Kap & J. Hood
9/3 7 AM: What is a successful season for the Bears?
"Chicago." This is your morning routine. Listen to respect my name. "Cap and G" hood. That's right. That's right. We're bad. Uh-uh. Watch the show on Twitch. Follow ESPN 1000 Chicago. Swing the show on the ESPN Chicago app. And on in there. 100.3 HD2. And on ESPN 1000 Chicago. No. No. No. No. David Kaplan and Jonathan Hood. Good morning, everyone. Bring 'em out. Bring 'em out. Woo! Bring 'em out. Bring 'em out. Bring 'em out. Bring 'em out. Bring 'em out. Bring 'em out. Bring 'em out. Bring 'em out. Bring 'em out. Bring 'em out. Bring 'em out. Woo! Woo! Woo! Welcome in to the "Cap and G" hood morning show. On ESPN 1000 and we're streaming on the ESPN Chicago app. With David Kaplan, Jonathan Hood with you, we got Shay. We got Charlie. We got you. For a three hour ride on this Tuesday morning with open phone lines for you, 312-332-ESPN-33237-7766 is our telephone number. And cap, we have crawled, we have scraped. We have jogged, we have run. And here we are, we finally made it. Game week. Sunday will be the lid lifter. Sunday, bears, titans. We finally made it cap. Here we go. So excited that football is back and it's game week. They started Game Prep yesterday and here we go. We got Thursday, right? The Chiefs hosting the Ravens. You got the Bears and the Titans on Sunday. They named the captains yesterday. And I really liked the collection that they were able to put together. Look, you could go, "Well, how come that guy didn't get it? How come that guy?" The players vote on this stuff. Yeah. And there's some really, really interesting names that got named to Captain. The most interesting for me, Caleb Williams being a rookie. It's like Jonathan Taves getting named as a captain earlier in their career. Caleb, Kevin Bayard, not a surprise. He is a classy veteran two-time all-pro DJ Moore Cole Comette, Mercedes Lewis, Jalen Johnson, Tremaine Edmunds and TJ Edwards. Quite a collection of leaders. Now you got to go out and win football games. That's what it comes down to. Absolutely right. It comes down to being able to win football games. Let's set the scene this way. Since we're the lead here at ESPN Chicago, let's start here. And then it'll trickle this way all the way throughout the day. We have to understand, and we have to say it out loud, Bears fans, it's one winning season, the last decade for the Chicago Bears. One winning season, from Trustman to Fox to Naggy to E-Refluice, just one winning season. This stretch has been brutal, and it's been frustrating for Bears fans to be completely irrelevant in this league for a decade cap. It's been tough. Ryan Paul's understood what was in front of them, and he's put together a team that should find its way to the playoffs. What we are seeing is completely foreign to the Bears, and Bears fans. Completely foreign. New faces, difference makers and game changers with the rookie quarterback. This will be the most intriguing season we've seen in quite some time. There is legitimate hope. The last year, if you look back on it, year two coming off three wins, a good Green Bay team with a pretty good kid at quarterback in Jordan Love. This team? This Bears team. There is veteran talent up and down the roster. There is skill position talent on this roster. There are leaders on this roster, and then you've got this kid who Ryan Paul's called generational. He used the word. That kid's a generational talent. There's a lot to like about the Bears. Again, are they going to the Super Bowl? Probably not. But they are absolutely headed in the right direction. Yes, and so we've already heard the big swings that have been put out there by social media and by those that are national pundits. The big swings cap. Oh my God, Caleb Williams is a quarterback for the Chicago Bears. Oh my God, look what Ryan Paul's has done. You know what some of these national pundits have done, Cap, is the equivalent of being in a bar and seeing the hottest woman coming through those doors and saying, oh my God, she's the most beautiful one I've ever seen. Well, if you wait maybe an hour or two, maybe you see someone better. But because she's the first one coming through the door, oh my God, she's the most beautiful. That's how people look at the Chicago Bears because Caleb Williams and all the sweeping changes that have been made. Oh my God, instead of just waiting a few minutes, having, you know, filling your drink a little bit and just say, let's see who else comes to the door. Let me survey the scene here. You want to talk to me November 1 and go, hmm, pretty good. Ultimately though, when you're a hot taker, they put the Bears in a position where, oh my God, it's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. And so that team is going to be crowned Super Bowl champion. But again, as I told you earlier this summer, Cap, I cannot be put in that trick bag. I cannot be. I understand what Ryan Paul's is doing. And my feeling is Ryan Paul's feeling. And that is, you go up in three wins and seven wins and we're looking for progress. You're not looking for the, you hope you can get to the sky, but I'll take