With the news that Beekman has been named the starter I figured the best way to compare him to Omiyale is to scout him essentially the same way I have scouted the now benched left guard.   I'm going to focus in on run blocking only for the sake of time, and for the sake of argument given that we're trying to figure out why Forte's production has fallen off by the way side so much. 

I think it's only fair to Omiyale that I line up what is essentially the same type of player, first year player, playing a new position in the NFL.  Beekman had not taken a snap yet at the NFL level manning the guard position.  Same with Omiyale this season, he had strictly been an OT. 

Game 1 Chicago Bears @ Indianapolis Colts:  Forte's stat line 23 carries for 123 yards and one touchdown with the one 50-yard run that completely altered the momentum of the game in the Bears' favor. 

Beekman on the Bears' first run helps Kreutz with a combo block, it's a good  combo block and he helps Kreutz engage and then get set.  He's a little late getting off the combo block and misses the LB who essentially read what was coming based on the combo block and hit the gap quicker than  Beekman could respond.  Grade D.

Next play is a quick draw play that Beekman engages on pretty well, he gets a good drive but extends himself a little too much.  The block overall is average, but he isn't quite able to finish the block  Grade C

Beekman gets a good block on the DT on this play.  He mans up well gets good drive and extension and sticks with the defender all the way through.  Even with the defender tries to simply spin off the block, Beekman stays on target.  Grade B. 

The next play is THE PLAY...welcome to the NFL Matt Forte we'll call it.  This play is a great draw play to Forte,  just the way it's executed and the play call here is just great.   Beekman pulls and blocks the opposite side DT, Kreutz gets a GREAT cut block on the play, Garza too, another great cut block by him.  Both of these cut blocks plus Beekman's pull really open up the  hole on this play.  But what makes the play a touchdown is Desmond  Clark's block on the strong-side linebacker.  Clark gets on him quick at the second level and then proceeds to drive him about 10-yards down the field and knocks him backwards.  This is the block that springs Forte for the touchdown, because once he's to the second  level there was no catching him as he pulls away from the defenders. 

Beekman's technique on this pull is very good he's quick and to the point.  He didn't get the best block on the defender you'd like to see, primarily because the defender too himself out of the play.  The pull though was quick and to the point of attack, which is what a pull needs to be.  It doesn't need to be slow and winding and almost like you're bored to be making the pull.  It's a snap movement that is most effective when the timing of the pull block is top notch in it's execution.  Beekman gets that here, so he has a grade of C. 

Oh man what a block by Beekman on this next play.  Holy cow does he get a punch and a drive on this play.  His block is supposed to be a combo block with Olin Kreutz, but he gets such a good punch and leg drive on the DT and moves him so far out of the hole that Kreutz struggles to catch up to try and help.  He drives him so far out of the play and out of the hole that he loses his balance because he spins the defender out of the play so quickly.  Beekman is just on him so fast and his technique is so sound that it just opens up a gaping hole for Forte to run through.  Grade B

The next play I don't get to see from the snap of the ball because the NBC production truck is slow coming back from the previous play's high light.  From what I see though it's a hand off to McKie and a sort of rugby scrum at the point of attack.  The nice thing here is the pile is moving forward so the pile is being pushed and the Bears are getting positive yards.  Grade INC.

Beekman on another pull block on this play gets out to the second level and onto the linebacker.  He delivers the block and drives the LB out of the rushing lane.  Another solid block by Beekman on this play, good quickness on the pull, good technique to hit the moving target and get the drive block out of the hole.  Grade B

Beekman again on the pull block on this play shows how it's done.  Good quickness, acceleration into your block and he targets the outside shoulder of the defender which spins him out of the hole.  Grade C.

Next running play Beekman gets out and drives the defender yet again, this time two yards down the field.  The DT tries to spin out of it but Beekman is right there with him the entire time.  It's not until  a scrum starts to happen that the DT is able to break free.  Grade C

The next play is kind of a delayed hand off run.  It's not quite a draw, because the O-Linemen sell it as a pass play.  Beekman sorta drops back into pass protection mode to sell the play and sorta chips to blockers to slow them down.  Grade C

The next play is a play-action screen that Beekman does a good job of selling and then he goes down and gets a decent block on the LB.  Grade C

The next play it appears Beekman misses his blocking assignment, but rather than try to chase the guy he missed he simply moves on to the next LB in the rushing lane and blocks him.  Missed block yes, smart to at least get a block, so we'll call it a C. 

