The 10 Most Important Bears in 2010 - #5 Chris Williams
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2010 11:00 AM CDT
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PrintOn field impact, position depth, and leadership are some of the things I considered when compiling my top 10 list. It's been fun to read everyone's take on their own top 10 (keep 'em coming).
It's back to the offensive side of the ball for #5. With Chris Williams finally entrenched at left tackle after last year's Orlando Pace experiment (FAIL), he'll have a full off season to get ready for his natural spot on the line. I think a Pro Bowl appearance is a definite possibility.
Williams really hit his stride last year after switching to the left side. It's not that he played terrible on the right, it's just that he wasn't comfortable there, and it showed. The left side is his home and it's where he was drafted to play. Holding a premier pass rushing defensive end like Jared Allen sackless in week 16 gave Bears fans an inkling of the potential Williams has. (heh heh, he said 'Jared Allen sackless')
On the right side he had some mental mistakes, and mental mistakes are usually made because you are thinking too much (see LG: Omiyale, Frank). Being back on the left side, and having the task of protecting Jay Cutler's blind side, makes Williams the most important member of the offensive line. There's a reason left tackles are paid like the so called "skill" positions, and that reason is; It is a skill position. Taking on the athletic rush ends in the NFL means the left tackle has to have good footwork, good balance, and good strength. Recognizing the line stunts and blitz packages means you need the intelligence to react quickly. Williams has the total package. Now he has to put it all together.
Former Bear and "tell it like it is" radio analyst Tom Thayer thinks Williams could be the best LT in the division, and current offensive line coach Mike Tice is impressed with his ability, from chicagobears.com;
Tice was very high on Chris Williams in the 2008 NFL Draft. "Chris Williams was one of my highest-rated tackles coming out," Tice said. "I was probably the only one in the building in Jacksonville that had him rated ahead of [Ryan] Clady. [Williams] has a lot of ability."
Once the pads get on he'll benefit from practicing against another top tier DE in Julius Peppers. And don't discount the work he'll get by taking on Mark Anderson and Israel Idonije, two players with very different styles.
Williams will have to step up his play in 2010, as the Bears will see their fair share of good defensive line play and attacking defenses throughout the season (pointed out splendidly by NiqueBears right here). They'll need a healthy and productive season from him considering the alternative. (See swing tackle: Shaffer, Kevin)
The list so far:
#10 - Robbie Gould - Kicker
#9 - Matt Forte - Running back
#8 - Olin Kreutz - Center
#7 - Mike Martz - Offensive Coordinator
#6 - Chris Harris - Safety
#5 - Chris Williams - Left Tackle
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There's no question...
that Williams is better suited to the LT spot. RTs tend to be the mauler-type guys and the LTs are the ones with the better feet and hand coordination. While I do agree that he’s important to the success of the 2010 Bears, I’m not real worried about him. He will likely rise to the top 5 or 10 in LT rankings over the next few years. IMO, he will be a solid starter and worth his draft position. However, I think the guy next to him (LG) will have a greater impact on the Bears success this season. Even if that guy doesn’t make this top 10 list.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FIRE LOVIE!
I'm just not worried about the LG spot
Whoever ends up winning the job will be ok… I’m not expecting pro bowl level play from any of the 3 candidates, and if the starter goes down, the drop won’t be much to whoever is #2 on the depth chart.
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2010 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions
The reason I am more worried...
about the LG spot is Kreutz is already not a sure thing in the interior line anymore. Garza is above average, but not great. That leaves more mediocrity in the interior line. Williams may play the most important position on the line in a pass heavy offense, but he is by far the best o-lineman on the team. Thus Williams will hold his own, IMO. The interior line will be where the Bears will be attacked by opposing defenses, especially the 3-4. Again, we agree that Williams plays the most important position on this line, but I contend that the interior line weakness will hurt the Bears more than the overall success/failure C Williams is likely to have at LT.
IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO FIRE LOVIE!
I'm not worried about Kruetz
he’s no stud, but he’ll be fine
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 16, 2010 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Hope so,
but players can go downhill pretty fast when they reach the point where Kreutz is in his career (see Pace, Orlando)
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 17, 2010 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
I would go with CWilliams being meant for LT because that's where he set up
throughout his highschool/college career. It’s how he steps away from the line and the foot placement is all different from RT.
by northernsails on Jul 15, 2010 8:57 PM CDT up reply actions
Absolutely
I am reserving judgement on where I would rank all of the Bears in terms of importance (i.e.— Chris WIlliams would be 2 or 3 on my scale) and who should/should not make the cut (i.e.— Robbie Gould is definitely not on that top ten list. haha!) until you finish.
