Cubs News: Moore on Williams: "You can see the leadership" |
CHICAGO - Sometimes, seasoned veterans do not come to the voluntary practices such as the organized team activities (OTAs) in May. However, wide receiver DJ Moore is not one of those kinds of players. In addition to the $200,000 workout bonus Moore receives, he is also developing chemistry with Chicago’s new quarterback, rookie Caleb Williams. While Williams has not been performing the best, his natural ability is already showing itself.
“With him, you got to know that growing pains (are) going to be there. For a rookie … , you got a lot to learn and lot to accomplish in such a short amount of time,” Williams said. “You can see the natural leadership is there, the natural arm talent is there. Everything about him it’s just always a positive thing and even when he has a bad play, he’s looking to learn real fast right after and that’s all you can ask of him, for him to quickly forget but also learn at the same time.” Williams, receiver Rome Odunze, receiver Keenan Allen and Moore have been active going to sporting events in the Chicago area and developing their off the field chemistry. While Odunze has not been able to fully participate in the OTAs. Allen also is not at OTAs for family reasons. So, Moore is the top receiver in practice right now, further allowing him to develop that chemistry and bond with Williams. “You got to get the connection down with Caleb and with everybody, the whole room,” Moore said. “The whole offense just want to be around each other and build that bond and relationships that we had last year and forming with new people.” Chicago has a plethora of playmakers on their offense - Moore, Allen, Odunze, tight ends Cole Kmet and Gerald Everett as well as running back D’Andre Swift. With so much talent, Moore maintained he believes it will be a race to 1,000 yards on the offense. “I didn’t know (Odunze) was that fast until I (saw) him in person and how smooth he was. So, I’m just looking forward to him being out there,” Moore said. “You got endless playmakers in there. Like I said, it’s probably going to be a race to 1,000. I don’t know who’s going to get there first, but it’s going to be interesting.” Another key offseason addition for Chicago’s offense is offensive coordinator Shane Waldron. While it was former offensive coordinator Luke Getsy’s first time calling plays when he became the offensive coordinator of the Chicago Bears, Waldron has experience calling plays and has firmly developed his scheme. While the system is complex, Moore enjoys playing in it. “I love it. Everybody can touch the ball,” Moore said. It’s complex, but you know it’s going to be detailed and what you got to do. So, you really got to study.” The voluntary OTAs will continue on May 28, 29 and 31 before mandatory practices start on Tuesday June 4. Those practices will provide the best insight into how Chicago’s offense is coming together. For the wide receivers specifically, it could provide some insight into who the No. 1 receiver is as that is currently unclear with both Allen and Moore in the receiver room. Odunze will most likely be the No. 3 receiver behind them.
