Bears Interior OL / Running Game

[wab]

So I was just randomly browsing the Bears roster to see what Kamara's number would be, and it looks like they made some....updates. And it kind of jives with what we are seeing in the running game.

The Bears interior OL got BIG.

Mustipher is listed at 332 now instead of 310.
Daniels is listed at 327 now instead of 306.
Whitehair is listed at now 319 instead of 309.
Bars is listed at now 334 instead of 312.

That's a lot of beef inside.

[G08]

That's a lot of beef inside.

That's what she said

[IE]

Rewatched the game and saw Mustipher pushing the Raider NT out of the way with one hand on a nice running play. He might be stronger than people give him credit for. I watched him pretty hard and I have to be honest I don't see the conspicuous deficiences that others seem to see (e.g. I've read people asking "can the Mustipher experiment be over"). Maybe I don't have a trained eye for Center play... but my untrained eye likes what I see.

I like the response to the Oline concerns after the Browns game. To me it is sorta like "Oh yeah? You want to see some blocking? Oh you think the LT needs help?" and Lazor frequently has 6 linemen in the game in addition to often having at least 2 TEs. Listening to the announcers joke about how often they had to declare Bars as eligible was pretty funny. But it is working, even if it is harder for JF1 to find open receivers (there just aren't as many).

Special mention to new honorary Olineman Jimmy Graham, who has been working hard blocking and doing far better than I ever would have expected. Especially on that Herbert 1st down.

We have a smash mouth team folks, and I'm digging it. This is Ravens ball from 2 years ago. That's fine - that's good for the developing young QB. JF1 is no Lamar though. He's fast and mobile but not quick and intuitive on his feet (at least not yet... maybe when the game slows down a bit more and he gets a bit more decisive).

[wab]

I've been pretty hard on Mustipher this season, but it seems like his issues early on my have been more technique/leverage than strength. He and Daniels owned dudes on Sunday.

[Magnum_Ursus]

I've been pretty hard on Mustipher this season, but it seems like his issues early on my have been more technique/leverage than strength. He and Daniels owned dudes on Sunday.

I'm definitely seeing improvement from week to week. I would rank the Rams and Browns both have top-5 D-lines right now, so that probably also contributes to Mustipher looking worse earlier in the season.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

That's a lot of beef inside.

That's what she said

That's what Stacey said!

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

I've been pretty hard on Mustipher this season, but it seems like his issues early on my have been more technique/leverage than strength. He and Daniels owned dudes on Sunday.

Someone else brought up that Mustipher has been making a lot of good calls at the line, especially for the run game. That alone can offset any struggles that he may be having in pass pro.

My questions is. With Ifedi on the shelf. Who do we turn to at RT. I'm not sold on Wilkenson. Can Bars play RT?

[IE]

I've been pretty hard on Mustipher this season, but it seems like his issues early on my have been more technique/leverage than strength. He and Daniels owned dudes on Sunday.

Someone else brought up that Mustipher has been making a lot of good calls at the line, especially for the run game. That alone can offset any struggles that he may be having in pass pro.

My questions is. With Ifedi on the shelf. Who do we turn to at RT. I'm not sold on Wilkenson. Can Bars play RT?

I thought Wilk played strong and looked pretty feisty out there on Sunday, when I re-watched. Are your comments from earlier when he was filling in on the left in PS?

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

Someone else brought up that Mustipher has been making a lot of good calls at the line, especially for the run game. That alone can offset any struggles that he may be having in pass pro.

My questions is. With Ifedi on the shelf. Who do we turn to at RT. I'm not sold on Wilkenson. Can Bars play RT?

I thought Wilk played strong and looked pretty feisty out there on Sunday, when I re-watched. Are your comments from earlier when he was filling in on the left in PS?

Yes. I haven't gone back and watched from this last game. I just remember him getting trucked a couple times in preseason, and figured that he wasn't ready yet.

[IE]

I thought Wilk played strong and looked pretty feisty out there on Sunday, when I re-watched. Are your comments from earlier when he was filling in on the left in PS?

