Caleb Williams is one dangerous day away from changing into the most-sacked NFL quarterback in a single season, ever.
The Bears’ rookie quarterback doesn’t need you accountable anybody however him.
“The silly connotation behind my offensive line being dangerous will not be the reality,” he mentioned. “I’ve taken a very good quantity of sacks which have been my fault.”
Williams used the phrase “silly” thrice after the Bears’ walk-through Wednesday, apologizing for his phrase alternative in defending his linemen. However he meant what he mentioned.
“I don’t misjudge phrases,” Williams mentioned.
He was clear that there was no different method to characterize those that blame his offensive line for the franchise- document 67 sacks he’s taken this season. That ranks fourth all-time and 9 beneath Texans rookie David Carr’s document of 76 taken in 2002.
As a substitute, Williams mentioned, he must be taught to be higher at getting the ball out of his proper hand. Per NFL NextGen Stats, 51 of Williams’ 67 sacks have come on dropbacks longer than 4 seconds. The following closest quarterback has 38. After being pressured, Williams has held the ball for 1.12 seconds, the second-longest common within the NFL.
“I’ve taken sacks, sure, and, you realize, a very good quantity have been on me,” he mentioned. “Whether or not it’s small issues of getting the ball out of my fingers and simply possibly dirting it, Possibly not looking for the proper route, excellent play, all of that for that state of affairs. Possibly, it’s simply throwing it out of bounds, dirting it, discovering the checkdown sooner after which the opposite one is simply not attempting to make performs on a regular basis and understanding that.”
Williams pointed to a first-and-10 play from the Seahawks’ 49-yard line late within the third quarter Thursday. The Bears had two gamers break up left and three break up proper when the Seahawks confirmed blitz on the line of scrimmage. Linebacker Tyrice Knight rushed between left guard Larry Borom and left guard Jake Curhan and threw him to the bottom.
Slightly than change the safety or the play, Williams took the snap. Slightly than throw the ball over the top of one among his receivers, Williams ran backward, pirouetted and was sacked for a lack of 14 yards. The Bears punted three performs later and by no means scored once more.
“Tried to make a play and took a sack as an alternative of, ‘OK, I tousled, didn’t make the flip or test, throw it out of bounds over the dude’s head, or over the new or checkdown’s head,’” Williams mentioned. ”Took a 14-yard sack on that one I believe it was, put us in a nasty state of affairs.”
That began with Williams failing to establish the blitzer on the line of scrimmage. Interim coach Thomas Brown listed his pre-snap consciousness when requested what duty his quarterback took within the spate of sacks.
“Pre-snap mechanics in the case of understanding potential stress threats,” interim head coach Thomas Brown mentioned. “Additionally a mastery of what occurs post-snap. Clearly, having the response of how they play it out coverage-wise, what pressures they create. But in addition understanding the place all of my fast component throws are if we’ve got a possibility for that. I believe at instances as nicely understanding how you can preserve correct pocket integrity. … And never run your self into a possible sack.”
Professional Soccer Focus blamed a selected Bears offensive lineman for simply one of many workforce’s seven sacks on Thursday. The remaining got here by holes with out a blocker, or on scrambles or damaged performs. Or, in a single occasion, Williams working out of bounds.
“I believe clearly when individuals simply see sacks, they’re simply fascinated by the offensive line on the whole,” Brown mentioned. “Which can be only a misunderstanding of how soccer works and never watching soccer video games.”
Nonetheless, the road graded out because the fourth-worst within the NFL, by way of pass-blocking, final week. That’s the identical grade rating PFF has given the offensive line as an entire — on runs and passes — this season. Accidents, beginning in coaching camp, have compelled the Bears to make use of seven totally different beginning lineups and 21 combos this season.
Williams holding the ball too lengthy and his linemen not holding blocks has made for a ugly mixture. Williams vowed to attempt to repair the previous this offseason — will probably be as much as basic supervisor Ryan Poles to work on the latter.
“Getting higher with throwing the ball out of bounds,” Williams mentioned. “There have been many instances the place my proper arm is free and I can chuck it out as an alternative of attempting to make a play. There’s been many instances the place a free man comes, and that occurs. Getting higher at not attempting to carry in there. I might even see area and attempt to rip a move as an alternative of simply discovering the checkdown.
“These are simply two examples of explanation why. However undoubtedly one thing to return on and replicate on and be taught and are available again — whether or not it’s this recreation or subsequent 12 months — and be higher at that.”
