Webb overcomes ‘ghosts’ to shore up O-line
As a seventh-round draft pick, not much was expected from rookie offensive right tackle J’Marcus Webb.
But today’s start will be the 14th straight for the 6-foot-7, 328-pound 22-year old, who will have the unenviable task of keeping Packers sack leader Clay Matthews off Jay Cutler.
“I don’t know in 38 years of coaching if I’ve seen a player make this radical improvement in such a short time as he has,” said Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz. I’m very pleased with him. Obviously that means (offensive line coach) Mike Tice has done a great job with him. But for a young man to come in like he has and deal with the pressure — playoffs and all these games at the end of the year that were so meaningful for us — and to continue to get better and have the poise that he’s demonstrated has been really remarkable.”
Not that Webb is a finished product, by any means.
“Every week there’s some new ghost that shows up and scares the heck out of him,” Tice said, chuckling. “That’s just the way it is with young players, and it takes time. The league is so intricate now, there are so many different blitz packages and personnel packages, and there’s so much to learn. Fortunately he’s a good student. He’s very smart, and he’s got good veterans around him. Roberto Garza and Olin Kreutz and Kevin Shaffer have done a nice job with helping bring him along, and teaching him how to study.”
Mind games:
One of the key subplots in today’s game will be the chess match between Bears offensive coordinator Mike Martz and Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers, who is renowned for his creative and diverse blitz schemes.
“You just have to make sure you get a man on their blitzers,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said. “You don’t want to let any guys come clean and take a shot at your quarterback.”
Against a defense that blitzes frequently, the Bears have an opportunity for big plays if they can get all the pass-rushers blocked, or if quarterback Jay Cutler gets the ball quickly to the hot receiver or a receiver left open by blitzing defensive backs or linebackers.
“When you blitz, there are one-on-one situations on the outside,” Smith said. “So it leaves you an opportunity to win a 1-on-1 battle with a big play. Dom does a great job. But in the end, it’s a player’s game. That’s what it will come down to. It will be something as simple as blocking and tackling; some of those basic fundamentals will win this football game.”
Sack man:
Former defensive end Richard Dent, the Bears’ all-time sack leader, MVP of Super Bowl XX and Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2011 finalist, is the team’s honorary captain today.
In 12 years with the Bears, Dent had 124½ of his 137½ career sacks, including a team record 17½ in 1984.