What is the Right Offensive Line Combination for the Chicago Bears?
One advantage of the bye week for the Chicago Bears is getting everyone back and healthy. Earl Bennett is expected back since getting folded up like a lawn chair going across the middle in the Week 2 loss in New Orleans. Geez – I’ve recovered from that NOLA trip quicker!
Another key cog returning to practice after the bye is right tackle Gabe Carimi. When the rookie also went down in Week 2, it seemed like the offensive line was going to seriously suffer and at first they did. Once Mike Tice realized the Frank Omiyale is best suited to ride the pine and re-shuffled the line a couple of times, it appears that the offensive line has found the right combination. Or have they? Follow me inside to vote for the right Chicago Bears offensive line combination.
The old adage says, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” and that sure would seem to be the case with the re-re-revamped offensive line. Ever since Lance Louis stepped into the right tackle spot and Chris Spencer moved to right guard, the line has seemed to find their stride. That line is sure to be tested in a hostile environment in Philadelphia on Monday night. Should Mike Tice plug Carimi back in to his starting spot? If he does, who goes to the bench, Lance Louis or Chris Spencer? Or someone else? I set up a little poll for each position below. Cast your votes for who should be the starter. Post your comments like “move Carimi to RT, slide Louis to guard, Spencer to center, etc” to help me process your thinking. Or just vote and see what everyone else thinks.
Left Tackle
J’Marcus Webb has done a decent job, but he’s not going to any Pro Bowls any time soon. Does he have the feet to anchor that position and stop premier pass rushers? Would Carimi make more sense at LT? How about the fleet footed Lance Louis? Should Chris Williams get another sniff at the position for which he was drafted?
Left Guard
Chris Williams has been serviceable, but I guess people forgot about Williams whiffing on some pulling plays a few weeks ago. Is he the right fit at guard? Should Louis slide over if Carimi moves to RT? What about Spencer? He’s been a beast in the running game. Does Garza make sense to slide back into a more familiar guard spot?
Center
You’ve got to give Garza a ton of credit. He’s made a pretty seamless transition to center after playing guard alongside Kreutz all those years. Would he be better suited to slide to guard if Spencer goes to his more natural center position?
If you voted for Kreutz, go slap yourself. I loved what Olin did for us, but he was finished and it was time to move on. I added him in just to see how many meatheads are out there.
Right Guard
The right side of the line has been in a constant state of flux. Spencer has been holding it down well lately. Does he stay put or do the deck chairs shuffle around again?
Right Tackle
Gabe Carimi showed flashes in his first couple of starts before the knee injury. Should he get his old job back as soon as he’s healthy or should he wait until someone falters? Louis has been a pleasant surprise. Can he keep it up? Would J’Marcus Webb do better in the right tackle spot where he played decently in 2010?? Is there a place anywhere on this team for Frank Omiyale?