Offseason Review: The Edge Protectors, Part 1

JermonIt’s odd to think about it now, but on June 1st, 2013, Gabe Carimi and J’Marcus Webb were still members of the Bears. Carimi was traded to Tampa Bay on June 9th, and Webb was released near the end of training camp. Phil Emery overhauled 4/5ths of the offensive line this past offseason; only center Roberto Garza remained once the Bears kicked off Week 1 against the Bengals. The makeover was necessitated by what can charitably be described as “unacceptable” offensive line play, dating back more than a few seasons. From 2010-2012, the Bears allowed 56, 49, and 44 sacks; each year finishing in the top 10 in sacks allowed. In 2013, the Bears allowed just 30, which was just 28th.

That drop can be attributed to both the personnel changes and to a dramatic scheme change; Marc Trestman and Aaron Kromer made a concerted schematic effort to protect their quarterbacks, often employing a sixth offensive lineman. (Eben Britton, who I’ll discuss below.) They were also rewarded with incredible continuity from the new group; no offensive lineman missed a play due to injury until Jordan Mills went down with a foot problem in Week 17.

With two rookies on the right side and two veterans (both now signed to long-term deals) on the left side, it’s now reasonable to view what had once been the teams greatest weakness as a developing strength; at the very least, it’s no longer a pressing concern. (The same can be said for the wide receivers; the fact that Phil Emery has demonstrated an ability to target an area of weakness and improve it quickly is one of the reasons I’m bullish on what the Bears can do to rebuild the defense.) Today, I’ll take a look at some of the exterior linemen on the roster, starting last year’s main free agent acquisition.

Jermon Bushrod, LT

Coming off of back-to-back Pro Bowl appearances, Bushrod signed a 5 year/$36 million dollar contract with the Bears last offseason, and I think it’s safe to say it’s worked out nicely so far. Granted, the bar for the position had been set quite low, but Bushrod has stepped in and been an upgrade from day 1. First of all, he stayed healthy, playing all 1057 offensive snaps. He’s a big, athletic left tackle, and his ability to pull and reach the second level was a key to the success of a new offensive staple: the crack toss.

The other key to Bushrod’s value is that he’s just 29 (he’ll turn 30 next August) meaning the Bears should have the left tackle position competently filled for the next few years. Bears coordinator and offensive line coach Aaron Kromer is obviously very familiar with Bushrod, having coached him in New Orleans. I’m looking forward to watching him continue to gel with the unit as a whole; considering I’d probably be happy with a repeat performance from Bushrod, I’d obviously be very happy if he continues to improve.

Eben Britton, RT

Britton signed a one year contract last spring. He was a second round pick of the Jaguars in 2009, and he was originally camp competition for J’Marcus Webb at right tackle, before Webb was released and the Bears decided to go with Jordan Mills.  He’s only 26, and he certainly has prototypical size for a tackle, at 6’6″ and 310 pounds. Even though the Bears core starting offensive line started almost every play in 2013, Britton still saw the field for 235 offensive snaps; 47 of those coming when he replaced Jordan Mills in Week 17. The rest came when the Bears used him as an extra tackle; doing the math on the play counts, they did this approximately 18% of the time.

Britton performed very well in that Week 17 cameo appearance, and it will be interesting to see what the Bears do with him. Considering his limited playing time, I’m not sure a market will develop, and they could certainly do worse than having him as a backup, or insurance should Mills struggle to recover from foot surgery. Of course, if the Bears really like him, they could even bring him back to compete with Mills, who started strong but seemingly struggled down the stretch. (More on him tomorrow.)

Rogers Gaines, OT

Gaines signed a reserve/futures contract with the Bears on December 30th, the only offensive lineman among 11 players signed. What does that mean, exactly? In essence, that designation refers to players signed for the following season. Obviously, as the 2013 league year was still ongoing, the Bears couldn’t sign players who were already under contract. So reserve/futures players are either free agents or members of a practice squad. Teams sign players to these deals to get a jump on free agency, and to protect players the like on their own practice squad from being poached by other teams.

As for Gaines himself, he was actually on the Bears practice squad, having been there since September. He went undrafted in 2013, and spent training camp with the Baltimore Ravens. He’s physically enormous, at 6’6″ 334, and apparently a bit of a project. He hasn’t appeared in an NFL game, but this NFL.com prospect profile shows that at least some scouts saw potential heading into the 2013 Draft. Of course, the NFL comparison listed in that piece was J’Marcus Webb, and he wasn’t actually drafted despite the upside. In any event, he’s a big body who’ll be at training camp.

written by

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more bears news

Chase Young to Sign 1-year Deal with Saints as Another DE Goes Off the Board

If you were looking for the Chicago Bears to reunite Montez Sweat and Chase Young, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Young, a free-agent pass rusher who would've made sense as a Bears offseason target, is reportedly...

The Bears Turned Down a Better Trade Offer to “Do Right” By Justin Fields

Even with the Justin Fields situation resolved by way of Saturday’s trade between the Bears and Steelers, I still found myself coming back to this Ryan Poles quote from Combine Week. The bold emphasis is mine (and you’ll see why...

