Thayer: Offensive line misses Williams
Former Bears guard Tom Thayer can sympathize with what the current offensive line went through this week and Sunday night when Jay Cutler was sacked nine times in the first half.
“It was back in 1989 against the Vikings in Minnesota, said Thayer who provides color commentary and insight on Bears broadcast on WBBM 780-AM. “In the third quarter they flashed on the scoreboard that the Bears' offensive line had given up a total of 7 sacks (all season) going into that game, but tonight they have already allowed 8. You don't forget that.
But Thayer believes there is hope for this year's O-line.
“I think it's as much the growing pains of an offense as anything, Thayer said of last week's failure to protect Cutler, which he said was a team failure. “If everybody could get 33 percent of the blame that would be fair. No phase is exempt from blame. It's not just the line. There are times when Jay held the ball too long and times when the running back could have provided better protection.
Thayer believes that rookie tackle J'Marcus Webb and guard Edwin Williams could see more playing time in the future and that the entire group misses left tackle Chris Williams, who is still out with a hamstring injury.
“Chris is a much different athlete at left tackle than Frank (Omiyale) is, Thayer said. “Frank (normally the right tackle) is going to give you everything he's got, but as far as the athleticism of the position, he's not Chris. I think that's why you're not going to see the best from this offensive until for six or eight weeks.
By the numbers:Not only will Todd Collins be the oldest starting quarterback in Bears history, but he'll wear No. 10 in a game that will be played on 10/10/10.
Collins will be 39 next month. Dave Krieg was 38 years and 63 days old when he started for the Bears in the 1996 season finale against the Buccaneers in Tampa. Greg Landry was 38 years and 2 days old when he made his only start for the Bears in the 1984 season finale against the Lions in Detroit.
Ready to compete: Defensive end Charles Grant, the newest Bear, is ready to contribute right now. Grant was in Miami with the Dolphins for all of training camp, but he was released and spent two weeks in the UFL. It was precipitous drop for the ninth-year veteran, who started all 16 games last season for the world champion New Orleans Saints but suffered a torn triceps in the final regular-season game and did not play in the postseason.#8220;It was a great experience for me, and also a humbling one, Grant said. #8220;So it was good. (But) I was just waiting on an opportunity to get back on the football field and play again (in the NFL).The release earlier in the week of Mark Anderson leaves a spot in the defensive end rotation, with Grant, Henry Melton and rookie Corey Wootton battling for playing time, although Melton is already getting some time at tackle.Injury update: Jay Cutler, Chris Williams and Major Wright are all out this week. No one else was listed on the Friday injury report.Panthers go-to wide receiver Steve Smith (ankle) is out, as is starting right offensive tackle Jeff Otah (knee), a 2009 first-round pick, along with former Bears linebacker Jamar Williams, who was swapped for safety Chris Harris in the off-season. #376; Follow Bob LeGere's Bears reports via Twitter@BobLeGere. Check out his blog, Bear Essentials, at DailyHerald.com