Poll: Starting Center

[dplank]

Reading the other thread got me thinking…when Davis comes back he will play RG and Tev will move back to LG, making us choose between Whitehair and Patrick at Center. Who would you prefer start?

I prefer Patrick. I think he can hold up with two good G’s on either side of him, and Whitehairs bad snaps kill the timing on too many plays.

[thefish7]

Absolutely, unquestionably Patrick for me. Previously I've been a whitehair advocate, but dude seems done.

[Moriarty]

I wouldn't call that a choice.


Whitehair & Carter are the backup guards
Feeney is the backup center

done

[AZ_Bearfan]

If I have to pick between Whitehair's overhead rocket snaps, or Patrick's rolling snap.... I guess I go with Patrick.

[G08]

Reading the other thread got me thinking…when Davis comes back he will play RG and Tev will move back to LG, making us choose between Whitehair and Patrick at Center. Who would you prefer start?

I prefer Patrick. I think he can hold up with two good G’s on either side of him, and Whitehairs bad snaps kill the timing on too many plays.

I'd rather stick a gun in my mouth and pull the trigger

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

Reading the other thread got me thinking…when Davis comes back he will play RG and Tev will move back to LG, making us choose between Whitehair and Patrick at Center. Who would you prefer start?

I prefer Patrick. I think he can hold up with two good G’s on either side of him, and Whitehairs bad snaps kill the timing on too many plays.

I'd rather stick a gun in my mouth and pull the trigger

Save a bullet for me

[thunderspirit]

Patrick is the obvious choice between the two.

[HurricaneBear]

Why isn't neither an answer? Poles should have drafted a center.

[dplank]

Why isn't neither an answer? Poles should have drafted a center.

Someone has to start Sunday lol...

[Moriarty]

Why isn't neither an answer? Poles should have drafted a center.

Someone has to start Sunday lol...

As punishment, make Poles do it?

[Otis Day]

Patrick by default. Whitehair sucks that bad.

[wab]

It will be Whitehair, but it should be Patrick. Patrick will backup Whitehair and Feeney/Carter will backup at OG.

[bbaker]

Can Davis play center?

[HisRoyalSweetness]

It will be Whitehair, but it should be Patrick. Patrick will backup Whitehair and Feeney/Carter will backup at OG.

Eberflus has confirmed Patrick will be starting and Whitehair has been benched.

Starting O-line:

LT Braxton Jones
LT Teven Jenkins
C Lucas Patrick
RG Nate Davis
RT Darnell Wright

So practically the intended 5 at the start of the season except Whitehair's snapping proved so dire they've had run with Patrick at Center.

[dplank]

When did he announce that? Presser?

[thunderspirit]

Can Davis play center?

I don't believe he ever has. 31 of his 37 starts in college were at RG (the other 6 were at RT).

[HisRoyalSweetness]

When did he announce that? Presser?

Apparently. I saw it just a few moments ago on Bears Wire:

Head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters Wednesday that Nate Davis is returning to practice this week, and he’ll be starting at right guard Sunday against the Lions.

So who’s the odd man out along the interior?

Teven Jenkins, who started the season at left guard and shifted to right guard in place of Davis, will be back at left guard against the Lions. Lucas Patrick will remain at center, which means Cody Whitehair will be on the bench.

Here’s what Chicago’s offensive line will look like vs. Detroit: LT Braxton Jones; LG Teven Jenkins; C Lucas Patrick; RG Nate Davis; RT Darnell Wright.

Eberflus said he believes this is the Bears’ best starting five.

While the plan at the start of the season was for Whitehair to start at center, his struggles during his limited time at center made it clear Patrick is the best option.

“Cody has been a true pro,” Eberflus said. “He’s still going to continue to help us as we go.”

https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2023/11/ ... whitehair/

[Grizzled]

Held my nose and voted for Patrick. Really should not have come to this, Poles did a disservice to the team.

[HisRoyalSweetness]

I'd rather stick a gun in my mouth and pull the trigger

Save a bullet for me

[HisRoyalSweetness]

When did he announce that? Presser?

Apparently. I saw it just a few moments ago on Bears Wire:

Head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters Wednesday that Nate Davis is returning to practice this week, and he’ll be starting at right guard Sunday against the Lions.

So who’s the odd man out along the interior?

Teven Jenkins, who started the season at left guard and shifted to right guard in place of Davis, will be back at left guard against the Lions. Lucas Patrick will remain at center, which means Cody Whitehair will be on the bench.

