Akiem Hicks sure knows how to stir up a rivalry.
Asked about the Packers’ starting offensive line Wednesday, he said they stood no chance against the Bears’ newest addition.
“I know those five guys can’t block Khalil Mack,” he said in a conference call.
Tackle Bryan Bulaga, whom Mack faced as a member of the Raiders, is coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament but could start Sunday.
“I think it affects guys when they come back from an injury, especially older guys like Bulaga,” Hicks said. “But I don’t think he had a chance to block Khalil Mack in the first place.”
Hicks served as Mack’s hype man on a conference call with Packers reporters.
One reason: He said that he was stretching next to Mack while talking on the phone.
The implication: Mack, who was preparing to practice in full, was listening.
“I feel like anytime you add a premier player — and we know he’s a premier player — anytime you a player like that, it gives you a great chance to make a run,” Hicks said. “I’m superexcited.”
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It only can help Hicks’ own stats.
“I mean, once we added Khalil Mack, it just kind of sealed the deal,” he said. “We have great rushers. We have a career All-Pro, Pro Bowl, I mean, what accolade doesn’t he have? Then you go to the other side and you have the young boy, Leonard Floyd, who I’m sure Khalil Mack is going to influence and make better.”
As if there was any doubt, Hicks ended his call with eight words of farewell.
“Khalil Mack, Khalil Mack, Khalil Mack, Khalil Mack,” he said.
