Bears at Vikings: Top Storylines for Week 15

Kyle Long‘s Progression

Nov 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle

(75) reacts after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. The Vikings won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Kyle Long had a rough game this past Sunday. His performance was magnified when he gave up a sack that would eventually lead to quarterback Jay Cutler fumbling due to a monstrous hit

Many NFL analysts have come out this week stating that they feel Long would be a better asset to the Bears if they moved him back to his original position of right guard.

To put it bluntly, I completely disagree.

Not only is Kyle Long the best athlete on the offensive line, he may be the best athlete on the Chicago Bears roster. With that being said, Kyle has the frame, talent, work ethic, and athleticism that will allow for him to become one of the league’s top tackles.

"“He will have an entire offseason to look at everything, to study everything from the tackle position. I think he will be absolutely fantastic.”"

Long spent this entire offseason preparing for the year assuming he would be a guard. He didn’t even get the chance to play tackle in the preseason, instead he was thrust into the left tackle role in week 1 against the reigning NFC North Champion Green Bay Packers.

To put his season into perspective, Long has given up a total of 7 sacks since the beginning of the season.

New York Jets three-time Pro Bowler, D’Brickashaw Ferguson has given up 5.5 sacks on the year. Former first overall pick of the Kansas City Chiefs, Eric Fisher has given up 6 total sacks this year.

Former Bears Head Coach Dave Wannstedt had this to say about Kyle Long’s position switch this week on ESPN 1000, “He will have an entire offseason to look at everything, to study everything from the tackle position. I think he will be absolutely fantastic.”

Look for Long to continue his above average play at tackle. Though he had a down week against Washington, Long will try to rise to the occasion, which is Minnesota’s dominant pass rusher – Everson Griffen.

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