Tom Thayer played offensive line for several years in the NFL. All of that was with the Chicago Bears. It must be killing him to see the team’s front five struggling so much this season, especially along the interior. This is not the way to help a quarterback like Caleb Williams excel. People are scrambling for ideas on how to fix the problem. It is unlikely the team will find a savior from the outside. Free agency is depleted this time of year. That means any solution, if there is one, must be found inside Halas Hall.
Regarding the guard positions, there isn’t much for the Bears to do with Ryan Bates on IR. Their best option is to see if veteran Matt Pryor can give them a little more size and power by rotating him in. However, Thayer’s most surprising idea involved the center spot. Coleman Shelton hasn’t been the worst of the interior blockers thus far, but it is clear he has significant limitations. Thayer believes it might be time for the Bears to give an opportunity to one of their forgotten draft picks.
Doug Kramer has patiently awaited his Chicago Bears opportunity.
Thayer’s logic is simple. Shelton is only 285 lbs, which is light for an offensive lineman, especially against bigger defensive tackles. Kramer is 300 lbs, which would give him more mass to hold his ground against power rushes. He was a 6th round pick out of Illinois in 2022. Unfortunately, an injury slowed his progress that season and he never really got back into the mix at center. Shelton’s early struggles at least crack the door back open. One of the Bears’ best scouts loves his low center of gravity and strong punches, which consistently aided him in pass protection.
There are signs that Kramer has developed well. He has logged 95 snaps across the previous two preseason and did not allow a single quarterback pressure. Obviously, the preseason isn’t the best measuring stick, but it offers some hope that he might be ready for his opportunity. They could use more nastiness in the middle. Shelton won’t be replaced yet. The Chicago Bears are trying to find some continuity up front. Still, if the struggles continue, going to Kramer might be something to try.
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The opponents will be much easier and the Bears OL could not get any worse. With no Buckner and Latu far from 100%, even a chimp would bet that the Bears OL will improve. Hopefully it will be enough to have both a running and a passing game for the victory.
My guess is there will be some changes in the Oline as the season progresses. Shelton is not really who the Bears want at starting center. I believe he was more of a reserve that’s been thrust into the lineup earlier than expected. Expecting to see Kiran at some point after he gets up to speed. They are obviously taking it slow with him because of his past injury. He was seen as a building block for the future when they picked him. Changes will come and im expecting to see the line get better over the next few weeks.
@Rocket Ass, you still do not get it, simpleton. I enjoy the negatives more than the positives, especially from you ugly male hyenas! I swear on your god I do. I’m glad you and your cabal are witnesses to my great transformation, a new creation, the Black Male Lion. At old Cominsky Park on the other side of the tracks, you would not have dared to look me in the eyes, as a self-proclaimed, early retired, businessman who inherited it from his family. At least I corrected you about simple English grammar: contractions, ellipses, and periods after you actually labeled… Read more »
Looks like the concensus want you replaced sally. You’ve been benched. Next come being cut altogether. You and Davis are of the same cloth. Both of you think you’re great but everyone else thinks otherwise.
I’m up for trying Kramer at Center. I get he’s a little undersized. But Jay Hilgenberg was one of our best ever. The guy I’m really worried about is Darnell Wright. The kid is a monster and should be incredible. But I watch too much tape of him making mental errors, not blocking his guy, making poor use of his hands, and ending up on his butt.
Please. Someone in the Bears front office re-evaluate what you are teaching and how you are teaching these guys on the OL. We can’t afford to miss on this kid.