Bears OL Breakdown [#2 Need]

The Bears OL played better than expected at times and in others as bad as some people assumed that they would play. This group is defined by their inconsistency. For Jay Cutler and the offense to reach a championship level the Bears OL group needs to improve or be upgraded from the outside.

Present Roster

J'Marcus Webb

The inconsistency of this group is personified by J'Marcus Webb who goes from dominant in 1 game [Philadelphia] to totally lost in others [Detroit]. Webb has a ton of physical ability and has shown that he can use good technique and at times can be a dominant run blocker. At other times he had mental lapses and uses terrible technique and is a liability. The LT position should be targeted for upgrade.

Grade: C+
2012 Outlook: Starting LT with Competition

Gabe Carimi

Carimi showed flashes of what made him a #1 pick before injury shortened his season. The Carimi injury concerns me moving into 2012, while it is not serious the Bears need him in the starting line up.

Grade: B
2012 Outlook: Starting RT, Competing at LT with Webb.

Lance Louis

Louis played admirably at RT without the size to do so, but he has struggled in recent weeks. Louis showed the nasty attitude and strength that the Bears nee on the OL and he should be moving back inside where he has more reasonable size. Louis was one of the bright spots of this season despite the struggles.

Grade: B+
2012 Outlook: Competing at LG with Chris Williams

Frank Omiyale

Frank has been a failure since the beginning and has shown nothing for the Bears. Omiyale should be on the first plane out of Chicago with Caleb Hanie and Jerry Angelo. He provides nothing even coming off the bench as was proven with his embarrassing game against the Lions.

Grade: F
2012 Outlook: Cut

Chris Williams

Williams was having a nice year before the wrist injury ended his season early. Williams is not an elite pass blocker or power run blocker, but he showed that he can be the pulling OG that the Bears need. Williams is not dominant, but he is consistent and with this OL the Bears need consistency. It is also nice to get something from a 14th overall pick.

Grade: B
2012 Outlook: Competing at LG with Lance Louis.

Chris Spencer

When Spencer was signed I thought it was another Jerry Angelo patch work signing with no upside. To my surprise Chris Spencer has been the Bears best OLmen this season. A strong pass protector and a powerful lead blocker Spencer has earned his spot on this team.

Grade: A
2012 Outlook: Starting RG

Edwin Williams

Edwin Williams is not a starting OLmen and there has been a decline since he entered the lineup for Chris Williams. However, Williams is a very solid backup and many teams in the NFL would love a versatile mauler like him. Williams is valuable because of his pass protection and his ability to play all interior OL positions.

Grade: B+ [Considering he is a backup]
2012 Outlook: Primary Interior Back Up.

Roberto Garza

Has been solid at center and provides Jay Cutler with a nice veteran presence. While Garza has declined a little physically he can still get the job done and he is the leader of a young unit.

Grade: B+
2012 Outlook: Starting C

Moving into 2012

The Bears have the following depth chart moving into 2012,

LT: Webb, ____________
LG: Williams, Louis
C: Garza, Williams
RG: Spencer, __________
RT: Carimi, ____________

The Bears need a LT that can compete with the inconsistent Webb. The Bears can also draft a RT who can step in and allow Carimi to move to LT if Webb struggles.

The Bears also need to add an interior OL player that can come in and compete at C or LG and add some youth and potential.

Free Agent OL

1. OG Carl Nicks, likely to be franchised.
2. OG Ben Grubbs
3. OT Demetrius Bell, likely to be resigned.
4. C Chris Meyers, likely to be resigned.
5. OT Jared Gaither, health concerns.
6. C Nick Hardwick
7. OG Chilo Rachal, consistency issues.
8. OT Levi Brown, consistency issues.

Draft OL

1. OT Matt Kalil [USC] 6'7" 300lbs.
2. OT Jonathan Martin [Stanford] 6'6" 310lbs.
3. OG David Decastro [Stanford] 6'5" 310lbs.
4. OT Riley Rieff [Iowa] 6'6" 300lbs.
5. OT Mike Adams [Ohio St[ 6'7" 320lbs.
6. C Peter Konz [Wisconsin] 6'5" 315lbs.
7. OG Cordy Glenn [Georgia] 6'5" 340lbs.
8. OT Zerbie Sanders [Florida ST] 6'5" 309lbs.
9. OG Kevin Zeitler [Wisconsin] 6'3" 320lbs.
10. OT Levy Adcock [Oklahoma St] 6'6" 330lbs.

