What's the "plan" at OL ?!?

[Chewie]

Wow - I could make a whole series of these considering the number of holes we have and our inability to address them in the early stages of free agency. Here's our current stable of offensive linemen under contract now that Miller and Brown have been given the heave-ho :

Olin Kreutz, C: 10 yr vet with multiple pro bowls under his belt. While he deservedly didn't make the pro bowl last year, I think we'd agree we're set at center.

Roberto Garza, OG : 7 yr vet who's a steady if unspectacular performer.

John Tait, OT : 9 yr vet. Could see him moved from LT to RT. Skills declined last year though fighting injury could be partially blamed. 33 yrs old.

John St. Clair, OT : 8 yr vet. Started 5 games due to others being injured but purely backup material.

Terrence Metcalf, OG : 6 yr vet. Bears have wanted him to hold onto the starter's job since they drafted him but he continues to unimpress. You can forget the running game and our QB's health if we have to resort to starting TM. Backup material (at best).

Josh Beekman, OG : 1 yr vet. Last year's 4th rd pick. Must have really impressed during practice as he couldn't sniff the field come game time.

Anthony Oakley, OG : 2 yr vet. Who? Can't even confirm if he's under contract.

And there you have it. Scared ? You should be ! This is U-G-L-Y. Aside from the the first three - who are getting long in the tooth themselves - we've got *nada*. The Bears have gone the free agent route in the past as they like experience on the o-line (who doesn't?) but we've yet to line up a single visit this year. Is this in the name of "fiscal sobriety" as Angelo likes to put it ?

As much as I want to go RB in Rd 1, I can look at the offensive line and say "why bother" ? And why would a free agent like Michael Turner even think about the Bears after seeing the state of our line? Not that we were interested anyway!

We need a minimum of 3 bodies here - 2 of which can start and 1 of which we'd like to start at the most important OL position, left tackle so Tait can slide over. Here's hoping we're doing our homework on the remaining free agents and college guys. Teams that go far don't have patchwork lines that are just learning to play together. [/rant]

[Howling Mad]

Our biggest need for the O-line is on the left side.

The left side is the QB's blind side, unless we get a QB who is left handed(very rare). Even then, the best place to run is the left side because most teams set up their best defensive rusher on the right side(our left), and their best running defender on the left(our right). The QB also looks at the #1 WR, which is usually lined up on the right side, leaving he left side 'blind'.

Tait was out of position, playing on the left side of the line, we payed him big bucks to play RT. Simply moving him to the right side will imrpove our production from the RT position.

C is pretty much settled with a repeat pro-bowler. He didn't play up to par last year, but a lot of this can be blamed at the rest of the line. I say leave the C position alone.

I'd love to pick up Jake Long for LT, but thats a pipe dream. Chris Williams, whom most have on their draft board for the Bears pick, is quickly climbing up the charts and might not be there for us. Jeff Otah, from Pitt, or Ryan Clady from Boise could be our options. Pick up one of them and groom him at LT.

So, keeping count, so far we have our RT, LT, and C, now for the guards.

Roberto Garza is a Lovie Smith, and Chicago Bear organization favorite. He won the job over Metcalf in 05 and received a big extension afterwards, so expect him at RG.

With Ruben Brown leaving, our biggest ? on the line is LG. LG is probably the most important position on the O-line. Once again, the blind side, and the closest to the quarter back. If you have a great LG you can block three defensive rushers with the LG-C combo.

Alan Faneca would've been a dream at this position, he's going to do wonders for the Jets and their young LT D'brickashaw Ferguson, and their young C Nick Mangold.

Minny's LG, steve Hutchinson makes their RB, Peterson, a great RB, to a potential HOF RB. Yeah Steve is that good and LG is that important.

Having said all that, I doubt the Bears do anything with this position but find a quality veteran FA. Although there aren't any quality LG out there anymore, a rookie LG would be foolish to play.

So in the end...

LT-(rookie) Williams, Otah, or Clady
LG-Veteran FA, please do something smart with this position
C-Olin Kreutz
RG-Roberto Garza
RT-John Tait

sub-John St. Clair


My dream O-line would've been

LT-Jake Long
LG-Alan Faneca
C-Olin Kreutz
RG-mid round(3rd or 4th round pick) rookie
RT-John Tait

[Chewie]

Good write up. We're on the same page but there ARE actually some good options remaining on the OG front. Jake Scott (IND) and Rex Hadnot (MIA) are both 4 year vets we should be looking at. We should've had these guys in for a visit YESTERDAY. GIT-R-DONE.

