Does Olin Kreutz Have the Upper Hand?........

**soulman** · 07-20-2011, 02:54 PM

Want it or not, Olin Kreutz has upper hand on Bears

Team needs to re-sign veteran center Brad Biggs

Print This Send ThisJuly 20, 2011, 10:48 AM EST
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The Chicago Bears got some business done at the end of last season when they extended the contracts of long snapper Pat Mannelly and defensive tackle Matt Toeania. But the team missed the mark when it didn’t attempt to lock up center Olin Kreutz for the future, making the 34-year-old a free agent when the new league year opens.

Problem? Potentially a big one. Mike Martz’s offense is a complicated one and the Bears have readily admitted they don’t have another player on the roster capable of playing the position. So, the team faces the possibility of cramming for the start of the new season as it tries to revamp the offensive line with rookie first-round pick Gabe Carimi while having a center who doesn’t know the scheme.

That’s a potentially huge problem. It’s one that’s set Kreutz, a six-time Pro Bowl performer, up with all the leverage. “I am not looking for an advantage, I am looking for a fair deal,'' Kreutz told David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune. "I am not looking for an upper hand, the Bears know that about me. But it has to be fair. Whatever the decision is up there, I respect it. I know what they do is hard. They have decisions to make just like anybody in a business. When they decide it's time to move on from me there will be no hard feelings.''

Kreutz was still working his way back from surgery to repair his Achilles tendon this time last year. Now, he feels great. Offensive line coach Mike Tice routinely praised him in 2010. But the front office didn’t budge to get a contract extension done. With one more start, Kreutz would tie Walter Payton for the most in franchise history.

“Everybody knows the way I feel about the Bears,'' Kreutz said. "I've chosen them many times. You hate to toot your own horn but I've left a lot of money on the table to be a Bear. The guys at Halas Hall have to decide what's best for the Bears. That's the decision they're going through this off-season and probably why I'm not signed yet.”

The Bears need to get him signed once the doors opened or they face even bigger problems on the line than they did a year ago.

Follow me on Twitter: @BradBiggs
Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune

**soulman** · 07-20-2011, 03:03 PM

Nice article by Biggsy. A couple of things about Olin Kruetz stick out to me other than the fact that he's been a helluva player for the Bear over the years. One is that although he does have them over a barrel due to not extending him before his contract expired he's not looking at that the way many guys would. The second is that he has left money on the table over the years to remain with the Bears. The Dolphins offered him considerably more than the Bears several years back but he turned them down to remain in Chicago.

I don't say this very often but there are guys that are true Bears and should have the opportunity to hang up their cleats like Bears. It hurt to see a guy like Steve McMichael playing out his last year in Green and Gold and I don't want to see that happen with Olin Kruetz.

We still need this guy in a big way so give him a good 2 year deal and let him retire as a Bears, will ya JA?

**motownbear** · 07-20-2011, 03:15 PM

if there is a better option in FA I say you take it. Otherwise we have no choice but to keep him and it looks like that is a case cause C FA look weak. He has us by the balls imo

**soulman** · 07-20-2011, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by motownbear

if there is a better option in FA I say you take it. Otherwise we have no choice but to keep him and it looks like that is a case cause C FA look weak. He has us by the balls imo

That's the point mo. I don't think there is and even if there's someone else who may be physically better there isn't anyone who can make the line calls in this offense like he can with maybe the exception of Garza and he hasn't played OC in like forever. From what his trainer says he's completely recovered from his Achilles surgery this year and has his strength back.

He wasn't 100% last year and we could all see that by the way he was pushed around and lacked the quickness to pick up rushers in pass protection. Bottom line is that he had a bad year but he's still the best option we've got right now. That OC spot is way too important to leave in the hands of someone else especially when we'll have at least two new guys and a second year OT on the line this year.

Re-signing shouldn't even be a question. Even if the price is steeper than what we'd like the guy has always taken less to stay with the Bears so bend some and reward him on his last deal for that loyalty.

**GrizzlyBear91** · 07-20-2011, 03:51 PM

If there's a better option in FA I say take him for the future but Give Kruetz his fair shot this year.

Everyone seems to forget he JUST missed out on the pro bowl voting this last year. He was a top Center in the league and the guys who play him know that despite what disgruntled fans think.

**soulman** · 07-20-2011, 04:03 PM

Originally Posted by GrizzlyBear91

If there's a better option in FA I say take him for the future but Give Kruetz his fair shot this year.

Everyone seems to forget he JUST missed out on the pro bowl voting this last year. He was a top Center in the league and the guys who play him know that despite what disgruntled fans think.

Grizz I think we give him a nice two year deal and guarantee most of it so he can go out with some security. Then we bring in one or two of those UDFA rookies who play OC or OG and let them learn from the master. You're right, even in one of his worst years he still earned the respect of the guys he plays against. He's a smart, tough, SOB and we could use him to get the younger guys in order.

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