Crazy things are happening in New Orleans, and they will directly impact the Chicago Bears. It started earlier this week when news emerged that quarterback Derek Carr is dealing with a shoulder issue. The seriousness is strong enough that he may not be available for the start of the season and perhaps beyond. That immediately put quarterback on the docket for their #9 overall pick in the upcoming draft. Now, another huge news drop has shifted projections. The Saints’ star right tackle, Ryan Ramczyk, has chosen to retire.
The 30-year-old missed all of last season after undergoing knee surgery. Health had been an issue for him the past couple of years, but there were no clear indications he was planning to step away. It leaves New Orleans with a difficult decision. Trevor Penning is the projected right tackle this season. The former 1st rounder has been a disappointment, and last season was his worst, allowing 54 total pressures. It may compel GM Mickey Loomis to find a solution with that 9th pick, decreasing the odds of Chicago landing Will Campbell or Armand Membou.
The Chicago Bears could still benefit from this.
Ramczyk’s retirement does reinforce one likelihood. Whoever the Saints take at #9, it is almost a foregone conclusion that it will be somebody in the trenches. It could be an offensive tackle, but others think they’re focused on finding help on the defensive line. If that happens, the Chicago Bears have better odds of landing one of the top skill position prospects on the board, be it running back Ashton Jeanty or tight end Tyler Warren. This is another reminder of how unpredictable the NFL can be. Nobody has projected the Saints eyeing offensive tackles in any mock draft to this point. With less than a week to go, there is a strong probability that it will change. Perhaps New Orleans had at least an inkling this could happen and was prepared, but either way, the Bears’ plans at #10 are once again impacted.
I am both the Muhammad Ali, The Greatest, and Charles Bronson, best vigilante, in Death Wish (watching now) fighting against authoritarians, male Hyenas, and Children of the Corn on Sports Mockery. I am a hero.
And instead of criticizing this site and Erik Lambert, why don’t you attack C cheap local Kramer for losing two 2 2 Bears games. Poles is inept and should have been removed. My HC Ben, unfortunately, will save his ass if he butts out of the draft.
F U both. I am talking football. Those are my opinions. This is SM. Don’t like them, then do something about it cowards or Trumpsters.
Poles would have been fired by just about any owner in any industry, dolts, I mean, hyenas. Year four 4 4 4 4 of the Polsters’ re-rebuild.
@Veece: Sally says ‘My HC BEN’ just to cheese people here off. Best to not react.
Sally, who talks like that? MY BEN! What are you, his wife? You’re worrying me.
And leave Poles alone. He’s had a good offseason so far. Sure, we’ll rip him if he screws up the Draft. Otherwise, don’t jinx him!
My HC BEN will use this information to make the necessary adjustments to his draft scenarios. I hope Poles and Cunningham are wise enough to learn from him and his squad so that they may learn to be successful on their own someday.