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Chicago Bears: Upgrades in the Trenches Going Unnoticed

By Russell S. Baxter

Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox high fives center Hroniss Grasu (55) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Chicago Bears defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-21. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears head coach John Fox high fives center Hroniss Grasu (55) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Chicago Bears defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 26-21. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Defense certainly wins championships. So does dominating the line of scrimmage. And the Chicago Bears are hoping they have both necessary components this season.

The Chicago Bears were one of the busier teams this offseason when it came to free agency. Most of that work was done to improve the defensive side of the football.

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The additions of defensive end Akiem Hicks, inside linebackers Jerrell Freeman and Danny Trevathan and safety Omar Bolden (the latter two who played for John Fox in Denver) will bolster the league’s 14th-ranked defense in 2015. It was a unit that was also tied for 22nd in the NFL against the run. The first-round selection of outside linebacker Leonard Floyd should aid the pass rush.

This week, Rich Campbell of the Chicago Tribune reported that general manager Ryan Pace was at it again. But we are not talking about the defense, rather the offensive line. It was the other main area of focus this offseason as the team looked to get better here as well.

The team signed tackle Nate Chandler this week. The former undrafted free agent was cut loose by the defending NFC champion Carolina Panthers three months ago and hasn’t played a lot of football the past year and a half. But he adds depth to an area that needs it in the worst way.

The numbers say it all. According to Pro Football Focus, the Bears ranked fourth in the league when it came to run blocking. But this same team was a disappointing 23rd when it came to pass protection. So it’s little wonder that the club was ranked 11th in the NFL in rushing and 23rd in yards per game through the air.

Nov 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Kyle Long (75) reacts after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. The Vikings won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 1, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears offensive tackle Kyle Long (75) reacts after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field. The Vikings won 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Via Ourlads, third-year pro Charles Leno returns at left tackle. He replaced Jermon Bushrod (released this offseason) after three weeks and started the final 13 games. The right side will be manned by free-agent pickup Bobby Massie, late of the Arizona Cardinals. Pro Bowler Kyle Long returns to his familiar right guard spot (after a season at right tackle), while Hroniss Grasu (an 8-game starter as a rookie in 2015) is back at the pivot. Pace used a second-round pick in April to grab Kansas State guard Cody Whitehair, who will open at the left guard spot.

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Now it’s worth noting that Leno and Grasu took their lumps last season and Massie had his issues with the Cards. But the beauty of Pace’s plan was also adding versatile pros such as Chandler, as well as veteran free agents Ted Larsen and Manny Ramirez.

The latter duo can play both guard and center and give Fox some added flexibility at a lot of spots. Depth is very hard to achieve at any position these days in the NFL, but the Bears may have pulled it off and at a very vital area.

We haven’t seen the Bears in the playoffs since hosting the 2010 NFC title game. It has been a frustrating five seasons for a franchise that has had three different head coaches (Lovie Smith, Marc Trestman and Fox) the past four seasons. Quarterback Jay Cutler has taken his lumps and second-year running back Jeremy Langford is now the main threat out of the backfield.

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You have to give Pace his due. The real focus of this offseason have been fortifying the defense and the offensive front. It sets up well for these Bears, who promise to be a real threat in the NFC North this fall.

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