Soooo....we're done with the OL? REALLY?

[Midway Bully]

It's a smokescreen, no way Martz comes out today and states that the Bears could use a couple more OL. Michael Wright from ESPN was saying that they're still looking for OL.

they were close to acquire Ryan Harris last year i wouldn't be surprised if we bring him in.

Eagles picked up Harris...this is getting frustrating to watch.

[Darth Celtic]

i'd like to see mckinney with webb moving to guard

[Chewie]

i'd like to see mckinney with webb moving to guard

Looks good on paper but the more you read about McKinnie, the less you want him on your team. He showed up to camp waaaay out of shape apparently. Even when he made it to the pro bowl in 2009, he didn't show up to the practices so he had to give up 5k in travel expenses and was scratched from the game. He's definitely not self-motivated and it looks like he needs to have coaches on his @ss to keep his weight in check. I can only imagine what he weighs now after a lockout that kept him out of communication with the staff.

[Chewie]

Webb and Carimi at tackles, Garza and Chris Williams at guards and Spencer at center.

Yikes.

Jay Cutler must be thrilled.

Ndamukong Suh is. So is Kevin Williams. So is BJ Raji. Bad division in which to have a substandard OL.

Surprised the Bears haven't looked at Ryan Harris, but they probably cannot afford him.

What IS our current cap situation anyway? I read going into free agency we were way under and we certainly haven't broken the bank with our signings.

[transplant]

What IS our current cap situation anyway? I read going into free agency we were way under and we certainly haven't broken the bank with our signings.

Heard on the radio that we're $24MM under, some of which will go to Forte.

[kyrv]

What IS our current cap situation anyway? I read going into free agency we were way under and we certainly haven't broken the bank with our signings.

Heard on the radio that we're $24MM under, some of which will go to Forte.

Heard the same number this morning, probably from the same person, but I had heard before the Bears were at least 20 million under so this is in line with that, 'sounds' right.

I had also heard previously they would use some of that money to extend current players - which is very smart *if* you make the right decisions on who to extend. Which, we trust Angelo to do that I assume.

[Chewie]

I'm sure we have a plan in place (I am?) but even with extending Forte I don't get why we weren't bigger players in FA. We're *marginally* better than last year and we could've been more than that.

[Darth Celtic]

yeah, mckinney would way have to lose weight, 400lb wont let u jump out on fast de's.

[Midway Bully]

Do NOT want McKinnie. Dude is pushing 400 pounds, and he also expects to play this season. Guy is seriously washed up. Michael Wright was saying that the Bears might still bring in a veteran OL by the end of the week.

[transplant]

So Tice says the starting O-line is set. Left to right - Webb, C.Williams, Garza, Louis and Carimi.

New center Chris Spencer collects his $3MM from the bench.

Color me surprised.

[Chewie]

So Tice says the starting O-line is set. Left to right - Webb, C.Williams, Garza, Louis and Carimi.

New center Chris Spencer collects his $3MM from the bench.

Color me surprised.

Saw that too. I'll be more surprised if that's actually the line come the regular season. Hard to believe this line wouldn't be better with Spencer in and Williams out.

[emperorjones]

^^ I actually think its the smartest thing Tice could do:

Asked several times to clarify the situation, Tice repeated himself.

“I have five guys in there starting,” he said. “Unless they falter, that's who's opening the season against Atlanta."

So, nothing is set in stone but it appears the Bears want to move toward a decision sooner rather than later. Clearly, Garza has done a solid job at center. The Bears made five lineup changes on the line in the first eight games last season. Settling on one early would be a considerable help based on how the team felt the unit played when it settled in.

Garza its the most experienced OL man we have and he knows the offense better than anyone too. Letting him call the OL at Center is better than giving Spencer a crash course. Plus Garza is much better than Kruetz & bigger - so we are better at Center.

I think the “Unless they falter, that's who's opening the season against Atlanta." is really a reference to Williams & Louis. Spencer will replace either guard position that isn't working out. BY then he will know the offense and will be able to step in.

I'm glad Webb is moving back to LT, his natural position in college. I expect him to be a huge improvement there over FO, who will be a decent backup at either tackle spot.

Happy to hear Tice say Carimi is already an "elite run blocker", so maybe RT won't be so much in question.

I think its really going to come down to our guards - Louis & Williams. And unfortunately I think Williams will be riding the bench and training to be our "Center of the future" as he continues to make his way down the line, that is until his contract is up.

[Chewie]

I just wonder if we're having another sig bet this year, emperor.

Have you had a chance to look at the schedule to make your prediction on the Bears' record ? If we agree (doubtful) the point is moot.

[emperorjones]

I just wonder if we're having another sig bet this year, emperor.

Have you had a chance to look at the schedule to make your prediction on the Bears' record ? If we agree (doubtful) the point is moot.

