If the season started today, John St. Clair and Terry Metcalf would be starting on the offensive line for the Chicago Bears. Read: the Bears are drafting a bunch of offensive linemen. The way I see - after surveying the vast landscape of mock drafts and talent evaluations - there are three possible guys sitting there at #14. (I don't see Ryan Clady falling to the Bears, nor do I see them taking a running back in the first round.)
JEFF OTAH - OT - PITTSBURGH
See Combine Video.
Read the Combine Player Profile.
What's he really like? Read this in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
My thoughts: Otah is said to be a tremendous run-blocking tackle and maybe a bit weak in protection. He's still a raw, having not played a ton of football, but he'd step in immediately to the Bears starting lineup. This would slide John Tait back to his natural right side and leave only the hole at guard to fill.
BRANDEN ALBERT - OG - VIRGINIA
See Combine Video.
Read the Combine Player Profile.
What's he really like? Take a look at this Washington Post article.
My thoughts: He's simply flying up draft boards and some have him going to Kansas City at #5 and others to New England at #7. He's a project, however, a solid guard who'll take time if the goal is to transition him to left tackle. The Bears could start him at guard this season but the 14th pick seems something of a reach for a guard.
CHRIS WILLIAMS - OT - VANDERBILT
See Combine Video.
Read the Combine Player Profile.
What's he really like? He aced the Wonderlic test, according to Dan Pompei.
My thoughts: Williams seems a bit the opposite of Otah: stronger in protection than plowing holes for the run-game. Since the Bears get off the bus running the football, this might make him an unsure fit.
Right now, I like Jeff Otah and hope he's sitting there at 14. Any links or information you guys can provide will be helpful. I'll let this discussion go for a few days since I do believe we'll be seeing one of these guys in a Bears uniform next season.
#2 animal said . . .Let's match the great O-line class of '83!!
April 9, 2008
#3 jeff said . . .Otah is PERFECT. Love that guy. Following in the footsteps of Jimbo Covert, from Pitt to Chicago. Man I hope he is still there at 14.
My question is, who is available in the 3rd, 4th or 5th round at guard? We will go at least 2 o-linemen in this draft, and maybe take a flier on a project in the 7th as well.April 9, 2008
#4 animal said . . .i'm going through a whole bunch of stuff and i'll have a stockpile of players to look at in the later rounds.
April 9, 2008
#5 Spanish Bear said . . .Good. Thanks Jeff.
Hopefully those names include the next Thayer and Bortz, although we don't even have an 8th round anymore....April 9, 2008
#6 tenacious d said . . .In a mock draft I´m participating as the Bears G.M I chose Williams (Otah was gone). I think that in the best scenario Angelo would trade down to get a low first and a second, but i think it would be difficult to made the deal because I don´t see too many teams willing to trade up (well, maybe for mendenhall or philips). In this scenario the Bears can choose Albert and then pick a tackle in the second round.
By the way, in my mock draft, I picked Williams at #14, Flacco at #44, Bennett at #70 and Drew Radovich (OG, USC) at #90.April 9, 2008
#7 Rancid said . . .Thanks Jeff, great stuff. Interesting that both Otah and Albert were primarily b-ballers in high school. Liking the athleticism.
My preference is Otah, but really any of the three would step in as our best 0-lineman from day 1. Otah or Williams provides the best value, since we can move Tait back to the right side where he belongs, and improve both sides of our line with 1 pick. We'd still need a guard (maybe with one of our third round picks?) and possibly 2 more lineman in later rounds to stock the shelves. Looking forward to seeing your later-round prospects.
April 9, 2008
#8 Pissed Off said . . .I would love to get either Otah or Albert, and am happy with Williams if he picked. Assuming its a tackle, there are a decent amount of available guards to be taken on day two (remembering that day two is now rounds 3-7).
Here's a few I like:
John Greco - Toledo - some have him listed as a T, but I think he ends up a G. It'd be nice to have a guy who might play either.
