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

Bears Rookie Minicamp Takeaways: Caleb Williams and the Best of the Rest

I've said it, and I'll continue to say it: this chapter of Chicago Bears football feels different. Perhaps it's because the last time we did this, we were in a pandemic, and when the Bears jumped up to No. 11...

Jared Goff Becomes the Highest-Paid Lion Ever!

The Detroit Lions have been busy in recent weeks securing their core after a run to the NFC title game last season. Jared Goff became the latest player to get a new deal in Detroit, and he became the highest-paid...

Antoine Winfield Jr Signs Record-Breaking Extension

The Buccaneers have made Antoine Winfield Jr the highest-paid defensive back in the history of the NFL. On Monday afternoon, Winfield Jr and Tampa Bay agreed to a four-year, $84.1 million deal. It also guarantees the Bucs' star $45 million....

Bears Sign 6 Players After Rookie Minicamp Weekend Tryouts

The Chicago Bears offseason roster churn continues. In addition to their five-player draft class headlined by Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze (plus nine more players who were signed as undrafted free agents), the Bears have signed six free agents who...

They’re No. 1: Bears Wide Receivers Room Ranks as NFL’s Best

One of my biggest frustrations with the Ryan Pace regime was how the former Chicago Bears general manager didn't invest in wide receiver upgrades the way you'd expect a team building around a young quarterback should. Meanwhile, his replacement, Ryan...

The Cost of Being a Football Fan (And Other Bears Bullets)

In yet another reminder that nothing in life is free, the folks at Awful Announcing put the total cost to access NFL games this season projects to be $855.86. With 272 games on the NFL schedule, that comes out to...

Rome Odunze Missed Saturday’s Bears Rookie Minicamp Practice

I was rounding up this morning's set of Bears Bullets when I saw this note from the Chicago Tribune's Dan Wiederer on rookie wide receiver Rome Odunze sitting out Saturday's practice with hamstring tightness and I knew I had to...

A New Tight End, Day 2 Camp Pics and Vids, Edge Market Developing, and Other Bears Bullets

It's Mother's Day today. And while my mother passed away in 2017, I try to use this day to remember and honor her memory. Do something nice for the moms in your life today. You only get one. Chicago Bears...

Caleb to Rome, First Day Notes, Big LSU Bet Is Off, and Other Bears Bullets

I'm off to Springfield to play the role of Uncle Lu this weekend, so we'll have an abridged version of Bears Bullets today. Caleb Williams survived his first practice as Chicago Bears QB1. And all was right with the football...

Tory Taylor is the First Bears Draft Pick to Sign Their Rookie Deal

There will be no punter hold out this summer. Tory Taylor is officially locked in: https://twitter.com/chicagobears/status/1789283410294321438?s=46&t=9_XcB6r0ywNyv4WuAOFkLA The Chicago Bears announced Tory Taylor’s signing on Saturday morning. And in doing so, made him the first of the team’s five 2024 NFL...

Latest News

New York Liberty vs. Washington Mystics: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Washington Mystics face the New York Liberty at St. Elizabeths East Entertainment and Sports Arena on Tuesday, May 14, 2024. The game, the first of the 2024 season for both teams, tips at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN3, Monumental,...

Connecticut Sun vs. Indiana Fever: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Connecticut Sun will start their 2024 season matching up with the Indiana Fever on Tuesday, May 14, 2024 at 7:30 PM ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+.Watch the WNBA all season long on Fubo!How to Watch Sun vs. FeverGame Day:...

NHL Playoffs Anytime Goalscorer Bets and Odds Today – May 14

There are two Stanley Cup Playoffs Second Round games on the schedule Tuesday, and anytime goal-scorer odds for players from each contest are available in this article.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Today's Top Anytime Goal OddsZach Hyman (Oilers) -130 to scoreOilers...

Stars vs. Avalanche NHL Playoffs Second Round Game 5 Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Wednesday, May 15, 2024

The oddsmakers pick the Dallas Stars to beat the Colorado Avalanche in their clash on Wednesday, May 15, with the Stars given moneyline odds of -142 on home ice, and the Avalanche at +120.Watch the NHL on Fubo!Stars vs. Avalanche...

Dodgers vs. Giants: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Los Angeles Dodgers (27-15), led by Mookie Betts, visit Thairo Estrada and the San Francisco Giants (19-23) on Tuesday at 9:45 PM ET.The article below will give you everything you need to know to watch Los Angeles take on...

How to Watch Cardinals vs. Angels: Live Stream or on TV

The St. Louis Cardinals (16-24), led by Brendan Donovan, visit Taylor Ward and the Los Angeles Angels (15-26) at 9:38 PM ET on Tuesday in a series opener.Keep reading to see how to watch the St. Louis-Los Angeles matchup below.When...

Diamondbacks vs. Reds: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Arizona Diamondbacks (19-22), led by Ketel Marte, host Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (17-23) at 9:40 PM ET on Tuesday.Keep scrolling to find out all the details on how to watch Arizona play Cincinnati live.When is...

Mariners vs. Royals: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Tuesday, Logan Gilbert will take the mound for the Seattle Mariners (22-19) against Michael Wacha and the Kansas City Royals (25-17), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at T-Mobile Park.If you're trying to watch this game, keep...

How to Watch Padres vs. Rockies: Live Stream or on TV

In a series opener on Tuesday, Dylan Cease will take the mound for the San Diego Padres (22-21) versus Cal Quantrill and the Colorado Rockies (12-28), with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at PETCO Park.Keep reading to see...

Minnesota Twins vs. New York Yankees Series May 14-16: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

In the opener of a three-game series, on Tuesday, May 14 at 7:40 PM ET, the Minnesota Twins will host the New York Yankees.Twins vs. Yankees Series Info Yankees @ Twins Time: Tuesday, May 14 at 7:40 PM ET Twins...

more bears news