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Holy crap 17 of 22 starters won't have contracts in 2013?????
I don't think its that unusual of a number when looking 2-3 years ahead.
Holy crap 17 of 22 starters won't have contracts in 2013?????
Jake Long has allowed 7 sacks this season with more holding penalties than Webb. His back may be a question as he hasn't been the same since injury. Maybe he just needs more time. Smith is a RT. Likely not worth what they'll get. Clady and Bushrod aren't going anywhere. Albert looks to have extablished himself as a solid LT and will get PAID. It will be interesting to see if we get involved.
Interesting article. Shows how impossible it is to get 5 quality FAs to play the offensive line. You just can't afford the price tag.
That said, the last time the Bears had a good OL, it was composed mainly of free agents. Kruetz was the only original Bear. They paid big money to John Tait, who was ok, but they really hit home runs with Ruben Brown and Fred Miller, getting good years from guys who were thought to be washed up.
But even if the Bears were to strike gold with their OL FAs, I still don't think they have the cap space available that the 2006 Bears had for the OL because the 2012 Bears has so much money tied up in the skill positions. Its like the Bears built a team in reverse, so now you have a top heavy offense with no foundation. There are two ways to get around it:
1) Draft all your own OLs. They will be on their first contract making relatively little money. Unfortunately, the Bears can't even get decent linemen with their premium picks, so I have little faith that the Bears would be able to draft 1 or 2 decent linemen in the later rounds, much less 4 or 5. But this might be their only option because the alternative is...
2) Dump defensive veteran salaries. Rely on your drafting prowess of defensive players and use a "plug and play" model on defense to save money. Use that cap space to acquire FA OLs. To me, this plan makes the most sense because, allegedly, Lovie Smith is a good defensive coach and the Bears are good at finding defensive players through the draft. I don't know how true that is, but this plan would be the best way to free up cap space. That said, the Bears organization is pretty obsessed with having big name players on defense, and I don't think the Bears organization has the balls to cut guys like Urlacher and Peppers.
I don't completely agree that the OL has been neglected by Jerry for years. Other position groups had to be sure'd up, and sometimes, it just happens that way.
Imo, the interior of the OL is what needs to be addressed before either T position. Webb, and Carimi are both young and still developing. Having an competent interior would really speed their maturation process long term, and hide a lot of their mistakes, short term.
Not to mention, our run game...thought we wanted a power run game? A stout interior would allow that to blossom as well.
Well, hopefully Emery does a better job in scouting...that's why he was hired right? His background as a scout...I think what lacked was scouting of OL more than neglecting. They drafted a few they just didn't turn out to be any good so far. I'm going to be disappointed if Levirte is available and we don't get him. Or some interior guy that is established and then they have flexibility in the draft.
Webb playing LT is the biggest issue, IMO. Everything hinges on that position. The position commands top dollar in the FA market, and the position itself is on an island. One would think that finding some mediocre guys to plug into the interior of the line would be manageable (although the Bears have struck out so far), but I don't think you can just put a "body" at LT and think the problem is solved. That type of thinking is exactly why the Bears are in the position they are now.
Its funny to me that people are so quick to write off Carimi, a 1st round pick whose played about half-a-season in the NFL in his career, while being ok with Webb at LT, as if that position is a lock.
I don't think many (any) team would make Webb their starting LT. I highly doubt the Dolphins would trade Jake Long for Webb. If teams were to pick up Webb on waivers, it would be due to Webb's low salary and ability to provide depth, not to install him at LT.
I don't think Webb has played well in 9 games. One problem with Webb is that he always needs to be accounted for...the Bears gameplans are limited due to Webb's inability to handle DEs by himself.
And I think you have it wrong. Its not the Bears offense hamstringing Webb because they haven't surrounded Webb with talent, I think its Webb limiting the Bears offense.
I think its easier to find a LG or a RT than a LT. The Bears shouldn't be freeing up big cap space to sign a LG, nor should they be spending #1 picks on RTs (irony). Thats my main point when I say that LT should be the Bears top issue regarding the OL.
You asked if Carimi and LG are bigger concerns in the offensive meeting room, and I honestly think they aren't. There isn't a whole lot schematically you can do differently. As long as the LG follows his assignment and doesn't get immediately shoved over, he should be fine (although this almost never happens!). Same thing kind of held true when Carimi was at RT, and holds true now that he's at LG. Conversely, as a product of his position, you can't trust Webb to do anything. You always have to account for him blowing his assignment or getting beaten.
Here is my unqualified "scouts" view: Webb is a poor pass blocker and run blocker. You don't really want him starting at either LT (because of his poor pass blocking), nor at RT (because of his poor run blocking). Carimi is a horrendous pass blocker and a good run blocker. You don't want him starting at LT (because of his horrendous pass blocking), nor do you want him starting at RT (because of his horrendous pass blocking).
Hmm.
By Kay Paradiso on Nov 29, 1:18p
2013-------------------------------------------------2014
Zack Bowman Door------------------------ Robbie Gould Keep
Jason Campbell Price is Right---------------Armando Allen Conditional
Nate Collins Keep-------------------------Kyle Adams Conditional
Kelvin Hayden Conditional------------------Blake Costanzo Keep
Geno Hayes Door-------------------------Dane Sanzenbacher Door
Israel Idonije Door-------------------------Devin Hester Door
Lance Louis Keep-------------------------Matt Spaeth Keep
Patrick Mannelly Ditka-------------------------Jay Cutler Keep
Henry Melton Keep-------------------------Craig Steltz Keep
D.J. Moore Door-------------------------Charles Tillman Keep
Cheta Ozougwu Door-------------------------Matt Toeaina Door
Chilo Rachal Door-------------------------Tim Jennings Keep
Nick Roach Keep------------------------- Kellen Davis Door
Jonathan Scott Keep------------------------- Roberto Garza Door
Chris Spencer Door--------------------------J'Marcus Webb Keep
Brian Urlacher Keep-------------------------Edwin Williams Keep
Anthony Walters Keep------------------------- Corey Wootton Keep
Andre Gurode Door--------------------------Major Wright Keep
I think its easier to find a LG or a RT than a LT. The Bears shouldn't be freeing up big cap space to sign a LG, nor should they be spending #1 picks on RTs (irony). Thats my main point when I say that LT should be the Bears top issue regarding the OL.
You asked if Carimi and LG are bigger concerns in the offensive meeting room, and I honestly think they aren't. There isn't a whole lot schematically you can do differently. As long as the LG follows his assignment and doesn't get immediately shoved over, he should be fine (although this almost never happens!). Same thing kind of held true when Carimi was at RT, and holds true now that he's at LG. Conversely, as a product of his position, you can't trust Webb to do anything. You always have to account for him blowing his assignment or getting beaten.
Here is my unqualified "scouts" view: Webb is a poor pass blocker and run blocker. You don't really want him starting at either LT (because of his poor pass blocking), nor at RT (because of his poor run blocking). Carimi is a horrendous pass blocker and a good run blocker. You don't want him starting at LT (because of his horrendous pass blocking), nor do you want him starting at RT (because of his horrendous pass blocking).
Hmm.
Don't worry, we're going to sprinkle some Special person dust on the Dolphins FO so they don't resign Jake Long, their best player and arguably the best LT in football, and we'll swoop in and drop a 7 year, $100 million dollar mega contract on everyone's collective asses.