Yes. I haven't gone back and watched from this last game. I just remember him getting trucked a couple times in preseason, and figured that he wasn't ready yet.

That was a conception I had about him from earlier as well. But then when I watched this past game I was like "wow - who is 70?" And realized it was him. Who knows. Might just be comfort where he's playing. Or the style of the game they're playing.

[G08]

I've been pretty hard on Mustipher this season, but it seems like his issues early on my have been more technique/leverage than strength. He and Daniels owned dudes on Sunday.

Someone else brought up that Mustipher has been making a lot of good calls at the line, especially for the run game. That alone can offset any struggles that he may be having in pass pro.

My questions is. With Ifedi on the shelf. Who do we turn to at RT. I'm not sold on Wilkenson. Can Bars play RT?

I'm fairly certain it will be Wilkinson. He was putting some dudes on their ass last week.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

Someone else brought up that Mustipher has been making a lot of good calls at the line, especially for the run game. That alone can offset any struggles that he may be having in pass pro.

My questions is. With Ifedi on the shelf. Who do we turn to at RT. I'm not sold on Wilkenson. Can Bars play RT?

I'm fairly certain it will be Wilkinson. He was putting some dudes on their ass last week.

I'll have to go back and watch it again.

[dplank]

[G08]

@Bears Whiskey Nut there's one example!

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

@Bears Whiskey Nut there's one example!

Damn dude! That was a 6'1" 286lbs dude he just manhandled. Yes. More of that please.

[crueltyabc]

Such an awesome rep! Everyone kicking ass on that play

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

One thing I did notice on that play, after watching it several times. Daniels and Whitehair get to the second level REALLY quickly. They're both on LB's within a second or two.

[G08]

They were whooping some fucking ass, I was very impressed with them on the 2nd/3rd re-watch of the game.

[IE]

Looks like film of Tevin Jenkins. LOL

Wilkinson used to play for the Broncos. So he has quite a bit of experience with the Raiders.

If it wasn't for that damned DB that one might have gone a lot longer. He flew in there to save the day for them.

[IE]

They were whooping some fucking ass, I was very impressed with them on the 2nd/3rd re-watch of the game.

Me too - the more I watch. How effing refreshing is that for a change? I bet they like it too - moving forward and being the aggressor & not backpeddling and trying to re-route the aggression most of the time. I hope Nagy's paying attention to how they're responding.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

They were whooping some fucking ass, I was very impressed with them on the 2nd/3rd re-watch of the game.

Me too - the more I watch. How effing refreshing is that for a change? I bet they like it too - moving forward and being the aggressor & not backpeddling and trying to re-route the aggression most of the time. I hope Nagy's paying attention to how they're responding.

I've heard dozens of interviews with OL. They LOVE to run the ball for that very reason. Get's them amped up and the adrenaline pumping. Putting DL's on their ass. Then when you run PA. the DL hesitates or doesn't want to get trucked again, so it slows the aggressiveness of the pass rush. It's football 101. But apparently Nagy missed that class. I would LOVE to see this OL gel and go from a liability to a strength. It would change the complexion and outlook of the entire season.

[malk]

So committed to the block he nearly crushed poor Herbert after the play. Love it!

[o-pus #40 in B major]

I am cautiously optimistic about all of this.

[wab]

I've been pretty hard on Mustipher this season, but it seems like his issues early on my have been more technique/leverage than strength. He and Daniels owned dudes on Sunday.

Someone else brought up that Mustipher has been making a lot of good calls at the line, especially for the run game. That alone can offset any struggles that he may be having in pass pro.

My questions is. With Ifedi on the shelf. Who do we turn to at RT. I'm not sold on Wilkenson. Can Bars play RT?

I'd guess Wilkinson like others have said. He was decent at RT for Denver when they left him alone, but they put him everywhere and used him as a utility guy instead of just a RT. He also fits the Bears blocking scheme better than the Broncos.

[G08]

Someone else brought up that Mustipher has been making a lot of good calls at the line, especially for the run game. That alone can offset any struggles that he may be having in pass pro.

My questions is. With Ifedi on the shelf. Who do we turn to at RT. I'm not sold on Wilkenson. Can Bars play RT?

