I just finished reading The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis (author of Hardball). The book examined the evolution of the Left Tackle position, and how through the years it has evolved to be the second highest paid position on the offense after quarterback. The book for the most part follows Michael Oher, the Ole Miss LT that is returning for his senior season and is considered a top flight draft pick for the '09 draft, his rise from the ghetto of Memphis to live with a rich white family. It's an incredible story of how his obvious LT size saved him from a life of violence with guns for a life of controlled violence in pads and a helmet. That's my plug for the book, go check it out, pass the time in the summer months while we wait on training camp to start.
Reading the Blind Side right now made me think just how important our investment is in Chris Williams. A lot of bloggers on here have been concerned with the lack of drafting/signing a G to step in and start this year. After reading this book, I'm less concerned about that and more interested in the quick maturation of our prized LT. It's not a sexy position traditionally to talk about, but it seems to me that although CW won't tote the ball, take a 7-step drop, or catch a square in, our new left tackle is a sexy pick. He's highly paid (or rather will be) and arguably the second most important player on the field when we have the ball. His ability to slow the best pass rushers in the league will directly affect the amount of time that Rex/Kyle has to throw.
The pseudo-experts will have you believe that LT is a safe pick...that's only because it's hard to remember LT busts but easy to remember QB/RB busts. My contention is that the early success of Chris Williams will be the biggest driver in the success of our offense. Bigger than the Rex/Kyle battle. Bigger than the Devin Hester experiment. Bigger than Forte beating out Ced.
~JB
#2 jdawg said . . ."My contention is that the early success of Chris Williams will be the biggest driver in the success of our offense." I would take Chris Williams out of that sentence and put in "the offensive line as a whole". Say Williams turns out to be a bonafide superstar. That really won't matter all that much if the guy lining up next to him can't block or protect. An effective offensive line is very much a cohesive unit, I think it's more like one bad seed can ruin the bunch (or whatever that metaphor is).
May 27, 2008
#3 Pissed Off said . . .I would rather have a DT blow by the LG than the end blow by Williams. Plus, hopefully, Olin can help.
The one play RT likes to call that could really be affected is the running play where the LG pulls. R Brown, when healthy, was great at that play.
May 27, 2008
#4 mikebdot said . . .I still wish the Bears would re-sign Ruben. He's old but he's still a helluva guard if he's healthy. He expressed that he wanted to play again. I just dont get it why they dont sign him.
I love Tait going back to the right side and like I've said before I think that makes him an elite Right Tackle in the NFL (on paper) since he was damn near that on the left side in years past. If Williams works out and Olin gets his shit together this line should be pretty solid. The Tackle position is very important like JB said and if this all works out (Tait being able to stay on rt side, Willams not busting) we can feel very fortunate. And regarding the book......I dont read anything other than internet prattle and magazines besides what i have to read for work.
May 27, 2008
#5 Phil from SATX said . . .PO'd: The only reason I can think of NOT to sign Brown is because they actually think Beekman is better. That would be good news.
May 27, 2008
#6 mikebdot said . . .That WOULD be good news except for a certain name that is always uttered in combination with Beekman -
TERRY METCALF
unless that is a complete ruse and be-nice-t0-veterans fakery, comparing Beekman with Metcalf is worse than damning by faint praise - it's condemnation!
May 27, 2008
#7 jdawg said . . .Phil: I hope it's all lip-service. Same with putting Williams on second team behind St. Clair...
May 27, 2008
#8 said . . .Lovie has learned not to name starters that haven't earned it. Beekman was, according to more than one report, held out last year to let his body mature. The person who asked that this be done was Rusty Jones. If there's one person on our staff I have faith in, besides Toub, its him.
So, maybe Beekman is good enough to beat out Metcalf, but Lovie will let that battle play itself out during camp and preseason.
May 27, 2008
#9 JB said . . .According to profootballtalk.com somebody has signed Shane Olivea, could it be the Bears? Would he not be perfect for adding depth to our tackle position, give us a backup plan in case Williams needs some seasoning, and also possibly even be the long-term answer at RT since Tait isn't getting any younger. If we really did sign Olivea and also brought back Ruben, I'd start to feel better about our O-line and by extension our entire 2008-9 season.
