Thread: So Who Wins the Bears Starting LT Spot?.....................

Well based on Mike Tice's commitment to and love of Webb that last statement deserves the award for this week. But forgetting for a moment that it will be Tice who makes the final decision what do Bears fans think? Let's share our thoughts about it here. I'll start.

In my mind whether or not J'Marcus Webb has to the tools to be a good NFL LT is beside the point right now. I believe he currently lacks the mental capability the position requires. That along with his lack of maturity leaves me hoping CWill beats him out and convincingly so which is what it will probably take to get Tice to alter his course.

It's possible if he's taken down a notch or two by losing his starting spot that Webb will finally realize what he needs to improve in order to succeed at this level. IMHO the best place for him to mature is playing swing tackle and getting a feel for playing both sides of the line well. Expecting him to mature under fire while protecting Cutler's blind side is asking too much of either.

I disagree with the thought that he can't play LT. I don't believe he was ever given a chance and we all know for a fact that Tice moved him to LG because OMG couldn't play LG and not because CWill couldn't play LT. Now is the perfect time to find out just what we have with CWill. Is he a LT and do we extend his contract as such or will he never be a LT and we let him settle back in at LG where he's turning out to be a pretty good lineman.

I'm going with CWill as my preference until such time as Webb either matures into LT or gets his big ass booted out the door for being immature and lazy.

CWill is in a contract year and we need to find out what he's capable of. He has some physical shortcomings that may be difficult to overcome as far as him ever being a top LT but he's worked hard to improve himself as a player at LG and maybe his experience is just enough to get him by. He's also bigger and stronger than he was when he arrived.

My preference is for Williams to win the spot, but I'm afraid that Webb will outplay him in practice, where things are slower and easier than a game time situation. So, I think Webb will start the season at LT. Hope I'm wrong! Although, I also think it's very possible that Webb gets benched if he continues to be as inconsistent as he was last year.

You don't move a productive left tackle out of that position if he is in fact productive.

With 32 teams in the league, he's the 33rd ranked LT. LOL

Originally Posted by BigBadPapaBear

I've always liked Kevin Seifert's analysis on all things Bears. I'd prefer for Webb to win this competition outright and then to have Williams take control of that LG spot. If both can excel this season, then we have 2 guys we've developed locked in for a few years. We need some of these guys on the roster to become anchors already. We can't continue to be shuffling players in and out of the lineup every year.

If it works out that way it would be great but I see that as a 50/50 shot at best. I guess there's always a chance but I doubt the little light in Webb's brain has a switch that turns on that fast. At age 25 he may be ready to become an all pro LT but at age 23 he's got a long way to go.

The real question here is whether he could learn more without the pressure on him through watching and coaching than he can by being tossed into the fire? I'm beginning to see him like Motown does. He may be just another Q Mitchell who may have all kinds of potential but it just doesn't all snap into place like it should. Guys like that are what get coaches fired and Tice has his neck stuck out on this kid a good long way.

If there is one thing that bears fans lack, its patience with developing players.

Either be a probowler now, even if you were drafted in the 7th round, or GTFO.

I'll admit I've flip-flopped on the guy, but the thing I personally notice is that it seems he has trouble on the road, when the crowd is at its loudest. It's purely mental with the guy...

Originally Posted by blinddeafmute

If there is one thing that bears fans lack, its patience with developing players.

Either be a probowler now, even if you were drafted in the 7th round, or GTFO.

I think patience is fine especially when it comes to Olineman but you still need to see progress. Two years running J'Marcus Webb has graded out as the worst pass blocking OT in the NFL. If we could see that he was improving instead of making the same mental mistakes last year as he made the year before and still struggling handling the double move then there'd be a reason for hope. So far I haven't seen that from him. Maybe that little light will finally go on this year.

I do believe that it takes 3 years to develop a good NFL lineman to his highest and best level. This is Webb's 3rd year and even in camp and preseason he should be showing that he's made progress. If there no progress he should sit. I'm not saying they should cut him. What I said is what I believe would be best for Webb and the Bears. If he's gonna develop at all then let him develop as a swing tackle. Let him watch and get as many mental reps as he can without the constant pressure of being a "blindside" protector. Maybe we're just expecting too much from him yet.

I look at it this way. What is there about Webb that makes him a better prospect at LT than a guy who handled that position for four years in college playing for one of the top football programs in the country and won the Outland Trophy as the nations best Olineman? Here's a guy who played against some of the best DE's in the country and did far more than just hold his own. He excelled.

Then there's Webb who couldn't hack in academically at Texas so he had to spend the rest of his college career playing Div. II ball against poorer competition whom I'm sure he dominated. That doesn't make him the better player of the two and if by chance Webb does win the starting gig at LT I think we'll have more than a few opportunities to compare him with Carimi.

I don't believe Carimi is the answer at LT either but we sure as hell need to find out whether one of the two, Webb or CWill is. Webb may possess the ideal physical traits you look for but my guess is that CWill could out think him in his sleep. Webb needs to "man up" to the responsibilities that go with playing LT in the NFL and if he's not ready for that yet then for God sake find a better way to prepare him then to let him get embarrassed out there.

If he's not ready he's not ready so why force the issue if there are other alternatives?