Chilo Rachal - USC - guy who probably would have been a bigger name next year but is leaving early because of "financial hardship". I've got a feeling about this guy. I hope we end up with him.
Jeremy Zuttah - Rutgers - needs some work but hey, it you don't need any work you get drafted in the first round
April 9, 2008
#9 Pissed Off said . . .Phil has been on the Otah bandwagon for us for about 43 years, I've been on it for about 40. Thats the guy I want. I've watched those combine videos and his interview and clips of him playing at Pitt. This is the guy I want.
I've also said that picking one starting left tackle damn near solves our O-line in itself. Those old naysayers like Mike would say that its a huge project and I'd disagree. Picking Otah moves Tait back to the right, Kreutz is solid and we can fill the guards spots easy. DONE! Line is fixed. And if we get another solid guy to play one of those guard positions, even better.
Regarding Albert I havent kept up with mocks as much as others but I thought this guy would be a late 1st rounder, maybe 2nd rounder. I cant believe he's jumping up that fast. That actually scares me, its like a snowball....theres a reason he was projected as late 1st rounder, early 2nd rounder to begin with. I dont want him at 14, too risky especially if he's only going to be a guard. That said I'd love to have him, just not at #14.
April 9, 2008
#10 mikebdot said . . .And if Albert is moving up that fast there is ZERO chance that the other 4 big tackles AND Albert are gone by #14. I guess what I'm saying is....Offensive Tackle at #14 here we come.
April 9, 2008
#11 mikebdot said . . .PO'd: Roberto Garza still on the roster, so we really only need one guard spot to fill. Well, we need to fill his spot too, since I'm not a big fan of his, but I would imagine he'll be the opening day starter at one of the guard positions. Kreutz was not "solid" last season, but he'll definitely start. Look forward to more fumbled snaps folks!
I'm still of the opinion that if 4 O-lineman are gone by #14 we should not pick "one of them" unless he was "our guy" (i.e. if they were going to select him regardless of the other talent available, we should still select him, but if not, screw that noise, trade out or pick someone else).
April 9, 2008
#12 Phil from SATX said . . ....Roberto Garza IS still...
April 9, 2008
#13 DTB said . . .Agree with PO'd in that I automatically mistrust draftees who move up dramatically on the draft charts - as discussed previously there is a lot of nonsensical trendiness, with guys moving both up and down, that takes place and even the teams fall prey to it - I'd rather take the guy that's fallen than the guy that's #1 with a bullet. And as far as character issues go, use "how much do they love to play football" as your singular measurement metric on that score, as long as they're not a complete thug.
Feeling very strongly that Otah or Williams will be #14 (with no moves), RB with 2nd pick (which maybe includes a trade down if possible) and OG and WR with the 2 3rd rounders in whatever order makes the most sense to them. Let other teams reach for Albert (Albert at #5? who's smokin' what?) - let other teams get pulled along by the Rising Name of the Day, that will leave more for us. Remember when 8 teams passed on Adrian Peterson? How about when Matt Leinart when to #10? Mario Williams with the 1st pick in the draft? The predraft period is too long and I'm convinced teams screw themselves by overthinking things.
Nothing to overthink for the Bears, a very clear need list and apparently very clear candidates. Kind of like taking Olsen with the first pick - a no brainer that comes up aces.
April 9, 2008
#14 animal said . . .Who needs Ced? I think I'd rather see this kid running the ball for the Navy and Burnt.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqSV1wnN5oQ
April 9, 2008
#15 jeff said . . .That's a good post Phil. If you are even close to right on your pick predictions, Ill be happy. OT first, RB next, OG and WR in the third... or maybe QB as one of those.
No more oddball/luxury Dan Bazuin picks please.
I totally agree about the overthinking bit. How can this guy suddenly (this week or so) appear on draft boards and shoot up said boards? Stupid and ridiculous. Borderline moronic.
