| 12 December 2009
Just as important, if not even more important than Jamar Williams getting the start at WILL 'backer was 2008 1st round draft pick Chris Williams getting the start at LT. Williams' first start at LT is of fundamental interest because he represents the long term future of the O-Line. When you draft an LT in the first round you expect him to be there for the next 12-years and to anchor the line.
All discussions of success begin and end with the LT, PERIOD.
When it comes to the first round of the draft the scope of players being drafted is narrowing to a small group. The true value lies in finding your franchise QB, an elite pass rusher and the anchor of the O-Line the left tackle. That's where the true value in the draft lies is at those three primary positions.
So Williams lines up and gets his first start and his game breaks down as follows:
Bears' first possession, Running play Williams' defender takes a hard inside move and gets some penetration, the penetration however is going away from the running play so Williams simply steps in and seals him off with a block as the runner goes to the outside. This type of block happens a lot because a blocker simply lets the defender make the wrong decision and then just guides him through his mistake. Grade C
Next play Williams gets a decent block and shove on the defender on this running play. The back is able to cut off the block and get up field, but promptly fumbles the football away. Grade C
Bears' second possession:
First pass play of the game, Williams initially doesn't have a rusher lined up over him in pass protection, then the DT comes off the guard in the middle of his pass rush and then bull rushes Williams. Williams is pushed back pretty easily on this bull rush. He's struggled mightily on bull rushes throughout most of the season and this time he's pushed back a few steps. Grade D
Quick down the side line pass, no rush ever really develops so no real block is thrown. Grade Incomplete
Williams with not much of a block here, sort of a help in the pocket protection block because no one is lined up over him so there is no one to block. Just help out one of your line mates in the trenches. Grade Inc.
Next block is a running play down on the goal line....Williams attempts one of those get low cut blocks that so often happen down on the goal line so that the back can go over the top. He misses his block falls to his knees but tries to stick with the play by blocking a guy from his knees. He sorta does get a block from his knees, but it's insignificant really. Grade D.
No real block from Williams on the second play down on the goal line, just a lunge at the legs as most of the defenders just push them off to the ground. Grade D
Finally Williams sticks with more of a straight up man on man block and gets enough of a push that Forte is able to bull into the end zone for the touchdown. Grade C
Bears' third possession:
The alignment of the Rams' defense to this point in the game has been to have Chris Long out wide and the TE on the Bears has mostly been the one to block Long. Williams hasn't really blocked anyone straight up throughout most of the game. I wonder if this type of alignment will keep up the entire scope of the game, because if it does it really lessens the success that Williams allegedly had in this game. It's easy to just chip in on a block every now and then and not face a defender man to man. Grade Inc.
Double team block on Long, Williams does his job on the double team, it's just average. Grade C
Next rush is a one on one match up between Long and Williams, Long makes a quick inside hitch move but then goes speed rush hard to the outside and beats Williams. Long almost gets a hand on Cutler as he's releasing the ball, but the pass is complete. (the slow motion replay on this block really shows how Williams is very top heavy on his set. He's almost leaning forward because he's set out so far out in front of his feet poor technique on his weight distribution with his head out in front of his feet) Grade D.This next play if Williams' best block of the day as he engages the DE but then quickly peels off to pick up the blitzing LB off the edge. This is a very smart play on the part of Williams the way he gets his off the block to quickly step out to get the LB. Grade B
Rams back to the same old alignment of having the DE out wide over the TE on Williams' side. Williams has near constant help from the TE or no one to block at all. It's really masking any flaws we might otherwise see in his game today. Grade Inc.
Over load set by the Rams on the Bears' left side of the line as they try to attack Williams and the TE with more defenders than they can block. They have some minor success picking up most of the over load rush, but there is still a collapse in the pocket to that side. grade C
Long with a bull rush gets hard into Williams and drives him back again and nearly into Cutler grade D.
Bears' next possession:
Williams gets a good push on a run block and the ball carrier gets good yards on first and 10. Grade C
G-Power away from Williams' side of the ball Williams just a lock out block nothing special. Grade C
Double team block by Omiyale and Williams a regularly executed block. Grade C
Bears' next possession on offense:
Pass block set Williams gets a good set and block on the defender. Grade C
Bears run the ball Williams with another good set and a decent lock out block on the play. He gets a push down the field. Grade C
A quick pass, a quick pass block no real rush ever on this play. Grade Inc.
