Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2016 2:56:43 GMT -6
What we've learned about the Bears offensive line at the bye
By: Lorin Cox | November 7, 2016 3:36 pm ET
The Chicago Bears are on their bye week at the halfway point of the 2016 season, providing a perfect time to look back at what we’ve learned about each position group on the team through eight games.
The offensive line started the season as the big weakness of the offense, but the group steadily improved over the first half of the year, in large part because they stayed healthy and kept the same group of five. That changed more recently, but the line still found a way to get it done.
Here’s what we’ve learned about the offensive linemen.
Charles Leno is still a work in progress
Left tackle Charles Leno (72) has not shown as much growth as the Chicago Bears may have wanted to see (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
Charles Leno is far from the worst left tackle in the league, but now in year two as the starter, he has not progressed quite as well as you would have liked. It’s easy to forget the the former seventh-round pick just turned 25, so he hasn’t even hit his prime yet, but the Bears still need to see him take his game to the next level.
Josh Sitton is exactly as advertised
Left guard Josh Sitton (71) has played like the Pro Bowl lineman that everyone knew he was (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
Bears fans were thrilled when a 30-year-old Pro Bowl guard fell into their team’s lap, and Josh Sitton has lived up to his reputation. He has been the Bears most consistent blocker all-around, shutting down pass-rushers and opening up lanes for his running backs, and he could go down as one of Ryan Pace’s best signings.
Sitton on joining Bears: 'They had me in first, and they got it done first'
Cody Whitehair was a second-round steal
Rookie center Cody Whitehair (65) has exceeded expectations at a brand new position (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
The Bears took a risk moving their rookie second-round pick to a new position right before the start of the season, but Cody Whitehair has shown so far that he belongs at center. His proper technique and strength have allowed him to keep the middle of the pocket clean and drive defensive tackles out of the way against the run. He is a stud.
Kyle Long apparently doesn’t need a labrum
Right guard Kyle Long (75) continues to play at a high level despite a torn labrum in his left shoulder (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
Kyle Long tore the labrum in his left shoulder in the preseason and opted to play through it. Apparently, he didn’t need it, as he’s continued to play at a high level in spite of the injury. Long still has had his share of mistakes, but he’s been solid as a blocker and a leader of the offense.
Bobby Massie is getting better, slowly but surely
After a terrible start to the year, right tackle Bobby Massie (70) has shown considerable improvement (GIF via NFL Game Pass).
For the first few games of the season, Bobby Massie was horrible at right tackle, but since then, he has steadily improved and looks like at least a serviceable blocker with flashes of something better. He no longer has fans calling for his benching every week, so that’s a good sign that he’s taken a step in the right direction.
Link to GIFs; bearswire.usatoday.com/2016/11/07/what-weve-learned-about-the-bears-offensive-line-at-the-bye/
