Williams' back issue no secret to Bears

SportsWorld · Post #1 » by **SportsWorld** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:36 am

This organization makes me cringe.
http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com ... 1171.story

The Bears were aware first-round pick Chris Williams had a herniated disc in his back before they drafted him but contend that concerns over the injury heightened only after he aggravated the injury in training camp.

Williams, speaking for the time since undergoing back surgery, acknowledged Sunday that he became aware of the herniated disc three years ago at Vanderbilt. After tweaking his back on Day 2 of camp, the left tackle had surgery Aug. 6. He is expected to miss 10 weeks.

"I had a herniated disc before I got here," Williams said. "Everybody knew that. It just was a thing where with most people, it doesn't affect [them]. It wasn't affecting me. If nothing's broke, you don't fix it."

Bears general manager Jerry Angelo previously had said he was confident the injury was not pre-existing, but Angelo said Sunday the organization was aware Williams had some "wear and tear." The Bears discovered the disc problem after Williams had an MRI at the scouting combine in February.

Art Vandelay · Post #2 » by **Art Vandelay** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 2:05 pm

Brilliant pick by management. Bad backs really don't effect o-linemen!

Post #3 » by **dougthonus** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 2:16 pm

It's worse that they knew of it and picked him anyway.

Howling Mad · Post #4 » by **Howling Mad** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 2:59 pm

This news made me say out loud, "What were they thinking?"

Cliff Levingston · Post #5 » by **Cliff Levingston** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 4:12 pm

If Williams turns out to be the best LT that was available, then it won't be a big deal in the long-run.

ChronicKerr · Post #6 » by **ChronicKerr** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 5:36 pm

After last year's draft debacle, this doesn't help

Post #7 » by **emperorjones** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:24 pm

I'm fine with the pick even if he's red shirted this year. If the guy comes back and is our left tackle until 2018 who will really give a crap? No one on this board had us winning the superbowl as I remember so what does it matter if he can come back fine.

Now if he can't come back fine....SCREW EVERYBODY!!!!!

WEFFPIM · Post #8 » by **WEFFPIM** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 7:33 pm

Cliff Levingston wrote:If Williams turns out to be the best LT that was available, then it won't be a big deal in the long-run.

I'd say that's a pretty big "if" at this point.

Post #9 » by **CBS7** » Mon Aug 25, 2008 9:25 pm

Depressing.

WEFFPIM · Post #10 » by **WEFFPIM** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:28 am

Could be worse. He could need sur...ger...ohhhhh...that's right...

Chewie · Post #11 » by **Chewie** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:26 pm

I'd like to go on record as saying I wanted to jump ahead of the Broncos and take Ryan Clady.

ChronicKerr · Post #12 » by **ChronicKerr** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 2:57 pm

I was hoping Clady fell on draft day as well. Anyone know how he's doing?

Chewie · Post #13 » by **Chewie** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 3:08 pm

ChronicKerr wrote:I was hoping Clady fell on draft day as well. Anyone know how he's doing?

Starting and not in surgery so he's got that going for him.

Haven't been able to find anything about his on-field performance but, honestly, I probably don't want to know at this point.

Post #14 » by **dougthonus** » Tue Aug 26, 2008 11:27 pm

emperorjones wrote:I'm fine with the pick even if he's red shirted this year. If the guy comes back and is our left tackle until 2018 who will really give a crap? No one on this board had us winning the superbowl as I remember so what does it matter if he can come back fine.

Now if he can't come back fine....SCREW EVERYBODY!!!!!

Separate this into 2 parts:

1) I'm fine with the pick even if he's red shirted this year.

2) If the guy comes back and is our left tackle until 2018 who really gives a crap.

Point #1 makes Point #2 exceedingly unlikely. Seriously, you don't take a player who needs back surgery with your 1st rounder especially when there are just as good options that did not need back surgery available. It's not like Williams was head and shoulders better than the other lineman on the board.

Chi Dynasty12 · Post #15 » by **Chi Dynasty12** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 1:58 am

It makes me sick that we passed on Mendenhall for an injury prone lineman.

I understand we needed O-line help and I could understand why we'd draft one, but why take an injury prone guy over a freak like Rashard.

Honestly...wtf Bears!

Chewie · Post #16 » by **Chewie** » Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:02 am

Chi Dynasty12 wrote:It makes me sick that we passed on Mendenhall for an injury prone lineman.

I understand we needed O-line help and I could understand why we'd draft one, but why take an injury prone guy over a freak like Rashard.

Honestly...wtf Bears!

With this offensive line, it's not like Mendenhall would be able to show anything. I don't think you'll be disappointed with Forte but - again - no holes means < 4.0 YPC for whoever we put in the backfield.

The Sheik · Post #17 » by **The Sheik** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 9:17 pm

I would have been happy taking Albert or Otah. Even if Albert couldnt play LT, we get a great LG, we suck again this yr and get a LT in 09.

Anybody else think Williams will be moved to G when its all said and done?