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Bears minicamp observations: Caleb Williams’ up-and-down day includes key learning moment originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Caleb Williams saw the blitz coming as soon as he arrived at the line of scrimmage and knew how he’d combat it. The ball hit his hands, and Williams quickly turned and flung a side-arm pass to fellow rookie Rome Odunze for a quick blitz-beating play.
It was a moment that showcased the Bears rookie quarterback’s arm talent, intelligence, and early progress during the offseason program.
Tuesday’s opening day of mandatory minicamp at Halas Hall was a mixed bag for Williams and the offense.
Williams opened up strong with multiple connections to DJ Moore and Keenan Allen during the first 11-on-11 period. He went 5-for-5 in the opening period, which included a screen to Moore and a creative completion to Gerald Everett, on which Williams navigated a dirty pocket and delivered a jump pass to the tight end.
The 7-on-7 period featured a few impressive throws from Williams to Moore and Odunze, including an anticipatory dot to Moore on a deep comeback against Tyrique Stevenson.
However, the period also featured a big blemish from Williams.
The quarterback dropped back, went through his progressions, and tried to hit tight end Tommy Sweeny deep over the middle. The ball was late, sailed on Williams, and was picked off by safety Kevin Byard. Williams appeared to have both Odunze and Allen open elsewhere in the progression.
“Those are the experiences that he has to go through,” head coach Matt Eberflus said of the interception. “He has to go through his progressions, which he did. He was right on his progressions. Then he took a hitch, and the ball should have came out, and he took two hitches, and it was late over the middle. That’s always dangerous when you do that.
“But that’s the learning experience in the process that a young quarterback has to go through, you know. You know, whenever his feet are timed up, when can he make…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bears-minicamp-observations-caleb-williams-214526139.html
Author : NBC Sports Chicago
Publish date : 2024-06-04 21:45:26
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