Tag: bears offensive line

Report: Bears LG James Daniels out for the season with torn pec

The Bears beat the Bucs 20-19, but the win didn’t come without a cost. LG James Daniels has suffered a torn pec and will miss the season.

The Chicago Bears were able to secure the win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday Night Football, but they loss a key member of the offensive line due to an injury.

Bears left guard James Daniels left the game early in the 20-19 victory over the Bucs, and it was feared that it could be season-ending. The MRI revealed that Daniels season will be cut short due to a torn pectoral.

Daniels played every offensive snap for the Bears last year and hasn’t missed a start since midway his rookie season.

Undrafted free agent Alex Bars took over for Daniels. The Notre Dame product played 32 snaps for the Bears and Pro Football Focus gave Bars a grade of 49.4, almost 20 points lower than Daniels’ grade on the season.

Daniels was also the backup center to Cody Whitehair, so it looks like the Bears will have to make a roster move to give the offensive line some depth. The 23-year old was having a solid season, but now the Bears offensive line takes a huge hit and has to recover from their loss.

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Bears ‘have a lot of belief’ in Germain Ifedi, Rashaad Coward in battle for starting RG

Following the departure of Kyle Long, the Bears have a starting RG spot that will be one of the featured battles when pads go on in camp.

While last season’s main attraction in terms of position battles was at kicker, this training camp features several high-profile competitions including at sports’ most important position: quarterback.

The quarterback competition and battles in the secondary will certainly draw headlines, but there’s a battle in the trenches that will be under the watchful eyes of head coach Matt Nagy.

Chicago’s offensive line returns four starters from a season ago with Kyle Long the only player not returning. Which leaves a starting right guard spot up for grabs, which will be one of the featured competitions once the pads go on Aug. 17.

Nagy praised free-agent addition Germain Ifedi and defensive-lineman-converted-offensive-lineman Rashaad Coward, noting that the team is confident in both of those guys — especially with new offensive line coach Juan Castillo taking the reins.

“We just see that as a competition where you’ve got a guy with a lot of experience in Germain Ifedi versus a guy with not as much experience [in Rashaad Coward], but two really good guys that we have a lot of belief in with an offensive line coach in Juan Castillo that believes heavily in both of them,” Nagy said. “Competition across the board for them, just like other positions, we’ve got to be really detailed with how we give reps and with how we evaluate that position.”

Nagy spoke highly of Ifedi and Coward, which is good for them and not-so-good for Alex Bars, who the Bears offered extra money to maintain on their practice squad last season rather than join the New England Patriots. Bars was later activated to the 53-man roster, but it doesn’t sound like Bars is in the mix right now, which is certainly surprising.

While Ifedi is the favorite to lock up that starting right guard job, Coward will certainly challenge him, especially considering he started 10 games at right guard a season ago.

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LOOK: Bears LG James Daniels bulked up massively this offseason

Bears fans are losing their minds over James Daniels’ bulkier appearance, as it’s clear he’s been hitting the weight room this offseason.

The Chicago Bears have reported to Halas Hall for training camp. For most of them, this is their first time since they’ve reported to the facility following the 2019 season. And things have certainly changed from January to July. Case in point: left guard James Daniels.

The Bears website has been sharing video and photos of rookies and veterans arriving for training camp, and Daniels certainly stole the show with a new bulkier appearance, a clear indication that the third-year offensive lineman has been hitting the weight room hard this offseason.

And fans are absolutely loving the new-look Daniels.

Daniels returns for his third season with the Bears. But unlike last summer, Daniels won’t be getting reps at center. Last training camp, Daniels and Cody Whitehair switched positions to center and left guard, respectively. That didn’t translate into the regular season, which caused a midseason switch-up.

According to Whitehair, he expects to be taking snaps at center, which would leave Daniels to remain at left guard, where he’s flourished.

While Daniels has been a solid draft pick by general manager Ryan Pace, he has a chance to take his play to the next level. The hope is that the bulk will translate into strength, which would help Daniels do just that.

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Bears’ Cody Whitehair prepared to start training camp at center

Cody Whitehair, who started last season at left guard, essentially confirmed that he’ll be the Bears’ center heading into training camp.

