Their plan was evident when the Chicago Bears signed Lucas Patrick in free agency. GM Ryan Poles and offensive coordinator Luke Getsy envision him being their starting center. He played the position extensively last season for the Green Bay Packers and did a great job. Considering the importance of center on the offensive line, it makes sense to have somebody trustworthy. Patrick knows the type of offense the Bears hope to run. It makes sense to put him there. However, former guard and color analyst Tom Thayer disagrees.
He explained on 670 The Score that only one course is open to them right now. That is presuming what Matt Eberflus said is true, and the Bears want to get the best possible starting five on the field. That doesn’t involve Patrick at center. Instead, he would be moved to right guard, where he has more experience, while the team again goes with Sam Mustipher in the middle.
“You would have experience at center if you had Mustipher in there, if you had Lucas at right guard and Cody (Whitehair) at left guard. Now you’re talking about three players that have already proven they can play at a very high level up here.”
Thayer’s reasoning is simple.
Rather than move Mustipher to guard, which he has never played, it’s wiser to keep him at center. That way, you have three guys on the interior with experience at their respective positions.
“To me, I’m glad that Lucas can play multiple positions on the offensive line but I believe Sam Mustipher is a center. I think that’s the position that he’s born and bred to play.
So do you want to get the best out of this offensive line, because the first thing Ryan Poles did was require these guys to lose weight and I think Sam Mustipher losing weight, being in better shape, being faster off the ball, he’s already proven that maybe he can hold down that position.”
Thayer has a fair point. Lucas Patrick may serve better at guard.
That isn’t because he’s ill-equipped to play center. This is more about the Bears’ current deficiencies. Their right guard spot is a mess. Dakota Dozier is already done for the year with a knee injury. That leaves Mustipher and rookies Zachary Thomas and Ja’Tyre Carter as their current options. Logic dictates the team should take the most logical course of action to give Justin Fields the best protection possible. Mustipher has his faults, but he at center and Patrick at guard are better than the other way around.
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The Bears haven’t reached that conclusion yet. Such a revelation isn’t likely to happen until training camp starts. That is when the pads will go on, and coaches can finally get a look at the offensive line. If Thayer is correct, then Lucas Patrick will shift to right guard before the end of the preseason. The good news is that Mustipher already has experience snapping to Fields. So the transition wouldn’t be too difficult.
Patrick is the center. Done deal. Mustipher is being given an opportunity at RB but no one expects him to make the starting 5 after it shakes out. Mustipher would be a decent bench player if he could fill in at C or either G. Our starting RG is on another roster right now and Jenkins is looking like the swing OT.
Sorry Tom he was a bust at center and not sure he’s a starting guard either.
I always assumed Patrick was brought in by Getsy because he wanted a center who knew his system making the line calls and blocking adjustments. Made sense to me.
No to Mustifer, Patrick at Center, Jenkins at RG. Jones, Whitehair, Patrick, Jenkins, Borom
Did Thayer not watch games where Mustipher got knocked backwards constantly?