Workouts, the combine, and all games are long over with. What could he possibly have done to get on the radar and rise? Did he just play a bowl game and hold Glenn Dorsey without a tackle? Some spring game where he repeatedly pancaked Chris Long?
No. he is a product of hype, media, and guys thinking way too much. The first round guys are usually vastly overrated, and the 3rd round type guys, for the money, are way more valuable to a team.
April 9, 2008
#16 animal said . . .there once was a guy named brian urlacher that skyrocketed up draft boards in the month before the draft.
April 9, 2008
#17 jeff said . . .continuing my thought. Im the king of the hated double post.
-ya, some of our best guys are first round picks, specifically Urlacher, Tommie, Greg. We got it right with those guys, but so wrong with David Terrell, Michael Haynes, and many others.
The core of a team comes from the later rounds, often including pro bowl players and standouts. Off the top of my head..
Briggs, 3rd
Vasher, 4th
Alex Brown, 4th
Mark Anderson, 5th
Hester is the best player on the planet. Second round, along with Daniel Manning. Who was picked before Hester, right?
April 9, 2008
#18 Max said . . .great line from larry mayer:
The three players picked ahead of Hester were Purdue defensive back Bernard Pollard (Chiefs), LSU tackle Andrew Whitworth (Bengals) and Oklahoma center Chris Chester (Ravens).
April 10, 2008
#19 Pissed Off said . . .damn DTB. . . kids better than i am now . . . almost depressing
April 10, 2008
#20 jeff said . . .Mikeb, the duh factor says that Garza is still on the roster. Did I say he wasn't or did I imply he wasn't? And Kreutz did stink it up last year but he's a perennial starting pro bowler so I'll assume he'll be solid.
Regarding Urlacher shooting up the draft boards...BOX! I think he might be the exception though. Are there any other guys anyone can think of that shot up like this and turned out to be studs?
April 10, 2008
#21 Rancid said . . .i dont agree at all that kreutz stunk last year nor do i think any of us can evaluate the play of the center when he's bad, or good. the line sucked at run and pass blocking. they suck as a unit.
April 10, 2008
#22 mikebdot said . . .I love football but I don't know enough about the center position to really be critical or supportive. I'll give it another season and see what happens. You know if the Bears have a good offensive year Olin will probably make Pro Bowl again.
April 10, 2008
#23 jeff said . . .jeff: I'll amend my remark to say Kreutz stunk at run blocking. I think his pass blocking was superb. Which is why I have no problems with him being the starter until he calls it quits. It's very clear when Kreutz screws up, because he stands there, smacking his hands together like he just...well...screwed up. He did that quite a few times. Other times he screwed up while run blocking include, but are not limited to, times he ended up on his ass, times where we couldn't push the pile to get one yard, times we tried to run outside and he didn't hit a single person out in front of CB/AP/HLTW.
PO'd: You just had a plural on "guard" when you said we just needed to fill the "guards spots" (post #8). Just saying that Garza will most probably be in one of them, so we only need to fill one spot. No big deal.
April 10, 2008
#24 Pissed Off said . . .rancid, i agree with you. we can't evaluate interior linemen. all we can do is look at the run numbers and guess. i've always said this is the genius of john madden. he consistently focuses on the play of the o-line and i wish more analysis went this way. how great would it be to see guards pull in replays or see particular styles of blocking...i'd love it.
i almost wish the nfl network did a weekly show called "best linemen of the week" and showed which tackle performed best, guard and center. geeks like us would love it.
April 10, 2008
#25 animal said . . .Jeff if the unit sucked as a whole last year and Olin is part of that unit, doesnt he therefore suck? He had a down year last year, as did the whole line, I think he'll be back next year in pro bowl form but he needs guys around him too.
Mikeb all I'm sayin' is that none of our guards are so good that we cant upgrade. If we pick up two guards via draft/free agency and they both are better than the two proposed starters (Garza, Metcalf) whats wrong with that. Im just sayin' that upgrades can be had and Garza isnt a guaranteed starter if we get someone better, he's not the best guard in the league. If we had Walter Jones or Steve Hutchinson then we could say, yeah we only need to fill one Tackle spot or one guard spot cuz no one is better than those guys at their position.
