Matt Eberflus on latest with Bears training camp |
LAKE FOREST, I.L. - With a completely revamped offense including a new offensive coordinator, new quarterback and new receivers, it would be expected that the offense would take a little more time to gel in training camp than the defense.
However, head coach Matt Eberflus stated the overall operation of the offense is already improving just in the few days of training camp that have taken place thus far. “In terms of the overall evaluation of that, I thought we were good. I thought (the) operation on offense was better. The pre-snap penalties were better. In and out of the huddle was better,” Eberflus said. “So, you could definitely see that the guys studied that the offense … But, the defense, I think, was really good because they’ve been together.” Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams had some problems with his cadence during organized training activities (OTAs). While that has not been perfected, his cadence has greatly improved. He is surrounded by playmakers, but one critical question on the offensive line remains —who will be the starting center? Determining the best offensive line for Williams is essential to ensure that he can maximize his potential, including in Chicago’s upcoming preseason game against the Houston Texans in the Hall of Fame game on Thurs. Aug. 1 (7 p.m./ABC) from Canton, Ohio. Eberflus has not yet decided if Williams will play in that game. “It’s hard for a quarterback to be successful if (he) has bad protection, doesn’t have a lot of skill to throw to, the team’s down in terms of the roster configuration at that particular time,” Eberflus said. “So, I just think it all plays in.” The Heisman-winning quarterback garnered a lot of attention back in college during his two seasons with University of Southern California. The media attention and interest quickly shifted to the Bears when Williams was drafted, in part because of the talent around him including fellow top-10 draft selection, All-American receiver Rome Odunze. Williams and Odunze are unquestionably part of the reason HBO’s Hard Knocks was interested in the Bears. This training camp will be the first time Chicago is featured on the show and so far, Eberflus says their presence is not really being noticed during training camp. “It’s been good. They’ve been out of the way, you can barely notice them. Players have talked to me about that. It’s been a lot less than we thought and that’s kind of how it was when I had (them) before in my career,” Eberflus said. “So, they do a really good job of just staying back, staying out of the way and getting their stuff they need and it’s been really good so far.” Chicago has a lot of personalities that will gain attention on Hard Knocks, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. They like to trash talk. However, they back up their talk with their play on the field. This includes cornerback Tyrique Stevenson, who is going into his second season after having four interceptions in his rookie campaign. “Development of those young players is key and I think it’s bigger than ever. I really do because the college game is good. But, (there’s) a lot of in-and-out. Guys are transferring. People are worried about how we’re coaching guys because they may transfer. So, you see that a little bit where the development piece of it for when we get our hands on them is going to be more important,” Eberflus said. “So, we got to have great teachers, great developers to be able to really enhance that skill set that we get from the college game and that’s what we did with (cornerback) Tyrique (Stevenson). Tyrique came in. His skill set was pretty good though. He had some good coaching. But, we really worked on him and he worked at it.” Cornerback Kyler Gordon is also an essential part of Chicago’s defense. He has missed some time in training camp with “tightness.” Pulling him out of training camp appears to be more of a precaution than anything. It is unclear what starters, including Williams, Odunze, Stevenson and Gordon, will be playing in the Hall of Fame game against the Texans, especially because Chicago will also be playing against Houston in the regular season in week two on Sunday Night Football, their first of five primetime games currently scheduled.