You are WAY to kind to a really bad OL. They cannot defend a 5-7 step drop and struggle to consistantly run block. They struggle to do both w/out TE's staying in to help.

My real wonder is how we address the LT position with a weak free agent class and a bigger need at WR?

Webb vs Carimi might be our best option.

or we get a LG and it will be a competition between Carimi, Webb, and Williams. They seem pretty insistent that Carimi is no better then a RT. I dont feel that way but the FO does

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Originally Posted by motownbear

or we get a LG and it will be a competition between Carimi, Webb, and Williams. They seem pretty insistent that Carimi is no better then a RT. I dont feel that way but the FO does

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The problem with the plan is that the Bears have been even more insistent that Williams is not an OT.

frustrating isnt it lol

I question your (and anyone else who thinks we need a LG) evaluation skills if you give Williams a B and Spencer and A. Spencer has been an all-around very well-balanced guard, but Williams was well on his way to becoming one of the best guards in the league before going down with injury. No hyperbole, zero exaggeration. He simply WAS dominating. Forte's immediate drop in production after he went down is a huge witness to the impact he had in the ground game (especially outside of the tackles), an area of his game that was previously considered weak. Webb's drop in play after a string of above average starts also came with Chris' departure. The only thing Spencer has on him is better leverage in the power game. Not a fucking chance he's competing with anyone but himself next season and I'll bet my membership here on that.

Regardless, we had two unbelievably pleasant surprises in our interior which suddenly saw a jump from perceived weakness to real strength. Agree with everything else, though. Give me one strong LT prospect and I'll be happy. Our future C can wait for now with three capable players there. It will be interesting to see what happens to Louis with Carimi back, because I think he's proved a capable starter at two positions this year.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Riczaj01

You are WAY to kind to a really bad OL. They cannot defend a 5-7 step drop and struggle to consistantly run block. They struggle to do both w/out TE's staying in to help.

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It says a lot about Webb's weakness in picking up the 8+9 rush. It also says a lot about how much Martz' no audible offense can kill a QB mentally and physically when he has to drop back into what he knows is going to be a free man rushing from the 9 if his OT isn't smart enough to adjust.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

I question your (and anyone else who thinks we need a LG) evaluation skills if you give Williams a B and Spencer and A. Spencer has been an all-around very well-balanced guard, but Williams was well on his way to becoming one of the best guards in the league before going down with injury. No hyperbole, zero exaggeration. He simply WAS dominating. Forte's immediate drop in production after he went down is a huge witness to the impact he had in the ground game (especially outside of the tackles), an area of his game that was previously considered weak. Webb's drop in play after a string of above average starts also came with Chris' departure. The only thing Spencer has on him is better leverage in the power game. Not a fucking chance he's competing with anyone but himself next season and I'll bet my membership here on that.

Regardless, we had two unbelievably pleasant surprises in our interior which suddenly saw a jump from perceived weakness to real strength. Agree with everything else, though. Give me one strong LT prospect and I'll be happy. Our future C can wait for now with three capable players there. It will be interesting to see what happens to Louis with Carimi back, because I think he's proved a capable starter at two positions this year.

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I graded Spencer as out best OLmen this season and that is why he is higher than Williams. I like a lot about Williams game, but I do not feel that he is as strong a player as Spencer.

Williams has been a pleasant surprise and the improvement is awesome, but Spencer has been a rock in the run and pass game while playing with a broken hand.

For Williams to be one of the best OGs in the NFL he would have to be a more physical player when the ball is being run towards hims. MOst of our early season big run plays were to the right side, granted with Williams pulling.

But on to the OT discussion

The Bears need to bring in an OT prospect that can play RT or LT. It is more realistic unless we pick an OT in the 1st round that we are going to be drafting a RT.

If we draft a RT in the 2nd round it gives us options and allows Carimi to compete with Webb at LT.

We need more OT competition and depth.

If JA is still in charge, he will most likely give Frank Omiyale a 5 year deal.