So, far I like where your list seems to be going. Good post!
Semper Fi
Thanks!
And I’m sure you’re giving Robbie Gould some good bulletin board material… I can see him now; “I’ll show that ChicagoMarine, with ice water in my veins and increased leg strength, I’m important dammit!!”
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2010 11:55 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
HAHA! :-)
… Unless the NFL sees fit to change FG attemts to 6 pts per and XP attempts are awarded at “the end of every drive”, I can’t see how a kicker becomes one of the top 10 important positions/players on ANY football team.
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 15, 2010 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't know
I have seen many fans praying with 2 seconds left on the clock, “C’mon man just make this one”
And many fans cursing the day the kicker was born after a shank-a-roo.
Having what we have had for awhile may have spoiled us Bears fans a little. Let a kicker come in and miss some game winners and the tune might change. Seasons are ended in just one kick and personally, that would be one of a “Most Important” to me at least.
by TheMan1 on Jul 15, 2010 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
rec'ed!
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2010 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Smh... This was rec'd? Wow? Ok, riddle me this?
First off, a kicker can only score from a distance (on average) of 40 yds. The remaining 60 yds of field makes him limited-to-useless. I think that is an important aspect to take into account,
Also, understand that if it weren’t for a QB making the plays to get that kicker within kicking distance the kicker has no attempt with “2 seconds”. Can we agree on that? Could just anybody “easily” orchestrate that?
Who protects the QB, so that he can make plays to get the ball in that FG position with “2 seconds in the game”?
Who are the receivers catching and running the football for extra yards to get that “critical kicking position”? Could anybody just do that?
Even better… I wonder where that QB would be if the defense didn’t get a stop on the opposing end so that the offense could have an attempt at that “last second kick”.
And, yet….
… None of that would even be necessary if the offense and defense would have done the necessary things over the course “59:58” minutes BEFORE that needed attempt.
My point is that— in this case— one thing DOES come before the other. A kicker is dependent upon the other positions/players around him. A kicker can not make attempts for himself, nor would 3 pts answer an opposing teams 6pts.
Combine that with the availability of kickers, the average pct. of made FGs each year, pts for FGs vs TDs, and the distance in which a kicker is effective for a football team and you can clearly see that a kicker is NOT a top ten important position on a football team.
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 15, 2010 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions
keep fighting the fight!
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2010 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions
The power of having the stage...
… This is similar to arguing with a comedian at a comedy performance.
He who holds the microphone— holds court.
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 15, 2010 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions
You do make a strong case...
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2010 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions
As do you!
Again, I’m not saying he is not an intricate part of this football team. I love Robbie Gould!
I just don’t think anyone would “pack their Bears jerseys away” if he was to go down in week 1.
Even Michael Wright of ESPN Chicago feels that he is not a top 10 Bear.
http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post/_/id/4664813/ranking-the-roster-1-65
Nevertheless, I think the message of “importance in position” was lost in the shuffle of fans take on his high-ranking amongst NFL kickers as a whole.
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 15, 2010 3:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Who kicks the ball off to start the game?
I believe the other 60 yards of the field have just been covered. You cannot discount the importance of having a reliable kicker on the team. It’s not a position we’ve had to worry about since he’s been around. Bottom line is a good kicking game is just as important as any other phase of the team.
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Jul 15, 2010 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Google Robbie Gould's pro career.
Tell me how we were able to acquire him?
Also, google:
— Adam Vinateri
— Rob Bironas
— Josh Brown
— Nick Folk
— Shane Graham
All the top kickers in the league today…
… Tell me when they were drafted?
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 15, 2010 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't need to Google it I know how we got him.
I’m not discussing the draft or how kickers are drafted. You can say that a kicker isn’t an important position on the team and I can come back and say how many wins last year were won by Robbie, have you forgotten the Steelers game? Kind of important if you ask me.
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Jul 15, 2010 2:43 PM CDT up reply actions
no doubt.
we can’t forget the conditions that he kicks in either. but at the same time, it’s not like he’s had to continually make field goals from 50+ yards out. His leg’s not strong enough.
You can't see California without Marlon Brando's eyes.
by ifuwannacrownem on Jul 15, 2010 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions
One awesome kick to the 30+ touches that Jay Cutler would have to win a football game over the course of 59 minutes+?.
Listen… I will remove the line in the sand as I just think that the context of why kickers are not a top ten position on a football team.
I respect your opinion.
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 15, 2010 3:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Ask the Chargers why they didn’t play the Colts in the AFC championship game last year. Having as close to a sure thing as you possibly can is what we have with Robbie. Talk to a team who has a crap kicker, and ask them how important it is. I don’t understand why this is being debated. Who ever said we are “kicker spoiled” I agree 100%.
