Chicago Bears Nfl Sportbook Report
The Bears' maligned offensive line got a boost toward improved continuity when coach Lovie Smith announced that John Tait would play only right tackle.
Tait had been splitting time between left and right tackle in training camp - when his nagging groin injury permitted - and he didn't practice at all for a week prior to the preseason opener, which he sat out. The offensive line committed 10 penalties in that game and the group obviously needs more cohesiveness.
Tait has said all along that he would play wherever needed, but he is more comfortable on the right side.
"When I was at Kansas City, I didn't really practice much at left (after switching to right before the 2002 season)," he said. "When they switched me over, I was exclusively there. I definitely think I could have played left and got in the rhythm. But I feel pretty good about playing at right and I feel like I'm comfortable there and I can keep going and play at a high level."
Locking Tait in at right tackle means three pieces to the five-piece offensive-line puzzle are in place. Three-time Pro Bowl pick Olin Kreutz is a fixture at center. At left guard, eight-time Pro Bowl choice Ruben Brown has replaced Rex Tucker, who is out 8-10 weeks with a dislocated elbow.
Mike Gandy is currently starting at right guard, but Terrence MetcalfTerrence Metcalf, who has been out for the past week with a sprained ankle, could still challenge for that job. Metcalf has played well since the start of camp, and he performed well vs. the Rams, until his injury.
"He's had a great camp so far," Smith said of Metcalf, "but this is going to throw him behind a little bit. We were pleased with how Ruben Brown stepped up. He really played hard and played well when he was out there."
Metcalf was lost in the shuffle his first two years after being drafted in the third round in 2002, but he is having his best camp by far this year and had been playing ahead of Brown at right guard.
"Right now that position is open," Smith said. "You can put a lot of different guys competing for that job; Mike Gandy and everyone else.
At left tackle, Qasim Mitchell needs to play much more consistently than he did in the preseason opener if he wants to keep the starting spot.
"He was inconsistent," offensive line coach Pete Hoener said. "But the things he did well, he did like an all-pro player. I won't say they're mental mistakes, but (they're) mental lapses of technique and getting used to the speed of the game on that turf."
Gandy was flagged for holding three times against the Rams, but offensive coordinator Terry Shea said the four-year veteran played better than those infractions would indicate.
"From an offensive line standpoint, one guy I thought played consistently was Mike Gandy," Shea said. "There was one obvious, legitimate (holding) call. That's a tough break, but he played very well in spite of all those things."
