Cubs News: Brown on Williams' confidence, Moore as a running back |
CHICAGO—Playing a division opponent is always more difficult the second time around. The teams are familiar with each other, and the coaches make adjustments from the first game—that is unless you are the Chicago Bears.
From the first time the Bears played the Minnesota Vikings this season to their rematch on Monday Night Football, Chicago had a new head coach and a new offensive coordinator. Some players were injured that the Bears had at their disposal the first game, including offensive lineman Braxton Jones. While Minnesota’s defensive coordinator Brian Flores made some adjustments to better exploit rookie quarterback Caleb Williams’ weaknesses, Chicago’s coaching staff seemed ill-prepared for that game despite having an extra day to prepare. “I think one of the adjustments that Flores made from the first game was bringing less pressure (and) being able to drop guys in coverage, particularly on the edge and take away some quick element throws so the ball couldn’t come out fast which obviously forces you to have to hold onto it more if you want to throw it,” Brown said. “We had some screens mixed in, which gave us some opportunity to move the ball at times. Some were efficient. Some weren’t as efficient as they probably should have been, but also staying pretty balanced when it comes to the run game. So, overall, they are (a) really good defense, well coached, had a good scheme and we shot ourselves in the foot multiple times with the penalties and not being able to execute when it came down to it.” This has been a difficult season for Williams. For most of his football career, he was a winning quarterback. Now, he is on a Chicago Bears roster that is currently on an eight-game losing streak, the longest losing streak of Williams’ career. Despite the turmoil of his rookie season, Brown maintains that Williams is still confident in himself and this team. Going forward, perfecting the pre-snap communication and trusting his reads will be most important for his development. “I think mentally he’s in a good spot. Of course, he’s frustrated like we all are just from the standpoint of just not getting a result. But, confidence isn’t shaken … Did have some pressures, only had two sacks. So continue to find ways to find answers to get the ball out of his hands faster and also the (protection),” Brown said. “(Just continuing) to do a really good job of the communication in and out of the huddle so we have as much time as possible on the play clock to make adjustments, which obviously starts first with me (getting) the play call in fast. I think also always understanding how to go through every single call the day before, the nights before, leading up to a game so we have some answers if the defense gives you some different wrinkles when it comes to playing man coverage, when it comes to having some pressures, when it comes to some of the empty stuff and they try to overload us and make us hot. But, I think he’s continued progressing well. Again, he’s a super confident dude, which I love about him, and we’ll continue to keep battling … “I think it’s more about just understanding of trusting the reads, trusting the throws, which he’s done for the most part and contrary to popular belief, he’s still making some tight window throws and taking some calculated risks. So, to me, it’s more about that.” Brown has tried to sprinkle some creativity into the offense. He used wide receiver DJ Moore as a running back on a few occasions. Moore had three rushing attempts for 24 yards, the most rushing attempts and third-most rushing yards of his NFL career. Understandably, the goal is to get the ball in Moore’s hands more. His 11 touches against Minnesota this past Monday marks the most touches Moore has had in a game all season. “I’ve been trying to find multiple ways to get him the ball out in space, make guys have to go tackle him,” Brown said. “Trying to find different wrinkles to be creative, give a defense different looks, and also try to find different ways to use him in motion.” Going into the final three games of the season, Chicago has no shot at the playoffs. However, a win would help to restore some dignity as the Bears have been on a horrific downturn ever since the hail-mary loss against the Washington Commanders back in October. For Brown, the goal is the same as always - focusing on winning a football game. “The focus every week is trying to find ways to put the best roster together and have the best schemes in all three phases and find ways to be productive and win football games,” Brown said.
