Offensive line a priority for Bears

**dabears54** · 03-09-2011, 06:24 AM

Offensive line a priority for Bears

By Brad Biggs

Ninth in a 10-part series.

The Chicago Bears went from having five offensive linemen start all 16 games in 2008 to three in 2009 to two this past season.
Now, the real rebuilding begins for line coach Mike Tice. The Bears figure to likely bring in a veteran and also use a first- or second-round draft pick on a prospect.

First, they have to determine what to do with the team's most prominent unrestricted free agent - veteran center Olin Kreutz, who has started 134 consecutive regular-season games. Sources said the Bears plan to bring Kreutz back, but nothing can happen until the NFL's labor situation is resolved.

Kreutz not only started every game, he didn't miss an offensive play. Here is a breakdown of the playing time on the offensive line from the season:
Olin Kreutz 980 snaps, 100 percent
Frank Omiyale 980, 100 percent
Roberto Garza 854, 87.1 percent
J'Marcus Webb 778, 79.4 percent
Chris Williams 760, 77.6 percent
Lance Louis 263, 26.8 percent
Edwin Williams 164, 16.7 percent
Kevin Shaffer 132, 13.5 percent
Johan Asiata 5, 0.5 percent
Herman Johnson 0, 0.0 percent

How Tice shuffles this unit depends largely on what kind of help the team can find. Coaches and management alike complimented Roberto Garza for his work at right guard after he returned from surgery to repair a torn meniscus, an injury he played on for 2 ½ games.

There does not seem to be a consensus where 2008 first-round draft pick Chris Williams will fit. He was viewed as the left tackle of the future going into last season, but now he's spent more time at left guard than protecting the quarterback's blind side on the edge. It was telling that general manager Jerry Angelo said he didn't have a preference where Williams lines up in 2011, and truthfully he doesn't have a starting job nailed down at this point.

J'Marucs Webb remains a developmental project for Tice, and he's got plenty of experience under his belt after 12 starts and 778 snaps. Tice has a track record of finding late-round and undrafted players and turning them into solid rank-and-file contributors.

All of the shuffling Tice was forced to do led the team to have eight players get at least 132 snaps. Veteran tackle Kevin Shaffer had that amount. Tice praised him but the Bears released Shaffer. It's expected Shaffer will land somewhere as a steady and experienced reserve. Instead the Bears likely will look to find a younger player in the swing tackle role

Lance Louis and Edwin Williams are second-year players who got some experience. Both were sidelined by minor injuries, though, and it could be that made Tice hesitant to return to them. Whatever the case, this offseason will be crucial to both because they're not so young anymore that the team will count on them as developmental players. They have to show significant progress or it will be time to cut bait, something the team has been too slow to do at times in the past.

**dabears54** · 03-09-2011, 07:50 AM

This is the biggest reason from a Bear's perspective want the CBA done this week or soon. The O-line questions so important and w/o knowing who we can grab in F/A at what price, going to make the draft that much more difficult- have to find at least 2 positions and IMo F/A the way to go with a very strong F/A class, esp at Guard

**soulman** · 03-09-2011, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by dabears54

This is the biggest reason from a Bear's perspective want the CBA done this week or soon. The O-line questions so important and w/o knowing who we can grab in F/A at what price, going to make the draft that much more difficult- have to find at least 2 positions and IMo F/A the way to go with a very strong F/A class, esp at Guard

And that's exactly why we shouldn't be looking for an OG early in the draft. When there are so many good young established players in FA why would you want to chance it on an unkown quantity? For instance, will Mike Pouncey be the equal of his brother or will he become a disappointment to someone who picks him in the first? Will he end up at OG or C? We aleady have a guy we drafted to be a LT and he's seemingly played almost everywhere but there.

It wouldn't break my heart to see us grab two OG's in FA and another in the mid rounds of the draft who also specs out as a Center. As for a LT I think you draft those guys and develop them rather than sign them in FA. LT's are in such huge demand you have to ask why any team would let loose of a good one for nothing. We thought we had a stop gap solution in Pace and instead we got nothing from him. With that in mind are there any LT's in FA who would be worth trusting Cutler's blind side to any more than CWill or a first round pick?