to the top of this, this building right here. And the top of the building is the playoffs. I'll take that. - I agree. - Because that means that's incremental success. That's all, but see, here's the thing. I won't be putting the trick bag because when we get our Nick rights and our Rich Eisins and others, they're saying that this team is going to win the NFC or this team's going to win the Super Bowl. When it doesn't happen, that's the opportunity for guys like them to be able to take a crap on the Bears. I won't do that. I won't do that because I understand that it's a rookie quarterback and there's new players in this team and you've got to be able to come together. It doesn't always happen in one season. Maybe it takes a couple seasons. Maybe it takes three. But the idea that because it's in place that the Bears are Super Bowl contenders, no. Just again, perspective, we've sat here for a decade and saw an aptitude. And now you're a Super Bowl champion? You got to see it on the field first. - Correct. - See them go out and look like a quality football team. - Quality. - They've got the pieces there. Now you got to put them in place. That's the key to the whole thing. Still, San Francisco is going to be a really tough team in the NFC, by the way. Do you see this morning, Trent Williams, brother Fred, posted to his Instagram story last night of his brother and his brother Trent with his dog getting on a private jet late last night? Year 15, let's get it. Sounds like he's got a deal done. - Sure. - So they're going to be a beast. They got a Eukri signed. They got Trent Williams back, who may be the best left tackle in football. The Packers are really good. The Lions are really good. There's talent in Philly. There's talent in Dallas. The Rams have talent. There are some teams out there now. Just go take care of step one. Don't worry about anything else. Oh God, what if we lose on Sunday? Now we got to go to Houston. Oh my God, we'll be over to it. - Just stop. Just take the field Sunday and let's let this thing play out. I cannot wait when that ball gets kicked off at noon Sunday to go. - We're back. Here we go. - Totally right, 100%. And it's funny 'cause you brought up earlier at Caleb Williams and we should talk about him a lot as well as a rookie quarterback. So there's no doubt in my mind that he's up to the task of being able to be not only a captain, but one of the leaders of his football team. It's because of his experience in college though, Cap. Again, if you're not a college football fan and you just learn about Caleb Williams this summer, totally understand. But when you've been watching him at USC and seeing how he commanded so much money from NIL, number one, but number two is not overwhelmed by much because he was covered at USC, Los Angeles media. You say, well, how tough is that? Well, you've got Orange County. You've got Los Angeles. You've got everybody going to USC games because that is the pro team. Nothing is the Rams, the Chargers, but the pro team in LA is USC. Not UCLA, not other teams that were in the area. It's that team. So he had to take all the slings and arrows and open up the LA times, all that, people questioning him. So he's used to it. This is different than say what we had with Bryce Young or other quarterbacks where it's like, yeah, you had some spotlight, but there's nothing like the spotlight of USC because everyone's wondering, could Caleb Williams lead USC to a national championship? He won't be overwhelmed. That's my point, Cap, we agreed. It's a business-like approach that he's going to have to this because we always sit up sort of hard knocks, like, yeah, I don't get nervous. He could say that now. I went to the whistle blows against Tennessee, that first whistle. But ultimately, I think that he can handle this because of what he went through in college. Yeah, you're exactly right. They're coming out of that LA media market and all the nonsense. Who Caleb Williams is this? Caleb Williams, is that? I was looking at his social media this weekend as USC won that game over the weekend, over LSU. Me and my family, Brian Kelly loses. And I thought, Brian, we'll get into Brian Kelly later, but his post-game. It happened to get... Stop, that's such a horrible, horrible. Like, do you want to overturn the table? Go at it. Oh, give me that. Phew, he was, he was, that guy's a phony. He's such a clown. But he's tweeting at Miller Moss, the quarterback. That's my guy. I mean, it's, he's just that dude. And then you ask his teammates. I was up in practice the other day. You ask his teammates up there in Lake Forest, and they just laugh at the narratives that came out from LA. So he's a diva, he's this. Look at what they did in the bowl game, 'cause now we're a team. It's just so stupid. All of it. And then his teammates elect him a captain. I thought the locker room was gonna fall apart when we got rid of Justin. Oh my God. - I think that Caleb Williams, because of who he is, I think that he's gonna shut a lot of mouths a lot. - He is. - I think that he's going to, he's gonna turn heads, definitely, as far as the NFL is concerned, a lot of fans that