Since the face been revealed the game got real
let it go
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 16, 2010 8:40 AM CDT up reply actions
So, important that he never drafted one and scoured the waiver wire for one.
Big George,
Listen… I love the fact that Gould is a Bear. I do!
But, the Bears season will not be made or lost if he is unable to play. Will it be altered? Certainly!
But, it’s not like if we lost Jay Cutler or Chris Williams. In fact, I think we would be in MORE trouble if we lost Zack Bowman this year than if we lost Robbie GOuld.
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 15, 2010 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Bowman goes down
Corey Graham could step in and be OK… either him or the new fav Bear Woodney…
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2010 2:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Graham?
With all due respect, what indication have you gained that Graham can be a starter in the event of an injury?
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 15, 2010 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions
He’s a backup? that’s his job?
You can't see California without Marlon Brando's eyes.
by ifuwannacrownem on Jul 15, 2010 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Ha? I understand that.
That doesn’t mean that Graham can fulfill the role sufficiently.
Do you think he can? If so, why?
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 15, 2010 3:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I'll say he can
Because I saw him do it in 2008. He didn’t say he’d be as good, he said he’d be “OK”. Being “OK” isn’t asking a whole lot. In 2008, I thought he did at the very least “OK.”
Colt's fan friend - "This is our dog, we named her after Peyton Manning."
Boondocksaints812 - "You named her Bitch?!? Did you train her to lie down when you run towards her too?"
I read that...
… That’s why I think he said “ok” instead of saying that he believes he WOULD be able to fill in.
Respectfully, Graham was unable to surplant Nathan Vasher in 2009. The 2008 season you suggested was one of the Bears worse passing defense seasons in the last four years which have been declining since after the 2005 season. Graham had many tackles, but he was also targeted heavily because of the fact that he was “suspect”.
If you’re ok with “ok”, then so be it.
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 15, 2010 4:12 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm by no means ok with "ok"
I don’t disagree with what you’re saying. I by no means think he would set the world on fire. But if, heaven forbid, Bowman goes down and they slide Peanut back over, or Tillman himself goes down, I’m not going to give up all hope for the season. I would love to have a deeper group at CB, but if one of them go down, I think he’ll be alright. Past him though, I have major concerns.
Colt's fan friend - "This is our dog, we named her after Peyton Manning."
Boondocksaints812 - "You named her Bitch?!? Did you train her to lie down when you run towards her too?"
it doesn't matter what I think.
I do know i trust Graham a hell of a lot more than tim Jennings or DJ Moore.
You can't see California without Marlon Brando's eyes.
by ifuwannacrownem on Jul 15, 2010 3:47 PM CDT up reply actions
I'll agree with that.
But, I just don’t see how he improves a pass defense that has declined for 4 years straight.
Bowman is an improvement— provided— he stays healthy.
Graham has not been able to show that he can read & react, nor has he been able to win a starting position even when the Bears were in dire need of a starter in 2009.
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 15, 2010 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Vasher was a starter in '09 cuz he got paid
and Graham was in the doghouse
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2010 4:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Lovie's job was on the line though.
… And he did eventually start him a few times that season though.
With Peanut banged up and the secondary being so injured in 2009, it was more than money. Graham is just not a consistent cover corner and can not bump receivers off their route.
That’s his knock.
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 16, 2010 10:19 AM CDT up reply actions
he's a physical Cover 2 corner
and when isn’t Lovie’s job in the line
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 16, 2010 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions
Certainly wasn't in 2006 or 2007.
He got the “physical” moniker because of all the tackles he racked up in that 2008 season, but he also was one of the most targeted CBs on defense in that season as well (and that was on the side with Lance Briggs, who FootballOutsiders.com considers to be one of the best covering LBs in the game)!
Again, I think Graham is adequate-to-subpar. If Bowman went down, then Peanut goes back to no. 1 corner and Graham comes in at the opposite side. I would be just as concerend about the pass defense at that point as I was last year and the year before that.
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 16, 2010 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions
A pass rush will take care of any secondary concerns
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 16, 2010 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't agree.
I certainly believe they are one and the same. There are examples of teams with dominant front fours and weak secondary who can not stop a pass attack out of shotgun or spread.
Pass rush with no coverage is no different than coverage with no rush.
2007 Vikings is a perfect example if you need one.
Semper Fi
by ChicagoMarine on Jul 16, 2010 11:41 AM CDT up reply actions
It is more likely
that the DL can make the secondary look better than vice versa. I don’t care how good your coverage is, if the QB has enough time, he will beat you.
