First, I have to say that I am very pleased with the Bears' most recent hiring. Tice is overly qualified and is a great football mind. Tice's experience as a head coach as well as his success as an O-line coach ensure that he understands the big picture of the offense in addition to being able to excel as a position coach on the line. Tice's resume takes precedence over any worries that his hiring will make it more difficult for the Bears to fill the offensive coordinator opening.
We will see if Tice endorses the Bears' idea to obtain tackles to convert into athletic guard; even if he doesn't, it's a good bet Tice will have a better idea of what to do with the likes of Frank Omiyale than his predecessor did.
Anyway, here is how I envision the offensive line ultimately shaping up: Chris Williams at left tackle, Frank Omiyale at left guard, Josh Beekman at center, Roberto Garza at right guard, Kevin Shaffer at right tackle. This lineup will prove to be the best for the Bears moving forward, barring a major offseason acquisition.
If Orlando Pace does choose to return next season, he certainly doesn't have much gas left in the tank. Williams showed some signs at LT and I would like to see him continue to work at becoming the anchor of this line in the future; we need to see if he can fill that role long term. Omiyale looked worlds better blocking late in the season and my guess is that he will earn the starting job next season.
Don't get me wrong about my forecast of the center position; Olin Kreutz is a better center than Beekman and as long as he stays that way, he should keep his position as leader of the line. I have all the respect in the world for Kreutz, but i have noticed his play slip a little in recent years and that will continue to be the case. At 32 Kreutz is no spring chicken while I expect him to play through next season, it wouldn't be shocking if Beekman found his way into the lineup sooner rather than later.
Roberta Garza is going nowhere and really has no challengers at this point.
That leaves Shaffer at RT. I admit I didn't watch him as closely as I should have, but when you don't notice an O-lineman that generally means he is doing his job. One other possibility is that the Bears try switching Pace on the right side, opposite Williams.
The lineup that I mentioned earlier would essentially be accepting that the offensive line has become a rebuilding project; with offensive line being about a decade younger than the opening day lineup of 2009. The Bears would be parting ways with 'trusted' veterans in favor of investing in the future. What better time to retool the line than with the start of a new offensive regime and an shiny new offensive line coach? The Bears need to give Tice the freedom to forge a line to his liking.
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