already have it out for him before he even takes his first snap in a regular season game. I think that he's gonna make a lot of people feel dumb. - And that does not mean that he will do everything right. If you think back to when he was, Shay, was it the UCLA game where he didn't speak after the game? - It's a, not, yeah. - There are a few, a number of games. - But I thought-- - Washington was the big one. When he was on the sideline crying with his mom, she sold the towel over his head, and then I don't think he went to the podium after. - Yeah, I thought it was the UCLA, which is there arch rival in town. You're right, USC's at one level, UCLA's click below. But there's still the two big teams there. - Sure. - And he didn't speak. I know I blasted him for it. - Sure. - And then you find out that his head coach didn't want him to speak. Like there's more to all of this. He's gotta take the step now and win football games and play good football. I don't need him to be Tom Brady from day one. I don't be cool. Just go out and play good football and lead your team. That's it. - A lot of numbers out there, Cap, as far as win total for the Chicago Bears this upcoming season. You just laid out for us how difficult the NFC's can be. A lot of contenders out there. Now, how many hitters can win the Super Bowl in the NFC? That's one story. But the other story is about the Bears. And so we're asked the question to you Bears fans. And Shay, we can open the phone lines. 3-1-2-3-3-2-E-S-P-N-3-3-2-3-7-7-6 is our phone number. What will mark a successful season for the Bears? So there's a lot of different opinions out there. We'll give ours coming up. But the idea, as you drive to work this morning, when it will be a successful season for you as a Chicago Bears fan, there's a lot to go over. Offense, defense, Mattie Refluse, Ryan Polls, personnel, all of it. And that's why we're here talking to you about it right here on the home of the Bears. Captain Jay Hood, ESPN 1000. [MUSIC PLAYING] If you missed something, get the podcast on the ESPN Chicago app. Captain Jay Hood are back on Chicago's home for sports. ESPN Chicago. [MUSIC PLAYING] Here's hoping that you had a great Labor Day holiday weekend. Captain Jay Hood on ESPN 1000 and streaming on the ESPN Chicago app. 312-332-3776 is our telephone numbers. We talked to you about the Bears. So we are up in Wisconsin. Do you ever get thrown under the bus by your own father-in-law? Oh, yeah. Hey, hon, can you run to the store and pick up-- they drink spin drift, you know, like a seltzer? Yeah, like a seltzer pop type of deal. With alcohol. Yeah. And I did not have one drop all weekend, nothing. We got little kids there. I'm in charge, and I was like, hon, you enjoy yourself. I'm good. Can you go to the store and pick this, this, and this up? Well, there's a bunch of cars in the driveway. I had all my kids up there, and I had sister-in-law and father-in-law trying to back my wife's truck out. And we have those lights you buy on Amazon that are like $20 in their solar. You know, you stick them in the ground. And I'm trying not to make somebody move their car. And I clipped one of them and broke it. It's like the whole box was $20. Oh, God. A little plastic thing. Back out. There it is. Take off. I come back, park the car out on the street, walk in. Here's all your stuff. I said it all down. This was on Saturday. I left to come home because I had my own car before my wife yesterday. As I'm leaving, she gives me a kiss in the driver. She said, by the way, make sure you go on Amazon today and order the replacement box for the light you broke. And I went, what? Yeah, my dad came in and said, your husband clipped the light. Like, really? Really? Like, he ran to tell my wife his daughter. Yeah, your husband crushed one of the lights over there. You believe that? God almighty. Why can't he just understand the guy code? Exactly. Did he not have a guy code? Hey, David, I saw what happened there. It's all right, buddy. Don't worry about it. Right. He runs to tell Mindy and everybody. Oh, he clipped the light. He clipped the light. There's no reason to bring it up. Why? And then I got mad. Like, you know me. I'm the most chill dude. Yeah. I'm watching the end of what game was Saturday night? Was that LSU? No, Notre Dame. Arizona. Notre Dame in Alabama. Yeah, I'm watching the Notre Dame game. The game ends. I had gone into the, like, the porch area and I said, hey, are we playing a game tonight? Yeah, we're going to play cards. All right, I'm in. I fall asleep on the couch. I wake up. They're way into playing a game. The whole family, not me. Like, whoa. I went to bed. I was furious. Like, I told you all, I want to play. And you guys just went leave them sleeping. Yeah. Well, Cap, I mean, no surprise, this is a veteran observer of the Kaplan scene. I've told you many times, they don't treat you right. The only place you're treated right is right here. 15 hours a week. That's it. And then you leave out of the building and they say, leave grandpa to the side, let him go to sleep. And then what about you? You want to play? Left you out. Left me out. Then the