Hroniss Grasu
No, I am not saying Grasu is the answer at left tackle. What I am saying is Grasu is the key to implementing the obvious solution. After starting out his NFL career “undersized” for the offensive line, Grasu was said to have fantastic fundamentals that were just too good to ignore coming out of Oregon. That is why Pace drafted him in the third round of the 2015 draft.
After starting eight games for the Bears his rookie season, the coaching staff wanted more. They challenged Grasu to get a little bigger and legitimately compete to be a starter in 2016. Think about it, Pace took him in the third round nobody wants him to succeed more.
Grasu was off to a fantastic start in training camp and pushing very hard to become the team’s starting center, until he tore his ACL and got sidelined for the season. That is what prompted moving over Cody Whitehair from guard and, as we all know, he went on to excel at center for the rest of the season.
“That was a tough one,” quarterback Jay Cutler said after Monday’s practice. “I’ve played with a lot of guys, and he’s one of my favorites, even in a short amount of time. I had a hard time with that one yesterday, getting over that. I think guys are probably still feeling the effects a little bit today.
“He’s so selfless. He’s everything you talk about when you talk about a team guy. Kind of the core of the offensive line.”
Here’s the problem, which is a good problem to have, Grasu is getting healthy now… and he has no place to go.
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The Simple Solution
Here is how Chicago’s general manager fixes the problem at left tackle.
(Phone ringing) “Please tell Hroniss, Josh, Kyle and Cody to come into my office.” Pace says.
(They all come in and sit down)
“Mr. Whitehair got some news. You’re are moving over to right guard. You had a fantastic season at center and we think you can be even better at guard. Congrats.”
“Hroniss, you’re gonna take over at center. We drafted you in the third round to be our center of the future and damn it, you’re gonna be it. Get healthy son, and prepare for a rigorous training camp.”
(Awkward pause)
“Josh, thanks for coming. No change for you, I just want you to be here so you’re caught up. Congrats on the Pro Bowl nod.”
(Slowly turns to Kyle Long)
“Kyle, how’s the recovery coming along?” (Doesn’t wait for answer just keeps going)
“The trainers said you’re ahead of schedule, keep working hard. Got some good news for you, you’re going to left tackle. I know we tried this already, on the right, and you made the Pro Bowl so we know you can do it. You’re the one we want to bet our money on to protect our new quarterback. Congratulations.”
“Thank you all for coming.”
“Everyone else, you can go, Kyle stick around for a moment.”
(Everyone else leaves)
“Right now you’re getting great guard money and average tackle money. You sure up our left side this year and we’ll renegotiate your contract and get you on track with the rest of the league. Congrats on the move.”
(Kyle gets up to leave)
“Oh, one more thing…..
Don’t tell anyone.”
