Justin Fields might get all the attention among
Chicago Bears rookies, but the buzz around
Larry Borom is every bit as real this season. It became obvious that the team might've found something when Tom Thayer, their former starting guard and current color analyst, singled out the 5th round pick as somebody that was really impressing in training camp. Not long after that both offensive line coach Juan Castillo and Matt Nagy himself admitted the team had given high grades on Borom leading up to the draft. Even 2nd and 3rd round marks.
They were
surprised he fell as far as he did. Over the past couple of months, it has become easier to see why. Like any rookie, Borom has had some rough stretches in 2021. However, there are far more bright spots than normal for somebody of his draft status. Especially at such a difficult position like offensive tackle. His performance last Sunday against the New York Giants was further proof. He allowed just one pressure in 42 pass blocking snaps. Most of them lined up against Azeez Ojulari, the Giants' standout 2nd round pick who went into the game with eight sacks.
Borom got the better of him all day.
https://twitter.com/olin_kreutz/status/1479270150209781763
They also ran the ball three times in his direction, picking up 16 yards for a healthy 5.33 per carry. This offers further proof that he is rounding into a complete player at his position. Run blocking wasn't considered a strength of his coming out of Missouri. Overall, Borom has performed far above expectations. In eight games he has logged 40 or more pass blocking snaps, he gave up two or fewer pressures in four of them.
His worst game even had some context to it. He allowed five pressures and two sacks against the Seahawks in Seattle two weeks ago. Much of this was due to coming in cold off the bench to replace an injured Jason Peters at left tackle. Remember Borom had played most of the season at right tackle.
Larry Borom has so much potential still to explore
Remember this is a guy that is 6'5 and 330 lbs. Yet he has such nimble footwork and athleticism. Part of the reason he likely wasn't rated too high going into the draft were concerns about his weight (350 lbs his final year) and the fact he played at Missouri. A college program that hasn't been relevant in years. Yet by the time pro days and the scouting combine arrived, he'd dropped 30 lbs. A sign he'd embraced remaking his body for the NFL.
The results speak for themselves. If Larry Borom is this effective already in an offense that widely panned as one of the worst-coached in the league, then there is no telling how much better he can get moving forward. Presuming fellow rookie Teven Jenkins can make similar strides in the coming months, the Bears may have remade their offensive line in one offseason.
No small feat.
It offers plenty of optimism for the future. Especially with Justin Fields at quarterback and the prospect of a totally new regime at both GM and head coach. With some favorable luck, this team can experience a swift turnaround.
