Tag Archives: Alan Williams

News

Bears OC Downplays Comparison of Justin Fields’ Comments

The Chicago Bears tried to get back on top of a news-heavy day on Wednesday with multiple figures speaking including general manager Ryan Poles and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.

Getsy’s offense has been a prominent topic. Both for quarterback Justin Fields’ comments and because Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David said after his defense knew what play was coming on Fields’ interception that Shaq Barrett returned for a touchdown.

Asked if Fields’ comments were in a similar vein as his comments after a Week 6 loss to the Washington Commanders last season, Getsy said the two instances are completely different. He also pointed to the task ahead.

“I don’t think it has anything similar to that at all,” Getsy said. “Justin is a passionate guy. He wants to win as much as anybody in this building. And, I think it’s just we’re on to the next step, we’re in a new phase, we’re in a new part of our partnership now than we were a year ago then, too. So, I feel really confident about what we have going.”

Bears OC in ‘New Phase’ With Justin Fields

Justin Fields Speaking Out Affects Change for Bears

The Bears fell versus the Commanders 12-7 at home on Thursday Night Football. After the game, Fields was asked how he motivates the team through amid their offensive woes.

His answer sparked the Bears’ offensive turnaround in the latter parts of the season.

“We always get told that we’re almost there, almost there,” Fields said last season. “Me, personally, I’m tired of being almost there. I’m tired of being just this close. Feel like I been hearing it for so long now. But at the end of the day all you can do is get back to work.”

The Bears still did not win, getting their next game against the New England Patriots before losing their final 10 contests. But they seemed to figure out how to use Fields. They went from averaging 15.5 points per game over those first six games to 21.1 points over their final 11 contests. That would have been the difference between being the NFL’s lowest-scoring offense and its 19th in 2022.

Even if there are no similarities in the eyes of Getsy, fans have to hope this sparks some positivity like last time.

GM Ryan Poles Backs Justin Fields, Coaching Staff After Chaotic Day

As is his job as general manager of the Bears, Poles also met with the media on Wednesday and presented a demeanor as calm as one could imagine in the face of such turmoil within the organization.

On top of the team’s slow start and various injuries on both sides of the ball, Fields voiced his frustrations about trying to fit his game into the instructions he’s been given leading to some overthinking, and the resignation of defensive coordinator Alan Williams stole headlines on the first practice of Week 3.

“First and foremost, to hit it straight on, we have adversity right now, “ Poles said. “Slow start, 0-2, not where you want to be.

“We’ve dealt with life issues, We’ve dealt with injuries and that’s all real.”

The Bears already had two starters – Kyler Gordon and Teven Jenkins – on injured reserve coming into Week 3. They placed left tackle Braxton Jones on the list with a neck ailment leaving arguably the most critical unit in flux.

“That’s a part of what we do, and what we gotta deal with,” Poles continued. “The beautiful thing about our philosophy here, our organization, is we’re solution-oriented. We work together to find these solutions and solve our problems to get everything back on track. … No one in our building is panicking. No one’s flinching at any situations.”

Poles re-iterated his faith in head coach Matt Eberflus as a leader and as a defensive play-caller.

He did not elaborate on Williams’ sudden resignation but did shoot down rumors of a raid.

News

Bears’ HC Avoids Notion Justin Fields Needed More Preseason Reps

In an eye-opening first press conference of the week, Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields offered a telling assessment of what has hindered his progress to this point in his third NFL season. His answer, while rooted in self-reflection and a renewed vow to get back to playing “his game”.

Asked whether or not they could have worked through the offense’s issues or Fields’ comfort within the offense in the preseason, Matt Eberflus says they are instead looking forward.

“I just think we’re in the present. We’re right here, right now. So I just think that we’re listening to the players, we’re getting feedback – like we always do,” Eberflus said ahead of Wednesday’s practice. “Like I said, we respect the partnership. That’s where it is right now and we’re going to focus on this Wednesday.”