Good combo block here between Kreutz and Beekman.  Kreutz is able to slide off the block and catch another defender off the block.  Grade C

Another good drive block on this play as Beekman fires off and gets into the defender and sticks with him throughout driving and pumping his legs.  Good block here  Grade C

Beekman misses his block here, on this play Grade D

Beekman has a cross block over to the DE on this play and executes it perfectly.  He gets out on the DE and punches him and slows his up field rush.  He sticks with the DE and drives him and continues to stick on him through the whistle.  Even though this may not look like the prettiest block on the field, the effort here is tremendous because he doesn't give up even if the defender keeps trying to move out of his path or run away from him or run by him.  He just sticks on like glue and mirrors him where ever he goes.  Grade C

Missed cut block attempt here on this play Grade D

Pulling block with a combo trap block on the DE.  Beekman lowers the boom on this play.  There is nothing fundamental about this play, he just uncorks on the defender with everything he has.  This causes the defender to be stood up  pretty good at the POA.  Grade C

Beekman on the pull block misses his defender but since he's a heady ball player he just simply moves on to the next guy to block that's in his line of sight.  Grade C

Second half:

Beekman locks on but gets driven back a bit into the rushing lane.  Grade D

Another combo block by Beekman this time with the LT John St Clair.  Beekman does most of the work and drives inside hard on the DT and bullies him out of the hole.  Beekman really gets good drive on this block, way better leverage he has here.  Grade B

Beekman misses a cut block here, Grade D

Beekman almost makes a nice cut block here, but instead the LB hurdles his cut block attempt Grade D

A nice combo block by Beekman here really gets into the defender well.  Grade C

G-Power here by the Bears with Beekman pulling, he gets around the corner and through the hole and lays the wood to the weak-side backer on this play.  Just a big collision on this play for Beekman.  The only critique I would have on this play is that not only should he get a big hit on the 'backer but he should lock on and drive through the linebacker.  Grade C

A nice drive block on this next play he really gets into the chest of the defender and drives him off the ball.  Good sound technique and a desire to play through the whistle on this play Beekman shows what he's all about.  Grade C

G-power with Beekman on the pull he gets to the linebacker quick and gets a good heady drive block on the 'backer and drives him out of the hole.  Beekman has a very strong ability to hit the moving target in full stride.  He needs to work on his cut blocking a bit, but he doesn't really miss his target when he pulls.  He sets his feet well and explodes through the defender.   Grade C

Beekman again showing good technique as he seals off the defender to the inside on this outside run.  He gets a good angle on the DT and drives him inside and gets him turned on the play.  Grade C

Another nice pull and pop block here by Beekman a bit more lock and drive on this play.  Grade C

Nice cut block on this play by Beekman, he takes out the defender immediately from the play.  Grade C

Beekman gets stood up on this play.  It's not bad by any means, he just doesn't win the battle he is supposed to on this play.  Grade D

Miss blocked here down on the goal line Grade D

Combo block with a scrape to the next level...good execution on both accounts.  Grade C

Beekman gets tripped on this next block  Grade INC

Free play not a lot of effort on this play...Beekman gets out and gets on his block but there's not a lot of effort because of the obvious penalty flag the play caused.  Grade INC

A decent block here, but it doesn't light the world on fire.  Grade C

Another great block here by Beekman as he gets out and drives and turns the defender on this play.  Good sound fundamentals all thew away around.  Grade C

Beekman fires off the ball with his target being the second level LB.  He gets a decent block but doesn't finish the block as well as he probably should.  Still the effort is there and he doesn't miss the block.  Grade C

Beekman gets a little hung up on his pull block on this play because there is penetration in front of him.  He doesn't lose his focus however and shoots to the gap and makes a good block.  Grade C

Beekman again gets out strong to the second level and gets a nice drive block on the linebacker, moving him down the field.  Grade C

Detroit Game Week 9 @Soldier Field Stat Line:  22 carries 126-yards for Matt Forte

Struggles to get good positioning and is essentiall controlled and driven to the side at the point of attack.  Just short of a reverse pancake block.  The defender sort of does a reverse hold he grabs Beekman and pulls him around by the jersey.  Grade D

Properly executed cut block on the play.  Grade C

Combo block and Beekman helps on it and then jumps to the second level missing his block on the linebacker.  Grade D

The D-Lineman reverse pancakes both Beekman and St. Clair on this play  Grade F

Beekman misses his initial block but he shoots down the line and gets a major crack back block to help spring the runner.  He wasn't able to weave through traffic fast enough to get to the LB at the second level.  So Beekman takes the next best thing.  Grade C. 

