Chris Williams figures to get more playing time with the starters at left tackle Saturday against the Washington Redskins.
But the veteran isn’t changing his mindset at all.
“I’m the same guy,” Williams said. “I’m going to go out and play hard and let everything set itself up the way it’s going to.”
Williams downplayed it being a second chance but added, “it’s a chance for me to go out and win a starting job, which I’ve been trying to do all along.
“I’m just going to go out and play hard and let it sort itself out.”
Well, if Williams is serious about winning the job, then he should get more serious about how he performs on Saturday night. Starter J’Marcus Webb hasn’t had a great training camp but neither has Williams. As soon as possible, teams want to firm up their starting lineups, so they can really build the continuity in the final weeks before the regular season.
It would stand to reason that Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice will give both players a chance to face Brian Orakpo, who has 28 sacks the last three seasons. Tice will also probably put those tackles in one on one situations, to see how they fare.
The Bears hope Jay Cutler survives.
“We’ve all got something to prove. I want to prove I can go out and block anyone, and block people consistently,” Williams said. “There’s nothing extra there for me.”
Asked about the left tackle position, Bears coach Lovie Smith said they want to get all their positions solidified.
“Not many of us performed the way we needed to last week,” Smith said, referring to the 31-3 loss to the Denver Broncos. “I assume we’re all going to do a good job this week, left tackle included.”
Really, the Bears would prefer Webb win the job, in my opinion. He’s got the size and athleticism to thrive at the position. But, what the Bears are looking for is consistency from him at a crucial position, one that protects the blindside of their quarterback. They’re also looking for a little more fire from him on the field. I know, from having covered him in the past, that Tice wants players with a mean streak, the sort who try to drive an opposing defensive end into the ground, when given a chance.
Neither Webb nor Williams has that mindset. But whoever comes closer to showing it will land the job.
