Olin Kruetz to the Hall-of-Fame? And Other Bullets

Mar 04, 2019

Turning off all notifications after 11:01 p.m. has made it easier for me to get a good night of sleep, but it’s also led me to miss some worthwhile messages I wish I was awake for when they were originally sent. At least it provides something fun to wake up to in the morning.

Good offensive line play is tough to quantify – indeed, it’s more of a you know it when you see it type thing, in my opinion. That said, Hall of Fame caliber line play is even more difficult to grasp, which is partially why that position group is under-represented in Canton. With that in mind, The Athletic’s Dan Pompei lays out a strong case for Olin Kreutz’s eventual induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

He threw blocks with every fiber of his muscle. He fought giants with every bit of his heart. He studied and trained with every second of his day. https://t.co/uupGqDEgZl
— Dan Pompei (@danpompei) March 4, 2019

Kreutz was a six-time Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro center in 2006. From 2001-2010, he missed just one game. Kreutz was equal parts dependable, reliable, and excellent, as well as a leader on the field and in the locker room. Centers don’t often get the credit they deserve for their roles in the offense, but isn’t that due to change sooner rather than later?

Bears fans should count their blessings when it comes to center play because they have had some good ones throughout the years. Between Kreutz and Cody Whitehair, my generation of Bears fans is well covered with rock-solid production from the middle of the offensive line.

Moving back into the present, you’ll find that the NFL Scouting Combine is wrapping up today. The Bears don’t have many pressing needs, but they have some areas that need to be addressed correctly in order to build off a successful 2018 season. One of the positions that might fly under the radar is the tight end spot, which is crowded at the top but could certainly use some quality in depth. The folks at NBC Sports Chicago offered up some possible late-round options for the Bears:

Which TE do you have your eye on at the #NFLCombine?

Here’s our list 👇 #Bears pic.twitter.com/vONzyaEtcW

— Bears Talk (@NBCSBears) March 2, 2019

As we have learned with Adam Shaheen, tight end development isn’t linear and it’s among the most challenging positions to get right in the draft. Between route trees and blocking concepts, there is a lot on a rookie’s plate. It’s why that position tends to be a roll of dice when drafting prospects who aren’t sure-fire first-round picks. Tight end depth in this draft might be better than originally projected, which could be good news for the Bears as they seek to round out their group this offseason.

Finding the right tight end for the mix is difficult, but it might not be the hardest thing the Bears do this offseason. Bleacher Report’s Kristopher Knox shares what he believes is each NFL’s team toughest contract decision, highlighting Jordan Howard’s future as the most difficult call the Bears have to make. While rumors about Chicago shopping Howard surfaced last week, there hasn’t been much additional traction on that front. Dealing Howard could open up $2 million in salary cap space, but it would also turn running back from a position of strength to one of need. That would be counter-productive for a team in its competitive window.

If you really want to go down a rabbit hole, think of it this way: the Bears could trade Howard for a draft pick and salary cap space now or ride it out with him in 2019, let him walk away in free agency next year, then set themselves up to scoop up a compensatory draft pick in 2020. That’s not a rabbit hole I want to dive down at this time, but if the Bears can figure to get a better pick in 2020 than they would in 2019 and squeeze out one more productive year from Howard, then it’s a win-win all around.

But if you ask me, the team’s most difficult offseason decision has to do with finding a kicker worth handing a free agent contract to in order to solidify the weakest spot on the roster. Perhaps AAF standout Younghoe Koo is worth a dice roll moving forward:

👀 @YounghoeKoo @TheAAF pic.twitter.com/EQhOGyfMdF

— Bleacher Nation Bears (@BN_Bears) March 4, 2019

Koo is now a perfect 8-for-8 in The Alliance and seems to have put his struggles with the Chargers in the past. Good for him. If he keeps it up, he’ll find himself back on an NFL roster in no time.

