Thread: John Clayton's Theory of 150 for Offensive Lines..............

This is an interesting concept although I don't know how applicable it is to the Bears. Depending on who the starters are at OG we have an interesting blend of youth (Louis) and experience (Garza and Spencer) although if Rachal or EWill were to start at LG the their youth would counterbalance CWill at LT.

Rather than age I believe the real problem is the lack of experience at OT. We have three OT's and only one of them (Webb) has played an entire season at the OT position and not played very well. Carimi has only two starts to his credit and CWill has only played a handful of games at LT and a few more at RT.

Personally I think it's hard to tell whether the talent is there or not. It usually takes three years to develop an NFL LT and we don't have a player with anywhere near that amount of experience. Webb is the nearest to it at LT and CWill has two years at LG but will his performance there transfer to LT? If we've made a mistake in FA and the draft this is where it will show up.

Conversely Carimi and CWill graded out as the two best lineman before they were lost to injury and both are returning with CWill possibly taking over at LT. It's hard to believe he could do any worse then Webb did in 2011 but one way or the other that spot needs to be tied down by one or the other this summer.

The line isn't young but it should be reaching a point where the combination of experienced vets and younger players should begin to pay off. If it doesn't this year then it's our turn for an overhaul.

Interesting theory. I don't know how accurate it is as just like a car there are different types of mileage (and for people genetics) that determine athletic productivity. Probably could be used as a rule of thumb however. Surprised Clayton hasn't extrapolated median age to other positions.

Bears are getting (and going to get) younger w/Emery which in general is a good thing.

Originally Posted by short faced bear

Interesting theory. I don't know how accurate it is as just like a car there are different types of mileage (and for people genetics) that determine athletic productivity. Probably could be used as a rule of thumb however. Surprised Clayton hasn't extrapolated median age to other positions.

Bears are getting (and going to get) younger w/Emery which in general is a good thing.

Well like he says shorty it's a starting point. It's not like the line suddenly hit's a wall but injuries probably become more frequent. One thing that keeps some of those guys going is there craftiness overcomes some of the decline in their physical abilities. They finesse a lot more.

Originally Posted by soulman

Rather than age I believe the real problem is the lack of experience at OT. We have three OT's and only one of them (Webb) has played an entire season at the OT position and not played very well. Carimi has only two starts to his credit and CWill has only played a handful of games at LT and a few more at RT.

Personally I think it's hard to tell whether the talent is there or not. It usually takes three years to develop an NFL LT and we don't have a player with anywhere near that amount of experience. Webb is the nearest to it at LT and CWill has two years at LG but will his performance there transfer to LT? If we've made a mistake in FA and the draft this is where it will show up.

I agree with all of your post, but especially with these points. We really don't know much at this point. I'm hoping the Chris Williams move is just a "scare tactic" to light a fire under Webb. But (this whole thing is making me crazier than I already am) but if Webb needs to be motivated at the NFL-level, then something is horribly wrong with him. A young guy like that should be on fire with a zeal to excel every snap at his position.

He's got a starting left tackle job in the NFL. Wouldn't you think that would be something to be proud of? Proud enough to bust your butt - killing yourself - to keep that job? So if we need the C.Will scare tactic, then things are not good at LT this year.

Originally Posted by JustAnotherBearsFan99

I agree with all of your post, but especially with these points. We really don't know much at this point. I'm hoping the Chris Williams move is just a "scare tactic" to light a fire under Webb. But (this whole thing is making me crazier than I already am) but if Webb needs to be motivated at the NFL-level, then something is horribly wrong with him. A young guy like that should be on fire with a zeal to excel every snap at his position.

He's got a starting left tackle job in the NFL. Wouldn't you think that would be something to be proud of? Proud enough to bust your butt - killing yourself - to keep that job? So if we need the C.Will scare tactic, then things are not good at LT this year.

In Webb's case I think there's a huge lack of maturity 99. I think the kid is a long way from growing up. He came from a nothing existence at a small school where he dominated and just Gabriel's article says he's getting by purely on natural ability. If the kid did have a fire built under him I'm still not sure it's gonna work until he matures a little.

That's what I'd just as soon CWill take over for now. At least Cutler should have more trust in him. He was his LT at Vanderbilt so he knows what he's capable of. Cutler didn't mention him by name but you know it's Webb he's most concerned about and I think he's reached a point in his leadership where if Webb isn't getting the job done he'll ask Tice to replace him. Maybe he already has.

Originally Posted by soulman

In Webb's case I think there's a huge lack of maturity 99. I think the kid is a long way from growing up. He came from a nothing existence at a small school where he dominated and just Gabriel's article says he's getting by purely on natural ability. If the kid did have a fire built under him I'm still not sure it's gonna work until he matures a little.

That's what I'd just as soon CWill take over for now. At least Cutler should have more trust in him. He was his LT at Vanderbilt so he knows what he's capable of. Cutler didn't mention him by name but you know it's Webb he's most concerned about and I think he's reached a point in his leadership where if Webb isn't getting the job done he'll ask Tice to replace him. Maybe he already has.

I wonder if one or more of the respected veterans (like Urlacher, Peppers, Peanut....) could sit down with him 1-on-1 in private, and tell him the facts of NFL life. Like, he's got an opportunity that most folks would kill to have - wealth beyond his dreams as a starting NFL LT, fame (Chicago never forgets it's good athletes), and the pride of doing something incredibly fun & special with your life and retire a sports hero (guys like Jimbo Covert).

Or.

He can be out on the street in a couple of years, as just one more guy who had the talent, but not the drive to make it in the NFL. A "self inflicted" bust in his career.