What’s cooler than being cool? According to urban wordsmith Andre 3000 of Atlanta rap duo Outkast, the answer to that question is “ice cold.” So what could possibly be better than being the NFL’s No. 1 defense in 2019?
Well, Eddie Jackson has an idea about that:
https://twitter.com/SiriusXMNFL/status/1146432861014306817
“Our goal right now is for the defense to be No. 1 across the board,” Jackson said. “Shout out to the ’85 Bears, but we want to top everything they’ve done.”
The All-Pro safety setting a high bar for himself and the other playmakers on the Chicago Bears’ defense is one thing. Doing so while invoking the greatest defense of all-time is another. And I love it! Remember last year when Bears players and coaches were trying to speak excellence into existence?
Like when Head Coach Matt Nagy set high expectations for the Bears by proclaiming “we want to win now” … or when Akiem Hicks was put it out there that the Bears could be a top-5 defense back in April 2018 … or when Mitch Trubisky, who made waves by saying “bring ’em on” to division rivals before the start of his second season in the pros. The Bears set out for big things last year, then did them. Hicks led the defensive line as part of the league’s best scoring defense, Trubisky earned a Pro Bowl berth while making an impressive second-year leap, and the Bears won 12 games and a division title.
See what happens when you speak good into the universe?
Now, Jackson wants in on the action. And we are soooooo here for it!
For what it’s worth, the famed ’85 Bears defense ranked first in points, yardage, turnovers, interceptions, rushing yards, and ground scores allowed. Those are lofty goals, to be sure, but Jackson wants that smoke. And that’s actually great.
If there’s anywhere Jackson and the Bears could surpass the ’85 gold standard, it’s in the passing game. The ’85 Bears defense ranked just third in passing yards and passing touchdowns that season. Go get it, BoJack!
Jaguars cornerback D.J. Hayden says his Jaguars will be the NFL’s best defense in 2019, but he’ll have to settle for second best if Jackson and his cohorts have anything to say about it. And if they Jackson and friends can make that happen, then I have a hunch we’ll have something to celebrate in early February — just like those ’85 Bears!