Offensive Line - What will it look like

[wab]

Does anyone want to talk about the blocking looking better once Teven was out for the game?

Yeah, it really did. Even Jones got better.

[Moriarty]

Does anyone want to talk about the blocking looking better once Teven was out for the game?

Yeah, that's a little...odd.

Has he been playing hurt or did that just occur right when he left?
He has PFF graded out respectably (not at his usual level, but nothing to be embarrassed about).

[Otis Day]

Does anyone want to talk about the blocking looking better once Teven was out for the game?

This guy is working himself out of some money. I believe he and his agent feel he is worth more than others. Injuries. Inconsistent. Is the inconsistency on the coach? Dude has regressed as well. This OL is Swiss cheese.

[UOK]

Does anyone want to talk about the blocking looking better once Teven was out for the game?

Yeah, that's a little...odd.

Has he been playing hurt or did that just occur right when he left?
He has PFF graded out respectably (not at his usual level, but nothing to be embarrassed about).

I think a lot of his injuries have added up and he's lost a step. Seems like from a casual observer that he's been late to his assignments a ton and beaten inside more than is typical of him.

[wab]

Yeah, that's a little...odd.

Has he been playing hurt or did that just occur right when he left?
He has PFF graded out respectably (not at his usual level, but nothing to be embarrassed about).

I think a lot of his injuries have added up and he's lost a step. Seems like from a casual observer that he's been late to his assignments a ton and beaten inside more than is typical of him.

Yeah, he seems like all of that power he had has disappeared. He's on the ground a lot.

[G08]

I think a lot of his injuries have added up and he's lost a step. Seems like from a casual observer that he's been late to his assignments a ton and beaten inside more than is typical of him.

Yeah, he seems like all of that power he had has disappeared. He's on the ground a lot.

I'll focus on him when I re-watch the game later today. I like the kid a lot but it sounds like he wants to get paid and I'm not so sure it'll be here.

[spudbear]

The Jenkins issue is troubling. Is he getting bad advice on his training/strengthening? Is he not buying into the new system and going through the motions? At the NFL level if you're not giving 110% then you're going to get injured. I keep thinking back to his pouting when he was moved to OG and wanted the big $$ that OT's typically get. He could be pouting again that his contract has not been worked out yet. It'll cost him.

Having to replace both OG's in-season is not going to help the offense. Pryor seems to be someone who can give average play, which at this point would be welcome. Can Davis get back to performing up to his contract? Looks like Poles and Flus will need it.

[LacertineForest]

Does anyone want to talk about the blocking looking better once Teven was out for the game?

Yeah, that was really interesting - not only was he out, but Davis was in at RG, then, too, and the unit improved noticeably. I can't really understand it - to me, it says he was either: dealing with some injury or doesn't have a good grasp of the offensive scheme (or is not a good fit for it). We've seen him be very good, and it's just puzzling that he has been regressing so much.

[LacertineForest]

I keep thinking back to his pouting when he was moved to OG and wanted the big $$ that OT's typically get. He could be pouting again that his contract has not been worked out yet. It'll cost him.

I have a hard time believing it's him pouting - it's one thing if you're already under contract for a few years and they don't have anyone else who can really replace you, but it's another entirely when you're playing for your second contract. Surely he isn't stupid enough to think that sulking wouldn't affect his worth whether with the Bears or another team in '25.

[Rusty Trombagent]

OK, here's my theory, which I know I'm gonna get some pushback on: Teven isn't really a good football player. We all know he's strong, and if he gets his hands on you when he's drive blocking, you're in trouble. But this goes back to talk of his lousy footwork, and coaches not believing he can play tackle because of it... I think, whatever this offensive blocking system is, it is too complex for Teven, he's having to think too much, and it's killing us.

I am not saying:

-...There isn't an offensive system out there that doesnt suit his talents. This is not unlike Darrell Taylor being a pleasant revelation for us: The Seahawks system was too complex for him, and what we're asking him to do suits his skillset much better.

-...That he's the only problem on the line. Everyone is out of sorts at times (again, more complex blocking scheme) and it's creating a feedback loop of mistakes.

I'm starting to strongly think that there's no chance in hell the Bears bring Teven back next year at what he's going to want to sign for... And the Bears knew this going into this season, which is why they punted on an extension.

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

OK, here's my theory, which I know I'm gonna get some pushback on: Teven isn't really a good football player.

Yeah you’re probably right.
Elite strength can overcome suboptimal technique at college level. In the NFL you need both.

Plus he’s had his fair share of injuries (can also be related to technical issues).