**dabears54** · 03-09-2011, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by soulman

And that's exactly why we shouldn't be looking for an OG early in the draft. When there are so many good young established players in FA why would you want to chance it on an unkown quantity? For instance, will Mike Pouncey be the equal of his brother or will he become a disappointment to someone who picks him in the first? Will he end up at OG or C? We aleady have a guy we drafted to be a LT and he's seemingly played almost everywhere but there.

It wouldn't break my heart to see us grab two OG's in FA and another in the mid rounds of the draft who also specs out as a Center. As for a LT I think you draft those guys and develop them rather than sign them in FA. LT's are in such huge demand you have to ask why any team would let loose of a good one for nothing. We thought we had a stop gap solution in Pace and instead we got nothing from him. With that in mind are there any LT's in FA who would be worth trusting Cutler's blind side to any more than CWill or a first round pick?

Def. Clabo and maybe gaither(despite wart), but agree would rather go Draft and save the $$$ from a F/A LT and and get 2 OG's instead in F/A.. The nervousness comes if no F/A and sphintcter tightning time to draft and 'hope" can nab whoever you like in F/A,, that is much more of a gamble and will lead to months of whining, dispair and the usual general "sky is falling" around here, that it will not be addressed, even if it is at a later date when F/a does open

**soulman** · 03-09-2011, 11:07 AM

I thought Clabo was a RT? No?

**dabears54** · 03-09-2011, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by soulman

I thought Clabo was a RT? No?

he is the right tackle for atlanta, but IMo like joh tait has the size/skill to also ply left side..he played LG and LT at wake forrest so is familair with the left side and made all acc.. at 6'6" 330 has the size for LT also..

**dabears54** · 03-09-2011, 11:33 AM

interesting commet from suh:

Lions' Suh: Bears' O-line needs to get younger

March 9, 2011 10:32 AM | 4 Comments

The Detroit Free Press reports: Detroit Lions defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh gave the Chicago Bears some bulletin-board material when discussing their offensive line in an NFL Network interview.

"I think they have a good offensive line, but it's a matter that they're definitely trying to get over the hill, and they're getting there," Suh said Monday. "It's great guys, but they need some younger guys that can step in, and they started to move toward that a little bit in the guard position when we played against them the second time this year, and I think they made the right decision in doing that. But I think that's one of their big things they need to improve."

Get the full story: Freep.com

============

BTW is that actual PROPS for chris williams?? oh the horror!..lol

**soulman** · 03-09-2011, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by dabears54

he is the right tackle for atlanta, but IMo like joh tait has the size/skill to also ply left side..he played LG and LT at wake forrest so is familair with the left side and made all acc.. at 6'6" 330 has the size for LT also..

Hmmmm, but no NFL experience at LT. Well I guess no one in the draft has either so anybody we take will have the same question, "can he play LT in the NFL, attached. How do you see him cost wise vs drafting an OT in the first?

I'd love it if we could solve our LT problem and at least one OG spot in FA. The more I think about it the more I believe we should get a 3t DT with that first pick. You don't find many of those guys reaching FA and when they do they're $$$$$$.

1st pick = DT, 2nd pick = Oline, 3rd pick = LB/CB. Sound about right?

**dabears54** · 03-09-2011, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by soulman

Hmmmm, but no NFL experience at LT. Well I guess no one in the draft has either so anybody we take will have the same question, "can he play LT in the NFL, attached. How do you see him cost wise vs drafting an OT in the first?

I'd love it if we could solve our LT problem and at least one OG spot in FA. The more I think about it the more I believe we should get a 3t DT with that first pick. You don't find many of those guys reaching FA and when they do they're $$$$$$.

1st pick = DT, 2nd pick = Oline, 3rd pick = LB/CB. Sound about right?

haven;t looked so no sure if on bronco's or Giants or in NFL europe where Clabo played? if always a right tackle or if any of them had at left tackle.

And agree esp this year with so many young good Olineman F/A's, be Nice to solve with proven NFL guys, esp when no real good 3 DT's in F/A,, and go after a "3' in the first and OG in 2nd, would make mor sense and be moe balanced.. my guess on Clabo is $40 mill 5 years

**The Benjamin** · 03-09-2011, 11:54 AM

Sorry DB, didn't see Suh mention Chris Williams at all

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