J’Marcus Webb is one of the many players fighting for the starting right tackle job {photo courtesy of ESPN.com}.
BOURBONNAIS- As the Bears get ready to end training camp for the year and head back to Lake Forest, there are many concerns that plague this team. Aside from the rash of injuries and the offense’s performance, one of the key components of the offensive line is also under fire. The question raised over the last few days is who will start at right tackle heading into the 2013 season?
When camp first began a few weeks ago, Jonathan Scott was initially taking the reps with the starters at the position. Unfortunately, Scott has been sidelined with pain and swelling in his knee. When the Bears took the field against Carolina last week, embattled fourth-year player J’Marcus Webb got the start. After allowing Jay Cutler to get sacked twice {the Bears allowed seven total sacks that night}, Webb was essentially demoted when the Bears got back on the practice field on Sunday.
Since then, Webb has been the second team’s left tackle while Jordan Mills has been getting the right tackle reps with the starters along side Eben Britton. Although head coach Marc Trestman and offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Aaron Kromer won’t admit it yet, it looks like the rookie Mills { a fifth round draft pick from Louisiana Tech} will get the start on Thursday against San Diego.
The good news is Johnathan Scott has been improving in his recovery. He had fluid drained from his swollen knee this week and his status has been upgraded from doubtful to questionable for the San Diego game. Scott had been very impressive in the first few days of “Camp Bearbonnais”, but he has not seen the field since July 31st. If he is able to suit up against the Chargers this week, expect his playing time to be limited until his knee has fully healed.
You can also expect to see youngsters Cory Brandon and James Brown get a good look during the second half on Thursday night. But ultimately, it looks it will come down to either Mills, Scott or Webb to eventually take the reigns of the position. There has also been talk of first round draft pick Kyle Long getting a shot to play right tackle.
There are some who feel that he could be a natural at the position because of his size, height, wing span and reach. But the Bears have said that Long will stay at right guard for the time being. There has also been some buzz that both Long and Mills could start with the first team on Thursday. We’ll just have to wait and see if that holds true. But one thing is for certain, the battle of the offensive linemen is far from over.
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