Bears' second full possession of the second half:
Average run block by Williams on this play nothing to talk about really Grade C.
Williams gets to the second level well on this run block and gets an initial punch on the defender but is unable to finish the block Grade D.
Williams with not much of a block as Long pursues down the line on the roll out. Williams doesn't really keep pace with his rush hard to the inside. Grade D
Bears' third possession of the second half
Bears try to run a screen but they don't even sell the screen. There is no partial block, there is no block to try and fake like they are trying to pass block and then release to allow the screen. Oh no it's a flat out sell out to the defense that essentially says: HEY GUYS WE'RE SETTING UP A SCREEN HERE!...OVER THIS WAY THE SCREEN WILL BE HERE AND I'M OUT BLOCKING IN FRONT AND CUTLER IS TRYING TO GET THE BALL TO FORTE!.
Essentially they couldn't have sold it any worse, they all but sat the Rams down and drew up the screen and told they were running that play on that down. Disgusting level of execution on the part of the linemen and the Bears. GRADE F...AN EMPHATIC FAILURE HERE.
A draw play Williams doesn't even really get a good pass block set here to sell it. Grade D
End of the first half
Bears' first offensive possession of the second half:
Bears try an end around to Hester, absolutely pathetic execution here on all accounts. Mostly on Williams' account though as he completely misses the block on the OLB and anyone else that is defending the play. A complete missed block on Williams' part nothing at all really made the difference. Grade F.Rams again line up with the DE over the TE and the Olsen makes a better block in pass protection and Williams never even really has to help out or chip in on a block. Grade Inc.
Williams is flat out beat on a pass rush here. Long just rips past him like he's not even there. Grade F.
Bears' next possesion on the second half:
Average block here on the run by Chris Williams. Gets a turn on the DE but it's just an average block nothing special. Grade C.
Williams again doesn't really get a block or a push...he just sort gets out there and mirrors the defender as the defender runs away from him. Grade D.
The Bears aren't running much to Williams' side in this game and it wasn't picked up by any of the people who gave Williams praise for his effort at LT. Williams didn't do anything wrong much in this game, but he was never in a position to do any wrong or for that matter RIGHT. He wasn't really ever challenged nor was he called upon to contribute.
On this play the ball goes away from his side so he only has to get a lock out block on the defender. There is no real drive, no real push or pop, just a stand up engage and keep the defender at bay. Grade C.
The next play is a pass and Williams gets beat, but the ball is out quickly so it's never really noticed. Williams gets stood up and then the defender swims by him without much effort. Grade D.
Williams misses his blocking assignment here and just flails around trying to slow down defenders as he runs up the field. Grade D.
This is a better block, a combo block by Williams and Kellen Davis and Williams gets up and out onto the LB. Grade C.
Outside move by the defender Williams pushes him out of the play nothing special Grade C.
A run to Williams' side goes no where as he gets stood up and then thrown to the side. Grade F.
Bears drop back to pass and Williams totally blows his blocking assignment, he lets the rusher go right by him, but rather than try to make an effort to get to the rusher he ignores him and let's him head on towards Cutler. He tries to cover up his mistake by blocking the next guy he sees in pass protection. The 'back steps up and cuts the missed rusher to slow him down, but the pressure on Cutler is still there.
There is no hiding the fact that he misses this assignment and then tries to hide the fact that he missed it. He sees the rusher goes by and then makes the decision to go to the next guy who is blocked by Omiyale. Pathetic absolutely pathetic....Grade F.
Run play here, Williams gets stood up, out leveraged, out worked and thrown back he completely is defeated on this block. Grade D.
One of Williams better blocks of the game here he gets a minor pancake on this short yardage situation down near the goal line. If he had only blocked the rest of the game like he did on this play I might actually be complimentary of his performance today. Grade B
Another decent block here on first and goal for Williams. He works his man to the inside with a good leverage win. Grade B.
Williams and Omiyale double team the DT on this play and drive him back into the end-zone for the pancake. Grade B.
Decent punch on the pass rush as he neutralizes the rusher on this play. Grade C.
Bears' next possession starts on the last play of the third quarter with 10 seconds left.
Double team block between Williams and Omiyale on the DT. Grade C.
Beginning of the fourth quarter Bears' drive continues.
