Josh Beekman Putting Up a Fight

by Adam T on May 26, 2009 9:00 AM CDT Comment 13 comments

The Bears have done a lot to beef up their offensive line this offseason and by most accounts they are all looking pretty good. Most think that Frank Omiyale is a lock to win left guard. But incumbent Josh Beekman isn't going out without a fight. That left guard spot is an open competition.

"It is a competition,'' Beekman said. "Frank is a great guy and he is a competitor. He is going to make the Bears better. If he beats me out, he makes the Bears better. If I win my spot back, hopefully I make the Bears better. Competition breeds success. They brought him in and Frank is a hard worker."

However it pans out, the Bears are going to have some good depth at most postitions this season.

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Left guard spot

Beekman and Garza both work hard, but one of the reasons why Forte averaged only 3.9 yards per carry last year was the lack of a push generated in the middle of the line. I would have liked to have seen the Bears pick up another guard in the draft. It doesn’t look like Louis is going to provide much competition there…

by JimmyMack on May 26, 2009 9:41 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i would be shocked

if beekman keeps his job.

by mike b on May 26, 2009 9:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I liked Beekman last year

I thought he did pretty well. I thought he was a tad underrated. Who knows maybe with a better LT he could play a bit better? But I too would be surprised if Omiyale doesn’t beat him out. Beekman is solid depth and probably is better off on the sideline backing up Kreutz.

by GallopingGhost on May 26, 2009 10:01 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I have no idea if Omayale is a better guard than Josh Beekman - size issue not withstanding

Just like I don’t know if Kevin Schaeffer is a better tackle than Chris Williams – it’s just too early to say. The only problem I have with the Omayale signing is that he’s basically been a career back-up.

But I hope that the coaches end up putting the best athletes out there – NOT just the guy with the biggest contract (or the highest draft status). The success of Forte and Cutler depends on it!

by JimmyMack on May 26, 2009 10:57 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Beekman would be fine as a back-up.

But he has not shown he is capable of being an everyday starter for the Bears. Now that we have a long-term answer at QB, we need more than ever to start building a solid, long-term foundation at OLine.

QB= young
RB= young
WR= young
TE= young
OL= un-young

Be nice. Flag comments that you think are offensive. Use the "reply" button. Drink plenty of water. Compliment others. Rec comments and posts you like. Don't call people names. If you don't like someone's comment, attack the comment and not the commentor. Learn the difference in your/you're, then/than, to/too. Exercise. Relax. Stretch often. Find good in the world.

by Dane Noble on May 26, 2009 10:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Have to respectfully disagree with you sir...

With the exception of Pace the oldest guy on the line is kruetz at 32. Garza is 30… Shaffer and Omiyale are 27… Buenning is 26…. Leaving Williams 23 and beekman 24. We are laden with youngsters only 3 over thirty and all either potential or current starters.

I think that our line is pretty solid.

When I played I was a triple threat.... Stumble.... Fumble.....Grumble....
"Marcus Harrison iz in ur Backfield sackin ur Quataback!"

by scespy12 on May 26, 2009 10:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

in closer view...

our entire roster is relatively young… only seven players 30 or older. that means the whole other 72 or so players are under 30. i came across that little nug when a friend who is a steeler fan(i hate him right now) pointed out to me that the steelers were only getting younger. i decided to delve in a little deeper into our entire roster and noticed that the bears have quietly been doing the same thing. this only strengthens my belief that the bears are setting up for a bit of a run. living in the northeast, bear fans are at a minimum, and i take alot of slack from people who think i’m talking SB just cuz of cultler. i can break it down to “football” fan, the others, well, i don’t even waste my breath anymore…

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear.

by windycity72 on May 26, 2009 11:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pace is entering his 12th season

Kreutz, his 11th.

Garza, his 8th.

And out of the rest that you named, Shaffer, Omiyale, Buenning, Williams, and Beekman… I see one guy, maybe two, that could be long-term starters for the Bears. The rest are depth. And my original comment was

Now that we have a long-term answer at QB, we need more than ever to start building a solid, long-term foundation at OLine.

by Dane Noble on May 27, 2009 9:55 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of OL depth

Did bossman ever figure out if Harold Maude declared for the 2009 draft, or is he waiting for 2010?

I'M A MAN! I'M 23!

by ChiFan13 on May 27, 2009 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Roberto Garza is the one who should be most worried about job security

My personal opinion is that Josh Beekman is a better player than Garza.

Awww, come on guys, it's so simple maybe you need a refresher course. It's all ball bearings ...

by BLou on May 26, 2009 11:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

what makes you think that? I'm asking because I don't know who performed better.

I’ve heard mixed opinions on Garza. He’s either the best or the worst guy on the line.

Think With Your Dipstick Jimmy!

by ifuwannacrownem on May 26, 2009 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like our O line and our O line strategy...

Firstly, I think Garza is just fine. If you look at Forte’s biggest holes and best runs last year, almost all of them came behind Garza.

Secondly, I think the strategy of bringing in older vets who still have gas in the tank is just fine—see Miller, Brown, Tait and hopefully Pace.

Thirdly, you bring in solid backup Tackles and slip them into guard spots.

Next, you spend time developing young middle to late round talent over a few years (Beekman, Buenning.)

Lastly, you find 1 or 2 high quality early round picks and make them your core and pay them the big bucks over long careers— Kreutz hopefully Williams.

I’m fine with this and think that (fingers crossed) if we stay relatively healthy we should have a very solid line this year.

by The Kaiser on May 26, 2009 12:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs