Let's look at our OL competition

[dplank]

Here's who we have as of now...we typically keep 8.

Likely starters (and roster locks): LT - Charles Leno Jr, LG - James Daniels, C - Cody Whitehair, RG - Germain Ifedi, RT - Bobby Massie

Need 3 backups from this list: Alex Bars, Dino Boyd, Rashad Coward, Arlington Hambright (R), Corey Levin, Sam Mustifer, Lachavious Simmons (R), Jason Spriggs

I'd say Spriggs, Coward, and Bars are most likely. Unless one of the rookies really pops then Bars might end up on the PS again. Spriggs is the swing T, and Coward/Bars have position flexibility.

This is not an awe inspiring group, but it's what we got.

[IE]

The Oline is suspect. I do think they'll play better this year. Maybe not as well as we'd like - but better.

The defense is so damn good that I expect 2018-era short fields that will hide the oline. And some MUCH better TE and QB play that will also be a more legit threat the defense has to actually care about & hide the oline a bit.

I think Spriggs, Coward and Bars. With the 7th rounders PS. So year I do think they were less like picks and more like just securing them for the PS.

[The Cooler King]

Re: Spriggs, he needs to stay healthy first.

[UOK]

Here's who we have as of now...we typically keep 8.

Likely starters (and roster locks): LT - Charles Leno Jr, LG - James Daniels, C - Cody Whitehair, RG - Germain Ifedi, RT - Bobby Massie

Need 3 backups from this list: Alex Bars, Dino Boyd, Rashad Coward, Arlington Hambright (R), Corey Levin, Sam Mustifer, Lachavious Simmons (R), Jason Spriggs

I'd say Spriggs, Coward, and Bars are most likely. Unless one of the rookies really pops then Bars might end up on the PS again. Spriggs is the swing T, and Coward/Bars have position flexibility.

This is not an awe inspiring group, but it's what we got.

I know there's rumors that the coaches don't like Bars, but he's probably better than most of the rest of the crop. It could be one of those weird situations like Matt Slauson where he got traded during his peak because he didn't fit the offense. To me, who gives a fuck? If a guy can win at the point of attack and either give your passer that split second more to survive or give the runner another inch of daylight, you lock him up.

Again, this falls on Nagy in particular for being too stubborn that it's all about the system, and without the right talent, the system fails, but talent in the NFL is finite. If the Bears see talent in a guy like Bars, scheme be fucked - play him.

Edit: I'm rooting for Spriggs to prove something to himself after the failure in Green Bay. Would be nice to get our version of Marc Columbo, but the other way around.

[Moriarty]

This is not an awe inspiring group, but it's what we got.

No, it is not.

Spriggs, Bars, Coward would be my bet for backups.
A lot of other outcomes are possible - but I'm not sure if I like any of the candidates enough to really care...

[wab]

I'm going with Spriggs, Coward, and Levin. Spriggs and Coward have both OG and OT experience and Levin has OG/C experience.

I would prefer Bars over Coward but for whatever reason, the team seems to prefer Coward.

The two rookies end up on the PS.

[IE]

Do we know what it is about Bars they don't like? I'm assuming it means the new OL coaches. Would love to hear.

[AZ_Bearfan]

Watching Dieter Eiselen on his highlight tape hitting defenseless players already laying on the ground and out of the play gives me some hope for this group. I can see Daniels, Whitehair and Ifedi as a pretty solid interior group. I'm more concerned about our tackles, which is pretty consistent for any fan of any team. Those guys don't grow on trees. But nothing in FA or the draft has made me feel better about the tackle situation short of Spriggs getting his mojo back.

[The Cooler King]

Do we know what it is about Bars they don't like? I'm assuming it means the new OL coaches. Would love to hear.

Why do we think they don't like him? They paid him a active roster salary to keep him from bolting to the Pat's last season. Then pulled him up once injuries mounted. That doesn't sound like a guy they don't like.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

Watching Dieter Eiselen on his highlight tape hitting defenseless players already laying on the ground and out of the play gives me some hope for this group. I can see Daniels, Whitehair and Ifedi as a pretty solid interior group. I'm more concerned about our tackles, which is pretty consistent for any fan of any team. Those guys don't grow on trees. But nothing in FA or the draft has made me feel better about the tackle situation short of Spriggs getting his mojo back.

I never count out the Ivy Leaguers when it comes to NFL OL positions. The G position in the NFL is so complex, that players who are able to process more information faster, have a better chance of digesting the nuances of playing the position.

Watching his tape. He's slow as shit, but he's got a serious nasty side to him. Like evil. I like it. He's built like a tank.

[IE]

Do we know what it is about Bars they don't like? I'm assuming it means the new OL coaches. Would love to hear.

Why do we think they don't like him? They paid him a active roster salary to keep him from bolting to the Pat's last season. Then pulled him up once injuries mounted. That doesn't sound like a guy they don't like.

