Thread: Tice settles on starting OL

Originally Posted by soulman

Here's an article by Brad Biggs about it.

Bears set their offensive line

Mike Tice ready to roll with Roberto Garza at center Brad Biggs
Print ThisSend ThisAugust 08, 2011, 08:40 AM EST
1 Comment



Maybe there will be a change of plans along the ways, but barring something unexpected the Chicago Bears have selected the starting offensive line for the Sept. 11 opener against the Atlanta Falcons.

It’s not as dramatic as naming a starting quarterback, but the Bears allowed 56 sacks last season, more than any other team in the league, and the line has been a focus the entire offseason leading into training camp.

Mike Tice says he has his starting five right now, choosing longtime right guard Roberto Garza to be the man to replace departed captain and center Olin Kreutz. J’Marcus Webb, who started 12 games at right tackle as a rookie in 2010, slides to left tackle. Former first-round draft pick Chris Williams will play left guard with emerging young talent Lance Louis at right guard and rookie first-round draft pick Gabe Carimi set at right tackle.

“I’ve got, I think right now, the five best guys on the field and we’re going to stay that way until something proves me I’m wrong,” Tice said. Tice then repeated himself when questions persisted. “I have five guys in there starting,” he said. “Unless they falter, that's who's opening the season against Atlanta."

That means center Chris Spencer, signed to a $6 million, two-year contract after Kreutz told the Bears no when he was given a one-hour ultimatum, will be a reserve. Spencer is learning the offense and Tice has praised him, but he’s not ready to move into the lineup at this point and apparently the team is ready to make a decision.

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

Oh well. It's gonna be a long season. Poor Cutler!

Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

I'm willing to wait and see. It's young, that's for damn sure. Louis looked athletic as billed last season pulling and trapping, but man was he super, super extra horrible out there half the time.

Unlike everyone else, I have faith that Williams will thrive in the LG role if provided the chance to actually grow into the position and learn the position instead of bouncing him all around. Three of Forte's biggest runs down the stretch were sealed by Chris, and though he badly missed assignments here and there that made his play look spottier than it actually was, the only thing that cures that is spending time at the position.

I just hope Martz doesn't jump right back into (24)seven-step-drop-mode right off the bat instead of allowing them to gel as a unite and ease the growing pains with more quickly developing plays and shorter drops.

I always thought Williams didn't get a fair shot at tackle. If he can hold up to the power moves from DT's (mainly bull rush), he'll be ok at guard. I'm very interested to see how he holds up against that. I don't think a lot of people realize how much the pass pro technique can differ from tackle to guard, it's not an easy transition if you haven't played the other position a lot in the past.

I wouldn't hold my breath on Martz refraining from going to deep drop mode. But who knows, maybe he's wiser in his old age.

Yeah young an inexperienced that's for sure. Two second year guys (I'm only counting CWill for one year starting at OG) on the blindside and essentially two first year guys on the right side. Once again I give Louis zero experience starting at RG even though he played a little at LG early last year. Garza is the only experienced lineman and he's playing out of position so he has essentially zero experience at OC.

If there's any other team in the NFL taking a bigger gamble on an Oline protecting a Franchise QB getting signals from a pass happy OC I'd love to know who. Tice says these are his five best and there will be no changes short of an utter failure by one or more before the opener. Boy these guys better get their collective shit together real quick!!!

They're counting on Tice to "work his magic"

Although inexperienced, Tice seems to be saying the right things, about judiciously deciding who to start, where to start them and all that. The difference between he and the other coaches is that his words seem to have a ring of truth to it. If we get rid of the rest of the coaches, (god forbid) due to a bad season, I hope we retain Toub and him at either their current positions, or in some higher capacity.

Originally Posted by Butka

I always thought Williams didn't get a fair shot at tackle. If he can hold up to the power moves from DT's (mainly bull rush), he'll be ok at guard. I'm very interested to see how he holds up against that. I don't think a lot of people realize how much the pass pro technique can differ from tackle to guard, it's not an easy transition if you haven't played the other position a lot in the past.

I wouldn't hold my breath on Martz refraining from going to deep drop mode. But who knows, maybe he's wiser in his old age.

I talked about that a little bit last year. Williams' skill set is that of an OT...he's athletic and has quick feet. What hurt him was his technique and footwork in pass pro. I prefer my OGs be mean, nasty, mauling run-blockers and Williams just doesn't have that mean streak. He's still a solid run-blocker, but he's not what I consider a natural OG...he's got way more upside as an OT, he just needs to refine his technique.

Originally Posted by Henry Burris

Although inexperienced, Tice seems to be saying the right things, about judiciously deciding who to start, where to start them and all that. The difference between he and the other coaches is that his words seem to have a ring of truth to it. If we get rid of the rest of the coaches, (god forbid) due to a bad season, I hope we retain Toub and him at either their current positions, or in some higher capacity.

I'd have to agree with you there Henry. I think Tice is just as stubborn as Lovie and Martz but unlike Martz I don't think he says things he doesn't mean. No doubt he's the best Oline coach we've had since the 80's when Dick Stanfill coached up that "Black and Bruise Brothers" bunch. We'll just have to trust that he'll have these guys ready to play. We don't have another choice.