Hall of Fame head coach Bill Parcells had a great saying. "You are what your record says you are." Since the Chicago Bears were 3-13 this past season, it's clear they weren't a very good team. Granted, injuries played a big role in that. Even so there is a lot of work for them to do if they're going to have any hope of taking a real swing at playoff contention in 2017.
The positions of greatest need have long since been laid out and dissected. Quarterback tops the list with the defensive secondary and tight end not far behind it. Wide receiver threatens to join the fray depending on what happens in the next couple weeks with Alshon Jeffery. He could leave via free agency, creating an entirely new problem.
One area that hasn't drawn much discussion of late is the offensive line. Specifically the tackle positions. Part of that is because there are disagreements about its state. Some believe the edge will be sufficient with Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie in place. Others disagree and feel an upgrade should be sought. So who is right?
It's hard to slam Leno and Massie. Though they struggled early in the season, both seemed to improve towards the second half. They were part of the unit that allowed just 28 sacks in 2016 and also paved the way for Jordan Howard. The second-leading rusher in the NFL (1,313 yards). So why should the team be so anxious to replace them?
A few reasons. One is that an NFL team always has an obligation to seek upgrades at any position that doesn't have star talent. Leno and Massie are passable, but far from stars. Then there is the fact that such upgrades now exist in a pool that once seems shallow. Among the list of lukewarm names on the market, one name surfaced out of Denver that could be their solution.
Okung may have been cut by Denver but there are some who think he drew the blame for the entire Broncos offensive line being bad. Besides that his contract wasn't favorable to the team. Based on the numbers he actually had a pretty good year. According to Pro Football Focus he had an overall grade of 73.5 for the 2016 season, which was higher than both Leno (70.8) and Massie (69.9). Former player and longtime football analyst Pat Kirwan quickly backed up the claim that Okung did better than people realize.
Okung is still just 29-years old. He's a former Pro Bowler who is known for his excellent run blocking ability. He was the anchor of the Seattle Seahawks offensive line that paved the way for Marshawn Lynch during their two Super Bowl runs in 2013 and 2014. When he gets his long arms and massive frame into a defender, it's over.
Watch him for just a few minutes and it's clear Okung is a bully. He loves to get after it in the run game and can blow lanes wide open. That however belies how good an athlete he is for his size. Routinely he's been able to handle top level NFL pass rushers on an island by himself. The attitude he brings to the game is something Chicago fans would love from the moment he stepped on the field. So ask the question again. Would a Russell Okung Bears signing make the offensive line better than it was a year ago? The answer is yes. Put him in a competition against either Leno or Massie and it's almost a foregone conclusion that he'll beat one of them for a starting job. Chicago can afford his asking price. Best of all he'd make life even easier for Jordan Howard as he continues an ascent towards stardom. With a new quarterback coming in, the Bears are obligated to improve however possible on offense.
