The 10 Most Important Bears in 2009 - #4
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 21, 2009 11:00 AM CDT
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In this ongoing series, I'll look at which Bears I think will need to contribute the most in 2009 for them to have a successful season. Some things I thought about when compiling this list were: what potential impact they may have, how much the team will look to the individual for guidance or leadership, how badly the team would suffer if they lost the player to injury, and other intangible attributes. Hopefully this series will spark some good off-season Bears discussion!
Orlando Pace - Left Tackle
I know, I know, why not Chris Williams? He's more of an unknown after all? If Williams were at the left tackle position, and had the job of protecting Jay Cutler's blind side, he may have received a place on this list. But, as it stands right now, Orlando Pace has that job. There's a reason left tackles (on average) are the highest paid members of the offensive line, and there's a reason left tackles are drafted before their line mates. Any successful passing game needs a rock at left tackle.
Another factor in my placing Pace at #4 is if he goes down or ends up not being the future Hall Of Fame Orlando Pace we all expect him to be, it will cause an O-Line chain reaction. If Pace goes down Chris Williams will be shifted over to the left side, which then will cause Kevin Shaffer to line up at RT, that is unless the Bears coaches feel moving Frank Omiyale from LG to RT and putting Josh Beekman in at LG would be the best combination for the line. While I do have confidence in all these guys, it's the continuity of them playing together that worries me.
The Best offensive lines are the ones that can play together for a while. The more stability you have with the guys up front the more they seem to know what he other guy will do in any situation. If Pace can stay healthy (he only missed 2 games last year and claims to feel better than he has in the last several years) the Bears O-Line could do some very special things.
The List so far:
#10 - Nathan Vasher - Cornerback
#9 - Kevin Payne - Strong Safety
#8 - Rod Marinelli - Defensive Line Coach
#7 - Devin Hester - Wide Receiver / Return Specialist
#6 - Lovie Smith - Defensive Coordinator
#5 - Matt Forte - Running Back
#4 - Orlando Pace - Left Tackle
If you missed any of the list so far just click on the link.
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Spot on
I agree with Pace being one of the top four most important Bears. He has the potential to be a big free agen signing bust if he gets injured or plays old. Or he has the potential to be the anchor the Bears need on the O line, protecting Cutler, providing leadership, changing everything. The difference between those two extremes could be what? Maybe four or five games? That’s pretty important. Other than Cutler, whose performance could really swing the season four games in one direction or the other?
I think Pace/O-line is more important than Cutler
If they’re not really good, Jay and the rest of the offense will struggle.
i agree
i agree that pace is going to be very important this season. however, i do not think that he is going to be playing like he did when he was younger, which is understandable. but if pace can play well enough, the bears will be in good shape. but the reason pace deserves to be on this list is because he is going to be a mentor to chris williams. hopefully williams will be willing to learn from one of the best LT of all time
that's the great thing about CW
is that he’s hungry to learn and a great character guy. I’ll bet you’re right. I’ll bet he learns a lot under Pace’s tutelage. … Question: Is Pace going to be remembered as the best tackle to ever play the game? Certainly one of the best. But is it possible that he was the best ever? It takes smarter people than me to really know how good an O-lineman is, but Pace sure was awfully good for awfully long.
by smithie love on Jul 21, 2009 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions
As of right now,
Pace is one of the best ever (like you said). However unlikely, It’s possible for him to go down as the best ever. He will have to dominate (run and pass blocking) over the next two or three years, be injury free and bring home a title or two. IF Pace pulls that…. Best Ever! IMO
Love the bg fellas
Guys I’ve seen, besides Pace, that were real good were… Anthony Munoz, Jonathan Ogden, Walter Jones, Jimbo Covert… to name a few
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 21, 2009 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions
You're gonna be disappointed, that you didn't name....
Jackie Slater
yes
didn’t he play like 20 years at LT for the Ram?
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 21, 2009 1:13 PM CDT up reply actions
It's hard to isolate a single O-lineman's performance
It’s easier sometimes to evaluate the performance of a whole line as a unit.
We’re the Junkyard Dogsof the 80s one of the best UNITS of all time? They were nasty.
by smithie love on Jul 21, 2009 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Enlighten me.
Was that a nickname for the Bear’s O-line in the 80’s? If so, they’re among the best ever. Absolutely, they’re in the conversation.
If I HAD (gun to my head) to name the best O-line unit ever. I would say Raiders of the 70’s.
A couple of teams that they had their way with,
The Steel Curtain and The Purple People Eaters….. Not to shabby!
Broncos OL circa late 90's
were pretty stellar too. Undersized but were huge factors in TD’s flourishment those years.
BTW, I’m a MHR lurker for awhile, reading about mah boy Cutler and mah wife’s fave team. Nice to meet you guys. ;)
Welcome!!!
