Bears quarterback Jay Cutler was sacked twice in the home opener versus the Colts and seven times in Week Two against the Packers. Nine sacks through two games is just unacceptable.
Clearly a change had to be made up front.
The Bears decided to move backup guard Chilo Rachal into the lineup. He spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the 49ers.
He appeared in 55 games making 38 starts at right guard. He will be inserted into the lineup at left guard over veteran Chris Spencer.
Head coach Lovie Smith made the move after watching game film from last Thursday night’s game against the Packers.
The left side of the offensive line wasn’t very good and Spencer was a big reason for that.
So, what does Rachal bring to the offensive line?
He brings size and smarts to the left side of the line. He fell out of favor in San Francisco, but offensive coordinator Mike Tice and head coach Lovie Smith like Rachal enough to give him an opportunity.
“Chilo Rachal will start at the left guard position. Early in the year you’re looking for different combinations. There are no lifetime positions or anything like that,” said head coach Lovie Smith via Chicagobears.com. “We think that it was close when we went with Chris Spencer in the first place and just feel like right now Chilo deserves an opportunity to show exactly what he can do. He’s a tough guy. He’s a good athlete who can pull out in the open field, and he has good speed and agility for a guy his size. I’m anxious to see what he can do.”
The move makes sense since the Bears simply got lost the battle in the trenches against Green Bay. Lets see what Rachal can do for not only the pass protection up front, but the run blocking as well.
Rams defensive end Chris Long will test J’Marcus Webb and Chilo Rachal all day long on Sunday on the left side of the line. This is the time for the offensive line to bounce back.
Jake Perper is the owner and head writer for Bearsbacker.com. Follow him on Twitter, @Bearsbacker and on Facebook for up to the minute news about the Bears.
