Tag: Sam Mustipher

Surprise! ESPN ranks Bears offensive line among best in NFL

Considering questions about the Bears offensive line, it’s quite stunning that they’re ranked among the best in the NFL by ESPN.

Considering questions about the Bears offensive line, it’s quite stunning that they’re ranked among the best in the NFL by the folks at ESPN.

ESPN ranked Chicago’s offensive line 11th in the league with a projected starting combination of Riley Reiff (LT), Cody Whitehair (LG), Lucas Patrick (C), Michael Schofield (RG) and Larry Borom (RT). They predict the Bears will rank 11th in run blocking and 13th in pass blocking for the 2022 season.

This is a pretty stunning rank for the Bears’ offensive line, but they have a few things going for them. Reiff and Schofield — late additions just before training camp — help bolster the line. Borom, a fifth-round pick a year ago, posted a very solid 90% PBWR last season in 10 games, 21st among tackles. And Patrick should be an asset in the ground game after ranking third in RBWR among centers last season with the Packers.

With the way things are shaping up, there are some slight changes to what projects to be Chicago’s starting offensive line. Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said last week that they weren’t close to solidifying the offensive line, but that doesn’t appear to be the case.

Rookie Braxton Jones looks to be the guy at left tackle with Reiff moving to right tackle. That leaves Borom the odd man out. Right now, Sam Mustipher is occupying the starting center job with Patrick sidelined with a right hand injury.

The Bears have been operating with the same starting offensive line combination for the last week of training camp, and it’s reflected in the first unofficial depth chart. Heading into the first preseason game, it certainly appears that this is the combo we should expect in 2022.

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Every Notre Dame player currently on an NFL training camp roster

Lots of former Irish talent in the NFL

Part of being an alumnus of a supremely successful collegiate football is seeing them getting an opportunity at the next level. For Notre Dame, the list of former players getting their shot in the NFL is large, very large. Find out below every former Irish star (in alphabetical order) and which NFL team they are with in training camp.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on Twitter: @MikeFChen

10 takeaways from the second week of Bears training camp

The Bears have two weeks of training camp in the books. Here’s what we learned from the last few practices.

The Chicago Bears have concluded their second week of training camp practice at Halas Hall, where the pads finally came on and the intensity was kicked up a notch.

There was plenty to take in from the second week of practice, including the offense still needing work, some development along the offensive line and an influx of injuries.

The Bears return to the practice field on Tuesday for Family Fest, where they’ll hold three straight practices before their preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday.

But before we look ahead to the third week of practice, here’s what we learned after Chicago’s second week of training camp:

Breaking down the Bears offensive line after second week of training camp

Things are starting to become clearer along the offensive line…even if the Bears insist it’s far from solidified at this point of camp.

The Chicago Bears have two weeks of training camp in the books, and things are starting to become clearer with the offensive line.

Offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said that the offense live is far from solidified, but it’s hard to look at how things have transpired over the last two weeks and not see a pattern forming. Even with all of the shuffling along the line.

The Bears have a lot of confidence in rookie Braxton Jones, who has been getting all of the first-team reps at left tackle over the last week. While Jones was rotating with veteran Riley Reiff at left tackle, Reiff was moved to right tackle and Jones has been the left tackle ever since. We still have plenty of camp and preseason to go. But, at this point, it’s hard not to believe the left tackle job is Jones’ to lose.

Speaking of right tackle, Reiff has been rotating with Larry Borom at the position since being moved from left tackle. Notably, Reiff has been the first one out with the starters with Borom getting him opportunities with the starters. After missing seven straight practices, Teven Jenkins is back and in the mix to start at right tackle. Right now, Reiff appears to be the favorite to start at right tackle. But it would be ideal if either Borom or Jenkins managed to beat him out for the job.

Right guard might just be the wild-card position to watch on the offensive line. Veteran Michael Schofield has been getting most of the reps at right guard since getting up to speed. But rookie Ja’Tyre Carter has seen his opportunities, as well, rotating with Schofield. Then there’s Jenkins, who is competing for a starting job period. Perhaps that comes at tackle or maybe right guard. But looking at where things currently stand, Schofield appears on track to start at right guard.

