What I mean is they are able to be great QBs in the NFL, but then they are put in bad positions. Whether it be OCs that do no change what they do to fit the QB, or inadequate protection (Carr), or weapons that are just not very good. I think plenty of them are more than able to be good if not great QBs and just get messed up. Once your confidence goes, and you play scared, you might as well go home.
+1 And obviously there is an array of reasons why there is a failure to transition from college to the NFL, but I do believe that is one of them. And the damage can be irreparable sometimes. And I totally get it that a lot of fans don't buy into this. There is no way to really prove it or disprove it.
CW definitely has elite processing skils. Personally I think that is his best skill that he brings to the table here. He has other great attributes, but that mental processing is what the great ones have.
It really seems to be the difference maker between good and great.
One other thing I notice about college QBs when I watch these games. I routinely see the QBs make great plays that are bigtime throws - that simply are not going to happen in the NFL. Guys are sooooooooooo wide open, and you think to yourself how utterly rare that happens against pro defenses (unless it is a broken play or something like that). Or you see an OL that all game long provides the QB with outrageous time to take his time, look over the field and then pass. One positive about Caleb Williams is that he has had to work under a lot of pressure (bad OL) this past season, and he survived... they lost those games against the better defenses, but he has had to face a lot of pressure... it reminded me of the Bears OL woes. Give this guy a rock solid OL and I think he will do great things here. All the more reason for Poles to finally fix the OL. Not just fix part of it, but all of it. That is sooooo doable this off-season between the draft and FA.
Post by bearsinhouston on Feb 29, 2024 21:38:21 GMT -6
This is a really great article on Williams (kinda long). It is pretty balanced. In general, his throwing ability is off the charts per the article. Lots of good to say about him, but also bares some concerns - some of which were touched on such his being used to big money endorsements, and how he will prioritize his on field and off field activities. Of course, the big money comes when you are successful. If you chase the money too soon, you lose focus and don't become successful and eventually the money dries up. Same as in business. Do not go into business to make money. Go into business to provide the best product and service you can, and the money will be much greater. He is a young kid and is guided by his father on business matters. Almost without exception, that turns out to be a disaster. It usually is about making the most money you can. And that is the cart before the horse. To make the most money you can, you become the best.
This could be good or could be bad, but there are some big red flags despite his immense talent.
Here is an except
Williams must quickly establish a productive routine that helps him juggle his football responsibilities with off-the-field opportunities.
One AFC executive hopes Williams grasps the time commitment, stamina and focus required to play quarterback in the NFL at even a middle-tier level. That executive made an extreme suggestion that Williams steer away from all endorsements and commercial opportunities through his rookie year.
“Honestly, I need to know what this guy’s agenda is,” another source said. “I want to feel like he is most concerned with getting in the building to get better while letting that (outside opportunity) come to him in Year 2 and Year 3.
“At that position? With how much everyone has invested? I need this kid to be football first, personal brand second. I have to feel that out.”
That won’t be easy for a new-age prospect such as Williams, who already has done big-brand commercials and made a healthy amount of money from endorsements during college.
“You’ve got to make sure there’s a true leader in there,” former Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager and Sirius XM analyst Mark Dominik said. “And that your locker room is going to want to follow him because of what he can do. You want to have belief that his teammates will have that confidence in him and will end up playing better because he is going to raise their game as well.
Lots of good to say about him, but also bares some concerns - some of which were touched on such his being used to big money endorsements, and how he will prioritize his on field and off field activities.
I don't think that will be a problem with Williams and here is why I believe that. He seems like he has been a highly focused and disciplined guy (for years now) when it comes to his football career. In that respect he seems mature for a young man his age. He has been heavily exposed to the endorsement part of being a celebrity and still seemed to be a grinder. He is coming from a big city market too - Los Angeles - that has to have prepared him for the smaller stage in Chicago. I see this as a positive and not a negative. Because this won't be anything new to him in the NFL. He seems like he has been preparing for the NFL transition for years now... far better prepared than most college football players.
He also seems more motivated and driven to win, more than any guy I can think of, coming from college. This isn't some party kid. He really does seem to be driven to be a legend. Most guys coming into the NFL want to be successful at the pro level, obviously. But Williams seems to be setting his sights higher than the typical rookie... it's like his self-esteem is wrapped up in really being a Michael Jordan or Walter Payton level legend. Yeah, I can see him doing the State Farm commercials and stuff like Mahomes. But like Mahomes I don't think he will suffer for it. He's had huge national endorsement gigs already. Nothing new here.
"INDIANAPOLIS - Caleb Williams, the presumed No. 1 overall pick in April's NFL draft, is attending the NFL Combine without doing medical examinations with teams, multiple sources tell CBS Sports.
One league source believes Williams is the first combine invitee to attend the event after declining the medical exams, which are typically considered to be one of the most essential elements of the combine.
In accepting his invitation, Williams also did not sign off on having his medical records shared with all 32 teams, sources say."
"INDIANAPOLIS - Caleb Williams, the presumed No. 1 overall pick in April's NFL draft, is attending the NFL Combine without doing medical examinations with teams, multiple sources tell CBS Sports.
One league source believes Williams is the first combine invitee to attend the event after declining the medical exams, which are typically considered to be one of the most essential elements of the combine.
In accepting his invitation, Williams also did not sign off on having his medical records shared with all 32 teams, sources say."
Similarly, there is speculation his father is trying to circumvent the CBA. Do we really need this kind of drama if true?
Yet another Williams vs JF article. This focuses on what I believe to be the most important QB trait. Quick processing. The author believes Williams has it and JF does not.
I think Fields processes just fine...I think his issue is he won't throw to a receiver he doesn't trust unless they are clearly wide open. There's tons of examples of him throwing with anticipation this year to Moore and Kmet. He won't do it to anyone else though.