Cat Scratch Reader's View on Signing Omiyale
by Jaxon on Feb 27, 2009 2:49 PM CST
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PrintJaxon here with Cat Scratch Reader. I was hoping the Panthers could bring him back, he seemed to be a good back-up with some upside. I'm not sure if he'll win your RT spot, but he could be a good one. I believe he only has the one career start, last season in the Panthers 34-0 win over the Chiefs. He didn't give up a sack nor did the announcers have to point out any screw-up son his part, such as FS or holding. He didn't exactly have a marquee match-up against Chiefs DE Hali, but he was filling in for PB LT Jordan Gross, so he was under the microscope. Here's what I had to say about him in my post-game summary:
Back-up LT Frank Omiyale performed well in the stead of the injured Jordan Gross. The Panthers may have something here.
Okay, it's not much but again he has potential. He has good measurables and has been around the league enough to learn the ins and outs. Did the Bears over pay? I guess that depends on the guaranteed money and whether its back-loaded. I think you will know quickly (by the end of this TC) whether this guy has starting potential. He never had a real chance to win a job in Carolina with Gross and Jeff Otah firmly entrenched.
I do wish him luck.
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Potential
is what we really need. St. Clair really has nothing but versatility as a backup. At least Omiyale can come in and compete for a starting job and he’s young. Preciate the congrats.
"URLACHER IS GOD"
Thanks for the info Jaxon!
It leaves a better feeling when you say you wished the Panthers had kept him… as opposed to saying “I’m glad that guy is gone!”
Keep your eyes and ears open… and is hear anything else, let us know!
We always welcome your questions as well…
Things will get better as they improve...
Thanks Cat scratch
Hali is no push-over, so it seems like Omiyale will be able compete for the RT position.
"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
Hold on a minute
I get home from school to find out the Bears did not actually rest on their laurels and went out and did something at a position of need?
picks jaw up off floor
Insert clever and witty remark slash pun here!
UMD 8/04 - 5/08: Go Terps!
According to the Sun Times blog
the Bears signed this guy to be our starting RT. Even though he isn’t a RT, and he isn’t a starter. I don’t mind this guy as a utility backup lineman, but to pencil him in at RT? That’s just dumb.
Oh, and they still want to convince St Clair to take the 15-18 mil over 3 years they offered, even though he isn’t a starter at any position.
Happy day.
DEJESUS!!!
The Dumb a55 Bears signed this guy to play Guard, and still want St. Clair back at RT
``This has nothing to do with how we feel about John St. Clair,‘’ Angelo said Friday. ``Really, when you go into negotiations, we can’t determine the timetable on when we’re going to get these deals done. … We would have certainly liked to have gotten John St. Clair done first because we know John and feel real good about John.’’`
Angelo said Omiyale’s immediate future is at guard. The team is not pleased with the performance of right guard Robert Garza, so Omiyale might have a chance to compete for a starting role there. If St. Clair doesn’t re-sign, Omiyale could find himself starting at right tackle.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.
We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."
-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
.
It is still a good move.
At least were doing something, right?
Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.
If you want a Guard... then go sign a Guard.
Instead, they signed a guy who’s been playing mostly tackle, and want him to play guard. F’n retarded.
Let him compete at T, and go get a real guard. There’s two good ones out there right now: Derrick Dockery, and Brandon Moore. Spend St. Clair’s money on one of those guys.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.
We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."
-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
.
He's still developing
It’s really not that much money for a highly regarded OT that has the ability to play multiple positions. Carolina had so much faith in him last year that they started him at LT and moved Gross to RT (Gross called him a “hidden gem”). If that’s not a good sign I don’t know what is.
"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
That is completely wrong
Gross played LT last year, and they didn’t have much faith in Omiyale, hence moving up in the draft to get Otah to play RT. If they had any faith in Omiyale’s ability to play either tackle spot, they wouldn’t have given up mutiple picks to get Otah, or paid an enormous salary to keep Gross.
The only time they moved Gross to RT was for one game due I believe to an Otah injury, and all that proves is that Omiyale can’t play RT. They certainly didn’t do it because they thought he was a better LT than Gross.
DEJESUS!!!