More D-Line Help: Bears Add Byron Cowart to Defensive Mix

More defensive line help is on the way for the Chicago Bears. On Saturday, the Bears added to their mix of defensive linemen by signing defensive end Jake Martin. And because the job of building out a 90-player offseason roster...

Poles Plan, Sorting Through Fields Mess, What are the Steelers doing? And Other Bears Bullets

The first Monday of the post-Justin Fields era is here and Bears fans are still coming to grips with it. I get it. Lost in the weekend haze was the Bears burying a trade of their former starting quarterback in...

Chicago Bears 7-Round Mock Draft 3.0

In the wake of the Justin Fields trade and week one of free agency, things are starting to take shape, so let’s fire up the PFF Draft Simulator and try to sort out the rest of the 2024 roster with...

Ryan Pace, Darnell Mooney, and Kirk Cousins are Central Figures in NFL Tampering Investigation

In news that has nothing to do with the Chicago Bears trading Justin Fields, a pair of former Bears (and someone the Bears are quite familiar with) find themselves in the middle of an NFL tampering investigation. Ryan Pace, Darnell...

Justin Fields Trade Fallout (And Other Bears Bullets)

Usually, I reserve Sunday's Bears Bullets to be a dumping ground for things I didn't get to in a given week. But today is different (and for obvious reasons). Here is what you missed in case you spent all day...

Here’s What Ryan Poles Had to Say About the Justin Fields Trade

The Justin Fields trade is still oh, so very fresh. Here is what Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles had to say about the trade in a statement issued by the team: We have engaged in multiple trade conversations in...

It’s Over: Justin Fields Traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers

So long, old friend. May the Force be with you. The Justin Fields trade is happening. So says NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, who is reporting it and sharing the news on Twitter: https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1769131145688461483 UPDATE (7:45 PM CT): It's officially...

Justin Fields Says Goodbye and Thank You

That Justin Fields trade sure is something. ICYMI: The Bears and Steelers have reportedly agreed on a deal to send Fields from Chicago to Pittsburgh in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick. And while it could become a fourth-rounder based...

Latest News

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats and Best Bets – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Minnesota Timberwolves (47-21) are underdogs (+7) as they try to build on a three-game win streak when they host the Denver Nuggets (47-21) at 9:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Target Center. The game airs on...

Mavericks vs. Spurs Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Southwest Division opponents square off when the Dallas Mavericks (39-29) visit the San Antonio Spurs (15-53) at AT&T Center, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET on Tuesday, March 19, 2024. The Mavericks are 8.5-point favorites in the game, the fourth...

Pelicans vs. Nets Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Brooklyn Nets (26-42) will try to break a three-game losing streak when they host the New Orleans Pelicans (41-26) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Barclays Center as 8.5-point underdogs. The matchup airs at 7:30 PM ET on YES....

Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Predictions, Best Bets and Odds – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The Minnesota Timberwolves (47-21) are 7-point underdogs as they try to extend a three-game winning streak when they host the Denver Nuggets (47-21) on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at Target Center. The contest airs at 9:00 PM ET on NBA....

Canucks vs. Sabres Prediction: Live Odds, Stats, History and Picks – Tuesday, March 19, 2024

The oddsmakers give the edge to the Vancouver Canucks on home ice (-198) over the Buffalo Sabres (+164) when they play on Tuesday, March 19 at 10:00 PM ET.Canucks vs. Sabres Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Canucks (-198)Underdog: Sabres (+164)Total: 6Best Canucks...

OH MY: ANTHONY EDWARDS JUST HAD THE BEST DUNK OF THE YEAR

Anthony Edwards has done it again. The emerging Minnesota Timberwolves superstar jammed the most impressive poster dunk of the season against the Utah Jazz on Monday night. Pushing the pace in transition during the third quarter, Edwards passed the ball...

De’Aaron Fox Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

To beat his 3-point prop, De'Aaron Fox must make three from beyond the arc on Monday, when his Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies, tipping off at 10:00 PM ET.De'Aaron Fox's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesDe'Aaron Fox's over/under for...

Malik Monk Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Grizzlies – Monday, March 18, 2024

Will Malik Monk make three 3-pointers when the Sacramento Kings face the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday at 10:00 PM ET? If so, he'll beat his prop for the game.Malik Monk's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the GrizzliesMalik Monk's over/under for three-pointers...

Bogdan Bogdanovic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Lakers – Monday, March 18, 2024

At 10:30 PM ET on Monday, it'll be the Atlanta Hawks against the Los Angeles Lakers, with Bogdan Bogdanovic needing three trifectas to beat his 3-pointer prop.Bogdan Bogdanovic's Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the LakersBogdan Bogdanovic's over/under for three-pointers in this...

Anthony Davis Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Hawks – Monday, March 18, 2024

The Los Angeles Lakers face the Atlanta Hawks at 10:30 PM ET on Monday, and one of the 3-pointer over/unders available for this clash requires just one make from Anthony Davis.Anthony Davis' Three-Pointer Prop Odds vs. the HawksAnthony Davis' over/under...

more bears news