Countdown to Kickoff… 70 Days Until Chicago Bears Season Opener

Dec. 23, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Chicago Bears guard Edwin Williams (70) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Bears defeated the Cardinals 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-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 Twitter followers, I decided to combine the countdown with a roster preview of sorts.

We’re Edwin Williams days away from the start of the Season Opener! Edwin Williams could be more important this season than you think. Read on and learn.

Williams has surprisingly started 12 games over the last three seasons for the Bears while appearing in 29 games. It just goes to show how thin the offensive line has been and how injuries have forced guys to step up. Williams played his college ball at Maryland and signed with the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent. The Bears picked him up in 2010 where he’s been on the active roster since late September 2010. He scored a touchdown in Week 16 against the Packers when he recovered a a Kahlil Bell fumble in the end zone, so he’s got potential as another offensive weapon. (Ha!)

The reason Williams could be more important than you think is that he’s the most experienced backup at the Center position. Roberto Garza has been very durable over his years with the Bears, but the years are starting to catch up with him, so having a succession plan is important. Williams could help find his role with the team in that capacity.

Another 70 to keep an eye on is rookie DT Brent Russell out of Georgia Southern.  The Bears signed him as an undrafted free agent following the 2013 draft.  In my opinion, he’ll be a camp body hoping to catch lightning in a bottle and  competing for a spot on the practice squad.

We’re 70 days from kickoff.  Are you ready???