Chicago Bears letting offensive line play itself out
The Chicago Bears have stated that James Daniels will be a guard to start his career. However, they are also letting the situation play itself out
When James Daniels entered the NFL draft, he was a center prospect. When he was drafted, he was a guard. The Chicago Bears immediately came out and expressed that they saw him as a guard.
On the tape, you can understand why he could project well as a guard at the second level. This is why it makes sense that the team has doubled down by stating that he is a guard in their scheme.
However, Bradd Biggs of the Chicago-Tribune still is not buying it. Biggs is very tied into the organization, so when he talks it is usually worth the time to listen. Biggs mentioned that James Daniels should not even be assured the starting guard spot and that the team is very high on Eric Kush.
On top of that, he threw in a hint that the team is not exactly committed to Daniels at guard, despite the public sentiment.
On the potential training camp battles Biggs wrote:
"If it’s Kush, I’d expect Whitehair to remain at center. If it’s Daniels, let’s see how this thing plays out. They don’t have to pick a starting five and declare their positions right now."
This is interesting to note because, like Daniels and Whitehair, Kush has experience at center. However, it appears to Biggs that the team sees him as a potential starter at guard and not center.
On the contrary, if Daniels does prove superior to Kush, Biggs seems to think that in this situation the Bears are now open to moving the line around.
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I am going to be on the side of believing that the team has said in the media. They seem to believe that Daniels has the skill set to make an easy transition to guard. It could put Daniels in a better spot and gives Whitehair continuity at center. Until I see otherwise, I tend to believe this idea.
Another interesting note from this comment is how little faith the team has in Hroniss Grasu. The scenario in which Biggs is setting up has all three names in the starting center conversation. Does that mean Grasu is essentially the fourth center?
He has never played guard and no one is anticipating Grasu moving to guard anytime soon. If he is the fourth most talented center on the team, and center is the only position he plays he is not going to be on this roster for much longer.
Of course, the team may truly see Daniels and Kush as guards only. But, it does appear as though the writing is on the wall for Grasu.