I just want this damn thing fixed, right now. We'll have to see how the draft plays out and that should paint a picture but we really wont know if these guys are studs or busts or tweeners. Thats why I really wish we'd have picked up at LEAST ONE GUY in free agency, a guaranteed comodity like Flozell Adams or Alan Faneca.
April 10, 2008
#26 mikebdot said . . .I agree that that best way to evaluate the O-line is on run production and sacks they allow.
Last year our run production was obviously down some, and it seemed the QBs were not getting good protection, although Im sure someone will put up the sack totals comparing 06 to 07 if they want to argue my point.
Im not sure if this is a fair measure, but it is what we've got. Kruetz is one of my favorite Bears of all time, along with Dan Hampton, Chris Zorich, and others... I love his toughness. I love the fact that he showed up at UW as a freshman benching 500 lbs. and beat the shit out of a senior D-lineman in practice. His toughness is Butkus/Ditka like. I wont stand for having him knocked around when his teammates played like shit around him. So fuck you.
Great point made yesterday on NFL net or ESPN- everyone talks about the AP in Minny, but they fail to mention that O-line nearly got Chester Taylor 1000 yards as well. Decent backs plus outstanding blocking equals phenomenal numbers.April 10, 2008
#27 mikebdot said . . .PO'd: I agree. I just don't think the BT will get another guard. In my eyes, he's pretty much got a guaranteed spot, which is unfortunate.
My biggest problem with our line is their lack of speed. When Cedric Benson is running into your rear and has to actually pass you because you can't get upfield to lay a body on someone, you know you're too slow (there were numerous screen/pitch plays where that played out). It just seemed every time we had a play to the outside, we always had blockers, but they never blocked. Same with McKie going into any hole, he would simply fill the hole rather than lay into someone. Makes it hard to hit the hole for any of the backs.
April 10, 2008
#28 animal said . . .animal: I'll pretend that wasn't directed at me. If it happens again, I suppose I can just skip your posts like I was with Mike. Being a dick adds no value, especially to the dick-infested internet.
April 10, 2008
#29 Phil from SATX said . . .Mike you may be hitting on another largely missed and key point about the running/blocking: the FB.
Is McKie really anything special? Why cant we pick up a tank of a FB who blasts holes for the RB and de-cleats blitzing LBs?
Sorry for the poor post decorum. I get a little touchy about Olin.April 10, 2008
#30 mikebdot said . . .Agree with MikeB that Kreutz was solid at pass blocking - when we got burnt it seemed to come from the edges usually - but he was part and parcel of no push up the middle. The biggest reason I thought he was so poor last year had to do with the principal defining skill of his particular position, hiking the ball. We learned that the botched snaps under center were almost certainly his fault because they happened with 3 out of 3 QBs. Then we learned that he was a very poor shotgun snapper, as we began to introduce more and more shotgun as the season went on.
No good run blocking, botched snaps to 3 QBs, and horrific shotgun snapping - I too know little to nothing about linemen but there's no question in my mind he had a crappy season. ESPECIALLY for a multiple time Pro Bowler.
Totally agree about the need to educate all fans including me about the line play. More focus on it would help everyone give a little slack to certain RBs and QBs when they appear to underperform - for the most part Olinemen get to stay very anonymous and very rich while everyone else gets called out (even WRs sometimes, who may have been in the right place but the ball has to be released early because of pressure).
StartO, why'd you pick animal as your new screen name? Just wondering.
April 10, 2008
#31 Pissed Off said . . .animal: It's cool. I'd actually say he's an above average center, just for his pass blocking ability, but I just couldn't stand watching him, repeatedly, smack his hands together. I guess it at least showed he gave a shit, which I would have to agree with everyone here that Cedric Benson shows very little evidence of.
