Morning Bears Bits: Offensive Line In Better Shape Than Packers' Line
By Adam Hoge-
BOURBONNAIS, Ill. (CBS) -- While the Bears have suffered their fair share of bumps and bruises so far in training camp, it doesn't compare to what the Packers have faced up north.
The injury bug has hit Green Bay hard, with the biggest blow knocking left tackle Bryan Bulaga out for the season with a torn ACL. With Bulaga out, the Packers will either move Marshall Newhouse over from the right side, or ask promising rookie David Bakhtiari to start immediately at left tackle.
Much like the Bears, the Packers have been trying to fix their offensive line for a couple years now too. Aaron Rodgers is constantly running from pressure, but he has handled it better than Jay Cutler, mainly because he is a more accurate passer and doesn't turn the ball over as much.
But with the Bears adding Jermon Bushrod and Kyle Long to their offensive line in the offseason and the Packers now losing Bulaga for the year, it's very possible Cutler will get better protection this season than Rodgers, which could close the gap in the two crucial head-to-head matchups this season.
Packers head coach Mike McCarthy switched guards T.J. Lang (now right) and Josh Sitton (now left) in the offseason and is hoping center Evan Dietrich-Smith continues to develop in the middle.
Bears fans have seen plenty of that switch-and-pray offensive line shuffling in recent years and it's a dangerous game to play. Sure, it's only Aug. 6, but there's a lot of evidence pointing to the Bears holding an offensive line edge over the Packers this season.
Links
- The Bears released their first depth chart of the season Monday and there are some interesting developments.
- Left tackle Jermon Bushrod was back at practice Monday, but he's still questionable to play in the preseason opener Friday.
- Former Bear Dick Butkus has high expectations for this season.
- Check out our updated depth chart and latest injury report.
Tuesday's Schedule
The Bears return to the practice field at 9 a.m. at Olivet Nazarene University.
Adam Hoge covers the Bears for CBSChicago.com and is a frequent contributor to 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter at @AdamHoge.
