I hope this is wrong. It's based upon a PFF article so it may not be accurate. I think all of us are just hoping that Jenkins can be a solid LT at the NFL level. But common sense tells us that even if he eventually can make the transition to LT at the NFL level, he probably will have a steep learning curve in 2021 - and make mistakes. I'm not too keen at all on Ifedi being considered a starter-quality RT. Backup, yes. Starter, no.
"The big question for the Bears is the tackle position, where they got league-average play for several years," Palazzolo wrote for PFF. "Until that is answered, this looks like a bottom-10 offensive line heading into 2021."
The article dismissed Germain Ifedi and Elijah Wilkinson as below average and although Cody Whitehair's play at guard was praised, his pass blocking grade of only 47.0 was considered a liability.
I can't read too much PFF since the doc told me I need to watch my sodium levels.
I should add that I do believe the line was subpar last year and am a little nervous about having a rookie LT and either an average-at-best vet or rookie RT this coming year, but I just simply can't take PFF seriously in 95% of cases. Our interior OL should be pretty good with Daniels coming back healthy so if they can at least keep the pocket clean more often than not that should help the tackles (and the QB of course) quite a bit. Add in some help from TE's and Field's mobility (whenever he starts) and I think they'll at least be serviceable.
I can't read too much PFF since the doc told me I need to watch my sodium levels.
I should add that I do believe the line was subpar last year and am a little nervous about having a rookie LT and either an average-at-best vet or rookie RT this coming year, but I just simply can't take PFF seriously in 95% of cases. Our interior OL should be pretty good with Daniels coming back healthy so if they can at least keep the pocket clean more often than not that should help the tackles (and the QB of course) quite a bit. Add in some help from TE's and Field's mobility (whenever he starts) and I think they'll at least be serviceable.
It's PFF so therefore automatically suspect.
But...no question Bears have solid interior with a questionable Tackle situation. The latter will be a major factor in whether the 2021 OL is remembered as good or bad.
Post by weneedmorelinemen on Jun 10, 2021 10:24:51 GMT -6
I think that fair for right now. The Bears had some horrible stretchs of oline play last year and cut both starting tackles. They only added Jenkins, a journeyman OT, and a bunch of scrubs.
There's a bunch of question marks, but if the interior plays like they did towards the end, and Jenkins can hold his own at LT, they will play better than 2020. But to figure that's going to work out now doesn't make sense.
I think that fair for right now. The Bears had some horrible stretchs of oline play last year and cut both starting tackles. They only added Jenkins, a journeyman OT, and a bunch of scrubs.
There's a bunch of question marks, but if the interior plays like they did towards the end, and Jenkins can hold his own at LT, they will play better than 2020. But to figure that's going to work out now doesn't make sense.
+1
I'm "cautiously optimistic" that we could end up with a solid offensive line this year. But I get it. To say it's a certainty to happen, well, it's just too early to know how Jenkins will do his first year at LT and whoever ends up being our RT is still a mystery this far out from even summer training camp. We'll just wait and see what happens. But having said all of that, I do feel mighty good about it all. But I'm pounding down the Kool aid for this season, ever since we drafted Fields :-)