The Chicago Bears are returning four of their five starting offensive lineman this season. While the continuity on the offensive line should be beneficial, the unit is coming off a disappointing season. Pro Football Focus ranked the Bears’ offensive line 22nd in the NFL.

While Chicago needs better play from the tackle position with Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie, the interior of the offensive line is less than a concern. Last season, the Bears moved Cody Whitehair from center to left guard and James Daniels from left guard to center, despite a solid season in 2018.

But midway through the 2019 season, the Bears switched them back to their 2018 positions. While head coach Matt Nagy hasn’t said whether Whitehair and Daniels will switch positions again, the expectation was that they’d remain in place.

Whitehair, who started last season at left guard, essentially confirmed that he’ll be the team’s center heading into training camp. Which is good, considering that’s where he feels he’s best at.

“That’s where I feel the most comfortable,” Whitehair said on Bears All-Access. “Obviously I’m a team guy and I’ll do whatever they ask me to do. If it happens to be where they need me to play a different position, whether that be July 28 when we come in the building or, you know, whenever that may be, you know I’m always down for it.

“But you know just being comfortable at that position and being played there for as long as I have in the NFL it’s really exciting to be able to be there to start the season again.”

The Bears brought in Juan Castillo to serve as the team’s new offensive line coach, considering they’ll have most of 2019’s unit still in tact. The only hole to fill is right guard, which Germain Ifedi figures to occupy.

Whitehair said that Castillo has been focused on the details during their meetings, which is something the offense as a whole needed to do.

“It was great,” Whitehair. “Juan did a great job as far as detailing things and making sure that we understand what he wants out of us, you know. So we felt it went really smooth.”

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Where does the Bears offensive line rank among rest of the NFL?

There were many issues on the Bears offense in 2020, but the offensive line was a big reason for the struggles.

There were many issues on the Chicago Bears offense in 2020, but the offensive line was a big reason for the struggles, particularly in the run game. Still, the Bears are set to return four of those five starters with the hope that they turn it around in 2020.

Pro Football Focus ranked the Bears’ offensive line 22nd in the NFL, which ranks behind the Green Bay Packers (4th) and Detroit Lions (16th), as well as just ahead of the Minnesota Vikings (23rd).

PFF believes that the offensive line’s success hinges on the performance of tackles Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie, who both took a significant step backward last season. Leno had lows in pass-blocking and run-blocking. While Massie was average, he also experienced a drop-off.

Left tackle Charles Leno saw the biggest drop-off in play, as he had four straight seasons grading in the 70s from 2015 to 2018 but finished at just 58.6 overall last season, good for just 64th out of 82 qualifiers. Leno earned his worst pass-blocking grade since 2015 while posting the lowest run-blocking grade of his career, at 47.5.

At right tackle, Bobby Massie has been the epitome of league average since 2015, ranking 57th out of 109 qualifiers over that span. However, he also took a step back last season, ranking just 51st with a 63.2 grade. 

PFF is less concerned with the interior of the Bears’ offensive line, namely Cody Whitehair and James Daniels, who once again switched positions last season. Whitehair figures to remain at center with Daniels occupying the left guard spot in 2020.

According to PFF, Whitehair is one of the best run-blockers in the NFL, notching a 80.8 grade since 2016. That’s good enought for 11th among interior offensive linemen. Daniels, who’s entering his third season, garnered respectable grades of 66.4 and 69.9 in his first two seasons.

As for the biggest question mark heading into the 2020 season, that’s easily the right guard spot vacated by Kyle Long. While Rashaad Coward occupied right guard after Long landed on injured reserve, the Bears brought in reinforcements in four-year starter Germain Ifedi to challenge for that starting job.

That leaves the right guard as the biggest question mark for the Bears, as Kyle Long has retired and projected starter Rashaad Coward ranked just 71st among 89 qualifying guards on his 660 snaps last season. Chicago signed Germain Ifedi, who had his struggles as the Seattle Seahawks’ starting right tackle the last four years, but he could compete for guard snaps with Coward.

When all is said and done, PFF believes that Chicago has the pieces to be a top 10-15 offensive line in the league. But it’ll take a collective effort from everyone involved. Which is exactly why Matt Nagy brought in new offensive line coach Juan Castillo to get them there.