Pass block Williams against Long, Williams does well but then gets a lot of help on a big chip block from Forte. Bears have been giving Williams a lot of help today with TE on his side, double team blocks from Omiyale...very rarely has he been in one on one situations. Those he has been in were rarely wins for him. Grade C.Williams misses another assignment and in turn blocks NO ONE Grade F.
Decent turn and seal to the inside block on this run play here for Williams. Grade C.
Complete lack of effort on this play...Williams just sort of goes through the motions here. The D-Linemen has the advantage the entire time then finds his leverage and then just throws Williams to the side.
Average set on the pass block here by Williams, no real rush or counter move by the rusher. grade C.
Bears' next drive of the fourth quarter here:
Williams gets a good combo block and then quickly accelerates to the next level to get onto the linebacker. This is one of Williams' better blocks of the game here, it really springs loose the ball carrier. His combo block sets the POA for the play and then his block to the second level springs the hole loose. Grade B.
Williams does a decent job on this kick out block on Long here. He stands him up and wins the battle at the point of attack. The slow motion instant replay really shows how well this block was for Williams, he gets his hands up into Long's body and wins the drive battle. This is how every block for Williams should go. Grade C.
Williams doesn't get a good block on this play, he sorta hits the defender blocks him somewhat then jumps to the next level to get a 'backer. He misses this block for a poor series on this play. Grade D.
Pass block help from Davis the TE on this play. Davis wins this pass block leaving Williams with no one to block. Grade of a B for Davis for winning this blocking battle.....Grade Inc for Williams.
Bears' final possession of the game without any QB kneel downs.
Williams with a stand off block...he battles hard with the defenders' hands in his face. He gets a good push for the most part on this play and wins the battle. Grade C.
No defender lined up on Williams...he gets a double team block helping out Omiyale. Grade C.
In the last play of the game without a knees down Williams gets hands in his face and he holds his ground on this running play. The Bears are essentially trying to eat up clock here. Grade C.
GAME OVER FINAL ANALYSIS:
Chris Williams didn't seem to fair much better on the left side than the right side. He had a lot of help the entire game from the TE or the alignment had him blocking no one allowing him to help out with Frank Omiyale. Kellen Davis had a good blocking game, even Greg Olsen contributed to blocking a couple times.
Overall this game wasn't a big success for Williams, his debut on the left side was a completely uneventful. There was nothing to get excited over, nothing to point to and say hey he's better on the left side than the right side. He did this right he did that right nothing.
Williams' play left a lot to be desired, too many incomplete situations for him, and too much help from the TEs and double team blocks with Omiyale. The Bears didn't run behind him very much so you don't really get a feel for how good of a blocker he is.
Uninspiring dull, boring whatever you want to call it, Williams never did anything that made me feel giddy about his presence on the left side. His best block happened in the first quarter when he picked up the blitzing linebacker off the edge after he had already engaged the DE on a double team block.
This block was a smart move because it showed his athleticism and his footwork and ability to catch speed on the late block to the outside. I think there was a lot of evidence that his short arms could be a hindrance to his game because he didn't get a lot of punch or get his hands on the defender a lot before that defender had his hands on him. You have to win the battle of hands in the trenches. This battle is key because whomever typically has hands on first controls the action. Williams still gets beat pretty handily when he's bull rushed another sure sign he's losing the battle of hands because the defender can get his hands in place and into Williams and drive him back into the backfield.
Yes Williams should stay at the left tackle starting spot, and yes his performance was probably better than some of the performances we've seen from Orlando Pace this year.
Thankfully the talk is Williams will remain the starter at the LT spot this Sunday against Green Bay. Williams has good athleticism and foot work, he's not going to be beaten on speed to the outside. His technique and strength are major questions however. He doesn't possess that nasty streak which was the knock on him coming out of college. He's not a brawler, he's not going to over power anyone.
It boils down to Williams remaining the starter for the next three games this season, facing some of the premiere pass rushers in the league (Jared Allen and Terrell Suggs) and two teams that run the 3-4 defense. The Bears will get the best measure of Williams' potential when he faced off with Jared Allen.
My guess is though the Bears will do a lot to help Williams out and won't leave him in a one on one situation with Allen. Williams will get TE help, and help from Forte with chip blocks I'm certain.
Later at the end of the season I'll provide a full evaluation of how Chris Williams fared between LT and RT in 2009.
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