Here’s what Chicago’s offensive line will look like vs. Detroit: LT Braxton Jones; LG Teven Jenkins; C Lucas Patrick; RG Nate Davis; RT Darnell Wright.

Eberflus said he believes this is the Bears’ best starting five.

While the plan at the start of the season was for Whitehair to start at center, his struggles during his limited time at center made it clear Patrick is the best option.

“Cody has been a true pro,” Eberflus said. “He’s still going to continue to help us as we go.”

https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2023/11/ ... whitehair/

Found the presser. Uploaded about 40 minutes ago:

[dplank]

Whitehair is one of the more obvious off season cuts in recent memory. And EJax is right there with him. Lots of cap space to be opened up with those two.

[spudbear]

Whitehair is one of the more obvious off season cuts in recent memory. And EJax is right there with him. Lots of cap space to be opened up with those two.

I'll be curious to see what the FA market will bear next year for OC and FS. I'm assuming Brisker is more of a SS. That is where Poles should be spending, as well as drafting an OC and Safety. Some of that will depend on Jaylon Johnson and if the Bears can afford the "best" CB in the league. Well, that's what he says.

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

Whitehair is one of the more obvious off season cuts in recent memory. And EJax is right there with him. Lots of cap space to be opened up with those two.

Velus loves you

[Middleguard]

Patrick at center has had some good plays. He's clearly better there than at guard. Whitehair has not been good at center at all this year, or at guard, but I'd rather see him at guard than Patrick. Like everyone else I want somebody else, but the draft pick needed to have come a year or three ago. Rookies can't play center unless they're 1st or 2nd round, and not even then (remember Chris Spenser?). Yet 3rd or later picks (not all, I'm remembering Grasu) become quite successful.

Sign the best FA 1-yr rental possible while drafting a 2nd or 3rd rounder to sit and learn for a year.

[wab]

Whitehair is one of the more obvious off season cuts in recent memory. And EJax is right there with him. Lots of cap space to be opened up with those two.

I'll be curious to see what the FA market will bear next year for OC and FS. I'm assuming Brisker is more of a SS. That is where Poles should be spending, as well as drafting an OC and Safety. Some of that will depend on Jaylon Johnson and if the Bears can afford the "best" CB in the league. Well, that's what he says.

Terrel Smith spent a LOT of time at FS in camp and during preseason…so if they end up keeping JJ, maybe the FS is already on the roster.

[wab]

As far as center goes. The draft isn’t great this year…last year would have been the time (we all called it).

I’m actually ok retaining Patrick as a backup/fringe starter at center. They need to find someone better at some point though.

[thunderspirit]

As far as center goes. The draft isn’t great this year…last year would have been the time (we all called it).

I’m actually ok retaining Patrick as a backup/fringe starter at center. They need to find someone better at some point though.

I think this year's draft is actually pretty decent at center: Bryce Foster, Sedrick Van Pran, Zack Frazier all look like Day 2 picks to me, and a handful of guys after that are still intriguing. Of course some of those guys may not declare, and that'll change the outlook if that's the case.

[Ditka’s dictaphone]

As far as center goes. The draft isn’t great this year…last year would have been the time (we all called it).

I’m actually ok retaining Patrick as a backup/fringe starter at center. They need to find someone better at some point though.

I think this year's draft is actually pretty decent at center: Bryce Foster, Sedrick Van Pran, Zack Frazier all look like Day 2 picks to me, and a handful of guys after that are still intriguing. Of course some of those guys may not declare, and that'll change the outlook if that's the case.

Give me SVP or Frazier

[dplank]

I'll be curious to see what the FA market will bear next year for OC and FS. I'm assuming Brisker is more of a SS. That is where Poles should be spending, as well as drafting an OC and Safety. Some of that will depend on Jaylon Johnson and if the Bears can afford the "best" CB in the league. Well, that's what he says.

Terrel Smith spent a LOT of time at FS in camp and during preseason…so if they end up keeping JJ, maybe the FS is already on the roster.

I’m staying cautious due to the small sample size, but I’ve really liked what I’ve seen from Smith. He plays fast and looks strong and has good length. All I can really see as a fan watching in TV, but he looks the part to me.

[thunderspirit]

Terrel Smith spent a LOT of time at FS in camp and during preseason…so if they end up keeping JJ, maybe the FS is already on the roster.

I’m staying cautious due to the small sample size, but I’ve really liked what I’ve seen from Smith. He plays fast and looks strong and has good length. All I can really see as a fan watching in TV, but he looks the part to me.

Smith has played well when he's been on the field.

Staying on the field was one of his issues at Minnesota, though.