The addition of Jonathan Scott at right tackle and Chris Spencer at left guard might not be a totally seamless transition in Week 12 of the NFL season, but Bears offensive line coach Tim Holt isn’t expecting too much of an adjustment period.
”I think those guys will be fine,” Holt said. ”Both of them have played in the league. It’s not like they’re rookies or anythign like that. I’m expecting good things from both of them. I think they’ll do well.”
Scott has started 28 games at tackle in the NFL, including five last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But most of his experience is at left tackle. Spencer has started 92 games in the NFL, but only two at left guard, where he was the Bears’ opening-day starter but was replaced by Chilo Rachal in Week 3.
Though neither has a lot of experience at his current position, the experience in games and in practices makes a difference, Holt said.
”They prepare every week like they’re going to play. It’s not like they sit there and say, ‘Oh, I’m not going to play.”’ Holt said. ”They’ve come in each week and prepared and get reps. It’s not like the first team gets all the reps. Theyv’e been getting the reps throughout. So they’ve been working their combinations with the other guys. It’s not like they’re totally starting from scratch.”
Holt indicated that second-year right tackle Gabe Carimi, who lost his spot to Scott after struggling against the 49ers on Monday night, could play Scott’s role as an extra tackle that the Bears opened with against the Texans and 49ers.
It’s offensive coordinator Mike Tice’s call, Holt said. ”But yeah, obviously he can fill that role if we decide to do that. [On a] short week who knows if we’ll have any of that. It’s one of those things. But if you can play tackle, you can obviously play extra tight end.”