Bears ‘In The Present’ on Lack of Preseason Reps for Justin Fields

Justin Fields: Bears Coaches ‘Could Be’ at Root of Early Struggles

Fields noted that he had voiced his concerns to his coaches and, while both sides declined to divulge the content of their discussion, they characterized it as “good”.

They also both acknowledged it’s on everyone to do a better job moving forward.

“My goal this week is to just say, ‘F it’ and just go out there and play football how I know how to play football,” Fields said, taking the podium before his head coach. “That includes thinking less and just going out there and playing off of instincts rather than just so much … info in my head, data in my head and literally going out there and playing football.”

Asked what the root for his hesitancy might have been, Fields offered up as clear of an answer as one could without throwing anyone under the bus.

Buccaneers ‘Knew’ Bears’ Play-Call on Justin Fields’ Interception

Fields noted that his internal clock needs to be faster in the pocket and that he wants more rhythm.

“Just going back to ‘it’s a game’ and that’s it,” Fields said. “Because that’s when I play my best, is when I’m just out there playing free and being myself. I’m gonna say just, kind of, bump all the ‘what I should do’, this and that, pocket stuff. I’m gonna go out there and be me.”

It was a very similar tone to the one he took following the team’s loss to the Washington Commanders in Week 7 of last season when he noted he was “tired of the offense getting close”, sparking an offensive turnaround.

Fields has completed 60.6% of his passes for 427 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. The yardage and completion percentage are both up from this time last season, though he has thrown one more interception and fumbled the ball three times compared to once in 2022.

His rushing attempts are down from 19 in 2022 to 13 this season. But he has roughly 14 more yards on those carries.

Bears OL Takes Big Blow

The Bears are still without starting left guard Teven Jenkins for another two weeks. But Eberflus announced on Wednesday that they will also be without left tackle Braxton Jones who was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury. Jones has struggled in the early going this season – just as the rest of the team has. But he was a pleasant surprise last season as a fifth-round rookie. He started every game at one of the most crucial positions.

Eberflus named third-year tackle Larry Borom and second-year guard Ja’Tyre Carter as possible replacements.

Fields and the Bears travel to Kansas City to face Chirs Jones, Patrick Mahomes, and the Chiefs in Week 3. They will do so without Alan Williams once again as his future remains nebulous.

Opinion

Bear Downs: 4 Things to Watch for vs Buccaneers in Week 2

The Chicago Bears are looking to bounce back in Week 2 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But they will have to overcome some late-developing hurdles to get a much-needed win before having to face the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs in Week 3.

Keep an eye on these four key situations that will have a significant impact on how this week versus Tampa turns out.

4 Bears Things to Watch for in Week 2 vs. Buccaneers

Injuries Piling Up

The Bears have dealt with injuries all offseason, just as most teams have. They got healthy in time for the season opener but have regressed with several players now dealing with ailments including two starters: Teven Jenkins who will be out for at least another two weeks after suffering a calf strain and Kyler Gordon who suffered a broken hand in the opener.

Gordon’s hand required surgery which he underwent this week.

Jenkins donned a boot immediately after suffering the injury that he has since shed and says that he is feeling “good”, though he and Gordon are on injured reserve. Cornerback Josh Blackwell is also out for this game.

That will push practice squad call-up Greg Stroman into the nickelback role on Sunday. But it’s not just injuries keeping key players and personnel out.

Matt Eberflus’ Playcalling

Defensive coordinator Alan Williams is away from the team for personal reasons with no timeline for return. His absences will leave play-calling duties to head coach Matt Eberflus who did so for four years with the Indianapolis Colts before coming to helm the Bears before last season.

Williams’ defense came under heavy fire for a lack of pressure on Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love in the opener.

It will be interesting to see how different Eberflus’ approach is from Williams’, if at all. The two were in Indianapolis together, and it’s hard to suggest that it’s Williams’ scheme any more than it is Eberflus’

The Buccaneers’ offensive line is not as strong as the Packers’.

