Windy City Gridiron: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Sports blogs for fans, by fans.
Around SBN: Spencer Hall's Sports Meme Power Rankings

Positional Battles: Offensive Line

340x_medium

via cache.daylife.com


Rosters have to be down to 53 by tomorrow.  Last nights game probably didn't do much to sway the coaching staff one way or the other.  The swaying was mostly done during the off-season when Kevin Shaffer, Frank Omiyale, and Orlando Pace were added as free agents.  These three will all be on the roster along with Olin Kreutz, Roberto Garza, Josh Beekman, and Chris Williams.  No question about it. 

Last year the Bears opened up with eight offensive linemen, including the injured Chris Williams, so taking more than eight isn't gonna happen.  The above mentioned seven will be joined by only one other big fella.  My guess is after the jump!

Star-divide

I guess I should eliminate some from consideration to make this easier...  Center Donovan Raoila will get the axe, because both Beekman and Garza could back up at center, and Beekman looks to be the future at that position.  Johan Asiata (I'll admit I never even heard of this guy til I looked at the roster) is a goner.  Lance Louis, as much as I like his potential, just isn't ready yet.  I'd like him on the practice squad.  Which leave us with Dan Buenning and Cody BaloghAnd after some deep thinking...

I can't see Balogh making the roster, and Buenning is more versatile.  He's listed at guard, but he's played right tackle in the past, and could play center in a pinch.

Actually this was pretty cut and dry.  Barring an injury the Bears ride with those eight.

Since there isn't much debate for a poll I'll take it in a different direction.

Poll
Will the Bears have an offensive lineman elected to play in the Pro Bowl?
Yes
202 votes
No
104 votes
Pro Bowl? Our O-Line will be prepping for the Super Bowl that week!
176 votes

482 votes | Poll has closed

0 recs  |  Comment 16 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Besides the competition

between Beekman and Omiyale, Are offensive line has been set for a while. Looks like as good of an O-line as we have had for a while.

by Fridge72 on Sep 4, 2009 11:54 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

pace

Pace got beat a couple of times last time out, so I hope he is a lot better than he looked.

"Chance favors the prepared mind." - Pasteur

by Maelvampyre on Sep 4, 2009 12:42 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

he got beat

but Cutler wasn’t sacked… Elvis Dumervil is really quick off the edge, in a regular seson game the Bears would either chip with a TE or back or have a guard fan out to pick him up. And ina real game the Bears might have pounded the run a bit more to take advantage of Pace’s mammoth size advantage…

I’m not that concerned, not if Green Bay is beating him, I’d be a little more worried

by wiltfongjr on Sep 4, 2009 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

everyone gets beat.

Lucky Cutler has pretty good pocket presence. I can’t wait to see him against Allen that should be a battle.

I have seen a QB and it was good.

by SoulEater7 on Sep 4, 2009 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Pace himself said he cant bend as well as he used to at the waist....

so that means he’ll have problems with shorter blitzers on that side… Dumervil is probably the shortest DE/OLB in the league at 5’11"… when you’re 6’7" like Pace… its a problem… unfortunately… the reigning defensive MVP we’re playing in Week 2 is also only 6’ tall…

by firebirdsix7 on Sep 4, 2009 10:06 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

OH NO!

I’m Wrong! Shucks!

I hope Louis is the guy they keep then… he has good upside

by wiltfongjr on Sep 4, 2009 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Agreed.

I liked your logic, so I was surprised to see him go. I really don’t see Balogh sticking, so I’m guessing it’ll be Louis, too.

—d

by itsugly on Sep 4, 2009 3:02 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'll bet...

they realized Louis wouldn’t make it back for the practice squad. Maybe him seeing action at G and LT gave the league too much good tape on him…

by wiltfongjr on Sep 4, 2009 3:12 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well...

Minus, um, our two starting tackles, our line’s pretty durable. We can probably afford to keep a project rookie, right?

—d

by itsugly on Sep 4, 2009 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

They must really like Lance Louis.

And when you watch him, you can tell why. Dude’s got elite athleticism for the position. Not so sure about his technique, however.

The poster formerly known as Freethefro.

by MPG on Sep 4, 2009 2:36 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Could he be used as the 3rd TE?

I know he would have to declare himself pass eligible every time but he used to play TE and it’s not like you really need your 3rd TE to catch anyhow he just needs to be able to block. I have a feeling Louis could block better than Gaines or Davis

by CHCOWNTHECENTRAL on Sep 4, 2009 9:41 PM CDT up reply actions   0 recs

I could see Graza and/or Chris Williams making the Pro Bowl

Williams is really smart and has tremendous upside and Graza has been our best guard since Ruben Brown retired.

by NiqueBears on Sep 4, 2009 9:49 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

If anyone on the line has a shot at the pro bowl it's probably those 2

Kruetz and Pace are probably too old and are in there for the consistency and leadership that they provide. Due to the age factor, the Bears are obviously going to have to go back and work on the O-line again in next year’s draft.

by JimmyMack on Sep 5, 2009 10:27 AM CDT reply actions   0 recs

You're welcome again!!

JC will make your line look better with his mobility, pocket presence & quick release…

#$%$#!!

by Whidbey Bronco on Sep 6, 2009 5:21 PM CDT reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

Welcome Grabowskis, to SB Nation's blog about everything Chicago Bears.

Community Guidelines
Start posting about the Bears »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Chicago-bears-logo_small
I Got this Backer's Back
Dsc01037_small
PhotoShop Contest: Pat Mannelly
Dsc01037_small
WCG Community Updates (Updated again)
3961055499_e489f15bb2_o_small
Random Thoughts From Week Nine
Windycity_small
WCG Survey

Recent FanPosts

Blake_again_small
I Predict............Week 11 Philadelphia @ Bears.
Bears_small
When you go to the flea market, it's all about planning.
Mug_adebisi_small
This has been the plan all along.
N506182155_6296_small
Bears 2010 schedule released.
Blake_again_small
Garrett Wolfe Out For the Year (Updated)
Bears2_small
Key Player to keep an eye on: LeSean McCoy
Bears2_small
Years of neglecting the Offensive Line finally catching up with Angelo
Blake_again_small
Outlandish Ideas That Could HelpThe Bears Out Of Their Freefall.
Bears_small
Now is the time to give thanks for what we have

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

SPONSORS


General Manager/ Head Coach

Windycity_small Adam T

Dsc01037_small Dane Noble

Position Coaches

Evalltheway_small SackMan

Briggsie_small ChiFan13

Leelee_n_laylor_bff wiltfongjr