Thread: From the Horses Mouth; Tice on the Oline.....

First time I ever heard of Lance Louis being referred to as "an elite pass blocker".

Just wondering what some of you think about his comments and how he's going about this whole process.

Originally Posted by soulman

First time I ever heard of Lance Louis being referred to as "an elite pass blocker".

Just wondering what some of you think about his comments and how he's going about this whole process.

Sounds like he's trying to instill confidence, and take the wondering and worrying, and the musical chairs these guys have dealt with ... OUT of the equation. Smart. Let's them focus. If Louis is improved and strong enough to handle it, then fine. Like Churchill said " I don't care how you do it .... you must block for Cutler ".

Originally Posted by Blue Horse-shoe

Sounds like he's trying to instill confidence, and take the wondering and worrying, and the musical chairs these guys have dealt with ... OUT of the equation. Smart. Let's them focus. If Louis is improved and strong enough to handle it, then fine. Like Churchill said " I don't care how you do it .... you must block for Cutler ".

Well apparently he likes him a great deal because he talks about him even more here.

August 9, 2011
Tice: Line is 'light years ahead' of last year


By: Larry Mayer | Last Updated: 8/9/2011 4:14 PM


BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – All five offensive linemen who’ve been working with the starting unit since the Bears opened training camp have impressed position coach Mike Tice in one way or another.

“We’re running the football better right now than we did at any point in camp or the preseason last year,” Tice said. “It seems like every day we’re getting one or two that we’re able to take to the safety.


Mike Tice provides instruction to his offensive linemen during a recent training camp practice.“I think we’re light years ahead of where we were last year. The guys are working hard. We’re definitely more physical and bigger, and I’m pleased.”
With the departure of Olin Kreutz, Roberto Garza has moved from guard to center, where the 11-year NFL veteran already has developed a rapport with quarterback Jay Cutler.
“They’re doing good with their exchanges,” Tice said. “They’re doing good with communication. There’s some anxiety there for Roberto; he’s only started one game at center in his career. At first I don’t know that he was totally embracing it, but he’s such a team player he’s going to do what we ask him to do.

“I think there is a chemistry. He doesn’t have the same awareness and those type of things obviously that an Olin Kreutz has. But he’s a veteran guy. He’s been around a long time and he knows football.”

Lance Louis has made major strides at right guard. The 6-3, 320-pounder started the first four games of last season there, but he suffered a knee injury and never regained his position.

“He’s bigger, more physical,” Tice said. “He was physical last year, but it’s a guy that’s had some experience. He’s played in some games. He has more confidence. He’s communicating better; he’s opening his mouth. He’s such an elite pass protector. He was an elite pass protector last year, but he’s doing better in the run game. He can run; you know he played tight end [at San Diego State]. He’s definitely ahead of where he was last year.

“Last year I anointed him the right guard because I looked at him and I was like, ‘This could really help us,’ and then he got a couple nicks and bruises and didn’t play through it because of [lacking] maturity. This year’s he’s come in with a different determination and a different maturity and we’re real pleased with where Lance is right now, very pleased.”

Like Louis, left guard Chris Williams is also improving. But after reviewing tape of last season, Tice thinks the 2008 first-round draft pick can perform at an even higher level.

“Chris is getting better,” Tice said. “But we pointed some things out for Chris to work on anchoring with his base trying to keep his feet in the ground more. Sometimes great athletes—and he’s a great athlete for a big man—tend to be up on their toes because they are athletic.

“I’m trying to get him to play with more heels in the ground. If we could do that, that’s going to help him anchor, that’s going to help him in pass protection. He’s working diligently at it and he’s getting better every day.”

Young tackles J’Marcus Webb, a 2010 seventh-round pick, and rookie Gabe Carimi, a 2011 first round-selection, both have shown a lot of promise. Webb has worked at left tackle, while Carimi has lined up with the first team at right tackle since the third day of training camp.
“To me, J’Marcus is a better athlete and Gabe is a better run blocker,” Tice said. “Gabe came in the league an elite run blocker—that’s all they did at Wisconsin—so he’s an elite run blocker already. To me, you want your better athlete on the left side.

“I think they’re both doing well and they’re both getting better. They’re both going to be really good players.”

Let's just hope they're better than they were at the END of last year and that was none too good. Tice can't seem to say enough good things about Lance Louis though. He's really high on the guy especially as a pass protector. He has him at RG now but when or if Spencer takes over at OC you have to wonder how they'll rearrange the line.

Since Garza is the better run blocker and Tice insists that Louis is the better pass blocker it would seem to make sense to put Garza back in his old spot at RG. Then it comes down to which of the two is the better at LG, Louis or CWill. As high as Tice is on Louis right now if Spencer does take over at OC CWill may find himself out of the top five and back on the bench as a swing OT and backup OG.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that by going up against our Dline every day in camp these guys get real good real fast. We don't want to come out of the gate like we did last year.

I'll consider it "light years ahead" if they aren't beat-sticks like last pre-season.

Originally Posted by short faced bear

I'll consider it "light years ahead" if they aren't beat-sticks like last pre-season.

We'll know soon enough because these are the starters that Lovie says will have to get the extra duty in preseason.

To be fair, there were multiple sacks towards the end that were the result of Cutler holding onto the ball too long/WR's not getting open. There was improvement, but nothing anyone should brag about..

Can't remember where I read it, but Tice had said that Louis was an early favorite last year but he got a few bumps and bruises and sat out which Tice attributed to imaturity and said he's come in with a whole different attitude this year. Tice said ability isn't the question with this kid. it's more about how bad does he want it?...

I'm super excited about this year. I don't think the line is gonna be anywhere near as bad as everyone thinks...

I actually think we might impress some people.