Thread: Bears were close to obtaining OT Ryan Harris

Originally Posted by WindyCity

1. Anyone who has started in the NFL would be our best offensive lineman. Our line is terrible and Harris could start at any position and not perform as poorly.

2. Harris is known for his feet and pass protection and at 6'5" 300lbs. he has the look of a solid pass blocking OT. The only reason he is not playing LT in Denver is because in 2008 Ryan Clady fell to them and they drafted him.

3. What is our system? We are a pass first team that does not have athletic pass protectors which is a major problem. Everyone wants to talk about us being a power team, but we are a passing team. The most important thing for our OL talent is that they are athletic and can pass protect.

This is why I do not believe that Carimi can play LT in our system because yes he is big and he is physical, but he is not an elite pass protector.

Look Windy, we'll never get to the end of this so we'll just have to agree that we have different opinions of Harris.

Since I live in Denver I've seen almost every Bronco game televised during the past three years where Harris was a starter. I agree with you that he is a good pass blocker but that's about it. As an OT he's incomplete because he doesn't run block well. He was drafted by Shanny because he fit his profile for an OT in that system but when his lack of size proved to be a detriment in the running game as well as at LT the Broncos decided they needed more size and drafted Clady. Not because he fell to them but because they were after an OT in that draft and so were the Bears. The Bears wanted Clady but the Broncos picked in front of him and we had to settle for Williams who while not Clady's equal is not a complete bust in my mind.

We're not a pass first team and Martz came to realize that earlier in the season. Lovie has always emphasized a balanced attack that featured the run not the pass and every time Martz strays from that we get in trouble. I'm not saying that we couldn't find a spot for Harris, we could, but I also think that for the money we could do better.

As for Carimi once again I'd say you're off target. He may not be the most elite pass blocker in the draft, that spot belongs to Solder, but I'd say that he may be the most complete OT in the draft. He's a dominant run blocker who also has great pass blocking abilities and he's played LT all 4 years of his college career with a very good football team. The only dig against him that I've found is that he may experience some difficulties against really good speed rushers ala Dwight Freeney and the like. But who doesn't? Despite that he gives us the combination of run/pass blocking skills we need and he also provides flexibility at RT in the event that either Webb or Williams proves to be the better LT.

If the Bears signed Harris I wouldn't complain but I just think that for the money you're talking about we could do better. If were gonna pop big money for a FA lineman to me it should be an OG followed by a WR like Malcom Floyd.