling a lot of trauma you guys you don't even know

I do want to ask you this too seven points against the Eagles nine points against the Vikings I know it was a loss I know but still to hold NFL opponents to only 16 points in two games how does the defense feel

right now about just the back to back to back doing your part, doing your 11th, for example, for you, how do you, how does the defense feel about what they've been working on the past two weeks? It's a positive feeling, but you know, at the end of the day, you know, I'm going to say what we're all thinking. There's still a standard and a way, you know, a play type of style that we're, you know, we're chasing it. We're constantly trying to match or exceed that because, you know, even when you look at it, you know, just being a competitor and being on his team, you know, there's always, you know, there's plays that's left out of there.

You know, there's plays that could have been made. There's things that, you know, personally could have, they need to get cleaned up. But, you know, I think it's a great thing when you see the stuff that you're practicing and focusing on continue to show up. I think that's a good sign. So for us, like, you know, it's a long season, you know, you know, last, the last, you can say the last two games, you know, defense, you know, you know, took a step, but we got to go do it again. You know what I mean? Like, we still got a job to do it.

And to be honest, we got a job to even play better than the last. You know what I mean? So for us, you know, you know, we're the one thing I love about this group was that we got this neutral mindset. Like, you know, again, we're good job, but we got to go back to work. There's things, the other things that we got to clean up that still, like it wasn't, in moments it was our standard, but there was still, you know, moments where it could have been better. And that's what I love about this group. Like, we don't, we don't get caught up in the

hype, you know, good, bad, indifferent. We know that we need each other. We got to, we got to make sure that we do our thing. Well, I do want to ask you too. I see you're away. Has Antoine Randall has seen your socks hat yet? You know, like you said, you know, it is the time away day, time off. So, no, I have, I haven't come across. I'm sure if you, if you listen to this or seeing this. He'd probably have some words for me tomorrow. But I think I wore it hoping that I'll see if it was true of how he feels. So, you know, hopefully I might wear it again tomorrow just to get a reaction. You've done the right thing. Now, you've made a lot of people happy wearing the White Sox hat.

And the Cubs fans, I already told him the disclaimer, he's worn the Cubs hat before. Maybe there'll be a Bulls or Black Hawk's hat coming soon. So stay tuned. The evolving hat game for Neville Gallimore. Neville, thank you so much, man. We appreciate you coming on, man. Thank you all as always, man. It's all love from over here. Thank you, Neville.

Yes, Neville Gallimore. He is our bear on the Rahimi and Grotie show. Shall we talk to a cub next? I think we should. We had a bear. Let's talk to a cub. Our cub is Ian Hap. So we're going to talk to him in a second,

as you are listening to a Plummer's 911 football. Monday on a Tuesday presented by Bucie Bank and Great Clips. That's right. We're going to San Diego. It's game day, playoff day, and we're talking to Ian Hap next on Rahimi and Grotie on 1043 the score.