Center is a position that shouldn’t be in flux, if not for Lucas Patrick’s right hand injury. With Patrick out indefinitely, the Bears have had to shuffle things. Sam Mustipher was kicked inside to center from right guard, where he’s been taking most of the starting reps. Rookie Doug Kramer has rotated with Mustipher at times, but it’s been mostly Mustipher. If Patrick isn’t back for Week 1, look for Mustipher to be the answer at center.

Cody Whitehair is the undisputed starter at left guard. But when he’s had a veteran rest day, it’s been rookie Zachary Taylor getting reps with the starters.

With two weeks of training camp in the books, here’s my prediction for the starting offensive line come Week 1:

  • LT Braxton Jones
  • LG Cody Whitehair
  • C Lucas Patrick (Sam Mustipher if Patrick isn’t back from injury)
  • RG Michael Schofield
  • RT Riley Reiff

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Does Bears OT Teven Jenkins have a shot at a starting job?

As Bears OT Teven Jenkins returns to practice, he faces an uphill battle to earn a starting job.

Bears offensive tackle Teven Jenkins returned to practice on Saturday after dealing with an undisclosed injury that forced him to miss seven straight practices. Jenkins only participated in individual drills as he’s in the middle of his ramp-up period.

Despite Jenkins missing time, head coach Matt Eberflus said he’s remained involved during meetings and that he’s in competition for a starting job on the offensive line. Eberflus had a message for Jenkins upon his return.

“Really, the same as everybody: ‘Go out there and compete. Everything’s open. Dive in,'” Eberflus said. “Like we’ve said, he’s been great in meetings. He’s been very attentive. He’s been paying attention. He’s been back up at the walk-throughs looking at the plays and understanding his role and the plays. So he’s been good.”

Jenkins got a look at swing tackle on the first day of training camp, and he said he’d be open to switching to guard. Whatever it takes.

“I’m willing to play wherever they want me,” Jenkins said. “I want to be here in Chicago so I’m playing wherever they need me to play.”

But when looking at how the offensive line situation has panned out so far, it’s hard to imagine Jenkins winning a starting role.

Rookie Braxton Jones has emerged as the favorite to start at left tackle. Meanwhile, veteran Riley Reiff has been settling in at right tackle, where he’s been rotating with Larry Borom. So tackle doesn’t appear to be in the cards for Jenkins.

But what about right guard? Michael Schofield and Ja’Tyre Carter have been splitting reps there as Sam Mustipher sees time at center with Lucas Patrick out indefinitely with a right hand injury. But assuming Patrick returns in time for the regular season, Mustipher could factor into the equation.

Jenkins faces an uphill battle to earn a starting job, but he’ll have opportunities to impress in camp and preseason. As trade rumors swirl, Jenkins still believes he’ll be on the roster come Week 1.

“Do I expect to be here in the regular season? Yeah,” he said.

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Another injury shuffles Bears offensive line on Day 9 of training camp

Bears rookie Braxton Jones suffered a minor, undisclosed injury. See how that impacted the offensive line on Saturday:

The Chicago Bears offensive line is far from solidified at this point of training camp. The shuffling continued during Saturday’s practice, where there was an interesting injury development.

Rookie Braxton Jones, who appears to be the favorite to start at left tackle, was sidelined with an undisclosed injury. According to The Athletic, Jones spent some time talking with a trainer at practice. Head coach Matt Eberflus didn’t sound too worried and listed Jones as day today.

With Jones sidelined, there was a new name thrown into the ring at left tackle. Veteran Shon Coleman took the starting reps at left tackle in his place.

That also might’ve had something to do with the fact that veteran Riley Reiff didn’t participate in team drills, only individual drills. Assuming he participated, the expectation is he would’ve kicked back over to left tackle while Larry Borom took the reps at right tackle.

Veterans Cody Whitehair and Reiff practiced, but they sat out during team drills, which opened the door for some more shifting. Rookie Ja’Tyre Carter, who had been splitting reps with Michael Schofield at right guard, got a look at left guard in Whitehair’s place. Borom, who had been rotating with Reiff at right tackle, was back to taking all of the reps at right tackle.