father-in-law tells everybody that whoever wants to hear. David clipped the light. Look at it. Like it's a joke. Right. OK. See? Believable. Guy code. See? But I've been telling you, but you all listen to me. You only treat it right here. That's a lot. Where you could act out. Thanks a lot. Ron. 3 1 2 3 3 2 3 7 7 6 is our phone. I was going to talk to you about the Chicago Bears. Captain, with my time off, I've given series consideration about the NFC North, my feeling about the NFC North. Cap, I'm telling you now that I've become a little afraid of what the Packers could be. I didn't think that before I left you last Wednesday. They're good. Cap, let me tell you something. This team was the hottest team in the league during last season's home stretch. You gave us the pretty good kid whole thing with the quarterback Jordan Love. Last August. OK. But here's the thing. Here's what I need help with. Yes, we saw some glimpses from Jordan Love, especially down the stretch where he played well. I don't know what that looks like for this year. All I can look at is what we saw last year, and that Jordan Love got into a nice groove. And I don't know if he can replicate the same. But you know what keeps occurring in my mind, where I keep rolling back in my mind, is Green Bay and that awesome victory against Dallas and the playoffs. Yet it fell short against San Francisco. But the point is, they didn't just beat Dallas. They walked their ass. You recall this, right, in the playoffs? They went into Dallas and whipped them. See, that's the thing that's scary about it. And this is away from the Bears, but it's about the North. And even though I think that the Lions could still be the class of it, I think that the Packers are right there. You recall we had Rob D'Amoski, who covers the Bears for ESPN.com on. And you asked him, how many wins for the Packers this year? Ah, guys, I think 11. We'll be seeing you. 11, he said. And we scorned. 11 wins. But what about the Bear? That's the thing, Cap. When I look at the Bears, I look at the roster. I look at the NFC North, and I look at the NFC. You guys are looking at a threefold in that direction, right? I think that the Packers-- with Josh Jacobs, they need that workhorse to be able to run the football a little bit more. I think that their defense and their offensive line is more than capable of keeping the Packers definitely in the race in the NFC North. Even if the Lions take a step back, just remember how the Packers played down the stretch. And to go on the road in that first playoff game, that's frightening. It wasn't just a win. And had every chance to beat the 49er. That's the thing that gives me pause about the NFC North. Do I believe the Bears are a playoff team? My expectation is, yes, they will make the playoffs. Does that mean nine wins? I think from seven to nine wins is a nice jump, because nine wins, I think, could get you to the playoffs. There's no doubt. But the Packers will have something to say about it. If there is good throughout the season as they were toward the back end of last year into the playoffs, Cap, they're going to be heard from. Some have them as a Super Bowl contender in the NFC, like they can win the Super Bowl or at least get there. That's tough. To hell of a division, I think Minnesota is clearly the fourth team in the four of the four. And then Bears, Lions, and Packers, tell me how the injuries play out. Got to get a break with the football gods smiling on you injury-wise. I mean, if the Packers lose Jordan Love or the Bears got forbid lost Kayla Williams or the Lions lost Jared Gough? Oh, God. You short-circuit your season really quickly. That's why when you have a chance to win, I don't care what sport it is. If you feel like, man, we can get in, anything can happen, anything. That's what it feels like. It feels like the Bears will find their way in because we got two great storylines in the NFC North already. Just remember who the Lions were. Like, we look at the Lions now like, oh my God, and look at what Dan Gamble has done. But just remember, this team was three points away from getting to the Super Bowl against San Francisco. 34-31 loss. They played well enough to get themselves in the Super Bowl last year. Correct. But then it's the Packers, and that frightens me too. And I think that the Bears will find their way in. But this is why I can't get to be over the top about the Bears as far as their Super Bowl opportunities because the other two teams in the NFC North are just that good, better than the Bears. - Don't disagree with their talent. They're more proven than the Bears. - Yes, that is correct. - It's gonna be fun, man. Sunday, noon, Scott Hanson, red zone. Yeah, do you have a secret ticket on the Bear yet? - I'm not a secret, I told you I bought a ticket on the Bear to win the NFC and the Super Bowl. But I bought those last spring. - But nothing added though, just those two. - Just those two. - Okay. - I do not have a ticket yet on any other team, Cowboy or other. - Funny you bring them up first. - Well, because you always give me a hard time about spending on the Cowboy. - I don't think that you