Ryan Poles hasn’t danced around the subject at all. There are no attempts at misdirection. At least not to the level Ryan Pace did it. He has made it clear from the moment he took over that changes are coming to the Chicago Bears offensive line. What he saw from last season wasn’t good enough. Not even close. It can’t happen again. So Poles has set forth a plan on how to get things fixed.
He’s offered snippets of detail on the new parameters. The Bears will be seeking out blockers that exhibit more attitude. Guys that are willing to play with some nastiness. Tone-setters. Then there is the matter of mobility. Poles wants lighter and quicker blockers. Knowing these requirements, it was interesting to see how things unfolded at the scouting combine on March 4th when the offensive linemen tested.
Here are a few that checked the boxes for the new Bears GM.
If you like NASTY O-Linemen, Tulsa LT Tyler Smith is a name you need know before the 2022 NFL Draft:
– Outstanding mover at 330lbs
– Powerful hands, ANGRY finisher
– Technical enough to grab DE's wrists in pass pro, but could improve as a striker in the NFLJust follow #56😍 pic.twitter.com/Yd6O8tOJqz
— Robert Schmitz (@robertkschmitz) February 15, 2022
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Ryan Poles probably had these guys circled after Friday
Tyler Smith (OT, Tulsa)
When it comes to power and nastiness, few in this draft class exhibit that better than Smith. He seemed to take personal pleasure in dominating defenders at every opportunity. He finished blocks and played through the whistle on every snap. The big question with him was his athletic profile. Teams weren’t sure if he could move well despite his considerable game tape. Smith put those concerns to bed with a 5.02 in the 40-yard dash at 6’5, 324 lbs. He has every measurable and mental trait Ryan Poles is looking for in a lineman.
Dylan Parham (G, Memphis)
Teams were a bit iffy about his modest 6’3 size, but Parham seems stronger than many believed. It would explain the constant ability to drive defenders off the ball. Another thing in his favor was intelligence. Parham was rarely caught off guard in pass protection, showing a knack for recovering quickly if beaten off the snap. Highly-experienced too. His blistering 4.93 in the 40 also demonstrated his considerable athleticism.
Cole Strange is an instinctual & versatile OL, playing across the line (LT/LG/C) at Chattanooga.
An explosive run-blocker and true athlete who gains ground easily and opens lanes for RBs, had a good week at Center at the Senior Bowl, and projects as an IOL.
NFL Comp: JC Tretter pic.twitter.com/HqVh8SPzcE— Luke Carr (TD4LC) (@LukeCarrNFL) March 2, 2022
Cole Strange (C, Tennessee-Chattanooga)
Coming from a smaller school makes it difficult to get noticed. Yet that hasn’t stopped Strange. He put together a good week of work at the Senior Bowl last month and followed that with a strong combine showing. There was a 5.03 time in the 40 (at 307 lbs) and 31 reps on the bench press. What stands out most about Strange though, is his fearlessness. It doesn’t matter if somebody is bigger and stronger. He will fight regardless—intelligent, tough, and terrific instincts for the center position.
Bernhard Raimann (OT, Central Michigan)
It is amazing to think Raimann didn’t pick up football until almost the start of college. A native of Austria, he was far behind most players in learning the game. Combined with the pandemic hitting while he was transitioning from tight end to tackle? Most blockers would be a mess. Raimann worked through it all and still played well despite some obvious flaws in his game. You can’t teach 6’6, 303 lbs, and his level of athleticism—a 5.05 in the 40 and 30 reps on the bench. Raimann can move. If he fixes his technique issues, he is going to be good.
