When talking about the resurgence of the offensive line over the past five games, the conversations always tend to start with two guys. Sam Mustipher taking over at center completely changed the efficiency with which the line operated. Then there was Cody Whitehair, acting almost liberated at left guard and becoming a dominant run blocker. Yet former player Brian Baldinger has a gripe. He feels not enough people are talking about Alex Bars.
With Rashaad Coward continuing to struggle and Bobby Massie done for the year, the Bears needed a solution at right tackle. So they move right guard Germain Ifedi into that spot. Something he was familiar with from his days in Seattle. That meant the Bears had to fill the right guard slot. Bars ended up being their choice. After the former undrafted free agent had to wait so long for a chance, he finally got it.
Based on what Baldinger is seeing? The kid has a bright future.
.@ChicagoBears #AlexBars is a really good player and the improvement up front can be directly related to when Bars went to RG. He was the missing piece. Now they get the ultimate test this Sunday. No #BearUp fan could ask for anything more than to beat the Pack #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/E4FfmN7Xs0
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 30, 2020
There was always an undercurrent of belief that Bars had the ability. Prior to an unfortunate knee injury during his final months at Notre Dame, draft experts believed he could go somewhere in the 4th round. Instead, the Bears got both him and Mustipher in the same undrafted class in 2019. It’s proving to be one of the best hauls they’ve maybe ever had.
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Bars is proving to be a strong, aggressive blocker who loves to get after it on every snap. Something that seemed to be missing up front for this offense most of the year. His impact cannot and should not be understated.
Alex Bars emergence creates a dilemma for the Bears
Their current configuration on the interior of Whitehair, Mustipher, and Bars are playing exceptionally well. Enough to where a lot of people think it has long-term potential. This creates a unique problem. Why? Namely because James Daniels, their original starting left guard will be returning from a torn pectoral next season. Prior to the injury, he was playing some of his best football.
This means the Bears would have four starting-quality blockers but only three interior spots. What do they do? One idea is moving Whitehair over to right guard with Daniels taking over again at left guard and Mustipher in the middle. With Germain Ifedi being a free agent and Bobby Massie’s future uncertain, they could shift Bars outside to right tackle. A position he played in college. It’s an interesting idea, but a risky one.
Tackle is not the same as guard. It is a totally different beast.
Not only are the blocking requirements different but so are the physical ones. Alex Bars isn’t a bad athlete but he’s not top tier either. He also has the added problem of short arms, being under 33 inches. Generally, tackles should have a minimum length of 34 inches. That is not to say Bars can’t play the position, it’s just a strong possibility he wouldn’t be as effective there as he’s been at right guard.
So the Bears coaching staff will have some decisions to make. Either way, it looks like a good problem to have. Hopefully, Bars can become a big part of their future.
