Assessing Bears’ needs at offensive line
Bears general manager Jerry Angelo drafted Chris Williams in the first round (14th overall) in 2008 with the idea that he would be the team’s offensive left tackle for the next decade.
Williams started the first two games there last season but was hurt and replaced and spent the last 11 games as a starter at left guard. Now the question is: Does Williams deserve another shot at left tackle or will he remain a starter at left guard?
Either way, the Bears need help on the offensive line, and determining Williams’ future will help Angelo pinpoint offensive linemen in the draft.
“I really don’t care where we have Chris, personally,” Angelo said. “I want to make sure when everything plays itself out that we get the five best players on the field.”
Offensive line coach Mike Tice spent a good portion of last season trying to figure that out. After he did, the Bears’ front wall showed improvement but still was never better than mediocre. Adding young talent is a must.
Jay Cutler was sacked 52 times in 15 games last season, more than anyone in the NFL.
Center Olin Kreutz will be 34 before training camp begins and right guard Roberto Garza is 32. They can’t play forever. There is some youth on the roster, but Williams and right tackle J’Marcus Webb are already starting. None of the current backups appears to be starter material, and none of the starters is indispensable.
Left tackle Frank Omiyale got better over the course of the season, but there is still much room for improvement, and he might be better suited to right tackle.
It’s also possible the Bears will decide Williams’ fate after they make their first pick, No. 29 overall, depending on which player they take.
After an injury-marred rookie season, Williams started the first 11 games in 2009 at right tackle and transitioned to left tackle for the final five games.
That’s where he started the first two games last season. But a hamstring injury sidelined him for three games and necessitated the move of Omiyale from right tackle to left. Williams was plugged in at left guard when he returned and started the final 11 games there with mixed results.
“We have a few options, a few directions we can go,” coach Lovie Smith said. “We just know that Chris is a part of our future.”
If the Bears still believe Williams has a future at left guard, they can target a tackle or an eventual replacement for Kreutz. The 13-year veteran will be eligible for free agency, but the Bears are expected to re-sign him for another year or two.
Need: 9 (On a scale with 10 representing a dire need and 1 representing no need at all.)