Ear buds, under-desk-elliptical, and more are your Deals of the Day at Amazon today.

written by

Luis C. Medina

Luis C. Medina, who you can find on Twitter at lcm1986, has been covering the Chicago Bears at Bleacher Nation since 2017. Since then, he has written about 3 head coaches, 5 play-callers, and 11 starting quarterbacks. Previously, Luis wrote about the Cubs and MLB at BN (2015-16) and worked in the Chicago Tribune sports department (2011-16). He also co-hosted a Cubs postgame show, Outside the Ivy, in 2019.

more bears news

Chicago Bears

Welcome to the Caleb Williams Era of Chicago Bears Football

In a few hours, the Chicago Bears will have a new franchise quarterback, Caleb Williams. He'll be the best quarterback prospect they've ever welcomed into Halas Hall. There are many reasons why I believe that drafting Williams is a no-brainer,...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Oh? The Rams Reportedly Want to Trade into the Top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft

If you're looking for chaos on NFL Draft day, you just might get it. And leave it to the script-writers to get a team out in Hollywood involved. Here is a scoop from The Athletic's Dianna Russini, who hears the...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

We Could See 6 Quarterbacks Go in Round 1 of the NFL Draft

NFL Draft followers seem to have settled on four quarterbacks going somewhere in the top 10 picks. Many appear to think that we could get a draft with quarterbacks going 1, 2, 3, 4 in succession at the top. Others...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Running Backs and Linebackers

The 2024 NFL Draft begins TODAY. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Cornerbacks and Safeties

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Final Bears Draft Predictions & Dream Scenarios For The 1st Round

We've been talking about this day since the Bears' 0-4 start to last season, and it's finally here. It's NFL Draft day. We know it'll be Caleb Williams at first overall, but what direction will the Bears go with the...

Matt Rooney

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Rome Odunze and Caleb Williams Have Discussed What It Would Be Like to be Bears Teammates

If the Chicago Bears end up drafting Caleb Williams and Rome Odunze, I imagine this tweet from Tom Pelissero is going to get a ton of engagement: https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1782905425689522654 In fairness, it already has gotten all sorts of clicks. But that...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Final 2024 NFL Mock Draft: How Will The 1st Round Unfold In Detroit?

Draft Day is finally here! We've taken quite a few cracks at what the first round could look like, and this will be the last one before the NFL Draft kicks off tonight! It still feels like a really unpredictable...

Matt Rooney

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Defensive Linemen

The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday. Chicago Bears General Manager Ryan Poles, Assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Head Coach Matt Eberflus, and others will put their heads together to come up with a winning plan for the team’s four picks (Nos....

Luis C. Medina

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Bears

Caleb Williams Shares Who He’d Take With the No. 9 Pick

The Chicago Bears drafting Caleb Williams with the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft is a foregone conclusion. However, what happens with the Bears' other first-round pick is anything but a lock. One name we haven't discussed much as...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Oh? The Rams Reportedly Want to Trade into the Top 10 of the 2024 NFL Draft

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Detroit Tigers vs. Kansas City Royals Series April 26-28: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

A three-game series featuring the Detroit Tigers and the visiting Kansas City Royals will start on Friday, April 26 at 1:10 PM ET.Tigers vs. Royals Series Info Royals @ Tigers Time: Friday, April 26 at 1:10 PM ET Tigers Starting...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

We Could See 6 Quarterbacks Go in Round 1 of the NFL Draft

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears 2024 NFL Draft Fits: Cornerbacks and Safeties

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

NFL

Dallas Cowboys 2024 NFL Draft Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits Including Tackle and WR

The Dallas Cowboys enter the 2024 offseason with the familiar feeling of championship aspirations. Dak Prescott is healthy, the skill positions are loaded, but the offensive line, once a strength, is in flux. With the 24th overall pick in the...

Brian Twining

Apr 25, 2024

Betting

2024 MLB Mock Draft: Wake Forest Dominates First Round

With the invigorating spirit of a new baseball season upon us, igniting hope and anticipation within fan communities, it's the perfect time to embark on a unique exploration: a 2024 MLB Mock Draft. Numerous mock drafts meticulously analyze potential player...

Matt Rooney

Apr 25, 2024

How to Watch

76ers vs. Knicks: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

The Philadelphia 76ers will go up against the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs.These teams match up for the second straight game after the Knicks took down the 76ers 104-101 on Monday....

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Donovan Mitchell Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Donovan Mitchell needs to make four from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his Cleveland Cavaliers face the Orlando Magic in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, beginning at 7:00 PM...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Caris LeVert Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Magic – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

At 7:00 PM ET on Thursday, in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, it'll be the Cleveland Cavaliers against the Orlando Magic -- with Caris LeVert needing to score just once from beyond the arc to...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Josh Hart Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the 76ers – NBA Playoffs Game 3, Thursday, April 25, 2024

To beat his 3-point over/under, Josh Hart needs to make two from beyond the arc on Thursday, when his New York Knicks play the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA playoffs, starting at 7:30...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Olin Kruetz to the Hall-of-Fame? And Other Bullets

Read More

more bears news

Latest News

more bears news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular