A veteran NFL scout who specializes in evaluating offensive linemen is not only impressed with the job Mike Tice has done patching together the Bears’ offensive line but believes Tice has identified building blocks for the future. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, here’s what he said about specific Bears linemen:
On Frank Omiyale: “Take some of the great players on the left side like Jake Long in Miami and Joe Thomas in Cleveland. They’re big, dominant guys who can move their feet. He’s not that but he’s in the top half or top third of left tackles in the game right now. He’s a guy who works at it, finesses it and gets it done. He’ll get better because Mike is working with him.”
On Chris Williams: “He doesn’t break down as much as I thought he would. I know they brought him in to be their left tackle, but he’s not good on an island. He’s more suited to that inside position.”
On veteran center Olin Kreutz: “He’s a good leader. He’s lost a little because of Father Time, but he’s still a vital part of what they do.”
On rookie J’Marcus Webb: “If that big right tackle can’t play he could stomp out forest fires somewhere. He’s really coming along. He has been a catalyst. That’s what Mike is best at, bringing along those young pups.”
The way the offensive line performed against the New York Jets on Sunday is enough to make you rethink how far these Bears can advance in the playoffs.
The offense is no longer succeeding despite its line but because of it. Improbably enough, the Bears’ most glaring weakness became a strength, if only for a week.....
Tice set a simple goal for the season: Get better every week. He hopes his unit has another month to improve, which would put the Bears in the Super Bowl.
“[The Jets game] was the fastest they have played, meaning mentally sharp coming off a short week against a team that does a lot of stuff,” Tice said. “You’re always going to get unscouted looks against the Jets, and I thought it was the best job the guys did of handling the unscouted looks, which tells me they are starting to learn the rules we’ve tried to install.
“That means they’re getting it and they’re getting better.”
Mel Kiper wrote:Chicago Bears
Top needs: C, RG, DT, CB
Pick strategy: I'm not sold on the idea that it's a foregone conclusion the Bears will go after an offensive lineman in Round 1. That's because where they really need to look -- mainly on the interior given development they've gotten on the edges -- is a place you can find some value at a later point. You just don't see guards and centers drafted in the first round too often...