As for McKie, he played fairly well in '06, and I was happy to have a fullback his size with some promise, but he did not deliver the goods in '07. Honestly, I thought we lacked at TE as well, and we asked the receivers to do some stupid shit. Moose blocked down on Defensive Ends who would literally walk right past him. That only works if the receiver knocks the DE on his ass, or if you pull someone from the other side to lead the way in case Moose misses.
Honestly, I really think the idea of moving AP to fullback would be brilliant. We could draft a back, have three HBs, and maybe even 2 FBs if need be. AP would basically replace BA. Then we would have 5 LBs instead of 6.
April 10, 2008
#32 Pissed Off said . . .Animal, see the disclaimer above the area where you post comments.
Olin was not good last year, at least not as good as he can be as evidenced by the fact that he didnt make the pro bowl and he has several times in the past. As Phil pointed out, and I agree, the snapping issue is troublesome. I have no reason for other concern regarding pass or run blocking coming into 2008, just the snapping.
The fullback situation is a tough one. I dont think McKie is very valuable. I wish we had a guy like Lorenzo Neal or Tony Richardson, a valuable FB who's proven to run guys over. In fact a couple of years ago I preferred Bryan Johnson to McKie hands down. McKie doesnt do much for me but then again what are we supposed to do?
April 10, 2008
#33 mikebdot said . . .That got me thinking. Whats the deal with this J.D. Runnels kid? Is he supposed to be the next big thing at fullback? Maybe he'll be the next Lorenzo Neal? He looks tough enough, especially with that shit patched all over his face.
April 10, 2008
#34 animal said . . .Speaking of McKie, I forgot, it's apparently illegal to call him "Jason". The cracka on "da site" kept calling him "J Mac" and sounded positively foolish in the process. I feel so sad for my race sometimes. (the video is nothing more than a quick tour of the training facility, sort of worthless really).
I have no idea what Runnels is gonna be. Was he on IR last season? Or did he just sit on our practice squad?
I'm not sure what value a FB has on this team. I think we should run an offense similar to the Colts. We have the talent, and we were successful running no huddle, literally every single time we tried it. A FB would not work in such an offense.
April 10, 2008
#35 jeff said . . .Phil, when I discovered the blog it was around this time last year. We drafted Greg and I wanted him to see him playing. After a while that got old- animal is just an old nickname. No special reason.
PO, I figured defending my favorite Bear was within the realm... so fuck it. I see this with students all the time- they do something out of line to get negative attention, because they just need attention. So maybe, I was really hoping you'd notice me and grace me with a pissed off comment. Mission accomplished.
I have been wondering about Runnells as well. An upgrade on McKie couldn't hurt. We need a bulldozer type to clear holes. We DONT necessarily need a skill-type who can catch- we have two great TEs and a slew of backs. AP and Wolfe can catch out of the backfield. Time for a change. Poor McKie- your anonymity just evaporated. You are now part of the blame.April 10, 2008
#36 Pissed Off said . . .pissed off, no on your offensive line comment. there have been tons of great offensive linemen play well on bad units, including centers (kevin mawae for a few years on the jets made the pro bowl on bad lines).
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft08/news/story?id=3339368
take a look at that link. the dolphins are down to jake long and gholston.April 10, 2008
#37 Pissed Off said . . .Jeff not sure what your saying there in #35, you're kinda proving my point. Olin wasnt good otherwise he'd have made the pro bowl like Mawae did when the rest of the line was bad.
April 10, 2008
#38 Phil from SATX said . . .I am going to champion this take from Skip Bayless on First Take but the dolphins are going to talk to the likes of Gholston, Jake Long, Chris Long etc. and maybe a few others and see who'll be the #1 draft pick for the least amount of money. Thats the Parcells way for this years Fins. But also according to Bayless, McFadden is going to be an elite back in the NFL, Hall of Fame type guy and Parcells will kick himself in a couple years for not spending the big dough and drafting him.
