Chicago Bears: Offensive Line Will Get Act Together and Be Fine
Published by Jake Perper on August 13, 2012
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears
The offensive line is clearly the biggest question mark heading into the season for the 2012 Chicago Bears.
J’Marcus Webb
Chris Williams, on the other hand, was a mainstay on the offensive line a season ago until he suffered a season-ending injury. The 6’6″ Williams started all nine games at left guard last season but has the ability to play any position on the offensive line. If he doesn’t earn the job over Webb, the Bears should be comfortable putting him anywhere on the line. Bears QB Jay Cutler was sacked 23 times in the 10 games that he started in 2011. That may sound like a lot, but with the number of passing plays called, it made sense. The offensive line is built for the run. Mike Tice knows that. The running game will be used first, and it will certainly open things up for WR Brandon Marshall and company this season. From Week 6 to Week 11 (five games), Cutler was sacked only five times. The Bears won each of those games. Mike Tice helped modify the offense that Mike Martz once fantasized as a pass-first attack.
Both left tackle J’Marcus Webb and right guard Lance Louis had false starts in the preseason opener against Denver. Getting the timing down could take a couple of games for certain players, especially on the line.
The offensive line is certainly not the Bears’ greatest strength, but it’s a position that overall will be fine. They just need to tighten up some things during the rest of the preseason and get things going.
Chris Williams pushing J’Marcus Webb is the only thing driving Webb to succeed. Tice isn’t stupid when it comes to putting Jay Cutler in the right position to succeed.
Ultimately, this team will only go as far as Jay Cutler goes. Keeping him upright will be the key.
From what we saw during that five-game winning streak in 2011, this team has what it takes to be contenders.
Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up-to-the-minute news about the Bears.
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