Eben Britton Reports Eligible for the 2014 Chicago Bears
Dec 1, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago Bears guard Eben Britton (62) against the Minnesota Vikings at Mall of America Field at H.H.H. Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Bears 23-20 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears made a move to help shore up their offensive line and possibly their backup tight end position. If you watched the Bears last season, you get the joke of the post headline, as Eben Britton lined up as a sixth offensive lineman via the “tackle eligible” position as an extra blocker in about 20% of the Bears’ offensive snaps. From the Bears’ press release on the Britton signing:
"LAKE FOREST, IL – The Chicago Bears agreed to terms with T Eben Britton on a one-year contract.The 6-6, 308-pound Britton has started 34 of 50 games over five seasons (2009-12) with the Jaguars and Bears (2013) after being selected by Jacksonville in the second round (39th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft. During his NFL career, Britton started 23 games at right tackle, seven at left guard and four as a sixth eligible lineman.In 2013, Britton appeared in the final 13 games of the season for the Bears starting four of them as a sixth eligible lineman"
Britton proved his value by stepping in when Jordan Mills suffered a foot injury three snaps into the season finale against the Packers and the offense didn’t miss a beat. Head coach Marc Trestman went out of his way to laud Britton’s versatility this offseason, so it’s no surprise the Bears brought him back in another important step to show some continuity to the Bears’ offense.
I don’t know about you, but I’m just hoping they finally run a play for Britton and throw him a damn pass this season!