The buzz around Chicago Bears wide receiver Luther Burden has not stopped this offseason. However, new offensive coordinator Press Taylor wanted to make it clear that he also believes third-year receiver Rome Odunze needs more praise.
Taylor noted that Odunze looks better than ever, and the coaching staff is going out of their way to call plays that benefit him this year.
Chicago Bears OC Opens up on Rome Odunze
Taylor confirmed what Odunze told the media earlier this summer: that his quotes about his foot were taken out of context. Odunze does not look any slower and is not limited by anything lingering.
“If he hadn't said anything about his foot being different, I don't think you would have noticed,” said Taylor.
Taylor noted that he is faster and more explosive than before, but what he liked to see the most was his improvement in route detail.
“A little bit even more detail in his routes shows up, as we've gone,” added Taylor. “But that's to be expected; it's year two, he's heard all of the coaching points on this.”
Taylor is talking about this being his second season in the offense, not in the NFL. Odunze went from 734 yards in his rookie year to 661 in year two. However, that is due to injury. He went from 43 yards per game to 55 in his second year, under Ben Johnson.
Now, Taylor expects even more production. He noted that last year the team admittedly did not call the right plays to put Odunze in position to do what he is the best at. This year, they plan to run more of those concepts.
“We made it a point of emphasis to try to push the ball down the field on some contested go balls,” said Taylor. “That's obviously a strength of his; it's something we didn't feature as a coaching staff last year.”
So, Odunze has all of the makings for a breakout performer this year. He is fully healthy and looks explosive. He has a strong understanding of the offense and is doing what the coaches want. More than that, the coaches are rewarding him with more plays that benefit him.
It is easy to get excited about Burden and other second-year standout Colston Loveland. However, Odunze deserves some attention for himself as well. If the quotes of Taylor made their way around like the quotes on Burden, it could impact his fantasy stock in a similar manner.
| More Bears News and Rumors |
Add us as a preferred source on Google