Bears Offensive Line
There’s probably one thing that worries me about the Bears this year. Something that hasn’t been stable and top notch in quite a few years, and that something is the offensive line. I don’t know how Jay Cutler does it. I would be scared every time when I would drop back, knowing there could be some behemoth chasing after me. I really hope they don’t have to scrape Cutler off the turf this year, but there’s one thing that makes me feel a little better about the Bears offensive line. The fact that folks are saying they are improving each day at training camp makes me feel a little better. It probably helps that they have an excellent coach for the offensive line in Mike Tice. If they continue to get better like what folks are saying, then Jay Cutler, Matt Forte and Chester Taylor will be very happy. As well as Bear fans too.
The Chicago Bears offensive line did end on a high note. They protected Jay Cutler against the Vikings like pros. Especially Chris Williams, who in my opinion will be the future of the offensive line. He blocked Jared Allen like he was some high school punk with a bad attitude. He looked like a five year veteran out there and I hope he continues that. The rest of the offensive line is… well. In my opinion needs to be upgraded. I know that Kreutz is not too far from retiring. I wouldn’t be surprised if he retired after this season. I really wish they had won that Super Bowl in 2006, so then he would be voted into the Hall of Fame faster. Same goes with Brian Urlacher, but don’t want to get off topic. Olin Kreutz’s back up Josh Beekman would do a fine job. I believe he has proven himself he can do the job. Especially with all the mentoring he is getting from Olin Kreutz. Hopefully he will pass on that, I’m going to punch you in the face type of blocking attitude. Need that kind of attitude in the trenches. I do believe it’s time to say goodbye to Roberto Garza and Frank Omiyale. Especially to Frank, he was horrible and I do mean horrible last year. When the Bears picked him up, I thought to myself “Oh hey, the Bears are upgrading their offensive line. Cool!”. I was very wrong unfortunately. The only back up on the Bears roster for Frank would be J’Marcus Webb. Who is an unproven rookie unfortunately. I don’t know much about Lance Louis except he had a run in with the law when he pleaded guilty to assault when he beat up his former teammate at SDSU.
That was the first string of the offensive line, the second string has two proven back ups (Shaffer and Beekman) and three unproven players. Johan Asiata who is slated at LG. He hasn’t played in any NFL games, but has been on the roster since 2009 on the practice squad. I do have a feeling he might replace Garza if he continues to commit stupid penalties. Here’s a fun fact, Johan didn’t allow a sack in his senior year at UNLV. The second unproven player is James Marten, who is slated as Lance Louis’ back up. He hasn’t played many games in the NFL unfortunately, so I don’t know much about him. Wish there was more info available about him out there. Lastly there is the lone offensive lineman in the 2010 Bears draft class, J’Marcus Webb. He was taken in the seventh round and doesn’t really have a good chance to be starting come opening day of the season. If he has learned enough and improved enough to replace Frank, they will start him immediately in my opinion.
I hope the Bears line holds up this year, they really need to Cutler some time to pass the ball and give some running room for Forte and Taylor. No one could of run the ball efficiently last year, except maybe Walter Payton.
GammaBears
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Tags: Chester Taylor, Chicago Bears Training Camp, Chris Williams, Frank Omiyale, J'Marcus Webb, James Marten, Jay Cutler, Johan Asiata, Josh Beekman, Kevin Shaffer, Lance Louis, Matt Forte, Mike Tice, Olin Kreutz, Roberto Garza, Walter Payton
Like I said on the website, strong OL play is essential to offensive success in the NFL. Omiyale is a liability and the only reason I can think of that Beekman isn’t starting yet is that he’s being groomed completely to take over for Olin when he retires. Even if that is the case, Omiyale is not the answer. And now they have him playing tackle which I think puts Cutler in even more peril and that worries me. I do think Chris Williams is going to rock this year and hopefully Lance Louis pans out since they put him in the starting lineup. Olin is old, but I think he can still get the job done. He’s a mean ass, old ass, more feisty than people think he is Bear!