Countdown to Kickoff…79 Days Until Chicago Bears Season Opener

Dec 9, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison (96) works past Chicago Bears tackle Jonathan Scott (79) and pressures quarterback Jay Cutler (6) in the second quarter at the Metrodome. The Vikings win 24-14. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

I decided to do a countdown to the Chicago Bears season opener on September 8th versus the Cincinnati Bengals.  Thanks to one of my followers on Twitter @Beneiserle, I decided to combine the countdown with a roster preview of sorts.

We’re Jonathan Scott days away from kickoff.  Err, we’re Corvey Irvin days away from kickoff.  We’re still in that strange part of the season where there are so many guys on the roster that teams will have an offensive and defensive player wearing the same number.  Let’s get to know both Scott and Irvin.

Offensive tackle Jonathan Scott was brought back as a free agent to compete for the right tackle spot.  He did a decent job last season, so much so that Phil Emery singled him out following the season and jettisoned Gabe Carimi.  Scott will be competing with former left tackle J’Marcus Webb for the starting right tackle job.  For as much flack as Webb as gotten from Bears fans, this will surprise you – Webb is better than Scott.  A lot better.  That’s what Pro Football Focus would have you believe if you look at their ranking of offensive tackles from 2012.  Scott was ranked the 63rd tackle on the list, a whopping 9 spots ahead of Gabe Carimi.  Webb?  He was ranked 47th.

If Scott fails to beat out Webb, he’s likely to move into the swing tackle role, so he’ll need to learn the LT position too.

As for Irvin, he hooked up with the Bears following their rookie minicamp, although the defensive tackle has been kicking around the league for a couple of seasons.  Here’s what the Bears website had to say about Irvin:

"Irvin has appeared in 18 NFL games over the past three seasons with the Panthers (2010), Jaguars (2011) and Buccaneers (2012), recording 11 tackles. He played 12 games last season for Tampa Bay. Irvin was selected by Carolina in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft out of Georgia.“When you have an opportunity you really have to take advantage of it, and that’s by doing what the coaches ask you, working hard, being dedicated and giving it your all,” Irvin said. “When you’re blessed with an opportunity, you really have to be a pro and take care of your business.”"

Irvin will have an uphill battle to grab a roster spot as the Bears have added some depth to their DT rotation with the recent signing of Sedrick Ellis.

There haven’t been too many standouts wearing #79 in recent history; the most notable being Kurt Becker of the ’85 Bears.

We’re 79 days away from kickoff. Are you ready???