April 10, 2008
#39 jeff said . . .They say that McKee is a great blocking back. Didn't see it last year, and between Kreutz, Garza and him, the inside runs shading right were consistently nonproductive. If he was that good, and considering Kreutz was in there, one would think you would see the inside as one place Ced would have had success - but he didn't (nor did AP).
So if it turns out McKee's not the greatest blocking back, and we know he's not a great running back, how about an upgrade? I do like the idea of AP even though I don't think he's as big as Ced, but more purely for his heart, which is huge - and one thing we know is heart is key at FB. (Matt Suhey anyone?) That's why as much as I liked the idea of Ced at FB, it wouldn't work, because he apparently doesn't give a shit (or enough of a shit).
Still go back to that mantra - bring me players who would kill to play, dammit! Let the Ceds wash away! BIG HEART OVER BIG PHYSICAL! (combo of both is best, of course). That's why AP stays as part of our team. BIG HEART!
April 10, 2008
#40 mikebdot said . . .olin didnt make the pro bowl because there are other great centers in the conference. hard to select a center from a team that couldnt run the ball.
April 10, 2008
#41 Pissed Off said . . .Good times:
http://www.chicagobears.com/news/NewsStory.asp?story_id=4564
Too bad they don't have drafts for engineers...would've been much more exciting.
April 10, 2008
#42 animal said . . .But he's been elected to the pro bowl for many years consecutively before, whats changed? Our line wasnt as good as it was in 2006 all the othe years he was picked. He went downhill last year, thats why he wasnt picked. Its pretty simple I think, they pick players who are elite at their position and he was not last year and I'd argue he's part of the reason they couldnt run. Its a unit thing remember? I'm really just playing devils advocate. I honestly think he sucked it up last year compared to what we've seen in prior years but I have no concerns with him going forward. And lets face it, I dont sit and watch tape during the week of the O-line performances so I cant say for sure overall but I saw plenty of times where he broke down in coverage (run and pass) and the snap thing just kills me. Everyone just wants to crucify Rex for the bobbled snaps but its Olins fault, the other QBs all did it.
April 10, 2008
#43 Bears Fan said . . .That was a cool story on the draft day excitement. Funny that Dusty D coulda went to the hated fudgepackers. For no good reason, really, I love that guy and think he'll be a freakin' stud. I think we all thought that last year, then he got hurt. You could just see his intensity, fire, drive, and he looks like he is as strong as an ox.
But, I digress.April 10, 2008
#44 jeff said . . .I think Otah would be a great fit.....the thing i'm thinking is if Otah's gone at 14....same with Chris Williams then take Mendenhall.
April 11, 2008
#45 d said . . .apparently otah has already dropped weight and is running quicker since the combine.
April 11, 2008
#46 Phil from SATX said . . .Since the talk is about linemen
here's a article talking about the importance of all five spots from a ex NFL linemanhttp://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/ross_tucker/04/02/oline.rankings/index.html
April 11, 2008
#47 Rancid said . . .d - many thanks. Simply the most informative article I have ever read about o linemen (and maybe the ONLY informative article about them I've seen). The oline is such a mysterious position(s) to the fan who has never played. I really appreciate the education.
Bear fans, click through and read - you'll probably know more than 95% of fans after reading it. Couple thoughts from that -
To me, the discussion on center provides an even greater indictment on Olin for last year - his principal job, it seems, is calling out protection, then hiking the ball. We've already discussed his problems hiking the ball, I thought that there were consistent breakdowns throughout the year where we acted like we didn't know where the pressure was coming from. Of course, he could have been correctly calling it and our guys failing to do anything about it, and the D has as a primary goal disguising its coverage so you're not going to be always right, but still...
It also made me wonder if the left guard position is of such relative lesser difficulty, why couldn't they have worked Beekman in there? For a hobbled Ruben Brown and an already-proven not-so-great Terry Metcalf?
One more question: Does the great Harry Hiestand understand anything about that article? Can someone email it to him?
D, thanks for helping make this site great.