Yes, the bronco’s O-line of the 90’s would be in that conversation as well. Though I do wish to never see or hear Schlereth never, ever, never ever, never again. Ever! Never!
So your wife is a Bears fan. How did the trade play out in your home?
Ha... why the hate for Rock Hoover?
He’s so sechsy too these days! I think he would’ve won Total Makeover or whatever that reality show was called…
The trade was … interesting to say the least. Boy, I was PO’ed initially. But when I finally came to terms with the inevitability of it all, I actually said to her “if he has to go somewhere, I hope he goes to the Bears”.
She of course was ecstatic the afternoon we got the news but also showed some sympathy to me. And I was absolutely shocked that the McCaskey’s actually pulled it off…
In the months since, she and our other Chi-town friends have been lobbying hard for me to switch stripes. The funny thing is that I wouldn’t have to change colors! But I am staying strong… having faith the new management can cobble together a competitive team. Sad when all you want is a “competitive” team, but after some of those blowouts the last two years… blegh. Well, we’ll see… we’ll see….
The Bears are kind of my 2nd fave team… I do find myself cheering for them on Sundays. At first that was to just show some husbandly support, but now… I dunno… I think I actually kind of like them. ;)
About Cock Boooover...
He’s been one of the more critical folks, of Jay Sizzle. That’s all. It’s all good though. If schlereth comes on, I turn it off. No harm done.
Regardless, again welcome!
BTW, tell McDaniels we said thanks!
sorry, I got weak
lol, I see...
Man, Stink’s criticism of Cutler ain’t nothing compared to our main man Jamie Dukes on NFLN. You’d think that the Broncos killed his firstborn given his complete and utter disdain for everything Broncos. =/
Thanks! Glad to be onboard… hope you guys have a good season.
And yea, I might tell McD more than just thanks if Neckbeard and your picks don’t pan out to be at least 1 pro bowler. ;)
Welcome over...
The Broncs OL was small back then, but super fast. I remember year after year after year, they would crack the 1,000 yard rushing mark with some RB, and they just seem to keep going…
1,000 yard rushers for Denver since Davis was drafted:
Terrell Davis (1995, 96, 97, 98)
Olandis Gary (1999)
Mike Anderson (2000)
2001 did not have a 1,000 yard rusher, but Davis and Anderson combined for almost 1,400 yards rushing (injury year for Denevr RBs)
Clinton Portis (2002, 03)
Reuben Droughns (2004)
Mike Anderson (2005)
Tatem Bell (2006)
2007 did not have a 1,000 yard rusher, but Selvin Young and Travis Henry combined for over 1,400 yards.
2008: Injury year (their fullback had the most rushing yards with 343).
LSU Tigers Baseball... NCAA National Champions- 2009.
Thanks!
Happy to read this blog. Good stuff here as well as over at MHR. More of you guys should visit us btw and if you ever want to learn more about the nuts and bolts of football, check out HoosierTeacher’s MHR University posts.
/shameless plug
In terms of your comment… yes, exactly, and great stats compliing! I’ve always thought it to be quite interesting that what the Broncos did so well (run-blocking) over the years has turned into a huge criticism for TD’s accomplishments and probably dampered his chances of ever making it into the HoF. People have a tendency of saying that you can plug anyone in behind that OL and they will gain 1000 yds rushing.
Personally, I have never let that diminish my view of TD. If you ever watched him consistently back in the day, he was without a doubt several notches above even Clinton Portis. He ran with power, agility, grace, and had great game speed. He also did all the little things very well (pass block, pass catching, serve as a decoy, etc). He also ran for much more than 1k yards in his last 3 good years.
Ok, sorry to hijack the conversation a bit here… to turn it back to the Bears. Do you guys like my avatar?
Heehee…
I remember them
beating the packer’s bigger, stronger D-line to death, in Super Bowl XXXII.
Zone Blocking!
…that scheme is so effective if you have the right line (quicker with great technique) and the right running back (one cut and go!)
I’ve always liked zone blocking… most of the spread offenses in college and H.S. use that when running the ball these days.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 21, 2009 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions
that comment
was for the Denver thread!
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 21, 2009 3:03 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes it is...
And Alex Gibbs was the ultimate coach for the scheme… he’s now with the Texans.
I’m also a bit worried that McD will tear down the ZB scheme as he has done with everything else that had a Shanahan signature on it… =/
here is the Bears O-Line from the 80's
I had this poster in my room!
Keith Van Horne was my favorite.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 21, 2009 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Holy Shi&...
