SPARCE OPTIONS
A buzz has started growing since the cuts around the league began to come in. Moves in anticipation of NFL free agency which begins March 9th. There are plenty of veteran left tackles joining that swelling pool, including a couple former Pro Bowlers. Needless to say its gotten some Bears fans to start wondering if it’s worth taking the risk on them.
Jaguars are not picking up LT Kelvin Beachum's option, sources say. So like Ryan Clady, he's headed to the free-agent market.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 16, 2017
Dolphins will be releasing LT Branden Albert today, source says. It's Tunsil time there. Adds an intriguing option to the tackle market.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) February 16, 2017
One can understand why. Ryan Clady and Branden Albert are former Pro Bowlers. At one point in time they were considered the best at their position. Kelvin Beachum was rated as one of the top pass protecting left tackles in the NFL from 2014 through 2015. Maybe, just maybe the Bears could pump some life into them and reignite their top level play.
Subscribe to the BFR podcast and ride shotgun with Dave and Ficky as they break down Bears football like nobody else.
GOOD-BUT-NOT-GREAT IS GOOD ENOUGH
Only that doesn’t fall in line with reality. According to Pro Football Focus, none of those three players were anywhere near as effective as Leno and Massie were in 2016.
- Charles Leno – 70.8 rating
- Bobby Massie – 69.9 rating
- Ryan Clady – 47.2 rating
- Kelvin Beachum – 44.3 rating
- Branden Albert – 42.2 rating
Not only did the Bears block for the second-leading rusher in the NFL last season in Jordan Howard, they also allowed just 28 sacks. Good enough for seventh-best in the league. Whether people want to admit it or not, none of that happens without Leno and Massie on the edges. They may not have been great but they were good enough.
Besides it’s not like the Bears have a wealth of options at their disposal. Even with this recent slew of releases, the tackle market in free agency is beyond thing. The NFL draft isn’t much better either with only one name being viewed as a slam dunk first rounder, and he has a hip issue. Don’t forget that Leno is 25-years old and Massie is 27. The Bears can afford to be patient about this.
To say nothing of the fact that both of those men still have room to grow and get better as players. It’s a good starting five that isn’t in frantic need of an upgrade. People must stop acting like it’s some sort of clear and present danger.
