After not seeing him since the rookie minicamp in early May, the Bears wasted little time putting first-round draft pick Kyle Long into the heart of the action. James Brown started with the first team at right guard in Friday's opening practice of training camp at Olivet Nazarene University but Long quickly was worked into a rotation with the goal obviously being for him to win the job before the start of the season. But Long has a lot of work to do after NFL-NCAA rules forced him to watch organized team meetings via Skype. Nevertheless, just two years ago the Bears had first-round pick Gabe Carimi start the season at right tackle and they feel confident Long will benefit learning from veteran center Roberto Garza. "There's a competition going on, and we have a good plan for our guards, for James and Kyle to both get work," coach Marc Trestman said. "It's going to play itself out." Long was excited to get to work but knows he must refine his movements. "Physically, I feel fine but from a technical standpoint there are things I need to work on, and that's obvious," he said. "They want to see me on film because they didn't in the OTAs or the minicamp. I just want to earn every rep." Source: Chicago Tribune
After the Bears finishing 25/32 in sacks allowed last year, I bet Cutler is happy about it too. Damn there were a lot of good OG's in last year's draft.
I just hope he does well enough to make us forget players like Chris Williams & Gabe Carimi. Either we held on too long (Williams), gave up too early (Carimi), or just ignored the OL deficiencies altogether. Time to break the cycle of madness...
Carimi's a Buc now, K Always gonna be a question of why they gave up on him. May just be his wanting to work out on his own that soured him with Trestman.
oh wow...well i think long will probably be the guy at tackle eventually but no harm in working him in slowly