Animal, totally agree with you about Dusty. In fact he reminded me of Mike Brown in his intensity, and in how obvious it was that he would be dominating and changing games if he could stay out there.
Which spurs a thought - what would you think about the theory that both Mike Brown and Dusty D outplay their bodies? Their intensity takes them to places that their body can't keep up with? Their hearts writing checks their bodies can't cash? I could buy that, and would keep them on our team as a model of intensity and where it can take you (despite what it can cost you).
Can't wait to have both back, even if it's destined to be for short periods of time.
April 11, 2008
#48 jeff said . . .That was a fantastic link, d, thanks
Reading it makes me feel better about Garza. I've never been one calling for his head but now I see that he is probably a guy playing a difficult position without a lot of credit. So I'm happy with him, similar to how I feel about Hunter.
Like Phil, the atricle also makes me more pissed that Beekman didn't get a look at LG at the end of last season. I had originally thought that maybe it was because he was viewed more as a future replacement for Olin because he was drafted as a G/C but after looking at his draft info from last year he really didn't play much C at BC (3 starts) compared to RG (34 starts). BC only played him at C a few times to see if he could do it so they could use him as an emergency replacement at C if it were needed.
This also supposedly improved his draft stock by showing he could be used in the same way in the pros, but I would hardly say anyone viewed him as a future NFL starting C. He is one of 3 Guards on the roster (with Garza and Oakley) listed as a G/C. Olin is the only true center on the team. Beekman should have been tried at LG last season over Metcalf.
There seems to be a decent amount of guys each year who played T in college but likely won't make it there in the NFL. Their draft stock drops because of it. The guy I really like this year is John Greco from Toledo.
He played LT there but is projected as a possible RT and more likely a G in the pros. If he drops to the 4th round I think he would be a great pick since he could possibly start at G or, if we're lucky, eventually replace Tait at RT (since Tait is going back to RT when we get Otah/Williams). I think picking up one of these guys who was a T, but will likely have to transition to G would be a great move for us in the middle rounds.
April 11, 2008
#49 JB said . . .here's my problem with the criticism of olin's hiking the ball: it never happened before rex grossman. are we saying that he suddenly developed this problem? if so, ok. but pre-grossman, i remember very few bad snaps. i think it got mentally into the team the way the false starts did.
April 11, 2008
#50 AK said . . .so i have a limited knowledge of this, but i played some center (mostly guard, some tackle) in high school. yes, high school, big deal, i know, but whatever. when i played center as a soph, and the center / qb exchange was bad i'd get blamed by the head coach who didn't know anything...it wasn't until the qb coach came in and put all the blame on the qb that i was exonerated. i would tend to think that something like an exchange could be either parties fault, and although i don't have a review committee working on the bad exchanges, i'd say it's more than probable that it was the qb's fault...just because all three qb's fumbled a snap does not automatically put the blame on olin...that is a dangerous way to interpret data...correlation, not causation...it may suggest that this is not a point of emphasis for bears qb's or there is a general lack of concentration during games...or maybe the fact that fumbled snaps are more common than you'd think but the media picks it up and blows it out of proportion.
i'm not concerned about olin in the least bit. he may not have had his best year, but as it said in that article, the centers responsibility is calling protection and sliding over to help. he doesn't have to be physically dominating. i'm not concerned about olin, i'm fine with tait moving back to the right. i think that article showed that a guy like beekman can slide in to the left easily. i'm not a garza fan, but he'll be in the lineup, so whatever, i'm over it.
April 11, 2008
#51 animal said . . .As much as I would like to believe that our center isn't a moron, I don't think the problem is with Rex. Kreutz mishandled the ball to Griese and Orton as well. Either all 3 of our QBs are incompetent or our center has some explaining to do.
April 11, 2008
#52 Pissed Off said . . .we are not taking an RB in the first round. not happening. stop the nonsense.
