Starting jobs on the line as Bears head to San Diego
BOURBONNAIS - Two weeks of camp have established a pecking order at every position for Bears coaches.
And now the more important evaluations begin.
What happens Saturday at San Diego's Qualcomm Stadium in the preseason opener against the Chargers (8 p.m. Ch. 32; WBBM 780-AM) will determine practice reps for the final week of camp and perhaps for the remaining three preseason games.
"The depth chart will mean a little bit more after this game, when we see the guys in game situations," Bears coach Lovie Smith said.
Smith and his staff will be observing four positions more closely than the others: right guard, strong-side linebacker, left end, and safety.
Establishing continuity on the offensive line requires the same five players taking every snaps. So, the sooner the Bears decide who complete their top five, the sooner they can begin forming the cohesiveness and chemistry the unit needs.
"We have a legitimate competition going on at least one of the positions," Smith said of the right guard position. "Everybody has to earn their spot. We're going to let everybody play; that's the duty of the preseason games. We want to get a good look, so we'll work a lot of different combinations. I wouldn't say that anyone will win a job this coming weekend, but at least we can start legitimately getting together a depth chart."
Lance Louis will start at right guard. Roberto Garza started there the past four years, but he has been moved to left guard for the purpose of getting the best five on the field.
That combination, however, could change. Josh Beekman, who started camp as the No. 1 left guard, and Johan Asiata have not been eliminated from the competition.
"I've still got a lot to do," Louis said. "It ain't all set in stone or anything like that. It's never a celebration. There is always more work to do."
The only constant at safety has been Chris Harris, and his play was disrupted for several days in camp when he was sidelined with a strained back. Who will be paired with Harris on opening day isn't known.
Danieal Manning opened camp as the No. 1 strong safety, with Harris at free. But Manning missed time with a hamstring injury, opening the door to more competitors. Rookie Major Wright has been impressive, but he missed time due to a groin injury.
"We've liked the way he's tackled," Smith said. "He's made a lot of plays on the ball, but he's been a good tackler, too, and done some of the things we need."
Veteran Josh Bullocks has been on the field with the starters at times, but he was idled briefly with a quadriceps injury. Craig Steltz has remained healthy and displayed an improved ability to make plays on the ball, something that was lacking last year when Bears safeties combined for just 1 interception.
For the second straight training camp, Pisa Tinoisamoa and Nick Roach are waging a neck-and-neck battle for the starting job at strong-side linebacker. At this point, it's too close to call.
Mark Anderson and Israel Idonije are vying for the spot on the other end of the line from right end Julius Peppers. That player is sure to benefit from single blocks as opponents focus their attention on containing Peppers.
"I'm pretty sure I'm going to have a few one-on-ones," Anderson said, (not just) me (but) the other defensive linemen."
Whichever player best shows he can take advantage of those situations will be the opening-day starter.
• Follow Bob LeGere's Bears reports from training camp and throughout the preseason via Twitter@BobLeGere.