Do the Bears start or sit Chris Williams?

by ChiFan13 on Oct 28, 2008 12:13 PM CDT

This is one of the hot topics after our bye week. Our first round OT is supposedly ready to play after his back injury. So, do the Bears play or sit him?

The Pros to playing him:

- This one’s obvious. We drafted Williams to be our future left tackle, so even though he’s green, he’d get some valuable game experience that would pay huge dividends next year. He wouldn’t have the ‘rookie shock’ during training camp next year, which means he could focus on the fundamentals and getting ready for the season

- We could see earlier if his back injury is something that will be reoccurring or was a fluke during training camp. In other words, if he’s going to be continually injured, we could cut our losses earlier and find someone who can be our franchise OT.

The Cons to playing him:

- Our offensive line, which has played above and beyond the wildest expectations this year, does have some cohesion. John St. Clair has done a decent job of holding down the fort for Williams. While everyone will have a varying opinion on the impact of Williams on the OL, there is no doubt he will, in some way, affect the cohesion.

- Williams is green, and the Bears are trying to win the NFC North. Do we really trust a rookie with taking over a crucial OL spot during a playoff run?

Poll

What do you want the Bears to do about Chris Williams?

Start him! We didn't draft him to sit on the bench.

97 votes

Sit him. Our OL has cohesion and who knows if he's really ready?

196 votes

293 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Sit him

Let’s keep him out of action so we don’t burn his redshirt year. ;-)

At this point, I’d rather ease him into the line in garbage time, if that is possible.

by Dave in the basement on Oct 28, 2008 1:00 PM CDT reply actions

I consider all 4 quarters against the lions as garbage time.

by masamunexs on Oct 28, 2008 9:09 PM CDT up reply actions

The other option is

putting Williams in St. Claire’s spot and sliding St. Clair over to Beekman’s spot. Beekman, like the rest of the line, has been solid enough in pass protection, but he doesn’t get enough of a push at the line to be an adequate run blocker.

by dakoose on Oct 28, 2008 3:21 PM CDT reply actions

Ditto.

However, according to observers like Hub Arkush, Dan Hampton, Lawrence Holmes, Tom Thayer, etc.: Josh Beekman shouldn’t even be out there. He’s been the weakest link.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Oct 28, 2008 4:43 PM CDT up reply actions

lets wait it out

right now the offense is playing great and there doesnt need to be a change. with some crucial division games and a couple of tough afc opponents coming up, we need to keep that o line gelling. Play to win and nothing else. if c will can help that, then by all means.

i wouldnt want to put cwill in a position where he his first or second game ever would be against the titans. assuming we take care of business this sunday, looking forward to the titans right now is a daunting task. i dont know if anyone saw MNF, but they resemble a lovie smith team….we need to be clicking in every phase going into that one.

by rahulsriram on Oct 28, 2008 4:29 PM CDT reply actions

They could've started him...

if they actually decided to hold extra practice during the BYE week.

But, Lovie issued another Club Med in Lake Forest last week, and gave players extra days off, instead of… you know… practicing to correct all the poor performances.

If he held extra practices, Williams would’ve benefited, and they could’ve shifted St. Clair over to LG.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Oct 28, 2008 4:42 PM CDT reply actions

i'm inclined to agree with you...

but half the team is hurt, injured, or beat up. The rest is very much needed.

by HesterSteals1st on Oct 28, 2008 4:46 PM CDT up reply actions

right

the rest is needed for the hurt guys; the guys that back them up need the reps.

by mike b on Oct 28, 2008 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions

i've seen it a few other times..

Remember last year how Chester Taylor would “start” the game for the Vikes but but AP would get 80% of the carries?

I think they should let St. Clair start the game but put in Williams after the first quarter.
Then he’ll get 3 quarters of season play against a defense who isn’t very threatening, and you can avoid the OL controversy.
If he plays well for 3 quarters then it won’t be so scary to replace St. Clair if he plays like he has the past 2 games.

by HesterSteals1st on Oct 28, 2008 4:45 PM CDT reply actions

I say this week....

..he sits.

I’m not sure I’d start him right away. I would like to see him play the second half and more if we have a nice lead (hopefully).

by Twins Territory on Oct 28, 2008 5:58 PM CDT reply actions

Ease him in...

by playing him in spot duty for a couple of series in second halfs of games that we’re comfortably ahead in. There is absolutely no reason to risk re-injury by getting him into the lineup immediately. Have him hit the weight room hard and work on his back and upper body strength so that he’s ready for next season. Also, flexibility work to help protect his spine.

by BigGeorgeTX on Oct 28, 2008 6:17 PM CDT reply actions

This is not Madden

You can’t just put players in that have higher OVR ratings (and at this point Chris Williams would have a lower one then St.. Clair anyway). Moving Chris Williams into the line would screw up a lot of timing that has already been developed with the line. The center makes a lot of changes at the line and all the linemen need to be in sync for these changes. The only playing time Chris Williams will see will be on field goals and garbage time and this is perfect. He has a year to learn the offense, learn how to prepare for a game, get used to the “working week”, get a little game experience, and then have a full offseason to prepare with Rusty Jones to get stronger and faster. In my opinion it was a blessing in disguise for him to go down especially with the way St. Clair has played.

by californiabearfan on Oct 28, 2008 6:26 PM CDT reply actions

Jeff Dickerson was on the radio w/ Waddle & Silvy

the other day he said that they should start dressing him instead of Miller and ease him in that way… dress him on gameday as the emergency guy and then if we’re late in a blowout or something get him some game action that way…

I like that idea. Just sort of let it take care of itself…

"Next year" sucks.