[Howling Mad]

Ehhh, I'll say their legit possibilities when I see the Bears make a legit offer, otherwise I expect more blue light specials for our FA pick ups.

[SWIFTSLICK]

My initial plan included Alan Faneca and Jeff Otah, and a possible late draft pick. But the Bears never entered the Faneca sweepstakes. Otah, and Long are solid options but theres no telling what the Bears are going to do in the draft.

I have no idea what this team is planning. Especially since they've decided to go with old re-treads at WR.

[Chewie]

Jake Scott just went to the Titans. Wonder if the Bears even bothered to call ?

[Howling Mad]

If my choices were the Titans among other teams, I don't know if I would even pick up the call from the Bears.

[dougthonus]

If my choices were the Titans among other teams, I don't know if I would even pick up the call from the Bears.

Why?

I don't know that I'd be all excited to play for Tennessee vs Chicago. The AFC is way tougher. Tennessee is probably the 3rd best team in it's own division and will have a massive up hill battle to make the playoffs.

The Bears are a year removed from the super bowl, something Scott might remember seeing as that he played against them.

[Chewie]

-= original quote snipped =-



Why?

I don't know that I'd be all excited to play for Tennessee vs Chicago. The AFC is way tougher. Tennessee is probably the 3rd best team in it's own division and will have a massive up hill battle to make the playoffs.

The Bears are a year removed from the super bowl, something Scott might remember seeing as that he played against them.

Seeing as - by all appearances - we weren't even in the running for Scott, we'll never be able to ask him that question. It's an easy choice to make when the Bears don't even make you an offer. I'll eat my hat if we make Starks an offer.

[Howling Mad]

Why?

I don't know that I'd be all excited to play for Tennessee vs Chicago. The AFC is way tougher. Tennessee is probably the 3rd best team in it's own division and will have a massive up hill battle to make the playoffs.

The Bears are a year removed from the super bowl, something Scott might remember seeing as that he played against them.

My guess why Scott would choose Tenn over Chi can be summed up in two words. Vince Young, for a couple reasons.

The first reason is, the guy is a winner. The 08 Titans were the epitome of an up and down season. I think there was a stretch where they won 4 in a row, then and things looked good, then lost the next four. In the end Vince Young pulled out a couple great wins to get his team into the playoffs, in the absolute crunch time of the season(the last few games), and he did it in the last two quarters of the games. Thats a winner who succeeds in the clutch.

The second is, most teams try to prioritize to get a good LG and C for their O-line. Tennessee is a little different since Vince is a running QB and loves to run to the right side. Most of their line is young and can move with Young's running game, and Kevin Mawae, their C(old but good), is probably one of the few I'd consider taking over Kreutz.

[TylerB]

The first reason is, the guy is a winner. The 08 Titans were the epitome of an up and down season. I think there was a stretch where they won 4 in a row, then and things looked good, then lost the next four. In the end Vince Young pulled out a couple great wins to get his team into the playoffs, in the absolute crunch time of the season(the last few games), and he did it in the last two quarters of the games. Thats a winner who succeeds in the clutch.

Um, the Titans made the playoffs because the Colts rested their starters the last week of the season and the Titans still barely won the game. Oh and for the record Kerry Collins came in and won that game for them. They were losing when VY got hurt and Collins brought them back.

Young also played poorly the week before throwing for 166 yards and 1 INT with no TDs against a putrid Jets team. They managed 3 points the entire 2nd half but won because their defense shut the Jets out in the 2nd half and held them to 6 points for the game.

Besides losing 3 in a row in November the Titans were up just about all season. They never won or lost 4 in a row like you claim.

Not sure why you continue to make things up but just to be fair and balanced I will try to provide the facts when necessary. Vince Young is currently the reason that Titans team with a good defense, line, and running game is struggling to go from playoff contender to legitimate super bowl contender. He has been fairly bad.

But as an offensive lineman I would want to go play in Tennessee because they are a predominantly running team and have two good young tackles and a veteran in the middle. Who doesn't want to be a part of success?

[Howling Mad]

Sorry I mistyped 07 as 08, obviously. (The 08 Titans don't exist yet)

The stretch of games I was talking about was 3 games of winning and losing, consecutively. Sorry not 4.