May 27, 2008
#10 wheresolsen? said . . .while it doesn't surprise me if many of you don't read anything outside of ESPN the mag or Playboy (for the articles, i'm sure), you should bend your own rules and read football books. This was a really interesting book and I truly enjoyed it. I have other recommendations if anyone wants one.
May 27, 2008
#11 Nicole is no longer miserable in the blue city said . . .JB - i just finished 'dark side of the game' by tim green. pretty good read, decent insight into the nfl from a player/broadcaster perspective. just picked up blind side 2 nights ago and have only made it halfway through the 1st chapter but seems promising.
May 28, 2008
#12 Nicole is no longer miserable in the blue city said . . .Hi guys!
I've been loyalal checking in but have been bad about posting, forgive me, but it's for a good cause! I'm finally outta this miserable Bolts city and onto a new spot! Whoo hoo!
New job is taking me to SC and ironically, I picked SC over Chicago (gulp) but it's got it's perks. AND I can always visit Chitown and I'll always LOVE my Bears regardless of my zip code.
Can't wait to Bear down in the warmth of the south! :)May 28, 2008
#13 mikebdot said . . .Hi guys!
I've been loyally checking in but have been bad about posting, forgive me, but it's for a good cause! I'm finally outta this miserable Bolts city and onto a new spot! Whoo hoo!
New job is taking me to SC and ironically, I picked SC over Chicago (gulp) but it's got it's perks. AND I can always visit Chitown and I'll always LOVE my Bears regardless of my zip code.
Can't wait to Bear down in the warmth of the south! :)May 28, 2008
#14 JB said . . .I only read pop-up books. They make me laugh.
May 28, 2008
#15 zisk said . . .ok, so no one reads books or is interested in talking about a topic raised by a book. phil, your turn.
May 28, 2008
#16 mikebdot said . . .I've been waiting for us to talk about wide receivers ever since we decided we have the best quarterback and first or second worst run game in the division. I need my bears fix and Benson's adventure on high seas isn't doing it for me anymore.
May 28, 2008
#17 Rancid said . . .Actually, JB, I read books, I was just poking fun in general. I don't typically read sports books though. Lately I've been on a Vonnegut and Hesse kick.
May 28, 2008
#18 JB said . . .I hate the offseason
May 28, 2008
#19 Max said . . .mikeb, i'm down with vonnegut...i like the newer breed of vonnegut like palahniuk too. i usually read those types of books to shake up everything else...those guys are so far off from center it helps to realize not everyone if formulaic. i don't read a lot of sports books myself, but this one was recommended by a friend so i checked it out.
May 28, 2008
#20 Al In WI said . . .Hey JB, have you ever read Semi-Tough? Its a little older book by Dan Jenkins. It tells the story of a Giants RB going to the Super Bowl against the Jets back in the day. Really quite funny. Just throwing it out there.
May 28, 2008
#21 Tenacious D said . . .I personally have read every book by or about Mike Ditka. I can say the same about Walter Payton.
John Mullin has done some really good books about the rise and fall of the '8o's Bears and the history of the team through the Jauron era. But I think there is more to do on those topics personally.
The question of the season will be how well Angelo's draft picks work out on offense. From QB to WR, and from OL to RB, and every position we ignored free agency in favor of draft picks. If they develope this could be a really good year, if not it could get ugly. A heck of a gamble I think.May 28, 2008
#22 Duff Diggler said . . .Just saw an interesting stat from Larry Mayer Q & A section at Da Site. Bears are 14-1 in last 15 games that Mike Brown has started (14-0 until San Diego last season), and 12-0 in the last 12 games he's started and finished.
Because he's been hurt so much, its easy to underestimate his value to this team. Man, I hope he stays healthy all season.
May 29, 2008
#23 AfroCelt said . . .....back from my golf trip to Kiawah Island, SC....
Al: just so you know, my Army seperation date is rapidly approaching. I should be in the Eau Claire area by September. I think i need to buy a huge bears flag for a front yard flagpole. Why does my wife have to be from wisconsin? *sigh*..... anyway, we need to catch a game together.....
