The Chicago Bears locker room is not the same as the mainstream media and fans. Whom the latter view as the best performers of a given week or season, the players and coaches might feel differently. Why? Largely because they delve into hours and hours of tape and see things those other people don’t. Hidden performers who had a big hand in the success of teammates. Through two preseason games, there is an undercurrent of buzz regarding one unexpected name.
That being right tackle Bobbie Massie. Of course the big news over the past 24 hours was the nice four-year contract extension received by left tackle Charles Leno Jr. He receives $21.5 million in guarantees, basically cementing him as their long-term blind side blocker. What nobody can say for sure is what the future holds for Massie.
For most of his NFL career it’s been a roller coast. He could have good moments and ugly ones. Towards the end of 2016 though he seemed to settle in and at least play consistent. Hopes were high he could improve on that this year. Early signs confirm that may be the case according to Adam Hoge of WGN.
Bears locker room raving about Massie preseason thus far
Another great podcast. But curious about a crucial part of our oline. How has bobby massie been doing in camp n practice?
— Luis Lopez (@wito2k) August 24, 2017
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Been quietly reliable. Players have been raving about his preseason. https://t.co/pvQ7cnZcti
— Adam Hoge (@AdamHoge) August 25, 2017
A good way to see whether they’re right is by going to some of the tape. I went back through the first half of the Arizona Cardinals game when Massie was on the field. It turns out he did indeed quietly have a strong performance. One of the biggest beneficiaries was running back Tarik Cohen. The Bears rookie had 77 yards on 11 carries in the game. Massie was a big part one some of his best.
On this run watch how he does a good job of making sure right guard Josh Sitton engages the defensive lineman by extending his left arm. That done he slips to the second level and squares up linebacker #58. This takes one of the key defenders out of the play long enough for Cohen to get around the edge for a 16-yard gain.
This next play wasn’t anything special in terms of a big gain, but that doesn’t mean Massie failed in his job. Watch how he goes toe-to-toe with defensive lineman #92. Before the defender can swipe left to seal the hole, Massie turns his body and is able to wall him off from the play. Together with another tremendous block from Zach Miller, Cohen almost sprung through the gap for a big run. Only the fact that there were eight defenders in the box prevented it.
Poor throw by Mike Glennon and an easy pick for Tyrann Mathieu. I don't like this at all from the QB1. #Bears pic.twitter.com/VnkPIdxgtv
— Jake Perper (@BearsBacker) August 22, 2017
It was clear on Saturday the Bears were doing everything in their power to mask Mike Glennon as a passer. Lots of three-step drops and quick throws. So it wasn’t easy to get idea of where Massie is in his protection. Ironically it was on Glennon’s ugly interception to Tyrann Mathieu where he stood out. He’s driven back at first by a bull rush. It looks like he’ll get steam rolled or driven into the lap of the quarterback.
Then Massie is able to re-anchor himself and slows the rush to crawl, giving Glennon that extra second to deliver the throw. Of course the pass was a poor decision, but Massie has no control over that. All in all it was a strong evening for the Bears right tackle. The locker room may be right. This has a chance to be his best year as a pro.
