Williams on cadence struggles, supportive teammates in Chicago |
CHICAGO - For a rookie, there are a lot of things to adjust to transitioning from college to the NFL. One element that is perhaps overlooked but essential to the game is the cadence of the quarterback.
Chicago’s mandatory minicamp highlighted the importance of cadence, as Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams is struggling with it. “It’s just finding the balance between it all, not being too loud on certain plays and things like that, not being voiced too low. So, just working, practice-wise, just working through it,” Williams said. “Obviously, in college, a lot of teams are clap cadence, and so, it’s been four years since I’ve been verbal. So, it’s just getting back to the verbal cadence is really what it is.” Between rookie minicamp, organized team activities (OTAs), and minicamp, Williams has had ample opportunity to start developing his verbal cadence and work on it. That may contribute to why Williams sees the cadence as something that improved during minicamp despite his struggles with it. “I’d say I feel that I’ve gotten better at the cadence,” Williams said. “I feel that progression-wise, going through all the reads, throwing a little bit better with anticipation, (getting) more reps with the wide receivers. That obviously helps. And so, with all the reps that we’ve been able to get and obtain, it’s been huge.” To be able to make these strides, a rookie quarterback needs support from the playmakers around him. Besides simply giving him talented playmakers like receivers Keenan Allen, DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, the Bears also ensured Williams was surrounded by supportive teammates who are helping him transition into the NFL and being an NFL quarterback. “That’s been the biggest part for me is the teammates and then obviously, when we get out there, the ebbs and flows of practice and things like that,” Eberflus said. “This whole process (is) just starting for me. Being the Bears’ QB is obviously new for me. So, they’re being graceful and encouraging. It’s been huge for me. That’s probably been the biggest thing for me.” Chemistry is a two-way street. Just as his teammates have been supportive of him, Williams has also been making purposeful efforts to develop chemistry with his teammates including going to multiple sporting events. In these environments, he has gotten a taste of Chicago sports fans, their loyalty to Chicago even when it is the most difficult, and how they will show up for the Bears come September. “I’m going to be a part of the community, be out there, enjoy, let everybody see (I’m) just another human. So, just being out there, enjoying being myself and being a part of the community, being out there and supporting them,” Williams said. “(The fans are) great. They’re always showing up whether it’s Sky, Sox, obviously Bears, the Cubs and things like that … Just showing up, showing out and they put on a show every single time.” Chicago will also host the Cincinnati Bengals for a joint practice on Thursday, Aug. 15, at 1 p.m., prior to their preseason game against Cincinnati on Saturday, Aug. 17 (Noon / FOX). That game is their only home preseason game before their season opener in Soldier Field against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 8 (Noon / FOX).
