Should Williams start at LT after the Bye?

dingojazz · Post #1 » by **dingojazz** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:54 pm

The Bears invested the 14th overall pick and a lot of guaranteed money in Chris WIlliams. He has now been healthy for a few weeks and practicing full go.

The current O-Line has surpassed expectations, and St. Clair has been solid. However, Jared Allen did have 2 sacks last week as St. Clair's lack of athleticism was somewhat exposed.

Do the Bears risk messing up the cohesive group of veteran O Lineman to get their prized first rounder on the field? Or will this become a "redshirt" year for Williams, as has happened in the past with injured rookies.

If Williams can start, we suddenly get a lot deeper with St. Clair as our primary backup. Josh Beekman has played well enough that I don't think the team would consider starting St. Clair at LG and Williams at LT.

What do you guys think? I personally want to see Williams get on the field and see what he can do. I like St. Clair a lot, but I think he's needed help against athletic pass rushers.

Chewie · Post #2 » by **Chewie** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 5:13 pm

Well I'm on record as liking what St. Clair's brought to the table thus far - much better than the nightmare I expected. That being said, he is more valuable as a backup lineman given his versatility and we did draft CW in Rd1 for a reason.

I'm only for this idea if Chris Williams shows the coaches in practice that he can be at least as good as St. Clair and that's no gimmee given the amount of valuable camp time he missed and because he's coming off the back injury. Could just be a lost year for Williams - it may well be he only sees time in a blowout game during garbage time or an emergency situation.

Post #3 » by **emperorjones** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 6:25 pm

dingojazz wrote: He has now been healthy for a few weeks and practicing full go.

I completely agree with you, but where did you hear he was full go? I've only seen that he was limited in drills and heard he was on a non-contact basis thus far?? If you're right, thats awesome and will lead to a solid second half for the offense!

Post #4 » by **CBS7** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 10:53 pm

St. Clair has been solid. I say work him in slowly, if he does well, move St. Clair to RT, bench Tait, start Williams.

Post #5 » by **emperorjones** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 12:30 pm

CBS7 wrote:St. Clair has been solid. I say work him in slowly, if he does well, move St. Clair to RT, bench Tait, start Williams.

CBS, could you EVER have imagined yourself saying that before the season started? Heck of a statement for St. Clair. I think the coaches refusal to move Tait back to LT in favor of consistency on the line is paying off.

Post #6 » by **CBS7** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 3:45 pm

No. But this season has been full of huge surprises.

I never would have imagined that someone could say "Orton to the pro bowl" and not be written off as crazy.
I never would have imagined that our passing attack and offense are borderline top 10 going into the bye.
I never would have imagined that our defense has become problem, and our offense was picking up the slack.

Forte's receiving numbers, our WR corps not being the worst ever, our OL being pretty good pass blocking (but still pretty bad at run blocking), Hester not returning a TD, etc. Lot's of surprises.

dingojazz · Post #7 » by **dingojazz** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 4:35 pm

emperorjones wrote:
dingojazz wrote: He has now been healthy for a few weeks and practicing full go.

I completely agree with you, but where did you hear he was full go? I've only seen that he was limited in drills and heard he was on a non-contact basis thus far?? If you're right, thats awesome and will lead to a solid second half for the offense!

I am basing this off the injury reports. In games against Philly and Detroit weeks 4 and 5 he was listed as questionable with limited participation. In the last 2 games against Atlanta and Minnesota he has not been on the injury report at all.

However, I don't think he has suited up for a game yet, I saw him in street clothes against the Vikes. But I don't think that has anything to do with his health, just roster limitations.

You hate to see St. Clair get demoted, he has been much better than anyone imagined. But this guy was the 14th overall pick in the draft...he needs to play. With the bye week they have plenty of time to find out if he is ready.

Post #8 » by **emperorjones** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:53 pm

I heard an interview with him last night where he said physically he's ready to go but is just waiting for the coaches to make the football decision.

VoiceofReason · Post #9 » by **VoiceofReason** » Thu Oct 30, 2008 3:21 pm

If he's ready to go, I'd like to see him get some reps against the Lions, especially if the game ends up like their previous meeting. I'd work him in slowly, given the solid line play so far. Once he's up to speed and the rest of the line gets comfortable with what he does, then consider starting him.

Post #10 » by **emperorjones** » Mon Nov 3, 2008 3:14 pm

Williams was active did he get in the game?

Chewie · Post #11 » by **Chewie** » Mon Nov 3, 2008 3:37 pm

emperorjones wrote:Williams was active did he get in the game?

Don't think so - he probably was only going to see time if someone went down or if it was a blowout.

Gene · Post #12 » by **Gene** » Mon Nov 3, 2008 7:26 pm

Pretty sure he was in on field goals.