Webb-Williams battle not yet settled
Although Friday night’s third preseason game provided the best test yet in terms of evaluating the winner in the competition at left tackle, Bears coach Lovie Smith said that wouldn’t be the final determination.
J’Marcus Webb started against the Giants for the third straight game, but challenger Chris Williams got playing time with the first team for the second straight week.
“We’ll go right up until the last preseason game, the last practice, then we’ll make a decision,” Smith said before the game. “You learn a little bit more every day you go through practice about the guy.”
Webb was beaten late in the first quarter on an inside move by Osi Umenyiora, who dropped Matt Forte for a 2-yard loss. Late in the second quarter, Umenyiora beat Williams off the snap and forced quarterback Jay Cutler to throw the ball away to avoid a sack.
Traditionally, starters play very little, if at all, in the final preseason game, and that will be the case for most of the Bears’ first-teamers in Cleveland on Aug. 30 against the Browns. But maybe not at left tackle.
Offensive coordinator Mike Tice has been hoping that either Webb or Williams would step up and grab the job.
A long look:Undrafted rookie Ryan Quigley got an opportunity to do all the punting Friday night, which he would never have gotten if not for the hip flexor that Adam Podlesh suffered in last week#146;s game.#147;He#146;s been around here awhile, and he#146;s had some good punts,#148; Lovie Smith said of the Boston College product. #147;But you want to see a guy in a game situation as much as anything. It#146;s a great opportunity. That#146;s about all you#146;re hoping for this late in the preseason is to have a chance to play and prove what you can do. He#146;s got a strong leg.#148;Quigley had 7 punts for a solid 43.6-yard gross average and 3 inside the 20-yard line, and the Giants managed just 4 return yards on Quigley#146;s punts. But one of his punts was blocked after Harvey Unga whiffed on a block at the line of scrimmage. Safety first:With starting free safety Chris Conte (shoulder) out for the remainder of the preseason, fifth-year veteran Craig Steltz started in his place alongside strong safety Major Wright.#147;He had a great camp,#148; defensive backs coach Jon Hoke said of Steltz. #147;He#146;s just consistent. He shows up where he#146;s supposed to show up. His anticipation is a little bit better than it has been. He understands offenses a little better now. He#146;s a tough guy, a good leader and a good communicator.#148;Among Steltz#146;s 3 first-quarter tackles was one of Giants tight end Martellus Bennett for a 2-yard loss after a reception. Steltz was also flagged for unnecessary roughness on a questionable call by replacement officials. He finished second on the team with 4 solo tackles.Borrowed time:All NFL teams must reduce their rosters to 75 by 3 p.m. (Chicago time) Monday. Rosters must be trimmed to 53 on Aug. 31 and eight-man practice squads can be formed the following day.