The 10 Most Important Bears in 2010 - #8 Olin Kreutz
by Lester A. Wiltfong Jr. on Jul 6, 2010 11:00 AM CDT
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There simply is no clear cut way to measure one players worth over another. It's fun to try, and even better to get some good discussion going on the topic, but by no means is my Top 10 list the be all end all of lists. Who really knows who'll need to contribute the most for the Bears to have a successful season. This is just my subjective look at the team.
On field impact, position depth, leadership; the intangible stuff sometimes can weigh more heavily than the stats. In the terms of number eight on my list it's exactly what places him where he is.
#8 - Olin Kreutz - Center
I've been very adamant in defense of Kreutz's play, he hasn't been to a Pro Bowl in a few years now, and he may never be again, but he is a solid NFL center. His football I.Q. has been his best attribute the last few seasons, and with a new offense he'll need to be as sharp as ever. Mike Martz probably has more protection schemes in his playbook than any other coordinator. And those schemes will change on a week to week basis. Kreutz will have to be ready.
Olin Kreutz took on the responsibility of making all the line calls for the Bears early in his career, and I don't see a change taking place this season. His understanding of blitz packages (who's coming when), who to assist against an even-man front, and his understanding of which of his teammates will be staying in to help pass protect will be critical to keeping Jay Cutler off his back.
He's started all but 1 game for Chicago since 2001, with 167 starts in all. If he plays in all 16 games this season he'll tie Steve McMichael for tops all time as a Bear. Reports are that he feels better than he has in some time after having some clean up surgery done, and new offensive line coach Mike Tice has been all smiles when ever talking about Kreutz.
They do have Josh Beekman waiting in the wings for when ever Olin decides to hang them up, and Beekman may be able to hold down the center spot for a while, but with the new offense in place, having Kreutz step his game up will be an important factor to the success of the Bears.
The list so far:
#10 - Robbie Gould - Kicker
#9 - Matt Forte - Running back
#8 - Olin Kreutz - Center
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As much as the Bears have riding on the O-line this year, pass protection, need for improvement, etc.
Might as well put the guy making the O-line calls on the Top Ten List.
If you have a problem with Olin being on the list
He’ll break your face!
"We can do it any way you want to. We can go right out back and get it on or you can shape your ass up," Da Coach
This guy was awful last year
He got blown up more times than Wile E. Coyote last year and was one of the main reasons for our poor run offense. Hopefully with Tice changing things around this can improve because he is the leader of that line. If it is just age (ala John Tait falling off a cliff) then we are in trouble with this years O.
"He is remarkably bright", a "terrific talent", the sky is the limit for Cutler"
-Mike Martz-
I wouldn't overlook
having a sharp bone spur rubbing on your achilles’ tendon for a reason why you may not be playing as good as normal.
by PolishSausage.Ditka.Bears. on Jul 6, 2010 4:58 PM CDT up reply actions
No, that will slow you down, but
I would not overlook the fact that he has played a lot of football and his skills may be fading, too.
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 7, 2010 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions
Olin
Yes, he needs to have a big year. As the captain of the O-Line, he will have to come up big. I know it looks like he’s lost a step, but I couldn’t name another center in football I’d rather have than #57. Always plays hard and a great leader in the locker room.
On one hand...
Kreutz is one of my all-time favorite Bears,.
On the other, I think Beekman is the center of the future and is going to be for the Bears from 2010 to 2020, what Kreutz was for the Bears of the last 10+ years.
Associate Writer - WindyCityGridiron.com - Artist formerly known as Sklz711
I agree with Kreutz being on this list.
He, Chris Williams and Frank Omiyale have to play well this year for this offense to start clicking on all cylinders.
by Dominique Blanton on Jul 6, 2010 9:57 PM CDT reply actions
Love me some Kreutz
I hope he has a bounce back year. He’s been one of my favorite Bears for some time (Hence why I have his jersey and I love having it b/c it tends to stand out a bit over the Urlacher’s and Cutler’s [and yes those are my other 2])
"I was interviewing George Halas and I asked him who is the greatest running back you ever saw. And he said, 'That would be Red Grange.' And I asked him if Grange was playing today, how many yards do you think he'd gain. And he said, 'About 750, maybe 800 yards.' And I said, 'Well, 800 yards is just okay.' He sat up in his chair and he said, 'Son, you must remember one thing. Red Grange is 75 years old.' - Chris Berman
by Sam Householder on Jul 6, 2010 11:22 PM CDT reply actions
Nice usage of the brackets within the parentheses!
If only you hadn’t forgotten the period at the end of the sentence.
Maybe he can borrow one of Acreman's exclamation points
from his signature. ;)
-------
Stupid babies need the most attention!
Olin isn't a Pro Bowler any more
But like you said, he’s one of the more stable, reliable centers in the league.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
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