Here are the games logs for their rocky, up and down season.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/t ... i/2007.htm

The two games I'm talking about are these two.

against the Chiefs.

http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/playbypla ... rride=true

With about 2:30 left in the 3rd quarter, Vince throws a 41 yard touchdown. Puts the Titans up 20-17. After an interception, Vince and Titans get the ball back on the KC 28. He would've had two TDs in under two minutes to end the third quarter, but there was a holding call. The first play of the 4th quarter was a FG. Titans up 23-17.
The rest of the game was a Lendale White show.

against the Jets... mostly a possession game, boring, boring football.
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/playbypla ... rride=true

Vince Young leads the Titans to a 60 yard drive in the middle of the 3rd quarter. Ends in a FG, puts the Titans up by 3.

Into the 4th quarter he digs the Titans out of a hole starting at the Ten 2yrd line. In that drive Vince completes a 7yard pass on 3rd and 6, he also completes a 19yeard pass on 3rd and 12. The result was a punt that left the jets on their own 19 yrd line. Could've ended worse starting at their own two yard line, but Vince completed a copule key passes on 3rd downs.
The rest of the game (7 minutes or so left) was another the Lendale White show.

Hey TylerB, thanks for the A-nal probe.

[Howling Mad]

Before these two wins, the Titans were 7-6.

(I better provide a link before TylerB gets mad )

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/t ... i/2007.htm

Without those two games, the Titans don't make the playoffs, and Kerry Collins' comeback win against the Colts' reserves doesn't matter.

[Howling Mad]

Oh yea...

and then there's this reason why Vince Young is a winner.

[Howling Mad]

Favre has been a choker for 10 years now. That super bowl was a LONG time ago

Before 2007, Favre had 36 4th quarter or overtime comebacks/wins. That's not choking.

I don't know how many games he lost at the last second, but he had 3 markedly bad playoff games out of 12.

there are too many people on these boards who like to give their opinions even when they don't take the time to understand all the facts.

You're like that tag-a-long, one-up guy that everyone wants to get away from.

[treyZz]

TylerB sounds miserable in each and everyone of his posts. Must not have a lot going for him.

[TylerB]

-= original quote snipped =-


You're like that tag-a-long, one-up guy that everyone wants to get away from.

Favre has thrown big INTs in EVERY SINGLE playoff loss since the super bowl in 1997. Without exception. You can insult me all you want but it doesn't change the fact that I am right and almost everything you say is off base.

[TylerB]

Sorry I mistyped 07 as 08, obviously. (The 08 Titans don't exist yet)

The stretch of games I was talking about was 3 games of winning and losing, consecutively. Sorry not 4.

Here are the games logs for their rocky, up and down season.

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/t ... i/2007.htm

Yeah, besides one losing streak they were consistent. Calling them the epitome of an up and down team or whatever it was you called them is clearly inaccurate, why are you still trying to defend that?

against the Jets... mostly a possession game, boring, boring football.
http://www.nfl.com/gamecenter/playbypla ... rride=true

Vince Young leads the Titans to a 60 yard drive in the middle of the 3rd quarter. Ends in a FG, puts the Titans up by 3.

Even here your facts are wrong. The Titans were winning 7-6, it put them up 4. Wow a FG drive in the 3rd quarter of a game against a terrible team when you already had the lead! This guy is so clutch!

I doubt you were even referencing this game, you just made something up, you were wrong, and now you looked up the game logs and are trying to spin something. Obviously this Jets game had nothing to do with Vince Young making big plays in the 2nd half to win the game. As if some FG drive in the 3rd quarter of a Titans/Jets somehow stuck in your mind, please.

That had more to do with VY being so inept that they couldn't take more than a 4 point lead against a terrible team with the playoffs on the line even when the defense holds them to 6 points total and 0 in the 2nd half.

KC is equally as bad as the Jets. And for the record the TD pass in the 3rd quarter was a complete blown coverage where no one covered Roydell Williams.

No one in their right mind looks at either of these games and thinks great clutch play by Vince Young in the 2nd halves to win ballgames. No one thinks that because it just isn't what happened.

[Howling Mad]

Favre has thrown big INTs in EVERY SINGLE playoff loss since the super bowl in 1997. Without exception. You can insult me all you want but it doesn't change the fact that I am right and almost everything you say is off base.

http://www.communifax.com/kof/Portal.htm

[Chewie]

-= original quote snipped =-




http://www.communifax.com/kof/Portal.htm

Loser leaves the Bears board ? Sig bet ? Need some stakes here, baby...