should be throwing your money away. That's why. - ESPN Analytics has the Cowboy with the fourth best chance to win the Super Bowl. - Okay. - Take that, Shay. Fourth best. - Dallas? - Yes. - That's great. I'll tell you where I have 'em at 818. - This'll be a beaut. This'll be a beaut. - You are banned from betting the Packers. We still understand this, right? Hoodie and I is your friends. - Why would you ban me from betting the Packers? - I would have heard from the Cowboys, excuse me. You're banned from betting Dallas. You're not allowed. - Hoodie and I is friends are intervening in your life and saving you from yourself. - That's correct. But you're on him, he'll be some secret ticket and we won't find out about until week 12. - Well, look at that. Hot boys are 11 and 0. Check that ticket out. Still alive, Shay! - It's gonna stand right there in that door. Look me in my eyes. I didn't tell you this, but this Dak Prescott MVP ticket I got. Pretty good kid. - He could actually win the MVP. That guy's a beast. - I don't know, is Caleb Williams still breathing? - Still alive. - I'm just saying, is he still breathing? - Dak's pretty good, kid. - That's fine. But what does that really mean in the whole scheme of things? - It's got a lot of talent on that team. He's good, but yet, again, there's a ceiling to the success every single time. So who they are, Cap? - Matti Reflus is the head coach for the Chicago Bears. He talks about the level of excitement for the Bears this season. - I would say the competition that we've had up to this point during training camp, you can feel that, that's real, going against each other. And our players, offensive players, going against defensive players, that competition is real. And the guys did a really good job of competing and really sharpening each other during that time. And we're, like I said, we're excited about this competition coming up. Yeah, we're all excited. You know, I could tell the guys are excited. We had a team meeting this morning. You know, when I broke them down afterward, you can tell the guys are excited, just about the competition. You know, we're excited to compete together in a football game. And we're excited, you know, full strength and be able to do that. And we're just excited about that opportunity to get this Sunday. - Matti Reflus, the head coach for the Bears. He's excited. - He is. - He's excited and we're hearing a lot of great stories coming out of training camp. But now it's here. Game week prep started yesterday. Had a couple guys that did not practice. Matti has sweat, just trying to get to the post and be ready to play, period. - I'm sure that you've perused the coach of the year odds. - Yeah, you were Flusus, like one of the favorites. - Yes. - Oh boy. See what I'm talking about, Cap? Before we can have a first snap, people see what we all see as far as the roster changes. The roster composition, what Ryan polls is done. But a 10 and 24 coach has the opportunity to be the coach of the year, according to Vegas already. One of the favorites at the top of the list. - Well, the funny thing is, so, you know, I've said to you before, I love Ryan polls. I think he's done an amazing job as quickly as he has turned in this around. The trade with the Panthers was a huge, huge help. His quote in the Sun Times today, in an article by our friend Jason Leisure, this is polls. With the media, it's just weird how the record is held against Matt, but the progress is given to me, polls said. He's been in this coaching his butt off, maximizing the talent that we have. That's the big thing. Are we maximizing what we have? To me, it was yes. - Okay, we need to address that coming up and also still to come, some thoughts about the surging cubs, find their way in the mix as we flip the calendar into September. - Hell alive, Shay. - Cap and Jhood, weekday morning, seven to 10. - Here's to Days Headline, Headline with Cap and Jhood. - Well, a rough Monday in Chicago baseball. White Sox got lost number 108, crushed by the Orioles, 15 to three, they are 31 and 108. Chris Flexin said a major league record. The Sox have lost his last 20 starts. He hasn't gotten the loss every time, some he's pitched well, but the club every time he started the last 20 games has come up short. White Sox and Orioles tonight, here on the home of the Sox, ESPN 1005. A clock will truncate the end of the wattle. And Silvie Show, that'll be our pregame show with Connor McKnight, 540, first pitch from Camden Yards at Oreo Park. Rough night for the Cubs. They held a three-nothing lead in the eighth. Jamison Tyone, seven. Shutout innings, he was magnificent. And then they handed the ball to a guy who gave up one earned run in July, one earned run in August. Two home runs and four runs later, Jorge Lopez was on the losing end. Cubs fall five to three to the Pittsburgh Pirates, back at it again tonight. It's 640 from the confines. Justin Steele has a bulky elbow. They shut him down for at least one start. Kyle Hendricks has been pressed into duty, and he will start opposite Paul Skeens, the phenom rookie of the Pirates over at Wrigley. And the Bears named eight