Bears sign free-agent guard Rachal

Posted April 18, 2012 2:00 pm

By Bob LeGere

The Bears added more depth at guard Wednesday morning and also more competition, when they agreed to terms on a one-year deal with unrestricted free agent Chilo Rachal, a former second-round pick of the 49ers.

The 26-year-old Rachal was a second-round pick (39th overall) in 2008 out of USC and started six games as rookie and a total of 29 the next two seasons. But the 6-foot-5, 323-pounder our of Compton, Calif., started just three games last season at right guard for the NFC West champions, although he played in all 16. Rachal has missed just one game in the past four seasons.

Guard could be an extremely crowded position at training camp. Rachal will be competing for playing time with Chris Spencer, who started 14 games at right guard last season; Chris Williams, who started the first nine games at left guard before suffering a season-ending dislocated wrist; and Edwin Williams, who started the final seven games at left guard.

Also, with 2011 first-round pick Gabe Carimi expected back as the starter at right tackle after missing 14 games with a knee injury last season, his fill-in, Lance Louis, could move back to guard. Louis started the 2011 season opener at right guard and four games there in 2010.

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