I've looked at the schedule, but I need to see the final FA results for all of the teams in the league before I opine on the Bears record. Right now I think the Bears have done a very good job in FA. I wish we kept Daniel Manning, but other than that I like all the moves. I read we might add Kelvin Hayden as well. So potentially, a team that made the NFC title game adds 5 starters through FA (I agree that a 6th starter at LG would have been preferable). Add to that we'll be in year 2 of our new offense, and I like what I see.

I also like the fact that Minnesota has taken a step back with FA and Green Bay did not add anyone (a mistake that Superbowl champs often make).

That said, I need to take a step back and look at the whole before I give my annual 11-5 prediction.

[Chewie]

I just wonder if we're having another sig bet this year, emperor.

Have you had a chance to look at the schedule to make your prediction on the Bears' record ? If we agree (doubtful) the point is moot.

I've looked at the schedule, but I need to see the final FA results for all of the teams in the league before I opine on the Bears record. Right now I think the Bears have done a very good job in FA. I wish we kept Daniel Manning, but other than that I like all the moves. I read we might add Kelvin Hayden as well. So potentially, a team that made the NFC title game adds 5 starters through FA (I agree that a 6th starter at LG would have been preferable). Add to that we'll be in year 2 of our new offense, and I like what I see.

I also like the fact that Minnesota has taken a step back with FA and Green Bay did not add anyone (a mistake that Superbowl champs often make).

That said, I need to take a step back and look at the whole before I give my annual 11-5 prediction.

With all the key players that GB has coming off IR that weren't even available during the playoffs, I think they'll be just fine.

You let me know when you're ready to put your money on 11-5 !

[Chewie]

Rosenbloom paints a rosy picture.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/rosenblog/chi-why-bears-tice-sounds-crazy-20110809,0,7028494.column

J’Marcus Webb has yet to play 16 NFL games. He’s the Bears’ starting left offensive tackle.

Chris Williams has played enough games for me to think he’s a bust. He’s the Bears’ starting left guard.

Roberto Garza has played a career at guard, but now he’s the Bears’ starting center.

Lance Louis has never taken an NFL snap. He’s the Bears’ starting right guard.

Gabe Carimi has never even been through an NFL training camp, so forget about taking an actual pro snap. He’s the Bears’ starting right tackle.

That’s Mike Tice’s offensive line. That’s the foundation of the protection for a quarterback coming off a knee injury.

[emperorjones]

Rosenbloom paints a rosy picture.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/rosenblog/chi-why-bears-tice-sounds-crazy-20110809,0,7028494.column

J’Marcus Webb has yet to play 16 NFL games. He’s the Bears’ starting left offensive tackle.

Chris Williams has played enough games for me to think he’s a bust. He’s the Bears’ starting left guard.

Roberto Garza has played a career at guard, but now he’s the Bears’ starting center.

Lance Louis has never taken an NFL snap. He’s the Bears’ starting right guard.

Gabe Carimi has never even been through an NFL training camp, so forget about taking an actual pro snap. He’s the Bears’ starting right tackle.

That’s Mike Tice’s offensive line. That’s the foundation of the protection for a quarterback coming off a knee injury.

Rosenbloom's an ass.

J’Marcus Webb has yet to play 16 NFL games. He’s the Bears’ starting left offensive tackle.

Webb was much improved last year in the second half & is moving back to his natural position. He's one of my favorites and I think he'll be a stud LT.

Chris Williams has played enough games for me to think he’s a bust. He’s the Bears’ starting left guard.

Agreed.

Roberto Garza has played a career at guard, but now he’s the Bears’ starting center.

Garza is better than Kruetz. We've upgraded by getting rid of Kruetz IMO.

Lance Louis has never taken an NFL snap. He’s the Bears’ starting right guard.

Louis started the first 4 games last year so I have no idea what he's talking about and won't read his column because he's an ass clown.

Gabe Carimi has never even been through an NFL training camp, so forget about taking an actual pro snap. He’s the Bears’ starting right tackle.

So he's getting on the rookie 1st round pick because he hasn't been through a training camp...while they're in training camp? If Carimi wasn't #1 on the depth chart that ass clown would be calling him a wasted pick & a bust.

Rosenbloom is typical of Chicago's sports media. The team went 11-5, went to the title game and he acts like they were a 5-11 team.

[Chewie]

Haha - I thought Louis started some games last year but I was too lazy to confirm it and took his word on it! The point is still valid, though, that we've got some inexperienced guys out there and the one guy that *does* have some game under his belt is playing a new position. It could all work out in the end but color me leery.

[kyrv]

emperorjones great job owning Rosenclown.

From Chewie:

"Saw that too. I'll be more surprised if that's actually the line come the regular season. Hard to believe this line wouldn't be better with Spencer in and Williams out."

Same here - but if it hasn't changed that probably means they've been doing pretty well, so in either case no need to worry now imo. If they do poorly I'll be really really surprised if they don't make adjustments.