Bears Blitz

Published by Gene Chamberlain on August 19, 2009
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Chicago Bears

Neither Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Ron Turner nor guard Frank Omiyale would confirm it, but there was no need.

Josh Beekman’s actions did the confirming Wednesday morning after practice in Bourbonnais when he stayed several minutes longer repeating his shotgun snaps. Omiyale will be the Bears’ starting left guard this year and Beekman will be backup center and backup guard.

“We’re still looking,” Turner said. “We’re trying to sort everything out, but still looking.”
The battle between Omiyale and Beekman for left guard will go on in name only for the remainder of camp, but it probably really ended when Omiyale started last Saturday’s preseason game in Buffalo after Beekman had been announced as the starter. Since then, Omiyale has taken the majority of the snaps.

“I’m still competing,” Omiyale said. “That’s how I’m going about it every week. Until the regular season starts, I know it’s up in the air. I know Beeks is still doing everything they need him to do, and I’m just trying to keep doing what I do best.”

Unless Omiyale falls flat on his face, he’ll head into the third preseason game—the most important one—with two preseason starts. The Bears are not going to give the starting spot to Beekman after Omiyale gets the preseason starts.

Omiyale is a 6-foot-4, 315-pound guard who used to play tackle and at least for one day during minicamp last spring thought he was going to be a tackle. Then the Bears signed Orlando Pace.

“I thought of myself as a tackle and I knew one of the tackle’s spots was possibly open and that’s what I was shooting for,” Omiyale said. “But my biggest goal when I came here was to get on the field and this (guard) is my opportunity.”

Omiyale has started one NFL game, for Atlanta in 2006, while Beekman has 16 career starts, all last year for the Bears. The Bears signed the 26-year-old Omiyale for $14 million over four years shortly into free agency following tackle John Tait’s retirement, which is another reason he was always destined to start.

They think Omiyale’s tackle background confirmed his overall blocking talent. Tackles play the toughest NFL position since they are on an island against pass rushers.

“I think the best thing going for me inside is just my arms are longer than the average guard, so I think that’s helped me a lot, especially with my punch,” Omiyale said.

Turner confirmed that’s part of why the team likes Omiyale.

“He’s powerful, got excellent strength and excellent explosion and quickness off the ball,” Turner said. “He’s gotten better every day as far as the adjustment. This is a new offense for him so it takes time.

“He’s got the natural talent. Now he’s getting comfortable in the system.”

Omiyale would seem a better fit for a team with a run-first offense like the Bears.

“I don’t know if I’d say that, but he is more powerful,” Turner said. “He is stronger.” Omiyale, who played last year for Carolina, initially lagged behind Beekman while picking up the offense.

“I was frustrated at first because I’m the type of guy, I want to get it right, right now,” Omiyale said. “But I know that it’s a progression. just like coach was telling me.”

“And I’m happy where I’m at right now.”

The other thing Omiyale had to get used to was having so many defenders in on top of him. At tackle, even though he had less help, there’s more space and a split second more time before contact.

“You have to get in there right now because you have that nose guard sitting right on your shoulder,” Omiyale said. “But I think I’m starting to develop pretty good with it.”

Beekman is accepting his role as a backup after a year starting.

“Luckily last year I had Terrence Metcalf (at guard); he basically helped coach me up every step of the way,” Beekman said. “He was slotted in there to be a starter and he got injured and stuff and they put me in there. He showed me how to be a vet.”

“You help your teammates. You see what they’re doing to help back them better because it’s a team sport.”

Beekman’s long term future projects as Olin Kreutz’s eventual replacement at center. The extra shotgun snaps in practice should help Beekman in this regard. Kreutz, a 12-year veteran, doesn’t look like he’s retiring anytime soon, though.

“I’m very comfortable,” Beekman said about playing center. “Last year I took the first two weeks with the Ones when Olin had his (heel) surgery.”

“That gave me a lot of experience, and then playing last year with those guys and getting a feel for how to play and how to be in there at center helps out.”

Beekman once played both guard and center for Boston College.

“I think you always have responsibility, if you’re a starter or a backup,” Beekman said. “I’ve got to be ready. I’ve got to know what everyone’s doing. I’ve got to get ready just in case something bad (injury) does happen.”

Considering Beekman has 16 starts, reserve tackle Kevin Shaffer 86 starts, and backup guard Dan Buenning 23 starts, the Bears have the potential to field their deepest offensive line since coach Mike Ditka’s era.

Last year they got away with starting the same line through every game. That’s not common in the NFL.

It’s not just the number of starts, but the versatility that also makes for a deep line. 

With Beekman capable of playing both center and guard, Shaffer capable of playing both tackle spots and Omiyale a tackle playing guard, the Bears appear to have all positions covered in case of an injury.

“I think you’ve just got to be versatile,” Beekman said. “You’ve got to show a club that you can do multiple things.”

“John St. Clair last year was the starting left tackle, but he played left guard, I think he played right tackle and I think he’s played right guard too.”