players, Captain, including rookie quarterback Kayla Williams, they opened the season Sunday against the Titans. That's all it's your feat. All right. (upbeat music) Kevin J. Hood on back. I appreciate your show. I'm an Uber driver and for seven at 10 every day, I've got you locked in. Chicago's home for sports. ESPN Chicago. (upbeat music) Our video stream on Twitch and YouTube is brought to you by Buffalo Wild Wings, the number one pick for wings, beer, and sports. Make sure you check out the Captain J. Hood YouTube channel. It's available right now. Hit that subscribe button that way. If you miss our show between seven and 10, you can pick up the highlights and the lowlights right there on YouTube. YouTube.com, look for the Captain J. Hood channel on YouTube. Glad to have you with us. We hope that you have a great Tuesday on the Captain J. Hood Morning Show on ESPN 1000. And also we're streaming on the ESPN Chicago app in three, one, two, three, two, three, two, three, seven, seven, six, our phone number. Kat, can you reread the quote from Ryan Polls where he was talking about the juxtaposition of Mattie Riflous and himself, Ryan Polls? - Well, he said, this is Ryan Polls talking to Jason Leisure. He said, "His decision to bring Eber Flus back "solidified in November or December. "He was confident in Eber Flus' overall operation "and expected if he injected more talent into it, "results would follow." Quote, "With the media, it's just weird "how the records held against Matt, "but the progress is given to me," Polls said. He's been in this coaching, he's butt off maximizing the talent that we have. That's the big thing. Are we maximizing what we have? To me, it was yes. - Well, I'm sure from his standpoint, it might be awkward. He says it's weird, but it might be awkward. Where everywhere he goes to the shopping centers or around his neighborhood, I'm sure people are giving him flowers by saying thank you for being able to put together what we think is a really solid roster. Again, yes, everybody from the trainer to the equipment man to the announcers to everybody else is 10 and 24, the last couple of seasons, that's correct. However, Cap, you have to take a look at the progress that's been made with this roster. Not saying that Eber Flus didn't have a say in it, but ultimately, this is Ryan Polls' record when it comes to the roster composition. He and his staff, Cunningham and everybody else. The reason why that people look at Ryan Polls and say, man, look at the thing that you've built before you even taking a snap this year is because we haven't seen this before. I think that Ryan Polls has to understand the history of the Chicago Bears, from a player personnel person or to a GM, they've never been able to build like this and build around a rookie quarterback. That's the thing, he was able to manipulate this thing, Cap, so you can have the number one pick and the number one pick is Caleb Williams. You got two number one picks last couple of seasons. One turns into DJ more, the other one turns into Caleb Williams. That's pretty good. And again, we've never seen this before. We've seen coaches not, you know, underachieve, 10 and 24 is in 24. It belongs to Ryan too. However, Ryan's the one that's been able to build this roster to what it is now. He deserves credit for that. And then you look at the mistakes, he loses mistakes versus Polls mistakes. Okay, we can be here all day. - But the bottom line is, and what he's saying to you is, we get evaluated by wins and losses in this league and Matt and I have the same exact record. So we can throw all the flowers and I've done it at Ryan Polls feet. - That's fair. - He also went three and 14 at seven and 10. 100%. - 100%. But I mean, again, look at what he's been able to build though. Like yes, the record, they all own it. However, if you ask the court of public opinion, what do you think of the Chicago Bears? They would, I think most Bears fans would say, you know what, the way this has been built? I understand it. I think a couple of years ago, people understand, you mean you're gonna start from the beginning, you're gonna tank this thing? We haven't seen a Bears team tank before. - Eight gibberons teams just sucked. - Dictoron's teams just sucked. We can go back to the bad coaches for the Chicago Bears. They didn't lose on purpose. They just lost because they didn't have enough talent. - As I was doing all my prep over the weekend for today, there's a great article about when Polls came in, he was a candidate for the Giants, the Vikings and the Bears. And he came in and sat down with George in the search committee and said, I've done a lot of research on your franchise and on your team. You need to tear it completely down. Not, well, we'll get a TV over here. And if we put some new patio furniture in a place to look at, no, this thing is broken. We need to blow it up. First thing he did, get rid of Khalil Mack. Eventually, Rokwan Smith didn't even call a Keem Hicks. All of those dudes, gone. Allen Robinson, sweep it all out. - Yes. - And here we are. - Yeah. So listen, whether that analysis by me is fair or unfair cap, all I know