Good warrior though

[LacertineForest]

OK, here's my theory, which I know I'm gonna get some pushback on: Teven isn't really a good football player. We all know he's strong, and if he gets his hands on you when he's drive blocking, you're in trouble. But this goes back to talk of his lousy footwork, and coaches not believing he can play tackle because of it... I think, whatever this offensive blocking system is, it is too complex for Teven, he's having to think too much, and it's killing us.

I am not saying:

-...There isn't an offensive system out there that doesnt suit his talents. This is not unlike Darrell Taylor being a pleasant revelation for us: The Seahawks system was too complex for him, and what we're asking him to do suits his skillset much better.

-...That he's the only problem on the line. Everyone is out of sorts at times (again, more complex blocking scheme) and it's creating a feedback loop of mistakes.

I'm starting to strongly think that there's no chance in hell the Bears bring Teven back next year at what he's going to want to sign for... And the Bears knew this going into this season, which is why they punted on an extension.

Good argument - I can definitely buy it.

[wab]

I keep going back to the offensive lines that Waldron had in Seattle to see what kind of skillsets he had. For three straight years, he had two athletic tackles that were above average run blockers, two powerful guards who could move in space, and an intelligent center who could get everyone in the right place.

I just don't think he has that here yet.

As far as Jenkins goes, I don't think he's ever been in the Bears post-Pace long term plans, but he certainly doesn't seem to fit what they are currently asking him to do - react to the defense and block accordingly.

[RichH55]

Does anyone want to talk about the blocking looking better once Teven was out for the game?

Im not touching that - don't want to get yelled at

[Moriarty]

Matt Eberflus shared an update regarding Jenkins’ injury by saying the team’s starting left guard is “day-to-day” with bruised ribs. Eberflus didn’t offer up much more beyond that basic statement. However, Coach Flus did say he’ll have a clearer picture of what it all means later in the week.

[Yogi da Bear]

Does anyone want to talk about the blocking looking better once Teven was out for the game?

Yeah, it really did. Even Jones got better.

I've been a huge Tevin fan since he was coming out of college. But anybody could see that the blocking was much better with him out. I can only believe that Tevin's been trying to play through injury. He's not even close to the player he always has been. And I don't believe that can happen from diet and work out alone. He just hasn't been right. I know he had a quad injury that kept him out of practice after first game, and I believe that they described the injury that sidelined him as an upper body injury. Who knows if it was an aggravation of an existing injury or not. Whatever the case, I don't want to see him back in the line up until he's completely healthy, He's only hurting the team as it is,

And however it goes, I don't think it bodes well for him returning next season. Even if his play is a result of playing through injury, it's just another one in a long string of them, I can't see the Bears bringing that risk back.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

I've been a huge Tevin fan since he was coming out of college. But anybody could see that the blocking was much better with him out.

Was it immediately after Jenkins was injured in the second quarter or was it more due to halftime adjustments and the fact they started running from under center more? I ask because Pryor got beaten on more than one occasion after moving to LG including on the strip sack where he recovered the ball.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

Not awful, but a couple of penalties, a couple of bull rushes where he got pushed right back but still kept himself between the rusher and Williams., and a couple of pattycake run blocks. Better than last week.

[wab]

Not awful, but a couple of penalties, a couple of bull rushes where he got pushed right back but still kept himself between the rusher and Williams., and a couple of pattycake run blocks. Better than last week.

He was better, and he's certainly handling combo blocks better than before, but it seems like he's still having trouble sustaining blocks (they all are honestly).

[dplank]

Not awful, but a couple of penalties, a couple of bull rushes where he got pushed right back but still kept himself between the rusher and Williams., and a couple of pattycake run blocks. Better than last week.

He was better, and he's certainly handling combo blocks better than before, but it seems like he's still having trouble sustaining blocks (they all are honestly).

Absolutely. In pass pro they struggle to sustain their blocks. In the run game they are trying to go for home runs too much. What I mean by that is they are pushing to the second level without properly securing the first level, so it often looks like guys are getting unblocked

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

Not awful, but a couple of penalties, a couple of bull rushes where he got pushed right back but still kept himself between the rusher and Williams., and a couple of pattycake run blocks. Better than last week.

Good Lord. You can watch Wright if you want to. But focus on Jones. He was terrible. I mean horrendous.

[malk]

The amount of question marks are really frustrating lol. Whilst the main thing for this year is getting them competent so prevent Williams' development being stunted, you think where is Amegadjie going to fit in, should Wright move to guard, is Bates going to amount to anything?