How can someone know how to play LT but not RT?
This statement makes no sense at all. Every teams’ best pass-rushing DE plays RE, thus going one-on-one with the LT. Omiyale is known to be very agile laterally. You mean to tell me he can’t go to his right? Typically, tackles are unable to play the left side because they’re not quick enough to keep up with speed rushers, which usually play RE.
"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
It's a different skill set
Some guys can play LT and not RT and vice versa. LT, as you say, requires good footwork and agility to keep speed rushers off the blind side of the qb. Since RT have TE help and fewer speed rushers, they require less speed and agility. They do, however, typically have more run blocking responsibilities, so they need more strength and power to push guys off the line. Teams often run right more often because they have an extra lineman on that side (the TE) and a better run blocking tackle. The newer mold of LTs, which are big, tall and fast, but not necessarily the strongest guys on the team, can’t always run-block well enough to play RT.
Sometimes guys who fail at LT move to the right, but often its because they were miscast as LTs. Barnes is an example of that, imo. You can’t just say LTs are “better”, they are different. They are more rare, since not a lot of guys are 6’7", 315 lbs and can move like a dancing bear. But Oher, who is a protypical LT, is agile as all get-out, but put up fewer bench press reps than a bunch of WRs, DBs and even a kicker. He’d never be a great RT, imo.
DEJESUS!!!
Makes sense
Sure, I understand RTs need to be “maulers” in the running game, but the Bears are projecting him as a guard. If this is true, he’ll be an intricate part of the power running game. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see until training camp.
"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
I guess
I like that slightly better insofar as at least they aren’t signing him to play a position he isn’t suited for. Maybe they’ll get lucky and St Clair will take a deal elsewhere, and they’ll have to “settle” for Stinchcomb or Barnes.
Haugh makes it sound like they are willing to take a worse player in St Clair than someone of the better RTs available because they know him. Do your friggin job and go learn about these guys! How can you justify making a worse team just because you are unfamiliar with players on other teams.
DEJESUS!!!
Don't listen too much to David Haugh.
This town is seriously lacking good sports journalism right now. Brad Biggs just reports the facts, and David Haugh just flip flops his opinion every week according to the news.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.
We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."
-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
.
If they give St. Clair that contract, I'm gonna really friggin pissed.
It will be money wasted on a 32 year old career backup. Give that money to someone else, like Khalif Barnes, Ray Willis, or Kwame Harris. At least they’re starting material… and younger.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.
We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."
-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
.
Agreed
No way is St. Clair worth that money. Give it to somebody who a) has actual potential, b) can START for the next 3-4 yrs, and c) is a true RT and not somebody who flip-flops all over the line.
"URLACHER IS GOD"
I think at the time we offered that $ to St.Clair.....
We were thinking a little to desperate considering our situation. But now we got this young guy with potential maybe we forget about St.Clair? It would still be o.k. to keep him if the price wasn’t so high.
Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.
If
we pay him as a backup then yea it’d be good to keep him. He started last yr b/c C. Dubya was hurt, plain and simple. If the Bears value him THAT much then throw that money at somebodyelse w/ actual value.
"URLACHER IS GOD"
But doesn't St.Clair have alot of value for the Bears?
The guy can play any position on the line except center. And he is decent, isn’t he? He never really stood out as a bad player. With exception to the beat down from Jared Allen and Julius Peppers.
Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.
+1
The Bears are the ONLY team who place any real value on St. Clair. On the open market, St. Clair will get nothing near what the Bears offered him. He’s only valuable to them.
They’re such dummies.
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.
We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."
-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
.
How exactly do you know this to be true?
He would be valuable to any team needing a flexible guy. St. Clair got exposed against two of the best DEs in the league, and all of a sudden he sucks? Please.
"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
But he doesn't have a position he excels at
I haven’t seen anyone, maybe ever, sign a big deal without a true position on the o-line.
DEJESUS!!!
This life of a Bear fan is crazy.
I never even heard of this guy before today. Omiyale? And I’m all excited, what the heck is going on? Who knows, maybe this guy can really be something.
Passion For The Game, Loyal To The Name, Chicago Bears, I Trust In Thee, Standing Strong Since 1983.
