Ten Questions Facing the Chicago Bears in 2015
By Andrew Poole
Nov 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears guard Kyle Long (75) against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Will Kyle Long move to right tackle in 2015?
The Bears offensive line took a step back in 2014, allowing 11 more sacks than the previous year and seeing the yard per attempt of the rushing game dip from 4.5 yards to 4.1 yards. For a team that had horrendous offensive lines from 2009-2012, and spent considerably on revamping the offensive line prior to the 2013 season (bringing in Jermon Bushrod and Matt Slauson to start on the left side), those results are unacceptable.
If I had my way, the Bears would have shifted Long to left tackle this off season, signed a quality right tackle and shifted Bushrod to be the primary starter on the scrap heap. Alas, the aging Bushrod will still be the frame for the open pass rushing door at left tackle in the 2015 season.
Nov 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago Bears guard Kyle Long (75) against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
If he’s not going to play left tackle, Long should start at right tackle, and I think he will. The Bears don’t have a great option outside of Long. Jordan Mills has shown flashes of competence, but not consistently and he’s battled injuries since the final game of 2013 and struggles in pass protection.
Michael Ola and Charles Leno Jr. will both see playing time, but neither has the upside or athleticism of Long, who should be fast enough to handle speed rushers and powerful enough to continue as a force in the run game.
The Bears have enough depth and experience along the offensive line to find a right guard to plug in while Long switches to right tackle. Ola played left guard and some right guard last year, Vladimir Ducasse has started before at guard and Ryan Groy saw playing time at guard last year. Any one of those three could work at right guard, allowing Long to plug the larger hole at right tackle.
Most importantly, if rookie center Hroniss Grasu develops in training camp, he may be able to start at center, kicking veteran Will Montgomery to right guard and allowing Long to man the right tackle position. Montgomery has played right guard in the past and would be able to help Grasu make calls on the field.
This would also put the Bears in the enviable position of having their five best offensive linemen — Bushrud (gulp), Slauson, Grasu, Montgomery and Long — on the field. Here’s hoping they do it.
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