When Jay Cutler takes the field Sunday, he'll line up behind Olin Kreutz, the Bears stalwart veteran center. However, Kreutz's 'face' may be the only familiar one from where Cutler is standing. In week 6, the Bears O-line is starting it's 4th different look. A healthy Chris Williams will rejoin the line at left guard, rather than left tackle, his projected position. Williams has some experience at guard in college (Vanderbilt). Frank Omiyale will start for the 4th game at tackle.
Edwin Williams will start at right guard, after his first start there last week at Carolina. J'Marcus Webb will stay at right tackle. That leaves out Roberto Garza, breaking a 69 game streak. Got it?
A good offensive line works best as a close unit, probably more than any other group in football. After the debacle in New York where the line gave up an NFL record 9 sacks in the first half alone, you can appreciate Tice and Martz trying to buttress the unit in any way possible. And maybe they can, but 4 line changes in 6 games isn't generally good news.
It's accepted wisdom that you need cohesion and repetition on your offensive line, and right now players don't know where they'll be lining up from week to week. Tackle or guard, right or left. It's not as similar as you might imagine. And if the Bears are serious about making a playoff run, or even protecting their franchise quarterback, they need to find the right combination and stick with it.