Strong year for linemen fortunate timing for Bears

Draft preview: Offensive linemen

As many as seven offensive tackles are talented enough to be drafted in the first round of this weekend's NFL draft. Unfortunately for the blocking-starved Bears, they only have one first-round pick.

"It's a good year for offensive linemen, probably one of the better years," Bears general manager Jerry Angelo said. "I think most of the personnel people will echo that.

"We've got a couple of juniors who came out (Boise State's Ryan Clady and Virginia's Branden Albert) who are very, very good players and have created a lot of quality and quantity at offensive line."

Senior Jake Long (Michigan) has already signed as the No. 1 overall pick with Miami, but senior Jeff Otah (Pittsburgh) could join Clady in the top 10, and Chris Williams (Vanderbilt) could go in the middle of Round 1, along with Clady. Boston College's Gosder Cherilus and possibly USC's Sam Baker could also fit later in the first round.

The timing for a bumper crop of O-linemen couldn't be better for the Bears, who, after the off-season release of right tackle Fred Miller and left guard Ruben Brown, are looking at a major rebuilding project up front.

"Whenever you take two starters out of the picture, that's a big area of concern," coach Lovie Smith said. "We feel like we have a plan."

The Bears might have a plan, but right now they don't have the personnel to implement it.

Ideally, they want someone who can step in and play the critical left tackle spot right away, protecting the quarterback's blind side. That would allow 33-year-old John Tait to switch from left tackle to right tackle, replacing Miller. That could upgrade both tackle positions, which would be an impressive step toward improving an offensive line that went from experienced to antiquated almost overnight.

"That's one thing we've talked about," Angelo said of moving Tait from the left side to the right. "You see a lot of players who played left tackle in college come in and move to the right side (in the NFL) because it's a little bit easier to develop them and bring them along. Then, in a year or two, you move him over to the left side."

Clady is expected to be off the board by the time the 14th pick rolls around, but the Bears hope either Otah or Williams is there when they're on the clock. There's no guarantee that either will be able to start on the left side from Day One, but most scouts believe they have that potential.

Although Albert played mostly guard in college, his impressive postseason workouts have indicated he may have the athleticism to play left tackle in the NFL, and he is rated higher than Williams on some draft boards. But not everyone is convinced he can play left tackle.

Williams is more athletic, agile and a better pass blocker than Otah, who is bigger, stronger and more effective as a run blocker. Williams (6-feet-6, 315 pounds) is also more of a finished product, having spent five years at Vanderbilt, while Otah (6-6, 339), who didn't play football until his senior year in high school, is a bit of a project.

Williams started slowly for the Commodores, redshirting in 2003 and not getting on the field until 2005 when he played guard and tackle. But he started all 24 games at left tackle in his final two seasons. His transformation to a player highly coveted by the NFL was gradual, but it has been complete.

"When you get to college, you're (just) trying to play college ball, to eventually start," he said. "Then, at some point, you realize, 'Hey, I've got a shot at playing pro ball,' and then you've got a shot to get drafted, then you move up draft boards. So it's kind of one step at a time. But I was always dreaming."

It became clear to Williams in the past year that he would be a valuable commodity in the NFL.

"(It was) during the agent recruiting process," he said. "A lot of (agents) came calling, and they came calling for a reason. They're hearing something, they think you can make it or (that) you're a good player. They think you can make them money. It's a money business, so you're like, 'This might work out for me.' "

According to Williams, more than 50 agents contacted him before he and his parents picked Bill Johnson of Profiles Sports, based in Atlanta.

While Williams gets high marks for character and smarts, he has been downgraded for being too much of a finesse player and failing to display the kind of aggressiveness NFL coaches like to see in the trenches.

He insists that he's not too nice to mix it up at the next level and that he possesses the mean streak that can help take an offensive lineman to the next level.

"I have it, and I think you do need it," Williams said. "Offensive line is a tough position. It's not always about talent, it's about can you play through pain, can you play though injuries, can you play every snap?"

The Bears need someone who can do all those things, and they need him now.

The top offensive linemen

Player, college Size 40 time

OT Jake Long, Michigan 6-7, 313 5.1 Bob LeGere's skinny: Chiseled at more than 300 pounds. Could dominate at right tackle for a decade with power, toughness and mean streak but is athletic enough to handle left tackle.

OT Ryan Clady, Boise State* 6-6, 309 5.1 Stock has skyrocketed as he continues to show great agility and athleticism for his size. Still developing; great upside.

OT Jeff Otah, Pittsburgh 6-6¼, 339 5.28 Still raw but has tremendous upside. Despite bulk and power, has played on the left side, although he might have to begin at RT.

OT Chris Williams, Vanderbilt 6-6, 315 5.17 Agile and athletic to handle best speed rushers off the edge and start at LT right now but lacks power and tenacity in run game.

OL Branden Albert, Virgina* 6-5½, 309 5.17 Instant starter as a freshman, played mostly OG but is athletic enough for LT, although he needs more refinement and strength.

OT Gosder Cherilus, Boston College 6-6¾, 314 5.21 Mature, hard worker needs to refine technique, especially at LT, but is athletic enough for the position. May need a lot of reps.

OT Sam Baker, USC 6-4½, 309 5.23 Four-year starter at LT in elite program is technically sound but too much of a finesse player and lacks strength and explosion.

OG Chilo Rachal, USC* 6-55/8, 315 5.31 Big frame, plays with urgency and power, shows good technique and is effective in a small area but not quick or a great athlete.

OT Oniel Cousins, UTEP 6-4,308 5.11 Good athlete with lots of upside but is raw, lacks instincts and doesn't play with much strength. Could be a long-term project.

OT Anthony Collins, Kansas* 6-5, 317 5.08 Works out well and has upside and athleticism but is a project who exhibits poor technique and lacks football strength.

*Junior in college