Arts & Entertainment
James ‘Big Cat’ Williams on the Chicago Bears’ Winning Streak, Upcoming Packers Game
It might not be spring yet, but the Chicago Bears are coming out of an extended hibernation and surpassing expectations with a five-game winning streak.
This weekend the team faces the Green Bay Packers. With nine wins and three losses so far this season, Bears fans are amped for what comes next.
Head coach Ben Johnson made headlines last week when he celebrated his team’s win over the Philadelphia Eagles by taking off his shirt in the locker room.
The unusual celebration came in response to a challenge from the Lincoln Park hotdog spot The Wieners Circle, which promised to give out free hot dogs if Johnson removed his shirt.
Morale for Bears fans is high, and many are cautiously optimistic about how far the Bears can go.
James “Big Cat” Williams, a lineman for the Chicago Bears from 1991-2002, joined WTTW News’ “Chicago Tonight” to share his insights on whether the Bears can keep their momentum.
On expectations:
“They have been able to get over hurdles that I did not think they were going to be able to get over this early in the season or this early in Coach Johnson’s career. Their ability to go in the bye week after two losses … and be able to fine-tune some things and turn some things around, was very impressive, and it gives a lot of confidence to the players.”
On Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams:
“It’s been good. He still has a ways to go. There are things that he’s going to have that he has to work on, but when you have the ability to win these games and still be able to make corrections, then that’s a good thing, because you’re progressing.”
On the Bears’ offensive line:
“I think it’s everything tied in, them being able to run the ball better. What the talent that they have, the wide receiver position, tight end position, all those things are coming together, which is making this team as dominant as it is right now.”
On the Bear’s rushing game:
“Oh, you bring three guys, three new guys as free agents, and they’re doing exactly what you want. You know, you look at the combination blocks between, like, right? And you know what Jackson’s able to do in the middle. These guys are moving people off the ball. They know their assignments, they know what they have to do, and they’re getting the job done. And I think Coach Johnson has done a good job of keeping things simple.”
On the upcoming Bears-Packers game:
“The things that they’re doing, offensively, defensively, special teams-wise, these are things that travel, so being able to watch them up at Lambeau Field this week will be good. You know, we thought the Philadelphia game was going to be a good kind of gauge to see where they are. The Green Bay game’s gonna be more of a gauge.”
On head coach Ben Johnson taking off his shirt:
“Save that for the Super Bowl, after you win the Super Bowl or something like that, but it gets the guys in the locker room fired up. You know, he is one of them. And as far as the fans go, the fans are looking for anything to grasp on to. That says this coach is different than what we’ve had in the past, in the last couple years, and they love that.”
Predictions:
“They really stand a chance. I’m excited for them on that, and I’d like to see it. I’d like to see it. We have a long ways to go before we get to the Super Bowl.”