BTW.... since i've been gone a while, and didn't get to comment on the CB issue, here is a random prediction: Benson is a cowboy by 2011.... he meets the criteria... that is: he's a punk, often in trouble, from texas, and a premadonna.... thoughts?
May 29, 2008
#24 Pissed Off said . . .Duff, I completely agree that you need a Bears flag. My fiance and I are currently house hunting in Appleton and we've both agreed that it needs to be there.
Appleton will be better than Green Bay itself though...
Anyways, we should have room if anyone comes to the Bear-Packer game...yay for free house to crash?
May 29, 2008
#25 Taylor said . . .For those clamoring for it, I will put something up Friday.
May 29, 2008
#26 Anytime said . . .ESPN and CSN are reporting that Urlacher WILL report to mini camp. Yeah!!! I had some pretty harsh words for him when all this contract crap started, so this makes me very happy. It shows you the kind of leader he is and it shows class. I want him to go out there this year and show that he can still play at an elite level reguardless of his back and neck issues. If he does that, then in my mind he will have earned an extension.
May 29, 2008
#27 shonbear said . . .He was just faking the blitz. He will drop back into coverage.
It was hard for me to understand why last season he is offering to restructure his contract for Briggs and this year whining.May 30, 2008
#28 shonbear said . . .Just listened to Tommie Harris on Mike North's show. Kind of confusing, is he for players living by their contract or not. First he says players should do what the contract says, then he says essentially the same thing Brian said about being able to change your contract based on the market place changing.
I like what he said about Matt Ryan, or any rookie, being able to get a 72 million dollar contract before ever playing a down in the NFL is BS.
I think BU ought to take the 18 mil one year extension, but I think that JA should do more guaranteed $$ up front as a reward for his showing up at minicamp.
Still no rookie signings??? I know somebody said that it was because of NFL Europe, but come on, Miami is sweeping through their signings. We were like the best in the league for two years, now nobody yet. Lets geterdone...
Hope for some good news from this weekends minicamps. Hope to hear that all our QB's are looking great and the receivers are blowing the sox off of all onlookers (especially DH, hope his playbook knowledge and route running has greatly improved).
Let's hear it. PO'd, come up with something that will get this blog going and continue to kill time till we get some real Bears news or until camp starts.
Bloggers, come up with some great news headliners:
-Manning pulls muscle and won't start vs the Bears on opening day...
-Dellhome, Smith and Moose all sit out week two.
- Grossman and Forte light fire vs first preaseason opponent.
- Benson crushes defenders as he gets to the endzone.
- Mike Brown healthier than ever developing young talent.
- Chris Williams holding the line for QB's and RB's
Anything else???
May 30, 2008
#29 shonbear said . . .Here's another hopeful headline:
Bears re-sign Reuben Brown, develop youth and encourage depth on the line.
hmmm
Come on, he'll probably play for cheap too, cause I'm sure he wants to stay with the Bears.
May 30, 2008
#30 mikebdot said . . .Mariotti is a tool, Urlacher is the man, but I think I actually liked most today's article on the BU saga.
From here on I'm thinking Brian's stock won't be going up, hope the season says something different.
May 30, 2008
#31 Shady said . . .shonbear: Ruben Brown was on one of the worst rushing offensive lines in the entire league. Why all the love? Even if he was hurt, that doesn't say much about his wore out body. It's as though Olin Kreutz doesn't exist as a possible veteran influence (as much as I dislike him). It's not as though John Tait is a young kid.
We don't need Ruben Brown.
May 30, 2008
#32 JB said . . .#26 great metaphor Anytime.
Shon, I don't care WHAT kind of headlines come out of camp this year I refuse to get my hopes up... to much anyway.
Last year they made it seem like we had a Super Bowl caliber offense in the waiting with Rex, Ced and Devin.
While it would be nice if that happened, I can't allow myself to "believe the hype".
We'll know what this team is really about week 1 against IND.
May 30, 2008
#33 Tenacious D said . . ."but I think that JA should do more guaranteed $$ up front as a reward for his showing up at minicamp."