is that on Bear Mondays, we pick the game apart. We talk about the highlights and the questionable and the low lights. And in that analysis, more times than that, Ryan Polls name doesn't come up. Outside of the one wide receiver that was here, Chase Claypool and saying, hey, you got to fix the offensive line. Ultimately, it comes down on the players and the coaching staff because we've seen the work that Polls and the staff have put in. So on in Hard Knocks, you see how they're picking up the phone still? As you and I say, well, it looks like the roster's pretty good, Polls still not sure, picking up the phone. - Hey, you know, you think this guy's available? You think we, they're already wheeling and dealing right there on Hard Knocks, just to make even more improvements to the team. - Correct, but they still have the same record. - I get it, Cap. Like, you don't tell me anything, I don't know. But ultimately, Polls gets the flowers because of the roster composition. - Okay, but that, and again, what I'm saying to you is, that roster composition now has to win football games. - I get it. - If they go seven and 10, Ryan has to wear that just as much as Matt does. - You know how this works, though, in the NFL? - Oh, no question. - The coach gets fired first. - But Ryan would say to you, well, hang on a second, now he and I have the same record. - Yeah. - Again, if you ask me to evaluate who's done a better job, I would be with you. I would tell you it's Ryan Polls to tear it apart and rebuild it as quickly as he has. And even he talked about, there are times he wakes up in the middle of the night 'cause I cannot believe that deal worked out when you got Caleb Williams. I can't believe it. - Same thing with a doomsday. - Right, they end up, that trade with Carolina will go down in history. The last one like that was with a Herschel Walker trade. And they won two Super Bowls that way. - I remember Herschel, before he lost his mind, as we go to Ryan Polls, the general manager, what has stood out most about Eriflus? - His resilience for where our roster was, and for how far we knew it had to go to set a standard and hold everybody to that is extremely difficult to keep a team together through adversity is extremely difficult. But I think at the end of the day, that's gonna be awesome. It's like those things will be established. And then when the winning comes, you have a stronger product because of it. And so really, I really look at the resilience piece of it. It's so hard with pressure to stay the course. When you wanna be, you know, there's a lot of noise in terms of doing different things and changes and all that, but to hold the line is it takes a special man to do that. And he's done that. And then just the ability to adapt and adjust. You can see that on a daily basis. Always trying to get better, taking the feedback from players. You know, what do we need to change? What do we need to address? What do you guys see and how are you feeling? And then making the tweaks. That relationship has been incredible. And then I probably had a third thing is it's kind of coming to me, but just investing in relationships. He's had every single person on our team over at his house to spend time there, to get to know them better. There's activities and things that he did, but that was done intentionally. That wasn't just to do it and check a box. It was to really invest in our players and build that trust 'cause you need that. - So Ryan Paul, sorry about Maddie Refloos. And I guess the biggest question is, is Maddie Refloos Rick Renteria? Or is he Brandon Hyde? - The great question. - Brandon Hyde being the manager of the Baltimore Orioles who won 50-some games two straight years, worst team in baseball, and now they're a legitimate World Series contender. We don't know. - You believe in your guy or do you feel like, all right, you're a nice A to B guy, but I got something better. - Right. - Okay. - Right. - Gonna find out, won't you? - Right. Like are we here next spring going, wow, they just heard Belichick. Wow. (laughs) They think they're that close. - Interesting. - I don't think so. I think that Iberfloos is getting an extension. That's what I think's gonna happen. - Okay, we will find out. - We will see. - 3-1-2-3-3-2-E-S-P-N-3-3-2-3-7-7-6 is our telephone number. Go Cubs, go. Captain J. Hood weekday morning seven to 10. (dramatic music) - Truth or the Maddie is, you're listening to Captain J. Hood on ESPN 1000, weekdays seven to 10 a.m., but it'll last a lifetime. It may only be three hours a day, but it'll last you a lifetime. (dramatic music) - Captain J. Hood on ESPN 1000 and streaming on the ESPN Chicago app. Need more bears? Check out the ESPN Chicago app and check out Pat the designer on that Chicago Bears podcast. It's been going since the spring, summer, and right through the fall. You need more bears, it's right there. On a daily basis, the Chicago Bears podcast. Captain J. Hood on ESPN 1000 and streaming on the ESPN Chicago app. By the way, over the Labor Day weekend, the Chicago Cubs continue to stay in the mix, in the mix. So in a horse race, what are they in? Fourth, are