I was basically asking for more information from UOK, who mentioned there was talk about this. He was kind of Harry's guy - so maybe there are just assumptions out there that the new guys won't like him. But I don't see why -or it isn't obvious to me.

[UOK]

Why do we think they don't like him? They paid him a active roster salary to keep him from bolting to the Pat's last season. Then pulled him up once injuries mounted. That doesn't sound like a guy they don't like.

I was basically asking for more information from UOK, who mentioned there was talk about this. He was kind of Harry's guy - so maybe there are just assumptions out there that the new guys won't like him. But I don't see why -or it isn't obvious to me.

I don't have a concrete source, I just recall that coming up on the radio whenever Bars was matched by the Bears when the Pats tried to sign him. It could be total bullshit.

I like Bars' potential, and they played him at tackle in the preseason last year. Could be they try him there again this year as well.

[Middleguard]

Bars was also listed as a tackle in his few regular season appearances, but I never once noticed him in a game, so can't say that's where he played.

[The Cooler King]

Bars was also listed as a tackle in his few regular season appearances, but I never once noticed him in a game, so can't say that's where he played.

He got 12 whole snaps according to Pro football reference. You didn't even notice where he played?!

[IE]

I think it is because that's the position he played on ST?

I thought he looked pretty good in PS in fairly extensive play. Granted, against backups mostly. But playing multiple positions and having been out of action for a while. He looked in-charge against backups, like he was "above them"... IMO.

[southdakbearfan]

They didn't like Bars so much they actually let him play ffs. He's a fringe OL prospect, maybe.

[Z Bear]

Iredi is a mild improvement over what we trotted out at RG last year and Castillo is a different coach. We are hoping that turns this group into a well oiled machine that plows holes in the run game.


That does not give me the warm and tinglies.

[G08]

Castillo prides himself on finding athletic players, either former busts or UDFAs, and coaching technique and aggression into them. Assuming we have training camp / some method of working players, he's going to rep the shit out of these dudes and the cream will rise to the top.

There is potential for issues because he's very particular in his technique and if you don't buy in it could ruin everything. Just takes one guy so it bears mention and should be important to monitor.

[RichH55]

I think the plan always seemed to be get better from within - it's not all the implausible IMHO

[wab]

I like Bars, but I think he's a better OT than OG. At ND they moved him inside during his graduate season to help cover for the loss of Nelson, and also because they wanted to get Hainsey and Eichenberg looks at OT.

[RichH55]

I think Bars is a Guard

The Notre Dame thing makes little sense otherwise - you don't move an NFL OT inside to Guard in College that late unless he's really a Guard

[BR0D1E86]

Bars was also listed as a tackle in his few regular season appearances, but I never once noticed him in a game, so can't say that's where he played.

He got 12 whole snaps according to Pro football reference. You didn't even notice where he played?!

If I remember right, and I probably don't, I think 100% of his snaps were as a 6th lineman in huge sets, and he was on the end.

[crueltyabc]

He got 12 whole snaps according to Pro football reference. You didn't even notice where he played?!

If I remember right, and I probably don't, I think 100% of his snaps were as a 6th lineman in huge sets, and he was on the end.

You're right. I went back and found ten of the twelve snaps (IIRC, it's searchable but not worth it) and remember him getting blown up a couple times. It was not good tape, and made me seriously doubt Bars.

[Yogi da Bear]

I've said this in another thread, but I think it bears repeating here--I'm not convinced that Massie will be the starter. He's really not built for this offense. They want those quicker type offensive lineman who can move laterally and seal. Massie is more of a straight ahead guy. Renegotiating him to such a large contract last year was stupid. I still think that that has a lot to do with HH's firing, as I think HH convinced them to do it. If Massie loses the starting gig, he'll probably still make the team as the cap hit will be quite expensive, and Massie would still be a valuable backup. But if Spriggs has it together, I can see him beating Bobby out. If Spriggs is recovered, he's much faster and moves laterally much better. Hell, he ran a sub 5 40 coming out.

[dplank]

Really wish they’d try Massie at G

[thunderspirit]

Really wish they’d try Massie at G

In his 102 NFL starts and his 29 college starts, he has played guard zero times. There's zero evidence he can shift inside to guard after a career at tackle.

[The Cooler King]

Really wish they’d try Massie at G

In his 102 NFL starts and his 29 college starts, he has played guard zero times. There's zero evidence he can shift inside to guard after a career at tackle.

More importantly, theres no reason to based on the current roster construct. That idea was always based on if the Bears signed a top T like Conklin and putting Massie into a G competition.

[wab]

I can all but guarantee that, barring injury, Massie is the starting RT for 2020.

[dplank]

Yes, absolutely. Was just a fleeting thought, not seriously suggesting they do it this year...he's our RT. I just think he could be good there because he's such a powerful guy and it would limit his struggles with quick edge rushers.

[RichH55]

Really wish they’d try Massie at G

I would tend to agree if they have someone else at Tackle (not sure they do)

And they should do it early if they are doing it.

Tackle to Guard happens all the time