Justin Fields’ Protection

Quarterback Justin Fields took four sacks in Week 1. After tying for the league lead in 2022, it was an inauspicious start for him and the offensive line. The Bears re-tooled the front five, shifting Jenking from the right side, moving Cody Whitehair back to center, and adding Nate Davis and Darnell Wright and right guard and right tackle, respectively.

However, Davis could miss Sunday’s contest as he deals with a death in the family, per Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune. The matter has led to his previous absences this preseason, per Courtney Cronin of ESPN.

Bears’ Braxton Jones ‘Super Confident’ Going Into Week 2

Chicago has utility interior lineman Dan Feeney on hand in the event Davis is out.

Still, with Jenkins – who was their best offensive lineman when healthy last season – already out, and their top offensive free agent in jeopardy of missing the game, too, it’s another challenge for the remaining linemen and Fields to overcome.

Chase Claypool’s Effort

Last week saw the re-emergence of negative narratives about wide receiver Chase Claypool after his lack of effort on several blocking plays was plainly visible during the game. He failed to catch either of his two targets on a day when the offense’s inability to sustain anything wasted a 10-point first-half effort by the defense.

Wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert assumed some responsibility for getting Claypool back on track.

And Fields noted he will be looking in Claypool and DJ Moore’s direction more often. But the Bears are still looking for a return on their hefty investment to land the talented pass-catcher from the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Perhaps an outing against a banged-up Bucs defense is the perfect remedy for this offense.

Prediction: Bears 24 Buccaneers 21

News

Bears DC Talks Game-Planning for Packers Playmakers

For as much talk as there has been about the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers entering a new chapter this season, many of the key pieces were around for its last chapter.

Two of those pieces are wide receivers Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson.

Both players battled injuries in practice this week. Watson has been ruled out while Doubs is questionable to suit up on Sunday. But Bears defensive coordinator Alan Williams spoke to the media after Thursday’s practice and spoke about the challenges both players present.

“They’re going to do things to help the quarterback out, which is get them the ball in space, they’re going to try to have good protection and get the ball deep down the field,” Williams said. “And then, they’ll try to throw some screens again to get the get the ball in their hands so that they can be athletes.”

Bears DC Alan Williams: Packers Will ‘Help the Quarterback Out’

Alan Williams to Bears: Tackle, Cover, Hit

The Packers could lean on their proven rushing attack with a banged-up wide receiver corps and an unproven quarterback under center in Jordan Love but the mission statement remains.

“We gotta tackle, we gotta cover, we gotta hit,” Williams said.

“They’re going to be fast, they’re going to stretch the field, they’re gonna be good after the catch, they’re gonna try to get the ball in their hands, and let them run,” Williams said.

Former Teammate Weighs In on Packers’ Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson

Williams was not the only one to weigh in on Doubs and Watson, with former Packers tight end Robert Tonyan also chiming in. Tonyan signed with the Bears in free agency after five seasons in Green Bay.

“They’re young, two talented guys,” Tonyan said. “Both fast. Both good athletes. I got to see both of them at different times – each of them was the starter when [the other was] hurt. So, to see them together, yeah, we’re going to see. We’re going to see that young offense. And I’m excited to kinda just see this matchup; their offense and our defense.”

The Bears spent heavily to revamp their defense this offseason, particularly the front seven.

“We got a lot of talented guys, and guys flying around. And I know a lot of those guys so it will just be fun to see.”

Robert Tonyan Gets Honest About Packers’ Defense

“They got good players,” Tonyan said. “They got a great D-line, they got great linebackers and DBs that make plays. So, [they‘ve] got good players, got a good defensive coordination in Joe Barry. So, I mean, they’re just well put together.

The Packers return seven of 11 starters from last season’s opener.

“Obviously, that’s where they put their money. … They’ve played a while together too so they’ve got good chemistry. So we’ll see how the whole game plays out.”