Thread: Zaidman: OL Not a Priority

Originally Posted by motownbear

Why would we need to upgrade such an elite unit led by the worse lt in the league

Mo there really isn't anyone out there to upgrade LT with. Demetrius Bell is just as inexperienced as Webb, McNeil's career is over ande Trai Essex is just another OMG. There's a reason he's been a career backup. It's most likely gonna be Webb, CWill, Carimi, and Horn as the OT's or maybe we pick up a guy in the draft to compete for the 4th spot.

If there was a viable prospect maybe we'd upgrade but there aren't. Bell is just as inexperienced, McNeil is done, and Essex would end up being just another OMG. There's a reason he's been a career backup. JA screwed the pooch on this when he dropped the ball on Bushrod last summer. Bushrod is a FA again in 2013 and if Webb is still having major problems after two years in the saddle then maybe we do something about it.

The statement that some people may move around indicates to me that it will probably be at OT. What are else are they gonna do swap OG's around? Either Carimi gets a shot at LT or CWill does. There needs to be someone to challenge Webb and the two best get the starting spots and the third is the swing man. With OMG gone somebody needs to fill that role. It shouldn't be hard to imrpove on him.

Originally Posted by lklrlolnlilklsox

I'm not a fan of playing musical chairs with the young players, but Carimi really should have gotten first shot to prove he could (or couldn't) hang at LT. If by some miracle Tice changes his mind and swaps him and Webb in camp, I would be a happy man. As for OL as a whole not being a priority, I guess I can see that. I'm good with our interior now, but at the same time know we would benefit by picking from this deep OG class to make up for the expiring contracts and Garza's age next season.

We have two first round picks who were drafted as LT's yet neither is playing LT and a 7th round project is. Don't know there's much else we can do but give one of them a shot at it and create some competition. Maybe Carimi doesn't have the athleticism for it, I don't know but he has a better head on his shoulders and won't make the mistakes Webb does.

Despite what Zaidman says they can't keep overlooking Olineman every year and drafting others in those early rounds. You're 100% correct that we're OK for this year but there are three starters contracts that expire in 2013 and this years draft has talent and depth. One thing I do hope we see out of Emery is some forward thinking it would be nice to go into a draft without a must pick position. Never pass up the chance to draft a good lineman. Isn't that the prevailing wisdom?

Originally Posted by MPBears68

I'm thinking...

FA: sign Hawthorne, Okoye, and Graham

Cut: Spaeth, CDavis, Barber

Draft:

1) Perry or Mercilus
2) Zeitler
3) Marvin Jones
4) CB
5) McCants/Mosley/Schwartz

If it all fell into place that way I'd say we done good Virgil. I like Zeitler there better than Konz realier if we can get him. Like I just posted we've ignored drafting Oline talent for a long time and I think it's time we drafted one every year in one of the top rounds. The draft is heavy on OG talent this year so grab one. Maybe next year it will be deeper in OT talent but we have to start drafting guys like Zeitler or Washington sooner rather than later. They're young, they come cheap compared to vet FA's and they'll be fighting hard to start. Good competition and we'll have better backup talent for a change.

Originally Posted by Grizzblue

Give webb a chance he probably has had the worst situation to possibly play in his first 2 years

Year one: went from end of draft exoected pratice squad guy (at the time we had our big bad #14 overall chris williams at lt) to abrupt starter

Year 2: had no offseason to speak of and was thrown into the fire yet again

While playing LT in stupid Mike Martz stupud system is probably the hardest job the nfl has ever seen...takes an orlando pace (prime not what we had) to pull it off

New system+full off-season will suprise all the Webb bashers

I think he'll get his chance Grizz but I'd like to see some competition for that LT spot from either Carimi or CWill. One of the biggest criticism's I've always has of Lovie is his stubbornness. I just hope we're not getting that out of Tice too. Sometimes you just have to throw in the towel and admit you were licked.

The acceptance of mediocrity ( coming from Halas Hall ) when it comes to this group, is dumb ( as usual ) but it doesn't surprise.... after all they've done so well lately.
Yep, the DL is better ( and has been for years ) but lets make sure we use higher draft choices on that side of the ball anyways. Whatever.

The OL isn't as bad as you guys make it out to be. I think a lot of you guys forgot just how well that OL played after the DET loss up to the SD win. And a lot of their play improved due to more conservative play calling and better protection packages. I'm not sure that many Bears fans grasp just how reckless of an offense the Martz system was. Too many of his plays take way too much time to develop. And his play calling was more responsible for the sacks the Bears gave up than poor play. You guys should watch those games again from that 5 game winning streak. The line played its best ball in several years. And I will not be shocked to see Lance Louis take one of those G spots. He's a mauler in the run and pass game and has Pro Bowl written all over him.