McClure: Bears' Tice checking out OL prospect Pouncey

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Bears' Tice checking out OL prospect Pouncey

March 15, 2011 11:30 AM

By Vaughn McClure


The NFL lockout might keep Mike Tice from working with Chris Williams, J'Marcus Webb, and Edwin Williams, but it won't stop the Bears offensive line coach from building his line for the future.

Tice is at the University of Florida's Pro Day on Tuesday checking out top offensive line prospect Mike Pouncey, according to a source at the scene. Tice had a private meeting with Pouncey at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis a few weeks back.
The Bears need to get younger along the offensive line and need to groom a youngster at center to eventually take over for Olin Kreutz. Pouncey, the twin brother of Pittsburgh Steelers rookie standout Maurkice Pouncey, said at the combine that he wants to play center in the NFL. Scouts have found few weaknesses in Mike Pouncey's game, although he has had problems with bigger defensive tackles and with shotgun snaps.

If the 6-foot-5, 303-pound Pouncey is around when the Bears select 29th overall in the draft, the Bears won't pass him up even if a tackle is a more pressing need. An option could be playing Pouncey at guard until Kreutz retires, then shifting Pouncey over to his comfort zone at center. Chris Williams, now at left guard, could be a candidate to move back to right tackle. The Bears seem pleased with Webb's upside at left tackle.

Tice recently attended Wisconsin's Pro Day along with offensive coordinator Mike Martz to check out top tackle prospect Gabe Carimi. All indications are the Bears are serious about upgrading a line that surrendered a league-high 56 sacks last