I always turn to the sports section first. The sports page records people's accomplishments; the front page has nothing but man's failures.
~Earl Warren
by lookingdeadred on Jul 17, 2010 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
I think you've underestimated Graham
At this point I see little drop off in ability from Bowman to Graham.
And with more game day reps, I definitely believe Graham can be a consistent starter. He’s physical, has good size and has plenty of speed to be a starting Cover 2 corner.
The year he was a starter
2008; 84 tackles, 1 Int, 8 PD, 1 FF, 1 FR
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2010 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Gould is as important as anyone else especially when you consider some of the other question marks the Bears have on offense. We are not the Saints where if we miss a FG it most likely will not affect the out come of the game. If you take Gould off the Bears that would be bad news. He is not a scrub, look how much money he makes. Its a lot for a kicker, you know how frugal the Bears can be. Why are they paying him as much as they are when they can save atleast half of what they pay him on another kicker. Remember when the Pats and Colts went to the finals in 05 when the Colts lost and then the Pats won the Super Bowl? That offseason of all the moves they could of made guess what the first thing the Colts did ?? Yea you guessed right, they signed Adam Vinatieri away from the Pats. Then in 06 the first year Vinatieri was on the team, they beat us in the Super Bowl. If we had an average kicker then I could agree with you they are a dime a dozen, but when you have one of the best 2 in the league its a big deal.
Since the face been revealed the game got real
That's true. A lot of good kickers never really get a good shot unless there's a major injury.
It’s really mostly a matter of performing with the game on the line. You have a bad day as a kicker when competing for a job and you’ll never get another look unless you can clear the end zone regularly on kickoffs, something that Gould certainly can’t do. Remember when the trend was to get college soccer players?
I hope C-Will has a probowl year
and I believe he will but this whole JA thing bugs me. He DID get shut down against us the 2nd game but if GB would have put any kind of capable tackle on the field his numbers wouldn’t have been so inflated. 50% of his sacks came against GB. He was shut down twice ( sackless hehe) by the Lions, the Browns, Rams,Pitt,Sea, Arizona and Cincy. I believe C-Will is the answer and I think the last 5 games of the season showed he can play.
Adrian Pedestrian!! Now that's funny Mr. Bayless...
Won't sharpshoot
Because I love the article, but I think C. Williams is my #2 or #3. Between Cutler and Williams we will find out if our offense does or doesn’t work at all.
Yes, very important Bear
I’m curious to see how Walliams does against 3-4 defenses… NiqueBears’ post got me thinking about that. I’m confident he’ll do well verse more traditional DE’s. But the 3-4 LBs I think will present a mental, as well a physical challenge for him. Hopefully it’s a challenge that Williams overcomes.
I'm curious to see who is in the top 3 because Williams would definitely be in my top 3.
I think if he struggles than more than likely Cutler and the rest of the offense struggles. In my opinion I think he’s going to do pretty well this season. He has athletic agility and high football I.Q to be top 5 top 10 LT in this league.
by Dominique Blanton on Jul 15, 2010 12:58 PM CDT reply actions
well...
we haven’t seen Pat Mannelly or Brad Maynard yet…
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2010 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Well I think it's safe to say Pat will be happy in his spot at #1.
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Jul 15, 2010 1:19 PM CDT up reply actions
TRUTH! You speak it.
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Jul 16, 2010 5:09 AM CDT up reply actions
And....
Harvey Unga is a Bear per Supplemental Draft.
Super Bowl!
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson
"More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
Link???
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2010 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions
You and your link demands!
Per Twitter
Adam_Schefter
Bears selected Harvey Unga, RB, Brigham Young in Round 7. Cowboys selected Josh Price-Brent, DE, Illinois in Round 7.
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson
"More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
Which means...
no 7th rounder next year. OMG!
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson
"More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
Biggs adds...
BradBiggs
Addition of Unga will make it more difficult for Garrett Wolfe or Kahlil Bell to make #Bears roster.
"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson
"More bell cow" - Lovie Smith
oh no...
No Wolfe?
In the 8th grade Mike Ditka won his school's Science Fair with a model of a working volcano. There were 17 other working volcano's made that day, but only one named Mount Ditka.
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 15, 2010 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions
Uh oh DaHamsta might lose it.
If Mike Ditka punched you in the face, you'd have to fight off the urge to thank him.
by Ditkavsworld on Jul 15, 2010 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions
#5 Most Important
I agree that Chris Williams should be on the list, but at much higher than #5. He’s protecting the QB’s blind side, which is very important especially this year, given our backup QBs have a combined 7 passes attempted in NFL play. #74 wouldn’t out rank guys like Cutler, but he should have a big impact on the 10 season.
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