Analyst Ben Muth of Football Outsiders took an extended look at the Chicago Bears offensive line on Tuesday, and ultimately was not impressed by the Bears' o-line personal, saying: "After watching their Week 17 game against the Vikings I can safely say that everyone was right. The Bears have a huge problem up front."
The news is not all bad, however. Though Muth was unimpressed with the passing blocking from LT J'Marcus Webb, the chipping from RB Kahlil Bell and the pulling from C Roberto Garza, he gave strong marks to RT Lance Louis and RG Chris Spencer. Overall, Muth was surprised the Bears did no draft a lineman, but suggests the group still has potential:
As bad as Chicago’s line played at the end of the season, there is some cause for optimism up front. [Gabe Carimi] will come back next year and could be a big upgrade at tackle, Louis can move inside where he belongs, and perhaps best of all, Mike Martz is gone. The Tsar of the five-man protection/seven-step drop combo has been replaced by the (presumably) protection-friendly Mike Tice.
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