Tice: Consistency, Health Key to O-Line Success

Though the Bears have heavily invested in receivers for Jay Cutler to throw to, they didn't add much to the offensive line. All of the receivers in the world won't matter if Cutler is sacked before he can throw a pass.

What are the Bears doing to make the line better?

Mike Tice talked about how he is planning to improve the line to the Bears official website. The first move? Competition in a key position. J'Marcus Webb and Chris Williams will split reps at left tackle. Webb struggled in 2011 and Williams moved around to help deal with injuries. Now, with a relatively healthy line, Williams will challenge Webb for his starting spot.

Tice said the winner will be the player who is the most consistent.

"To be a hit-or-miss guy doesn’t help us," Tice said. "We need to know the level of play that we’re going to get each week. Is it going to be a Pro Bowl level, a very good level, a good level, a winnable level or not good enough to win? We need consistency in that level of play so we can determine which five guys we want on the field and which other guys we’re going to keep as our backups."

The next important thing? The healthy return of Gabe Carimi. Tice was overjoyed when the Bears drafted Carimi. Then the Bears line coach, Tice was excited to have a large, athletic player at right tackle. He injured his knee early in the season and finished his rookie year on the injured reserve.

Tice says Carimi will be back.

"He’s had a great offseason. He looks fantastic. I think he looks better technique-wise. I should give him to the trainers more often because his technique was good when he came back from the injury. They did a nice job with him."

The line will need to improve this season, but Tice is already preparing for a better season