Elsewhere, Sam Mustipher was back taking starting reps at center as Lucas Patrick remains sidelined indefinitely with a right hand injury. Schofield continued to take starting reps at right guard.

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Bears aren’t close to solidifying starting offensive line

Things are looking clearer along the offensive line, but Luke Getsy said the Bears will continue to experiment with different combinations.

The Chicago Bears have been experimenting with different combinations along the offensive line through the first eight practices of training camp. But things have become pretty consistent over the last few days.

Rookie Braxton Jones has taken all of the starting reps at left tackle for the last three practices while Riley Reiff has started at right tackle, where he’s rotated with Larry Borom. Michael Schofield got the first chance with the starters at right guard, and rookie Ja’Tyre Carter has rotated in. Sam Mustipher, who started the summer at right guard, has been working exclusively at center since Lucas Patrick’s injury.

But offensive coordinator Luke Getsy said the team isn’t close to solidifying the offensive line and will continue to experiment with different combinations heading into the preseason.

“We’re still a ways away for a lot of positions, to be honest with you, and that’s one of them,” Getsy said. “We’ve flipped guys from right to left up front and we’re trying to see whatever combination makes the most sense and which guys are the most flexible for us. So we’ve got a lot of information still to find out.

“This has been a really good week for us, though. You talk about some guys that have stepped up and [we wonderered] how are they going to react when there are pads in the run game. That’s the biggest part. I think they’ve done a lot of really good things.”

While the Bears might not be settled on a starting five, it certainly appears the offensive line situation is starting to become clearer.

At this point, it might be fair to say the left tackle job is Jones’ to lose, especially given he’s worked exclusively at left tackle and has received all of the starting reps since the pads came on. The Bear paid Riley Reiff to come and solidify the tackle position, and right now it looks like that might be right tackle.

As Schofield has ramped up, he certainly appears to be the favorite at right guard. While Patrick will be the starting center once he returns from injury, Mustipher looks to be the emergency backup plan. Then there’s Cody Whitehair, who already has the left guard job locked down.

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10 takeaways after the first full week of Bears training camp

The Bears wrapped their first full week of training camp. Here’s what we learned from the first 7 practices.

The Chicago Bears have concluded their first full week of training camp practice at Halas Hall, where they conducted seven workouts, including two with pads.

There was plenty to take in from the first full week of practice, including the offense’s early struggles, the consistent shuffling along the offensive line, an improved secondary and the Teven Jenkins saga.

The Bears return to the practice field on Friday morning, where they’ll hold three straight practices before another off day on Monday.

But before we look ahead to the second week of practices, here’s what we learned after Chicago’s first full week of training camp:

Position battle updates following first week of Bears training camp

Following the first seven practices of training camp, we’re taking a look at how some of the Bears’ top position battles are shaking out.

The Chicago Bears have wrapped their first full week of training camp with seven practices, including two with pads, in the books.

There’s been plenty of competition at multiple positions on the roster, including some shake-ups along the offensive line and at cornerback, as well as some interesting names emerging at wide receiver.

There are no shortage of roster battles we’ve been monitoring at the start of the summer, and there have been some interesting developments through the first portion of camp.

Following the first seven practices of training camp, we’re taking a look at how some of the Bears’ top position battles are shaking out.

WATCH: Bears press conferences from fifth training camp practice

The Bears returned to the practice field Day 5 of training camp, where Matt Eberflus, Al-Quadin Muhammad and more met with the media.

The Chicago Bears returned to the practice field on Monday after an off day, which marked the final practice before pads come on Tuesday.

There were plenty of storylines from Day 5, which included another big day for the defense. The defensive line and defensive backs dominated and made things difficult on the offense, which struggled during the two-minute drill.

Here’s a look at the press conferences from the Bears’ fifth practice, which included head coach Matt Eberflus, wide receiver Byron Pringle, defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad, tight end Ryan Griffin and offensive lineman Sam Mustipher.

HC Matt Eberflus

WR Byron Pringle

DE Al-Quadin Muhammad

TE Ryan Griffin

OL Sam Mustipher

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