Week 3 was, as soon as once more, not the end result the Chicago Bears and quarterback Caleb Williams anticipated.
Again, this isn’t the article I wished to put in writing.
But it’s important to Bear with this workforce if you’re a Chicago fan.
First of all, you actually haven’t got a selection. There’s been numerous speak in regards to the roster additions, and but in some way there’s not sufficient understanding of the truth that the offense is sort of totally new, together with the offensive coordinator.
It’s a irritating sight. There’s no means round it. The most constant unit, the offensive line, would not appear to be that means. The Bears cannot discover a solution to run the ball successfully or get their backs concerned (Chicago averaged simply 2.3 yards per carry in opposition to a Colts workforce that had allowed a common (237 dashing yards per recreation). But for those who anticipated all of this to be resolved by Week 3 or anytime earlier than the halfway level of the season, blame your self.
Shane Waldron is clearly going by means of a baptism of fireside with Williams. They’ve put numerous duty on the rookie’s shoulders within the type of pre-snap choices and diagnoses. That’s why you see the play clock ticking all the way down to zero most of the time. That’s why you see timing errors with the operating backs and misunderstandings all alongside the offensive line. Williams is establishing protections in opposition to defenses he’s by no means seen earlier than.
Play-calling doesn’t assist Williams both. Williams completed 33-of-52 for 363 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions in Sunday’s 21-16 loss to the Colts. Asking your rookie quarterback to throw the ball 52 occasions isn’t the answer to your operating woes. There are different methods to have interaction your numerous backfield than merely operating the ball over the center.
That mentioned, there was one shiny spot within the drive that preceded Williams’ first NFL landing go of the fourth quarter, although. It was a 13-play drive, with 9 go makes an attempt and 4 rushes from the offense. Williams’ go makes an attempt went shorter distances and had been faster choices. He wasn’t pressured to take a seat within the pocket and undergo a full development. Williams moved the offense down the sphere, ran an offensive drive to provide the protection some respiration room after which capped all of it off with a hookup with Rome Odunze, certainly one of six hookups on a day when Odunze topped 100 yards for the primary time in his NFL profession. That relationship, particularly, appears to be blossoming.
But that well-balanced drive with a number of ideas, utilizing a number of offensive weapons, was the Bears’ better of the afternoon. That such a drive ended with a rating isn’t any coincidence. That drive is what this offense ought to all the time be. It has the flexibility to try this if each Waldron and Williams can comprise themselves. Yes, Williams has a killer arm, however there’s no cause why on third-and-4, Williams ought to let it air. Your receivers will very not often beat their man immediately. This is the NFL. The expertise discipline is stage, and NFL defenses can sniff out a play like that and account for it higher than school offenses can.
Williams remains to be studying. That was clear in a few of the choices he made, throwing the ball into double protection. He was saved by penalties and drops for a lot of the sport, till he wasn’t. Two interceptions ruined Williams’ stat sheet earlier than he may add two touchdowns.
The Bears are betting on Williams popping out on the opposite facet of the hearth, although. Otherwise, they’re simply being cussed. And possibly each sentiments may very well be true. But we nonetheless want to provide Williams an opportunity to do exactly that. A 3-game pattern isn’t sufficient for an opponent to take a look at in getting ready a recreation plan. Teams take a look at a minimal of 4 video games of a workforce earlier than they really feel they’ve a ok analysis. Surely followers can solely give Williams and the Bears’ offense a lot.
Colts’ Tyquan Lewis pressures Bears QB Caleb Williams throughout Sunday’s Week 3 recreation. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
I do know Bears followers are impatient. They have greater than anybody else the appropriate to be troubled and to make hasty judgments, given the workforce’s historical past with its offense and quarterbacks, particularly. But you’ll be able to’t pin the sins of previous offensive regimes on the present one, particularly at this early stage.
I’ll make you a deal, too. If issues nonetheless look this unhealthy when the Bears open the division in Week 10, I’ll drink from the Chalice of Hate. But till then, I’ll be real looking, as I’ve been all offseason. It’s going to take some time longer, and never sufficient time has handed to attract conclusions about what this workforce might be. That ought to make Bears followers really feel higher, if nothing else.
