I can only imagine that Angelo chewed Chris Williams out behind closed doors, but in any case, here's Williams' response a day later:
CAN YOU REMARK ON THE COMMENTS MADE SUNDAY?
I mean, there's no comments to be made, any more comments about medical stuff. If you want medical information, you have to talk to Tim or Coach Smith or Mr. Angelo. I'm in rehab now, I've had surgery and I'm getting better.
WERE YOU EVER ASKED BEFORE SUNDAY ABOUT A HERNIATED DISC?
Like I said, I'm not talking about medical stuff anymore. It's just a waste of everybody's time in general. We're playing the Colts in two weeks, we've got the Browns this week and that's what we're focused on as a team.
ARE YOU SURPRISED AT HOW BIG OF A THING THIS HAS BECOME?
Yeah, I think people are digging for a story that isn't there and it's just a waste of everybody's time in general. We've got a season starting here soon and everybody's looking forward to that getting started. I'm looking forward to getting back and playing football again. Just ready to play.
HOW IS REHAB GOING?
I got my stitches out last Thursday, started rehab. Doing great, feeling great, just healing.
IS IT REALISTIC TO BE BACK THIS YEAR?
Very realistic. Very realistic. So look forward to seeing all you guys after we win a lot of games.
DO YOU HAVE A DATE FOR RETURN?
No.
IS IT FRUSTRATING TO ONLY TALK ABOUT THE INJURY?
It can be, but that's all it's been. I practiced two days and I didn't hit anybody, so there's nothing talk to about -- about medical stuff or practice. There's [74] other guys here, and those guys are working hard. I'm working hard, too, but I'm doing rehab.
DO YOU HAVE TO BE MENTALLY TOUGH?It's been a big test. I'm not used to sitting out, so it's been a big test. But it's something you learn from, and I've gotten better from it and I'll be a better player in the end. I'm getting a chance to learn some things.
WHAT THINGS?
You just learn kind of the tempo, what to expect on game day, how stuff changes on game day. Because as much film as you want to watch during the week, teams are going to throw extra stuff at you. So it's been good.
WLL YOU BE BACK ON FIELD THIS YEAR?
Yes. Yeah
My personal take:
1) Of course Chris Williams will be back this year! Jerry's gotta protect himself anyway he can now, so Williams will come back as soon as he can. Jerry doesn't talk during teleconferences with the head trainer every time a Bear goes down with an injury.
2) I can only imagine how pissed the Bears PR department is right now.
3) I'm really pissed at Angelo. I'm not saying that Williams is a bust, not at all. But Angelo doesn't have the best track record of first-round picks. Now that this has come out, I don't trust a single word that comes out of his mouth.