July 30, 2007
Super Bowl championship Ayanbadejo's only goal
By Larry Mayer
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – Pro Bowl special teams player Brendon Ayanbadejo recently spoke to ChicagoBears.com about Lance Briggs’ return, facing brother Obafemi in practice and why individual goals no longer are as important to him as they once were:
What are your thoughts on Lance Briggs rejoining the Bears?
It’s kind of a relief because coach [Hardy] Nickerson’s meetings get a little bit tedious, so it’s good to have the class clown back. It takes a lot of pressure off my shoulders in the meetings. On a serious note, it makes us deeper at linebacker and it makes us deeper on special teams now that Jamar [Williams] is going to be back on special teams. It takes a lot of pressure off everybody, so we’re glad to have him back and just excited to see the plays he’s going to be making out there.
What have been your impressions of Devin Hester in training camp?
That kid is amazing. I really don’t think it matters where you put him. If you put him on offense, defense or special teams, he’s going to be one of the most electrifying players on the field. We have so many guys that can do so many things. You have to try to utilize guys wherever you can utilize them. So right now put Devin Hester on offense and it just makes us a better team. Put Israel Idonije out at gunner on punt team and it makes us a better special teams unit. The coaches are imaginative. If you look at somebody, you’re not just a cornerback or a defensive end. If you can do more things and you’re better than the other guys that played those positions then you’re doing to go do them.
What makes Hester so impressive?
Some people just have a knack for football. He’s just a true football player. It’s not just catching the ball, it’s running with the ball, it’s playing defense, it’s his vision when he’s running away from people. I’ve never seen someone so talented and so well-rounded as a football player.
What’s it been like going though training camp with your brother?
It’s nice. I don’t have to call him to see how camp is going or how he’s feeling. Everything’s right there. We talk about everything through the course of a day: ‘How did it go, what are you doing good, what are you doing bad, how do you feel, how’s your body,’ so it’s just easier.
How frequently do you face him in practice?
I go against him once or twice a day. I’ve gone against him in one-on-one drills in pass coverage, I’ve gone against him in inside run. It’s not a big deal. We play our technique and play full speed and go hard against each other and try to make each other better.
But you do realize it’s him when you face him, right?
Of course I do, and I know everybody’s watching when it’s me versus him.
How confident are you that the Bears will be able to replace Cameron Worrell and Todd Johnson on special teams?
We’re confident. It’s early right now. Everyone hasn’t shown their colors yet. But just to get Jamar back alleviates one of those positions. He’s going to be a four-phase guy. Our linebackers play so well on special teams that it’s going to be tough to get all of us suited up on the field. But we’ll see. The safeties are going to have to bring something to the table on special teams, we know that. And somebody young from the offensive side of the ball is going to have to come up and play some special teams as well.
What are your personal goals for this season?
My personal goals? It’s hard to say. Personally, I want to win a Super Bowl. I haven’t really thought of what I want to achieve on the field as an individual because being a Chicago Bear, really there is no “me.” If I don’t make any special teams tackles and we win the Super Bowl, it’ll be the best season of my life. I used to look at things when I was on teams that were 8-8 and 3-13 and [think], “OK, I want to have 30 special teams tackles, I want to go to a Pro Bowl.” But after having gone to a Super Bowl and playing championship-caliber football, I haven’t really thought much about what I want to achieve personally. I know I want to play well. I want to beat my opponent on every play and I want to continue to dominate. But in terms of numbers, I don’t know what those are. I haven’t really thought about it.
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Super Bowl championship Ayanbadejo's only goal - Chicago Bears
Super Bowl championship Ayanbadejo's only goal
Super Bowl championship Ayanbadejo's only goal Q&A
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