I'm not quite ready to give up on Jones so, if you could promise me that Williams doesn't get hurt and we scrape a win via defence or whatever regardless, I'd like to see Jones, Pryor/Jenkins, Bates, Wright, Amegadjie at some point. I guess I'm not ready to give up on Wright either but you kind of get the impression he could fit at guard.

To be clear, I'm not suggesting that we do this but it feels like we're going to end up going into next season with lots of holes and guys on the roster we shouldn't move on from but also don't know enough about...

[Grizzled]

It's increasingly looking like both Jenkins and Davis will be gone next year. So, 2 guards, maybe OT and C also, wow.

[Bears Whiskey Nut]

It's increasingly looking like both Jenkins and Davis will be gone next year. So, 2 guards, maybe OT and C also, wow.

I think a healthy Bates is the answer at C. I think that Wright and Pryor have a lot of upside. I also think that Amegadjie will be the LT of the future for the Bears. Realistically you're looking at one maybe two OG's if you decide to move on from Pryor. I expect Poles to spend money on an OG in FA and I also expect that OL will be a focus in the 2025 NFL Draft. The disappointing part is that the OL is not fixed for CW's rookie year.

[wab]

I'm not ready to give up on Jones yet either, but he's been really bad through 4 games.

[dplank]

I want to see how this line looks with Bates at C. Shelton getting shoved back every pass play hurts everyone, just getting stronger at the point may make everyone better.

[Moriarty]

I'm not against trying Bates at C when he's 100%, but I'm really skeptical that a UDFA G, who's been tolerable at that position as a pro, and has cross-trained a tiny bit at C, is going to be a giant revelation at C.


Also, even though Jones' lack of anchor isn't nothing, I think it's getting blown wildly out of proportion.
Yes, he got beat a few times on non-bull rushes last week. It was not one of his better performances. But the overall body is not at all what some people are making it out to be.

[dplank]

I'm not against trying Bates at C when he's 100%, but I'm really skeptical that a UDFA G, who's been tolerable at that position as a pro, and has cross-trained a tiny bit at C, is going to be a giant revelation at C.


Also, even though Jones' lack of anchor isn't nothing, I think it's getting blown wildly out of proportion.
Yes, he got beat a few times on non-bull rushes last week. It was not one of his better performances. But the overall body is not at all what some people are making it out to be.

Agree on Bates, I just want to see it but I'm not hanging my hat on it. Very much disagree on Jones - so much so that I think the exact opposite and I don't think it's made out to be as impactful as it actually is. If your LT is constantly being pushed back into the pocket, then even on reps where he "wins" we are seeing a collapsing pocket or a tight pocket, which impacts the LG/C and the QB and depending on the play the RB/TE blocker. There's a scenario with blocking where a "win" isn't a win at all, and I think Jones has a lot of those types of plays on film IN ADDITION TO the obvious fails that everyone is talking about. Jones is the LT equivalent of Shelton essentially. And LT is not the position to have that type of player, it's just super important to maintaining a functional pocket.

[malk]

I'm not against trying Bates at C when he's 100%, but I'm really skeptical that a UDFA G, who's been tolerable at that position as a pro, and has cross-trained a tiny bit at C, is going to be a giant revelation at C.


Also, even though Jones' lack of anchor isn't nothing, I think it's getting blown wildly out of proportion.
Yes, he got beat a few times on non-bull rushes last week. It was not one of his better performances. But the overall body is not at all what some people are making it out to be.

Just had a quick watch of all his snaps and you're right, whilst it doesn't look great, his getting pushed back isn't impacting many plays.

His run blocking was pretty good and in pass pro, it was a the few quick moves right past him rather than the bull rushes that caused pressures and a sack.

[LacertineForest]

I'm not against trying Bates at C when he's 100%, but I'm really skeptical that a UDFA G, who's been tolerable at that position as a pro, and has cross-trained a tiny bit at C, is going to be a giant revelation at C.


Also, even though Jones' lack of anchor isn't nothing, I think it's getting blown wildly out of proportion.
Yes, he got beat a few times on non-bull rushes last week. It was not one of his better performances. But the overall body is not at all what some people are making it out to be.

Just had a quick watch of all his snaps and you're right, whilst it doesn't look great, his getting pushed back isn't impacting many plays.

His run blocking was pretty good and in pass pro, it was a the few quick moves right past him rather than the bull rushes that caused pressures and a sack.

Yeah, I only watched a quarter of the snaps this morning, but I was expecting it to look a lot worse than it did (I even had a joke queued up to post!). Now, I'm not saying he was great (especially in pass pro), but I see it pretty much the same way as @Moriarty.