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Bears RB David Montgomery poised to make big leap in Year 2

If the Bears offense rebounds in 2020, that could only mean good news for RB David Montgomery.

There wasn’t much that went right on offense for the Chicago Bears last season, particularly the run game. So it was difficult to judge running back David Montgomery behind a line that couldn’t create running lanes.

Still, Montgomery had a solid rookie season, where he tallied 889 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. And if the Bears offense rebounds in 2020, that could only mean good news for Montgomery.

When examining second-year players that could be looking at breakout seasons in 2020, NFL.com’s Jeffri Chadiha believes Montgomery is poised to make a big leap in his sophomore season.

He had a solid rookie season (889 rushing yards and seven total touchdowns), but he’s capable of so much more with a better offense. The Bears ranked 29th in the NFL in total offense last year, largely because embattled quarterback Mitch Trubisky struggled so mightily. That all could change if Nick Foles wins the job or simply pushes Trubisky to play at a higher level.

Remember this: Bears GM Ryan Pace made a sizable investment to trade up in the third round to select Montgomery (giving up three picks). The belief was that Montgomery would be a workhorse back, and he showed that potential late in the season. In Chicago’s final three wins of 2019, he gained 274 yards and averaged 4.6 yards per carry. Montgomery now enters this season as the only back on this roster who attempted more than 64 rushes last year, and the Bears didn’t add another ball carrier in this draft. In other words, it’s time for him to shine.

When the Bears got Montgomery going, they were winning games. Montgomery rushed for 60 or more yards in seven games last season, and the Bears won six of those games. Montgomery also had a late surge in 2019, where he rushed for 274 yards and 113 yards on 23 carries against the Minnesota Vikings.

Montgomery certainly showed that he could be a workhorse back that the Bears are looking for in his rookie season. But Montgomery averaged just 3.7 yards per carry behind a struggling offensive line, something that has been a focus this offseason.

The Bears have made some offseason moves that they believe will help right the ship with the running game and allow Montgomery more opportunities to shine. While Chicago’s offensive line will remain the same aside from a new right guard, which appears to be Germain Ifedi, the Bears brought in new offensive line coach Juan Castillo to help get the run game on track.

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Who is the most underrated player on the Chicago Bears?

Former second-round pick Cody Whitehair has been a versatile member of Chicago’s offensive line, where he’s played center and guard.

When you think about the Chicago Bears, typically Khalil Mack springs to mind. He’s become the face of the franchise following the blockbuster trade that brought the former All-Pro to Chicago.

Mack’s impact on the Bears has been significant since he arrived in 2018, where he’s transformed a top-10 defense into one of the NFL’s best, helping make those already talented crop of defensive players even better. It’s safe to say Mack’s contributions certainly aren’t taken for granted.

But who is the most underrated player on the Bears?

The easy answer is someone like defensive tackle Akiem Hicks, receiver Allen Robinson or nose tackle Eddie Goldman. But Pro Football Focus believes center Cody Whitehair is the team’s most underrated player.

Part of the reason for Whitehair’s inclusion on this list is that he’s coming off a career-worst overall grade of 64.9 in 2019, but he started the season at left guard rather than his usual center position. That has led to some question about where he fits on this line and what he’ll look like moving forward. 

When looking at just snaps played at center since 2016, Whitehair’s PFF grade of 79.8 ranks eighth — a top-shelf option who excels in the run game. That grade dips to 68.1 across either guard spot on nearly 800 career NFL snaps. If Whitehair remains at center, where he played the final eight weeks of the 2019 season, we should expect improved play again next season.

Whitehair, a former second-round pick, has been a versatile member of Chicago’s offensive line, where he’s played center and guard. He earned a rare second contract as a Ryan Pace draft pick following his solid contributions. Whitehair made his first Pro Bowl in 2018.

PFF noted how Whitehair started 2019 at left guard while James Daniels occupied the center position. Following early-season struggles on the offensive line, the Bears made a midseason switch moving Whitehair back to center and Daniels back to left guard, where they both excelled in 2018.

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Bears have expressed interest in free-agent guard Larry Warford

According to reports, the Bears are at least considering pursuing the recently-released Larry Warford.

