Major O line improvement

[noonthirtyjoe]

Long to (fake) IR. Now we stand a chance to get better.

 

[BsGenius]

I wish it was that simple.

 

[noonthirtyjoe]

It's a start.

 

[Beengay fudgepackers]

This might improve the run game a little bit. Leno is still going to get burnt on the outside though.

 

[richig07]

I think the injury is real. He's had a hip thing for a while and I don't buy that he's suddenly THAT bad. When he came back after time off last year he was pretty good vs MIN and Philly too.

I agree that he COULD probably keep playing like he had been, but we do not want him out there.

It's only an improvement if Coward isn't also a disaster.

 

[Nelly]

I wouldn't be surprised if Larsen takes over. That seems like a Bears move, rather than putting Coward in and seeing what he's got.

 

[richig07]

This might improve the run game a little bit. Leno is still going to get burnt on the outside though.

Interesting fact.

On rushes to the right side when it is 3rd or 4th down with 2 or fewer yards to go, the Bears have achieved a first down only 33% of the time. This also includes TD rushes on 1st-and-goal and 2nd-and-goal from the opponent's 2-yard line or closer.

The Bears are successful 100% of the time when running from those down/distances to the left.

If you break it down to rushes between Daniels and Long, it drops to 17%

I think Daniels will now be a better player since he is not next to Long. How much of a difference it makes? That remains to be seen. However, he should be better.

I wouldn't be surprised if Larsen takes over. That seems like a Bears move, rather than putting Coward in and seeing what he's got.

I hope Bars gets a shot too. We fought to keep him here in the off-season when New England had interest and made him an offer. He's over a year removed from his knee injury now.

 

[richig07]

I wouldn't be surprised if Larsen takes over. That seems like a Bears move, rather than putting Coward in and seeing what he's got.

Just saw this and can't go back to edit my post anymore.

 

[Nelly]

Just saw this and can't go back to edit my post anymore.

Yay. Coward is the best athlete of the group. Hopefully he can put it all together be a solid guy there. Plus I like Larsen's veteranness as a backup who can come in and play any interior position at a moment's notice better than Coward could.

 

[beardown07]

So do I get to be all puffy-chested and obnoxious for calling this way back when?

 

[BearsWillWin]

There probably won't be any major improvements this season. I think Coward can be marginally better than Long because his body actually works. But he doesn't have half the ability a healthy Long would have. And to rich's point not having to cover for Long will probably help Daniels a lot. Coward is a converted defensive end that is still learning to be an offensive lineman.

The offseason shopping list will probably need to include 2 starters on the oline.

 

[richig07]

There probably won't be any major improvements this season. I think Coward can be marginally better than Long because his body actually works. But he doesn't have half the ability a healthy Long would have. And to rich's point not having to cover for Long will probably help Daniels a lot. Coward is a converted defensive end that is still learning to be an offensive lineman.

The offseason shopping list will probably need to include 2 starters on the oline.

Well, he converted over a year and a half ago now. Sure, it might be bad... but let's see. It certainly can't be worse than Long.

 

[Jiddy]

Well, he converted over a year and a half ago now. Sure, it might be bad... but let's see. It certainly can't be worse than Long.

 

[BearsWillWin]

Well, he converted over a year and a half ago now. Sure, it might be bad... but let's see. It certainly can't be worse than Long.

I think by the end of the season we will see it as an improvement. But I don't think Coward will be a long term starter. Would be nice to be proven wrong on that.

Bears activated Alex Bars to the 53 man roster today as well. He could be someone to keep an eye on.