Brown on Williams: "He's not playing scared" |
CHICAGO—A few weeks ago, Thomas Brown faced the Minnesota Vikings as the Chicago Bears offensive coordinator. Now, this coming Monday (7 p.m. / ABC), he will face the Vikings as Chicago’s new head coach.
Brown has a history with Minnesota’s head coach, Kevin O’Connell. In 2020, Brown got his first job with an NFL team as the running backs coach of the Los Angeles Rams. That was also the same year O’Connell became the Rams' offensive coordinator. They were both on the coaching staff when Los Angeles won Super Bowl LVI in the 2021 season. This game will be the first time they face each other as head coaches. “It’s been no surprise having a chance to be with him for two years. We both came in together in 2020 when he was (the offensive) coordinator and I was a running backs coach and 2020 was a weird year in a number of different ways,” Brown said. “But, having a chance to watch his development, his growth but obviously going from 2020 to (2021) and his more involvement in the offense, not a surprise at all with where he is right now. But, I think just an understanding of how to communicate well with players, how to command a room in his own way but also the organization and activation of your best players.” Unlike the Bears, Minnesota is still in the hunt for the NFC North title as they are just one game behind the Detroit Lions. The Vikings have only lost two games this season and wide receiver Justin Jefferson is a large part of that. Jefferson has four 100-yard games this season and is second in the league in receiving yards through the first 13 games. However, his worst statistical performance came in his last game against the Bears a few weeks ago, when he was held to a season-low in receptions (two), yards (27), and catch percentage (40 percent). “He’s a problem. So, I don’t think anybody in this has a true answer to how to stop elite players … I think (an) understanding of owning those matchups, winning one-on-one battles but also the mix of coverage is going to be a big part when it comes to how to try to keep those guys off balance,” Brown said. “I think anytime you talk about the passing game, the more you can impact the front and affect the quarterback, that obviously negates what a receiver can do … I think understanding how to mix up coverages, also affect the quarterback, is going to be a big part of trying to slow him down. But, he’s a true problem.” The Justin Jefferson problem is twofold. First, Jefferson is playing at the level of a Hall of Famer, so he can easily take over a game. But containing him takes attention away from other playmakers, like receiver Jordan Addison, who exploded against Chicago with eight receptions for 162 yards and a touchdown, including a 69-yard reception that led to a Vikings field goal. Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams played incredibly well against Vikings’ defensive coordinator Brian Flores and his notoriously blitz-heavy defense. In his first time against them, Williams put up 340 passing yards for two touchdowns. He added 33 rushing yards. While Minnesota may lead the league in interceptions with 20, Williams did not throw a pick against them and has not thrown a pick in seven games. That is the longest streak without an interception of any rookie quarterback in NFL history. Brown attributes this to Williams playing aggressively while not being reckless with the football. “He’s not playing scared. So, he’s ripping some footballs in the tight windows. I think (that’s) probably even more impressive. He’s not sitting back there not taking opportunities or taking chances down the field,” Brown said. “We always talk about trying to find ways to be aggressive, not reckless. There's a fine difference between the two of them. But his progression when it comes to understanding the offense operation-wise, as well as just letting it rip, has been positive for us.”