they even in the money yet? In the wild card? - They're three and a half back, and there are two teams they're chasing. - Uh-huh. - The Atlanta Braves who currently have that spot. - Yes. - And the New York Metropolitan's who are ahead of them. The Mets. - Thanks a lot, White Sox. - Sorry, I can't help you. - Jeez, can't beat 'em once. (dramatic music) - Have you watched the ball club this year? - 11 in a row, third double-digit losing streak of the season. That's one, two, they're 31 in 108. - That's fine, Cap, but you're looking to get help from a dead man. - Help me out, could you? - You beat the Yankees a few weeks ago. - Okay, but you're trying. - In Houston. - You're asking for a handout from a dead man. He didn't have anything, Cap. - Jeez. - So we can't help you against the Met. - That is just pathetic. - But you know what, though? You don't need our help. Jed, that's the help that you need. This is gonna say a lot for Jed Hoyer. You better find your way to the playoffs. First of all, I wanna be right about the Cubs, 'cause I said at the beginning to see that it's a playoff team. You said it's a playoff team. If they fall short by a game, half game, from being in the mix. Folks, let me just tell you what's gonna happen here on the Captain J Good morning show. I wanna stay in the corner, and Mount Kaplan is gonna explode. Gonna explode, because if this team falls short, after what you went through last year, bullpen, just a little bit shy of getting help. And in this year, you're gonna do it all this in September, and you fall short? Oh my God, folks, it's gonna be a bloodletting. - I just don't understand how you can watch your team play and just keep rolling in and not get it closer. 31 saves in 54 opportunities. You've blown 23 saves. Look, last night's gonna happen. Jorge Lopez, Colin George, has been magnificent since they picked him up. - He gave up one run in the month of July. - One? - Sure. - He gave up one run in the month of August. So for those people who won his Craig Council, do why did he take Tyona? Tyon gave you seven outstanding shutout innings. That's a fact. You handed the ball to a guy who so far has been as close to automatic as any reliever you've had. He had a bad night. Unfortunately, yeah, but he had a bad night. My bigger problem is you got to score more than three runs. You got to score more than three runs at home last night. Now, tonight you got to beat Skins. I'm going, man. I went out seat geek, bought tickets. Here we go! Brett, now I'm gonna be right down there. I'm excited. I'm excited to go to the game. We'll go get a little dinner and watch our Cubs play against, I don't know, maybe he's the rookie of the year. He's right there. Him, Jackson, Churiel. That guy's a beast in Milwaukee. You might want to look for the rookie of the year also in San Diego. I'll keep your eyes on that. They're good too. Jackson. Yeah, they're good. There's a bunch of really good young players. So tonight, which Justin Steele has some tenderness in his elbow. They shut his start down. They're skipping him. And Kyle Hendricks will start against Skins. That means you got to go out and support Kyle Hendricks and he's got to give you a chance. He was not good last week. He'd tell you that. He's got to go out and keep you in a ball game. You're facing the freaking pirates. Let's go. OK, we're going to find out, won't we? Yep. I'm going to find out. I'm just saying, folks, I'm just bracing you. Even though we are immersed in bears coverage, we can't wait for the season. If this team, the National League Ball Club on the north side, falls short of the playoffs, this guy to my right is going to explode for the second straight season. Like, have we fall short by six games? Whatever. They fall short by one. That falls right at the feet of the front office up there. I 80, here's Jerry on cap and j-hood. Jerry, good morning. Good morning. In talking about either flus and poles, I think the jury is still out considering poles with regard to our office, a line, and some of the decisions that he's made. I mean, things are better because of the Carolina Panthers trade. But I mean, things still have to be proven on the field. And with regard to eager flus, his execution of game plans, just we should have a whole lot better season last year, but he makes some in-game decisions that you've got to think what is going on. So I think the jury is still out on the pole. That's all fair. Fair. As far as you were fluency concerned, he's got to show me some things. We can't analyze the Bears last year and say, well, we wiped the slate clean because it's a new season. No. Now that you have talent-- All goes into the evaluation process. Well, now that you have talent now, how will you be able to coach with the talent? Probably a lot better. Probably the reason why he's one of the odds on favor to be coaching the year, because they look at the talent and go, I can't screw that up. Won't be any issues here. Time management would be much better with better players. That's probably what people are saying. That's great. We will see you. Shout out no shots in two minutes on Cap and Jay Hood.