Da Windy City
Fansided

3 Chicago Bears Who Will Dominate in Their Chicago Debuts

The regular season is here and the Chicago Bears are playing their season opener against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Soldier Field. Here are three players who will dominate in their debuts.

By DOUGLAS SCHWAMB

Cincinnati Bengals v Chicago Bears
Cincinnati Bengals v Chicago Bears / Todd Rosenberg/GettyImages
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next

3. Coleman Shelton, Center

It is been said that the offensive line is not the sexiest position in football. Bears general manager Ryan Poles would beg to differ. He wants to build the trenches and dominate in that area. Enter one of the most significant positions of need, center.

You can argue that the center is the third most important position in football. Quarterback is number one, left tackle is number two, and center is number three. The Bears relied on a rotation of Cody Whitehair and Lucas Patrick last season. That did not pan out. Patrick could not stay healthy, and Whitehair was not the former Pro Bowler he used to be. They were both replaced.

Poles traded for Ryan Bates. Many assumed he would be the starter to snap the ball. However, injuries have plagued him. The Bears also signed free agent Coleman Shelton from the Los Angeles Rams. On Sunday afternoon, Shelton will be the starter at the center position. His position is extremely vital because there is a rookie quarterback. Shelton is an experienced lineman who can help ease Williams' transition into the NFL.

The Bears have had so many issues with the position. Primarily, the problem with snapping the ball comes to mind. If the Bears can get decent play out of the position, that will be a success. Shelton showed he is a decent player during the preseason. The snaps looked smooth and effortless. The communication between him and Williams looked good, and his pass protection was solid.

Shelton can ease the NFL transition for the No. 1 pick. Also, he can provide security and reliability on the offensive line. It is something the Bears have lacked for a long time. Braxton Jones, Teven Jenkins, Darnell Wright, and Coleman Shelton are all decent and great when healthy. Shelton is not the long-term answer at the position, but all the Bears need right now is decent and consistent play from him and Bates. It is not much to ask out of a player. If Shelton has a decent season and shows his potential in the season opener, then the Bears can have a strong rookie season out of Williams.

More Bears news and rumors:

feed

Home/Chicago Bears