I'd guess Wilkinson like others have said. He was decent at RT for Denver when they left him alone, but they put him everywhere and used him as a utility guy instead of just a RT. He also fits the Bears blocking scheme better than the Broncos.

Has anyone heard a peep about Jenkins or Borom?

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

I'd guess Wilkinson like others have said. He was decent at RT for Denver when they left him alone, but they put him everywhere and used him as a utility guy instead of just a RT. He also fits the Bears blocking scheme better than the Broncos.

Has anyone heard a peep about Jenkins or Borom?

Jenkins hasn't been practicing at all, and is most likely a late season return, if at all. I heard Borom was getting close. But I don't have any specifics.

[G08]

Has anyone heard a peep about Jenkins or Borom?

Jenkins hasn't been practicing at all, and is most likely a late season return, if at all. I heard Borom was getting close. But I don't have any specifics.

I know Borom had that dreaded high ankle sprain, takes at least 5-6 weeks to feel good enough to play again. This Sunday will be week 5.

Jenkins, I think the earliest he should return is after the bye week, which would put him at 13.5 weeks post-surgery.


I just wish we had some idea of how they were progressing... assuming they were progressing.

[wab]

Jenkins hasn't been practicing at all, and is most likely a late season return, if at all. I heard Borom was getting close. But I don't have any specifics.

I know Borom had that dreaded high ankle sprain, takes at least 5-6 weeks to feel good enough to play again. This Sunday will be week 5.

Jenkins, I think the earliest he should return is after the bye week, which would put him at 13.5 weeks post-surgery.


I just wish we had some idea of how they were progressing... assuming they were progressing.

Nothing of substance. This is what Pace said on the Lions pre-game show:

On the status of injured rookie offensive linemen Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom:

"Both those guys are working really hard. They continue to progress. They're both on schedule. It's a really good, combined effort with our trainers and strength coaches, along with those players being fully committed to that timeline to get them back as soon as possible. But they're both working hard and they're both on schedule."

https://www.chicagobears.com/news/pace- ... 021-week-4

[G08]

I know Borom had that dreaded high ankle sprain, takes at least 5-6 weeks to feel good enough to play again. This Sunday will be week 5.

Jenkins, I think the earliest he should return is after the bye week, which would put him at 13.5 weeks post-surgery.


I just wish we had some idea of how they were progressing... assuming they were progressing.

Nothing of substance. This is what Pace said on the Lions pre-game show:

On the status of injured rookie offensive linemen Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom:

"Both those guys are working really hard. They continue to progress. They're both on schedule. It's a really good, combined effort with our trainers and strength coaches, along with those players being fully committed to that timeline to get them back as soon as possible. But they're both working hard and they're both on schedule."

https://www.chicagobears.com/news/pace- ... 021-week-4

Thanks! I guess "on schedule" can't ever be a bad thing, if he's being honest.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Latest on Jenkins and Borom:

The Bears still are holding out hope Jenkins will play this season. The Bears have not provided an update on Jenkins since he had back surgery in August, but the rookie has been engaged in meetings recently. Castillo has Jenkins and Borom do written/video scouting reports on defensive opponents.

“I’ve got him doing things to keep him active,” Castillo said of Jenkins. “He’s in meetings all the time — staying very active, stays around the guys. Great kid, hard worker, excited. He’s a very smart young man and very dedicated.”

https://chicago.suntimes.com/bears/2021 ... -tom-brady

Incidentally, from the same article:

Credit where it’s due: The Bears looked lost at left tackle when they cut Charles Leno and had six players line up with the first team in the search for his replacement — including rookies Teven Jenkins and Larry Borom. Picking up 39-year-old Jason Peters looked like a desperate move — and perhaps it was. But it’s working out so far. Peters is ranked fourth among tackles by Pro Football Focus in overall effectiveness.

Peters’ performance against the Packers was “probably his best technical game,” offensive line coach Juan Castillo said. “In pass protection … we had talked about being able to play square and be consistent and this probably was his best game [with] those techniques. He’s getting a little bit [more] in shape every game, so he’s getting to that point we’d like to have him at.”