Shonbear, you're on crack. He should get a reward for doing his job? Do you get a bonus for showing up to work when you are supposed to Shonbear? Does extra money filter into your account when you log your 40 hours in? Give me a break.
Please stop the love fest with Ruben Brown...it's not going to happen and it doesn't need to happen. Move forward, please.
May 30, 2008
#34 Rancid said . . .Good news about BU. I guess I don't have to mothball my 54 jersey after all.
May 30, 2008
#35 mikebdot said . . .I sort of understand the Ruben Brown interest but 53 is a small number. If you're incredibly bored and desperate for something Bears related to do, go to DaSite and pull up the roster and count the players who should make the team. It's damn hard to stay under 53. That's really why we messed up and got rid of Chris Harris last year, we couldn't keep everyone. I guess my basic point is that if Ruben comes, who goes?
May 30, 2008
#36 mikebdot said . . .Rancid: To be sure, I wouldn't mind signing Brown over, say, Oakley, or Metcalf, but regardless, he isn't going to be a savior and we have enough veteran leadership there already. We need to get younger at the position. Especially if Garza plays poorly again this year (that's obviously my opinion and others don't agree, but he is getting older and if his body falls apart, we'll need a replacement).
Really, the same could be said about Mike Brown. If he gets injured again this season, we're going to have to turn the page. And we'd be just fine doing that as Urlacher, Harris, Tillman, Vasher, Brown, Ogunleye, and Briggs will all provide plenty of leadership on the D.
Honestly, I'm not sure how anyone can look at our D and think this team isn't just stacked if healthy. Even "healthier than last year" will be plenty good.
The only position we're missing a true impact player is safety. Turns out the coaching staff was wrong about Chris Harris and that sort of sucks, but I'm not going to lament decisions that had to be made. I think bringing in Archuleta was a decent move without the benefit of hindsight. We paid him too much, but I don't really care. That's all water under the bridge. At least they made it right by demoting him to special teams (where he actually did contribute) and then cut him this offseason. Now we have safeties up the butt with real experience playing in adverse conditions (you know, after three and outs and turnover-fests). That is when players learn a lot.
Looking at the roster list, there is going to be another safety cut this season, especially if Leonard Peters actually makes the team. He's been talked up in a number of articles I've read. I'm not sure who he'll replace though. Manning or McGowan? Right now we've got Peters, Steltz, Payne, McGowan, Manning, Brown, and Josh Gattis (no way he makes the team). While it's possible we keep six safeties this season with our special teams ace BA gone and not counting against us at LB, especially with the concerns surrounding Mike Brown, I don't find it likely. Honestly, I think McGowan might be on his way out. Though, I have read a number of articles speculating that Manning could replace RMJ at nickel?
Actually, that's another interesting position to look at as well. Bowman is being talked up, Graham and McBride made the team last year and we all know Vasher and Tillman are locked up for a number of years. I think RMJ is as good as gone after June 1. We might actually have things to talk about next week!
Oh, we signed our first rookie: Kellen Davis, welcome to Chicago! (that info is via florio at PFT: http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/05/30/bears-ink-a-rookie/
Might want to take that with a grain of salt though.
May 30, 2008
#37 jeff said . . .And, to be sure, when Mike Brown is in the lineup he's an impact player, but, well, you know what I meant, hopefully. When he's hurt we don't have one, at least one hasn't stepped up the past few seasons when he goes down. In retrospect, I would rather have cut McGowan than trade Harris, but whatever. Water under bridge.
I really don't think JA has been that concerned with his image regarding making decisions and then making it right if it was the wrong decision. He brought in Arch and got rid of him. Brown aged, he's gone. Berrian played well, but we parted ways. We paid a lot of money for Moose and we cut him. We stuck with Fred Miller, he's gone. We traded TJ because he wanted to be gone. We have enough RBs to make CB expendable. There were no good QB options and now we have an actual competition in camp (hopefully).
I'm not sure why JA gets criticized so much for sticking with the talent he drafted, especially on O. CB and Grossman are the two examples and I'm not sure we had much different options, especially with the amount of money we paid Urlacher in '03 through '06.
May 30, 2008
(checking in from the studio) thanks for keeping up the momentum, boys.
May 30, 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.