Chicago Bears Training Camp Preview: Offensive Line

The Chicago Bears’ offensive line took their lumps last season. Every lineman suffered some sort of injury that kept him out of multiple games except

Kyle Long

. The line must be healthy and do well this season in order for the offense to have a chance to do well.

Chicago Bears /

Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears’ offensive line was healthy for the entire 2013 season. They were one of only three teams that did not have any player miss time. As a result, the offense ranked second in total points.

The 2014 season was a different story. Every offensive lineman except for Kyle Long missed games during the season. The Bears used nine different line combinations. As a result of that, the offense dropped to 23rd in scoring.

This offseason, the Bears made improving the offensive line a priority (as well as defense, wide receiver, running back, etc. but that’s for a later time). Gone is longtime Bear Roberto Garza, in are Will Montgomery and Hroniss Grasu.

Credit:

Chris Humphreys

-USA TODAY Sports

Montgomery started eight games for the Denver Broncos last season, so he is familiar with the signals called by centers in offensive coordinator Adam Gase’s system.

Grasu was the Bears’ third round draft pick in this year’s draft.

Montgomery and Grasu may battle for the starting spot when training camp begins on July 29. I think Montgomery will ultimately be the starter, and help Grasu to take over, since Montgomery has just a one-year veteran’s minimum contract.

Grasu’s quickness and good balance projects him to be the center of

Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

the future. He can learn a lot about what is expected of him from a good veteran like Montgomery.

General manager Ryan Pace highly praised Grasu after drafting him. “He’s quick on reach-blocks,” Pace said. “His makeup is outstanding. When you talk about work ethic — team captain, leadership, all those traits that we stress around here — he brings those to the table.”

The Bears also signed Vladimir Ducasse and drafted humongous tackle Tayo Fabuluje, so there is some depth on the line.

Of course, the Bears still have Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long, who has also become a team leader.

There were talks about moving Long over to tackle. He did take some snaps their during training camp. The Bears may not want to mess with a good thing with Long, but if Jordan Mills still has injury troubles at right tackle, then they may seriously need to look at a change. Long is certainly athletic enough to play there.

Mills suffered a foot injury in the last game of 2013, and suffered through the aftermath of surgery throughout the 2014 season. He missed games because of it and because of other injuries. Even when he was in there, Mills had trouble moving around.

Mills has to show he is healthy again, and ready to play to his 2013 level again. I he can’t, then he will end up being a backup at best for the rest of his career. The other option is swapping Long and Mills on the right side.

Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Ola played all over the line last season, filling in for injured players. He did start three games at right tackle and he did pretty well. He allowed one quarterback hits, six quarterback hurries and no sacks in 207 snaps there. He is more athletic and may be an option as a right tackle.

Matt Slauson tore his pectoral muscle late last season, and even though he needed surgery, he recovered enough to participate in minicamp. He will be needed, so hopefully he can be at or near full strength as the season begins.

Ducasse is on his third team in three years. He has not be consistent enough to remain with a team. If he makes the team, expect him to be a backup.

Jermon Bushrod had an ankle and knee injury in practice last season cost him two starts. He had to deal with those injuries throughout the season, and it hurt his performance.

Being a left tackle, Bushrod needs to be healthy so he can continue to be Jay Cutler‘s main protector. He missed minicamp because of a bad back, so that has to be a concern.

Fabuluje is just a big man. He is 6-foot-6 and weighs 353 pounds. If he can get his weight under control so he can move better, he can be a very effective player. He is much too raw to play a role this season, so he is a long-term project.

There are plenty of players fighting to make the team at the offensive line. Gase and head coach John Fox need to find the right combination so Cutler can be protected and to open holes for Matt Forte and other running backs. The offense’s success is predicated on the offensive linemen to play like they did in 2013.

Next: Jay Cutler Has A Big Supporter In Dan Hampton

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