Chicago Bears

Wasn’t it just a couple of years ago that the Bears’ offensive line was a strength, giving Rex Grossman time to throw down the field (though not always to a teammate) and opening holes for Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson? Actually, despite the Super Bowl season the writing was already on the wall for the Bears’ aging line, if you take a gander at the numbers. Chicago’s rushing yardage dropped dramatically from 2005 to 2006, both overall and in yards per carry; not surprisingly, that trend continued through the Super Bowl hangover and neither the passing game nor the Bears defense was capable of making up the difference. So perhaps a year too late the Bears have begun their offensive line makeover—and with three starters over the age of 30 Bears fans are hoping this is only the beginning. Chris Williams was selected 14th overall, and while he has the agility to match up with NFL pass rushers he lacks the power—and according to some scouts, the intensity—to be a dominant run blocker. Terrence Metcalf is the likely starter next to him, though John St. Clair—who is taking left tackle reps as Williams insurance—could unseat him if the Bears ink their top pick prior to training camp and get comfortable with him protecting Grossman’s blind side. John Tait, last year’s left tackle, moves across to the right side; it’s a better fit for him as a pass protector because he won’t be as overmatched, but he’s hardly the mauler power running teams prefer in that position. Robert Garza is steady but not spectacular at right guard, but aside from second-year player Josh Beekman and a couple of seventh-round picks in April’s draft there is little depth behind any Bears starter to push them. Olin Kreutz remains one of the better centers in the game but even he seemed brought down by the incompetence around him last season.

So aside from Tait switching sides and the addition of Williams, the Bears will field essentially the same line that performed so underwhelmingly last season—and by underwhelmingly, we mean they stunk up the joint. In fact, the only area of the running game in which they had any modicum of success was running behind right tackle Fred Miller—who isn’t back in 2008. At every other spot along the line, according to the Football Outsiders, the Bears averaged less than 3.75 adjusted line yards per carry and ranked 23rd or lower. So Miller’s out, a rookie with questionable run-blocking skills is in… and we’re supposed to be excited about Matt Forte? Sure, he’s in line to get the carries but with this unit in front of him he’s bound to see plenty of opposing jerseys before he even gets to the line of scrimmage. Unless we’re reading the manual incorrectly, that’s not how a power running game is supposed to work.

At least Williams has the tools to keep Grossman—or Kyle Orton—upright. Not that there are any Bear receivers worth getting excited over, but competence up front should allow Greg Olsen to get into the pattern instead of staying in to block. Again, baby steps and little victories are about all that can be expected here. All in all, the Bears should be in position to add another quality lineman to the mix early in next year’s draft.

RUN BLOCKING: D+
PASS BLOCKING: C-
OVERALL GRADE: D+

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