5 Bears With Most to Prove: No. 4 Chris Williams

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 12, 2011 7:00 PM CDT in Roster Analysis

Last week's series premiered with 2^nd year Safety, Major Wright. Today Chris Williams, who was a former 1^st round pick of GM Jerry Angelo back in 2008, comes in at #4 with the most to prove. When the Bears selected Williams with the 14^th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, they believed that they had solved their need at LT for the next 8 to 10 years. Despite the Bears ignoring Williams' medical concerns that lead to many NFL teams taking him off their draft boards, Angelo still took Williams at 14^th, two spots after the Broncos took what might have been the Bears initial target Ryan Clady. A herniated disc robbed Williams of his rookie season. He wasn't available until later on in the season and the Bears couldn't play him because they were in the middle of a playoff race. Williams didn't play LT until the end of the 09 season where the highlight of his career came in a Monday night game against the Vikings when played a big part in shutting down Jared Allen.

Even with doubts and heavy criticism from offensive line coach Mike Tice, Williams went into the 2010 season as the starting LT. Williams struggled in the first two games of the season and on top of that got injured in week 2 against the Cowboys. When Williams came back he found himself as the new LG and his original position, LT, was won by Frank Omiyale. Williams was serviceable at best at the position. As expected he struggled against the bull rush, but found his strength in pass blocking and pulling blocking on outside runs.

In 2011, Williams has found himself in a make or break year. It's not a stretch to think this year will define his career moving forward. Fans and media are already labeling him a bust, and when talking about possible free agent acquisitions, fans are clamoring for his replacement instead of the 32 year old RG Roberto Garza. Williams will need to come into camp stronger and with a new attitude; he has to prove to Tice that he fits as his type of lineman. Williams has the potential to be one of the best LG's in the NFL. He's by far the most athletic lineman on the team where he is very technically sound in the pass blocking department, and his athleticism shines in certain blocking plays. Now he just needs to prove to fans in his coaches that he can take that next step.

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That's a pretty bold statement to make

that he has the potential to be one of the league’s best LG, especially when he hasn’t done much of anything on the field to give anyone that impression. I believe we’ll be picking up a guard in FA and, in my opinion, wherever that guard plays Roberto will play the opposite guard position making Chris a back-up. I do agree he has A LOT to prove this year if he expects to be a Bear in 2012. He needs to get stronger and develop a bit of a mean streak for me to be comfortable with him having a place on this line in the future. I’m still not cool with the idea of putting him at center either.

by PolishSausage.Ditka.Bears. on Jul 12, 2011 7:16 PM CDT reply actions

I was basing that bold statement off how he is built.

I like his athleticism at the position, but just needs to bulk up in strength and improve more on his technique at the position. There’s a great chance though we might not see my bold statement develop as they might spend the money on an offensive guard in FA.

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 12, 2011 8:22 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

It was a bold statement

And I like your optimism. The reality however, is that he may never really get much stronger. This is his fourth year in the league, and if he was going to be a powerful blocker, then we probably would have seen that out of him by now. But, maybe he’ll surprise us this year and come out stronger, meaner & nastier.

The thing that bothers me about Williams, though, is if he’s such a great athlete, then why couldn’t he keep his job at left tackle – which was his to lose? The coaches gave him every opportunity, but he just wasn’t athletic enough to keep it.

by JimmyMack on Jul 12, 2011 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm optimistic myself yet even I don't see Williams coming anywhere close to being a good LG.

Now, I’m willing to bet we will sign a LG to be the starter, but if he really has any hope of being a decent Guard he definitely needs to be much stronger and bigger say 10 pounds heavier as a minimum. But he needs to prove to everyone that he is worth a 1st rounder, and first rounders aren’t supposed to get hurt all the time.

If you want my optimistic side to speak, then perhaps he could compete at RG as his mobility and strength remind me of a younger larger version of Roberto Garza. But again my realistic side is saying he will not be a starter at LG nor should he be, and his chances of being a legit starter as an interior O-Lineman are very minimal at best.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jul 12, 2011 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions

Am I wrong?

I thought the only way Williams lost the LT position was because he was replaced after injury..

by saterpstra on Jul 12, 2011 10:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Alarm bells were ringing after he gave up 3 sacks to Kameron Wimbley in the Raiders preseason game. He may have been on a short leash after that, but only the coaches know for sure.

Cosmis: JESUS LORD IN HEAVEN DANIEAL MANNING JUST KILLED A MAN

by Spongie on Jul 12, 2011 11:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Thats what they said, but im not buying that at all.

I just think Tice never like what he saw from Williams from the get go.

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 13, 2011 1:39 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I remember JA and Lovie saying it was about getting the ...

best 5 guys on the field, when he came back from his injury. We all know Omiyale wasn’t a good fit at LG from the year before. And the young guys Lance Louis and Edwin Williams didnt work out earlier in the season in the guard spots. I think they thought, Chris Williams was the best LG they had even though he was playing out of his normal position.

I’m hoping he can be more consistent and show why he was drafted in the 1st rd. I wouldnt be suprised if he won a starting spot on the line, even at LT. He can’t be worst than Omiyale. And while Webb has potential, Webb was still pretty bad most of the year.

by mooseknucks on Jul 13, 2011 4:22 AM CDT up reply actions

It was a bold statement...

Literally, he used bolded lettering like this.

by I Have Bearsititis on Jul 13, 2011 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions

Now this was bold!

"More cowbell" - Bruce Dickinson; "More bell cow" - Lovie Smith

by Pete Dixon on Jul 13, 2011 11:15 AM CDT up reply actions

In all seriousness....

