Chicago Bears Training Camp Notebook Day 2: Caleb Williams has an up and down day, Tyrique Stevenson makes a highlight play

LAKE FOREST — The Chicago Bears finished their second practice of training camp on Sunday. Like the first practice, it was without shoulder pads and was just over an hour.

Here are all of my notes from the 7-on-7 and team portions of practice and also my observations and analysis of Caleb Williams‘ day.

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7-on-7s

• Williams started the period with a completion to D’Andre Swift on a short stop route on the right side of the field.
• On the next play, Williams attemtped to hit Tyler Scott down the right sideline, but the pass sailed out of bounds. Jaquan Brisker was over the top on the play and was in good position to contest the pass if the ball was catchable.
• Williams’ third pass went to Cole Kmet on an inbreaking route. As Kmet caught the ball, Tremaine Edmunds came up limping after he dropped into coverage towards Kmet. Edmunds came off the field and started stretching with one of the trainers. The Bears’ linebacker did some simple knee bends and began backpedaling before he eventually returned to the field.
• Williams’ best throw of the day came on his fourth attempt. Scott ran an over route towards the left sideline and Kyler Gordon was in coverage. Williams led Scott on the deep pass attempt and the second-year wide made the reception as Gordon brought him down to the ground.
• To complete the 7-on-7 session, Williams completed a pass to wide receiver Freedie Swain on a short route over the middle of the field.

Team Period

• Williams completed his first attempt in 11-on-11s to Keenan Allen on a short pass to the left flat. The ball was slightly behind Allen as he was heading towards the sideline, but the veteran receiver was still able to make the reception.
• Williams’ second attempt went to Kmet for a short gain in the left flat. Edmunds was right there to contest the pass and both players went to the ground on the rep.
• The following play resulted in a false start. Matt Eberflus was behind the offense and threw an imaginary flag on the play.
• On the next play, Williams hit DJ Moore for a minimal gain in the left flat.
• Williams then threw a sidearm pass to Moore on the right side of the formation. On the screen play to Moore, it showcased how snappy and quick Williams can get the ball out of his hands.
• The last pass in this team period ended with an incomplete pass to Khalil Herbert.

• The second 11-on-11 session started with Williams completing a pass to Allen on an out route to the right side of the field.
• Williams then hit Herbert for a short gain in the middle of the field.
• The rookie quarterback then sailed a pass over Kmet’s head on his third pass attempt. Kmet was open in the middle fo the field, but Williams just missed high.
• The next play most likely would’ve ended in a sack, but Williams rolled out to his left after he didn’t throw the ball from the pocket. The rookie found wide receiver Collin Johnson near the left sideline. It’s worth noting that the defensive line held up after the play began to drag out.
• Williams then hit Roschon Johnson for a screen play that had a chance to be an explosive gain since the second-year running back had blockers in front of him.

Situational Team Period

The Bears offense started on their own 30-yard with 1:10 left in the first half. Williams and the offense had one timeout in a game tied at 0. Here is how it went for the first-team offense.

• The first pass fell incomplete on an attempt to Moore near the right sideline. Gordon had tight coverage on the play, and that didn’t give Williams any room to fit the ball to his receiver.
• Williams’ next pass was tipped by Gervon Dexter Sr. Williams tried to hit Allen on a slant over the middle of the field. Dexter has tipped a pass in each of the last two practices.
• On third down, Williams found Allen on the left side of the field that resulted in a first down.
• Williams then hit Johnson for a short gain in the middle of field, and followed that play up with another completion to Johnson for another short gain. The Bears then called timeout with 16.8 left on the clock.
• The offense were at the 49-yard line and had a second-and-2 situation. Williams attempted a sidearm pass to Moore. The ball was low and Moore slid to try and make the catch, but Tyrique Stevenson shadowed Moore with tight coverage and ended up intercepting Williams. The defensive players on the field and the sideline strarted to celebrate after the turnover.

Caleb Williams Observations

Williams’ second practice was more up and down compared to his first on Saturday.

Let’s start with the positives. Williams’ release is quick. That shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone, but you can see how fast Williams is able to get the ball out of his hands on those bubble screen plays to the perimeter. After he gets the snap, it’s almost automatic how quickly he can distribute the football to his playmakers. If you get a chance to go to camp, you will see it for yourself.

When Williams delivers a ball with accuracy, it’s fun to watch. The throw to Scott with Gordon in coverage is exactly the type of throw that would defeat an opposing defense on Sundays. The ball was put in a spot where only his receiver could get it. That’s going to allow offensive coordinator Shane Waldron to call the types of plays that he wants — knowing that his rookie quarterback can put the ball right on the money.

If Williams sees the defense is giving up the shorter completion, he is taking it. Through the first two practices there have definitely been far more shorter pass completion than long ones, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. As long as Williams is reading the defense properly and gaining positive yards, that should be viewed as a win to start camp.

The biggest negative from today was that Williams sailed some passes high in Sunday’s practice. The first attempt to Scott in 7-on-7s didn’t give the receiver a realistic opportunity to catch the ball. I remember that being an issue for Justin Fields throughout training camp. Misfires are going to happen, though, but throwing an inaccurate ball that still gives your playmaker an opportunity to make the catch would be the best way to get the most out of these training camp reps.

Williams also overshot Kmet on a crossing route in the middle of the field. I’m willing to bet if Williams attempted that throw 10 times, he would hit nine of them. Maybe something was off with his footwork, maybe he saw Kmet late, maybe he just missed.

Then there was the sidearm throw that Stevenson intercepted. The ball dipped on Williams, but Stevenson read that play like he was in the offensive huddle. Now, what led to Stevenson’s diagnosis of the play? Was it Moore’s route, the play itself, Williams eyes, who knows?

Overall, it was an up and down day for Williams, but still a day that the No. 1 overall pick could learn plenty from as he goes through training camp.

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