Word from down at Halas Hall should bring smiles to the faces of Bears fans today.  Although it's not official yet, there was news that Josh Beekman is finally taking some reps at left guard with the first team offensive line. 

Lovie Smith, and Ron Turner both refused to comment on the possible news of Beekman rejoining the first team at the left guard position.  The move however is long over due and it would seem to be the right time to make the move given the Bears need to establish their running game this weekend against the Browns' 31st ranked rushing attack. 

Beekman was rated highly in some tape review that was done over Matt Forte's rookie year and he never did anything to lose his job during training camp.  Moving Beekman into the starting role would also only seem to help better Orlando Pace's play. 

I have been one of the biggest proponents of benching Omiyale since after week three on the road against Seattle.  Now three games later it appears the staff is finally going to make the right call.  Typically when Lovie is tight lipped and buttoned down about something it's safe to say you can make the right judgment call on this. 

If Smith was still pro Omiyale he would simply come out and say he was just that.  Rex is our quarterback, Omiyale is still the starter at left guard and so on.  In this case however not only were the coaches silent, but Josh Beekman as well was silent after practice today. 

The news couldn't come at a better time for the Bears as they enter a key stretch of the season with two straight home games.  Not only would getting Beekman back into the starting line up be a good  thing for the Bears, it would also help to ease fears of  Darnell Dockett causing problems when the Cardinals come to town. 

Hopefully the reports are accurate and we'll see precisely what we're hoping to see this Sunday against the Browns.  Beekman getting in a groove and some tune up work and then the Bears being able to attack the Cardinals.  The Cardinals in fact do lead the league in run defense right now.  If the Bears do get in gear and then make some headway against the stingy Arizona Cardinal front seven, hopefully it will serve to finally bring the offense some balance and more importantly serve as a turning point for the rest of the season.

Updated:

Numerous reports are now calling it official that Josh Beekman has indeed supplanted Frank Omiyale as the starter at left guard and will resume his starting role of 2008.  Obviously it won't be completely official until we see Beekman in place and on the field clearing the path for Matt Forte, but at this point the inside sources at Halas Hall have leaked the information out.

This is great news for the Bears' rushing attack because Beekman's fundamentals, his hustle and drive to play through the whistle were evident throughout last year.  Beekman doesn't quit and seems to enjoy contact any time he can find it out there in run blocking situations.  In the coming days I'll have complete coverage and scouting analysis of Josh Beekman and his return to the line up as a starter for the Chicago Bears.  Stay logged in right here at Midway Illustrated for the most comprehensive and in-depth scouting report and analysis you won't find anywhere else on the web on this development.

Comments (0)

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

Add Comment