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 28, 2008 9:04 PM CDT reply actions

Hmm....

I don’t have a problem with Miller dressing. But, I do agree that Beekman should probably be the first one pulled off the line if they want C-Will to play.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Oct 28, 2008 9:11 PM CDT up reply actions

i've gotta imagine beekman is the long-term solution

to the center position. as such, i’d be okay giving st. clair his job…eventually, contingent on williams really doing well. i say we dress williams, give him more practice time to get in football shape, maybe some snaps in games that are over (though with our defense, that might not be many) early, and aim to maybe have him start by the end of the season IF he’s legitimately better than st. clair, who then replaces beekman. but i honestly don’t think this will happen…its more likely that our line stays the same the rest of the way. however, i do think/hope williams gets some playing time this season.

by guy incognito on Oct 28, 2008 9:36 PM CDT up reply actions

I hope C-Will gets playing time too

But honestly, St. Clair has surprised me this season. I thought he (along with Beekman) would be our weak links. Beekman has played up to expectations, but I think St. Clair’s been doin an admirable job there.

Personally, my perfect scenario would be C-Will playing spot time. Like you said, rotating in toward the end of games that are one-sided. St. Clair is not a terrific OT, but he’s been doing fine, so I don’t want to screw with his head at this point. Let’s win the division first, then have C-Will come in.

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Oct 28, 2008 10:06 PM CDT up reply actions

The no-huddle offense can hide a lot of weaknesses

That’s why we can pass the ball… but we still can’t run the ball worth a crud.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Oct 29, 2008 5:52 PM CDT up reply actions

Not an o-line guru

has beekman really been that awful?

he’s not gonna improve either if he’s not getting playing time.

"Next year" sucks.

by halfblindcubbiegirl on Oct 29, 2008 9:26 PM CDT up reply actions

i love...

… how so many people here pretend that that they have a clue about the shape that Williams is in, where he is at with the play book, how his back is, etc.

I would say that if he is at 100, and if he has a strong grasp of the play book, and if he is in, or close to, 100 playing shape, than he should play.

But I have no idea if he is any of those.

Bringing moderation to a place I don't moderate.

visit the mindful mission

by big_lowitzki on Oct 29, 2008 8:28 AM CDT reply actions

Well, we hear what the big guys tell us

They tell us he’s pretty close. I’m going to take the coaching staff’s opinion because they see each other on a daily basis.

Let’s say that he’s 100% with his back, strong grasp of the playbook, and is in decent-to-good shape. What would you do big?

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Oct 29, 2008 9:16 AM CDT up reply actions

i already said:

I would say that if he is at 100, and if he has a strong grasp of the play book, and if he is in, or close to, 100 playing shape, than he should play.

Bringing moderation to a place I don't moderate.

visit the mindful mission

by big_lowitzki on Oct 29, 2008 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions

Even if it upset OL cohesion?

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Oct 29, 2008 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Cohesion?

Look at it realistically… they haven’t really improved much at all since opening week, and they’re being aided by the no-huddle.

If you can add a better player, than do so. Get your best 5 guys on the line… and here’s a hint: Beekman’s not one of them.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Oct 29, 2008 5:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh, no argument there

Beekman is not good. That’s why when someone mentioned that Beekman was being groomed for Olin’s spot, I about threw up.

At the same time, looking at our OL going into the season, we thought that it was as porous as a sponge. They’ve been doin alright. If that’s the case, why screw with it at this point?

I'M A MAN! I'M 22!

by ChiFan13 on Oct 29, 2008 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions

hedge your bets

the nfc is weak enough they could make some playoff noise, but long term solution is williams, faster he’s up to speed the better.

by mike b on Oct 29, 2008 10:01 PM CDT up reply actions

I don't think you picked up on what I'm saying....

The reason they haven’t looked like swiss cheese in pass protection, is largely due to the no-huddle. It gives the line an advantage because of game tempo, and gives the QB an advantage to read the defense without letting them make substitutions.

They’re using it a lot… and I know it’s not a hurry-up like Jim Kelly used to run, but it’s still a no-huddle… forcing the defense to limit substitutions (tired pass rushers), because the offense is already at the LOS.

Yet… they still can’t open any holes in the running game.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Oct 29, 2008 10:18 PM CDT up reply actions

less blitzing too

it has seemed.

by mike b on Oct 29, 2008 11:41 PM CDT up reply actions

Yeah, I think it's helped there too.

With Orton calling plays at the LOS, and using up the play clock… the defense is in more of a see and react mode.

I'm not going to even bother trying to update this sig everyday anymore... that's what the standings column on ESPN is for.
Updated on May 25, 2008

by SackMan on Oct 30, 2008 10:38 AM CDT up reply actions

Doubt it

I’m sure he’s 100% or at least very close for Lovie to dress him. I don’t think he has a firm grasp or is in “great” playing shape though. I agree that there’s no reason to rush bringing him in when St. Clair has done a good job. If they feel Williams is ready then slide SC to left guard and give him some help on passing downs.

"I'm not so mean. I wouldn't ever go out to hurt anybody deliberately - unless it was, you know, important, like a league game or something." - Dick Butkus

by propheteer on Oct 29, 2008 11:57 PM CDT up reply actions

Play

I say work him into a rotation to play some. I wouldn’t start him but let him fill in at different times for st clair to get him some PT to prepare him. Heck, move st Clair to left guard at the same time to help him. That will be the future anyway let’s start the process. But their are different points in the game to get him in without dissrupting the play of the OLine

by tfrabotta on Oct 30, 2008 11:23 AM CDT reply actions