Chicago Bears offensive lineman J'Marcus Webb entered the season listed as the starter at left tackle, but in the team's first preseason game against the Denver Broncos the Bears didn't manage his snaps accordingly. In an odd twist, Webb stayed in the game for 41 of the 49 offensive snaps (83 percent) against Denver, including some time with the third-string and fourth-string units. Presumed "starters" in the NFL are rarely treated that way in the preseason, but Webb isn't sulking about his unorthodox role:
"I've got to get better every day and every week, and that comes with the territory," he said. "I don't think of it as a punishment. I've got to get better. If he asks me to stay in, then I will."
via Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
After the game, Lovie Smith didn't expand on why Webb saw the field so much, but it seemed pretty obvious that offensive coordinator Mike Tice wants to test the young LT early and often to make sure he's fit to protect Jay Cutler's blind side during the regular season. Here's what Lovie Smith had to say to reporters:
"Just some players we thought needed reps, we needed to see," Smith said. "Some of the guys we know a little more about right now, we didn't play as much, and that was pretty much it."
It appears the Bears are just like everyone else, because they want to see more from J'Marcus Webb.
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