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http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/fo ... 5678.story

BOURBONNAIS -- With 44 career starts and now 10 snaps in Friday's preseason opener, the new Chicago Bears coaching staff has plenty to review when it comes to J'Marcus Webb.

For one day, at least, the right tackle has been demoted. The Bears are using rookie Jordan Mills, a fifth-round pick from Louisiana Tech, with the first unit Sunday afternoon in the first practice since the 24-17 loss at Carolina. Webb is playing with the second team at left tackle.

Panthers left end Charles Johnson beat Webb for a sack. Webb started at left tackle the previous two seasons. He was the starting right tackle as a rookie in 2010.

Veteran offensive tackle Jonathan Scott remains sidelined with a sore right knee. He started five games at right tackle last season and would likely be an option if he was healthy.

BIGGIEsmalls 23 wrote:I would be more comfortable with Jonathan Scott starting at RT.

ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS Mills has tremendous size and power in his upper and lower body. Mills is always hustling, and doesn't stop working until the whistle blows. He shows good awareness on stunts and sells play action passes very well. Mills has a very good first step. Takes a powerful inside step to cut off defenders. Showcases this step and balance on seal and reach blocks. Coordinated, with a good pass set.
WEAKNESSES Inconsistent in his aiming point. Will grab outside of the chest plate, which will result in holding calls. Mills isn't very quick off the snap, and can be beaten almost instantaneously because of this. Mills can also be found lunging at his blocks too often. Never played left tackle.
NFL COMPARISON Michael Oher
BOTTOM LINE Mills is a powerful player with tremendous size. He combines this size with great hustle. Aside from a couple starts at guard his freshman season, Mills has only played at right tackle, but scouts will likely see him as a versatile prospect capable of playing left tackle, right tackle, or guard. Mills could find himself as a top-100 selection.

“I did pretty good [at Carolina],” Mills said. “I’m my worst critic so I think I did OK, coach said I did pretty good, now I just have to keep working and get my technique down.

[Long] really did well and did some good things,” coach Marc Trestman said. “Made some mistakes but he had a good presence about him, he was good on the sideline, he was able to explain to Aaron [Kromer, offensive coordinator] what was going on out there. It was a good sign.”

emperorjones wrote:

BIGGIEsmalls 23 wrote:I would be more comfortable with Jonathan Scott starting at RT.

Hurt

BIGGIEsmalls 23 wrote:

emperorjones wrote:

BIGGIEsmalls 23 wrote:I would be more comfortable with Jonathan Scott starting at RT.

Hurt

I thought that Scott did a decent job last season. If Mills is capable of growing while also keeping Cutler clean, I'm all for it.

It's just extremely hard to rely on rookie O-Linemen. I'm just tired of our line being the weakness of the team year in & out.

Second point: Kromer is as good as it gets at developing not just offensive linemen, but also offensive linemen who are late-round draft choices. Jermon Bushrod (fourth round); Jahri Evans (fourth round); Carl Nicks (fifth round).

And who are rookies: Evans started all 16 games as a rookie. Nicks started 13.

With the start of the regular season now less than four weeks distant, the intensity of training camp ticked up several notches to what coach Marc Trestman terming a “vicious practice.”

Some of the “vicious” was at the expense of the younger Bears carrying some heavy expectations. Rookie right tackle Jordan Mills was beaten several times in practice by Corey Wootton in team sessions, taken to the shed by a veteran defensive end who had seven sacks last season.

"The two rookies we have right now, they're pretty far along," quarterback Jay Cutler said. "They're really talented guys physically. We'll get them caught up mentally. They want to be in there, they want to do a good job, and that's the most important thing. If you have a guy that wants to do it, we'll figure out a way."

fleet wrote:By the way, if Emery comes away with 2 starters on the O line, 2 future starting linebackers and a capable wide receiver with upside to start or be a 3rd receiver, that's about as good as it ever gets. One draft year the Bears got like 5 starters and soon therafter went to and won the superbowl. I'm not saying this draft is as good because I really don't know about Mills who is in right now by default. And the jury is out on quality for the others. I'm only saying nice job Mr Emery.