I remember getting this poster at a car dealership. Tell me you haven’t kept it this long! Hilgeberg, Bortz, Thayer, VanHorne, Covert!!! Walter was at his greatest behind these guys. Think about what makes a great team and you ALWAYS come back to great line play. This was from ’85 and both O and D lines were impeccable! Again, thanks for making me feel old wilt!
lol!
no my poster is long gone, but I had this one along side a Walter Payton poster in my room
I googled the image for old times sake
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 21, 2009 11:12 PM CDT up reply actions
Shoot!
I can’t believe I remembered the nicknames wrong.
That sick defense was The Junk Yard Dogs.
I’m sure I had both posters.
by smithie love on Jul 22, 2009 12:45 AM CDT up reply actions
i was going to throw that correction in there too...
i think i still have both of those posters put away somewhere, i need to go search my parents’ attic and frame those things. i remember the JYD’s poster, they all had grease marks on them and chains…lookin’ mean. i’m not sure they even had to have a makeup person or coaching for that one. i think they just showed up looking normal.
Love Pace at #4
We’re gettin’ to the nitty gritty!
Munoz & Hannah
Anthony Munoz is the gold standard for OT’s.
John Hannah is the gold standard for OG’s.
Pace es muy importante!
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
"We want to create havoc and chaos under an umbrella of discipline, if that makes sense." - Rod Marinelli 7/16/09
Come on
Kevin Shaffer should start at right tackle.
B/C Shaffer is a proven RT in the league?
Maybe not elite but definitely worthy of starting. Williams hasn’t done a thing and I personally think he’ll bust at RT, only reason he’s gonna start is to please the fans and b/c he’s a first rd draft pick. He needs to sit back another year and learn from one of the best to ever play the position. Maybe he’ll prove me wrong? We’ll see.
"The phone's for you, I think it's the Devil."
by Acreman20 on Jul 21, 2009 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yeah, let's keep our #1 draft pick from a year ago on the bench.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
"We want to create havoc and chaos under an umbrella of discipline, if that makes sense." - Rod Marinelli 7/16/09
Regardless of who has more snaps under their belt,
it will come down to who wins the competition for the starting role. And if Williams is healthy, I don’t think there is any way Shaffer can beat him.
LSU Tigers Baseball... NCAA National Champions- 2009.
It really doesn't matter about snaps... but
Coming out of college, all the talk about Williams was that he was more of a finesse guy, that he wasn’t physical enough, right? I just think Shaffer fits the mold of RT better than Williams, that’s all. I’m not a coach so I don’t see them play everyday, maybe Williams has gotten stronger and more physical? Maybe some who attend TC can enlighten me.
"The phone's for you, I think it's the Devil."
Running game
I think the Bears strength running the ball will be between the tackles because of Omiyale and Garza. You’re right, CW is considered a finesse blocker but that doesn’t mean Shaffer is better overall. I think the latter struggles in the passing game, which would present the greater of two evils between the two. There have been a lot of natural LT start out on the right side for one reason or another. The most recent being Jordan Gross from Carolina.
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
"We want to create havoc and chaos under an umbrella of discipline, if that makes sense." - Rod Marinelli 7/16/09
I can agree w/ this
Shaffer does struggle w/ pass protection, which is Williams strength. If C-dub can have anywhere near the kind of production Gross has had, not only will I be happy but I will literally come back to this thread, print out my two above posts, and eat them.
"The phone's for you, I think it's the Devil."
Ok
We’ll see how well CW can “seal” the edge on outside runs. Hopefully, he becomes at least an average run-blocker on the right side. Stay tuned and stay hungry!
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject." -Sir Winston Churchill
"We want to create havoc and chaos under an umbrella of discipline, if that makes sense." - Rod Marinelli 7/16/09
I don't disagree with putting an O-lineman at #4. I just think you got the wrong one.
- for me would have to be Olin Kreuntz. His play has been shaky the last two seasons. We’d all get angry at Rex for the botched exchanges from center and then we was the same things happen with Orton. Olin is still a nasty beast but he’s starting to play a little sloppy and may have lost a step. If Olin can’t play like a probowler, we could watch the line weaken from the inside out.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
The one is supposed to be a 4 but this stupid thing thought I was making a list even though iI typed the # sign.
If you can't laugh at yourself you must not be very funny.
we'll see...
if there are bad center QB exchanges with Cutler and Kreutz, then it must be something Olin is doing… he is still a highly respected Center around the NFL, he isn’t the same guy he was, but he’s still a top center in the game…
I said it in the Garza post, going against those great DT’s in Minnesota can make anyone look bad twice a year…
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 21, 2009 11:16 PM CDT up reply actions
most importatnt bear is hester or urlacher probably
by FAN of the BULLS on Jul 21, 2009 11:44 PM CDT reply actions
psssst...
FAN of the BULLS…
take a look up at #7 on my list so far…
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 22, 2009 8:31 AM CDT up reply actions
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