Thread: Tice settles on starting OL

LT Carimi
LG Williams
C Spencer
RG Louis
RT Webb

...please!

So we replaced the C that everyone says spent to much time sucking, w/the other guy on the line that has spent the last several years sucking right along with him?

I'll hope/assume this has more to do w/Spencer not having any time to gel w/the group yet and you needed to set a starting group for pre season games. If not this is going to be a very long season w/Caleb getting a lot of reps in live games.

UH.... the Center has to make reads and know the system...

who's the better guy spencer? or Garza?... I assumed they grabbed him for next year, and would spend this year teaching/grooming him.

From what I've recently watched on Spencer I'd be surprised if he beats out E.Williams.

Originally Posted by GrizzlyBear91

UH.... the Center has to make reads and know the system...

who's the better guy spencer? or Garza?... I assumed they grabbed him for next year, and would spend this year teaching/grooming him.

Originally Posted by Riczaj01

If that is the case, all the more reason to bring back Kruetz. And why he felt he deserved more from the Bears then another team.

That more than anything is why I wish we could have kept Kruetz. Ah well, water under the bridge now but I doubt they were looking at Spencer for next year. Martz keeps crowing about how much better the running game worked once we got Garza back in his customary RG spot so I'm guessing that as soon as Spencer can take over he will.

Garza is not as bad an OG as some believe he is. Sometimes he struggles with certain pass rush schemes but he's a good run blocker and it would be nice to have his experience there next to Carimi. Those two should from a real good run blocking duo and we're typically a right hand running team. If Spencer can't handle the OC spot before the season opener we'll look even more foolish for not re-signing Olin.

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.

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Brad Biggs covers the Bears for the Chicago Tribune