One thing that stood out about the Chicago Bears’ victory over the Las Vegas Raiders last Sunday was their dominance in the trenches. It became clear almost immediately that running back D’Onta Foreman had constant open lanes on the ground. This was thanks to some outstanding blocking from the five guys up front. Larry Borom, Cody Whitehair, Lucas Patrick, Teven Jenkins, and Darnell Wright physically abused the Raiders’ front seven all afternoon. Foreman scored two touchdowns on the ground, and Chicago piled up 173 yards.
Part of that mentality came from the game plan. Head coach Matt Eberflus and his staff made it clear the team would run the ball, hoping to ease the pressure on rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent. However, a lot of it also came courtesy of Patrick. The veteran center was mic’d up for the game. He brought the offensive line into a huddle before kickoff and gave them an impassioned speech. Not only did he want a win, he wanted them to “take their f**king will.”
His message seemed to get across. They did exactly that for the next 60 minutes.
Lucas Patrick brought the juice. The Bears drank it up.
It’s okay to criticize the center. He has suffered from inconsistency since coming over from Green Bay last year. Injuries have hampered him the past two years, and his pass protection has been erratic at best. One thing you can’t deny is his abundant energy and nastiness. His run blocking has been a bright spot as well. Guys like him don’t make Pro Bowls, but they do push everybody else to be better. That kind of fiery leadership is something this team has needed for years, especially in the trenches.
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This is why the Bears need to be serious about keeping him as the starter at center. Yes, the original plan was for Cody Whitehair to have that spot. Yet it’s undeniable that the veteran isn’t cut out for the job anymore. His snapping issues remain, and his communication skills aren’t great either. Lucas Patrick might not be a cornerstone, but he’s at least reliable. His run-blocking and leadership are enough to counterbalance his occasional deficiencies in protection. He is something that line needs.
