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Bears' Williams back at left tackle
Bears' Williams back at left tackle
Left guard could dislodge Webb in return to original position
By Brad Biggs, Chicago Tribune reporter
7:01 p.m. CDT, May 23, 2012
Rules restrict any contact during offseason workouts, so it's impossible to tell where the Bears are along the offensive line.
But Chris Williams is indeed back at left tackle where he split first team reps with J'Marcus Webb, the starter at the position last season, during Wednesday's organized team activities at Halas Hall. Expect that to be the situation in minicamp next month and when the team opens training camp in a little more than two months.
Williams, the first-round draft pick in 2008 who has made 20 starts at left guard over the last two seasons, is now in a position where he will have to beat out Webb, who started all last season at left tackle.
"I like to think I can play anywhere, so I'm just working," said Williams, who missed half of last season with a freak wrist injury.
The general manager who selected Williams is no longer in place and the club is on its third offensive coordinator during his career. Webb has been a personal project for Mike Tice but the line coach turned coordinator needs to see improvement from him.
"I feel good about it," Webb said. "I am working hard on my footwork and my hands and I definitely feel that a competitive side of it will come in training camp."
The biggest difference for the line — not just at left tackle —– will be the absence of former offensive coordinator Mike Martz, who too often seemed oblivious to what he really was asking the unit to do. But just a change in systems isn't going to make Webb into the caliber of player the Bears are seeking.
"(Tice) knows when guys need help," Webb said, choosing not to speak about Martz. "(But) I have to focus on getting better at my technique and my approach to being a pro."
To that end, Webb said he's trying to become more consistent with his footwork while also improving his hands, particularly his punch.
"When it comes time to kick ass," Webb said. "I am going to."
Williams is entering the final year of his rookie contract and obviously would benefit from a solid season. The loser of the competition figures to be the fallback plan at right tackle if Gabe Carimi has issues returning from knee surgery. The first-round draft pick is not back yet. Otherwise, Williams or Webb will serve as the swing tackle, a role Frank Omiyale had last season.
"It's just fun playing to be honest," Williams said in reference to missing the last half of 2011.
Chris Spencer played left guard with the first team and could face competition eventually from newcomer Chilo Rachal who was with the twos at the same spot. Lance Louis was at right guard and Mansfield Wrotto played right tackle most of the time with the club biding time until Carimi is ready, maybe next month.
Chicago Bears: Chris Williams is back at left tackle - chicagotribune.com
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May the best man win...and hopefully not the worst one lose.
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I know it's just a reporter guessing, but if Chris loses, his ass better be at LG and not on the bench as a swing tackle. We need his impact in the lineup.
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High Fives / Like - 4 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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I don't derive a whole lot of confidence from this article, guys. It seems as if the pressure is more on Chris Williams than it is on Webb to perform well. I mean, it's like it's "do-or-die time" for Williams. That would be wasting a perfectly good offensive lineman if they bench as a swing tackle if he doesn't beat Webb out.
That being said, I think Williams beats Webb out.
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Originally Posted by
lklrlolnlilklsox 
I know it's just a reporter guessing, but if Chris loses, his ass better be at LG and not on the bench as a swing tackle. We need his impact in the lineup.
That's what I was thinking too. The fact that they haven't move Louis over there tells me they're leaving that possibility open. Wrotto has enough size to play OT so maybe they can work with him enough at OT to become the swing tackle if Webb stays put. If Tice still plans to play his best five it's hard to see CWill not being among them.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. 
Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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Eh I cannot imagine we have a G that could be out Williams if he doesn't beat out Webb. Let's just hope he does beat him out and it's because he is a legit LT in the NFL and not b/c Webb is just that gawd awful.
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High Fives / Like - 1 BEAR DOWN!, 0 Dislikes
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So when Webb beats out Williams what's going to be the new line? That Williams just can't play T?
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High Fives / Like - 0 BEAR DOWN!, 1 Dislikes
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Originally Posted by
Dagan81 I don't derive a whole lot of confidence from this article, guys. It seems as if the pressure is more on Chris Williams than it is on Webb to perform well. I mean, it's like it's "do-or-die time" for Williams. That would be wasting a perfectly good offensive lineman if they bench as a swing tackle if he doesn't beat Webb out.
That being said, I think Williams beats Webb out.
Well to a degree it is do-or-die time for CWill. He's in the last year of his rookie deal and we need to find what he's capable of. If he can capture LT they'll extend his deal as an OT but if not whether or not we extend him as an OG is 50/50. We don't pay much money for that position and he may get better offers elsewhere.
I'm getting to that age where a lifetime warranty just doesn't mean as much to me anymore as an afternoon nap. Honey Badger Don't Care. Honey Badger Don't Give a Shit.
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There are a lot of people that feel that right now BigPapa. Some feel he never really got his chance. Guess we'll find out this summer.
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There is about a 70/30 chance that Williams wins the position, and certainly no worse than 60/40 that he will. This is where you're going to see where talent wins out. The fact that Williams doesn't make many mental errors and became very technically sound at LG at pass protection and run blocking should aide him as he goes back to compete for his old job back.
And let's face it: if worst comes to worst and Williams doesn't perform up to par at LT during the course of the season, they can always move Webb back to LT and shift the line around yet again.
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