Chirs Williams deserves to be on this list because he knows this year is crucial to his longevity with the team. I would love for him to come out with an attitude and try his best to prove his paycheck. He obvously was talented enough to be taken in the first round, now it is just a matter of refining his talents at a new positio, LG. Unfortunately for him, this lockout has kept Tice from helping him with his technique. And as disappointed as I have been in the past watching him, I can’t help but feel that he will eventually figure it out and anchor a spot on the line for at least a few years. I think he will be a serviceable guard, but I won’t hold my breath waiting for him to become an elite LG.

by I Have Bearsititis on Jul 13, 2011 2:26 PM CDT up reply actions

That is if the management completely whiffs in FA and fails to bring in a good LG

If Williams is so atheletic and wants to show he has value, then why not at RG? Imo he would fit better as a RG than as a LG in Tice’s scheme.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jul 13, 2011 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions

This is where my football understanding fails me (foreign sport)… other than the side of the center that they’re on, how do LGs and RGs differ? I know RTs are meant to be better run-blockers than LTs so I would hazard a guess that RGs are more important to the running game than LGs are.

Cosmis: JESUS LORD IN HEAVEN DANIEAL MANNING JUST KILLED A MAN

by Spongie on Jul 13, 2011 5:44 PM CDT up reply actions

How is a person that writes with his left hand different than one that writes with his right hand?

It’s basically what a player is used to. Both Peanut and Garza last season said on their switches of field that it’s like learning how to write lefty after writing righty your entire life.

by Doshi on Jul 15, 2011 7:00 PM CDT up reply actions

you certainly know how to put the best face on things

and there is some history to remember namely Marc Colombo who had the injury bug early in his career but after the Bears gave up on him he went on to be productive with the Cowboys.

How is it he showed so much promise at the end of 09’ but fell on his face in 10’
not playing well for a coach he doesn’t like? Maybe he wants to see Cutler pushing up daisies?

I think the Bears need to keep him and coach him up, but not count on him for 2011. They should sign both a LT and a LG Omniyale is a backup, Carimi is a rookie and Williams is an enigma. They should use those guys to improve the right side of the line for 2011 if possible.

He didn’t look good at left guard

. "Most football teams are temperamental. That's 90% temper and 10% mental."
--Doug Plank

by ed_brown on Jul 12, 2011 8:32 PM CDT reply actions

Chris Williams = B-U-S-T

He is pretty much hopeless. Its better we just cut him loose and take a chance with an FA at G.

by Gaak on Jul 12, 2011 11:03 PM CDT reply actions

Carl Nicks please!

"Welcome to the place where I lazily threaten people and then everyone laughs."
- Kev H

by chicago030 on Jul 12, 2011 11:26 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Id' Love It If The Bears Grabbed Nicks

but he might be too expensive. If not Nicks then go with Harvey Dahl, that guy is a monster.My dream line would be Olin Kruetz or Garza at C, Nicks and Dahl at G and Webb and Carimi at tackle.

by Gaak on Jul 13, 2011 2:56 AM CDT up reply actions

Too expensive?

We have reportedly 40+ million to spend in FA. I don’t think money would be an issue.

Jay Cutler is our QB, and I for one am proud of that

by Erik Christopher Duerrwaechter on Jul 13, 2011 8:43 AM CDT up reply actions

i think Nicks got Tendered as a first rounder

so we might have to give the Saints a 1st followed by paying Nicks Top 5 OG money.

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 13, 2011 4:32 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Was kinda hoping the #4 spot would be filled with a guy who is guaranteed to make the roster.

Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent - Salvor Hardin

by badsamaritan on Jul 12, 2011 11:26 PM CDT reply actions

i think even if they sign a guard he will make the team as a back-up.

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 13, 2011 1:52 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

That would be a good thing to prove

by Sound_Automatic on Jul 13, 2011 1:55 AM CDT up reply actions

Chris Williams - Elite NFL Swing Tackle

Sounds about right.

Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent - Salvor Hardin

by badsamaritan on Jul 13, 2011 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions

C Williams...

is such a disappointment. I don’t see him lasting past this year. He has done little to nothing despite his supposed “potential” or “athletic ability”. I don’t necessarily care of he had become a top 10 LT even if he was picked in the 1st round, but to barely be a starter after this long is unacceptable. The Bears just need to move on and get a few quality interior linemen and let CW walk.

by LostInSTL on Jul 13, 2011 8:25 AM CDT reply actions

i think he needs stability at one position.

Over his first 3 years he was moved to 3 positions RT LT and LG. I would like to see the coaching staff develop him at one position before fully giving up on him.

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 13, 2011 4:29 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Imho, Omiyale didn't win the LT spot. He was placed there by default because...

the Bears discovered C. Williams could play LG better than anyone on the roster. While Omiyale was at least serviceable at LT.

N. Hayes article from last season

by rdent4hof on Jul 13, 2011 9:21 AM CDT reply actions

i remember that, but it just seems form my point of view he lost the job.

He was billed as the LT of the future and it just seem odd they gave up on him at LT that quick just because it wasn’t a LG on the team.

by Dominique Blanton on Jul 13, 2011 4:25 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I actually think you keep williams

and make him the utility man, daniel manning style, of the line. True, its far from what you hope to get out of a first rounder, but it may both allow his body to not break down and allow the bears to have a versatile swingman at a good price. Omiyale, I think you wave. You can always get someone of that talent level. Always. I guess since we gave him a baloon payment and now he costs less, JA will keep him. Its too bad left tackles have such inflated wages, because it means you can put some serious money into a below average player.

by Sound_Automatic on Jul 13, 2011 12:08 PM CDT reply actions