Jeff I've been thinking about a prior post where you said you coveted Drummond. Before the Ced Benson draft, I coveted Mike Williams out of USC. Huge, dominant, powerful receiver. My brother in law/Raider fan kept telling me the Bears would take Benson. Idiot, Id say, we got Thomas Jones already... I was pissed about the pick, and pissed Detroit got Williams. I guess it was a wash after all.. goes to show what fans know I suppose (about as much as the Lions front office).April 11, 2008
#53 Phil from SATX said . . .Great article. I think we knew most of the basics in that but I didnt know Center was the least regarded position (maybe I didnt want to believe or know that since we have such a stud center and it kind of takes away from his mystique) and I probably wouldnt have guessed that right guard is harder than right tackle. Interesting about the money situation. I guess we need a good Ritght guard, and it makes sense, then he can compensate for having a weaker Left tackle if thats the case.
April 11, 2008
#54 Pissed Off said . . .Are guards interchangeable as to the left or right?
April 11, 2008
#55 animal said . . .You wouldnt think so according to that article but I assume there are plenty of examples to prove that theory wrong.
April 11, 2008
#56 Phil from SATX said . . .AK:
All three of our quarterbacks are incompetent.April 11, 2008
#57 animal said . . .PO'd, what I meant by my question was whether linemen style themselves as "left guards" or "right guards" or are they just "guards." Understand from the article that one is apparently a lot more difficult than the other, but when you pick the best guard you can find, are they ID'd as left or right (like tackles can be) or just guards?
April 11, 2008
#58 Pissed Off said . . .Phil-
Interesting thought about outplaying your body. There are basically three types in my humble theory: 1. guys who are supremely talented and/or athletic and dont ever have to try hard or work hard, 2. guys with the physical potential and sufficient talent who make it because they put in the work and 3. guys with no business being pros who work so fucking hard and/or have so much heart/passion that they make it despite the odds.
It is the guys in category 3 that are most likely to outplay their bodies. I think of Dwayne Wade in the NBA. Sure he is talented as hell, but undersized and makes his mark crashing hard all day. In the end, his body can't keep up with his otherwordly drive.
So ya, it is entirely possible that some guys do so much on guts, heart, working their asses off and playing balls-to-the-wall, that they just physically break down sooner.
Meanwhile, the Randy Mosses and Lebrons of the world coast on by them.April 11, 2008
#59 zisk said . . .Alrighty then.....I have zero belief in the "outplaying your body" theory, I think its complete bullshit. Sometimes shit happens and you get hurt/injured, you can also push too hard and break down but that goes for ANYONE, not just some below average talent joe who pushes so hard and has so much heart his body cant keep up with his mind. Thanks for the laugh.
Phil, I think most guys are classified as one guard or the other. Doesnt mean they arent interchangable but I think everyone has a designated title.
April 11, 2008
#60 animal said . . .Lorenzo neal got cut from the chargers awhile back I don't know why we haven't been trying to pick him up, he's probably the best fullback in the league
April 11, 2008
#61 Pissed Off said . . .So, then, PO, all players play and train equally? Some do not push harder, play harder and put themselves at risk more than others? All players have the same physiological makeup?
Yes, "sometimes shit happens." No shit, genius. Thanks for pointing out the obvious. So, injury is always a random occurrence? Yes, anyone can push/train too hard and get hurt. So, the less talented/physically dominant guys are not more likely to be pushing the limit of their bodies?
"Thanks for the laugh."
April 11, 2008
Great comback dude. You were the one who stated the obvious and the point your trying to prove is idiotic in my mind. I'm not calling you out I just think it may be the dumbest thing I've ever heard...saying that someone plays with so much heart that they outplay their body. Anyone can play with heart and get hurt, superb athletes and below average guys who push it.
April 13, 2008
Here at DaBearsBlog, you are free to kill us or the Bears as you so wish. You are not free, however, to be an asshole. So if you spew racism or ill-meaning foul language (cursing about football is just fine) or anything of that ilk, your comments ain't gonna last long, jerk.