I agree
Bears went out and got the guy they targeted -—-really ? So they say and will wait to see how things shape up. I’m starting to think that the trip to the Super Bowl gave the Bears a false since of self belief. Maybe this guy can be great but can he catch the ball ? Cover anyone ? Our secondary made every QB we played look like Peyton Manning except for Peyton Manning. I do agree with Angelo that our coaching needs to be much better, or is that just an excuse to push the blame away from his picks? Great a new RG -—-omilamam——CHAMPIONSHIP !
by Hubstorm22Xxx23 on Feb 27, 2009 11:28 PM CST reply actions
Jordon Gross
refered to him as a Hidden Gem. That is quite a compliment from a player of his caliber.
Angelo
blows my mind every offseason with his wonderful ability to sign players that will not make an impact. So, does this mean that he’s going WR first round? This given that he is completely ignoring the idea of Housh playing here (after all, he did sign Booker and Lloyd last year in FA and that didn’t work out … it’s the talent dumbass, the talent.) and that he seems relatively disinterested in the FA market all together. AND we have $33.9 million in cap space? holy hell.
It seems to me
That he’s using the failures of both the Booker and Lloyd signings as an excuse to stray away from signing FA receivers this off-season. Did he honestly expect sensational results out of either of these players? There’s quality #1’s and 2’s out there and I’m hoping we will go after a top-mid level WR rather than another scrub, but then again, this is JA we’re talking about.
"URLACHER IS GOD"
When we signed Moose,
he was coming off a year where he led the league in yards and TD’s and was 5th in catches. he was 31 when we signed him. i’d rather the bears draft a number 1 and get a WR from free agency who’s not going to be relied on as the go to guy, but a #2 or 3(depending on hester and bennett)
OH! STEWIE!! GET OUT THE WAY BOY! GET OUT THE WAY!
-Stacey King
by ifuwannacrownem on Mar 1, 2009 12:23 AM CST up reply actions
Yes
but everyone in the league (except Angelo) could see that Moose was typically a pretty ordinary WR, who just happened to have a career year the year before he was signed. It wasn’t universal joy among Bears bloggers that they signed him. A lot of people were pretty annoyed that the Bears finally ponied up a big FA contract and it was for him.
DEJESUS!!!
I'm kind of happy with this kid...
It gives us some flexibilty in the draft. I feel as though we will get a wide reciever in FA this year but they will be a second tier player like curry or reggie Williams. We will address right tackle in the second round with probably phil loadholt and get either a DE or WR in the first either maclin or bey at Wr or English or brown at DE. I would be happy with a loadholt, omiyale, kruetz, beekman and Williams line. Although I think they may resign st clair and set beekman to start to take over for kruetz so replace beekman with st clair.
I cant say I would be happy with 3 starters who havent started before
Theres no need to take Beekman out of a starting Guard spot just to get ready to be Kreutz replacement in 1-3 years. If they cant get Oher or A.Smith in the 1st round of the draft to start at RT AND dont resign St Clair(or better FA): Loadholt or even Tupou would have to be selected the with 2nd round pick(#49).
I see this as LT Chris Williams insurance
Heres Scout,com analysis of Frank Omiyale:
Omiyale is a good-sized lineman with long arms. He is athletic, agile and runs easily. He is a decent knee-bender who can roll his hips to unload and leverage run blocks. He has a quick kick step to get out and pick up the speed edge-rusher. He shows above-average lateral range in pass protection. He is a good backup who can step in at either tackle spot and fill in for a game or two.
He is rather small for an OT(especially ROT) at 6’4" 310lbs.Thats the average size of the Bears OGs, where Angelo has said the Bears will give him some practice time. But if Chris Williams can’t stay healthy(or underperforms), expect to see Omiyale fill in. If they do resign St Clair they would probably give him the starting ROT spot.
If Omiyale's too small to play T at 6'4" 310...
Then what does that make St. Clair… playing T at 6’5" 315?
"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that.
We know it's the most valuable position on the football team. We've gone through so many scenarios at that position we can write a book, moreso on what not do."
-- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)
.
I didnt say too small
St Clair is an average sized OT.
Have him gain 10 pounds then
"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
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