The Chicago Bears may have found late offseason gold. According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, the Bears have expressed interest in the recently released Larry Warford, who was cut from the New Orleans Saints on Friday.

The Saints drafted Cesar Ruiz in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and Warford immediately became the odd-man-out. However, he’s been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of the last three seasons, and PFF gave him a grade of 73.1 last year.

While the Bears seem intent of having Germain Ifedi as the starting right guard, Warford has committed far fewer penalties. Last year, he was responsible for just one holding and three false start penalties.

The 28-year-old has remained relatively healthy throughout his career as well. He was originally selected in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions and was named PFF’s Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The Bears’ 2020 season banks on a couple of things happening, and both are on the offensive side of the ball. The first is, obviously, improved quarterback play, and the second is a stable offensive line. Bears general manager Ryan Pace was just given an answer to the second on a silver platter.

Sure, the Bears are up against the salary cap, but the Saints will carry a dead-cap hit of $5.2 million after releasing Warford. Depending on the market for him, I’d be curious if Warford would accept a lesser deal, given the Saints are paying him to play for another team.

Regardless, if the Bears have aspirations of an improved running game and play from the quarterback position, Warford would be a smart signing and an immediate starter.

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Way-too-early 2021 NFL mock draft: Bears target OL in 1st round

The paint isn’t even dry on the Bears’ 2020 draft class, but we officially have our first 2021 NFL mock draft.

The paint isn’t even dry on the Chicago Bears’ 2020 draft class, but we officially have our first 2021 NFL mock draft — just about a year out.

The good news? As of right now, the Bears still have their first-round pick, which they couldn’t say two years ago. Whether that’ll be true less than a year from now remains to be seen.

Sports Illustrated took a crack at this way-too-early mock draft. Although, unfortunately, where the Bears are picking — 17th overall — indicates that we’re in for another disappointing season.

In this mock draft, SI has Chicago landing Alabama offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, who would provide versatility at multiple positions, with the 17th overall selection.

The Bears had the 29th-ranked offensive line, per Football Outsiders’ 2019 rankings. Leatherwood has the versatility to play multiple spots along the Bears’ offensive line, as he has started 28 games for the Crimson Tide at both tackle and guard.

Leatherwood, a first-team All-SEC selection, was ranked No. 21 on Mel Kiper’s Big Board at one point prior to the 2020 NFL draft. Leatherwood started 28 games for the Tide, where previously played at right guard before moving to left tackle in 2019.

While it’s a safe bet that the Bears will need offensive line help — at this time — the hope is that new offensive line coach Juan Castillo can right the ship with the talent he is. But if that’s not the case, expect Chicago to attempt to add a top offensive lineman in next year’s draft.

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Grading the Bears’ selections of OL Arlington Hambright, Lachavious Simmons

The Bears added two OL in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Let’s take a look at our early grades for the pair.

It’s always best to temper expectations when it comes to seventh-round draft picks. But the Chicago Bears added some quality depth to the offensive line with their pair of offensive line selections.

The Bears selected offensive guard Arlington Hambright and offensive tackle Lachavious Simmons back-to-back with picks 126 and 127. And some of the early reviews with these guys are that they’re “nasty” in the trenches, which is something Chicago will miss with the retired Kyle Long.

While it’s far too early to begin assigning grades before they step up on the field — and years later — we can’t help ourselves.

Let’s take a look at our early grades for the Bears’ pair of seventh-round picks.

OL Arlington Hambright

Ultimately, Hambright is the bigger question of the two offensive linemen selected with back-to-back selections. Hambright lacks experience — and suffered a significant ankle injury in 2018 — which are certainly concerns.

Hambright started his collegiate career as a JUCO transfer to Oklahoma State. He transferred to Colorado, where he started 11 games for the Buffaloes in 2019. Hambright played offensive tackle at Colorado, but he’ll move inside to guard with the Bears.

While Hambright figures to be a depth piece for Chicago at guard, there is a starting right guard spot up for grabs that Germain Ifedi, Alex Bars and Rashaad Coward will battle for.

Grade: C

What do you think, Bears fans? How would you grade Chicago’s selection of Hambright?

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Read on for Simmon’ grade

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