Good solid block here as Beekman is able to set his feet and drive into the defender.  He completely drives the defender out of the running lane and turns him to the outside sealing off the inside hole that the back hits.  Grade B

Reverse to the receiver on this play Beekman gives good false motion by pulling down the line like a sweep and then getting the blocks on the traffic that's coming back the other way.  He then comes back the other way and out front of Hester and gets a block on the crossing weak-side backer.    Grade C

Combo pancake block on this play...He gets the help on the initial combo block then gets up to the second level and gets a superb pancake block on the LB.  Grade A

Pulling block on an attacking linebacker...smack dab in the linebackers chest and then he just pushes him off to the side and onto the ground for the pancake block.  Grade A

Yet another pancake block by Beekman on the play.  He gets out to the linebacker and pops him and lays him on his ass right off the bat.  Grade A

Another solid drive block on this play, Beekman is on the DT quick and gets a great drive on the play.  Superb zone blocking skills on this play.  Grade B

Another good combo block here by Beekman as helps with the block and then scrapes quickly to the second level to get on the linebacker.  Grade B

G-power and Beekman gets out on the linebacker and pops him solidly and drives him for a bit before someone falls into the back of his legs.  Block is good though, Grade B

QB sneak on this play and Beekman torpedoes to cut the D-Linemen down.  Grade C

Wow this is an impressive one, Beekman gets out on the pull and he's in front of Forte the whole way.  He's fast enough to get down the field and get a hat on the safety.  But the hustle he shows in getting down the field is what makes this play happen.  Nice big gain on the play with Beekman leading down the field the entire time.  Grade B

Beekman pulls again on his next run block down the field.  He gets a quick chip on one defender, which helps spring Forte for more yards and then continues down the field to get on a player in the secondary.  Grade C

Beekman gets out in front and gets a good cut block on the linebacker on this play.  Grade C

Another solid block on this  next run play, he's into the defender and drives him down the field for about seven yards.  He's just on the defender from the start and just drives through and finishes the block. 

Beekman gets a good pull but slips on the grass. In this game everyone was slipping horribly on the grass.  It bit everyone in the ass, in this game.  Grade INC.

Beekman appears to be on another level from Omiyale.  He gets another solid combo block and then gets up to the next level to further the run and gets another pancake block on the defender.  He just knocks the guy over without much effort.  Just solid technique that just clears the way even further for Forte.  Grade A

Again on the combo block and then showing the ability to get to the second level and get another pancake block.  It's late in the fourth quarter and Beekman appears to be getting stronger rather than weaker.  He is just muscling people right now and is still quick enough to be getting to the second level on the pulls and on the scrape blocks and still getting the blocks that Forte is just taking up the field for big yards.  Beekman's strongest asset is his quickness on the pull blocks and his ability to get up the field in a hurry.  He's not hesitant he knows his assignment and is getting better the longer the game goes on. 

This is completely the opposite of what we've seen from Omiyale all season.  Not only does Omiyale get beat at the point of attack, but he also shows no ability to pull and get out in front of plays nor get to that second level and get those blocks that truly spring things open for big yards. 

Beekman may not be a mauler but he's fundamentally sound enough that he's not going to be over powered and knocked to the ground.  He also has enough balance that he's not just going to get tossed around because he's reaching too hard on a block or out of position. 

The difference between Beekman and Omiyale is night and day.  Yes Omiyale is bigger, but Beekman is so much more fundamentally sound in his game.  He really helps Forte get those extra yards because he's able to get blocks down the field, and he sticks with his blocks through the whistle even if he misses a block.

Beekman shows consistent effort, consistent hustle and isn't afraid to be physical and deliver a big hit any chance he gets.  I think his best football is ahead of him and that he'll only get better.  I like that he never seems to give up, where as  Omiyale always seemed to give up or quit on the play which pretty much led to this down fall.

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